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News Week of March 4, 2007Lenovo ThinkPad X60 Tablet Review Lenovo's ThinkPad X60 is an ultra-light Tablet PC with a heavyweight punch. The X60 takes advantage of and positively upholds the excellent reputation of the IBM ThinkPad line of laptops. ThinkPads are slightly utilitarian in design, but this is part of their universal appeal. Even as an ultra-portable, the X60 may have enough sinewy power to give bulkier, high-spec laptops a tough run for the money. (Source: Jason Tomczak, I4U News) 2007 Editors Choice Convertible Tablet PC - The Lenovo Thinkpad X60 Tablet PC Filled with exciting new features that include a touch screen, that can be viewed indoors or out and built in EDVO, The new Lenovo X60 has convinced this die hard slate style Tablet PC user that it was time to switch to a convertible. (Which for the record was no easy task) Before my first week with a pre production X60 Tablet PC was over, I knew that if the production unit of the X60 was everything the pre production unit was, there was going to be a new Editors Choice Tablet PC at TabletPc2.com. To start with, being 1.1" thin and weighing only 3.76 pounds with the 4 cell battery the Lenovo X60 Tablet thinnest and lightest 12" convertible tablet available to day. Next the fact that the black coating (which almost feels rubberized) makes the lenovo X60 easy hold and carry and shows less fingerprints than other tablets. I don't know about the rest of you, but as far as I am concerned going into a meeting with a Tablet PC (or any notebook) covered in fingerprints does not make a good impression and I don't have the time or the desire to be constantly checking for and wiping fingerprints and smudges from he outside of my computer before every meeting. (Source: Linda A. Epstein, TabletPC2.com) SoundGate Tablet Lets Musicians Geek Out PhatWare's PhatPad on a Tablet PC InkShow In this InkShow, I have run through some of the main features of the program. One thing I liked was the shape recognition while jotting down a note. There are many of the features that I didn't go over in the InkShow, but there is a free 30 day trial for anybody that wants to experience the full featured program for themselves. Some of the improvements for this version are: Enjoy the show! Also, look for the follow up show with PhatPad and Pocket PC syncing!! (Source: Matt Faulkner, GottaBeMobile.com) Samsung's Mobile PC for Media Lovers The Good: Giant screen, flash-memory-based drive less prone to accidents The Bad: No built-in cellular capability like competitors, has only onscreen keyboard The Bottom Line: The Q1 appeals more to tablet PC fans and multimedia lovers than businesspeople (Source: Cliff Edwards, BusinessWeek.com) Flipstart's new angle on portable PCs "We'll take product feedback, and we're serious about seeing this particular [ultramobile] catgegory expand with a wide variety of choices," Moore said. "Nobody else is doing the clamshell, for example." Moore conceded that the FlipStart may be viewed as "not perfect in every sense, since no product is”. But whether users take the FlipStart as a companion to a full-size laptop while travelling or as a replacement "is all over the map”. He said some users have "looked at it and don't like it, but then they use it”. Moore has noticed one advantage to the FlipStart over a laptop while travelling. The size of the FlipStart, even though it is a full PC running Windows Vista Business or Windows XP Pro, has helped him avoid the typical security screening at airports. (Source: Matt Hamblen, ComputerWorld, PC Advisor) Flipstart Needs to be Stopped The Micro PC is an unbelievably bad idea that won't go away—and it's our own fault. Anyone who wants portable computing power but hates carrying around a laptop has other, much better alternatives in the every-growing world of smart phones. These fast-selling devices make perfect sense and give you access to what you most want when on the road—your e-mail. They also combine document editing, photography, and, of course phone calls. Micro PCs like Flipstart can do most of this too, but you can't hold the Flipstart up to your ear and make a phone call and you can't easily slip it into your shirt, pants, or coat pocket and use it as a portable music player. You can't use this PC and I can't make sense of it. And there you have it, the perfect formula for product failure. (Source: Lance Ulanoff , PC Magazine) HP Pavilion Laptop TX1030EA Review The responsiveness of the touchscreen was quite disappointing, often requiring a few repeated taps with a finger, although the stylus is more effective. The TouchSmart IQ770 benefits from a much larger viewing area, and its technology seemed more accurate at detecting responses. The Pavilion has another innovation up its sleeve: the 12.1in screen can swivel through 360 degrees, enabling you to turn it around, close the lid and use the laptop as a normal tablet PC. It's also easy to find the ideal viewing angle for a film. This feature is valuable, since the screen isn’t of the best quality - images could be slightly difficult to make out at certain angles. Indeed, text wasn't really crisp enough in general. (Source: Zoe Mutter, PC Advisor) Nokia N800 Internet Tablet First Impressions: The Toshiba R400 Tablet PC In a world where first impressions are critical, Toshiba hits the ball it out of the park...... When you take the R400 out of the box and feel it in your hand for the first time, a audible *WOW* is likely to escape from your lips. The simple elegance of the high gloss piano white finish combined with high gloss Piano black trim of the R400 makes a for a great first impression. This is without question the most elegant computer design I've seen. SmartDraw 2007 on a Tablet PC InkShow TechFest attracts many creatures One is TimeMill, bottom left, a fairy-tale-like mirror with a built-in camera, based on a Tablet PC. When you spin the wheel, it takes your picture. Spin backward and it displays images of people who've used the device in the past. (Source: Brier Dudley, The Seattle Times) FlipSmart handheld PC unveiled at last This has been a long time coming. I first heard rumors and saw spyshots of the FlipSmart handheld PC a couple of years ago and, after a number of delays, the device has finally been announced officially. Since its first mention, the world has turned a few times and a number of other devices that compete, both on specs and price, have been launched. FlipSmart enters a field already occupied by OQO, whose Model 02 device should be shipping around the same time as the FlipSmart, and Sony, whose UX line of handheld PCs running Windows are also in their second generation. Of course, there are also a variety of UMPC devices now available as well although the direct comparison will be with the OQO and Sony devices based on form factor and price. The FlipSmart is a larger device than either of these competitors though and has a compelling feature set. (Source: Marc Orchant, ZDNet) Elluminate Announces Free, Full-Function Web Conferencing vRoom FORT LAUDERDALE, FL -- (MARKET WIRE) -- March 06, 2007 -- Elluminate, Inc., a leading provider of live eLearning and web collaboration solutions for the real-time organization, announced today the general availability of Elluminate vRoom™, a free, three-seat virtual office for both academic and corporate users that features most of the functionality of the company's award-winning Elluminate Live!® products. Thousands have already downloaded the beta version of vRoom, integrating online interaction into their daily activities, such as one-on-one meetings, virtual office hours, mentoring, tutoring, training, interviews and small group work. Like Elluminate Live!, vRoom is optimized for low bandwidth connectivity, works on multiple platforms and is always available. The free virtual office provides real-time collaboration tools, including two-way audio, interactive whiteboard, direct messaging, application sharing, file transfer, synchronized web tour, live webcam, video, multiple language translation and breakout rooms for up to three participants. vRoom's comprehensive moderator tools enable moderators to easily and effectively create content, conduct presentations, facilitate meetings and control participation. In addition, users can easily add more seats for larger sessions. "The collaborative opportunities available in Elluminate's vRoom are tremendous," said Dr. J. Ricky Cox, a professor at Murray State College. "I use vRoom and my tablet PC to conduct virtual office hour sessions in my chemistry courses. Audio capabilities in vRoom allow me to discuss problem-solving strategies with my students while I use the tablet pen to work problems and draw structures on the whiteboard. I also use vRoom with research colleagues across the country to plan experiments and converse about scholarly manuscripts we are writing." "vRoom is great! It enables me to provide math and science tutoring from India for my 14-year-old son," said Alamgir Singh. "I hooked it up at my father’s house, and the tutor comes every morning for two hours. Prior to installing vRoom, I was paying $50 per month for web conferencing access. vRoom is equally good, if not better than paid web conferencing, with its webcam capability." "We are very excited and encouraged with the amazing response to Elluminate vRoom during the beta period," said Maurice Heiblum, president of Elluminate USA, Inc. "It's a great way to experience the Elluminate difference at no cost, while reducing travel and teleconferencing costs." Availability Elluminate vRoom is available now. System requirements include 10 MB free disk space, sound card with microphone and speakers (or headset) and a minimum Internet connection of 28.8 kbps. For more information or to download the free offering, visit http://www.elluminate.com/vroom/. HP Gives Mobile Computing a Whole New Twist with its Revolutionary New Notebook Eight reasons tablet PCs have missed the mainstream Analysts cite at least eight reasons why tablets haven't done better, including their higher cost compared with standard laptops (up to US$300 more), problems with touch technology and handwriting recognition software, and a shortage of suitable applications. Recognizing those problems, tablet PC makers recently introduced new second- and third-generation devices in both the convertible and slate form factors. More new models are expected later this year running the Vista operating system, which will eliminate the separate Tablet PC Edition in Windows XP and the resulting inefficiencies, analysts said. "Tablet PCs remain a niche product in the marketplace, used predominantly in vertical applications," said Leslie Fiering, an analyst at Gartner Inc. in a recent conference presentation. The tablet PC's "appeal to horizontal, mainstream users will continue to be minimal" because of higher costs, an "immature" touch interface and other factors, she added. (Source: Matt Hamblen, Computerworld) Toshiba's Not-So-Potent Portege The Good: Nice design; e-mail and battery alerts even when computer is closed; bright display; elegant hinge The Bad: Expensive; short battery life; lacks internal CD drive The Bottom Line: Buyers on a budget may want to look elsewhere (Source: Ian Sanger, BusinessWeek) Microsoft Financing and Medscribbler team together to provide EMR and hardware financing “We are very excited about working with Microsoft Financing,” said Michael Milne, CEO of Scriptnetics, “This removes the capital cost worry for the solo physician and small practice, especially for the doctor just starting up. With an upper finance limit in the millions it also helps the hospital or large clinic deal with their budget and cash flow constraints. Microsoft Financing rates and terms are very competitive. The current 6/50 promotion is a tremendous opportunity for new Medscribbler installations.” (Source: Press Release) New Educational Software Links 250 Students in Wireless Classroom The students, owners of the college’s new 2006-07 computer requirement, a Tablet PC, are enrolled in an introductory level engineering class taught by Tom Walker, professor of engineering education (EngE) at Virginia Tech. Walker is revamping his teaching methods to take advantage of the new technology, and using a new software teaching package called DyKnow that provides unique interactivity between the instructor and the class via the Tablet PC. DyKnow software allows a professor to write on his Tablet PC, using words similar to what he would have written on a conventional blackboard or an overhead transparency. As Walker places the text on his computer, his words automatically appear on each of the students’ wireless machines, also equipped with the software package. The students are then able to add notes as the professor lectures, and save them for future reference. The combination of the visual, the auditory and the actual note-taking combine to increase the students’ retention capabilities. “We are not the first to use DyKnow, but we are the first to implement this interactive note-taking tool in a large wireless classroom,” Scales said. “Professor Walker is one of the pioneering faculty members who are critically rethinking teaching methods to incorporate more active learning strategies in courses,” she added. When Walker elaborates on an engineering principle, stimulating questions from the class, he is able to add to their note-taking by immediately writing on his own computer, which then appears on the students’ machines in real time. DyKnow provides an intuitive interface to transmit teacher content to student computers for annotation. This eliminates manual copying and gives students more time to focus on understanding concepts. A professor can also poll the students, receiving instant feedback, and even collect student work written in class on their tablets. “When some 250 students are in a wireless equipped classroom, they have a responsibility to use their Internet resources appropriately,” Scales said. “In this class they have access to the web, similar to an employee in a workplace during a meeting. The responsibility is placed back on the student to focus on the class, and not some other location on the web.” Increased student participation in the classroom is a major goal with the introduction of Tablet PCs and the DyKnow software. “This problem of distractions will never completely go away because students today have grown up multi-tasking,” Walker said. “I realize that some can be playing games, instant messaging, or watching videos. As I get used to taking steps to keep the students involved in the class by requesting instant feedback on certain questions and by collecting material from them in real time, I hope to resolve most of the problems of students using their machines inappropriately.” Virginia Tech’s Alliance partnership with Fujitsu Computer Systems and Microsoft Research Corporation continues to support its Tablet PC initiatives. Most recently Microsoft Corporation is funding the Tablet PC Assessment team, lead by Deborah Olsen, associate professor of learning science and technology, and Kim Filer, A Ph.D student working with Olsen, to investigate the integration of Tablets PCs into the engineering curriculum. This educational project will provide insight to designing Virginia Tech’s next generation network and is lead by a small university team comprised of Walker; Scales; Kimberly Gausepohl, manager of Online Course Systems, Learning Technology; Steven Lee, Communications Research Engineering, Communications Network Services; and several representatives from the Office of Distance Learning and Computing in the College of Engineering. (Source: Press Release) |
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