News Week of May 6, 2007

Where an Ultra Mobile PC May Make Sense

Still, I don’t see these as mainstream devices, at least not in their current configurations.  While they fit in a coat pocket, they are too big for people to carry them as a replacement for a phone (and too small to be a replacement for someone who really wants a notebook to create documents on).   But in an environment that’s heavy on looking up data and filling out forms where weight matters, just a device may work better than a phone, a notebook, or even a tablet PC.     Think of applications like health care or travelling sales.       

I don’t think it would work for me, but I can imagine the markets for such machines growing in the years to come.  (Source: Michael J. Miller, PC Mag.com)
Posted Saturday, May 12, 2007 by ChrisD
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Three Queens schools win HP grants

One of three public schools in the borough to receive a 2007 HP Tech for Teaching Grant, Bayside High School is joined by P.S. 62 Chester Park in Richmond Hill and Queens High School of Teaching in Bellerose in receiving cash and equipment packages valued at over $31,000.

In the coming weeks, five teachers at each school will receive his or her own HP Tablet PC, a multimedia projector, digital camera, an all-in-one printer, scanner and copier, software, accessories and a $500 cash stipend.  (Source: Karen James, QueensCourier.com)
Posted Saturday, May 12, 2007 by ChrisD
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Gateway CX210X Thin and Light Tablet Notebook

Storage with the Gateway CX210X is fairly limited to what is found on most notebooks. Even most budget oriented notebooks are featuring DVD burners now, but Gateway continues to include a more subdued 24x CD-RW/DVD combo drive. The hard drive space is also limiting with 80GB of storage. Many notebooks are now moving to the much more spacious 160GB drives.

What it all comes down to though is price. Gateway's CX210X is probably one of the least expensive tablet PC notebooks available on the market. So, if you are interested in writing on the screen and don't mind the heavy weight or slightly downgraded features, this might be a notebook to consider.   (Source: Mark Kyrnin, About.com)

Lost your tablet pen?

Jim got his first Tablet PC for a Christmas present. I was excited to see how he was adjusting to it, since he has been admiring my tablets for the whole time we have known each other. Right away, I noticed that Jim had adapted his pen. He tied a thin piece of cable to one end of it. (Source: Kathy Jacobs Blog, via GottaBeMobile)
Posted Friday, May 11, 2007 by ChrisD
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Microsoft to sell $1B in software to Lenovo

Microsoft and Lenovo last month announced they would build a joint research and development innovation center in China, marking Microsoft's first such endeavor with an OEM partner, it said.

The center will focus on technologies for the China market and concentrate on mobile devices and ways to build products on top of Microsoft's software, it said.  (Source: Reuters, CNN)

Maybe this will be the place where future hardware and software innovations for the Tablet PC and laptops come from.  - ChrisD

Grahl releases PDF Annotator 1.5

With the help of lots of users test driving our beta releases (thank you!), we have now finished PDF Annotator 1.5. The new release finally includes long awaited features, like text boxes (enter annotations using the keyboard), insert images into PDFs, customizable pens, clipboard support for text and images, pen scaling when zooming and more. And yes, this is a FREE UPDATE for existing users!

About PDF Annotator: PDF Annotator lets the user open any PDF file and add annotations, using the mouse or a Tablet PC pen, directly on the PDF file's pages. The annotated documents can then be saved directly back to PDF format (Source: Press Release)
Posted Wednesday, May 9, 2007 by ChrisD
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HP Compaq 2710p laptop - First Look Review

At a first glance we really like the HP Compaq 2710p. The design, although lacking a touchpad for a mouse nipple, is small, compact, but certainly stylish enough to give Sony Vaio a run for its money.

Likewise it might not have a disc drive but with that 10 hour battery life (with the optional battery) and a host of other tech including an Intel Core 2 Duo processor, up to 2048Mb of memory and a 100Gb hard drive there is plenty here, before you even start to consider the tablet functionality.  (Source: Stuart Miles, Pocket-Lint)
Posted Wednesday, May 9, 2007 by ChrisD
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Review: Toshiba Portege R400 - shiny white tablet

Toshiba has managed to successfully solve one problem with tablet PCs - the flimsy screen - but not others such as the overly reflective screen.

It's a stylish design, but it comes at a price. At £1,573 it's expensive for what you get and it's a little short on the connectivity front.  (Source: TechDigest)

Fujitsu Lifebook T4220 Reiew

It's too bad this system doesn't last longer on a charge, however. The LifeBook T4220 conked out after two hours and five minutes on our DVD drain test, which means you should expect about three hours of runtime. This showing was a bit surprising, especially given that Intel's new Dynamic FSB Switching technology is supposed to reduce power consumption and improve battery life by decreasing bus speeds and processor voltage when not needed (such as when playing DVD movies or listening to music). We recommend springing for the $134 six-cell modular-bay battery, which should increase the T4220's endurance to about six hours, according to Fujitsu. Just keep in mind you'll need to pop out the DVD drive to use it.
 
Also part of the new Centrino platform is Intel's Wireless Wi-Fi Link 4965AGN, an integrated wireless solution that supports draft-n connectivity. The T4220 turned in very good scores of 18.3 and 14.1 Mbps at 15 and 50 feet, respectively, on our Wi-Fi throughput tests. The system comes with Windows Vista Business Edition, but you can order it with Windows XP Tablet PC Edition instead. Be sure to check back once we get a final-production model in.
 
Despite its underwhelming battery life, the Fujitsu LifeBook T4220 is a solid convertible that gets a sizable performance boost from Intel's newest Centrino processor and graphics technology.   (Source: John R. Delaney, LaptopMag.com)
Posted Wednesday, May 9, 2007 by ChrisD
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Fujitsu Launches Spring Lineup of LifeBook Corporate, Consumer and Vertical Notebooks Powered by Next-Generation Intel(R) Centrino(R) Pro Processor Technology

LifeBook E8410 Corporate Desktop Replacement Notebook Among First Systems Equipped With Intel(R) Centrino(R) Pro Processor Technology, Improving Productivity and Reducing Total Cost of Ownership

Fujitsu Computer Systems Corporation today debuted four LifeBook(R) notebooks powered by next-generation Intel(R) Centrino(R) Pro processor technology designed to improve the overall mobile computing experience. The LifeBook E8410 notebook, the flagship of the Fujitsu corporate desktop replacement portfolio, is among the first systems equipped with Intel(R) Centrino(R) Pro processor technology, which offers enhanced security, system and wireless manageability for reduced total cost of ownership.

The LifeBook T4220 convertible Tablet PC, the LifeBook E8310 corporate notebook and the LifeBook A6030 mainstream notebook will also sport the new Intel(R) Centrino(R) Pro processor technology. All four LifeBook notebooks, available in Q2 2007, benefit from improvements in performance, graphics, wireless connectivity, and battery life.

"Mobile products are now outshipping desktops as the preferred computing device for the enterprise," said Paul Moore, senior director of mobile product marketing, Fujitsu Computer Systems. "Intel Centrino Pro processor technology has helped advance this trend by delivering dual core performance, plus reduced thermals that promote smaller lighter units, longer battery life, better wireless performance, and an overall excellent mobile experience for the mobile user. This -- combined with the unique and diverse lineup of Fujitsu LifeBook notebooks -- is a real boost to increasing productivity and entertainment for both mobile professionals and consumers."

"Fujitsu has always placed a premium on delivering reliable, high-performance uniquely mobile notebooks," said Erik Reid, marketing director, Intel Mobile Platforms Group. "Intel Centrino Pro processor technology provides improvements that will enable Fujitsu to better deliver on that goal and help to drive continued growth in the mobile computing market."

All four Fujitsu LifeBook notebooks get a performance boost and extended battery life from the new Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo processor, and offer either the Intel(R) GM965 Express Chipset or the Intel(R) PM965 Express Chipset. The LifeBook T4220, LifeBook E8410, and A6030 notebooks also offer the Intel(R) Next-Gen Wireless-N, providing up to five times the performance compared to 802.11g and twice the wireless range.(1)

The LifeBook E8410 Notebook

Renowned for its reliability, top-notch performance and ironclad security, the 6.1-pound LifeBook E8410 corporate powerhouse notebook with a 15.4-inch widescreen display, is one of the lightest in its class. Equipped with Intel(R) Centrino(R) Pro processor technology, the LifeBook E8410 notebook offers Intel(R) Active Management Technology, which provides proactive security features that enforce system compliance and block more threats, along with new wireless management capabilities that remotely diagnose, repair, and protect notebooks. A powerful NVIDIA graphics processor, available as an option, delivers the ability to build and display compelling visual communications with rich multimedia.

The LifeBook E8410 notebook features a new housing, yet maintains its durable and lightweight design featuring magnesium-alloy casing, spill-resistant keyboard, stainless-steel hinges, and the Fujitsu Shock Sensor hard drive protection system. A new optional built-in camera, centered above the display, is ideal for video calls or capturing video or still images.

The LifeBook T4220 Tablet PC

The LifeBook T4220 Tablet PC, a new edition of the highly popular ultra-light 4.3-pound thin and light convertible notebook, is designed for on-the-go mobile professionals who require the flexibility of a tablet for note-taking or navigating through forms-based applications, along with the traditional keyboard input of a notebook computer. The industry's lightest convertible Tablet PC with a modular bay is packed with a full complement of security features and the Fujitsu Shock Sensor hard drive protection system. It offers the market's first bi-directional display hinge, which turns the screen in both directions for added convenience.

"Over 500 caregivers rely on the Fujitsu LifeBook T Series Tablet PC to record, share, and access patient information from anywhere on our distributed campus," said Tanya Townsend, IT director at Saint Clare's Hospital, Weston, WI. "With improvements in performance, wireless connectivity, and battery life, we are looking forward to the productivity benefits that the new LifeBook T4220 will deliver to our clinicians."

The LifeBook A6030 Notebook

The LifeBook A6030 mainstream notebook, equipped with a 15.4-inch Color-Enhanced Crystal View Display for brighter images and richer colors, meets the multitasking and mobile computing needs of mobile professionals, as well as consumers in the home and education markets. The LifeBook A6030 notebook combines affordability with an impressive feature set including Microsoft Vista Home Premium, a spill-resistant keyboard, the Fujitsu Shock Sensor hard drive protection system, an array of security options, and an optional point-and-write touch-pad for signature capture and short note taking.

The LifeBook E8310 Notebook

The 6.2-pound LifeBook E8310 corporate notebook features a 15-inch display and provides a highly flexible platform that can be configured to meet a diverse array of business demands. Extensive security features keep data safe, and the spill-resistant keyboard, the stainless-steel hinges, and the Fujitsu Shock Sensor hard drive protection system ensure durability.   (Source: Press Release)

Motion Computing Offers Solid State Drive for LS800 Tablet PC

Flash memory improves durability, increases reliability on ultra-mobile tablet PC

Motion Computing®, a leader in ultra-mobile computing and wireless communications, today announced the availability of a 1.8-inch 32GB solid state drive (SSD) for its award-winning LS800 Tablet PC.

With this flash-based memory offering, Motion™ is delivering a more durable and better-performing ultra-mobile computing solution to vertical industries including aviation, mobile gaming, and field sales and service.

An SSD is a hard drive alternative based on flash memory. Unlike a traditional HDD which uses spinning discs and read/write heads, an SSD is designed with flash memory, having no moving parts. The new drive has the same shape and size as a HDD and uses the same connectors for integration into existing systems.

“Solid state is an excellent storage technology option for ultra-mobile computers,” said Jillian Mansolf, vice president of marketing at Motion. “From casinos interested in offering a portable gaming experience to field service workers computing while walking and standing, the LS800 with SSD helps protect data despite everyday knocks, bumps and jolts.”

Motion engineering tests show that the SSD reduces power consumption to give the LS800 about 10 percent longer battery life. Motion tests also show the LS800 runs approximately 40 percent more efficiently with an SSD, with faster data access time. ¹

Additionally, Motion believes the SSD is will help reduce costs associated with hard drive failures. Analyst firm Gartner reports a failing hard drive is one of two top sources of system malfunctions in mobile computers, and accounts for up to 45 percent of total hardware failures. ²

"The LS800 is the primary platform for the VistaNav™ synthetic vision navigation system for general aviation pilots, and we successfully tested the SSD version at 25,000 and 40,000 feet," said Philippe Roy, General Manager of the Avionics & Unmanned Systems Group at Mercury Computer Systems, Inc. “The LS800 with an SSD represents a significant advance for VistaNav, since our customers can now operate above 10,000 feet without worry."

The SSD drives are available worldwide today on new LS800s for $599. Current LS800 customers can upgrade their tablet PC to include an SSD by working through one of Motion’s Certified Maintainer partners. For more information, please call 1-866-MTABLET or visit www.motioncomputing.com   (Source: Press Release)

Notes and Photos From The Samsung Q1 Ultra Launch in NYC

Smaller and lighter in size, packed with new and enhanced features the new Samsung Q1 Ultra takes the UMPC to a new level.

Last night at the Samsung Experience in New York Samsung took the wraps off the new Q1 Ultra, Ultra Mobile PC.   The event showed off the Q1 at its best and gave the press the opportunity to view and experience the Q1 for themselves.  

Paying close attention to the requests and feedback from consumers the new Q1 Ultra includes a significant number of enhancements and improvements including a split-QWERTY keypad, 4.5 hours of battery life, SRS TruSurround 3D, stereo speakers, enhanced LCD brightness, 1024 x 600 resolution, Support for 3.5G HSDPA wireless cellular modem communications, video chat web cam support and a high- resolution  recorder/still picture camera video, enhanced biometrics and full Tablet PC capabilities.  (Source: Linda A. Epstein, TabletPC2.com)

SAMSUNG Unveils the Q1 Ultra, the Next Stage in the Evolution of Ultra Mobile Personal Computing

Samsung Electronics America, Inc., a global leader in digital media and digital convergence technologies, today announced the company's next-generation UMPC family, the Q1 Ultra, at the Samsung Experience in New York. The Q1 Ultra advances Samsung's line of ultra-mobile computing devices, answering the growing demand for companion PCs that offer the power of a desktop or notebook computer but can be accessed anytime and anywhere.

Complete with an integrated split-QWERTY keypad, mouse, and user-defined function keys, the Q1 Ultra UMPC is designed to enhance productivity, ease-of-use and portability in a range of personal and professional scenarios. With an increased battery life of 4.5 hours coupled with faster speeds, flexibility and mobile functionality, the Q1 Ultra product provides a compelling solution packed into a 1.5 pound package.

The announcement marks one year since Samsung, along with partners Microsoft and Intel, pioneered a new category and form factor of PCs with the introduction of the Q1 UMPC. The Q1 family delivers full PC capabilities when a desktop computer is not an option and a notebook PC is impractical or simply undesirable. Through its combination of PC functionality, multimedia versatility and advanced connectivity, the Q1 has become the best selling UMPC in the world.

"Since the introduction of the Q1, Samsung has been steadfastly committed to the long-term growth and development of this fast-growing product segment," said Christopher Franey, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Samsung Electronics America, Inc. "In creating the Q1 Ultra UMPC, Samsung has relied on consumer insights coupled with key technological advances to deliver a higher-performance solution packaged in an even more portable form factor that will appeal to a broader range of personal and professional users."

"The ultra-mobile PC is a growing class of PCs that provide a more natural and intuitive experience for on-the-go use, and Samsung has taken the UMPC category to the next level with the Q1 Ultra," said Rick Wong, vice president Asia region, OEM division at Microsoft. "As the UMPC platform and Origami Experience tablet software continues to grow and evolve, Microsoft is thrilled to work closely with Samsung to deliver innovative solutions that enable our customers to enhance their digital lifestyle."

The Q1 Ultra UMPC features the new Intel Ultra Mobile Processor running at a clock speed of 600 or 800 MHz, along with 1 GB of high speed DDR2 system memory. The Q1 Ultra supports a minimum of 4.5 hours of continuous run time via the integrated Lithium Ion prismatic batteries. Use of the higher-density polymer batteries enables greater battery capacity in a smaller space, thereby leading towards a smaller overall form-factor. The Q1 Ultra continues to push the connectivity boundaries, by including integrated 802.11b/g Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR and the factory optional 3.5G HSDPA cellular modem. So now, the Q1 Ultra can provide users with ubiquitous communications -- Internet access, network connectivity, etc. -- regardless of their location. Microsoft Windows Vista(TM) Home Premium and Windows XP Tablet Edition operating systems are supported, enabling full PC compatibility with all applications.

Facilitating seamless communications across a range of environments, the Q1 Ultra features a 300 pixel webcam, along with a high-performance dual-array microphone, enabling face-to-face video chatting/video conferencing. Additionally, a high-resolution 1.3 mega pixel camera supports video recording and still pictures, allowing users to simply snap and send videos/photographs with a single device. Supporting these features, the Q1 Ultra is equipped with a seven-inch wide WSVGA LCD touch screen that boasts a native, high-resolution of 1024 x 600. The new, LED backlit LCD supports 300nits of brightness, making the Q1 Ultra ideal for both indoor and outdoor applications. Facilitating system and data security, the Q1 Ultra is also available with an integrated fingerprint reader enabling enhanced security and fast application/website log-in.

The integrated split-QWERTY keypad is located to the left and right of the LCD. Positioned ideally for thumb input, users can now respond quickly to emails, instant messages, update presentations and spreadsheets, etc. without the need of a virtual, on-screen or external keyboard. Samsung continues to support all forms of input, depending on what best suits the end user. And with the integration of the AVS Now Instant-On feature, users can enjoy a host of multimedia applications, including videos, movies, music and still photo viewing, without booting up into Windows.

Value-add options include a docking station which supports 3 USB 2.0 ports, additional standard or extended battery charger slot, audio out port, microphone in port and stylus holder, U.S. and Canada GPS navigation receiver and maps, an external USB-based keyboard with point stick and mouse select buttons, an organizer/portfolio carrying case, 6-cell extended-life battery, 8-cell extended-life Power Bank and a DVD RW +/- Dual Layer external Optical Disk Drive.

The Q1 Ultra UMPC is available in a number of configurations, starting with an MSRP of $799.00 and can be purchased through a variety of retail and e-tail outlets including Best Buy, Circuit City, CDW, CompUSA, Amazon.com, NewEgg.com, Buy.com, Costco.com, Tiger Direct, PC Connection, B & H Photo and PC Mall. The Q1 Ultra UMPC is also available through distribution via Ingram Micro.   (Source: Press Release)

HP Compaq 2710p tablet PC coming in July?

HP Compaq's tablet range is the latest to get a new machine, this time in the form of the 2710p tablet PC which is apparently the replacement for the tc4400. Specs are very sparse for this particular model -- apparently all the source could dig up was that it'd come with 802.11n wireless and, wait for it, an optional webcam configuration.  (Source: Conrad Quilty-Harper, Engadget)

Georgia Fire Inspectors Save Time With TradeMaster's MobileEyes(TM) Software and Technical Support

Fire inspectors in Dalton, Georgia are realizing more benefits than originally anticipated from the recent installation of MobileEyes™, a patent pending software developed by TradeMaster.

"Our initial goal was to simply get away from paper reports," said Bruce Satterfield, Dalton's deputy fire chief. "Our inspectors don't have a secretary, and they were used to handwriting everything."

MobileEyes™ software runs on a tablet PC and includes handwriting recognition capabilities that make note-taking as easy as writing on a yellow pad. It also gives inspectors the ability to easily access all the required fire inspection and building codes directly through MobileEyes as opposed to carrying multiple three-ring binders into the field or going back to the office to research codes.

As a result, Satterfield explained that their reports are much more professional, because they include the specific code section reference and verbiage so there's no misinterpretation.

Many of the fire inspections in Dalton, which is known as the "carpet capital of the world," are focused on heavy commercial and manufacturing as well as other businesses.

"Not only are our reports more professional, but production has increased," added Satterfield. "Before our inspectors would need an extra day for writing and filing reports -- now these are filed automatically."

The ability to email reports to the building owner as well as print out reports on-site has also been a big time saver.

Satterfield explained that everyone is still learning how to use all of the software's capabilities, but when there is a question, fire inspectors can expect to reach a knowledgeable member of TradeMaster's support team.

"We aren't techies," said Satterfield. "They've helped us with something as simple as creating a report that is formatted and printed out on our stationary."   (Source: Press Release)

World’s Only Rugged Tablet PC with Integrated Numeric Keypad Released by MobileDemand

MobileDemand announced the release of the xTablet T8600 rugged Tablet PC with an integrated numeric keypad that meets military standards (MIL-STD-810F). This enhancement accompanied with bar-code scanning, and magnetic stripe card reading has attracted new high profile customers like Disney, Anheuser-Busch, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Hiawatha, IA (PRWEB) May 8, 2007 -- MobileDemand announced the release of the xTablet T8600 rugged Tablet PC with an integrated numeric keypad that meets military standards (MIL-STD-810F). This enhancement accompanied with bar-code scanning, and magnetic stripe card reading has attracted new high profile customers like Disney, Anheuser-Busch, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Disney had the opportunity to improve line flow, and chose the new MobileDemand product as their solution. Now, visitors will find the xTablet T8600 rugged Tablet PC in use at Walt Disney World Resort parks in the Orlando, Florida area. Using the combination of the bar-code scanner, magnetic stripe card reader, and integrated numeric keypad, they deploy the xTablet as a “line busting” tool to speed visitor flow, increase revenue and improve customer service.

MobileDemand has deployed the xTablet T8600 at dozens of Anheuser-Busch wholesalers nationwide where it is helping to improve their beer and beverage sales and delivery operations. Following upon the great success of its predecessor unit, the xTablet T8400 with over a hundred Anheuser-Busch wholesaler installations nationwide, the xTablet T8600 was enhanced to help meet the needs of a field workforce.

Dale Lee Distributing in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, has learned from experience the value of MobileDemand rugged tablet computers.

“While on a sales call with one of my salesmen, he dropped his xTablet [T8600 where it bounced down a flight of stairs landing on a concrete floor at the feet of a grocery store manager,” explains Kevin Wedo, Sales Manager with Dale Lee. “I told the shocked store manager, ‘Don’t worry, it’s just a computer’ to which he responded ‘You’ve got to be kidding me.’ When the salesman picked up the xTablet and it was working like a champ.”

“A chain reaction of costs would quickly pile up if that computer broke,” revealed Jeff Sand, IT Manager with Dale Lee. “It’s a fact of life that these tablets will be dropped in the field. It impacts us by not only the cost of repair, but the significant cost of my time to diagnose the problems and replace computers while they break down in our market. The MobileDemand rugged tablet pc’s provide a real peace of mind.”

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) contacted MobileDemand shortly after the xTablet T8600 was released. They needed a dustproof and waterproof tablet pc solution for use as an organizational tool in disaster areas. They purchased several tablets almost immediately.

“The xTablet T8600 is the latest generation rugged Tablet PC with very unique features that set it apart from most other Tablet PC’s,” states Conrad Blickenstorfer, Ph.D., Editor in Chief of Pen Computing Magazine. “First, the xTablet T8600 is a compact and rugged, full function Tablet PC with an integrated numeric keypad that allows for exceptionally easy data entry. Second, the device is available with an integrated bar-code reader and signature capture/imager, making extensive, sophisticated data collection a snap.”   (Source: Press Release)