Tablet PC News Archive

July 2005

July 1, 2005

Biz gadget / Life Drives
Bermuda Sun

Last week we highlighted the pros of a note recording software for a Tablet PC, but even better than paying for software is a free offering from Microsoft. The Experience Pack for Tablet PC allows for a quick scribble while you’re on the run to your next business meeting. The July issue of ‘PC World’ magazine gave this free piece of software three and a half stars out of five.

Gates calls for better search technology
ZDNet 

Microsoft's chairman and chief software architect was speaking before a conference hall here packed with over 7,000 IT professionals, government officials and students. Gates is in Singapore for the day, following a trip to Thailand.

"We have the availability of information wherever you go, delivered by the breakthrough of wireless networks" in the office and in public areas, he said.

"This means that when you take the portable PC with you, you're connected...That portable (device) will get even smaller and will turn into a tablet device where pen and ink can be used as well as the keyboard."

PhatWare and WebIS join forces
MTekk IT Services

"To provide our customers with a faster and easier purchasing experience, PhatWare Corp. in cooperation with Web Information Solutions, Inc. (WebIS), has launched a new online store for mobile software products.

The store supplies mobile software made by PhatWare and WebIS, including all of PhatWare's products for Pocket PCs, Smartphones, and Tablet PCs.

New Self-Service Kiosks Help Hospital Reduce Patient Wait-Times Paperwork, And Anxiety
InformationWeek

In the past, patients needed to sign in and then wait for administration workers who called them individually to complete registration paperwork. Now, using wireless tablet PCs, three or four patients at a time can check in while one hospital worker is nearby to answer questions or correct errors--in insurance information, for example--collected a day or so before during preregistration processes.

Galvanon offers a tablet PC version of the check-in kiosk, which Newark Beth Israel Medical Center uses, as well as desktop and traditional freestanding versions of the kiosks.

Tablet PCs: Is the writing on the wall?
ZDNet UK

Tablet PCs have enjoyed a brief resurgence of publicity since IBM and China’s Lenovo Group unveiled the first ThinkPad convertible notebook at the start of June.

But after having remained a decidedly niche product since Microsoft chairman Bill Gates launched the first prototypes at the Comdex trade show in Las Vegas in 2001 to great fanfare, the big question is will the IBM and Lenovo launch be enough to ignite more mainstream business interest?

Some analysts claim it will. Michael Gartenberg, vice-president and research director at Jupiter Research, says the X41 Tablet series is a no-compromise PC but with added tablet functionality as a bonus.

"This will kick-start the market and these products have the potential to move the market forward. As people become more aware that they can gain tablet functionality without any trade-offs such as battery life, we’ll start to see sales picking up during the second half of this year,” he says.

Gartenberg claims that, despite rumours to the contrary, the tablet PC is alive and well and being used. He claims the he potential market is equivalent to that of notebooks, but a key problem is that many end-users are simply unaware of that tablets even exist as retail outlets, among others, have failed to push them.

Infowave Announces New Release of Enterprise Mobile Applications
Business Wire

Mobile workers can access information and execute transactions in an environment that does not depend on direct access to the corporate systems of record. This enhances usability and training, accelerates ROI, and allows Infowave to offer solutions for many different industries and integration to predominant corporate enterprise applications for customer relationship management, enterprise resource planning, maintenance management, and plant information. It extends the reach of these client applications to small device footprints, like PDAs and tablet PCs, and takes advantage of specialized client device hardware that includes scanners, RFID receivers, GPS receivers and signature tablets. The multiple wireless connectivity options of the client device are augmented with a disconnected mode that maintains a local database for transactions and other storage requirements.

July 4, 2005

Gates: Internet needs improvements
ZDNet UK

"We have the availability of information wherever you go, delivered by the breakthrough of wireless networks [in the office and public areas]. This means that when you take the portable PC with you, you're connected up," said Gates. "That portable [device] will get even smaller and will turn into a tablet device where pen-and-ink can be used as well as the keyboard."

Computex proves its allure for world IT buyers
Taiwan Headlines

The association's statistics show that the most interesting products to buyers at the show this year were thin-client computers, notebook computers, tablet computers, computer peripherals, LCD television sets, palm-sized devices, handheld gadgets, motherboards and touch screens. Retailers constituted the majority of buyers this year, followed by manufacturers, importers and exporters, wholesalers and assemblers, the statistics show

News in brief from western Pennsylvania
Penn Live, PA

Leaders of the Catholic school in Erie credit its tablet PC program for the enrollment boost.

Since 2004, the school has given all incoming freshmen wireless computers that are about half the size of laptop computers. Students use them to take notes, write papers and download research, school spokesman Chris Hagerty said.

July 5, 2005

TabletPc2.com July Accessories of the Month

For the Month of July we bring you a few things we would not want to be without.  Compact, light weight, portable accessories from our friends Targus.   Accessories that enhance the use of your use of your Tablet PC , anywhere you use them.

Electrovaya Announces New Scribbler SC3000 Tablet PC
electrovaya

THE BEST TABLET PC AT THE BEST PRICE

Main Features
• State-of-the-art SuperPolymer® Lithium-ion 75 Whr battery
• New Toshiba Wide Viewing Angle Display
• Dual Array Microphone System for better quality of sound†
• Now available “Outdoor Viewable Screen” for your Scribbler‡
• Extended battery run-time of up to 9 hours*
• Fast Intel Centrino 1.5 GHz processor with 2MB L2 Cache ensures superior performance, efficiency and power management
• Very bright 12.1 inch Pressure Sensitive Screen
• Light Sensor adjusts screen-to-environment brightness
• Integrated Biometric Device for Finger Print Sensor
• Integrated IEEE 1394, Intel 802.11a/b/g Wi-Fi wireless network connectivity
• Sleek, thin, and lightweight design
• Over $300 worth of software included
• USB powered devices require an external power source to operate

Couple makes e-history with house closing
Inman.com

It was easy, especially compared to signing for the house when we bought it three years ago."

Besides, when they closed on the purchase of the house, "we didn't have these cool computers," Cathy Simmons said. She was referring to the two thin, gleaming HP silver tablet PCs, used for the closing.

The digital or "paperless" real estate transaction is catching on. Big companies, trade groups and entrepreneurs are investing in technology platforms, back-end systems and software to automate the real estate transaction, and are digging deeper for change to revolutionize the closing process for consumers

As Fisher set up the two tablet PCs, Schaffner said half-jokingly, "In your next closing, you might be able to close in your pajamas and slippers."

The Annoying World of Notebook Shopping
PC World

As I mentioned recently, I've been in the market for a Tablet PC. I've always found that one of the smartest things you can do when you're contemplating a particular notebook is to lift it--so you get a sense as to just how much of a burden it'll be when you carry it around. Also important: Trying out the keyboard (and, in the case of a tablet, the pen) to see whether the manufacturer's take on input matches yours.

That should argue in favor of doing your buying at a retail store rather than via the Web, no?

Er, no. At least not necessarily. Over the long weekend, I drove around to local outlets of national electronics chains. My goal was pretty simple--I wanted to heft a tablet or two and try out their pens before I plunked down my money. Here's a blow-by-blow account of what I Found..............

Maybe I should aim my wrath at the shoplifters and vandals who force retailers to take extreme protective measures. But are you startled that I ended up buying my Tablet PC online?

21st Century Tablets
CBS News

For the past couple of years, Microsoft has been subscribing a cure for PC users who don't want to type on a keyboard to take notes during a meeting. Take a tablet - a tablet PC that is.

A number of PC makers have filled that prescription, but none better than Lenovo, the Chinese company that recently acquired IBM's personal computer division. The new ThinkPad X41 Convertible Tablet gives you all the advantages of a tablet PC without any of the annoying side effects.

Tablet PCs allow you to write and draw on the screen and use the computer as if it were a smart electronic clipboard. Most run Microsoft's Windows XP Tablet Edition operating system which is optimized to work with an electronic "digitizer pen" along with a keyboard. You can use the pen in lieu of a mouse to point, write and draw on the screen.

Before I go on, I have to admit that I'm pre-inclined not to like the Tablet PC because I have terrible handwriting. I learned to type when I was in elementary school, long before personal computers, and get writer's cramp if I have to hand-write more than a few words. What's more, like most touch typists, I can type much faster than I can handwrite. Still, I like the ThinkPad X41 Tablet because it gives me a choice

Need Help With Calculus? Tutors Coach US Students
Wall Street Journal

Career Launcher's software allows teachers and students to talk to each other during the live session. Teachers also use a tablet PC to draw diagrams and formulas to help explain the lesson or answer questions. They can see each other through a live feed using a Web camera.

Why does a teenager love the Tablet PC?
Tablet PC Questions

The attention to the unit is nowhere near her other machines, so I decided to ask her why. Her reply caught me to the quick. Solitaire. She loves to move the cards on her Tablet PC as she is chatting with five or six people in MSN Messenger, Yahoo Messenger, and AIM chat. According to her, moving the cards is far easier with a pen. It is faster and more enjoyable than using a mouse or keyboard.

July 6, 2005

Tablet PC memory bug fixed
microsoft

A memory leak in Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005 causes a gradual decrease in available system memory. This loss in available memory causes degradation in system performance. When this behavior occurs, the user must restart the computer. This problem is caused by a memory leak in the tcserver.exe service.

Sacramento Awards $1.2 Million Contract for New Enterprise E E-Government Solution
Government Technology

Mobile government -- The city will implement Accela Wireless to empower inspectors with the ability to remotely input their results from the inspection site using a mobile device. The wireless application is built on Microsoft's .NET platform and is compatible with PDAs, laptops, and Tablet PCs running on the Microsoft Pocket PC, Windows 2000, or Windows XP operating systems

Shock-proof mobile devices
CanalPDA.com

Itronix makes also an interesting armored Tablet PC. The Duo-Touch weighs less than 4,5 pounds and has a touchscreen, 128MB of RAM, a Centrino 733 processor, GPS receiver, Bluetooth, WiFi, and EVDO/GPRS/EDGE, for connecting to anything, from anywhere. The case is made of magnesium and the unit keeps working at -4ºF, thanks to the built-in heating of the hard disk drive.

Allstate Insurance adopts Symbility's mobile claims system
Computer Business Review

According to Symbility, the mobile claims system runs on tablet and pocket PC's with integrated Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and GPRS/1X wireless technology. It is designed to enable adjustors and contractors to write and process claims onsite in an effort to settle claims quicker

July 7, 2005

Motion Computing Launches Industry's Smallest, Lightest High Lightest High-Performance Tablet PC; Category-defining Motion LS800 Offers Powerful Computing Experience in a Compact, Durable Design
Business Wire

At about half the size of most tablet PCs today, operating Windows XP Tablet PC Edition, and running the latest Intel Centrino technologies; the Motion Computing LS800 is the smallest, lightest high-performance tablet PC available.

ANNOUNCEMENT HIGHLIGHTS:

-- Smallest, lightest full-strength tablet PC available

-- Enhanced security via fingerprint reader, Trusted Platform Module (TPM) and software

-- Latest generation of Intel(R) Centrino(TM) mobile technology

-- Integrated Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, IrDA and Ethernet

-- Simplified power management

-- Full range of innovative and performance-enhancing peripherals

Motion Computing(R), a leader in ultramobile computing and wireless communications, today unveiled the LS800, the most compact tablet PC available running Microsoft(R) Windows(R) XP Tablet PC Edition 2005. The new slate tablet PC, approximately the size of a paperback book, is small enough to slip into a lab coat pocket or attach to a tool belt and is optimal for highly mobile professionals in industries including route sales and service, manufacturing and healthcare. The LS800 slate tablet PC provides enhanced connectivity and security features, ergonomics and durability for uncompromised productivity.

Approximately half the size of most slate tablet PCs, the LS800 has an 8.4-inch display, is less than 1-inch thick and weighs 2.2 lbs. The LS800 is among the first tablet PCs with the latest generation of Intel(R) Centrino(TM) mobile technology, including the Intel Pentium(R) M Processor Ultra Low Voltage 753 (1.2 GHz) and the Mobile Intel(R) 915GMS Express Chipset.

Tablet PC maker Motion Computing has launched a small-size version of its slate tablet, the LS800, taking the format down to roughly an A5 notebook.

"It's a new class of ultra-portable," said Elizabeth Clark, head of product management. The 9in x 6.7in x 0.87in beast has a mass of 1kg. This means it weighs 1 Newton, but the company was apparently not tempted to use that name, after Apple's first disastrous foray into PDAs.

The device is a pure slate, like the laptop-sized LE1600 which Motion launched in May. The two Motion devices are both part of a wave of new-generation Tablets which are causing the much-maligned format to be re-assessed.

The LS800 has dual-array microphones, the same bright screen as the LE1600, and a carbon fibre casing. It has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth built in, with an SD slot, and Ethernet, and a fingerprint reader. It has a 1.2GHz Sonoma processor, 20GB of disk and 256MB to 512MB of memory. Any optical disks are external, and the price starts at £1,095.

Lenovo Releases ThinkPad X41 Tablet in India
ChannelTimes.com

Lenovo today announced the newest member of the ThinkPad portfolio - the ThinkPad X41 Tablet - creating a new alternative in tablet computing without compromises in weight or function.

The ThinkPad X41 Tablet offers a writable slate, full-size keyboard, and is lightweight. Starting at 3.5 pounds and 1.14-inches thin, the X41 Tablet is nearly 20 percent lighter than its closest competitor and delivers the longest standard battery life of any 12-inch convertible tablet

July 8, 2005

The incredible shrinking tablet PC
CNET News.com

What is half the size of most slate tablet PCs and packs advanced features found in full-size laptops? Motion Computing says it's the new LS800, which has an 8.4-inch display, is less than 1 inch thick and weighs 2.2 pounds.

About the size of a paperback book, the device is a follow on to Motion's LE1600, the company's flagship full-size slate tablet PC, which it introduced in May. Like its larger cousin, the smaller slate also has internal Wi-Fi and Bluetooth support with a built-in biometric fingerprint reader for authentication.

The LS800 is one of several smaller slate and convertible tablet PCs on the market and it's expected to compete for the same contracts as the ultraportable Sony Vaio U series.

With a price tag of $1,899 and some ruggedized features, the LS800 tablet is designed more for doctors and insurance salesmen than for the average consumer. But with every advance, tablet PC makers are landing more contracts, including more government and education clients.

In fact, tablet PC shipments are expected to double by 2008, according to Gartner analyst Leslie Fiering.

A Tablet PC Gets Small...Really Small
PC World 

As a fan of really tiny , really light computers, I'm intrigued by Motion Computing's new LS800--an $1899 slate-style Tablet PC that's the size of a paperback book. It's got an 8.4-inch screen and weighs in at about 2.2 pounds. It could never be my only PC (memory capacity maxes out at 512MB, for one thing), but I bet I could slip it into my briefcase and almost forget it was there. Which is how I like to travel.

Strangely enough, the Tablet PC I just bought is a sort of anti-LS800--I ordered Toshiba's Satellite R15, a zaftig six-pounder with a big 14-inch screen, a built-in optical drive, and lots of extras. How come I went with one of the least portable of pen-based portables? Because I want to use it as a drawing tool, and for that particular application, I figured I could use as much screen real estate as possible. (Despite not having not exactly caught on with the masses, tablets have found a following with PC-based artists who love the ability to draw right on the screen.) I expect to use the R15 mostly around the house, as sort of a transportable desktop, so I'm okay with its heft.

"Smallest, lightest" tablet PC fits in lab coat pocket
WindowsForDevices

Motion Computing has unveiled a tablet PC about the size of a paperback book. The LS800 runs Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005, and is small enough to fit in a lab coat pocket or attach to a tool belt, according to the company.

Motion says the LS800 is about half the size of most slate tablet PCs. The unit weighs 2.2 lbs, is less than one inch thick, and sports an 8.4 inch SVGA display with a 120 degree viewing angle. It runs a 1.20GHz Ultra Low Voltage 753 Pentium M processor with 256 MB of RAM.

July 11, 2005

Motion LS800 has been added to the comparisons page.

Motion LS800 Tablet PC: a first look
ZDNet UK

The Motion LS800 promises fully-fledged tablet computing in a paperback-size package -- but it's expensive.

About the size of a paperback book and weighing 1kg, the slate-style LS800 Tablet PC from Motion Computing occupies the grey area between a Pocket PC handheld and an ultraportable notebook. Like the Sony VAIO VGN-U50, the Motion LS800 runs a full version of Windows XP. But unlike the VAIO VGN-U50, the LS800 runs Windows XP Tablet PC Edition, so you can navigate menus and take handwritten notes with a stylus.

Mini Tablet targets wider market
IT Week

Motion Computing last week introduced a lightweight miniature Tablet PC, which the firm believes will attract more companies to the platform than other, bulkier systems.

The Motion LS800 weighs a kilogram and is about half the size of the LE1600, which the firm launched in May. Like that system, the LS800 is a keyboard-free slate model, designed for pen input.

"The key is it's a complete [Windows] XP solution, but can go into areas now served by less capable devices," said Motion's business development manager, Andy Toal. "It's a new format between the PDA and other Tablet PCs, which are too large for certain user groups."

A number of accessories will be made available for the LS800, including a Mobile Dock that acts as both a port replicator and desktop stand; a Bump Case that lets the system be carried from a shoulder strap; a USB DVD drive; and a Bluetooth keyboard.

As with other tablet models, Motion's new LS800 runs Windows XP Tablet PC Edition, which has features to support pen input and handwriting recognition.

Day 2: Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference
Whatisnew.com

Microsoft’s annual Worldwide Partner Conference has begun. Motion Computing, Fujitsu, HP, and Microsoft are all showing off Tablet PC hardware and software in the expo area.

There is a strong interest in the new Motion Computing LS800 Tablet PC, which was announced on the 7^th. Now when someone says, “I could really use a smaller Tablet PC,” I have an answer and can direct them to this cute little Tablet. Don’t laugh too much at the use of ‘cute” to describe the small machine – it really is an appropriate adjective. At a Partner party on the night of the 7^th, I had several people come over to just check out the new Tablet PC and “ooh” and “ah” over it. The LS800 is a good compliment to the standard sized slate, LE1600. Good job, Motion.

July 12, 2005

Rochester NY PD Expands Base of Xplore's Rugged Tablet PC
Yahoo News

Xplore Technologies® Corp. a leading international rugged Tablet PC provider, today announced that the company has received an order for an additional 66 rugged Tablet PCs for Rochester Police Department. The order was secured by one of Xplore's key channel partners in the public safety market, Brite Computers, based in Rochester, New York. This brings the total number of Xplore rugged Tablet systems being used by Rochester PD to more than 200.

Rochester PD uses Xplore's rugged iX104C(2)D Dual Mode Tablet PC computers as part of a comprehensive Computer Aided Dispatch, inter-vehicle communication, incidence and administrative reporting system. Officers use Xplore's Tablet PC system to check computer aided dispatch calls and dispatch locations, run license plates, record checks and access maps and geographical assignments. In addition, traffic citations and accident reports are logged electronically via the New York State Traffic and Criminal Software (TraCS) e-ticketing and electronic motor vehicle accident reporting application.

Xplore's rugged Tablet computers are mounted safely and securely in Rochester PD's police vehicles using Xplore's durable X-Dock public safety mounting system. The iX104C(2)D Dual Mode provides both finger touch and active digitizer inputs which allows officers to utilize digital inking and other Microsoft® Tablet PC features. The agency previously tested rugged notebook options, and selected Xplore's rugged Tablet PC system based on its versatility, ease of use, durability and in-vehicle safety.

Bauhaus Software Introduces Mirage Nomad
Digital Producer

Bauhaus Software Inc. today unveiled Mirage Nomad, a new, breakthrough tablet PC -based animation and storyboarding system for 2D artists. Combining the power of the Motion Computing LE1600 Tablet PC with Mirage, Bauhaus Software’s industry-leading paperless 2D animation system, Mirage Nomad frees artists to draw, paint and animate anywhere their lives may take them. From storyboards and pencil tests, to fully-colored final animation and special effects, Mirage Nomad is a powerful, portable 2D animation studio that easily fits in a backpack.

The clipboard-sized Mirage Nomad is based on the award-winning Motion LE1600 Tablet PC , weighing only 3.1 pounds and featuring a Low Voltage (LV) Intel Pentium M processor running at 1.5GHz. Mirage Nomad includes 1GB upgradeable RAM, a 30GB upgradeable hard drive (shock-mounted for enhanced durability), the View Anywhere display and WiFi connectivity. Combining the Motion LE1600 with Mirage enables artists to create any classical or digital style of 2D animation – from cel animation and anime, to rotoscoping, cut out animation , and more

July 13, 2005

OneNote Toolkit Sampler V 1.0
abletfactory.com

OneNote Sampler Toolkit— Find out how abletFactory’s OneNote Toolkits can optimize your Tablet PC’s performance! Save Time and Money using our OneNote Toolkits. This OneNote Toolkit Sampler offers you a glimpse of what we offer in the fields of Nursing, Real Estate, and EMR OneNote Toolkits.

OneNote Toolkit Sampler V 1.0
abletfactory.com

OneNote Sampler Toolkit— Find out how abletFactory’s OneNote Toolkits can optimize your Tablet PC’s performance! Save Time and Money using our OneNote Toolkits. This OneNote Toolkit Sampler offers you a glimpse of what we offer in the fields of Nursing, Real Estate, and EMR OneNote Toolkits.

SpeechTEK 2005 to Showcase What's Hot, Cool, and Retooled for Speech
Business Wire

Converser for Healthcare, a revolutionary and ground-breaking interpreting system from Spoken Translation, Inc., is the world's first two-way, cross-lingual, interpretation product for a PC tablet. Whether choosing to type, handwrite or speak, users can input English and instantly hear and see Spanish - and vise-versa.

AuthenTec Fingerprint Sensor Adding Advanced Security To New Electrovaya Scribbler Tablet PCs; AuthenTec provides The Power of Touch to Scribbler SC 3000 and SC 2200
CCNMatthews

Electrovaya Inc. has added AuthenTec's unique Power of Touch(TM) to its newest Scribbler SC 3000 Tablet PC, providing advanced biometric security and password management in a small form factor, ideally suited to Tablet PCs. The Scribbler SC 3000 and SC 2200 models both use AuthenTec's EntrePad 3500 fingerprint sensor, and are designed for mobile professionals who require powerful and lightweight Tablet PCs with highly reliable battery longevity and optimum security.

The EntrePad 3500 provides Electrovaya's Scribbler users with the most advanced biometric security at the simple touch of their finger. The EntrePad 3500 fingerprint sensor replaces the need for passwords -- allowing authorized users to quickly and easily access files by simply placing their finger on the sensor surface. At the same time, the EntrePad sensor restricts access to the computer and its files to only those enrolled - reducing the risk of theft or fraud.

Along with the added security, the new Scribbler SC 3000 Tablets provide improved processing power, and use Electrovaya's patented SuperPolymer(R) Lithium-ion 75 Wh battery. The AuthenTec sensors' small size and low power requirements help Electrovaya to deliver added security to this .75" thin Tablet PC, that has an extended run time of up to 9 hours.

"The AuthenTec sensor provides added security in the most convenient and reliable way," says James Percy, Product Specialist, Electrovaya. "With just the touch of a finger, mobile professionals can rest assured that their files and Tablet PCs are safe and secure from theft or fraud."

"Electrovaya is providing exciting advances in the Tablet PC industry," said Scott Moody, President and CEO of AuthenTec. "The fast growth of Tablet PCs - especially among mobile workers in industries such as healthcare, law and others - increases the importance of the advanced security that fingerprint biometrics can provide."

MaxiVista v2 controls four PCs with one keyboard/mouse
Programmers Heaven.com

"The new mouse/keyboard software switch perfectly complements the original MaxiVista feature, which enables using a laptop or tablet PC as an additional display for another computer," said Gunnar Bartels, general manager of Bartels Media.

Unique Ultraportables
PC Magazine

The Lenovo/IBM X41 Tablet is a 3.2-pound convertible tablet. It has all the excellence of its sibling, the X41 ultraportable laptop , with the added swivel functionality of a Tablet PC. This, too, is a pricey system that's corporate focused. But there's no denying this system is a beauty.

Lenovo/IBM X41 Tablet : IBM's first Tablet PC, the X41, is very impressive.

DIGITAL DECADE: 10 CRITICAL YEARS
Bangkok Post

Gates referred to the tablet PC several times in his presentation, signifying a strong belief in the future role of handwriting or pen input, while he touted major advances in speech recognition that he said was "finally coming" _ and would pass a point soon when it would become mainstream.

Microsoft's chairman also expected to see student tablet PCs in schools in the next five years and these would have more interactive features and would contain all the courseware. They would also help students to quickly become "immersed in a digital environment."

During a question and answer session, he said it was possible that in the future the price of a PC would be US$300-400 while the price of a tablet PC would be between US$500-600 in four to five years' time. Software, on the other hand, should have less complexity.

Electrovaya unveils latest Tablet PC
eChannelLine

Electrovaya Inc., has launched its latest Tablet PC, the .75-inch thin Scribbler SC 3000 Tablet PC, with battery run time of up to nine hours.

Electrovaya is known primarily as a battery maker, and chose to enter the Tablet PC market from the start when Microsoft released the new OS. Its claim to fame has always been longer battery life, using its own top-of-the-line patented Lithium Ion SuperPolymer batteries. Its challenge has always been to add that longer life while keeping the weight down.

"Professors and doctors are impressed with the extraordinary run time, added security, and the convenient hybrid, lightweight form factor of our Scribblers," said Dr. Sankar Das Gupta, CEO of Electrovaya. "The SC 3000 is an excellent extension to our current Tablet PC product mix, as it allows users to experience the increased mobility, ultimate flexibility and superior Tablet PC power offered by Electrovaya."

"Microsoft is excited to receive support from hardware partners such as Electrovaya, who continually demonstrate a strong commitment to innovation in the Tablet PC market," said Chris Barry, group product manager, Windows Client PMG, Tablet PC. "The Tablet PC is the future of mobile computing, and the SC 3000 provides this much needed mobility to the industry, as Electrovaya continues to work closely with Microsoft, Tablet PC platform provider, to ensure that the Scribblers continue to meet the needs of mobile users

Motion Sees Place for Mini-Tablets
Mobile Health Data

Executives at Motion Computing predict health care organizations will ultimately use a wide variety of mobile hardware. As a result, the Austin, Texas-based company is introducing a new option, a mini-Tablet PC.

The LS800 Tablet PC has an 8.4-inch screen--several inches smaller than most tablet computers. About six weeks ago, Motion Computing also released its fourth-generation, standard-size Tablet PC.

Some of the company's health care customers have been demanding the option of a smaller device, says Bert Haskell, product marketing manager. "Many of our customers like the 12.1-inch screen of our new LE1600 model," he says. "But there are also job functions for which they quickly need to be hands free. The smaller LS800 can offer that."

The vendor's mini-Tablet PC, two years in the making, is designed for users--such as physicians and nurses--who are highly mobile and need quick, unobstructed access to data. It's well-suited for clinicians who want a single portable device for free-text data capture, e-mail and clinical data access.

July 14, 2005

If you had $10 million, how would you promote the Tablet PC?
Whatisnew.com

With a $10,000,000 advertising budget aimed at consumers, you can come up with a decent plan for public impact. What would you chose to do? Not as the sole promotion but as a big bang promotion?

This is always a fun brainstorming exercise. You've seen either he, Layne or I go through this in the past. Loren mentions the "Blog for a Chance to Win a Tablet PC" idea that we've tossed around several times over the last couple of years and it's still one of my favorite ideas

Why Can't PCs Make Good First Impressions?
PC World

As I mentioned awhile back, I recently ordered a Toshiba Satellite Tablet PC online. It came, and I'm in the middle of setting it up--and I'm already struck by what an unwelcoming experience getting acquainted with a modern PC can be.

This system, like any Tablet PC, is anything but a same-'ol-same-'ol notebook. But most of the printed documentation for the system is generic stuff for multiple Satellite systems. Toshiba achieved genericism, it seems, by eliminating any information that doesn't apply to practically any notebook on the planet.

I don't want to come off as one of those "The Mac does it better" zombies, but my last new notebook was a PowerBook--and it didn't start irritating me within minutes of me unpacking it.

Memo to Toshiba and Microsoft: Please feel free to mimic Apple's out-of-box experience. Shamelessly

FMCG distributor counting on Microsoft ERP and BizTalk
New Zealand Herald

Brandlines had been going through a period of growth, but its multiple legacy systems were not capable of handling the growth or the diversity of the FMCG sector. The systems didn’t interface with the new tools the company was putting in place like Tablet PCs, and wireless and mobile technologies. Meanwhile, Brandlines also didn’t have a warehouse management system or accessible business information which could support its plans for expansion.

“There is no paper being moved around the warehouse now, having been replaced with Tablets with scanning devices. This technology minimises the number of keystrokes needed, further reducing the potential for human error. The software was developed in-house using Microsoft embedded technology, which interfaced with Brandlines’ backup SQL Server that uses Axapta.”

Xplore's Indestructible Rugged Tablet PC
GISuser.com

Xplore Technologies Corp., (Austin, TX), a leading manufacturer and distributor of a full range of rugged mobile computing systems with customers in various vertical markets, including field services and law enforcement/fire/public safety, also provides the leading rugged tablet computing solutions to the GIS industry.
 
Xplore will demonstrate their new, indestructible Rugged Tablet PC with sunlight readable capability at the ESRI Conference 2005, Tuesday, July 26 through Thursday, July 28, 2005 at the San Diego Convention Center, Halls C,D,E, and F in San Diego, California  - in Booth #1829.

Xplore's collaboration with their customers: road warriors, mobile field service workers, police, fire/EMS responders, and the military and business sectors, have culminated in the creation of a rugged Tablet PC product line, the iX104.  The Centrino technology is combined with Xplore's rugged designs, providing the ultimate in ruggedness, dependability and performance. 
 
The iX104C2 with AllVue Sunlight Readable Technology, Xplore's latest innovation, will be demonstrated at the ESRI Conference.  This rugged tablet can be viewed in ALL lighting conditions - indoors, outside and even in direct sunlight while providing the ultimate in ruggedness.
 
Road warriors need no longer worry about the fragility of the computers on which they depend.  No more concerns about computers surviving airports - loading and handling; temperature extremes; heavy blows, vehicle crashes, spillage, rain and snow storms, dust and virtually any punishment imaginable.  Xplore's rugged Tablet PCs have been engineered, 3rd party tested and specififed to Military Standards for operation in extreme conditions.  This includes 4' drops to concrete, extreme temperature and humidity variations, blowing rain and dust  - and constant vibration.
 
Xplore's iX104 Renegade is a streamlined, affordable Tablet PC that serves an expanding underserved Tablet PC market - the businessman/mobile road warrior.  The Renegade provides an optimal blend of ruggedness, reliability and performance demanded by a growing population of enterprise and industrial customers.
 
The iX104 Renegade Dual Mode Tablet PC has the same advantages as the Renegade, but offers users both stylus and finger touch input in a single product.

Speech confab blends courses, conferences, demos
WindowsForDevices

Spoken Translation will demonstrate its Converser for Healthcare, which it touts as "the world's first two-way, cross-lingual, interpretation product for a PC tablet." With it, users can input data by typing, handwriting or speaking, then receive a translation from Spanish to English or visa versa, either in speech or displayed text.

July 15, 2005

New DyKnow Software Brings Increased Functionality to Classroom Interaction
dyknow.com

DyKnow, a leader in interactive education, releases version 4.1 of its DyKnow Vision and DyKnow Monitor software with major enhancements, including desktop broadcasting, filmstrip view, domain-based authentication and more efficient communications.

Version 4.1 makes lesson creation easier for teachers and note-taking more personalized for students. Two of the leading software enhancements include demonstration mode and panel filmstrip viewer, which create improved methods for teachers to prepare and present lessons.

Version 4.1 client software is available for immediate download at www.dyknow.com/download. It works on computers running Microsoft Windows 2000, XP, and Tablet XP Edition with 256 MB RAM and a wired or wireless Internet connection. Corresponding server software for Vision and Monitor runs on Microsoft Windows Server and Microsoft SQL Server. For more information about DyKnow products, visit www.dyknow.com or call (888) 839-5669.

Best of TechEd Europe Winners Announced
Windows & Net Magazine

Windows IT Pro and SQL Server Magazine announced the winners of the Best of TechEd 2005 Europe Awards from Amsterdam. Products were recognized across 10 categories, with one overall Best of Show winner.

Software Components & Middleware – Infragistics NetAdvantage 2005
NetAdvantage 2005 helps developers quickly design and code user interfaces for Windows Forms, ASP.NET, Tablet PC, and COM applications. It includes controls for grids, charting, toolbars, trees, menus, tabs, calendaring, Explorer-style applications, editors, and more. NetAdvantage allows developers to use all the complex UI components users are familiar with across various programming models and take full advantage of Microsoft’s .NET platform.

Dexterra Continues Their Track Record of Innovation With Complete ...
CommsDesign

Using Visual Studio 2005 Dexterra was able to significantly reduce the time required to develop and release its latest generation of development tools. These new tools allow business analysts and application developers to rapidly deliver rich business process driven applications without writing a single line of code. Additionally they provide the ability to easily reuse application components across multiple projects. Not only does Dexterra support the newest, most powerful portable devices running Windows Mobile 5.0, but with Visual Studio 2005, Dexterra continues to support the delivery of applications optimized for Windows-based devices including XP-based laptop & Tablet PC.

July 18, 2005

Notebook and Tech Deals for 7/18/2005 - 7/21/2005
NotebookReview.com

Toshiba Satellite R10 Tablet PC 10% Off Instant Rebate

Toshiba has a 10% instant rebate on Satellite R10 tablet PCs.

Brainstorming for Tablet PC Birds of a Feather topics during PDC 2005
Whatisnew.com 

"Birds of a feather will flock together" and so at PDC 2005 people interested in Mobile PC and Tablet PC technology will gather together. It's a good time to start brainstorming about Birds of a Feathers (BOFs). BOFs are proposed and lead by attendees.

Birds of a Feather Sessions
Share your professional interest by proposing a Birds of a Feather session, hour-long interactive sessions featuring some of the world's most renowned developers, discussing topics proposed and voted upon by the community.

Kingston Launches New DataTraveler II Plus - Migo Edition USB Flash Drive
Yahoo News

Kingston Technology Company, Inc., the independent world leader in memory products, today announced the addition of PowerHouse Technology's Migo software to Kingston's DataTraveler® II Plus product, making it the most convenient, customizable multi-function USB Flash drive on the market. Kingston is first to offer Migo software on the DataTraveler II Plus family of USB Flash drives.

"Kingston teamed up with PowerHouse to make DataTraveler II Plus - Migo Edition the easiest and safest way to take your desktop with you everywhere you go -- on a device small enough to fit on a keychain," said Mike Kuppinger, digital media product manager, Kingston. "The DataTraveler II Plus - Migo Edition gives you the freedom and security to work just about anywhere and when you return to your PC, it automatically synchronizes your work, keeps versions current and leaves no trace of your personal data behind," continued Kuppinger.

The DataTraveler II Plus - Migo Edition is a Hi-Speed USB 2.0 Flash drive designed for both advanced consumers and small to midsize business professionals. Power-users who demand greater capacity plus speed will find DataTraveler II Plus - Migo Edition the fastest in its class with data transfer rates of up to 19 MB/sec. read; 13 MB/sec. write.

For more information on DataTraveler II Plus - Migo Edition visit the Kingston Web site at http://www.kingston.com/digitalmedia/dt_IIplus.asp

AuthenTec Wins ''Tomorrow's Technology Today'' Award
Business Wire

AuthenTec, the world leader in fingerprint sensor innovation and sales for more than five years, has won a coveted "Tomorrow's Technology Today" award for developing innovative biometric products that advance information security.

AuthenTec was one of only 16 companies worldwide whose products were recognized by the Info Security Products Guide for advancing information security in 2005. AuthenTec fingerprint sensors provide advanced security to nearly 5 million devices worldwide, including more than 100 different models of notebook and tablet computers, portable hard drives, password managers, mice, pens, keyboards, memory keys, cell phones and others.

AuthenTec sensors are widely used in notebook and tablet PCs to provide advanced security and to replace the need for passwords -- allowing authorized users to easily and quickly access their files by simply touching or sliding their finger across the sensor surface, while restricting access to the computer and its files to only those enrolled.

July 19, 2005

WEDC and Bert Keely of Microsoft Discuss the Advantages of Max-Vu(TM) for Tablet PCs
Yahoo News

At Microsoft, we evaluate display contrast the way users do -- under ambient lighting rather than in total darkness," said Bert Keely, Microsoft's tablet PC expert. "The 'Effective Contrast' of a display is much lower when ambient light reflections are included, so minimizing reflections is the key to improving the optical performance of all mobile PCs with tablet technology. Max-Vu glass lamination is quite simply the best technology I have seen in production for minimizing reflections -- and thus increasing Effective Contrast -- on mobile PCs. Max-Vu also has the added benefit of improving mechanical strength, which can enable tablet PCs to be used in more environmentally demanding applications."

As tablet technology becomes more widely adopted on mobile PCs, enabling PCs to be used for more tasks in more places, the need for improved optics and mechanical integrity becomes critical. The Max-Vu lamination technology fills this void by increasing contrast by 5 to 10 times in high ambient lighting conditions, also increasing mechanical resistance to impact.

July 20, 2005

Hydro One Continues Expansion of Xplore's Rugged Tablet PC
Yahoo News

Xplore Technologies® Corp. (TSX:XPL - News), a leading international rugged Tablet PC provider, today announced that the company has received an additional order for 150 rugged Tablet PC's from Hydro One, Inc., one of the largest electric utility companies in North America. The order was secured in conjunction with one of Xplore's Canadian channel partner's, Filbitron. This brings the total number of Xplore rugged Tablet PC systems being used by Hydro One to approximately 800.