News Week of December 17, 2006

Ultra-mobile PC's second coming

But after the initial hype the product struggled to find a place in the market, which was already flooded with capable portable devices. Today the UMPC has largely been forgotten by all but the most tech-savvy consumers.

Criticisms ranged from poor battery life - three hours, by many accounts - to a lack of differentiating features.

Regardless, its proponents have not given up.

Overnight, images of a rumoured new ultra-mobile PC from HTC, codenamed Athena X7500, surfaced on the web. HTC doesn't sell devices directly to consumers in Australia, but a number of well-known vendors such as i-mate, O2, Dopod and HP have in the past used HTC designs as the basis for their own products. (Source: Asher Moses, theage.com.au)

How Microsoft Botched Marketing The Ultra-Mobile PC -- And Why You Might Want To Buy One Anyway

Interest in Origami fizzled when the product actually came out and was renamed the Ultra-Mobile PC, or UMPC. It seemed that Microsoft and Intel's marketing failed to explain what these devices are intended to do and who might benefit from them.

But there's lots of good reasons why you might want to buy a UMPC -- even though the device's manufacturers are doing a lousy job explaining what those reasons are.

Who Should Buy A UMPC?

UMPCs are versatile little computers. I should know, I've been using ultra-portable computers for several years. I could see early on that the benefits of having a full computer small enough to take everywhere would revolutionize my ability to capture productive time that is normally lost. What makes UMPCs so appealing is the ability to use a full Windows XP-based computer virtually anywhere I go.  (Source: James Kendrick, Information Week)

Are you getting an Origami UMPC for Christmas?

It seems a pretty safe bet that almost no one is going to get an Origami-style ultra-mobile PC from Santa this year, though I'd rather like one myself. James Kendrick from the jkOnTheRun mobile computing site is one of the few users, and he's written an interesting article about the system at Information Week.

The core argument for all these devices is: "UMPCs provide utility in places where other computers cannot be used." This is true of notebook PCs, of course, and it's even true for desktops. (In the old days, it was really hard to get your mini or mainframe home, without several fork lift trucks.) So the question really boils down to how much extra utility you get, what it's worth, and how much you have to pay for it.

This is where the argument for buying UMPCs and Tablet PCs tends to fall down. I can cost-justify an ultraportable notebook PC (I use a ThinkPad X31) and a mobile phone. That doesn't leave a big gap to fill. How much would I pay to fill it? Well, I'd definitely be in for £249, and maybe for £399, at a push. At anything more than that, count me out. £999 is just silly.   (Source: Jack Schofield, Guardian Unlimited)

All I want for Christmas is a 17" HD tablet laptop with 4 gigs of RAM!

On my last trip, sitting next to me in business class (first class unless you're bumped), I noticed this person adroitly using a tablet. He demonstrated how to use the pen. When you hover the pen over the screen, the mouse follows it. When you want to click something, simply tap the screen. There is a button (recommended) on the pen for right-clicking or you can hold the pen in place for a second. You can lean your hand on the screen to write or type comfortably. There is handwriting and typing input. It looked fluid and intuitive. But I could sense that there would be obstacles to maneuvering the way that I am used to. Now, when I'm ready to buy one, I would like some more questions answered. For example, how can I automate frequently-used keystrokes? How can I type on that tiny keyboard? I'm going to need a more robust demonstration, so off I go to the nearest store.  (Source: Dino Perrotti, ComputerWorld)
Posted Thursday, December 21, 2006 by ChrisD
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Project Runway 06883 benefits Weston Middle School

For an encore performance of the successful fund-raiser last spring, the Weston Middle School PTO will be holding another student-faculty fashion show and silent auction on March 9, 2007. This year they will be raising money to support the purchase of PC Tablets.

“Helping to bring the most up to date technology to our schools is a priority for the PTO. There are presently four PC Tablets already in use at the Weston Middle School and they have proved to be a very useful tool in the classroom,” said Brandy Solinsky, event chairman. (Source: The Weston Forum)
Posted Thursday, December 21, 2006 by ChrisD
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Ultra-rugged Hammerhead Tablet PC gets FCC nod

It may not be exactly the type of thing you'd lug into a business presentation, but the Hammerhead Tablet PC will be able to serve perfectly fine in rough and unpredictable environments. And it's just been approved by the FCC. Now, you'll be able to do your scientific field studies without having to worry about protecting your glossy white Apple MacBook.

Official product page here.  (Source: Michael Kwan, Mobile Magazine)

Tegatech heads to NZ

Niche Tablet PC distributor Tegatech Australia will make a range of Tablet PC and Ultra-Mobile PC range in NZ, through its newly formed partnership with the NZ arm of Vantex Technology Distribution.

For the past 5 months Tegatech Australia had been looking for a partner in NZ, said Tegatech principal, Hugo Ortega.

“When talks opened up between Vantex and Tegatech the synergies were quickly realised,” he said.  (Source: ITNews.com.au)
Posted Wednesday, December 20, 2006 by ChrisD
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BlueScope Steel implements Panasonic Toughbook CF-18 notebooks at Port Kembla Steelworks

BlueScope Steel, one of Australia and New Zealand’s leading steel companies, is implementing ruggedised Panasonic Toughbook CF-18 notebooks, to improve productivity and safety of vehicles at its Port Kembla Steelworks.

Panasonic Toughbooks connected to a GPS receiver and running programmable logic controller (PLC) software, have been fitted in locomotives, cranes and forklifts to track vehicle movements, control traffic flow, and manage product inventory. Drivers control the system via the Panasonic Toughbook LCD touch screen which is fitted into the vehicle.

Each Toughbook has ruggedised features, designed to prevent damage in harsh outdoor working environments, protecting against impact, vibration, water and dust, and has a swivel LCD design that converts from a notebook to a rugged touchscreen tablet PC.  (Source: Ferret.com.au)

PhatWare Releases PhatPad 4.0 for Windows Powered Tablet, Desktop and Pocket PCs

Upgraded software supports Windows Vista and gives mobile users support for typed text in addition to digital ink, document security and templates

Mountain View, CA, December 19, 2006 - PhatWare Corporation, a leading provider of software products and professional services for mobile and desktop computers, announces the release of PhatPad 4.0, the next generation of the company's award-winning notes organizer for Microsoft Windows-based Tablet, Desktop and Windows Mobile powered Pocket PCs.

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.

"We're excited to see PhatWare continue to develop and enhance the PhatPad application across Microsoft platforms while adding to their line of great productivity tools for Windows Mobile users." said John Dietz, group product manager, Microsoft Corp. "PhatPad is yet another tool that can help people increase their personal and professional productivity and communications while on the go."

One of the most notable new features in PhatPad 4.0 is support for typed text in addition to digital ink. Typed text can be inserted into the new or existing PhatPad documents in the form of text objects or labels. PhatPad allows up to 1,000 text objects per page with each text object containing up to 16KB of text and attributes such as background, border, and text color and text font. Users can then edit, move or delete existing text objects. All text is stored in Unicode and is supported on both desktop and Pocket PCs.

The upgraded software also includes a number of other new features, including improved inking and integration with handwriting recognition software on Tablet PCs and UMPCs, sinkable user interface with 9 pre-defined skins (including four skins similar to Microsoft Office 2007’s interface), document templates, password-protection with 256-bit long security key and new proprietary encryption algorithms, as well as support for Microsoft Windows Vista.

"PhatWare is thrilled about the recent improvements made to PhatPad based on the professional and consumer feedback we received after the release of PhatPad version 3" said PhatWare president Stan Miasnikov. "PhatWare appreciates all of the input received by industry professionals and consumers to make PhatPad among the best in its class."

The application works on Pocket PCs running Windows Mobile 2003 or later and Tablet, Desktop and UMPCs with Windows 2000 SP3 or later (including Windows Vista with Windows Mobile Device Center component).

PhatPad Pricing and Availability

PhatPad 4.0 is available now at the list price of $39.95. For a limited time only, PhatPad 4.0 will be sold for a special introductory price of $29.95. A free 30-day trial version of PhatPad 4.0 can be downloaded from the PhatWare web site at http://www.phatware.com/phatpad. All registered customers of PhatPad 3.0 who purchased the product on or after September 1, 2006 will receive a free upgrade. All other registered users of any previous versions of PhatPad can purchase the latest version for a special upgrade price of $19.95.  (Source: Press Release)

High hopes for tablet computers

"There are unique things that the tablets can do that other laptops can't do," Flaten said.

Teachers can use a stylus to write documents and multimedia presentations on the computer. The device can convert handwriting to text. The screen can swivel and fold over the keyboard to resemble a paper notebook that can be used for taking notes.

This spring, Flaten will start using a tablet, which will let him walk around his art history classroom and bring up images on the projector wirelessly using the stylus.

He'll also use it for a program called Ashes2Art, in which students use art history with 3D animation and digital photography to recreate ancient monuments online.  (Source: Jessica Foster, Myrtle Beach Sun News)

The balance between a Tablet PC and Pen / Paper

Om Malik has a great post on breaking away from the computer with just a notebook, a pen, and his BlackBerry ( just in case ), and it got me thinking about the balance of Tablet PCs with the need to still take notes on paper.

As some might have already figured out, I’m really big on digital notetaking. I’ve been using Tablet PCs since they were introduced four years agp. I believe in the platform and totally rely on OneNote 2007 to take digital notes that I can go back and search. Being able to sign PDFs on the fly without the need of a printer and fax, navigating the computer with a pen, marking up text that I need to work on, generating mindmaps with my pen and ink – a person would be hard pressed to find any negatives about a Tablet PC. In fact, in my opinion and that of many others, utilizing a Tablet PC is almost all about positive productivity.  (Source: Rob Bushway, GottaBeMobile)

TabletKiosk™ Introduces the Powerbank MP3400

Universal Battery Pack Can Power Many Portable Devices

TabletKiosk™, a leader in Tablet PC and mobile computing solutions, is pleased to introduce the Powerbank MP3400 Universal Battery Pack, the simple and efficient way to add hours of computing time to your Sahara Slate PC®, eo™ UMPC or other portable computing device.

The Powerbank MP3400 is a rechargeable battery pack that can power many portable electronic devices. To use, simply connect the MP3400 to your mobile device and select the appropriate output voltage. Properly configured, the Powerbank MP3400 can extend the normal battery life of many devices up to 8 hours, and as an added bonus, can also simultaneously charge a device’s internal battery provided it requires less than 65W (output 19V/3.5A) of power.

The MP3400 ships with eight (8) different adapter tips to fit the DC ports on many common electronic devices, including portable DVD players, digital cameras, digital camcorders, PDAs, mobile phones, and more.

Portable and powerful, the Powerbank MP3400 goes wherever you go! Just slip the lightweight MP3400 into its included leather case and attach it to your belt or carry it in your briefcase or backpack. The Powerbank MP3400 provides extra power when and where you need it most.

Pricing and Availability

The Powerbank MP3400 is available now for $159 at www.tabletkiosk.com.

Integral Energy line inspectors use Panasonic CF-18 Toughbooks

Integral Energy (Integral) line inspectors are using Panasonic CF-18 Toughbooks to improve the reliability and efficiency of Integral’s asset management network.

Inspectors carrying out Overhead Line Inspections (OLI), Transmission Line Inspections (TLI) and Ground Line Inspections (GLI) use the Toughbooks to perform routine analysis of transmission and subtransmission steel tower lines and pole lines; distribution substation lines and overhead lines; and street light columns.

Power lines and poles generally have a life span of around 55 years, and are inspected every four and a half years for damage such as from storms or termites, as well as the functioning of the power line itself.

Integral began using an earlier Toughbook model in 2002, and upgraded to the CF-18 in early 2006. So far, 50 CF-18 Toughbooks have been purchased. (Source: Ferret.com.au)

Product Review: Lenovo ThinkPad X60 Tablet PC

One of the neatest aspects of Wacom Penabled Tablet PCs is the fact that you can draw directly on the screen, effectively giving you two computers in one footprint. In addition, with the proper accessories, that Tablet PC can be your main desktop as well. Lenovo has just introduced its latest Tablet PC that helps the company push the envelope in the Tablet PC space. Call the X60 and in a minuscule sub-5lb form factor, this Tablet PC has some pretty nifty features that help it to stand out. (Source: John Virata, Digital Media Designer)
Posted Monday, December 18, 2006 by ChrisD
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Q & A : RICK RASHID: ‘The world has gotten big and more complicated’

What is some experimentation with technology that you find promising?

We’ve got a program we have been doing in some universities, where we developed software so that the lecture can be done with a tablet PC. The lecturer can be putting up notes, writing them while talking and showing them up in the screen. Not only can the students see what he is doing, they can be following it on their own. And they could be making their own annotations. They can be asking questions, which can get fed to a teaching assistant. (Source: The NY Times, The Financial Express)

Asus R1F Tablet PC laptop

VERDICT
The Asus R1F manages to mix the idea of a notebook with Tablet PC with far more success than you’d expect. W had expected the high-end specification to offer less than ideal battery life but it even scored highly in this department. With no real flaws to complain about this is a great machine that will keep you working wherever you need to be.  (Source: Stephen Patrick, Pocket Lint)
Posted Monday, December 18, 2006 by ChrisD
Rating: 3.21 (Rate it) 1 Lowest 2 3 4 5 Highest Comments (0)