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News Week of February 3, 2008

New Technology Helps Students Learn

What kids learn might be the same...

But this isn't your daddy's kind of lecture.

"The software works in conjunction with the tablet and what the software allows me to do is capture everything that goes on the tablet PC," Okemos High School Teach Kelly Carrier said.

Kelly Carrier has a unique way of teaching biology and chemistry at Okemos High School. He uses his tablet computer to write notes and graphs, his PC to show videos... And thanks to a software program called Camtasia.... all of it can be recorded.  (Source: Jamie Edmonds, WILX.com)


Posted Friday, February 8, 2008 by ChrisD
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GBM InkShow: Wacom Cintiq 12WX

For the past two weeks, I have been able to try out what I've called my ideal office setup - a Wacom Cintiq 12WX combined with an OQO Model 02. Generally I've been very happy with this combination as an ideal office set up. You've heard a lot about the OQO already, so I focused on the Wacom Cintiq 12WX for my very first solo InkShow.

As some initial impressions:

  • What a marvelous screen! It's crisp and clear and easy for me to read. The resolution is 1280x800 and that's perfect for me for that size of device.
  • The size and weight are good. It's easy to pick it up and hold it in my lap while writing or browsing.
  • I wish all Tablet PC pens were as comfortable to use as the Cintiq pen! The grippy bit is very nice, and it has good balance and diameter.
  • Love the pen stand. It's a simple thing, but I never wonder where my pen went to on my desk.
  • I love the ExpressKeys. It's entirely possible that I might be able to completely rid myself of a keyboard on a regular basis.
  • On the negative, I have seen the "confused digitizer" issue that Ken Hinckley mentioned in my first post, but I think I may have a workaround. Ironically, I haven't seen the problem since I figured out the workaround, so I haven't been able to test it yet.
    • The symptom I saw was when I had the OQO docked and resumed from sleep, the 12WX digitizer and the OQO digitizer were flip-flopped. I had to use the pen on the OQO to move the mouse cursor on the 12WX screen. The 12WX pen didn't appear to be doing anything. There was no clear way to fix this aside from a reboot, although an undock/dock sometimes worked too.
    • Workaround: I mention it in the video, but basically, use two of the ExpressKeys to force the digitizers to "remember" themselves. Once I find out for sure if it works, I'll give an update.
  • In one of my "D'oh!" moments, I completely forgot to demo the actual inking on the monitor, so I'll do a quick follow-up showing how the inking works in an application like Journal or OneNote. My impression is that it works just fine, dependent on the actual computer. Recognition rate was the same as it was on the computer.
  • Available from Wacom for $999 and from many other places online.  (Source: Sierra Modro, GottaBeMobile)

Posted Friday, February 8, 2008 by ChrisD
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Toshiba Portégé M700-110

Verdict: Attractive to look at, but too expensive for occasional tablet use and not good enough to compete with the best dedicated devices. 

This is the first article in PC Pro to be written by hand for quite some time. In fact, it's quite possibly the first ever. We found Toshiba's new tablet so tactile and usable that we dispensed with our keyboard altogether for the day to give it the most thorough test we could think of - helping us to write its own review.

In notebook mode, the Portégé looks like any standard small-format laptop, with a conventional chassis for a machine with a 12.1in screen, aside from the rotating hinge of course. The silver plastic that makes up the lid and keyboard surround looks good, and the mirror-finish Toshiba logo adds an aura of quality.   (Source: Matthew Sparkes, PCPro)


Posted Friday, February 8, 2008 by ChrisD
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High Res Shots of the Toshiba M700 Tablet PC

For all of you dreamers and wishers out there or just anybody that is waiting for their M700 budget to come form the IRS...  I have posted some high res shots of the Toshiba M700 Tablet PC on our Flickr page.  Enjoy the shots!!  BTW - I am in the 'dreamers and wishers' category as well...  I had to send the demo back on Saturday :(  (Source: Matt Faulkner, GottaBeMobile)
Posted Thursday, February 7, 2008 by ChrisD
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GBM InkShow: Toshiba M700 Tablet PC Overview

Over the last week I had the pleasure of having the new Toshiba M700 Tablet PC.  In the past I have owned 2 Toshiba Tablet PC's.  My first Tablet PC was the Toshiba M4, I purchased that because of the dedicated graphics card of 128 meg, it was the best on the block back then.  The next Toshiba I owned was the M400 - another powerhouse but without the dedicated graphics.  I was very happy with the M400 and would probably have it still today if it wasn't for the long term eval I currently use.  I'd like to give Toshiba a big thanks for sending us this unit for our hands on look and review!

The Toshiba M700 Tablet PC keeps that 'powerhouse' feeling alive.  With the ability to have up to a 2.6 Core 2 Duo processor, this thing will scream!  The only thing missing is the dedicated graphics card, but that isn't common in any Tablet PC these days...  Join me as I take in the M700 in this InkShow.  I first start out by looking over the outside of the unit, then the keyboard and scree, the latch/swivel mechanism and then look at the screen and the inking.   (Source: Matt Faulkner, GottaBeMobile)


Posted Wednesday, February 6, 2008 by ChrisD
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Toshiba M700 Tablet PC First Thoughts Review

Most users know that Toshiba recently released the Portege M700 Tablet PC. The M700 is the updated model of its predecessor the M400, although it has many similarities to the R400. The M700 has a 12.1" LED backlight display and is powered by a 2.2GHz Core 2 Duo processor. This business tablet is sure to have heads turning, so we wanted to share our first thoughts and benchmarks on this sleek notebook.


Toshiba M700 converting to tablet mode.

Toshiba Portege M700 Tablet PC specs as reviewed (price as as tested $1,799):  (Source: Tiffany Boggs, TabletPCReview.com)


Posted Tuesday, February 5, 2008 by ChrisD
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Give the Tablet PC “conversation tracker” a try

Although we’re still working on the Tablet PC micro-conversation tracker, you can give it a try live at its temporary, developer home here.

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(Note: This is just a temporary home while we work out bugs and fix up features.)  (Source: Loren Heiny, Incremental Blogger)


Posted Tuesday, February 5, 2008 by ChrisD
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Microsoft wants to bring Surface home sooner

When people get a chance to try out Microsoft's Surface touch-screen tabletop computer, they often wish they could take one home.

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer said Monday that the company is trying to speed up that process after getting a lot of demand for a consumer version.  (Source: CNet)


Posted Tuesday, February 5, 2008 by ChrisD
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Win a TabletKiosk Sahara i440D Tablet PC !

 i440D Tablet PC

TabletPc2.com is in need of a makeover and this is your chance to help by designing a new TabletPc2 logo for the site.   The winner will receive a brand new TabletKiosk Sahara i440D Tablet PC   (Source: Linda A. Epstein, TabletPC2.com)


Posted Monday, February 4, 2008 by ChrisD
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Intel's Silverthorne a "building block" for future road map

As Intel Corp. gets ready to reveal new information about its upcoming low-power Silverthorne processor at the International Solid State Circuits Conference this week, it's becoming clear that the technology is more than a new chip.

Silverthorne, designed for ultra mobile PCs and mobile Internet devices, is a building block that will be critical to a good portion of the chips listed on Intel's  future product roadmap, according to industry analysts.

"Silverthorne isn't just a processor. No, it's much more than that," said Jim McGregor, an analyst at In-Stat in Scottsdale, Ariz. "It is really a building block for not just part of Intel's strategy, but a big part of their strategy going forward. It's one step toward them getting down toward a power range that can compete with other embedded architectures."  (Source: Sharon Gaudin, Computerworld)


Posted Monday, February 4, 2008 by ChrisD
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Fitaly 4.10 for the Tablet PC

We are pleased to introduce version 4.10 of Fitaly for the Tablet PC. It is an intermediate version issued before version 5.0 which is expected to be released shortly after.

What is new in Version 4.10

The following list shows the improvements made in version 4.10:

  • Keyboard positioning
    The new version provides a higher caption bar for easier dragging.
    Visual feedback is now provided while you drag the keyboard.
    A new metakey has been introduced to move the keyboard to a user definable location.
  • Key repeat
    A key repeat timer has been implemented.
    It enables a key to be repeated automatically when it is pressed and held.
    The repeat delay is a configurable option.
    Key repeat can be switched on or off.
  • New keyboard size available
    A finger size keyboard has been implemented.
    It has been designed to take the full width of the screen in vertical mode
    for screens supporting a 1200 by 800 resolution.
  • Multi-user support
    The new version now supports multiple users.
    Different users can have their own settings including their own custom slide file. Each user will have the custom slide file copied into his/her User's Documents\Fitaly folder upon first use.
  • Loading of alternate Slide files
    The new version now allows to load alternate custom slide files.
    You can load a custom slide file via the menu or by using the Load slides metakey in a slide definition.
  • Positioning of the Slide Preview Window
    The slide preview window can now be positioned left or right justified with regards to the tap position.
    This option is for the north slides where the need arises to position the preview window conveniently in order not to be covered by the hand movement when sliding upwards.
  • All keyboard keys are now accessible via slides
    All keyboard keys (windows key, insert key, print screen key, pause, numlock, scroll lock …) have been added to our macro language so that they can now be added as slides.
  • New metakeys
    Metakeys enable users to define slides that do more than just text.

    The following new metakeys have been added to our macro language:

o       Move keyboard enables to move the keyboard to a user definable location.

o       Screen rotation enables a 90° clockwise screen rotation.

o       Context menu enables to open the context menu (equivalent to a right click)

o       Simulate tap (x,y) simulates a tap at screen coordinates (x,y)

o       Wait can introduce a wait time between commands inside complex slide definitions.

o       Load slides enables you to load a specific custom slide file.

 (Source: Press Release)


Posted Sunday, February 3, 2008 by ChrisD
Rating: 4.5 Comments ()

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