News Week of June 3, 2007

Small And Cool, Yes--But This UMPC Has Some Limitations

On the other hand, the QWERTY keyboard may be problematic. The tiny keys are mainly suited for thumb typing. For me, it worked well for small words and phrases--say, for sending a short e-mail. I have fairly small hands and had no problem reaching the keys while holding the unit. Still, it won't be a happy experience for anyone who has to put together more than a few sentences. I can't imagine using FlipStart's keyboard for any serious document creation. Instead, I'd plan to bring along a USB keyboard.

And that's the problem. FlipStart's cool. It gives you lots of functionality. It performs like a full-sized notebook--but the keyboard and display are more on the PDA level. It will be useful for mobile pros who want to do some surfing and a bit of typing on the road, and then will plug it into a monitor and keyboard later. But its $1,999 price tag means most buyers will have to choose between the FlipStart and an ultralight notebook like the Fujitsu Lifebook Q or Sony Vaio TX. I know which I'd choose.  (Source: Barbara Krasnoff, InformationWeek)

Battery Life with the X61T Tablet PC and Vista

Battery life has been really good with the Lenovo X61T Tablet PC I've been using. I'm getting about 6 hours with WiFi on with an 8 cell battery.  (Source: Rob Bushway, GottaBeMobile.com)
Posted Saturday, June 9, 2007 by ChrisD
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Get With the Program

Today, most novelists don’t venture beyond the word processor — and many still write longhand. But others are finding that sophisticated software is invaluable to the literary enterprise. While Dickens and George Eliot had only notebooks and their wits to keep their Victorian triple-deckers in order, novelists like Richard Powers, Vikram Chandra and Marisha Pessl have used everything from Excel spreadsheets to logistics programs like Microsoft Project to organize their imaginative universes. To them, computer technology isn’t a threat to literature but an essential tool. “As life becomes increasingly complex, the kind of novel that tries to link the individual life with broad-canvas collective existence becomes more difficult to coordinate,” Powers wrote in an e-mail message — or rather, dictated, since he uses the voice recognition software built into the Tablet PC operating system to compose everything, including his novels. Computer programs allow novelists “to build up dense and interconnected views of the world they are recreating,” he added.  (Source: Rachel Donadio, New York Times)
Posted Saturday, June 9, 2007 by ChrisD
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Vista on TabletKiosk eo i7210

o I tried (once again) to see how useful i7210 can be with Vista installed. As with many other UMPC users, good 80% of us have our UMPC preinstalled with Windows XP Pro with Tablet PC and Touch Pak. And most are badged with "Windows Vista Capable", or worse, some may not ever badged with such luxury.

Anyhow, my i7210 has "Window Vista Capable" badge, and thinking that "it should support a fair bit of Vista...", with my ready-made 20GB partition which I last reside for Windows Vista installation, I went ahead reinstalling Windows Vista Ultimate without product key (I can't be bother with activation at this stage as I'm testing it out to see whether it will install and run as I hope for or not).

The installation went smooth as expected, and I distinctively advice Windows Vista installer to get the latest copy of setup information from the Internet, to make sure I got all up to date setup script I can get for my UMPC.  (Source: Kelvin Yong, GeekZone)

Laptop Makers Push Size, Price Limits to Gain Sales

"Seven-inch PCs are the perfect size, it fits in my bag and it's still large enough for a full keyboard," said Jason Lin, a PC system product manager from California's PC Club.com, a U.S. computer firm, as he strolled the isles of the show.

Laptops -- computers small enough to fit comfortably on the lap -- have been the standard for portable computing for years. But improving technology is paving the way for more varied devices, such as handheld ultramobile PCs (UMPCs) so tiny they hardly seem like computers at all.

Smaller than traditional laptops and bigger than smartphones, new mobile devices perform most computing tricks and can play videos and games. With more powerful software and new processors added to extend battery life, such UMPCs could rewrite the portable computing story going forward, some believe.  (Source: Sheena Lee and Baker Li, Reuters, PC World)

Can't touch this

When is a tablet PC not a tablet PC? It sounds like some sort of profound philosophical question, like the one about the tree falling in the forest when nobody is there to hear it, except the raccoon it lands on and squishes.

But it turns out the answer is actually quite dull and straightforward. See, both of Hewlett Packard's new teensy-weensy notebook computers have swivelling screens that allow the display to be twisted around 180 degrees or even folded back against the keyboard. But the difference between a tablet PC and a notebook PC with a twisty screen can be found in the immortal words of MC Hammer: You can't touch this.

Tablet PCs like the new HP Pavilion tx1120 ($1,699) incorporate touchscreen technology, allowing you to use the included stylus to click on icons by tapping the display, or even write digital notes by scribbling directly on the screen.   (Source: Steve Tilley, The London Free Press)

DreamNovia challenge the FlyBook

When the FlyBook hit the scene it was widely lauded as being the perfect balance between weight, functionality and battery life.

Well now the DreamNovia is looking to challenge that by offering great speeds, longer battery life, less weight and loads of other features that DreamNovia says will whoop the FlyBook.   (Source: HEXUS.net)
Posted Thursday, June 7, 2007 by ChrisD
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The littlest notebook

Overall the U1010 is a promising device, if Fujitsu fixes the slowdowns and software bugs that we experienced. 

The keyboard itself is the only real sticking point here, and any user intending to get one of these babies should try typing on it before you make the jump or consider the possibility of using a third-party keyboard otherwise.   (Source: Tan Kit Hoong, The Star Online)

Ambulance software to be rolled out in three regions

Leigh Donoghue, CSC's primary care director, explained how the system works. Ambulances are fitted out with docking stations and ruggedised tablet PCs. Data is entered by tapping the screen, no digital pen is needed and the system even works with gloved fingers.

At present demographic information taken from patients and their carers is entered by the paramedic but in the medium to long term the solution, which is integrated with the NHS Spine, will be able to draw down patient details from the NHS Personal Demographics Service.

Updates on the patient’s condition and information from observations can be recorded and made available to the receiving hospital.

The paramedic takes the tablet PC into the hospital, completes the tablet record and uploads it to CSC’s data centre. A verbal handover and sign off is completed with the A&E nurse who can also access the record via a web browser the department.   (Source: E-Health Insider)

DyKnow Client-Server Approach Granted Patent from U.S. Patent & Trademark Office

Patent recognizes ability to support many users effectively and efficiently

DyKnow, a leader in interactive education technology, is pleased to announce that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has issued a patent for the client-server approach that enables DyKnow Vision usage in the classroom. The patent affirms DyKnow's novel approach to supporting interactive learning in both small and large classrooms. 

DyKnow Vision software fosters interaction through collaborative note taking, student response tools, content replay, and anywhere, anytime access.

Teachers can use DyKnow Vision to instantly transmit content to student computers for annotation.  DyKnow Vision works with desktops, laptops, Tablet PCs, and interactive whiteboards in fixed, mobile, and distance environments.  DyKnow Vision's design allows for central server management and bandwidth optimization, allowing teachers to focus on delivering a more engaging and effective learning experience.

Using its client-server approach, teacher or student work in DyKnow Vision is offloaded to a server, then transmitted to other users in the class. As opposed to a peer-to-peer networked environment where computers can slow down dramatically when there are more than a few users, the DyKnow approach scales so that many students and teachers can utilize the software simultaneously without any decrease in performance.

"This patent validates our unique approach to making DyKnow a substantially scalable product," said Dan Sanders, Chief Technology Officer for DyKnow. "A school can use DyKnow in a classroom of five students or a classroom of 500 students and still experience the same level performance."

In total, 45 claims were approved in the patent, many of which relate to DyKnow's scalable client-server approach.  This is the second patent issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office related to technologies that DyKnow software incorporates.  Additional patents are pending for other aspects of the DyKnow Vision.

For more information about the DyKnow Vision and its partner DyKnow Monitor, a program which reduces electronic distraction by displaying thumbnails of student screens, blocking applications, blanking screens, and monitoring in wireless environments, visit www.dyknow.com or call (888) 839-5669.  (Source: Press Release)

UCA wins coveted HP Technology grant

UCA is applying the grant by redesigning courses in which students will use mathematical software, such as XThink’s MathJournal, which is specifically designed for the interactive capabilities of a Tablet PC, to investigate several different mathematical concepts visually under the direct guidance of the faculty instructor. The goal of the grant is to determine which capabilities of the Tablet PC improve student learning and how to incorporate this technology within course instruction most effectively.

"We are excited about using HP’s Tablet PC technology to transform the instruction within upper division mathematics courses," said UCA mathematics professor Dr. Clarence Burg, the principal investigator for this grant. "Dr. Long Le and I will use the graphical capabilities along with other mathematical software in a redesigned Differential Equations course and a redesigned Calculus III course. Since these math courses are highly visual and involve two and three-dimensional concepts, the graphing capabilities should allow for much greater student comprehension of these concepts. Dr. Ramesh Garimella will use the interactive capabilities to enhance student evaluation and learning within Abstract Algebra, as the students learn the art of mathematical proofs. Dr. Jean McGehee will lead the evaluation effort to determine which teaching methods enabled by the Tablet PC are most effective. We believe that the students will enjoy using the Tablet PCs and that their learning experience will be significantly enhanced."  (Source: UCA Today)
Posted Wednesday, June 6, 2007 by ChrisD
Rating: 4 (Rate it) 1 Lowest 2 3 4 5 Highest Comments (0)

Oak Grove plans to go tablet tech

The Fargo private school will begin a “Tablet PC Initiative” at its north side high school campus with plans to hand out new tablet personal computers to the roughly 75 juniors and seniors when school starts. Another 75 or so tablet PCs will go to freshmen and sophomores later in the school year, officials said.

“We see this as the wave of the future,” said incoming President Bruce Messelt. “These students are growing up with technology. It needs to be embraced and be brought into the classroom.”

“When (Oak Grove students) get into college, they will be fully computer literate,” he said.  (Source: Helmut Schmidt, InForumNews)

MobileDemand xTablet T8600 Review

When MobileDemand announced the xTablet T8600 in the summer of 2006, RuggedPCReview.com did a thorough review of what turned out to be a very versatile rugged tablet computer (see initial review of the MobileDemand xTablet T8600). The Cedar Rapids, Iowa based provider of mobile automation systems managed to offer a unique next generation rugged Tablet PC with a handy feature that set is apart from most of the competition: the T8600 had an integrated numeric keypad that allows for easy data entry. That may sound like a minor thing, but it is not. Ask anyone who spends a lot of time on the road, entering data at client sites or in a vehicle. You need a keypad.

At the time of our review, however, two additional very promising features of the T8600 were not available yet -- a bar-code reader and imager, and a magnetic card stripe reader. We had seen pictures and prototypes, but not the actual peripherals. For the past few weeks we've had a production T8600 in our lab, gave it a good workout, and analyzed how MobileDemand had integrated the scanner and mag card reader.   (Source: Conrad H. Blickenstorfer, Rugged PC Review)

Does your Slate have 4GB inside? Mine does.

A lot of you know that I have received the latest TabletKiosk offering named the Sahara Slate. The one I have is a device that will not be released as it has been made specifically as a Demo Unit for people like me…whatever that means. LOL. It is based on the same design as the i440D but instead of the Core Duo Processor it has the Celeron. The most unique feature of the i440D is that it offers (D)ual input, i.e. both pen and touch. While it does not do it simultaneously like the Lenovo X60 it does it via a button toggle – very clever.  (Source: Hugo Ortega, Uber Tablet)
Posted Wednesday, June 6, 2007 by ChrisD
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Computex 2007: Intel, Kingston, Foxconn, FIC, Albatron, Gigabyte - HotHardware

Next up was Gigabyte’s new UMPC, the U60. The U60 runs a full version of Windows XP, is based on a 1GHz VIA C7-M CPU, has 768MB of DDR2-533 on board, a 30GB Hard Drive, has built in WIFI, and a 6.5” LCD with an 800x480 resolution. To top it off, it will only cost around $800, compared with the $1500-$2000 most other UMPC’s are currently going for that price is much more enticing.  (Source:  Paul Jastrzebski, HotHardware)
Posted Tuesday, June 5, 2007 by ChrisD
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HP addresses mobility pain points

The Tablet PC in general has thus far failed to light the world on fire because of acquisition and support costs. But that's changing. This is because, said Bradley, enterprises no longer have to support separate versions of XP – one for desktops, the other for tablets. With Microsoft's base Vista OS, enterprises now have one common image for multiple devices.

The new convertible Tablet PC will get its feet wet in areas like salesforce automation, mobile CRM and health care, since these applications are less likely to be sized down to a handheld form factor. But in order to take full advantage of Tablet PCs, said Levy, some applications will have to be pen-enabled, and this will necessitate a certain amount of redevelopment.  (Source: Vawn Himmelsbach, ITBusiness.CA)
Posted Tuesday, June 5, 2007 by ChrisD
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VIA to Define Mobility 2.0 with Revolutionary New VIA NanoBook UMD Reference Design

Provides rich computing, Internet, and multimedia experience in a light, ultra portable notebook delivering up to five hours of battery life

Taipei, Taiwan, 05 June 2007 - VIA Technologies, Inc, a leading innovator and developer of silicon chip technologies and device platform solutions, will unveil the new VIA NanoBook UMD (Ultra Mobile Device) Reference Design at VTF2007 on 6 June 2007 in Taipei.

Designed to meet the needs of today’s Mobility 2.0 lifestyle, the VIA NanoBook packs the performance, connectivity and functionality of a notebook PC into a sleek and light ultra portable clamshell form factor that weighs less than 850g.

The VIA NanoBook is powered by the ultra low voltage 1.2GHz VIA C7-M processor and delivers up to 5 hours of battery life. Powered by a choice of Microsoft Windows XP or Windows Vista Basic operating systems, it comes with host of advanced features, including a full keyboard, a crisp 7” WVGA screen with touch panel, up to 1GB DDR2 SDRAM, and a minimum 30GB HDD, as well as 802.11g WiFi, Bluetooth and Ethernet support, plus a DVI and two USB 2.0 ports.

To provide users with additional flexibility when they are on the move, the VIA NanoBook also features a USB slot next to the screen that will enable the snap-in integration of a variety of World Time Clock/Calendar, GPS, VOIP, and broadband wireless modules.

“The VIA NanoBook UMD Reference Design turns my dream of creating a full featured Ultra Mobile Device that delivers a rich computing, communications, and Internet computing experience into a reality,” said Wenchi Chen, President and CEO of VIA Technologies, Inc. “With its highly-functional yet ultra compact form factor and extended battery life, it will enable people to enjoy the Mobility 2.0 lifestyle at any place and any time.”

Recognized Manufacturing Quality

The VIA NanoBook UMD Reference Design has been designed and manufactured in collaboration with First International Computer, Inc (FIC), a world leader in the design and production of computing and other electronics devices, ensuring world class levels of quality and reliability, rapid time to market, and a flexible response to customer needs.

“The unrivaled portability and functionality of the VIA NanoBook makes small screen PDA devices seem hopelessly obsolete,” stated John Villejo, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing for FIC. “Users searching beyond cumbersome laptops will also find familiarity with the ergonomics of the VIA NanoBook but with the added benefit of extreme mobility.”

With its innovative design, long battery life, and rich feature set, the VIA NanoBook UMD Reference Design has been adopted as the basis for the forthcoming EasyNote XS from Packard Bell, one of the leading PC brands in the European market.

“The EasyNote XS is a ground breaking new device that combines the functionality of a PC with the convenience of a handheld,” commented Roger Yuen, Asia Pacific Vice President of Packard Bell. “We are very excited about the potential of this new category of Ultra Mobile Devices in the market.”

VIA NanoBook UMD Reference Design

Weighing less than 850g and measuring just 230mm x 171mm x 29.4mm, the VIA NanoBook UMD Reference Design makes all day mobile productivity and entertainment a reality with up to 5 hours of battery life.

Powered by the 1.2GHz VIA C7-M ULV processor and the VIA VX700 chipset featuring the VIA UniChrome Pro II IGP integrated graphics core, the VIA NanoBook delivers all the performance and functionality for a rich Windows and Internet experience. Despite its small size, it also comes with a complete set of productivity, multimedia, and connectivity features, including a full keyboard, a 7” WVGA screen with touch panel supporting 840x480 resolution, up to 1GB DDR2 SDRAM, a 30/60GB HDD, and a 4-in-1 card reader, as well as 802.11g WiFi and Bluetooth support, plus an Ethernet, a DVI and two USB2.0 ports plus Mic-In/Speaker-Out ports. The device supports Microsoft Windows XP and Windows Vista.

To further extend the device’s functionality, the VIA NanoBook is also equipped with a USB slot next to the screen that can be configured to include a World Time Clock, GPS, DVB, VoIP or even  3G/CDMA wireless broadband modules. The standard model has a smart silver finish, though greater personalization is possible with a variety of shell colour options.

Targeted at aggressive consumer price points, the VIA NanoBook is ideally suited to the consumer, business and education markets and versions of it will be available through leading global OEMs and SIs in the second half of 2007. For the full VIA NanoBook UMD Reference Design specification, please visit the VIA website here:

http://www.via.com.tw/en/initiatives/spearhead/nanobook/

Mobility 2.0

Mobility 2.0 moves people beyond today's limited mobile Internet to a full-featured Web 2.0 browsing and computing experience at their fingertips through the next generation of Ultra Mobile Devices. Weighing under a kilogram, UMDs are based on the x86 architecture and bridge the gap between the notebook and the mobile phone, bringing the benefits of a PC with all the applications, information and entertainment users require to an ultra portable form factor.  (Source: Press Release)

Don’t Look Back

Gates is wisely looking forwards rather than backwards here. Note, in particular, his faith in the “tablet form factor” and his notion of that our “desk can be a surface where you can sit and manipulate things.” What Gates is predicting that we’ll be able naturally write on our computers (ie: they will become like paper) and our desk will be a place in which the digital will spill into real life. Gates is saying that our whole desk will become a personal computer. The analog will be digitalized. The computer will become genuinely personal. (Source: Andrew Keen, ZDNet Blogs)
Posted Monday, June 4, 2007 by ChrisD
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Lenovo Thinkpad X61 Tablet PC First Impressions

I’ll be reporting more as the days go on. Dennis and I hope to be putting a combined InkShow together on the two units we are evaluating. In the meantime if you’re looking for visuals on the form factor check out these InkShows (here and here) on the X60 as very little has changed externally. I’m about to enter an intense period of rehearsals and will really be putting the X61 to the test during that time. I’m anxious to see if I can get through a 4 to 6 hour rehearsal period on just battery, and I’m also looking forward to seeing how this unit settles in with Superfetch and the ReadyBoost feature. It takes some time for those processes to settle in. As I said, I’m very impressed with the new Lenovo ThinkPad X61 so far. It is one heck of a Tablet PC.  (Source: Warner Crocker, GottaBeMobile)
Posted Monday, June 4, 2007 by ChrisD
Rating: 4 (Rate it) 1 Lowest 2 3 4 5 Highest Comments (1)

ACA Digital's XT1100 rugged tablet PC hits the FCC

The self-proclaimed "rugged" XT1100 sports a fairly uninspiring enclosure, a VIA Eden CPU, VIA CX700M chipset, 256MB of DDR2 RAM, optional 2.5-inch HDD, a 10.4-inch SVGA or VGA TFT touchscreen, Bluetooth 2.0+EDR, optional GPS module, and a rechargeable Li-ion battery. Additionally, there looks to be a PC card slot, CF slot, headphone / microphone jacks, "telephone" and Ethernet ports, a pair of serial ports, VGA, a duo of USB connectors, padded bumpers on each corner, joystick, numerical, and directional buttons on the face, and 802.11a/b/g WiFi.   (Source: Darren Murph, Engadget)
Posted Monday, June 4, 2007 by ChrisD
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