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News Week of April 2, 2006Ultra Mobile PC Quick Comparison Fujitsu P1610D review * Editors Choice Convertible Tablet PC * "WOW" factor alone does not make a product an "Editors Choice" or a TabletPc2 Favorite". It has to function properly, and significantly improve our computing experience. On those rare occasions when we find a product that not only has "WOW" factor, but it fits a specific need better than anything thing else we have seen or used it becomes a TabletPc2 Editors Choice. In the Case of the Fujitsu lifebook P1510D, the first time I saw it was at PDC in September (Pacific Developer Conference) my initial reaction was "I have Have it!" and that reaction hasn't changed. (Source: Linda A. Epstein, TabletPC2.com) Tablet Kiosk EO V7110 Pictures and Video Here's some picture of Tablet Kiosk's EO V7110 Ultra Mobile PC I saw last night at the Orange County Mobile Users Group. It runs Windows XP, Tablet PC Edition and uses a touch screen as well as a Via C7m CPU. The base configuration is 256MB of ram and 30GB 2.5" hard drive. At the time you order the EO you can customize the amount of ram from 256MB, 512MB, 1GB and hard disk up to 160GB. The ram and hard disk is not user upgradeable. Watch the EO V7110 in Action! The front of the EO V7110 Delivering online assistance to the needy Under the project IST@HOME, researchers developed an affordable and usable video-telephony system that built on work done in a series of European Union-funded projects to design home and care-provision systems for elderly people. It comprises a small movable camera, a set-top box for a TV and a handheld service pad. Together, these components enable users to see, talk to or seek assistance from professional carers in real time, over the Internet. Going beyond the alphabet NEW HP KEYBOARD FREES USER FROM WESTERN MODEL Hewlett-Packard has unveiled a computer keyboard pad that should make typing tasks like Web browsing easier for millions of people in India who read and write languages that don't translate well into a Western alphabet. The same approach could make personal computers more attractive to millions of other people all over the world whose languages use scripts, rather than the Roman alphabet common in Western culture. HP's ``gesture keyboard'' -- a digitized pen and pad packaged with handwriting-recognition software -- allows people to quickly jot down words in Hindi script on the digitized pad that transmits them to a desktop computer screen. Indians can use it to type a report, chat on instant messengers or search the Web. The new system could prove more convenient than tediously typing combinations of characters from the Indian script-based languages that, if assigned their own computer keys, would require a keyboard with close to 1,000 buttons. (Source: Nicole C. Wong, San Jose Mercury News) Live From CTIA Wireless in LAS VEGAS - Wacom Gives Future Tablet PC "the Finger". This is a new input panel Wacom is working with. It's both electromagnetic for the pen and touch sensitive. Picture two shows Brian drawing with his finger. This same display works with the standard pen as well. This is an early prototype. It takes the same space as a traditional pen input panel, same power. There is a higher cost though, the first units are probably 30% more than traditional "electromagnetic only" panels. Video: Richard Anderson - Interactive teaching with Tablet PCs at University of Washington Dialogue launches the ultra portable mini notebook Flybook A33i in Canada Dialogue Technology Corporation today announced the introduction of the Flybook A33i that is now available in Canada. "The Flybook A33i is a go-anywhere, do-everything computer. This office in your pocket is as powerful as a desktop or a heavyweight laptop PC and as handy as a mobile phone," says Mr. Kabir Ahmed, worldwide managing director for Dialogue. The heart of the Flybook is the latest Transmeta Crusoe TM-5800 processor running at 1Ghz clock speed. It comes complete with 512MB DDR RAM (memory) and up to 80GB hard disk drive. The Flybook is powered by a slim interchangeable Li-Ion rechargeable battery which gives approximately 4 hours of continuous You can personalize your Flybook A33i by selecting one of seven colours which strengthens its modern and refined design of fine lines, smooth angles, and polished case. The Flybook is available in gleaming shades of silver, black, blue, red, yellow, white, and orange. "Flybook is your ideal work or leisure travel companion due to its compact size and light weight. The Flybook is aimed at people that are always on the move, and don't want to waste time with a PDA, or have to compromise when accessing emails or the internet," says Mr. Leon Kruger, Managing Director for Flybook Canada. The Flybook A33i is available at the suggested retail price (MSRP) of $3,050. (Source: Press Release) Group Practices Go Mobile with MicroMD® Xpres Suite Group Practices Add the MicroMD Xpres Suite from Microsys Computing, Inc. to Bring the Convenience of Mobile Practice Management to Physicians and Patients With the MicroMD Xpres Suite, physicians who use MicroMD (the award-winning practice management software from Microsys Computing, Inc.) in their offices can securely input and obtain information anywhere served by a Wi-Fi network and thereby boost their productivity. The Xpres Suite includes three optional components: MicroMD PocketXpres™, which offers essential features of MicroMD on any pocket PC device compatible with Windows Mobile® 2003 (or higher); MicroMD TabletXpres™, a portable MicroMD solution for tablet PCs; and MicroMD PatientXpres™, which gives patients real-time, secure and controlled access to their health information. “Many of our medical group customers are now adding the Xpres Suite for mobile computing,” said Ajit Kumar, Ph.D., founder and president, Microsys. MOC1 Solutions Revs the Auto Service Industry with Motion Tablet PC and Specialized Software; Service Departments Increase Efficiency and Enhance Customer Experience Through Increased Mobility MOC1 has implemented its software on Motion(TM) tablet PCs in dealerships across the United States and has secured more than 100 new dealer installs for 2006. Current customers have reported revenue per billable hour increasing up to an estimated 40 percent. Car dealerships previously used pen and paper on clipboards for all service appointment documentation. The Wireless Service Advisor software is pen-and-ink enabled, and is optimized for use on a tablet PC. Information recorded at the point-of-service is transmitted to the dealership's back-end server, where it is processed. Reports then are sent back to the tablet, providing the service team with access to timely up-sell opportunities including recall information and scheduled maintenance. If a customer requests further information about available services, the service team can play a multimedia demonstration on the tablet. "Wireless Service Advisor on the Motion tablet is a necessary tool for dealer consultants to give a much higher level of service during a full inspection," said Dave Waco, president of MOC1 Solutions. "They're giving a customer their undivided attention, answering questions and providing maintenance recommendations." "The MOC1 Wireless Service Advisor really helps maximize our time with our customers, and gives my consultants a structured process and presentation game plan to use with every one of our service guests," said Tom Grabbe, Service Director at Central Florida Chrysler/ Jeep/ Dodge. "The video feature does a nice job explaining the benefits of a given repair." MOC1 selected the Motion Computing tablet PC because of its light weight, durability and its proprietary View Anywhere(R) display, because so much automotive work is completed outdoors. The Motion FlexDock helps workers quickly move from the office to the customer's car. "MOC1's software extends the benefits of ultra-mobile computing to the automotive industry; dealerships and service teams will experience greater efficiencies and productivity," said Ralph Spagnola, Motion Computing's senior vice president of sales. "The Motion tablet PCs will help these professionals to focus on customer care, not paperwork." (Source: Press Release) Market leading US-based tablet PC company hires Brett Gross to help drive market penetration in Australia Motion Computing appoints seasoned sales and marketing executive to lead new regional sales Motion Computing®, a leader in mobile computing and wireless communications, today announced the appointment of Brett Gross as regional manager in Australia and New Zealand. In his new role, Gross will oversee all sales and marketing efforts in Australia, focusing on expanding Motion’s channel partner and distributor programs. Motion’s products are ideally suited to healthcare, government and sales force automation applications where mobility, pen input, wireless connectivity and specialised applications can boost organisations’ productivity and flexibility. The company, headquartered in Austin, Texas, sells its products in 24 countries, and expanded into Australia and New Zealand because of the significant market opportunity. According to Michael Sager, IDC Australia’s PC Hardware Research Manager, IDC Australia found that the local Tablet PC Market grew by 25% from 2004 to 2005. Referenced from the IDC Australia PC Tracker, Q4 2005. Commenting on Gross’ appointment, Peter Lewis, director of international business development at Motion, said: "Brett brings deep mobile hardware expertise and extensive business development experience to Motion Computing. We are excited about strengthening our capabilities in the Australian market and confident that Brett’s leadership and vision will help us accomplish our goals." "Motion is an innovative leader in the tablet PC industry and focused on delivering tangible productivity improvements to its customers," said Gross. "I look forward to working with Motion’s executive team to build the company’s capabilities in Australia and continue to drive its growth in tablet PC market share." Prior to joining Motion Computing, Gross worked as a business development executive at Panasonic in the Toughbook Group where he secured multi-million-dollar sales contracts; identified and developed key vertical markets, including telecommunications, defense, government, and utilities; created marketing and retail partnerships; and lead technical teams in development of new technology. Gross secured Panasonic’s largest Australian rugged computer contract. (Source: Press Release) Notebook or Tablet PC for your Practice? Go for the Tablet! When Tablet PCs first came on the market, there was a hefty premium for using digital ink. Today, a Tablet can be had for little more than $100 above the price of a quality notebook. For this, you'll get a 3rd or 4th generation slate or convertible model Tablet PC that will do everything you'd want from a robust, highly mobile business notebook. Plus it will give you the option of using digital ink, pen navigation, and a form factor that works very well for busy clinicians. Oh, I did I mention you can do some really cool (and fun) stuff too? Yesterday, I met with Tara Prakriya, a senior manager and software architect in our Windows group. You may already know that when Windows Vista becomes available, the Tablet SKU is a standard feature of the operating system. Although a graphics upgrade would be needed to run "glass" on your Tablet, most of the machines on the market today (with at least 512 megs of RAM) will run Vista. Of course, all will run Windows XP. I expect several manufacturers will come forward with Vista-ready Tablets around launch time. In the meantime, there's plenty to do with your Tablet today. The form factor (in "open face" or slate mode) lends itself to quickly referring to information on your machine, your local network or on the web. Tara recommends configuring the power switch to put your machine in standby mode so you can bring it to life quickly when you need it, and save battery power when you don't. (Source: Dr. Bill Crounse, Health Blog) Miner & Miner Releases ArcFMT Solution 9.1.2 Miner & Miner, a Telvent company is pleased to announce the release of the ArcFMT Solution version 9.1.2. The ArcFM Solution is an enterprise solution for editing, modeling, maintenance, and management of facility information for electric, gas, and water/wastewater utilities. This latest release improves performance and extends Miner & Miner's solution in a number of valuable ways: ArcFM Viewer for ArcGISr Engine has been enhanced and simplified to optimize the user experience both in the field and on the desktop. A routing and direction tool, support for GPS, an overview window, a measure tool, map tab synchronization, and a map export tool have all been added. Support for gestures is also included. This allows users to navigate the map and select features using a tablet PC stylus. Additional tracing functionality has been added for gas, water, and electric models. This includes better pipe isolation functionality as well as the option for buffering trace results graphically. System configuration and administration has been simplified. Additional developer samples have been included along with improved implementation guide documentation. "This latest release continues to confirm our commitment of extending our solution to meet the needs of our user community as well as leveraging the latest ESRI technology. We've been attentive to user feedback and have worked diligently to provide innovative technology that both responds to current requirements and prepares for future growth," says Michael Daniels, Vice President of Product Development. (Source: Press Release) Time for Tablets drawing near Technology's improving says mobile evangelist Pringle says there are advances in hardware as well as new software. “In addition to the operating system support, I expect to see a rapid increase in the number of Tablet PC-suitable applications that are either specifically designed for the hardware or have in-built support for it. This trend will further drive adoption rates in the business market and also in the consumer market.” DualCor UMPC Pricing Revealed After the hype surrounding the initial announcement, we now have pricing information on the DualCor cPC. Our readers' eyes bulged when we stated that UMPCs would range from $600 to $1,000. They may be even more surprised to learn that the cPC will ring in at well above the $1,500 mark for enterprise users direct from the manufacturer. In fact, to get a cPC from Westwood, you will have to pay $1,500 plus an additional $500 bucks (although Westwood does throw a three year warranty in with the deal). (Source: Brandon Hill, Daily Tech) Fujitsu exhibits fold-out keyboard UMPC Fujitsu has put on show a pair of conceptual PC designs, one intended to show how an "ultra-mobile" machine might operate, the other a home computer system which looks funky enough but probably won't give Apple's industrial designers any sleepless nights. The UMPC concept is certainly topical, what with the launch of Microsoft's Origami Project and the announcement of real-world products from the likes of Samsung based on the design, co-engineered with Intel. Devices like Samsung's expensive Q1 are keyboard-free kit on the assumption that ordinary folk would prefer to use a stylus. (Source: Tony Smith, Reg Hardware) Tablet PC Talk OQO Model 01+ Review The OQO Model 01+ is the next generation of the original OQO which I first saw at CES in 2004. Well since 2004, the OQO has only had some minor improvements. They have increased the ram to 512MB and now support USB 2.0. Also, they now offer the option for users to purchase the Tablet PC OS for the OQO. Here's my review of the OQO Model 01+ with Windows XP, Tablet PC Edition after using it for the past month: (Source: Chris De Herrera, Tablet PC Talk) OQO model 01+ Tablet Edition Review And that really is the story here. The OQO model 01+, like its predecessor, is a story of compromises. This one is slightly more usable and flexible, admittedly, but the bigger considerations still remain. It’s great that the USB connection is now faster, and the extra 10GB of hard disk space is a plus too. Likewise the increased memory is also a welcome bonus, but Tablet PC Edition doesn’t actually add that much in terms of on-the-move practicality because the small size of the device makes it fiddly to use. Neither is the OQO as practical as a standard laptop. The keyboard, though usable, restricts the speed at which you can work, you have to be prepared to sacrifice response times and performance too. It isn't cheap either at a whopping £1,869.95 with Office thrown in. (Source: Jonathan Bray, TrustedReviews) School for the Blind offers Tablet PC pilot Day 1: DevConnections Orlando Attendee Wins a Tablet PC Mobile PC (including Tablet PC) Hands-on labs are typically popular at conferences. DevConnections Orlando is no exception. Attendees are literally lining up to go through the self-paced Mobile PC Hands-on Labs. Here are some photos from yesterday: Ultra Wide-screen Tablet PC Heaven OK, this new Ultra Wide-Screen Tablet PC rocks! Talk about productivity! I love the size of this screen! Finally, a manufacturer that listens to what their customers want. It's about time. It's not light but it's packed full of power. Did I mention that the screen is really really big? (That's my Tecra M4 in the foreground.) Battery life is, as you might expect - short - however, there are 4 additional expansion bays on the back of this thing that allow you to extend the power from a measly 120 minutes (I got only about 88 minutes, at full brightness) to upwards of 5 hours. Still, I don't see this as a portable tablet. It's certainly not going to make James Kendrick's list of super small mobile computing devices. No one will use this Tablet while standing in line at the airport and forget using it on the plane, except in First Class and only if you have a power outlet at your seat or carry your own productivity juice on board with you. It's simply too big. Still, if you're like me and you want all of the functionality and productive benefit from a Tablet PC in a larger form factor, then this is the type of unit you want. (Source: Eric Mac Blog) Rugged Tablet PCs Big Hit In Agriculture Honey, I shrunk the computer Computer makers have been trying for years to put more functions into smaller packages with mixed results. The model 01+ from OQO, however, represents a real breakthrough in portable computer technology. It’s not much bigger than an average personal digital assistant, but it runs a full version of Microsoft Windows XP. In addition, you can order it with Windows XP Tablet PC Edition and use the model 01+ as a miniature tablet PC. (Source: Michelle Speir Haase, FCW.com) abletFoodCalc - New Product Release Click on thumbnail —abletFoodCalc is the first of a number of personal Tablet productivity applications from The abletFactory, Lifestyle applications. Features: Posted Monday, April 3, 2006 by ChrisD Rating: 2.66 "Paper isn't a big part of my day" Bill Gates, chairman and chief software architect, Microsoft, U.S.A. Another digital tool that has had a big effect on my productivity is desktop search. It has transformed the way I access information on my PC, on servers, and on the Internet. With larger hard drives and increasing bandwidth, I now have gigabytes of information on my PC and servers in the form of e-mails, documents, media files, contact databases, and so on. Instead of having to navigate through folders to find that one document where I think a piece of information might be, I simply type search terms into a toolbar and all the e-mails and documents that contain that information are at my fingertips. The same goes for phone numbers and email addresses. Paper is no longer a big part of my day. I get 90% of my news online, and when I go to a meeting and want to jot things down, I bring my Tablet PC. It's fully synchronized with my office machine so I have all the files I need. It also has a note-taking piece of software called OneNote, so all my notes are in digital form. The one low-tech piece of equipment still in my office is my whiteboard. I always have nice color pens, and it's great for brainstorming when I'm with other people, and even sometimes by myself. The whiteboards in some Microsoft offices have the ability to capture an image and send it up to the computer, almost like a huge Tablet PC. I don't have that right now, but probably I'll get a digital whiteboard in the next year. Today, if there's something up there that's brilliant, I just get out my pen and my Tablet PC and recreate it. (Source: CNN Money, Fortune) |
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It's no secret that I'm a devoted slate style Tablet PC user, so it may be a surprise to some of you that after all of these years I now have an Editors choice convertible as well as a slate. The bottom line is that the Fujitsu P1510D fills a need in my life that the other convertible Tablet PCs have not..JPG)
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