Tablet PC Talk News Archive

Nokia N810 Internet Tablet Review

The best way to think of the N810 is that it's a handheld web browser -- the best I've ever used. It can do about 90% of what Internet Explorer or Firefox on your desktop can do, and leaves rivals like Blazer and even Opera Mobile in the dust.

It's the browser makes this a very powerful device, as the tasks you can perform on the Web have expanded tremendously in recent years. For example, I'm writing this review almost entirely on the N810 in Google Docs & Sheets.

It also lets you watch YouTube videos, work with your email, and a whole raft of other functions. (Ed Hardy, Brighthand)

You don't have to be in the Tablet PC space long to recognize the name Allegiance Technology Partners. As a value-added reseller of Tablet PCs and Ultra-Mobile PCs, they have become the defacto choice for people wanting to demo Tablet PCs before buying.

Allegiance has just announced that they have expanded their demo program to also include long-term demos and rentals. Checkout their press release below for more info, or call 1-877-772-5587. (Source: Rob Bushway, GottaBeMobile)

For those of us who like to wait until the last minute to get our shopping done or still need a few little things to make that Christmas gift perfect, check out these deals. There are so many accessories available for Tablet PCs that the little things get overlooked. Not this year though because we have a great list of stocking stuffers for your Tablet PC lover.

First off, everyone wants the newest and best tablet that is available at the time and some users are lucky to enough to get that. Currently that would be the new Dell Latitude XT, but they aren't running any deals on it yet. (Source: Tiffany Boggs, TabletPCReview.com)

SUNNYVALE, CA--(Marketwire - December 20, 2007) - EverNote® Corporation announced today that the company's flagship information capturing software will be distributed with all new Fujitsu LifeBook® and Stylistic® notebooks and Tablet PCs. In addition, all LifeBook P1610 ultra-portable notebooks that ship with Genuine Windows® XP Professional will come equipped with EverNote ritePen® advanced handwriting recognition technology.

"For mobile professionals on the go, EverNote's information capturing software offers a quick and easy way to increase productivity," said Paul Moore, senior director of mobile product marketing, Fujitsu Computer Systems. "EverNote -- combined with Fujitsu LifeBook notebooks and tablet PCs -- improves the mobile computing experience."

With EverNote software, LifeBook users will complement their mobile computing with the ability to easily capture and save information and experiences as they occur, and recall them anytime. EverNote provides a single place for capturing, categorizing and instantly locating any kind of data including text, handwritten notes, mobile phone snapshots, scanned images and Web page clips. Additionally, users of ritePen-powered devices will be able to write freely and continuously anywhere on the screen surface and have the handwriting recognized and placed into any Microsoft® Windows® application.

"We at EverNote are continually improving our products with the goal of giving users the greatest flexibility in capturing information wherever they are," said Phil Libin, CEO of EverNote. "Fujitsu LifeBook notebooks are an ideal platform for EverNote because of their versatility and widely used handwriting capabilities. We are very pleased to see our relationship with Fujitsu continue to grow, and hope users take advantage of the powerful offerings."

A leader in mobile computing, Fujitsu offers a complete line of reliable LifeBook high-performance notebook PCs, ranging from powerful desktop replacements to ultra-portable and convertible notebooks, to fit the needs of every mobile user. (Source: Press Release)

So here's what I have to say on the issue. Probably the most important thing to note about tablet PCs is that we are talking about cutting-edge technology here. If we just released the exact same technology as our competitors, we would be missing opportunities to drive this market to the next level - and this is an opportunity we did not want to miss. The result is that our product does carry a slight premium to our competition (emphasis on the word "slight").

We believe that when you take a look at like-to-like configurations AND the incremental technology (that customers have overwhelming told us they want to have), the value equation for the Latitude XT far exceeds that of competitive systems.

We performed a price and feature compare with the Latitude XT, the HP 2710p and the Lenovo X61t. Overall, what I found was that when you adjust for non-standard features such as Dell's standard 3 year standard warranty, the overall price delta was between 8-13%. And while this amount is not trivial, the Latitude XT more that makes up for the difference with additional features customers have told us matter most to them. I have summarized some of these in the table below: (Source: Glenn Keels, Direct2Dell Blog, via JKonThe Run and GottaBeMobile)

PhatWare Corporation is pleased to announce the immediate availability of PhatPad 4.4, the new version of the company's award-winning notes organizer for Microsoft Windows-based Tablet, Desktop, and Pocket PCs and Smartphones.

PhatPad allows users to draw pictures, jot notes, or put a mixture of pictures and typed text on a virtual scratch pad. The program uses new digital ink technology, which provides a very smooth ink flow, so it feels like writing on an actual piece of paper. While working with the note editor, PhatPad offers standard editing commands in addition to a customizable pen palette and variable pen width.

1. Names can now be assigned to pages of PhatPad documents. This allows users to search by page name in addition to page number.

2. Different background colors can now be assigned to pages of PhatPad documents.

3. PhatPad's appearance has been significantly improved when used with high-contrast Windows XP/Vista color scheme.

4. The Insert Photo menu command and Toolbar button have been added, which allows users to take a picture with the built-in camera and set it as a background image in just a few taps.

PhatPad 4.4 works on Windows Mobile Based Pocket PC 2003 or later, or touch screen Smartphone 2003 or later* and Tablet, Desktop, or UMPC with Windows 2000 SP3 or later.

* PhatPad Viewer also works on Windows Mobile based non-touch screen Smartphones.

PhatPad 4.4 is available now at the list price of $39.95. A free 30-day trial version of PhatPad 4.4 can be downloaded from the PhatWare web site. PhatPad 4.4 is a free upgrade for all registered uses of PhatPad 4.X. All other registered users of any previous versions of PhatPad can purchase the latest version for a special upgrade price of $24.95.

For more information about PhatWare and its products, to download trial versions or to purchase software, visit http://www.phatware.com (Source: Press Release)

Financial Advisors Increase Speed, Quality of Business with Technological Advances

Edward Jones is bringing high tech to its low-tech approach on doorsteps across the U.S. with the launch of technology designed to revolutionize its already renowned financial advisor training program.

During initial training, all recruits to the organization's growing network of financial advisors take with them a tablet PC that captures important client information as they make personal visits on doorsteps in communities where they will establish their businesses.

This time-saving and efficient development is designed as a handy companion while financial advisor trainees are out meeting individual investors. It uses a pen-based application that can capture handwritten notes, ultimately allowing financial advisors to spend less time on administrative tasks and even more time focused on building relationships and assisting their existing client base.

"Financial advisors will no longer have to spend time on data entry because they can use the keyboard to make any corrections to their handwritten notes, and then wirelessly upload all that data to the network," said Kevin Alm, principal responsible for financial advisor training.

The program is two-fold. While the tablet PCs help new financial advisors during important prospective client introductions, it comes with a study component for those taking their Series 7 licensing exam.

"This is another tool Edward Jones is implementing to increase the speed and ease in which we do business," said Alm. "We are continuing to invest in new technologies for the organization to help support our financial advisors and further increase customer satisfaction." (Source: Press Release)

GBM InkShow: Capturx

What's this? A Tablet PC/UMPC digital Inking fanatic reviewing a pen and paper solution for note taking? Bear with me here. Capturx by Adapx is a very intriguing Digital Ink solution. Yes, it does use specially treated paper in note books (and other media) and a special pen to capture those notes, but what is intriguing to me about Capturx is the excellent integration with OneNote 2007.

Here's how it works. The Capturx OneNote 2007 kit provides you with software, a notebook, a pen, and a docking station. Once you install the software and recognize the notebook, you can take notes on the notebook using the tried and true familiar pen and paper method. Then the magic happens. When you are back at your Tablet PC (or any other computer) you simply dock the pen and your digital Ink notes are synced to a OneNote notebook. This also charges up the battery in the pen. The notes can then be searched or manipulated in the same way any other notes within OneNote 2007. (Source: Warner Crocker, GottaBeMobile)

If you need help keeping your meetings or class notes organized, Mindjet's MindManager 7 may be the software for you. It is designed to capture ideas, increase brainstorming, create projects and manage meetings. MindManager enhances presentations, gets ideas flowing and improves productivity. Saving time and being more efficient is something every user values.

MindManager is perfect for both Tablet PC and notebook users. The software lets you convert your writing to text or you can just type in the blocks. Users can handwrite all of their notes as well. I tested the software out on my R1F tablet and it was actually fun brainstorming and writing directly on the maps. There are so many helpful features that it's nearly impossible to forget a meeting or project. (Source: Tiffany boggs, TabletPCReview.com)

Take the HP Compaq 2710p for instance; it has a brushed magnesium-alloy chassis, which helps keep the weight down to a more than portable 1.8kg, as well as making it feel good to the touch. It's a standard clamshell design, which means it comes with a keyboard as well as a digitised screen, so you can use it either in standard notebook mode, or twist the screen around 180 degrees and write directly on the screen with the digitised pen.

The screen is easily one of the best tablet screens available, proving bright and clear with little sign of the haze associated with such panels. There is an ambient sensor that pitches the screen brightness in accordance with the light around it, which worked exceedingly well.

It's the little extras that HP has included that make this an impressive tablet. For instance, along with the ambient light sensor, there is also a pop-out light that can be used when trying to view the screen in dark conditions. (Source: Stephen Patrick, Pocket-Lint)

News Week of December 16, 2007