News Week of May 20, 2007

Video: Hands On with the Sliding Medion UMPC

The specs are more than reasonable for a UMPC of this size, being powered by a 1GHz processor. You'll find a 30GB hard drive, DVB-T tuner, Bluetooth 2.0, 802.11b/g WiFi, and integrated GPS. There's also dedicated shortcut keys to quickly access the wireless functions, and let's not forget about that webcam either.

Check out the hands-on video from T3 below for a more in-depth look at the Medion UMPC.    (Source: Michael Kwan, Mobile Magazine)
Posted Friday, May 25, 2007 by ChrisD
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Toshiba R400 Tablet PC review

With Windows Vista there are lots more you can in terms of digital ink. The support for this has vastly improved and it recognises even more handwriting. It's also easier to select files with a diigtal pen and it comes with a snipping tool that allows you to copy, cut, edit parts of a screen and use it in other programs.

Overall I am impressed with the performance of this tablet PC, how light it is and quite pretty. I am disappointed that Toshiba did not release it with built-in 3G here in New Zealand, and I am more disappointed that it Windows SideShow display doesn't work that well.  (Source: Mauricio Freitas, GeekZone)
Posted Friday, May 25, 2007 by ChrisD
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Samsung Q1B UMPC With Via Processor

If you looking for a UMPC but have been holding off because of the battery life, take a look at the SamsunQ1B which has the Via Processor.   You can see from the numbers below there is a significant difference in battery life between a Q1 with a Via C7 ULV 1.0 GHz and a Q1 with the Intel® Celeron® M ULV (900MHz).  

While I did not have both Q1 UMPCs here at the same time, I can tell you that the only notable difference in the feature set is that comes to mind is the sound quality which is due to the fact that the Q1B has only one speaker the Q1 has two.   As the majority of the features of the Samsung Q1 are the same, this page is intended to inform you only of the battery life differences.  (Source: Linda A. Epstein, TabletPC2.com)

Hewlett-Packard Pavilion tx1001 Review

Some time ago we had the pleasure of reviewing the HP TouchSmart IQ770 Desktop PC which was a perfect example of HP's new hands-on approach to computing. Now we've managed to get a look at the new HP Pavilion tx1001, a touch-screen notebook; that's right, it's not a Tablet PC, it's a touch-screen notebook. It isn't the most powerful machine around, but the extra layer of interactivity may be a selling point for some.

There is a certain degree of semantics involved in whether something is a touch-screen enabled notebook or a Tablet PC, and it may be a frivolous point of separating the two. Perhaps the difference is more in marketing than actual functionality, but our time playing with the HP TouchSmart IQ770 Desktop PC taught us that being more physical with computing adds a whole new dimension to it, and can even make it a little more fun. Tablet PCs have quite a specific target market, but that doesn't mean the rest of us wouldn't mind a little of that functionality does it?  (Source: Jesse Sutton, PC World)

CIC and Softex Form Strategic Alliance

Communication Intelligence Corporation (BULLETIN BOARD: CICI) ("CIC"), a leading supplier of electronic signature solutions for business process automation in the financial industry and the recognized leader in biometric signature verification and Softex Incorporated, the world's leading supplier of innovative security software products and solutions for computing devices, announced today that they have signed a strategic partnership agreement to provide CIC's biometric signature solution to Softex's customers and to jointly promote each other's product offerings.

Softex will include CIC's Biometric signature solution in its OmniPass identity and access management suite of products designed for enterprises and consumers. This combined offering is ideal for access control security and user authentication in the rapidly growing Tablet PC market, or any device enabled for pen input. In addition, this combined offering complements the pen-enabled Windows Vista operating system by providing value-added, easy to use security functionality.

"The combination of the OmniPass and CIC's biometric signature solution solidifies the ability for companies to manage the security of data and identity, both internally and externally, with an expanded range of authentication options," stated Apurva Bhansali, CEO at Softex. "With strict government regulations in the healthcare, corporate, and financial industries, Softex and CIC can provide a single solution to help comply with new regulations."

The Softex OmniPass Enterprise Edition application is the only comprehensive enterprise security solution available in the industry today to protect all corporate applications from unauthorized access. The product supports password management, multi-factor authentication, Windows logon security, single sign-on, file/folder encryption, regulatory compliance auditing capability, e-mail and VPN security. The OmniPass Enterprise Edition software allows computers loaded with OmniPass Client Edition to work in conjunction with the enterprise's Active Directory (LDAP) server to provide back-end management of the environment by IT personnel. With businesses focused on actively managing multiple systems, the Softex OmniPass software provides control that IT departments need while significantly reducing their support costs.

"CIC continues to identify select integration partners to assist in expanding our technology within key vertical market segments and we are delighted to be partnering with Softex in this regard," stated Guido DiGregorio, Chairman & CEO at CIC. "Working together with Softex allows us to provide a highly reliable and easy to use biometric authentication system for customers and exposes us to a variety of new business opportunities." CIC's iSign(R) software provides shrink-wrapped application plug-in as well as developer tools for the integration of signatures into complex enterprise architectures and custom applications. iSign is a versatile and powerful software developer's kit for implementing applications using electronic ink, electronic signatures, biometric signatures and basic cryptography. This toolkit enables software developers to create legally compliant electronic signature and biometric authentication systems for a wide variety of enterprise applications.  (Source: Press Release)

Health Care Gets a Better IT Prescription

Besides embedded chips for health care, Intel has tried to chart several different courses in this field. Along with Motion Computing, the Santa Clare, Calif., chip maker has started selling a new tablet PC—the C5 MCA (mobile clinical assistant)—specifically designed for the rigors of hospital use. Louie reasoned that once a new device is tested in a hospital setting, it does not take long for the device to find its way into the home.   (Source: Scott Ferguson, eWeek)
Posted Thursday, May 24, 2007 by ChrisD
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Commonwealth Technical Institute Wins $68000 Technology Grant Package

    HARRISBURG, Pa., May 23 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Technology will help
improve the interaction between students and teachers at the Hiram G.
Andrews Center's Commonwealth Technical Institute in Johnstown, now that
$68,000 has been awarded from the Hewlett Packard Technology for Teaching
grant program.
    The Commonwealth Technical Institute, one of only nine schools in
Pennsylvania to receive the grant package, offers post-secondary education
to people with disabilities using assistive technology devices that help
teach independent life skills. Classroom education and hands-on-training
provide career opportunities for students.
    "This grant will provide CTI students with an educational experience
that uses technology to closely mirror on-the-job experience," said
Secretary of Labor & Industry Stephen M. Schmerin. "Training will not only
help students find jobs in Pennsylvania's workforce, but it will also help
them fulfill their dreams of living independently."
    In addition to a $19,000 teaching stipend, the grant package includes
$48,000 worth of equipment. The Presentation package for teachers includes
a wireless, HP Tablet PC with docking station and DVD-CDRW optical drive; a
Tablet PC docking station with a DVD/CDRW optical drive and external bay;
and a digital projector. Classroom equipment for the students includes 20
wireless HP Tablet PCs with DVD/CDRW optical drives and external bays; a
laptop/tablet cart; an HP access point with wireless card; an HP Photosmart
all-in-one printer with cable; and an HP Photosmart digital camera.
    Hewlett Packard awarded more than $7 million as part of its Technology
for Teaching grant program to 172 K-12 public schools, plus two- and
four-year colleges and universities.
    "HP empowers students and teachers to succeed through innovative uses
of technology and training," said Sidney Espinosa, the director of HP's
philanthropy program. "We invest in schools to increase educational
attainment and contribute to the development of a skilled, diverse
workforce in the future."  (Source: Press Release)
Posted Wednesday, May 23, 2007 by ChrisD
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Finally, An Answer to Tablet PC Screen Goo

The SmudgeGuard is a goofy looking looking hand wrap mainly designed to keep the hands and canvases of artists smudge-free by gliding over freshly drawn- or written-on surfaces.

But the manufacturer notes that it can also help prevent the build-up of screen crud that hampers the user experience for Tablet PC owners, which ought to expand the potential market by literally dozens.  (Source: David Becker, Wired Magazine)

Sorry Geeks: Tablet PCs Still Can't Beat Regular Pen & Paper

Tablet PC enthusiasts are living in a dream world. They may think they are cool by writing on a computer screen with a digital pen; it certainly garners them attention. They may think they are cool because they can use a computer without typing. They also think they are ahead of ordinary geeks because they can velcro their tablets to their car dashboards and use them as GPS Machines, or even media players. What good is this if the battery life on most tablets running advanced applications lasts them about as long as Paris Hilton’s singing career? I understand their dream world as I was once a part of it. For now, just give me plain old paper and a nice pen!  (Source: Daryl D, Blogcritics Magazine)
Posted Wednesday, May 23, 2007 by ChrisD
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Fully Rugged Convertible Tablet PC Added to Rugged Notebooks Lineup

Small company known for quality introduces a new convertible PC to it's Rough Rider line of products. This device is certified to military standards for use in the field.

Rugged Notebooks, Inc., known for computers designed for extreme durability in harsh conditions, recently announced the addition of the "Rough Rider Convertible" to the family of Rough Rider products.

The Rough Rider Convertible is a light weight convertible that features a 10.4" or 12.1" LCD designed to rotate 180°, quickly transforming it in the field from a notebook into a tablet PC. The product is geared for everyday use by military, public safety, law enforcement, and other field service personnel.

Company President, Alan Shad, stated "This is the first of three new product introductions this year for Rugged Notebooks, Inc. The Rough Rider Convertible, like our entire rugged product line, is certified to the MIL-STD 810F and IP54 standards."

This new "convertible" is housed in a magnesium alloy case with a fan-less design, has a removable hard drive, is highly portable at 2.2 kg and is easy on power consumption with the Intel® Core Duo 1.2 GHz processor, 512 MB DRAM and an 80 GB hard drive. It also has a built in Waterproof Reversible Camera and Integrated GPS and Wireless Access.

Rugged Notebooks is also known for its Transflective "Sunlight Readable-Touch Screen" LCD. The Rugged Notebooks product line includes: "Ruggedized", "Semi-Rugged" and "Fully Rugged" Laptops, Handheld Computers, PDAs, Mobile Data Terminals, and Wireless Tablets.  (Source: Press Release)

Gateway C-120X Review

Conclusion

The E-155C is a great addition to the tablet PC world, and exhibits a solid evolution in Gateway’s approach to tablet design. The machine feels solid, offers many advanced features, and fits the bill for those in need of a second machine. While the price is a little high, the machine is worth it. We should caution that anyone in need of number-crunching power should consider other options, and for those considering the E-155C, be sure to upgrade to Vista in order to take advantage of all the features this laptop has to offer.  (Source: Ian Bell, Digital Trends)
Posted Tuesday, May 22, 2007 by ChrisD
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Software Notebook: How does Gates shape up as a seer?

Comdex, 2001: "So next year a lot of people in the audience, I hope, will be taking their notes with those Tablet PCs."

The use of the phrase "I hope" makes this one more aspirational than predictive, but any way you slice it, Gates was overestimating the market for the pen-based computers. Microsoft has tried to boost usage, most recently by incorporating Tablet PC features into advanced Windows Vista versions, but the overall growth in the adoption of tablet functions hasn't been what the company originally hoped.

Even at Microsoft's Windows Hardware Engineering Conference in Los Angeles last week, most of the hardware and technology experts in attendance were pecking away at their keyboards, not scribbling on their screens in digital ink.  (Source: Todd Bishop, Seattle Post Intelligencer)

LG Launches the XNote C1 Tablet PC

LG Electronics has unveiled the new XNote C1 Tablet PC that has finger touch input with auto-sensing technology as well as stylus input which provide easy and quick input especially when using dial keys.

Taking into consideration the growing necessity of security, LG has ensured that the newly launched laptop is equipped with enhanced security features such as TPM (Trusted Platform Module) and HDD security.  (Source: Gaurav Seth , Tech2.com)
Posted Tuesday, May 22, 2007 by ChrisD
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Don't look now, but Tablet PCs are on the rise

Why now?

When I first played with a Windows-based Tablet PC several years ago, I was unimpressed. It felt like a "bolt-on" experience, a hack in search of a useful application.

My, has that changed. For more than a month now I've been using Toshiba's R400 Tablet PC running Windows Vista and Office 2007. I'll be using it next month, too. That's because this isn't a review unit, it's a product we bought because, well, it's finally compelling.

Vista's tablet improvements are notable and extend far beyond improved handwriting recognition. OS integration is tighter, smoother, and far more responsive. Even more important than that, Office 2007 was designed from top to bottom with tablet users in mind. I personally don't think the same can be said for Office 2003, and in any case, the implementation in Office 2007 is vastly superior.  (Source: Ken Fisher , ars technica)