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News Week of May 25, 2008DIY SSD Samsung UMPC upgrade dramatically boosts performance JLT rolls out new rugged Windows Tablet PC The Tablet PC Is Taking Quite a Beating These Days From a marketing perspective, no one can argue that Microsoft has not done its fair share to trip up an otherwise awesome computing platform. We've been quite vocal about how Microsoft doesn't put its dollars and marketing effort where Bill's voice and passion is. Were it not for the active communities that rally around the tablet and natural input technologies, there would be no tablet platform at all. What I don't understand is why the mainstream press continues to choose to hate the Tablet PC. I know the tablet platform isn't for everyone, but is there a reason to point to the Tablet as another one of Microsoft's failures? Is it a failure? You tell me, Tablet PC community? Talk it up amongst your sites, blogs, forums, etc. (Source: Rob Bushway, GottaBeMobile) Windows 7 multi-touch SDK being readied for PDC in October Not Quite the End of Gates' Era, but Close Multi-Touch Scenarios on a Tablet PC James Kendrick says he has yet to have anyone give him a single usage scenario where multi-touch on a normal sized device, like a Tablet PC, makes sense. I can give him plenty that don't involve the traditional picture zooming: (Source Rob Bushway, GottaBeMobile) Phatware Releases PhatPad 4.5 for Windows-Based Tablets and PCs and Windows Mobile Devices Mountain View, CA (MobilityNewswire) May 28, 2008 -- PhatWare Corporation (www.phatware.com), a leading provider of software products and professional services for mobile and desktop computers, announces the release of PhatPad 4.5, the next generation of the company's award-winning notes organizer for Microsoft Windows-based Tablet, Desktop and Windows Mobile based devices. The new version features improved compatibility with Microsoft Windows Vista, two new UI themes, Windows taskbar icon, and the ability to take a picture with the mobile device built-in camera and set it as a background image. PhatPad allows users to draw pictures, jot notes, or put a mixture of pictures and typed text on a virtual scratch pad. The program uses new digital ink technology, which provides a very smooth ink flow, so it feels like writing on an actual piece of paper. PhatPad users can also add images, voice notes, and text and animate their handwritten notes or pictures. PhatPad 4.5 has been updated to support Microsoft Windows Vista Service Pack 1 and the latest mobile devices powered by Windows Mobile 6.1. In addition, the desktop potion of PhatPad features two new UI themes, options that allow changing basic application behavior, and optional taskbar icon which provides quick access to the PhatPad application and allows users to hide the main window when it is minimized. The new version also allows to assign user-defined names and different background colors to pages of the PhatPad document. The Insert Photo command has been added, which allows users to take a picture using the mobile device built-in camera and set it as a background image in just a few taps. PhatPad 4.5 is available now at the list price of $39.95. A free 30-day trial version of PhatPad 4.5 can be downloaded from the PhatWare web site at http://www.phatware.com. PhatPad 4.5 is a free upgrade for all registered uses of PhatPad 4.X. All other registered users of any previous versions of PhatPad can purchase the latest version for a special upgrade price of $24.95. (Source: Press Release) Introducing DyKnow Software Suite 5.1 New features include audio recording capabilities, improved user interface and remote control DyKnow®, a leader in interactive education, today announces the release of the DyKnow Software Suite 5.1, which includes DyKnow Monitor® and DyKnow Vision®. Grounded in the education experience, DyKnow teaching tools engage learners of all ages through collaborative note-taking, interactive tools like polling and chat, content playback, classroom monitoring and anytime, anywhere access. DyKnow Vision 5.1 Highlights The new release of DyKnow Vision builds upon the software’s ability to instantly transmit a teacher’s prepared or extemporaneous content to all student computers for annotation. Supporting more effective note taking and studying, DyKnow Vision 5.1 features an Audio Recorder that allows instructors to capture their lectures in conjunction with DyKnow notes. Students can replay the class lecture, which is synched with their DyKnow notebook content, anytime, anywhere. Additionally, DyKnow’s new Microsoft® Office Fluent™-based user interface, structured like a ribbon bar, eliminates drop-down menus and categorizes features into groups for better usability. Other upgrades include enhanced polling and the ability to save poll results. DyKnow Monitor 5.1 Highlights DyKnow Monitor software allows teachers to see thumbnail versions of student screens and block non-curricular applications and URLs on student computers. Upgrades to DyKnow Monitor allow teachers to see a real-time view of a student’s screen as well as take remote control of a student’s computer. Monitor 5.1 will also help save precious instructional time through the File Transfer feature which enables instructors to easily receive or collect and return files to students electronically. For more information about the latest version of the DyKnow Software Suite visit www.DyKnow.com and click on “What’s New in 5.1.” (Source: Press Release) Time to Talk About Tablet PCs? Tablet PCs have firmly established themselves in certain vertical markets where users don't have offices or need to compute while standing. But as the tablet market matures, more sedentary office workers could benefit from using them, particularly when it comes to annotation and approval tasks. This presents opportunities for solution providers to spread the message about tablets. According to IDC research, tablets doubled their market share in 2007 from 2006, accounting for more than 7 percent of the mobile market last year, and they are on a similar growth curve this year. What has changed to make tablets more popular? Three things. (Source: David Strom, eWeek Channel Advisor) Microsoft is hellbent on bringing touch to you And let’s not forget the dreaded Tablet PC (reviews). Here’s what’s funny about the Tablet PC–if you talk to folks that actually have one they love it. Ed Bott can give you an earful about how his Tablet PC is handy on an airplane and recognizes his handwriting. Other folks fall into the same camp. The problem: There are too few of these Tablet PC fans to make a market beyond vertical niches like health care. Microsoft’s bet may be that Windows 7 + Tablet PCs = Mass adoption. At the very least, you’ll have some touch ability built in to your PC and displays. The big question: Will you buy into it? (Source: Larry Dignan, ZDNet) Microsoft MVP Thinks Mobile Rob Bushway is one of 4,000 participants in Microsoft Corp.'s Most Valuable Professional program, a group of experts who voluntarily share expertise. The 38-year-old Colorado Springs Web site designer first received the designation in 2004 for his volunteer work on TabletPCBuzz.com, which hosts online discussions about tablet PCs. The Microsoft designation has been renewed each year since for Bushway's continuing work, including editing his own site, GottaBeMobile.com. (Source: Wayne Heilman, The Gazette) |
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