News Week of August 19, 2007

LAPTOP Names the Top Back-to-School Notebooks

Ten notebooks for every student on any budget.

New York, NY (PRWEB) August 24, 2007 -- LAPTOP: Mobile Solutions for Business & Life is taking the guesswork out of the back-to-school shopping season by naming the best back-to-school notebooks for students to match every need and budget. In an exclusive online feature on www.laptopmag.com/2007/school LAPTOP offers a comprehensive list of notebooks to match students' goals, styles, and most importantly, their wallets.

LAPTOP's editors handpicked notebooks across multiple categories, ranging from Gateway's Tablet PC for the serious student to Apple's MacBook for the hipster to Toshiba's Tecra for the accident-prone.

The top ten notebooks are:

For the Cash-Strapped: Gateway NX570X ($799)
For the Hipster: Apple MacBook ($1,299)
For the Gamer: Alienware Area-51 m9750 ($4,259)
For the Style Maven: Sony VAIO VGN-CR190E/L series ($1,370)
For the Studious Student: Gateway C120X Tablet PC ($1,299)
For the Trust Fund Kid: HP Pavilion HDX ($4,079)
For the Lightweight: Dell XPS M1330 ($1,299)
For the Surfaholic: Dell Inspiron 1420 ($849)
For the Accident-Prone: Toshiba Tecra A9-S9013 ($1,349)
For the Multimedia Maven: Sony VGN-AR590E ($3,299)

To learn more about LAPTOP's best back-to-school notebooks as well as view the entire Back-to-School Gear Guide, please visit www.laptopmag.com/2007/school.   (Source: Press Release)

Is the digital pen mightier?

The latest bunch are a far cry from the earliest attempts to add a brain to the standard Bic. But the question remains: Will these new devices be more than a curiosity? Or will they, like their predecessors, find themselves quickly relegated to the back of desk drawers or spend their days as expensive paperweights?

The quest for a digital pen people actually want has lived alongside another perennial tech pursuit — getting people to navigate traditional computers using the pen as an input device. While Microsoft has managed to create a few converts with its Tablet PC and many graphic designers use pen tablets for their work, the overwhelming majority of people still do their hunting and pecking via the venerable keyboard.  (Source: Ina Fried, News.com, USA Today)

Gateway E-295C/C-140x Tablet PC Review

Users everywhere have been talking about Gateway's newest 14-inch tablet, the E-295C or as some know it the C-140x. I mean it is a beast. It runs a 1.8GHz Core 2 Duo processor and has a 60GB hard drive, which can be upgraded. It's a little on the heavy side, but it is full of features and has plenty of battery options to give you power all-day.

The Gateway E-295C/C-140x Tablet PC.   (Source: Tiffany Boggs, TabletPCReview.com)

Ultimate business travel computer companions

In the HP Compaq 2710 Notebook PC, for example, you can log onto the computer with your fingerprint, which opens the door to programmed Web sites and replaces the need for all of those passwords you're juggling.

"Very often, we are finding that people use it as a convenience," says Tom Augenthaler, worldwide public relations manager for Hewlett-Packard.  (Source: Lauren Streib, Forbes, MSNBC)

Sahara Tablet PC Graphics and Dictation

This is a recent post on You Tube showing the Sahara i44D tablet from Tablet Kiosk in use with Windows Vista and a couple interesting graphics programs.  I tried to show the responsiveness and quality on how the tablet responds.  Being able to switch back and forth between touch and using the stylus digitizer is really a huge plus.  When working with graphics programs, I prefer using the digitizer and when doing research on the Internet, the touch screen really fits the bill.

http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2007/08/sahara-tablet-pc-graphics-and-dictation.html

As I mention in the video, the dictation was really put through the ringer for a test, as I wanted to make sure I really had a less than perfect surrounding to give it a full test.  The voice commands that work with Vista are great.  At the end of the film you can see some of this being demonstrated when closing the document.  I have also used Vista voice dictation a bit when surfing the web too, and it makes for a new type of browsing experience, again, not having to use the touch screen as much and it navigates well.  You can even tell the voice command window to "move itself" out of the way if needed.  To begin using dictation, you can have it open and simply state "start listening".  As far as resources for dictation, I didn't find that Vista dictation required any more or any less than some of the other software that is available.  I did very little training here, just the basic to open and get the program going, and I was surprised at how it already picks up some of the medical terminology.    (Source: Barbara Duck, The Medical Quack)

Everun Raon Digital, the perfect UMPC?

In some sense, this is the new kind of UMPCs. It’s quite small and its price won’t make you break the bank. There’s the 4.8″ WVGA (800×480) touchscreen which auto-rotates as you move the screen (i.e. like the iPhone), full QWERTY keyboard, Bluetooth, WiFi and other UMPC-specific goodies. However, the best thing about this baby is its weight (460g) and the fact that it fits one hand. Plus, let’s not forget the built-in high-capacity battery, which according to the official specs could make Everun work for up to 12 hours!  (Source: Dusan, IntoMobile)
Posted Wednesday, August 22, 2007 by ChrisD
Rating: 4 (Rate it) 1 Lowest 2 3 4 5 Highest Comments (0)

Motion Computing C5 Tablet PC Video Review InkShow

When Motion Computing announced the innovative C5 Tablet PC several months ago, people saw several new things not previously implemented in a Tablet PC: an integrated barcode reader, RFID scanner, a spill-proof / disinfectant-resistant resin casing, and a handle. The C5 was built from the bottom-up to be a health care focused device, and with those features, plus a 2.0-megapixel camera, it clearly shines.

The great thing about the C5 is that it has tremendous possibilities outside of the health-care field: field force workers, construction, hospitality, retail sales, warehousing, service, etc. I would really like to see future Motion products integrate the camera and the handle. In the few days I got to review the C5, I grew to really appreciate that handle.  (Source: GottaBeMobile)

According to In-Stat Ultra Mobile Device Market Will Be Defined by Multiple Forms

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The ultra mobile device market, initially defined by the ultra mobile PC, is evolving to become a family of devices that will compose the "ultra mobile device (UMD) paradigm,” reports In-Stat (http://www.in-stat.com). One ultra mobile device will not be able to meet all of the different UMD usages/applications, the high-tech market research firm says. Three key features differentiate UMDs from products like PDAs and smart phones. First, UMDs must run a full operating system. Second, they must run any application as originally developed and compiled for PCs or notebooks. Third, UMDs must run full web pages unmodified (including flash and java applets) to provide complete Internet experiences.

“The new paradigm also requires specific market inflection points in the mass availability of anytime/anywhere wireless communications, as well as new business models for application programs for widespread adoption,” says Ian Lao, In-Stat analyst. "Many of these requirements are already in the late stages of development or roll-out."

Recent research by In-Stat found the following:

• The UMD worldwide forecast is for more than 8 million units in 2011.
• 2008-2010 will be key years for the development of a market inflection point of anytime/anywhere wireless connectivity that is necessary for widespread adoption of the UMD paradigm.

The research, "Ultra Mobile Device (UMD, UMPC, MID, Micro PC)… A New Paradigm For Mobile User Applications" (#IN0703492SI), covers the worldwide market for ultra mobile devices. It provides a worldwide unit shipment forecast for UMDs through 2011. Extensive discussion of market drivers and barriers is also provided, including the technological developments necessary for market development. In addition to the report, Ian and other In-Stat analysts provide consulting services on a variety of technical and market topics regarding the semiconductor and electronics industries.

For more information on this research or to purchase it online, please visit:

http://www.instat.com/catalog/scatalogue.asp?id=68 or contact a sales representative:

Eastern North America: Tina Sheltra, 480.609.4531; tina.sheltra@reedbusiness.com
Western North America: Elaine Potter, 480.483.4441; epotter@reedbusiness.com
Outside of North America: http://www.instat.com/sales.asp

The price is $2,995 (US).   (Source: Press Release)

OQO Announces Federal Government Market Strategy and Partnerships with Telos, Emtec Federal, and GCS

    SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- OQO Inc., creator of the model 02, the world's smallest fully functional Windows Vista(TM) PC and the first ultra mobile PC with embedded 3G mobile broadband, today announced its go-to-market strategy for the federal government market. The company has hired John Inkley as director of federal sales and partnered with federal IT resellers including Telos, Emtec Federal and Government Contracting Services (GCS), Inc.
    "Government agencies depend on Telos to offer truly innovative products that satisfy our government customers' unique and demanding requirements," said Ralph Buona, vice president of Telos Managed Solutions. "The OQO offers tremendous flexibility and will be positioned as a cornerstone of several integrated product solutions we offer."
    OQO's relationship with the federal market sector initiated with funding in 2004 from Washington D.C.-based Paladin Capital Group. Paladin's management team includes the former Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), the former Director of the National Security Agency (NSA), and the former Deputy Director of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).
    "As government agencies attempt to achieve operational efficiencies, they will look to technological advancements like the OQO model 02 in order to better equip mobile employees, whether military or civilian, to achieve success." commented Lt. General (Ret.) Kenneth A. Minihan, a Paladin Managing Director and former Director of the NSA.
    Recognizing the dependence of government workers on wireless networks and mobile devices, the OQO model 02, equipped with integrated EV-DO Wireless WAN capability from either Verizon Wireless or Sprint, enables users in the field with unprecedented access to information and empowers secure mobile computing. With a 1.5GHz processor, 60GB hard disk drive and 1GB of RAM, the model 02 harnesses the power of Windows XP and Vista(TM) to run full versions of mission-critical applications such as FalconView and Groove.
    As the director of federal sales, John Inkley will be responsible for leading sales initiatives across the public-sector market as well as managing crucial relationships with key industry resellers. Inkley has 20 years of experience in mobile and federal IT sales with companies including Palm Inc., CyberMedia Inc., and Digital Equipment Corporation.
    "The UMPC space continues to gain validation as customers in the private as well as public sector fully realize the benefits of the ultra mobile form factor together with the ability to run sophisticated PC-based applications," said John Inkley. "As the roles of federal employees continue to evolve, the flexibility and mobility offered by the model 02 enables the anytime/anywhere productivity they require."
    For more information on the OQO model 02 computer, please visit http://www.oqo.com.  (Source: Press Release)

Tablet PC brings fun back to classroom

They have recently received nods of approval for being a potential tool for educational use. Now, software developers, such as Huelab, have produced state-of-the-art educational software for tablet PCs.

Huelab, which recently supplied tablet PCs to some 42 religious schools in Brunei, was here on the invitation of TechDistribution Limited, an authorised distributor of Microsoft in the country.

It is hoped that the training would support the idea of using tablet PCs in local schools.  (Source: Azaraimy HH, Borneo Bulletin)

OQO Model 02 Ultra Mobile PC

But the Model 02 hasn't stood still, and this latest version represents a pretty big facelift. The most obvious change is the colour scheme, which has gone from gunmetal grey and silver to a combination of matt and gloss black finishes, with the odd flash of brushed aluminium here and there. I liked the old colour scheme because it was different and still managed to look really smart. But though the Model 02 now merges into the crowd a bit more – everyone is doing gloss black these days – it still manages to pull the look off with great panache.  (Source: Jonathan Bray, TrustedReviews)
Posted Monday, August 20, 2007 by ChrisD
Rating: 4 (Rate it) 1 Lowest 2 3 4 5 Highest Comments (0)