Tablet PC News Archive

June 2005

June 1, 2005

Review: Fujitsu Lifebook T4010 Tablet PC

Weighing in at 4.7 lbs the new Fujitsu LifeBook T4010
is a convertible Tablet PC  designed to give you the best of both worlds. 

Acer C310 Tablet PC
acer.com

Acer's fourth-generation tablet PC, the TravelMate C310 packs the latest Intel^® Centrino mobile technology, DDR2 533MHz memory, state-of-the-art PCI Express bus architecture, and a host of other productivity-enhancing features into a 14.1", two-spindle convertible tablet design — so professional users like you can stay 'write' on target

• The latest Intel^® Centrino™ mobile technology -- featuring: the Intel^® Pentium^® M processor; Intel^® 915GM/PM Express chipset; and Intel^® PRO/Wireless 2200BG network connection -- delivers superior mobile performance
• Ground-breaking dual-channel DDR2 533 technology supplies the power for next-generation graphics and faster multimedia applications
• NVIDIA^® GeForce™ Go 6200 graphics with TurboCache™ technology delivers amazingly life-like DVD playback and graphics
• A full day (8.5-hours) of battery -- using an optional second battery -- life means your mobility is never compromised

Centrica extends mobile benefits to senior staff
Computing

In the initial trial Centrica directors were given a selection of HP Tablet PCs, iPAQ PDAs and Motorola smartphones ? all running Microsoft Windows. Each director saved between 30 and 90 minutes a day in terms of productivity.

Technology Support Wins Regional Microsoft Partner Award
Business Wire

Technology Support Incorporated (TSI), Houston's leading technology consulting firm specializing in data, voice and video integration, has been named a Central Region winner of the Microsoft(R) (Nasdaq:MSFT) U.S. Field Partner Awards in the "Compete" category.

The client benefits achieved by the new solution - which encompassed Microsoft Office, Server 2003, Exchange 2003, Terminal Services, Tablet PC 2005, SQL Server 2000, an IP based camera security system and DVR based on embedded Windows XP, a multimedia solution and custom application written for Sharepoint Portal Server 2003 - included improved operating efficiency, enhanced backup and recovery, reduced system downtime, centralized workflow and scheduling capabilities, and greater security.

InteGreat's IC-Chart EMR System Selected by Internists, PC, a Mid-Size Practice
Market Wire

EMR to Be Deployed on Tablet PCs, Providing Real-Time Access to Clinical Data

InteGreat, a leading provider of electronic medical records systems (EMRs) for medium to large group practices, announced today the addition of Internists, PC, a 16-physician medical group to its client roster. This agreement demonstrates InteGreat's ability to deliver on its goal to enable mid-size group practices to benefit from the same sophisticated technology as large practices.

Internists, PC of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, will implement InteGreat's IC-Chart EMR system practice-wide on Tablet PCs to document patient encounters, automate prescribing and increase office efficiency through an easy-to-use web browser interface. InteGreat's IC-Chart will integrate with Internists PC's Misys practice management system. Implementation is expected to take eight months.

Tablet PC Blogs
Building the Community One Blog at a Time

start your own blog for free at www.tabletpcblogs.com

BES102 Bluetooth Wireless Stereo/Hi-Fi Headphones review
Geekzone

The headpones on their own are great as you can pair with almost any Bluetooth device to listen to its audio output, and it has a plug-in microphone so it can be used as a handsfree headset also. Paired to your pocket PC, tablet PC, or notebook, you could be chatting away on Skype as I did through my Pocket PC and CafeNet (a local Wi-Fi hotspot service), or listening to any other voice quality audio stream such as a training video.

June 2, 2005

HP Opens Top Technology Producers Contest
RisMedia.com

HP has started its second annual Top Technology Producers contest, which recognizes real estate professionals who use technology to be more efficient, improve customer service, enhance marketing tactics, generate more listings and improve overall sales revenue.

The contest runs through Aug. 31, 2005, and applications are available online at http://www.hp.com/go/techpro

Contest winners will receive a variety of HP technology solutions including:

Grand Prize: A choice of a HP Compaq Tablet PC tc4200 or HP Compaq Tablet PC tc1100 and $180 worth of HP professional brochure paper.

Fragmentation a Bigger Threat Than Viruses?
executive.com

Why do we protect against viruses? A virus causes a computer to slow down or stop, rendering the system less usable or unstable.

From a productivity standpoint, disk fragmentation causes the same damage as a virus. A buildup or fragmentation will cause a computer to slow down or even crash, resulting in lost productivity.

There is one major difference:  Viruses come from the outside. Disk fragmentation comes from inside.  Even a newly-formatted PC with a fresh installation of Windows® will be moderately fragmented. (It's true. Try it yourself and see.)

Click here to read the rest of the article.

Click here to download trialware for Diskeeper, The Number One Automatic Defragmenter™

Editors Note:  We have Diskeeper 9 Pro installed on every Tablet PC and desktop in our office.   Read our review of the previous version here

Strength, Control, and Flexible Rewards
Entrepreneur

Tablet To Go

Never get lost with GPS notebook-phone
iT News,

Italian vendor Dialogue has launched the Flybook, an ultra-portable full-featured tablet notebook complete with WLAN, Bluetooth, GPRS, 3G and GPS functionality.

Shaddi Haddad, newly-appointed chief of Australian operations at Dialogue, said the Flybook was a full-featured hybrid notebook and swivel-screen tablet with mobile phone and GPS functionality.

The Flybook comes in six colours: black, blue, red, yellow, white and platinum. A handbag-type carrybag or briefcase-type carryall were included, Haddad said.

Haddad said the ultraportable, which weighed 1.2kg, had WAN connectivity to cover 2G, 2.5G, 3G, Wi-Fi-based WLAN and Bluetooth. It had FireWire, USB, LAN, PCMCIA and LAN ports too.

The company believed it was the world's smallest tablet so far, he said.

The Windows XP Professional for tablet PC-loaded Flybook was 235mm x 155mm. Users could plug in a SIM card to make GSM voice calls or surf the web via GPRS, he said.

Specifications released by the company boast for the $3499 Flybook a 1GHz Transmeta Crusoe TM-5800 processor, 512MB of DDR RAM, 8.9-inch TFT active matrix touchscreen display and 40GB hard drive.

MaxiVista 2.0.12
TechSpot 

MaxiVista is ready to use within a minute. No need to open your PC to install video cards. MaxiVista works flawlessly with any PC combination of Desktop-, Laptop- or Tablet PC
High performance

Turns your Laptop or Tablet PC into an additional monitor of your primary PC.

MaxiVista is a dual monitor software and can turn your Laptop or Tablet PC into an additional monitor of your primary PC:

Your productivity will be increased instantly - Toolbars and program windows can be moved and extended across both screens as they would be one big monitor. Just connect up to four PCs via network and enjoy the extended desktop real estate.

June 3, 2005

First ThinkPad tablet set for debut
CNET News.com

The first-ever ThinkPad that converts to a tablet PC will make its debut on Monday, CNET News.com has learned.

China's Lenovo Group is expected to announce its new X41 Tablet Series (X41T) in coordination with IBM, which developed the convertible laptop. This is the first computer released by China's Lenovo Group following its purchase of IBM's legendary PC business earlier this year.

With its signature black casing, eraser-size trackball and red and blue click buttons, the X41 Tablet Series looks like any other model of IBM's ThinkPad laptop line.

However, the 12-inch screen of the X41T can be rotated 180 degrees and pressed flat against the computer's keyboard, turning the notebook into a tablet computer. This was made evident in photos and internal documents supplied by IBM's Japanese laboratories mysteriously that began appearing on the U.S. Federal Communications Commission Web site late last month.

Internal specifications on the X41T were not immediately available, but pictures submitted to the FCC show that the X41T, like its ultra-portable X41 cousin, will have a Mini PCI card slot. The tablet PC is also expected to use an Intel Pentium M processor and run on Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition.

The new tablet PC is expected to compete with similar laptop convertible designs sold by Hewlett-Packard, Fujitsu and Tatung instead of the clipboard or slate-like tablets made by Motion Computing or Itronix.

Tablets' best days may be ahead
According to Meta Group analyst Steve Kleynhans, Lenovo's entry into the tablet PC market could boost overall tablet sales, especially with the help of IBM, whose brand historically has held significant sway over the PC market.

"The big turnaround for the tablet will happen when we think of it not as a form factor but as a feature," Kleynhans said. "Tablets are inching toward the mainstream.

Gateway Goes for Business Gold
eWeek

The Irvine, Calif., PC maker, which absorbed eMachines Inc. in 2004, is has been reshaping its notebook, server and desktop lines in an effort to boost sales to small and medium businesses as well as government and education customers.

Gateway plans to follow them, soon, with a new tablet PC as well as a new line of E-Series desktops, which it says will more heavily emphasize security. The E-Series desktops will incorporate a security chip for encrypting files, Elsasser hinted.

Tablet PC
Express Computers

What is a Tablet PC?

A Tablet PC is a lightweight PC in the form of a flat panel. Users interact with it by tapping the screen and writing on it with a pen-like device that’s called a stylus. Tablet PCs let users wirelessly connect to the Internet and to other PCs. A Tablet PC combines the mobility of a handheld computer with the computing power of a notebook.

What are the characteristics of a Tablet PC?

Power. A Tablet PC can run most PC applications that run on Windows XP, plus applications created specially for this class of devices. On the connectivity side, besides the built-in wireless support, Tablet PCs can be placed in a docking station to support a large monitor, network connection, keyboard, mouse and other peripherals.

Mobility. The Tablet PC comes in two forms, the ‘convertible’ with an integrated keyboard, and the ultramobile ‘pure tablet.’ All Tablet PCs are light, ranging from two to three pounds. Combined with wireless network support, a Tablet PC gives you greater mobility and immediate access to the full power of your PC.

Is there a special operating system for the Tablet PC?

The Tablet PC runs Microsoft’s Windows XP Tablet PC Edition that adds to the capabilities of Windows XP Professional—handwriting support, ink notes and voice recognition. All existing Windows software applications run on Tablet PCs.

How does the handwriting recognition work?

The handwriting recognition on a Tablet PC accepts handwriting by storing it as a graphic, and the converted text in its notepad application. With this you can go back and forth between the handwriting and the converted text for nuances that the recogniser may miss. The handwriting recognition can even be done after you have entered your notes.

Fujitsu tablet offers clear view
eChannelLine

Fujitsu Canada has announced two new displays for the LifeBook T4000 Tablet PC, making it the ideal convertible for all types of work environments and lifestyles. The T4000 offers an indoor/outdoor wide-view display model with up to 180 degree viewing angles. The 12.1 inch XGA TFT display, designed for indoor or outdoor use, offers unhindered viewing from just about any position. With clear images, fast response times and a high contrast ratio, the versatile display offers a compelling choice for today's mobile workforce. For tasks that require viewing maximum data and details on the screen, it now offers a 12.1 inch, indoor high-resolution SXGA+ TFT display configure to order option. With a resolution of 1400 x 1050 pixels, the new display produces vivid imagery and brilliant graphics, a requisite for programmers and computer-aided designers. For more information see: http://www.fujitsu.ca

ProAV Roundup Latest projectors, flat panel displays and much more ...
DTV Professional

HP Gives Wireless Freebies to 205 Schools
205 schools were the beneficiaries of HP’s Technology for Teaching grant program. The grants, designed to equip teachers with HP wireless technology, totaled $8.5 million in products, cash and professional development. In all, 174 K-12 and 31 colleges in the U.S. received grants from the program, which is in its second of a three-year, $25 million commitment. 400 schools in total have benefited so far.

Among the K-12 applicants, preference was given to schools serving low-income students and projects including a math or science component. Teams of five teachers receive more than $35,000 worth of HP Tablet PCs, multimedia projectors, digital cameras , an HP Officejet All-in-One and a $500 stipend per teacher. Training is provided by the International Society for Technology in Education.

June 6, 2005

Microsoft Updates 'New World of Work'
InternetNews.com

During a keynote address at the company's TechEd Conference here, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer touted the latest mobile messaging and security features in both Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 Service Pack 2 and the Messaging and Security Feature Pack for Windows Mobile 5.0.

Ballmer also ogled Lenovo's recently released ThinkPad X41 Tablet PC, its first major release since IBM sold the ThinkBrand line to the Chinese PC maker. The latest tablet includes an optional fingerprint reader and embedded security subsystem.

Lenovo Writes the Next Chapter in Tablets; New ThinkPad Tablet X41 Tablet is Industry's Thinnest, Lightest, Most Secure Convertible
Business Wire

-- First New ThinkPad Since Lenovo Bought the PC Division

-- A Simple, Lightweight Flip Changes the View for Tablet Marketplace

Capitalizing on long-term, multidimensional expertise in the development of tablet PCs, 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.

Previous tablets required people and businesses to make a choice. Either they picked a heavy convertible -- including both tablet slate and keyboard -- or they picked a lighter tablet slate without a keyboard. The ThinkPad X41 Tablet offers a new trifecta in tablet innovation -- writable slate, full-size keyboard(1), and light weight. Starting at 3.5 pounds and 1.14-inches thin, the ThinkPad X41 Tablet is nearly 20 percent lighter than its closest competitor and delivers the longest standard battery life of any 12-inch convertible tablet.(2)

Significant Milestone for Tablet PC Platform

"The launch of the ThinkPad X41 Tablet marks a significant milestone for the Tablet PC platform and is a well-timed response to the growing demand we're seeing for Tablet PC functionality," said Bill Mitchell, Corporate Vice President responsible for mobile PC computing at Microsoft Corporation. "The ThinkPad brand has a distinguished history of industry-leading design and innovation and is a great notebook PC by itself -- but augmented with Tablet PC features it really shines, especially in the enterprise market."

Select models of the ThinkPad X41 Tablet boast the longest standard battery life of any 12-inch convertible tablet, at up to 6.3 hours on select models with the optional 8-cell battery. For mobile workers who demand anytime and anywhere access, users can combine the ThinkPad X41 Tablet's unique battery options to deliver all-day computing, offering up to 8.5 hours of battery life with the optional 8-cell system battery and separate Extended Life Battery.

The ThinkPad X41 Tablet is available with the new ThinkPad X4 Dock, which provides the same functionality as the ThinkPad X4 Ultrabase Dock in a stationary form factor. Offering additional expansion options for mobile workers, the new dock provides increased functionality, flexible expansion and cable management, and is compatible with the ThinkPad X40, ThinkPad X41 and ThinkPad X41 Tablet. The ThinkPad X4 Dock includes 3 USB 2.0 ports, legacy ports, Ultrabay Slim device bay, 56W AC adapter and integrated key lock and cable lock slot for added security. Its price is $219.

Pricing and Availability

The ThinkPad X41 Tablet will be available on June 14 through select resellers and through www.lenovo.com and www.ibm.com. Lenovo personal computers are also available through select business partners. Prices for the ThinkPad X41 Tablet start at $1,899. For more information, see www.thinkpad.com/tabletpc.

Tablet for the wilds
Australian IT

TRAVELLING to Antarctica but need a tablet PC that will operate in extremely low temperatures? Itronix can help you out with its Duo-Touch.

The rugged tablet PC includes an insulated case and a hard drive heating system that allows it to boot up at -20 degrees Celsius.

Its maximum operating temperature is rated at 60 degrees Celsius.

The Duo-Touch runs Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005 and includes a full suite of wireless options, including Bluetooth, GPRS and GPS navigation.

This means it supports all the major existing wireless technologies.

Its size is somewhere between a regular tablet PC and a PDA, with a 20cm screen, and it weighs less than 2kg.

Powered by a 1.1GHz ULV Pentium M processor, the Duo-Touch ships with an impressive 1280MB DRAM, as well as 128MB of video RAM. The name Duo-Touch refers to the two touchscreen modes, which can be toggled with a single switch. As with any tablet PC, default mode allows a stylus to be used to navigate the desktop

AuthenTec Fingerprint Sensor Adds The Power of Touch to New Motion Tablet PC; Provides Security, Convenience and Functionality for Ultra-Mobile Workforce Productivity
Business Wire

Motion Computing(R), a leader in ultra-mobile computing and wireless communications, has added AuthenTec's Power of Touch(TM) to its new LE1600 Tablet PC - providing authentication, convenience and personalization benefits critical to a mobile workforce. The new Motion LE1600, with an embedded EntrePad 2501A sensor from AuthenTec, is designed for mobile professionals in healthcare, field sales and service, government and education.

The LE1600 is the second Motion tablet PC to feature a swipe sensor from AuthenTec, the world leader in fingerprint sensor innovation and sales for more than five years. Motion embedded AuthenTec's EntrePad 2501 fingerprint sensor into its M1400 tablet PC last year

June 7, 2005

Microsoft, Lenovo unveil new pen-based Tablet PC
Reuters India

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer unveils the new ThinkPad X41 Tablet, a powerful business PC from Lenovo, at Microsoft's TechEd 2005 held June 6, 2005, at the Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Florida.

China's Lenovo Group Ltd., which bought IBM's personal computer business last month, on Monday unveiled its first pen-based computer which runs Microsoft Corp.'s Tablet PC version of Windows.

The world's largest software maker said that the debut of the laptop computer, the ThinkPad X41, will help to broaden the market for the portable computers to business users.

Users in the legal and medical professions, where note-taking is essential, have been the main early adopters of Tablet PCs, but Microsoft is betting that more business workers will find ways to use Tablet PCs.

Tablet PCs, including models sold with or without keyboards, allow users to use computers with a pen instead of a keyboard and a mouse.

At 3.5 pounds (1.6 kilograms) and 1.14-inches (3 centimeters) thick, the X41 is one of the lightest Tablet PCs on the market today. Hewlett-Packard Co., Fujitsu Ltd. and other top PC makers already offer Tablet PCs.

SNEAK PREVIEW: Averatec's C3600
tabletpcreviewspot

Our very own Andrew Baxter is currently in Taipei attending the COMPUTEX 2005 show. Before getting a jumble in a bit of an earthquake, he sent over pics of the FIC T2300 Tablet PC which is to be rebranded as the Averatec C3600. Although we don't have exact details, it is safe to assume that this refresh of the popular Averatec C3500 Tablet PC will feature Centrino technology and I am predicting a possible AMD Turion option as well. The expected U.S. release of the C3600 should be in time for the holiday shopping season.

OneNote eScript Toolkit is for physicians
abletfactory

An Electronic Prescription solution for Tablet PCs.

"OneNote eScriptToolkit is an e-Prescribing solution built upon the Microsoft OneNote product. The OneNote eScriptToolkit is a complete electronic prescrition writing system. It includes a comprehensive database of over 6400 drugs. Using OneNote eScriptToolkit a clinician can write an accurate and easy-to-read prescription in less than 5 seconds. The system takes advantange of a number of unique capabilities only available on a Tablet PC. Not only is signature capture available , but our AccuInk technology is being unveiled with this product. This feature combines our experience in handwriting recognition with database searching

June 8, 2005

New Lenovo Tablet PC Shows Why Steve Jobs Is Switching To Intel
WebProNews

To understand why Steve Jobs fired IBM you need to look no further than the Lenovo Thinkpad T41 Tablet PC.

The Chinese are coming, the Chinese are coming! And you thought Dell was hard to compete with.

Why do I say all this? Because the Lenovo outsexes. Out powers. Is lighter weight. Is better designed than any current Apple portable.

Huh?

Well, when you see it, you'll understand what I'm talking about. First of all, Lenovo is the company that bought IBM's Thinkpad brand.

First question, do they still have the industry's best keyboard on a portable device? Yes!

Is it the industry's lightest convertible Tablet PC? Yes! (3.3 pounds).

What's the battery life? Somewhere around six hours.

Why do I say it's better designed? It's thin. It has a great rubberized grip. It is black. It is beautiful.

It also has a really cool new fingerprint reader so you don't need to enter passwords for most things anymore.

But, it all comes down to performance. This new machine is using a very fast Intel processor that uses very little power, and generates very little heat.

Photos of the new Lenovo Thinkpad X41 TabletPC
whatisnew.com

Lora from Whatisnew.com is at Tech Ed in Orlando and has posted photos of the New Thinkpad X41 Tablet PC, the Motion LE1600 and others for all of our readers to see.   Thanks Lora!

Will the Lenovo ThinkPad X41 boost the Tablet PC market?
Softpedia 

The majority of analysts consider that one of the factors that stalled the adoption of Tablet PCs is represented by high prices, especially when compared to notebooks.

Still, the fingerprint data protection system, wireless connectivity and the Digitizer Pen that doesn’t require any power are enough pros to make ThinkPad X41 an interesting alternative for mobile users.

Moreover, the weight of only 1.5Kgs cannot be matched by many notebooks.

Therefore, Lenovo’s ThinkPad X41 has a lot of chances to draw the public’s attention on Tablet PCs.

TabletPCReviewSpot:  HP Compaq TC4200 Tablet PC
TabletPCReviewSpot

The specs. and build of the TC4200 sound promising. So in this review we take the TC4200 and place it under a microscope. We closely examine all the features found inside and out. We benchmark this Sonoma-powered titan in several aspects of performance to see exactly what kind of performance it delivers. Does the TC4200's insides live up to what its got on outside? Read on!

Tatung claims first with Intel Sonoma tablet PC
Inquirer

INTEL SONOMA CHIPSETS may be as hard to get as hen's teeth in a retirement home for foxes, but Taiwanese giant Tatung claims it's no problem whatever and has introduced a tablet PC using the i915GMS.

The 12.1-inch Sonoma Tablet PC, dubbed the TTAB-A12D, is shipping now, the firm said, and includes an interesting set of specs.

That includes a 758 low voltage 1.5GHz Pentium M, 512MB DDR2 memory, Intel LAN, a 60GB hard drive, and a 12-inch WACOM electromagnetic digitiser.

It's also radioed up with Calexico 802.11abg, includes two built in speakers and two array microphones with a fingerprint detector.

A battery life of four hours is claimed for the baby, which we spotted at the Computex show in Ole Taipei a few days back. Tatung has a number of other Tablet PCs, of a pretty interesting design if you're into that sort of thing

Microsoft Announces Imagine Cup 2005 US Software Design Invitational Winners
Press Trust

First-place winner. James Barrett, John McKeon and John Sells of Virginia Commonwealth University developed ECESIS, a Tablet PC-enabled application designed for use in early-childhood education classrooms to facilitate writing instruction. Using the application, students will complete a series of lessons that will be stored on the application server and distributed to client applications via Web services.

June 9, 2005

Pen could be mightier than keyboard with ThinkPad X41
USA Today

Now ThinkPad aficionados have another chance to see if the pen is mightier than the keyboard. The ThinkPad X41 that IBM is unveiling is the first ThinkPad to run Microsoft's Windows XP Tablet operating system. It's well worth considering if your job requires you to take lots of handwritten notes or do diagrams.

As with other Microsoft-based Tablet PCs, you can avoid a mouse and a physical keyboard in favor of a virtual onscreen keyboard and special pen.

My experience with past Tablet PCs is that their screen's coating tended to dull the display. But the X41 has a lovely display, at least for indoor viewing. Writing on the screen felt natural. Press lightly with the pen to get thin lines; press harder for thicker lines.

Without access to a physical keyboard when using the X41 as a tablet, you can use an onscreen shortcut menu for adjusting the brightness and volume and handling wireless connections, among other tasks. At the press of a button, you can also change the screen orientation between landscape and portrait views.

Beyond Microsoft's Tablet software (version 2005), the machine includes trial versions of programs that benefit from a pen interface: Alias SketchBook Pro, FranklinCovey PlanPlus and Zinio Reader.

There's no internal CD or DVD drive. So despite its note-taking tools, this is a no-nonsense machine that might not be ideal for students and others who often burn music and watch movies. You can add an optical drive with such capabilities (along with extra ports) as part of an optional $219 X4 Dock.

I doubt that the new corporate owner had much to do with planning the X41. But with the first ThinkPad emerging form its stable, Lenovo still comes up a winner

Dakota State University Selects Gateway for Enhanced Interactive Curriculum
Yahoo News

Dakota State University of Madison, S.D. has joined the growing ranks of visionary educational institutions that use Gateway tablet PCs to support innovative curriculum and interactive learning. The University's recently implemented tablet program will eventually provide 2,400 students and faculty with a Gateway M275 convertible tablet PC.

New technology can boost bottom lines for US hospitals
EurekAlert

With Compliance+^TM, physicians begin the inpatient process as usual: by starting a patient chart. Rather than writing patient information on standard paper, it is written on "electronic paper." The electronic paper is a tablet personal computer (PC). The tablet PC captures clinical documentation immediately by software that is incorporated into the workflow practices of physicians. Compliance+^TM immediately transmits the physician information throughout the hospital system to those individuals who benefit from real-time review, such as the nursing, pharmacy and billing staff.

TechEd 2005: Tablet PCs, Virtualization, and Windows Mobile 5.0
SQL Server Magazine

IBM ... er, ah ... Lenovo Enters the Tablet PC Fray
In January 2004, an IBM representative showed me a prototype Tablet PC that the company was considering making and asked my opinion of such a device. On Monday, Lenovo Group, which purchased IBM's PC products, announced that it was shipping that product as its first ThinkPad Tablet PC. Dubbed the ThinkPad X41 Tablet (X41T), the new device is virtually identical to the current ThinkPad X41 laptop but features the swiveling screen that's come to identify so-called convertible laptop-style Tablet PC devices.

The X41T is notable for several reasons. First, it provides ThinkPad customers with a Tablet PC that has the ThinkPad's stunning quality. IBM told me last year that a lot of its customers had been asking about a Tablet PC and that they weren't particularly interested in going with another vendor.

Second, Lenovo is taking the right approach to pricing. The X41T will cost just $100 more than a comparably equipped X41 laptop (although you could argue that those devices are already pretty expensive; the X41T starts at about $1800).

Third, the ThinkPad entry further legitimizes the Tablet PC form factor, which is a huge win for Microsoft. Dell is now the only major PC that doesn't provide a Tablet PC.

Provider Tests New Tablet PCs
Mobile Health Data

The University of Virginia Health System is evaluating Tablet PCs released earlier this week by Lenovo Group Limited, Beijing, China. The Charlottesville-based delivery system is piloting the ThinkPad X41 Tablet PC for possible use in its 100 clinics across Virginia.

The Tablet PC is the first release from Lenovo since it finalized its purchase of Armonk, N.Y.-based IBM Corp.'s PC division in April. The vendor last month announced plans for an "Innovation Center" in Research Triangle Park, N.C., where it will work with a coalition of vendors, including IBM, Microsoft Corp. and Intel Corp., to design a suite of computing devices.

Tatung’s TTAB-A12D Tablet PC
engadget

Tatung’s claim that the TTAB-A12D, their new slate-style Tablet PC, is the very Tablet sporting Intel’s new Sonoma chipset is a little dubious, since Toshiba already started selling a Sonoma-powered Tablet PC of its own (the Tecra M4) earlier this year, but we’ll let that slide and focus on the specs: four hour battery life, a 12.1-inch screen, a 1.5GHz Pentium M processor, 512MB of DDR2 RAM, a 60GB hard drive, 802.11a/b/g WiFi, two built-in speakers, and an integrated biometric fingerprint scanner

June 10, 2005

Episode 11 of The Tablet PC Show is now available
thepodcastnetwork

Marc Orchant is traveling this week and couldn’t do the show with me but have no fear he will be back soon. Today’s show is a special one as I welcome two attorneys who are successful using Tablet PCs in their law practices.

Matt tells us how they use Dragon NaturallySpeaking in their office in addition to making audio recordings with OneNote which I found very interesting, and the discussion of using MindManager for brainstorming sessions is very good. Doug discusses the new ActiveWords InkPad beta for the Tablet PC which has just been released and can’t say enough good things about the combo on the Tablet.

ThinkPad X41 Tablet is Industry's Thinnest, Lightest, Most Most Secure Convertible
Technology News Daily

The ThinkPad X41 Tablet comes equipped with Microsoft’s newest operating system, Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005.

Previous tablets required people and businesses to make a choice. Either they picked a heavy convertible — including both tablet slate and keyboard — or they picked a lighter tablet slate without a keyboard. The ThinkPad X41 Tablet offers a new trifecta in tablet innovation — writable slate, full-size keyboard(1), and light weight. Starting at 3.5 pounds and 1.14-inches thin, the ThinkPad X41 Tablet is nearly 20 percent lighter than its closest competitor and delivers the longest standard battery life of any 12-inch convertible tablet(2).

The ThinkPad X41 Tablet relies on ThinkVantage Technologies to make the difference for today’s mobile worker. These include the Active Protection System, an integrated motion sensor that can detect sudden changes in movement and temporarily park the hard drive to help protect valuable data from some falls or drops.

Combining Lenovo’s hardware- and software-based security solution and integrated fingerprint reader, select models of the ThinkPad X41 Tablet are the most secure tablet PCs available today

New Technology Boosts Bottom Lines for US Hospitals
Advanced Imaging Pro

Inaccurate and cumbersome paper-based patient record systems are responsible for sizable financial losses at America's hospitals. Large and small facilities alike are seeking better ways to capture patient documentation in order to get more accurately reimbursed from insurance companies. A new software system launched today at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) may be just what the doctor ordered to help hospitals improve patient revenue

With Compliance+ , physicians begin the inpatient process as usual: by starting a patient chart. Rather than writing patient information on standard paper, it is written on "electronic paper." The electronic paper is a tablet personal computer (PC). The tablet PC captures clinical documentation immediately by software that is incorporated into the workflow practices of physicians. Compliance+ immediately transmits the physician information throughout the hospital system to those individuals who benefit from real-time review, such as the nursing, pharmacy and billing staff.

Never Has Information Been More Available and Less Secure
InformationWeek

Revolutionizing Protection of Vital Information on Windows Notebooks, Tablet PCs and Desktops with CREDANT Mobile Guardian Shield for Windows by CREDANT Technologies

Notebooks and tablet PCs are popular business tools -- approximately 55 million portable PCs will be shipped in 2005 according to IDC. Consider that the vast amount of information on these devices is at risk in less than 1 minute, unless additional security measures beyond the standard Windows login password are used.

CREDANT Mobile Guardian Shield for Windows (CMG Shield) takes a revolutionary new approach to protecting valuable information against loss, theft, attack and unauthorized use. CREDANT's patent-pending CryptEssential process uses intelligence-based encryption to enforce the protection of vital information no matter where it is stored, filling the security gaps left by file-based products and the data corruption and productivity losses associated with full hard disk encryption.

June 13, 2005

A Day in the Life of A Breeding Farm
TheHorse.com

A world away from hitting the finish line of a classic race in front of tens of thousands of screaming fans, the dream is reborn.

On this chilly, breezy morning, he evaluated a mare roughly every five minutes from 5:30-7:30 a.m., with Basson reading from her tablet PC what work needed to be done, the mare's teasing responses, and the findings from the last physical exam. Blanchard found some mares ready to breed, some needing another day or two, some pregnant, and some not pregnant.

Tablet PCs get boost with Lenovo ThinkPad
VNUNet.com

The ThinkPad X41 Tablet can be used like a standard laptop or in slate mode

Lenovo has announced a new Tablet PC portable, the first ThinkPad to ship since it acquired the personal computer division of IBM. The new model is a convertible design, combining the advantages of handwriting input with a full-size keyboard and a low weight, according to the firm.

The ThinkPad X41 Tablet, available from mid-July, is similar to the current X41 but adds a pen-driven display that can swivel to convert the device into slate mode for easier pen input using Windows XP Tablet Edition

Wired for work - Teens' mastery of technology bodes well for Workplace
Jefferson City News Tribune

Teenagers today seem to be hard-wired for the latest technological advances.

Local businesses will need their understanding. And for those youth who "love their computers," there will be plenty of IT (information technology) jobs to go around.

The Business Information and Technology Institute offers high school students in Mid-Missouri a first-hand, and sometimes behind-the-scenes, look at the plentiful IT careers in their backyard

The House of Representatives IT staff impressed the students with its state-of-the-art equipment, including a tablet PC (personal computer) which will eventually replace up to five computers per representative.

Time to start taking the Tablets?
Techworld.com

Microsoft has plugged away at the details, and the Tablet operating system, and its related applications are now a lot more user friendly than they were. With a new generation of hardware emerging, it may be time to take a new look at Tablets.

Thinkpad endorsement
Perhaps the biggest sign that things have changed is the availability of a Tablet in the Thinkpad range, normally one of the most sensible and staid of laptops (butterfly keyboard notwithstanding).

The X41, launched this week, is the first Thinkpad Tablet, and the first Thinkpad from Lenovo, the new Chinese owners of the brand

Motion Computing - the real innovator?
IBM isn't the first to get to this point or even - possibly - the best. Motion Computing has been the leading innovator in Tablet PCs, and it came out with its own lightweight Tablet earlier in the month.

We have yet to hold either machine in our hands, but Motion Computing's LE1600 has had plaudits from those who have used it. It includes features that are still not part of the basic Tablet edition of Windows XP, but are in Microsoft's plans and prototypes.

It has three microphones, so it can pick up good sound, no matter which way you are holding it (this is important, as the Tablet is intended to take notes and record, while being held in the crook of your arm or rested on a table).

It also includes a sensor that reacts to ambient light to keep the screen visible wherever you are, while still saving on battery power. It also has a security suite and - like the X41 - a fingerprint reader so you can use to stop other people using it.

The biggest difference is that the LE1600 is a pure slate. It is made of carbon fibre and magnesium, and the keyboard is an optional extra that clips on. Without the keyboard, it's a sleek, light beast weighing 3.13lb, with it, it's still portable.

These two are not the only devices in the new wave of Tablets. Fujitsu's LifeBook may be the one for people who really need to carry a DVD drive - it fits one in a £1275 device, that weighs an extra 1lb. This one also has Bluetooth, and a feature that is reminiscent of a PDA - one-touch buttons to launch applications.

There are other players with recent Tablets including HP, and the choice looks like getting broader, as the Tablet operating system becomes more sophisticated, and Intel's mobile chipsets are refined.

Tools Of The Trade: The Toshiba Tecra M4 tablet PC
Independent

Finding the right balance is all the more important with a tablet PC, as it has to work in two quite different ways. And combining a good keyboard design and a good touch screen needs a sound knowledge of ergonomics as well as technology.

Toshiba's high-end Tecra tablet PC scores highly on functions and performance, but less so on ergonomics, for the size of the machine makes it awkward to use in its tablet configuration. Although the large screen is pleasant to use, cradling such a bulky unit on your arm for any length of time becomes uncomfortable.

But the main feature of interest might well be Toshiba's EasyGuard technology, including shock protection for the hard disk drive. Built-in software moves the drive to a safe position if the machine detects vibration, safeguarding data in the event of the computer being knocked or dropped. It is a reassuring feature to have, as tablet PCs are vulnerable because they spend so much time being used on the move.

Windows IT Pro and SQL Server Magazine Name Best of TechEd 2005 Award Winners
Business Wire

This year the judges chose to award a new category, the Most Innovative Product of Best of TechEd, which was Motion Computing's LE1600 Tablet PC. "We were impressed with this laptop's ultra mobile tablet form factor, built-in fingerprint reader, and its superior screen, which is able to display in direct sunlight. This is a laptop that every IT Pro would love to have," commented Carheden.

June 14, 2005

Writing's On Wall: Notebooks Up Vs. Desktop
Investor's Business Daily

Just look at the headlines. Research firm Current Analysis says notebooks outsold desktop computers at retail in the U.S. for first time in May.

And on Tuesday, Toshiba plans to unveil 13 notebook PC models to capitalize on the mobile computing craze. Toshiba has been one of the big beneficiaries of the notebook trend because the only PCs it makes are notebooks. It's the top-selling brand at retail.

Toshiba sees three key areas where it can shine: thin and light notebooks weighing less than 4 pounds, digital convergence machines like its Qosmio media center notebooks, and pen-based tablet PCs.

Lenovo ThinkPad X41 Tablet Legitimizes the Tablet PC Market
Gartner

The entry of Lenovo's ThinkPad notebook brand into the tablet PC market lends credibility to tablet PCs as a platform. The ThinkPad X41 Tablet derives features and accessories from ThinkPad's mainstream X-series notebooks, such as docking stations, and it is compatible with ThinkPad X41 notebooks and the T43 and R52 integrated-graphics models. Hewlett-Packard (HP) used a similar strategy when it derived its TC4200 convertible tablet PC from its NC4200 notebook. However, Lenovo's ThinkPad X41 Tablet is nearly 20 percent lighter than the TC4200 and includes a fingerprint reader, which eliminates the need to enter a password. This last feature is crucial for walking workers who need to access their systems quickly. Fujitsu, Toshiba, Gateway and Motion Computing

Recommendations: Enterprises in vertical markets, especially markets based on customer relationship management requirements, should strongly consider the ThinkPad X41 Tablet. For applications used predominantly while standing or walking, the HP and Dell/Motion slates may be most appropriate, although the ThinkPad convertible tablet’s lighter weight and slimmer profile make it better suited for walking workers than any of the other available convertible tablets.

June 15, 2005

Residential Homebuyers & Sellers to Enjoy New Corus Home Center ...
Business Wire

Corus Home Realty, Inc., a leader in delivering client-centric real estate services, today announced the opening of its newest home center in Delaware Valley. The office is located at 505 West Germantown Pike in Plymouth Meeting, PA.

The new home center will concentrate on providing Delaware Valley buyers and sellers custom resources and data, including local neighborhood and school reports. Additionally, each center offers clients a patented tablet PC, called the Mobile Navigator(TM). The Mobile Navigator can be taken in the car, and with its GPS technology tied into MLS data, clients can view home offerings at their convenience.

CIS Consulting Group Forms F2B Mobile Solutions, LLC
Yahoo News

Today CIS Consulting Group, headquartered in Charlotte, NC, announced the formation of F2B Mobile Solutions, LLC., an Authorized Master Distributor for Field2Base, Inc.

Field2Base (http://www.field2base.com) develops and markets Tablet PC- based field applications that leverage its proprietary integrated wireless communications software. The Field2Base solution gives any company the ability to annotate CAD files and photographs, complete forms and submit directly to the home office, communicate time sensitive information, and resolve field issues -- from any location 24 hours per day -- while simultaneously establishing digital audit trails of a wide range of transactions.

Wellington Tablet PC User Group
Geekzone

A new user group is being organised and invites all interested parties for its first meeting in Wellington. The Wellington Tablet PC User Group (TUG) aims to educate the user community, facilitate the dissemination of information from vendors to the community and to provide a forum for the sharing of information between peers.

Wellington TUG meetings are open to all who would like to attend. The topics covered should be of particular interest to Tablet PC users, those considering the Tablet PC platform, Developers, IT Professionals and those interested in technology.

The first meeting will be held 12th July 2005 from 6:00pm to 7:30pm. The event will be hosted by Microsoft New Zealand (Microsoft NZ, Level 12, Mobile on the Park, Wellington) and sponsored by MindJet.

Comparing the Sony U750 with the HP TC1100 Tablet PC
Whatisnew.com

What differences would a user experience if handwriting, pointing, or drawing using a mobile PC with a passive digitizer versus an active digitizer? James Kendrick is one of the few people who can tell us. On his blog, he describes his personal experiences with the Sony U750 running Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005 versus the HP TC1100 Tablet PC running Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005.

Tablet PC and Mobile PC MSDN Whitepaper & The Tablet PC Developer Center
Whatisnew.com

The center section of this month's issue of MSDN Magazine features a Tablet PC and Mobile PC whitepaper -- Tablet and Mobile PC Development within Reach: It's All About Anywhere Access to Applications and Data.

This issue was distributed at TechEd. Great timing because attendees read it and then headed over to the Tablet PC Hands On Lab to learn about techniques.

Toshiba brings Tablet PC to retail in New Zealand
Geekzone

The New Zealand office of Toshiba (Australia) Pty Limited Information Systems Division (ISD) has released a new range of notebook computers. The range includes four new models and advancements to two of Toshiba’s most popular machines.

The four new models include the Satellite R10 Tablet PC, giving New Zealand retail consumers the opportunity to purchase pen-based mobile computing devices.

Toshiba says that this model is perfect for home-users and students looking for a fast and productive way of editing documents and email whilst on-the go. It features a 14 inch poly-silicon display, pressure sensitive digitiser, a 60GB hard drive and 1.7 MHz processor and 512MB RAM (with a maximum of 2GB). The optical drive can read and write CDs and a variety of DVD formats.

Hilton Locke's TechEd 2005 Wrap-Up