“This is the world in which reporters will take notes on a Tablet PC - not an old-fashioned notebook, which Ballmer points out is easily lost. “On a Tablet PC your notes will be loaded up to a server as you write them. Someone back at the office could be looking at them and thinking ‘that doesn’t sound right, it contradicts something Steve said last week’. They could send you an instant message saying ‘ask Steve this question’. “We are all about benefiting people through technology.” But Ballmer...isn’t too wired. He has computers and an Xbox game console at home, but broadband internet access was installed in his Seattle neighbourhood only last week, the same time he got his Tablet PC.”
“I haven’t got the techiest household. It’s nothing like going to Bill’s house and seeing an amazing collection of techie ideas. I could have super-duper special purpose stuff that other people can’t afford but I prefer to use the technology that most of our customers use and live the life our customers live.” (Source: NZ Sunday Star-Times)
Posted Saturday, October 26, 2002 by ChrisC Rating: n/a
4 full-sized images. Some observations from the TabletPlanner screenshots source...
“VERY Cool software - I think this App will be one of the few early home runs for the Tablet. Tablet planner also has GREAT handwriting reco built in, and a slightly better Notes interface than Journal for it. (It appears to be Journal with a little more work). Also includes a printdriver so you can “print” anything into your planner notes from other apps.”
Posted Saturday, October 26, 2002 by ChrisC Rating: n/a
Acer Tablet PC pictures from Ed Holloway...
Posted Saturday, October 26, 2002 by ChrisC Rating: n/a
Feature proliferation? Too many applications? I don’t agree with that. I say more is always better. Too FEW features and not ENOUGH applications seem to doom things more than “too much”. Would you want ONE Tablet PC enhanced application or 50+? People will always find uses for “more”. But this issue is FAR more complex than these 3 points, and they didn’t even deal with the issues of pricing, availability, total reliability and actual real-world use beyond the ‘gizmo coolness factor’. And they also glaringly left out the fact that consumer devices didn’t always live up to the marketing-glaze over-hype. To classify things in terms of “interfaces, feature proliferation, too many applications, converged devices” still shows that they are all living in some sort of over-hazed Silicon Valley dream world. Gonna party like its 1999? :)
“At issue was the question: Why, after all the years of hyper-exaggerated expectations, do consumers buy so few smart appliances in the United States? Why is Silicon Valley so bad at selling personal technology? But what, specifically, is holding back the development of good personal technology? The panelists singled out three issues in particular: 1. Interfaces 2. Feature proliferation 3. Too many applications”
“In the meantime, however, they all thought the Tablet PC and Danger Hiptop were pretty d... cool.” (Source: Jason Pontin, Red Herring)
Posted Friday, October 25, 2002 by ChrisC Rating: n/a
“Tablet PC Software Development with .NET is a complete guide to software development for Microsoft’s latest operating system, Windows XP Tablet edition. Based on a new paradigm for mobile PCs, the Tablet PC is a fully functional Windows PC that is designed for ink-enabled, pen-enabled, and speech-enabled applications. As the next generation PC platform, the Windows Tablet provides a pure superset of current laptop PC functionality, allowing the mobile worker to be more productive than ever.”
“Ed Holloway takes the reader through an inclusive introduction to the Tablet PC software and hardware specifications, and then dives into software design guidelines for the Tablet environment. After the reader achieves a thorough understanding of the Tablet platform, the complete Tablet PC Software Development Kit (SDK) will be uncovered, including sample code and applications. The book concludes by taking the reader through the process of building and deploying a complete software application, that showcases all of the Tablet PC’s functionality.”
Posted Friday, October 25, 2002 by ChrisC Rating: n/a
Design News repost of the Paul McDougall, Information Week article...
“...IT executives hope the Tablet PC will facilitate new levels of collaboration within their organizations. Tony Scott, chief technology officer for information systems and services at General Motors Corp., says the automaker has already made significant progress toward real-time collaboration but is counting on the Tablet PC to help it take the next step. By digitizing its design process during the past four years, the company has reduced vehicle development time from 48 months to 18. To slash even more time from the process, Scott says, GM needs tools that let workers interact and share documents electronically, even when they’re walking around the factory floor or attending a board meeting...” (Source: InformationWeek - 10-21-02, pg. 50)
Posted Friday, October 25, 2002 by ChrisC Rating: n/a
EVITA 2000
Not yet Windows XP Tablet PC Editionified, but pretty impressive unto itself all the same...
EVITA 2000C - Premium Tablet Companion
� 800MHz Transmeta Crusoe � 10.4" Transflective SVGA TFT � Resistive Touch Screen � Lynx 3D 8MB video chip � 256MB SDRAM (up to 512MB) � 20GB 2.5� HDD ATA66 (upgradeable) � 1 USB, 1 Firewire, 1 VGA out ports � Built-in IrDA port � Built-in Speaker � Build-in noise reduction microphone � Up to 3-5 hrs Li-Ion battery � 1 type II PCMCIA slot � 1 Smart Card slot, Smart Media slot � Build-in 270k pixel CCD camera � Docking Cradle with CD driver, 2 USB 1 Firewire, 1 PS/2 � Choice of: �Windows XP Professional �Windows 2000 Professional
Other models: EVITA 2000E and EVITA 2000B
For further information and details, please contact: Paul Wang
Posted Friday, October 25, 2002 by ChrisC Rating: n/a
�Allscripts Healthcare Solutions, the leading provider of point-of-care decision support tools for physicians, announced today that Sutter Health designated Allscripts as a �Preferred Vendor� for its TouchWorks mobile applications...As a leader in wireless, point-of-care technology, Allscripts delivers TouchWorks through wireless local area networks (WLAN) using handheld PDA and Tablet PC devices. TouchWorks can also be deployed on desktop workstations.� (Source: Press Release)
Posted Friday, October 25, 2002 by ChrisC Rating: n/a
�At least 20 to 30 research projects completed by Microsoft Research Asia (MSR Asia) are used by Microsoft in the development of its software products including Office XP, Windows XP and Tablet PC. �MSR Asia has a high transfer rate of 50 percent from research to actual products and the potential use of these research projects to Microsoft is extremely high,� said Dr. YaQin Zhang (PhD), managing director of MSR Asia. Dr. Zhang, a world renowned scientist and business executive, said: �We have to take risks and a long-term approach� as he noted that a lot of these research projects may not end up as Microsoft products.� (Source: Edu H. Lopez, Manila Bulletin)
Posted Friday, October 25, 2002 by ChrisC Rating: n/a
�Software major Microsoft is likely to launch its much awaited Tablet PC -- an advanced wireless computing device mixing the functionality of a laptop and personal digital assistant -- in the early December in India, a senior company official said. �We are launching Tablet PC in fewer countries initially in the last week of November or early December and India is among that list of countries�, Rajiv Kaul, MD, Microsoft Corporation India Pvt Ltd, told reporters on the sidelines of the CIO summit organised by CII.� (Source: Hindustan Times)
Posted Friday, October 25, 2002 by ChrisC Rating: n/a
�Phoenix is looking for the tablet PC to help create another revenue stream. �The tablet PC is an important segment of the portable computers market, and we�re the market share leader in BIOS for tablet PC,� says Paul Clark, a product manager for Phoenix. �This is a strategic segment for us to go after.� But one industry analyst is skeptical of how strong the tablet PC market will be.� (Source: American City Business Journals - SV and SJ)
Posted Friday, October 25, 2002 by ChrisC Rating: n/a
�A start-up formed by a group of Dell Computer visionaries plans to release its device next month. Will it find the right formula for success? On Nov. 7, Austin, Texas-based Motion Computing plans to unveil its tablet-style computer that will offer more deluxe features than competing machines, according to CEO Scott Eckert.� (Source: CNET NEws.com via BusinessWeek Online)
Posted Thursday, October 24, 2002 by ChrisC Rating: n/a
The Impress Corporation reports on IDF 2002 Fall Japan. Website in Japanese. Also includes a Toshiba DynaBook SS demo report and pictures.
Posted Thursday, October 24, 2002 by ChrisC Rating: n/a
�The Tablet PC-carrying models scheduled to go on sale one by one from Nov. 7 were displayed for reference, but in nearly complete forms. Eight firms are planning to market their new products soon, and at the Microsoft Corp. booth, seven firms except for Hewlett-Packard Japan Ltd. exhibited their products. The seven firms are: Acer Japan Corp., NEC, Sotec, Toshiba, Fujitsu, ViewSonic Inc. and PaceBlade Technology Inc. Some of companies, such as Toshiba, showcased their products for the first time at this exhibition.�
�As for Tablet PC-compatible application software, several items are so close to perfection that visitors could operate them on their own. For example, there was the CAD software �CAD Plus� (T-Five Corp.) that enables the user to draw diagrams by hand, the train route guide software Ekisupato (VAL Laboratory Co., Ltd.), the comic-making software �ComicStudioDebut� (Celsys Co., Ltd.) and the postcard-making software from Fuji Soft ABC Inc.�
Posted Thursday, October 24, 2002 by ChrisC Rating: n/a
�A top official from software giant Microsoft...pledged three investment ventures to boost Taiwan�s ailing economy after meeting with Premier Yu-Shyi-kun in an effort to gain the full support of the government to turn Taiwan into a technology center for Asia. At the end of the meeting, Ayala presented a whole new tablet PC - scheduled to hit the market on November 7 - to Premier Yu. Finally, Ayala stressed that the plan would build up a foundation for Taiwan�s future economy from a long-term perspective. �This is a milestone for Taiwan and Asia, and I think Taiwan is ready for it,� he said. (Source: Taiwan News)
Posted Thursday, October 24, 2002 by ChrisC Rating: n/a
�...Microsoft also is tinkering at ways to reinvent portable computing, with operating-system software for a new type of computer called the Tablet PC coming out this year. The clipboard-like Tablet PCs will come with touch-sensitive screens and use handwriting-recognition technology to give people another way to write documents and enter information...� (Source: Washington Post)
Posted Thursday, October 24, 2002 by ChrisC Rating: n/a
�...Mr. Meisel said there may be a renaissance in the voice recognition market with the introduction of the tablet computer. In November, Microsoft plans to release its tablet PC, with speech recognition built in. �Companies that want to add speech recognition to their software to run on those might turn to Wizzard for their tools,� Mr. Meisel said.� (Source: Pittsburgh Business Times)
Posted Thursday, October 24, 2002 by ChrisC Rating: n/a
�BSQUARE Corporation...announced two new Board Support Packages (BSPs) for the AMD Alchemy Solutions Au1100 and Au1500 processors. The BSPs are Microsoft Windows CE .NET-based software development packages for AMD Alchemy Solutions hardware reference platforms to help OEMs evaluate and prototype device designs. By leveraging the pre-tested, production quality software, developers can better meet aggressive market schedules and increase market share.�
�Targeting mobile Internet appliances such as web pads, telematics, and PDAs, the innovative Au1100 offers an industry-leading combination of high performance and low power consumption. An integrated LCD controller reduces device bill of material (BOM) costs while reducing power consumption by up to 50% from previous Alchemy products. The Au1500 is ideal for Internet-access products such as thin clients, as well as Internet infrastructure products, including Web servers, routers, gateways, and wireless access points.� (Source: Press Release)
Posted Wednesday, October 23, 2002 by ChrisC Rating: n/a
�From the start, the device formerly known as Mira seemed to be on a collision course with Microsoft�s Tablet PC, which will debut on Nov. 7. While a Tablet PC is actually a fully functional PC, a Smart Display is just an add-on flat-panel monitor that wirelessly connects to an existing PC. Trouble is, Smart Displays look just like the slate-styled tablets. Had both products hit the market within weeks of one another, that similarity would almost certainly have caused mass confusion among consumers. In fact, Microsoft partner ViewSonic is expected to launch both a Smart Display and a Tablet PC--a marketing train wreck just waiting to happen.� (Source: Josh Taylor, AnchorDesk)
Posted Wednesday, October 23, 2002 by ChrisC Rating: n/a
�Hewlett-Packard is charging ahead with the launch of its Tablet PC next month, dismissing naysayers and skeptics� warnings that the portable is �too bulky, too expensive, and too revolutionary� for the market�s taste. �There�s nothing like it,� Jason Juang, general manager of HP�s Personal System Group told a media gathering yesterday...� (Source: eTaiwan News)
Posted Wednesday, October 23, 2002 by ChrisC Rating: n/a
�The new tablet PCs are hitting the streets in the next few weeks, and for once I am at a loss as to what to say about them. They are a study of opposites: many good and bad things, put together in the same package. So I�ll tell you about them, and let you be the judge...� (Source: David Strom, Web Informant)
Posted Wednesday, October 23, 2002 by ChrisC Rating: n/a
�Reseller Deverill has completed an agreement with notebook vendor Acer, and claimed this will boost its price competitiveness in future hardware deals. The Hewlett-Packard/Compaq VAR will become an Acer Gold partner, as the notebook vendor continues to grow its UK channel. Acer announced last month that it is looking for new resellers to offer its new tablet PC with full support. The price of Acer products was a major consideration when the reseller decided to take on the PC vendor�s range, according to Richard Ashmore, managing director of Deverill. �It�s very competitive out there at the moment,� he said. �This deal makes sense and adds another string to our bow. This new range gives us greater potential in markets where price is everything, such as the education sector.� (Source: pcw.co.uk)
Posted Tuesday, October 22, 2002 by ChrisC Rating: n/a
And to start things off, Stephane Torres grants us a very impressive and very in-depth review of the webpad Siemens SIMpad SL4 (HPC2000 - CE 3.0), also in one month he will update the review of the SIMpad per Windows CE.NET
Posted Tuesday, October 22, 2002 by ChrisC Rating: n/a
Transmeta�s Crusoe is First Microprocessor Certified for XP Embedded SP1
�Transmeta Corporation...announced that the company�s energy-efficient Crusoe processor is the first microprocessor to be certified by Microsoft Corp. for the new Windows XP Embedded with Service Pack 1 (SP1) operating system. The certification provides Transmeta with increased opportunities to move the Crusoe processor into a wide range of embedded applications.�
�In today�s market, OEMs are seeking to build the most advanced and full-featured connected devices,� said Keith White, senior director of the Embedded and Appliance Platforms Group at Microsoft. �Transmeta�s Crusoe processor operates in conjunction with Windows XP Embedded with SP1 to enable embedded developers to individually select only the rich features they need for the latest Windows-based technologies built on an x86 processor.� The Crusoe processor�s energy efficiency and high performance together with Windows XP Embedded with SP1 permit rapid development of highly reliable and full-featured connected devices.� (Source: Press Release)
Posted Tuesday, October 22, 2002 by ChrisC Rating: n/a
Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Office Pack - OFFICEPACK.EXE
�Microsoft Windows XP Office Pack for Tablet PC - This will extract the executable and a readme file to your desktop. Read the readme.htm for instructions and run the opsetup.exe to install.�
(Thanks to Luc Bouchard for the link!)
Posted Tuesday, October 22, 2002 by ChrisC Rating: n/a
Tablet PC Japan with a review of the DynaBook SS (website in Japanese). The DynaBook SS is the fastest Tablet PC on the block, clocking in with a Pentium III 1.3GHz CPU. I�d also imagine the worst battery life, but with an extended battery (or two) could be something really nice...
The Globe and Mail with a story on Electrovaya�s Scribbler...
�Small businesses with big demands for mobile computing power, take note. A Canadian company hopes to revolutionize the computer industry with its version of the tablet PC. Toronto-based Electrovaya Inc. says its �Scribbler� will offer three to four times more computing run time...The device is powered by Electrovaya�s patented superthin, lightweight rechargeable lithium ion battery. With 100 watt hours of run time, it has the highest energy density of any battery in the world. In fact, the Scribbler can run for 10 to 16 hours, depending on the applications being used.�
Posted Tuesday, October 22, 2002 by ChrisC Rating: n/a
�Get prepared for the next big thing: the WebPad Information Appliance, or Tablet PC, or whatever it�s finally called. This device represents what is essentially the second (or possibly third) generation of the pen-based computing concept�a category of systems that has been notoriously unsuccessful in the marketplace. Will this latest iteration succeed? And if not, then why not?�
�...Having said all this, what do I think will happen? Friends of mine, who I deem to have good judgment, like the current iteration of the Tablet PC concept. So the device may hang on long enough to be successful. But it has to hang on...�
Posted Tuesday, October 22, 2002 by ChrisC Rating: n/a
�Acer showcased the region�s first tablet PC � the TravelMate C100. Weighing less that 1.5 kg, the tablet PC features a 180-degree revolving screen and Intel Pentium III mobile processor.� (Source: Arab News)
Posted Monday, October 21, 2002 by ChrisC Rating: n/a
�Iteration Software�s future isn�t entirely tied to that of the forthcoming Tablet PC. But the maker of real-time reporting software sees a close-enough link that it will unveil its first product Nov. 7, sharing the spotlight at the Microsoft-backed Tablet's debut. Iteration, which locked in $10 million in venture capital last week, is building software to pull data from transactional systems such as enterprise-resource planning software and present it in a way a user chooses. Assuming the product delivers, Iteration is piggybacking with the Tablet launch because mobile tools could be a key access point for urgent data. But the software is being tested now and won�t be widely marketed until early next year.� (Source: Information Week)
Posted Monday, October 21, 2002 by ChrisC Rating: n/a
WPCE: Tablet PCs get an outing in Tokyo - �Less than a month before they are due to go on sale, Tablet PCs from a variety of companies were unveiled to the public Wednesday as the World PC Expo show opened in Tokyo. The Tablet PCs, from companies including Fujitsu Ltd., Toshiba Corp., NEC Corp., Sotec Co. Ltd., PaceBlade Technologies Inc., ViewSonic Corp. and Acer Inc. are most of the models that will hit Japanese retail shelves on Nov. 7.� (Source: idg.com)
Posted Monday, October 21, 2002 by ChrisC Rating: n/a
�...HP is one of the few international computer companies having expressed attempt to enter the newly emerging niche of Tablet PC. It's scheduled to launch the handy electronic device on Nov. 12, around one week later after Microsoft makes a formal debut of its Windows XP Tablet PC edition in early November. HP then will become a major foreign buyer of Taiwan�s Tablet PC manufacturers.� (Source: Michelle Hsu, The China Post)
Posted Monday, October 21, 2002 by ChrisC Rating: n/a
�PaceBlade�s Tablet PCs, dubbed PaceBook, are now available to users in Hong Kong. They are distributed solely by SiS. According to PaceBlade, the PaceBook combines the functions of a notebook, LCD PC, and Tablet PC, and can work in portrait mode.�
�The PaceBook includes a Transmeta Crusoe processor, 256MB SDRAM (upgradeable to 640MB), 20GB HDD, upgradeable to 30GB, DVD, and a 12.1" XGA TFT-LCD display with a touchscreen overlay. Furthermore, it comes with either Windows XP Home, XP Professional or Windows 2000. Chinese Windows are also available for PaceBook users. It has full connectivity with USB, IEEE-1394, VGA, LAN, modems, and PCMCIA.� (Source: Teresa Leung, Asia Computer Weekly)
Posted Monday, October 21, 2002 by ChrisC Rating: n/a
�Acer, following a year of restructuring and identity makeover, said it has repositioned itself as a potent competitor in the notebook marketplace and expects 20-30% growth in its global revenues next year between NT$120 billion and NT$130 billion.�
�The pledges came Friday as Acer unveiled advertising campaigns for its Tablet PC TravelMate C100, an ultra-thin portable that can fold back as a writing surface using a stylus. The product topped a series of moves taken in the past year � including the spin-off of its manufacturing unit, creation of a research campus and high-profile recruiting efforts � aimed at reinvigorating Taiwan�s flagship PC company.� (Source: David Tzeng and Chou Hua-hsin, DigiTimes)
Posted Monday, October 21, 2002 by ChrisC Rating: n/a
eWeek: What do you think about the Tablet PC? Dell: We're doing some pilots with a partner in health care [accounts]. We�re trying to understand what the demand is. I�d rather not say more than that.
Posted Monday, October 21, 2002 by ChrisC Rating: n/a
�On the business end of the spectrum, the coolest new computer design hitting the market this fall is the Tablet PC. These small, lightweight laptops feature a monitor that you can flip around, close over the keyboard, and use facing upward so that you can write on it like it�s a pad of paper. I tested a prototype at PC Expo a couple of months ago and was amazed at how much it felt like writing on a note pad and how well it transformed my handwritten words into typed text. Add to that voice recognition and recording power, and you have a laptop that really might replace hand written notes some day, whether you�re in a conference room or a classroom.� (Source: The Miami Herald)
Posted Monday, October 21, 2002 by ChrisC Rating: n/a
�A cornerstone of Raikes� vision of a mobile office is the Tablet PC, a portable device that runs a special version of Office and allows users to store their handwritten notes.� (Source: Mercury News)
Posted Monday, October 21, 2002 by ChrisC Rating: n/a
�Scheduled to make formal debut of its Tablet PC in early November, Acer expressed its ambition to dominate the emerging niche during a meeting of its high-ranking executives held last Saturday. Acer has started the R&D project for developing the Tablet PCs one year ago, and it took the earliest action to develop the models embedded with Microsoft XP Tablet PC edition,� Stan Shihg, chairman of Acer group, said when he briefed the group�s vision last Saturday.� (Source: The China Post)
Posted Monday, October 21, 2002 by ChrisC Rating: n/a
�We'll bring you breaking news of all things Windows CE and Windows XP Embedded-related. We promise powerpoint-to-powerpoint coverage of those eye-opening technical sessions. Finally, we�ll patrol the show�s exhibit hall, looking for the latest developer tools. Right now, what we know is that Microsoft is planning to make a major embedded announcement at the show on Tuesday. We just don�t know what it is...� (Source: windowsfordevices.com)
Posted Sunday, October 20, 2002 by ChrisC Rating: n/a
�The PCs we have today are pretty pathetic compared to what I envision,� says Jim Allchin, who oversees operating-system development at Microsoft. In contrast to those who say PCs have too much processor power today, he complains they don�t have nearly enough...�I�ve written to my friends at different places and told them this is my dream. Are we going to get on this?�
�Until then Microsoft is counting on interim steps to just get people thinking about PCs. It�s playing with new forms of computers, designing, promoting, and writing software for so-called Tablet PCs. In early November several major PC companies will start selling these machines, which look like regular laptops but incorporate screens that twist to become digital legal pads. Microsoft software stores digital handwriting or converts it to text. Executives insist this will boost PC sales, as people find many more situations, especially business meetings, where a PC can be valuable. Says top Microsoft strategist Craig Mundie: �Suddenly the computer takes a quantum leap forward in terms of the percentage of the day it�s useful.� It�s anybody�s guess whether this strategy will succeed.� (Source: Fortune)
Posted Sunday, October 20, 2002 by ChrisC Rating: 3.12
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