News Week of September 23, 2007

Paperless Homework

Max Sanders is one of 250 students using tablet PC's in the classroom. It’s an all-in-one mouse, pen and eraser. Eighth grader Tanner Burke couldn't wait to get his hands on it. Tanner gave up part of his summer to put the computers together.

"Instead of losing a paper and then not having it at home, and not having your homework in the morning, it's saved on your computer, so when you get home you just pull it up and it's always there," said Tanner Burke, Monte Cassino eighth grader.  (Source: KOTV.com)

His belief in tablet PCs is carved in stone

While the tablet PC market as a whole has been slow to take off, Hill's Allegiance Technology Partners has been blasting upward, from $447,000 in 2004 to $1.9 million last year.

Founded in July 2002 the company hit its stride a year and a half later, when Hill made the strategic move that got all engines firing. He decided to dig deep into his customers' needs.   (Source: Adam Stone, Philadelphia Business Journal, Subscription Required)

Lenovo Tablet PCs Help Lifetime Health Medical Group Provide Off-the-Charts Patient Care

Lenovo Tablet PCs are helping Lifetime Health Medical Group, a primary healthcare provider for more than 100,000 patients in New York State, enhance patient care by providing quick and secure access to medical information and streamlining administrative processes. The medical group is deploying 300 Lenovo ThinkPad X60 Tablet PCs after a rigorous evaluation process of several PC solutions.

Lifetime Health Medical Group selected the ThinkPad X60 Tablet PCs for their reliability, security and excellent wireless functionality. The Tablets offer high-speed mobile broadband¹ connectivity and layered hardware- and software-based security tools, so medical staff can easily access the organization’s wireless network while keeping confidential patient information secure. The Lenovo Tablets are also equipped with integrated fingerprint readers, so only authorized staff can retrieve information and use related applications, and passwords are kept protected.

“Our doctors, nurses and other clinical staff can now securely obtain and update patients’ medical records at the touch of a button 24 hours a day, whether they are in their offices or an examination room,” said Mark Cohen, M.D., chief of healthcare informatics, Lifetime Health Medical Group. “By untethering our access to critical patient data, as well as to additional medical resources, we can treat patients in a more efficient and knowledgeable manner than was previously possible.”

Using the NextGen® electronic medical records system on the ThinkPad X60 Tablets, medical and support staff at Lifetime Health Medical Group can document encounters at the point of care, creating a secure, longitudinal record of a patient’s health information. Providers can quickly order prescriptions electronically right from the exam room.

“The Lenovo Tablet coupled with NextGen solutions has allowed me to significantly decrease the amount of time each day that my staff and I fill out paperwork,” said Douglas Golding, M.D., medical director, Lifetime Health Medical Group. “The simple pen-to-slate functionality allows me to take notes quickly and save them immediately in one location so I can review them later. The Lenovo Tablet’s screen rotation feature also enables me to more effectively engage patients because I can show them helpful visuals, test results and charts on the LCD display.”

The Lenovo Tablets are helping overcome one of the greatest challenges in today’s healthcare industry: improving patient care while lowering administrative costs. Additionally, providers at Lifetime Health Medical Group can achieve a better work/life balance by being able to access information remotely, which allows them to work from home and maintain more flexible hours.  (Source: Press Release)

Verizon Wireless Offers Industry First: USB Wireless Broadband Modem With Integrated Data Storage

Verizon Wireless, the leading wireless company with the nation's most reliable wireless voice and data network, today announced the availability of the USB727 Modem. Developed by Novatel Wireless (Nasdaq: NVTL), a leading provider of wireless broadband solutions, and carrying the distinction of being the world's smallest Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO) Revolution A (Rev. A) modem stick, the USB727 features an integrated microSD(TM) slot, allowing for the seamless storage and transport of up to 4 GB of files, photos or videos. Customers may purchase the USB727 Modem today online at http://www.verizonwireless.com and through Verizon Wireless' business sales channels. USB727 Modem will be in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores including those in Circuit City on October 5

The USB727 is designed to work with any computing device equipped with a Type A USB port — including most desktops, notebooks, and tablet PCs — and provides on-the-go access to Verizon Wireless' national high-speed wireless broadband network. With out-of-box support for most operating systems, including Windows(R) (Vista, XP, 2000), Mac(R) and Linux, the USB727 enables Verizon Wireless customers to stay connected to online resources with speeds and performance similar to those of traditional cable or DSL connections.

The USB727 is optimized for Verizon Wireless' EV-DO Rev. A network and the company's BroadbandAccess service which provides average download speeds of 600 kilobits per second (kbps) to 1.4 megabits and average upload speeds of 500-800 kbps. Verizon Wireless customers with the USB727 can download a 1 Megabyte e-mail attachment — the equivalent of a small PowerPoint(R) presentation or a large PDF file — in about eight seconds and upload the same-sized file in less than 13 seconds.

Designed to be extremely durable and fit comfortably in any pocket, the USB727 combines a variety of innovative features into its tiny form factor, including an integrated dual-band diversity antennae system with flip-up antennae to maximize data speed performance and provide a strong network signal reception. VZAccess Manager Software is included to simplify set-up and navigation through the USB727's features.

Pricing and Availability

The USB727 is available at $149.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate and new two- year agreement. Customers can get BroadbandAccess service for Internet browsing, e-mail and intranet access for $59.99 monthly access with a new one- or two-year customer agreement. Business customers may contact a Verizon Wireless Business Sales Representative directly at 1-800-VZW-4BIZ.

For more information about Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to http://www.verizonwireless.com.  (Source: Press Release)

Fujitsu LifeBook T2010 Review

If there's one tablet PC that Fujitsu can count on to make the registers ring, the Fujitsu Lifebook T4210 is that cash cow. It's a hit in the vertical markets (for example, health care), and its sales are gaining momentum in the back-to-school segment. Yet customers have been calling for something lighter, something they can place against their forearms all day, perhaps without an optical drive. Fujitsu's answer is the LifeBook T2010 ($2,309 list). It kicks the optical drive to the curb (though it offers a pricey $299 external drive option), pumps up the screen brightness, and tosses in some low-powered components to maximize battery life. The result is a terrific tablet experience in a 3.9-pound frame. (Source: Cisco Cheng, PC Magazine)
Posted Wednesday, September 26, 2007 by ChrisD
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ASUS R3 next-gen UMPC launched; ditches Windows for Linux

So there’s no keyboard, but you do get a far higher resolution screen (sized at 4.8-inches) than the R2H had as well as GPS from a dedicated launch button.  There’s also the integrated webcam and fingerprint reader that made its predecessor so popular.

In a big step away from the official UMPC specification, the R3 runs Linux rather than a touchscreen-enabled version of Windows.  This should mean better performance from hopefully power-careful hardware, although we’ll have to wait and see.  (Source: Chris Davies, SlashGear)

Serif DrawPlus X2 - PC

As you would expect, the look has a Vista feel to it, with a clean and easy to navigate interface. All the key aspects are on the main page and we found it easy to find tools, especially those you use the most of.

As with most art packages, the interface is made easier if you use a tablet to draw. With this is mind, the new features allow you to change the style of your pen, so creating different styles far more easily.  (Source: Stephen Patrick, Pocket Lint)
Posted Tuesday, September 25, 2007 by ChrisD
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Enterprise Mobility Assessment

One of the things that the enterprise should do is assess their direction and support for technology. I created the Enterprise Mobility Assessment to help companies measure the level of effort and commitment to mobility. The assessment is general for all types of mobility from PDAs and Ultra-Mobile PCs to Tablet PCs and Notebook PCs.  (Source: Chris De Herrera, Tablet PC Talk)
Posted Tuesday, September 25, 2007 by ChrisD
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"The Best Tablet PCs" - Updated for 2007

Top row:  TabletKiosk eo UMPC, Gateway E-295C, , Tablet Kiosk D440, HP Compact Compact 2710p, Fujitsu P1610   middle row:Toshiba M200, Samsung Q1, Lenovo X61, Tablet Kiosk i213.  Bottom Row: Fujitsu Lifebook T4220 , Samsung Q1 Ultra, Toshiba R400, Samsung Q1 Ultra, Lenovo X60

Choosing a Tablet PC and building an arsenal with the the right accessories is a mater of personal preference and needs.   So the answer to the question "What is the best Tablet remains,  which ever Tablet suits your needs and your budget best is the best Tablet PC for you.   

However, since TabletPc2.com readers new and old continue wanting answers to these questions, I have answered your questions the best I can.     Like everyone else I have my favorites, but they may or may not be the right machines for you so I don't like answering question. 

Which tablet PC is my favorite?  Which do I use most often?  Has my Tablet of choice changed since 2003?  What accessories can’t I live without?   What is my favorite Tablet PC software?   (Source: Linda A. Epstein TabletPC2.com)

The Vista Downgrading Debate: Time To Start Talking

Small firestorm alert. In the last couple of days CNET and Engadget have blown some air on the embers that have been simmering over Vista issues. And of course in mobile circles those issues smolder pretty close to the surface. It was reported that “Microsoft is quietly allowing PC Makers to offer a downgrade option to buyers that get machines with the new operating system but want to switch to Windows XP.” Actually this isn’t really news at all. If you follow the link to this document, you’ll see that this has been available for Vista Business and Vista Ultimate customers since the beginning. The “quietly” part may be news, (I would like to think it was just because this wasn’t communicated effectively by Microsoft and not just lousy reporting), and how some OEMs are handling this may be news, but there is more to the story beyond flame fanning.   (Source: Warner Crocker, GottaBeMobile.com)
Posted Monday, September 24, 2007 by ChrisD
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is there a future for UMPC and Tablet PCs?

I’m sure that many have thought the same thing when the news of Gates departure from Microsoft was released. Gates was the heart of the Tablet PC Concept and without him this concept could end sooner than what many have thought. The fact that Vista includes handwriting recognition and the fact that this one is a lot better than what we had before in XP is to me a sign that Tablet PCs and UMPCs have a future. I agree with Layne, things at Microsoft are not the same. The UMPC definition is a whole disaster and that thanks in part to Microsoft who never defined clearly what should be called UMPC and that’s part of the reason why now we see “things” that can just run a weak version of a want-to-be Internet browser being called UMPC. And that hurts the concept. The Origami Team still working, I know that, but his presence is gone. They have posted two times the last months at Origami Project site but the posts lack of the energy needed to keep a community interested. More need to be done. (Source: ctitanic, MobilitySite)
Posted Monday, September 24, 2007 by ChrisD
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