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News Week of January 21, 2007Lenovo Americas Exec Steps Down HP tx1000 Convertible Notebook Review If you have been searching the market for an entertainment notebook with Tablet PC features, your search may be over. Thanks to HP's tx1000 convertible notebook that starts at $1,299. Though the tx1000 is targeted toward the average consumer, business professionals are still welcome. This portable notebook packs a 1.3-megapixel webcam, 5-in-1 digital media reader, a mini remote control for movies, music and photos and it comes with Windows Vista installed. Gadget review: Nokia's N800 Internet Tablet Nokia's N800 Internet Tablet is one of those devices that's fascinating and unique enough to make the geeky part of your heart go pitter-patter with excitement but may not fit the needs of a lot of people. More powerful and refined than its predecessor, Nokia's 770 Internet Tablet, the N800 is a reasonably small device that's finely tuned to give users access to the Web, POP3 and IMAP e-mail, RSS feeds and, to a limited extent, instant messaging and voice over IP. It also plays audio and video, and performs a handful of other tricks for tech-savvy mobile users. However, while the N800 is a significant improvement over its predecessor and it performs many of its tasks quite well, it is as much defined by what it doesn't do as what it does. On the whole, most gadget lovers would do better with a more flexible, less expensive smart phone. (Source: David Haskin, Digit Online) Clarifying the Toshiba Portégé R400 Sideshow LunchMeet: OQO Makes the World's Smallest Windows PC HP Compaq tc4400 tablet Review The good: Good battery life; responsive keyboard; three-year warranty; fingerprint reader; ambient light sensor automatically adjusts screen brightness. The bad: A little heavy for holding in one arm; base configuration could use more RAM; lacks a FireWire port and a built-in optical drive. The bottom line: The HP Compaq tc4400 convertible tablet offers decent performance and battery life, though we recommend adding more RAM. (Source: Michelle Thatcher, CNet) DIY Tablet PC The hot new item for the gad-about business executive is a Tablet PC. This is basically a notebook computer with the screen on the outside that you can use a special pen (stylus) to makes notes, click on things etc. All of the big boys, Dell, Gateway, etc are making this grossly overpriced devices. Microsoft even has a special version of Windows XP specifically for the Tablet PC. One recent Sunday morning I was thinking about how I could produce a Tablet PC at a price that the average person could afford. The first hurdle was to find a suitable case to use. Some rumaging in the kitchen garbage bin solved the problem. The night before we had had pizza. (Source: Blogger News Network) Technology Vendors in the POS, Handheld Terminals, and Tablet PC Space Are Focused on Providing Multifunctional Device Architectures Capable of Forward and Backward Integration into the Retail Value Chain DUBLIN, Ireland--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Research and Markets(http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c49125) has announced the addition of “World Quarterly Retail Systems Outlook on POS Systems - Handheld Terminals and Tablet PC Markets” - Q3 2005 to their offering. This Frost & Sullivan research service titled World Quarterly Retail Systems Outlook on POS Systems; Handheld Terminals and Tablet PC Markets - Q3 2005 should facilitate understanding of the current and future market forces in retail, into actionable strategic marketing initiatives for retail technology vendors as well as solution providers. Expansive unit shipment and revenue forecast analysis are presented for each geographic region-North America, Latin America, Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), and Asia Pacific (APAC). Further, granularity in terms of retail segmentation as well as retailer tiers within each retail segment is incorporated. Technologies The following technologies are covered in this research: Market Overview As Retail Becomes Hyper-competitive, Retail Technology Vendors Re-position Themselves as Solution Partners In today's hyper-competitive retail environment, bottom line growth is increasingly depending on the retailer’s ability to leverage technology for managing complexities in customer demand, profitability, and operational challenges. This has led to increased competition among retail technology vendors, with new entrants and pure-play vendors broadening their portfolio to offer end-to-end solutions. Point-of-sale (POS) replenishment in developed economies is driven by next-gen systems capable of forward and backward integration, according to the analyst of this study. However, self-checkout is likely to form a part of the POS replenishment budget. The evolution of the hand held terminal from its proven supply chain form factor to the real time enabled MPOS, consumer, associate, and manager productivity form factors are driving uptake with innovative retailers. Enabling data capture and access for improved decision making is likely to continue influencing growth of retail systems in developed and developing economies. Streamlining the Supply Chain and Focus on Providing Multifunctional Device Architectures Likely to Drive Market Growth Streamlining the supply chain, improving employee productivity, and customer facing applications are strong drivers for Tablet PC adoption in retail. In the in-store space, tablet PC adoption is likely to be slow due to cost issues and lack of clarity in item level radio frequency identification (RFID) adoption. Retailers are undergoing accelerated business innovation to achieve profitable differentiation. With rapidly increasing technology spending, retailers are seeking technology vendors who are willing to collaborate in their risks as well as rewards. Technology vendors in the POS, handheld terminals, and Tablet PC space are focused on providing multifunctional device architectures capable of forward and backward integration into the retail value chain, explains the analyst. By leveraging on newer RFID, smart card and Wi-Fi technologies, these vendors are partnering with retailers to address complexities in customer demand, profitability, and operational challenges. This approach of partnership between retailer and solution vendor is expected to provide the much needed growth driver over the long term. For more information, visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c49125 OnTheRun with Tablet PCs #34- CES Wrapup Listen here ( MP3, 20.8 MB, 60 minutes) or Subscribe to the show with this link (RSS) Marc Orchant and James Kendrick sit down (finally) for show #34 and have a chance to ruminate on finally meeting face to face at the Tablet PC meetup at the CES recently in Las Vegas. Both hosts are taller than they thought and give a good wrapup and discuss impressions of the CES. There were two new Tablet PCs announced at the CES and the hosts give their thoughts about the two devices. UMPCs are enablers, not limiters as some reviewers seem to think. Enjoy the show! Links of interest from the show: HP Wins Multiple Industry Awards at CES 2007 In all, more than 15 products were honored, including the HP TouchSmart PC, the HP MediaSmart TV and the HP MediaSmart Server as well as the recently announced HP Photosmart Studio. The breadth of the awards underscored HP’s efforts in redefining the digital entertainment experience for consumers with new PC and digital photography products and services. “The recognition we received at CES validates that there is a new age of innovation in digital entertainment,” said Satjiv Chahil, senior vice president, Personal Systems Group, HP. “Consumers are looking forward to new ways to connect, access and enjoy their digital content and HP is there every step of the way – from introducing a new paradigm in mobile entertainment with a Vista-based tablet, to creating a new experience of ’walk-up’ family computing and entertainment with the TouchSmart PC, to bringing rich media content back into the living room with the MediaSmart TV.” HP’s top CES award highlights: * Yahoo! Tech named the HP TouchSmart PC its “Last Gadget Standing” online winner. The HP TouchSmart PC is the industry’s first all-in-one PC based on Microsoft Windows Vista™ with one-touch wireless access to information, communication and entertainment through a customizable desktop screen. * Sound & Vision magazine awarded the HP z556 Digital Entertainment Center its Editor’s Choice Award in the Multiroom A/V category. With the HP Digital Entertainment Center, users can record and view TV shows anywhere in the home and enjoy other digital content such as photos, music or videos. * The HP MediaSmart Server was named the winner for LAPTOP magazine’s Best of CES Awards in the Best Storage Device category. The HP MediaSmart Server is designed to help people get the most out of their home networks by connecting them to their digital content both at home and while on the go. HP received CES Best of Innovations 2007 Awards in two product categories: * The HP Photosmart ps1000 Studio, a retail photofinishing system, was named the Best of Innovations 2007 winner in the Retail Resources category. The HP Photosmart Studio is the first in-store solution where consumers can design creative products such as posters, albums, calendars, and greeting cards in minutes using up to 200 images and pick up their product in one hour or less. * The HP SLC3790n MediaSmart 37-inch LCD TV was the Best of Innovations 2007 winner in the Video Displays category. HP MediaSmart TVs merge the PC and the TV with the ability to wirelessly(1) stream digital photos, music and videos from a PC onto a stylish HP high-definition LCD display. In addition to the awards that HP received at CES, HP was honored with two best of 2006 awards. The HP Memory Spot was the winner in the General Innovation category for Popular Science magazine’s Best of What’s New 2006, and the HP Photosmart A716 Compact Photo Printer was included in PC Magazine’s Best of the Year Awards. U.S. Award Details: * CES Innovations 2007 Design and Engineering Awards * HP Photosmart Studio – Retail Resources Best of Innovations Winner * HP SLC3790n MediaSmart 37-inch LCD TV – Video Displays Best of Innovations Winner EE Times Innovation Awards * HP SLC3760N MediaSmart TV – Video Display Category Winner LAPTOP’s Best of CES Awards * HP MediaSmart Server – Best Storage Device Category Winner PC Magazine’s Best of the Year Awards 2006 * HP Photosmart A716 Compact Photo Printer Popular Mechanics 2007 Editors’ Choice Award * HP MediaSmart 42-inch 1080p LCD HDTVs – Winner Popular Science’s Best of What’s New 2006 * HP Memory Spot – General Innovation Category Winner Sound & Vision Editor’s Choice Award * HP z556 Digital Entertainment Center – Multiroom A/V Winner The Storage Visions Conference Awards * HP SLC3760N MediaSmart TV and mv2020 Media Vault – Best Integrated Home Entertainment Category Winner Yahoo! Tech “Last Gadget Standing” * HP TouchSmart PC – Online Winner U.S. Award Finalist/Honoree Details: * CES Innovations 2007 Design and Engineering Awards * HP Photosmart Pro B9180 Photo Printer – Digital Imaging Innovations Honoree * HP Photosmart D7360 Printer – Digital Imaging Innovations Honoree * HP Pavilion dv2000 Entertainment Notebook PC – Computer Hardware Honoree * HP xb3000 Notebook Expansion Base – Computer Hardware Honoree * HP iPAQ rx5915 Travel Companion – Computer Hardware Honoree CNET’s Best of CES Awards – People’s Choice Award * HP TouchSmart PC – Computer and Hardware Category Finalist * HP Scanjet G4050 Photo Scanner – Cameras and Camcorders Category Finalist The Storage Visions Conference Awards * HP Photosmart A716 Compact Photo Printer – Mobile Consumer Electronics Category Finalist More information on the new products and services HP announced at CES is available at www.hp.com/go/CES2007 . (Source: Press Release) |
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