News Week of August 3, 2008

Touch Is the Future at H-P

H-P says it's working on an array of products, including notebooks, that use the same type of finger-tapping interface popularized by Apple Inc.'s iPhone. H-P's so keen on the idea that it says it's trying to get touch-enabled notebook computers on the market within the next 18 months.

"We're focused on recognizing the potential of touch now," said Phil McKinney, the chief technology officer for the company's laptop-making Personal Systems Group. "We see touch as the almost preferred method for nontechnical users."  (Source: Ben Charny, Wall Street Journal)

Prof. Dave Berque Discusses "Academic Possibilities" of Tablet PCs

"Tablet PCs offer teachers and students a natural way to deal with a wide range of academic possibilities," says Dave Berque, professor and chair of computer science at DePauw University. "While traditional laptops are great for textual content, they don’t allow free-hand input of content."

In an interview with HotChalk, Dr. Berque adds, "However, the real educational power of a Tablet PC is leveraged by software systems that exploit the power of the pen. For instance, Microsoft Word allows teachers and students to make natural digital ink annotations on top of typed text. This can be useful when students are engaged in peer reviews or when a teacher is providing feedback on a student’s writing."  (Source: DePauw University)

Delta to Become Only Major U.S. Airline to Offer Broadband Wi-Fi Access on Entire Domestic Mainline Fleet

Aircell’s Gogo™ inflight Internet service to be available in first and economy classes on more than 330 Delta aircraft in 2009, the most expansive inflight broadband offering of any U.S. air carrier

Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) customers traveling throughout the continental United States will soon be offered the added convenience of broadband Wi-Fi access onboard the airline’s domestic fleet of more than 330 mainline aircraft.

Delta is joining with Aircell®, a 17-year leader in airborne communications for business and commercial aviation, to install the company’s Mobile Broadband Network on the carrier’s domestic fleet. The system, Gogo, will enable Delta customers traveling with Wi-Fi enabled devices, such as laptops, smartphones and PDAs, to access the Internet, corporate VPNs, corporate and personal e-mail accounts, as well as SMS texting and instant messaging services.  Gogo will be available to customers for a flat fee of $9.95 on flights of three hours or less, and $12.95 on flights of more than three hours.

“Delta remains committed to providing a travel experience that maximizes the time our customers spend with us onboard by offering them even more productivity options,” said Richard Anderson, Delta’s chief executive officer. ”Our customers asked for in-flight connectivity, and we’re responding by rolling out the most extensive Wi-Fi network in the sky.  Beginning this fall, our passengers will have the ability to stay connected when they travel with us throughout the continental U.S.”

Gogo will be offered initially on Delta’s fleet of 133 MD88/90 aircraft and will rapidly expand to the remaining domestic fleet of more than 200 Boeing 737, 757 and 767-300 aircraft throughout the first half of 2009. The airline expects to have more than 330 aircraft complete by summer 2009.  The full fleet agreement between Aircell and Delta will provide a consistent, convenient experience for customers traveling on the airline who wish to use the Gogo Internet service.

“The advent of Air-To-Ground (ATG) technology has made broadband connectivity in the cabin economically viable for the first time for commercial airlines,” said Jack Blumenstein, President and CEO, Aircell. “The game has changed and Delta will be among the first to provide an enhanced customer experience with broadband Wi-Fi access on more than 1,000 daily flights within the U.S.”

In addition to being the most cost-effective in-flight broadband technology available, the Aircell system is extremely light, requires minimal space on the aircraft and is installed overnight, making it a sound investment in a competitive, high fuel-price environment.  (Source: Press Release)

Fujitsu U820, meet the FCC. FCC, meet Fujitsu's newest UMPC

Fujitsu's refresh of the U810 UMPC will hit the U.S. with the monniker of.... wait for it.... the U820. The diminutive mobile device is showing off for the F.C.C., so assuming there's no testing issues, we'll see the U820 sooner rather than later. It has the same 5.6-inch display at an eyeball popping 1024 x 600 resolution, but as we already knew, Fujitsu has reworked the small keyboard with an extra row of keys. Last we heard, this would be Atom-based and it looks like the Intel Atom Z530 is paired with the 945GU Express.  (Source: Kewvin Tofel, jkOnTheRun)
Posted Tuesday, August 5, 2008 by ChrisD
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Asus Eee PC 901 (Windows XP)

The Asus Eee PC 901 is the new update to the Eee PC... the affordable mini notebook that shook up the laptop market in 2007. This $600 mobile companion features the new Intel Atom processor, but is it the best choice for your next travel laptop? 

I took an in-depth look at the Eee PC 901 to find out if it has enough performance and features to take the top spot in the popular budget ultraportable category. (Source: JerryJ, Brighthand)

What's in a name? Diversity in Tablet PC form factors

Last week Panasonic released its new UMPC, Panasonic Toughbook CF-U1, in Canada. Rugged, of course. (Available in the US since June.) In the photo the Panasonic rep is pouring water on the PC to show it continue working in harsh environments. This announcement is a good reminder how Tablet PC form factors have continued to diversify. Think about how many different types of Tablet PCs are available today.

Tablet taxonomy may have changed over the years, but fundamentally two familiar categories are the pillars: 1) Slate and 2) Convertible.   (Source: Lora, WhatIsNew)

ASUS Eee PC 901 Review

The ASUS Eee PC 901 is the new update to the Eee PC ... the affordable mini notebook that shook up the notebook market in 2007. This $550 mobile companion features the new Intel Atom processor, but is it the best choice for your next travel laptop? We took an in-depth look at the Eee PC 901 to find out if this mini notebook has enough performance and features to take the top spot in the popular budget ultraportable category. 

(Source: Jerry Jackson, TabletPCReview.com)