The software was what let down the PlayBook, and it showed it sales: last year the company shipped � not sold � some 800,000 tablets, many of which gathered dust in warehouse shelves as RIM tried to flog them with various price cuts and discounts throughout the year.
From the initial price of $500, you can buy a new 16GB PlayBook for just over $200 on Amazon, and the $700 64GB model is just $321. Those prices, combined with the fresh software update, could push the sales of the tablet (that�s actually a good price for the specs compared to an $200 Amazon Kindle Fire tablet), but it�s probably too late. (Source: Daniel Ionescu, PC World, PC Advisor)
Posted Tuesday, February 21, 2012 by ChrisD Rating: 3
While the Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich has just launched and making its way to premium handsets, new rumors suggest that Google is preparing to launch the next major build of its mobile platform as early as next quarter. DigiTimes is saying that Google is likely to launch Android 5.0 (Jelly Bean) in the second quarter. While details are still limited, the report claims Android 5.0 will again focus on tablets and introduce some improvements to the current mobile OS.
Google�s next-generation Android OS will feature a new dual-boot function. Jelly Bean will reportedly be optimized for tablets and it will integrate Google's Chrome system functions to push dual-operating system designs. Google is supposedly planning to encourage vendors to build dual-boot devices, which would be able to run both Android 5.0 and Windows 8. This is in response to Microsoft�s Windows 8 platform coming soon. (Source: David Novak, The GadgetGUY, Digital Technology)
Posted Monday, February 20, 2012 by ChrisD Rating: 3.15
If you love your iPad but want something a little more steampunk, never fear: you can surround your iPad in vintage charm--and touch-typing, too. Meet the USBTypewriter, suitable for giving all your modern technology a bit of a retro feel.
This impressive gadget by Jack Zylkin is an actual old-timey typerwriter, modified to work like a typical USB keyboard for your computer or, even better, a few tablet models. In addition to the typical letters and number keys, it has control, escape, and F1 through F12 keys, plus old-school carriage return. Yes, it still works with paper, too (sorry, printer!). (Source: Elizabeth Fish, PCWorld)
Posted Monday, February 20, 2012 by ChrisD Rating: 2.77
Today's anesthesiologists are mobile � they rarely, if ever, practice in just one location. This amount of mobility requires that their electronic medical records (EMRs) are as mobile and portable as their practice. As such, Graphium Health, a healthcare software company dedicated to improving patient satisfaction and the quality of patient care through mobile technology, selected the Motion� C5v Tablet PC as well as the J3500 Tablet PC to develop AnesthesiaEMR.com, a web-based application which digitizes the existing intraoperative anesthesia form, allowing users to document via a tablet PC, effectively connecting the anesthesiologist to the cloud.
Tweet this: Graphium #Health selects @MotionComputing #tablets for AnesthesiaEMR.com, helps improve patient care http://bit.ly/i5SaXR #HIMSS12
By developing AnesthesiaEMR.com to run on Motion Tablet PCs, Graphium Health was able to capitalize on the tablet PCs� unique stylus capabilities, replacing paper records with an electronic solution that enhances efficiency, reliability and accuracy.
According to Jeffrey R. Zavaleta, M.D., private-practice pediatric anesthesiologist and chief medical officer of Graphium Health, �Compared to what�s out on the market, the Motion C5v and J3500 Tablet PCs have three distinct advantages: first the durability is unsurpassed, and common disinfectant wipes easily cleansed contaminated units; second, the stylus input was a must for our �digital pen and paper� solution; finally the Windows� 7 operating system allows our IT department to easily disk image and support the hardware. With the AnesthesiaEMR.com running on Motion Tablet PCs, I can keep pace with my fastest surgeons.�
AnesthesiaEMR.com, running on Motion Tablet PCs, allows the anesthesia department to complete intraoperative records, prevent record loss, automate billing compliance checks and batch billing processes and enable real-time remote supervision. Because of the tablets� connection to the cloud and AnesthesiaEMR.com�s enterprise-validated business intelligence engine, administrators can ensure throughput, efficiency and patient safety across facilities in real time. The additional use of the barcode scanner and camera allow for automated patient and drug identification before every surgical case, ensuring the safe delivery of care to patients and the legal documentation of ancillary procedures.
By eliminating the need for paper-based forms, the mobile computing solution helps reduce the potential for error as well as lost records and revenue. The supervising anesthesiologist can now manage multiple rooms at once by easily accessing all required records and supervising the delivered anesthetic, saving valuable time. The office secretary is no longer required to validate each record to ensure all signatures and times are complete � the solution automates this process from start to finish. The medical director no longer needs to wait six months for productivity reports to identify which providers should improve their patient safety practices, as the information is generated and captured in real time and viewable in the OR Dashboard.
Aside from the provider and patient benefits, the elimination of paper creates a green benefit. A typical process starts with the creation of an anesthesia record on a paper form with three additional carbon copies. The original copy goes on the patient's chart, and the remaining copies are delivered to the billing office, pharmacy and anesthesia office. Each copy of the record serves a different purpose: the chart copy is scanned into the hospital's EMR as a PDF; the billing copy is manually entered into the billing software; the pharmacy copy is used to reconcile pharmacy charges; and the anesthesia copy is stored in the office for six months for possible data mining, a process so dependent on human capital it becomes cost prohibitive.
According to Dr. Zavaleta, there are currently 90,000 anesthesia providers and 40-50 million anesthetic procedures performed each year in the U.S. By eliminating paper-based forms, the savings can add up to 200 million pieces of paper a year.
Finding Motion at HIMSS Motion is exhibiting in booth #4230 and demoing the CL900, F5v, C5v and the J3500 Tablet PCs as well as its industry-first, integrated expansion solution for data acquisition and transaction processing, the CL900 SlateMate� with Magnetic Stripe Reader (MSR) and Barcode Scanner (BCS). Stop by the booth for product information, case studies, giveaways and more.
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