News Week of November 25, 2007

Coretech takes tablet PCs to Queensland academy

Queensland education reseller, Coretech, has won a tender to supply 400 tablet PCs to the Queensland Academy of Science, Maths and Technology (QASMT). The deal is expected to be worth nearly $1 million.

Coretech sales and marketing director, David Wain, said it would supply Lenovo's X61 tablet machines to two campuses in Toowong and the Gold Coast. The reseller was up against Acer and its channel partner, Fujitsu, as well as HP, for the contract. The PC product commenced last month.

Wain said it was a good win for the company and further cemented its position as a strong education player in that state. There was also room to expand the relationship, he said.   (Source: Nadia Cameron , ARNnet)

Fujitsu T2010 tablet PC

For lightweight, all-day computing, Fujitsu's 1.58kg LifeBook T2010 convertible tablet is a solid choice.

Its battery may outlast your work day, and the Fujitsu T2010's indoor/outdoor screen lets you get down to business almost anywhere. Eraserhead fans will like its conventional keyboard, too.

On the down side, the Fujitsu T2010 isn't very comfortable to hold, and the optical drive is external, not integrated.

In our tests the Fujitsu T2010's standard extended-life nine-cell battery set an impressive new record for longevity in our tests (almost seven hours), surpassing the average battery life of 15 currently tested ultraportables by around 2.7 hours. These tests were carried out in the PC World Test Center, in the US   (Source: Carla Thornton, PC Advisor)

The 2007 List for Santa

My goal for the 2007 Holiday feature on TabletPc2.com is to bring readers the most unique and outstanding products available.

I've done my best to seek out and find the newest, most useful and most interesting collection of products and gifts to help you fing the perfect gifts for those on your own list.

This years list includes more than 100 products from more than 65 vendors including, Tablet PCs, Ultra Mobile PCs, Software & Acessories, HDTVs , Batery power, Digital Cameras, Cell Phones, Bluetooth and more....

in between

	The Tablet PC
The UMPC

  (Source: Linda A. Epstein, TabletPC2.com)

INKforce™ Software Announces INKforceDirect™

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL—NOVEMBER 28, 2007—INKforce™ software, an industry leader in software development of government automation tools, has launched INKforceDirect™, a web-hosted deployment model.

INKforceDirect™, according to the software developers, virtually eliminates the need for additional hardware, software and personnel spending.

“The hosted deployment model is an exciting option for organizations wanting to run INKforce™ software that may not have a large IT infrastructure or the resources to support a completely mobile, web-based tool in-house, “ said Hector Perez, Director of INKforce™ Software Solutions. “Through this deployment model our INKforce™ organization is responsible for system maintenance and software updates.”

The new INKforceDirect™ option is a full-featured solution including complete and seamless integration with ESRI’s GIS software.  There is no difference in performance or customer benefits from a typical INKforce™ site deployment.

“We also made a strategic decision that our customers’ data was too important to push out to a third party vendor for hosting,” said Perez.  “In this environment, we run the entire system on our equipment and provide the extra level of security by locating our servers in a completely secured collocation with IT backup and a structured contingency plan.

INKforce™ is a leading developer of software solutions for government agencies that need to increase productivity, efficiency and collaboration in the areas of Code Enforcement, Building and Permitting and Fire Inspection reporting.  The award-winning suite of software tools are all 100 percent web-based and ideally suited for both the mobile and office workforce.

Developed on the Microsoft.net platform and highly configurable to existing workflows and best practices, INKforce™ offers cities, counties and governmental agencies the easiest and most comprehensive software tools in the industry.

For further information about INKforce™ software solutions, please contact Karl Kapustka, National Sales Director, at 877-266-8862 or via e-mail at sales@INKforce.net.  (Source: Press Release)

Future Cops: Police Use Tactical Technologies to Catch Criminals

Using an Internet-connected database, which can be accessed wirelessly from a squad car or via a land-line back at police headquarters, small-town police are making records of their local crimes available for their colleagues at other police departments.

In Santa Monica, Egilmez uses a tablet PC and his training in geographic information systems to track crime across the city. His criminal-activity maps are available to police officers on the street, who can use the pattern detection to find criminals, maybe even when they're striking.  (Source: Gene J. Koprowski, FoxNews.com)

Asus R1E Tablet PC User Review

I am a software professional by day and a webcomic artist and casual gamer by night. I have a Wacom Cintiq at home for my digital painting hobby, but I was attracted to the idea of a Tablet PC with which I could draw during lunch hours and when traveling. I was also determined to have a Tablet PC that could replace my custom-built desktop as a gaming platform, because I like a minimalist lifestyle, and maybe even allowing me to run some older games while on the road. To that end I needed a laptop with the following mix of features:

• Small size; 13.3" display at most
• Powerful processor; at least 1.5GHz Core 2 Duo
• Powerful enough built-in video card; i.e. Santa Rosa chipset or a dedicated video card
• A pressure-sensitive active digitizer; preferably Wacom
• An ExpressCard slot; for use with a desktop video card in an external PCI-Express enclosure.

The Asus R1E is currently the only Tablet PC that combines all of these features. While there are other tablets that satisfy most of the other requirements, they tend to lack an ExpressCard slot, have an ultra-low voltage processor, or have a passive digitizer.  (Source: Jerelyn Parker, TabletPCReview.com)

wifi Bolsters Alabama District's 1:1 Tablet PC Program

Auburn City Schools in Alabama has found that a "no strings attached" approach to classroom networking has let new approaches to instruction take flight.

The district--which includes one kindergarten school, five elementary schools, one middle school, one junior high, and one high school--has deployed a WiFi network to more than 1,000 tablet PC-equipped students and teachers at its junior high and high schools as part of a 21st Century Learning Initiative.

That initiative aims to deliver instruction via a one to one computing environment, increase student achievement, and ensure equitable learning through technology. Per that initiative, the network, tablets, and some key classroom applications have refocused the learning environment, according to Debbie Rice, Auburn City Schools' director of technology.  (Source: David Kopf, The Journal)

DT Research Delivers First Mobile Tablet with Integrated Barcode Scanner, Card Reader & Camera: Mobile Point-of-Service Devices Enable On-the-Spot Customer Service and Improve Accuracy of Data Entry

DT Research(TM), Inc., an industry leader in the development of information appliances for vertical markets, today announced the availability of three new hardware applications for the WebDT Mobile Tablet line. The WebDT 310 and 360 are the first Mobile Tablets that can be ordered with an integrated barcode scanner, Magnetic Stripe Reader (MSR) and/or camera. With the integration of new hardware applications, businesses in many vertical markets can significantly improve customer service and data accuracy by automatically capturing information from a barcode, magnetic stripe or camera and then seamlessly save the data or photo into commercial applications.

DT Research™, Inc., an industry leader in the development of information appliances for vertical markets, today announced the availability of three new hardware applications for the WebDT Mobile Tablet line. The WebDT 310 and 360 are the first Mobile Tablets that can be ordered with an integrated barcode scanner, Magnetic Stripe Reader (MSR) and/or camera. With the integration of new hardware applications, businesses in many vertical markets can significantly improve customer service and data accuracy by automatically capturing information from a barcode, magnetic stripe or camera and then seamlessly save the data or photo into commercial applications.

 Today businesses need the ability to quickly collect accurate information from customers, guests, patients, products and employees while at any location. Until now, users have had to use separate mobile devices or attach additional hardware to tablets. These methods are inconvenient, costly and do not offer automatic synchronization with software applications on the tablet.  

“Companies in markets such as retail, hospitality, healthcare, manufacturing and insurance are looking to mobile devices to provide on-the-spot service to customers,” said Dr. Daw Tsai, president of DT Research. “Today businesses need the ability to quickly collect accurate information from customers, guests, patients, products and employees while at any location. Until now, users have had to use separate mobile devices or attach additional hardware to tablets. These methods are inconvenient, costly and do not offer automatic synchronization with software applications on the tablet.”

WebDT mobile tablets are available with any combination of the three new hardware applications. The integration of these new applications provides a seamless data capture experience for users. Unlike add-on hardware devices, data is automatically captured and then saved directly into the commercial application on the tablet, without requiring additional steps. This saves users time and minimizes errors that are typically introduced during the data entry processes. Pre-integration of hardware applications also eliminates the need to test for compatibility and reduces the likelihood that separate hardware will be lost or stolen.

WebDT Mobile Tablets are lightweight and slim, yet durable enough to withstand commercial use. The devices are available in 8.4-inch (WebDT 360) and 10.4-inch (WebDT 310) touch screen displays which feature flash-based storage and extendable, hot-swappable batteries. Each unit has a customizable operating system that supports the Microsoft Windows® XP Embedded, CE .NET and Windows® Tablet PC operating systems. Therefore, companies that have existing commercial applications that run on these operating systems do not need to spend the time or money to have their applications re-engineered to run on WebDT Mobile Tablets. In addition, DT Research offers enterprise-class device management software for the WebDT tablets, which provides the convenience of comprehensive remote device administration.

The three new integrated hardware options deliver a point-of-service mobile device that improves customer service, increases the accuracy of data entry and speeds access to information from any location. For a demo of a WebDT Mobile Tablet with these new hardware applications, go to http://www.dtresearch.com/product/mobiletablet_video.htm.

Magnetic Stripe Reader (MSR) – The MSR can be used to capture data from driver’s licenses, credit cards, loyalty cards or any card with a magnetic stripe for automatic capture of personal or financial information. It features an ultra-compact design with a low profile read head that does not interfere with the operation of the mobile tablet.

Barcode Scanner – A 1D or 2D integrated barcode scanner allows quick and accurate capture of information from a variety of items such as retail products, patient records and shipping/receiving labels – empowering users to capture and manage data more efficiently. The 1D barcode scanner can process up to 500 scans per second and works in any lighting condition. The 2D barcode scanner is a high performance 2D imager engine and reads both 1D and 2D barcodes.

Camera – The integrated 2 Mega-pixel camera allows users to take on-the-spot photos and easily add these to existing software applications.

Industry Applications

Retail – Retail applications for the WebDT mobile tablets include online grocery fulfillment orders, on-the-spot customer service and product comparisons. With a barcode scanner, retailers can more effectively fulfill online orders by scanning the barcode typically included in each order to identify the customer’s delivery and order details. The barcode scanner can also be used to scan each product to make sure it is the right item ordered. In retail locations, the tablets can serve as a point-of-service “queue busting” tool by completing payment away from the cashier using the barcode scanner to identify each item and the MSR for credit card payment processing.

Hospitality – Mobile tablets can improve the efficiency of hotel, restaurant and casino operations. For instance, the centralized hotel system can alert cleaning personnel through a mobile tablet that rooms are ready for cleaning. When cleaning is completed, the cleaning staff can update the hotel system and the room can be immediately available for check-in by a new guest. Similarly, a mobile tablet with a MSR can be used as a tool to facilitate at-table payments at restaurants to turn around tables more quickly. Payment can be completed securely in the presence of the customer by swiping the customer’s credit card into the MSR.

Manufacturing/Logistics – Companies can streamline manufacturing and logistics processes by automating the capture of information. The barcode scanner provides more accurate inventory management by allowing employees to scan data directly into existing commercial applications. When the scanner is triggered, the information is auto-filled into the appropriate field as if it has been typed from a keyboard. This process saves time and provides error-free entry of data. The same method can be used for shelf management, airport baggage control and assembly line quality control.

Healthcare – Using a WebDT mobile tablet, healthcare professionals, whether on the road or in a hospital, can quickly access patient records to reference potentially life-saving information. Doctors and medical agents can scan or swipe a patient’s driver’s license or healthcare insurance card to gain immediate access to patient records, past treatments and other critical data. The integrated camera can also facilitate on-the-spot photo capture of physical injuries and medical conditions that need to be visually documented. The photo is automatically inserted into the patient’s medical record for future reference.

Insurance – Work processes can be streamlined for field agents in the auto or property insurance industries. The MSR and barcode can accurately capture insurance data by either swiping a customer’s ID into the card reader or using the scanner to access their property insurance records. The camera can also enhance field appraisals for auto and home damage assessments by on-the-spot capture of proof-of-ownership. Agents can insert information collected during interviews directly into the device, allowing instant information transfers and reducing the need for paper-based processing. Using the WebDT mobile tablet with the integrated camera an auto or property assessment process can be reduced to minutes, versus days.

Availability

WebDT 310 and WebDT 360 Mobile Tablets are available immediately directly from DT Research and through approved resellers and OEM partners.  (Source: Press Release)

OQO model 02 Review

Not everyone needs or wants a Windows computer that fits in a coat pocket, nor are they willing to pay for it. If you're reading this, we suspect you're interested in a 1 lb. Windows Vista or XP palmtop computer that costs around $1,700 to $2,500. Hey, miniaturization still costs big bucks. The model 02 line actually starts out with a very basic $1,300 model running XP Home on a 1.2GHz VIA processor with 512 megs of RAM that didn't impress us in terms of performance when tested it for several days. So our hopes weren't too high for Vista which is much more resource intensive than XP. But OQO's new "Best" model 02 with a 32 gig SSD (solid state drive) which costs $2,349 model pleasantly surprised us. Vista Business runs responsively enough, though of course it can't compare with a full-sized notebook running on an Intel Core 2 Duo. OQO tells us that they optimized Vista for a better experience, and they certainly did tweak a few things that count (like turning off SuperFetch which is a resource hog on systems with less than 2 gigs of RAM). The VIA processor used in the OQO isn't exactly a speed champ, but it manages to keep up with relatively little lag in business productivity and Internet apps. Though our "Best" model shipped with Vista Business, we'd expect that Windows XP would really run nicely on this tiny beast.  (Source: Lisa Gade, Mobile Tech Review)
Posted Sunday, November 25, 2007 by ChrisD
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