News Week of November 4, 2007

The Origami Experience: Windows Vista and the Ultra-Mobile PC

Almost two years ago, Microsoft launched a bizarre viral marketing campaign for something called Origami, which was later revealed to be part of the Ultra-Mobile PC, or UMPC, initiative. UMPCs are basically touch screen-capable ultra-small form factor mobile computers, sort of sub-sub-notebooks that eschew traditional keyboards and pointing devices in favor of a smaller, highly-portable form factor. If you've ever seen the original OQO device, which was sort of a proto-UMPC, you get the idea: It's larger than a PDA but smaller than the smallest slate Tablet PC.

The first generation of UMPC devices ran Windows XP Tablet PC Edition and was criticized for being somewhat pointless, a solution to a problem no one had. Part of the problem, of course, was finding the right fit with users: Microsoft had this notion about a portable computing experience that would utilize a 7-inch screen and weigh less than 3 pounds, but it wasn't clear what the audience was. So with the first generation UMPC, the company targeted consumer enthusiasts--thus the viral marketing campaign--but that proved to be a mistake. The devices sold poorly when they hit the market in early 2006.

The UMPC form factor, not surprisingly, has been at the center of some heated debates. Because it is too large to place in a typical pocket, but too small to contain a useable keyboard (at least by traditional mobile PC standards), the UMPC occupies an interesting but perhaps unnecessary segment of the market. I suspect that Palm faced a similar decision when it opted to cancel its Folio project this year: It's unclear that customers are really looking for a device that's larger than a cell phone but smaller than a sub-notebook.  (Source: Paul Thurrott, Super Site for Windows)

Sony Launches $2,500 VAIO UMPC

Sony is no stranger to top-dollar hardware, so the price tag of the company's latest iteration of the VAIO UX should come as no surprise. The new VAIO UX VGN-UX490N/C occupies a price point which is at the polar opposite of the Eee PC: $2,499.

$2,499 will get you a device that hasn't changed much physically since the VAIO UX series was first introduced in May 2006. Sony has, however, tinkered with the internal components over the past year and this latest edition is no exception.

Under the hood lies an Intel Core Solo U2200 processor (1.2GHz), Intel's 945GMS Express Chipset and 1GB of DDR2 PC2-3200 memory. Primary duties are handled by a 48GB solid-state disk (SSD), while a MemoryStick slot can accommodate additional storage needs.  (Source: Brandon Hill, Daily Tech)
Posted Friday, November 9, 2007 by ChrisD
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Why Apple Will Trump Microsoft With a Tablet PC

Rumors are making their way around media publications about a possible Tablet PC from Apple. Microsoft, and Bill Gates in particular, were super excited about the Tablet PC, but obviously, their efforts didn't prove to be fruitful. Although they continue to battle it out in hopes of succeeding, Apple has the market all to itself if they want to pursue it. Who's going to compete against Apple? Microsoft sure isn't a threat. Before I get too insulting, here are my reasons for why Apple will be uber successful with Tablet PCs.

Apple clearly knows how to design consumer friendly products that make you the center of attention anywhere. They have the special magic wand that works and works rather well, I might add. The market is in favor of Apple, and users are in awe of what Apple will release next. Nothing can go wrong, so if by sheer luck, Apple will be successful with a Tablet PC just on its merit.  (Source: Gundeep Hora, CoolTechZone)
Posted Friday, November 9, 2007 by ChrisD
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Nokia impresses with latest Internet Tablet

Why it's cool: This is a great device to have at home as a quick and easy way to access the Internet without having to boot up a PC or notebook. It's also the closest thing to an Apple iPhone that I've seen from a cell phone vendor. Its HTML Web browser has very good zooming features – even without having to use your fingers to zoom in or out. The high-resolution screen displays photos and videos brilliantly, and it has external speakers for good music playing ability. The user interface is easy to use, offering me the ability to customize my "desktop" to display widget-like applications that I could access quickly, such as a quick Google search or just looking at the "clock" application to see what time it is. An Internet radio application streamed music feeds from the BBC, but with some additional work I could add my own streams.  (Source: Keith Shaw, Network World)

Happy 5 Year Anniversary, Tablet PC!

Five years ago today, Microsoft and their OEM partners unveiled the Tablet PC, and what a ride it has been!

A quick look around the mobility landscape, and it is easy to see the impact that Tablet PC technology has had over the years. Over the next month, we will be taking a look at the past five years from an operating system, software, hardware, and marketing perspective. We'll also be taking a look at the next five years,  laying out the challenges / opportunities that Microsoft and their OEM / ISV partners face in taking the Tablet PC to the next level in both experience and market reach. This is definitely an exciting time to be involved with Tablet PCs; however, some real challenges do lay ahead.  (Source: Rob Bushway, Gotta Be Mobile)

Sahara Tablet - used on CSI - NY Television Show

The Sahara has been getting quite a bit of play lately on the weekly television show.  Most members of the crime crew have been seen with the tablet at one time or another during the show.   What is really impressive too is seeing the use of the touch controls as well as the stylus.  This is really a great show on how useful touch screen tablets can be when information is needed on the go...good show of mobility and the tablets.  I believe I have even seen it floating around the morgue.  (Source: Barbara Duck, The Medical Quack Blog)

Tablet troubles

HP's Compaq 2710p is a "convertible" notebook: you can rotate the screen and fold it flat against the keyboard so you can rest it on your arm and write on the screen with a digitiser (it's not a touch screen). Weighing in at 1.68 kg, the tablet has a 12.1-inch (1280x800) widescreen display and surprisingly large keys - with a trackpoint but, sadly, no trackpad.

HP has crammed in some of the latest mod-cons, a fingerprint reader, 2-megapixel webcam, ExpressCard slot, VGA out, 80 GB hard disk drive, FireWire, USB 2.0 x 2, SD card reader, Bluetooth 2.0+, 802.11a/b/g/pre-n and a pop-up aerial for an optional internal mobile wireless card. The trade-off is no PC card slot and no DVD drive. The latter is disappointing. Our review unit ran Vista Business, although you can still opt for XP Tablet PC Edition. Under the bonnet was a Ultra Low Voltage U7600 1.2 GHz Intel Core2 Duo Processor, providing enough power for day-to-day office tasks.  (Source: Adam Turner, The Age)

Apple Tablet PC is real, says Asus

Crave hangs with people in high places -- that's how we get exclusives and free food. A few weeks ago we were having a civilised dinner with our friends at Asus and angling for cool stories when we were told in a very hushed manner: "Asus is helping Apple build a Tablet PC."

We're tempted to ignore all Apple rumours because there's just so many of them, but this rings true because Asus is Apple's contract manufacturer. It's one of the companies responsible for building the iBooks, PowerBooks and MacBooks of this world, so when their guys tell us they're building an Apple Tablet, we believe them.  (Source: CNet.co.uk)

Tulsa school places in tech awards

In the seventh and eighth grades, each student is given a tablet PC for use at home and at school as long as they are a student at the school.

Brook said the tablets are more sophisticated than a laptop.

"They can actually write on the tablet on the PC, and it will convert it to text," she said.

A recent grant also will allow the school to provide the tablet PCs to its fourth-graders as well. Two fourth-grade classes will receive new tablets on Tuesday, she said.  (Source: Tulsa World)
Posted Monday, November 5, 2007 by ChrisD
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A Love Affair with a Tablet PC

Tablet PCs (and Ultra-Mobile PCs) are very, very personal choices. Depending on your work and play needs, different models and different makes suit different users. I’m lucky. I get to get my hands on quite a few different Tablet PCs due to my association with GottaBeMobile.com, and I’m very grateful for that. Most users, or prospective users, don’t get that opportunity.

For awhile now I’ve been using a Lenovo ThinkPad X61 Tablet PC, and I’ve been more than satisfied with how it fits my needs. That doesn’t mean I haven’t been shopping around and taking advantage of opportunities to try out the other Tablet PCs that come my way. But I’ve come to realize, at least for the moment, that the Lenovo ThinkPad X61 is the Tablet PC that has my affection. Here’s why I have a love affair with this Tablet PC and some things I think can be improved upon.  (Source: Warner Crocker, Gotta Be Mobile)

LIVE AND LOW-TECH

Then he does something old-fashioned. Using a "tablet PC" that projects what he writes on the jumbo screen, this physicist spends the rest of the 50 minutes writing out physics formulas by hand, in real time, explaining as he goes. The students copy along.

"I find having them write it out helps them learn; it's a little more interactive than reading Power Point slides which can make their eyes glaze over," he says.  (Source: TheStar.com)