Tablet PC News Archive

March 2005

Photos: Toshiba Tablet PC at the Occars

MICHAEL COOPER WITH THE TOSHIBA M200 AT THE AUDIO MIXING CONSOLE IN THE ORCHESTRA PIT OF THE KODAK THEATRE WHERE HE WAS MIXING THE HEADSET MONITORS FOR THE ORCHESTRA AND CONDUCTOR FOR THE REHEARSALS & LIVE TELECAST OF THE 2005 OSCARS.

March 1 , 2005

The SlateGlove for Motion Tablet PCs
tabletpcbuzz

Its’ a fantastic accessory, especially for those who are highly mobile. For something as well designed and engineered as this, $59.85 is not a bad price. I’d love to see the SlateGlove with other slate Tablet PC’s.
Click the read more link for the details!

Adobe announces Acrobat 7.0 software availability
Portalino, Italy

Adobe has distributed over half-a-billion copies of Adobe Reader since its 1993 introduction. Pricing and Availability Acrobat 7.0 Professional and Acrobat 7.0 Standard for Microsoft® Windows® 2000 (with service pack 2), Windows XP Professional, Home and Tablet PC Editions, and Mac OS X v10.2.8 and v10.3, are immediately available in English. French, German and Japanese language versions are expected to be available in early 2005.

Toshiba Strata CIX IP Telephony System Receives Customer Inter@ction Solutions® Magazine’s “Editors’ Choice” Award
Businesswire

In addition, the Strata CIX has been designed to deliver virtually every telephony feature of the Strata CIX to every device, whether the end-user has a wireless or wired telephone, such as a desktop telephone or wireless IP handset, or even a softphone on a notebook computer or tablet PC.”

March 2 , 2005

Fujitsu To Show ST5022 Tablet PC At CeBit
Designtechnica

Fujitsu Siemens Computers will present its new STYLISTIC ST5022 tablet PC at this year's CeBIT (March 10-16 in Hanover).

The STYLISTIC ST5022 also comes with standard Bluetooth and Wireless LAN, as well as a dual microphone system which, similar to human ears, filters out background noise when recording. The new models can now be ordered for immediate delivery

A tablet PC for all seasons

The innovative display makes the STYLISTIC ST5022 ideal for both indoor and outdoor use. It is not only suitable for traditional fields of application like healthcare and insurance, but also the textbook choice for construction site management or freight handling, where staff often move back and forth between the warehouse or office and outdoor locations. With a battery life of up to nine hours, the tablet PC lasts for a full working day without recharging. For stationary operation, the STYLISTIC tablet PC simply connects to a docking station to utilize the benefits of PC peripherals such as a keyboard, external monitor, network connection and DVD burner.

Active Ink software allows users to convert Word and PDF documents into inkable forms on the Tablet PC
activeink

Form Converter – Convert scanned images and PC documents into a format that accepts ink.

click form for full size view

New Digital Solutions for Health Care Providers: EMR/ EHR revised
PR Web

Star Trek’s Doctor’s would have been amused, but for today’s medical practitioners, a tablet PC, which retrieves medical data from a server is just one available technical tool, helping them to increase data security and reduce administrative costs. Service companies now offer customized solutions for each individual medical office, following the goals of the paperless office, the EMR (electronic medical records) guidelines and President Bush’s new pledge for an “US Electronic Health Record System (EHR)”.

Walkabout Computers Announces the Hammerhead MRT
walkabout

The Hammerhead MRT features optimal outdoor viewable displayswith a patent pending NVG/NVIS compatible night vision option. Whereas others use outside filter screens, the WalkAbout night vision filter is built into the unit with no blooming effect. The night vision display features variable low light settings down to 0.05 nits. Affording the power, manageability and confidence needed in this extremely rugged environment, WalkAbout's Hammerhead MRT Tablet PC surpasses the mobility and efficiency offered by other technologies.

March 3 , 2005

Stylistic ST5022 Tablet PC from Fujitsu Siemens
InfoSync

The lightweight ST5022 marries 9-hour battery life and biometric identification with a 1.1 GHz processor and Windows XP Tablet PC Edition.

Adding a third model to the manufacturer's Stylistic series of Tablet PCs, Fujitsu Siemens today announced the introduction of the ST5022, a lightweight model weighing in at 1.55 KG with an A4 footprint. Sharing the specifications of other models in the ST502x series, the ST5022 adds a fingerprint sensor for biometric identification to an already varied mix of features powered by Microsoft's Windows XP Tablet PC Edition

Sprint Begins Offering EV-DO-Ready Sprint PCS Connection Card
PR Newswire

Sprint PCS Connection Card(TM) by Sierra Wireless (AirCard(R) 580) to Provide EV-DO Connectivity for Mobile Professionals Once Coverage Is Available From Sprint

Customers can use the Sprint PCS Connection Card in conjunction with a laptop computer running Windows(R) 2000, XP or Tablet XP and a PCMCIA Type II PC Card slot to remotely view graphic-intensive Internet sites, send and receive email with sizable attachments, and access other data-intensive corporate applications.

Fujitsu Siemens Computers' new pen tablet PC has advanced fingerprint sensor, versatile indoor/outdoor display
ITWeb, South Africa

With more than 12 years and 23 product generations of pen-based PC experience, Fujitsu Siemens Computers will present the new STYLISTIC ST5022 tablet PC at this year's CeBIT (10 to 16 March in Hanover).

TOSHIBA SHIPS AWARD-WINNING NEW STRATA CIX PURE IP TELEPHONY SYSTEM
Telephony World

Toshiba's Strata CIX has been designed to deliver virtually every feature to every user, regardless of the type of device they are using, whether they are fixed or mobile. The system supports IP phones, IP wireless handsets, both analog and digital telephones, IP softphones on notebook and tablet PCs. Because it supports open standards, Strata CIX will also work with standards-based SIP telephones.

March 4 , 2005

OneNote EMRToolkit for Tablet PCs *Now Available*

The OneNote EMR Toolkit is for physicians with a Tablet computer.

Who are dissatisfied with current EMR solutions and want a portable and productive solution for patient chart/document management.

Our product is a new way to capture, organize, share and display clinical information in the small physician office setting, at home, or on the road.

 Now you can have an EMR system based upon the power, versatility and features of OneNote.  This creative solution, optimized for Tablet PCs lets the practitioner have complete and thorough control of all patient record keeping for a successful private practice.  The philosophy behind this solution is to take advantage of the features and capabilities of Microsoft’s OneNote program and provide a user friendly interface to directly import information from external systems, such as PMS (Practice Management Systems) or your current paper charts and records into the OneNote system

March 5 , 2005

New Webcast Series: Tablet and Mobile PC Applications Development
msdn.microsoft.com

This series, designed for .NET Developers, begins on March 18 with a session focusing on drag-and-drop Tablet PC development using the Agilix InfiNotes .NET controls that quickly and easily add rich ink note-taking functionality to new and existing applications.   

J-school set to launch new electronic medium
Columbia Daily Tribune

"People used to joke with me they’d never read an electronic newspaper until they could read it in the bathroom. Well, you can read this one in the bathroom," Fidler said as he picked up a Tablet PC displaying an electronic edition of the Columbia Missourian.

Fidler also lauded EmPRINT’s portability. Readers can access the EmPRINT Missourian by downloading the 10-megabyte file onto their computers. Laptop or Tablet PC users could take the EmPRINT version wherever they go or store it for later reading.

S'pore opens world's first BackPack.NET Centre
IT AsiaOne

THE BackPack.NET Centre - designed to showcase the impact of technology on teaching methods, and said to be the first of its kind in the world - was officially opened on Wednesday by Minister for Education Tharman Shanmugaratnam.

Students were given tablet PCs for lessons and learning, opening up new possibilities in the student's learning experience.

The majority of the students involved welcomed the new approach, saying the mobile learning technologies facilitated independent learning and made schoolwork more interesting. Teachers said they found the transition smooth. Digital textbooks ('The Living Textbook') which allow a student access to all his textbook information in the tablet PC easily, exemplify what Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong once advised: 'Teach less, learn more

March 7 , 2005

STYLUS tablet PC from Fujitsu Siemens Computers with integrated fingerprint sensor
I-Newswire.com

The 1.55 kilo light STYLISTIC ST5022 features advanced fingerprint sensor and versatile indoor/outdoor display

Fujitsu Siemens Computers will present its new STYLISTIC ST5022 tablet PC at this year's CeBIT ( March 10-16 in Hanover ). The slim and 1.55 kilo light yet robust device comes in a compact A4 format and utilizes the latest Intel® Centrino® Mobile Technology. All functions can be performed with a special stylus pen, and – if needed – a wireless keyboard can also be used. Special features include a 12.1-inch indoor/outdoor display and a fingerprint sensor. The STYLISTIC ST5022 also comes with standard Bluetooth and Wireless LAN, as well as a dual microphone system which, similar to human ears, filters out background noise when recording. The new models can now be ordered for immediate delivery.

A tablet PC for all seasons
The innovative display makes the STYLISTIC ST5022 ideal for both indoor and outdoor use. It is not only suitable for traditional fields of application like healthcare and insurance, but also the textbook choice for construction site management or freight handling, where staff often move back and forth between the warehouse or office and outdoor locations. With a battery life of up to nine hours, the tablet PC lasts for a full working day without recharging. For stationary operation, the STYLISTIC tablet PC simply connects to a docking station to utilize the benefits of PC peripherals such as a keyboard, external monitor, network connection and DVD burner.

The Light Fantastic
The latest ultraportables are light on weight, but not on features.
Entrepreneur

You shouldn't have to feel like a pack mule when you carry your laptop around. For entrepreneurs who don't mind ponying up a little extra cash, ultraportable notebooks can take some of the strain off your shoulders. Size often comes at a premium, both in your pocketbook and in power. But there are a lot of decent options that pack enough punch to handle your business applications. Cramped keyboards and small screens can put a squeeze on the user experience, so be sure to try out your potential new laptop (or tablet PC) in person.

Hewlett-Packard's Compaq Tablet PC tc1100 has an even smaller detachable keyboard. It does offer the perks of the relatively young tablet technology. For example, the tc1100 comes with a battery-free digital pen that uses Microsoft's handwriting recognition software--suitable for those who want to jot down notes while on the move. The tc1100 weighs only 3.1 pounds, but increases to 4 pounds when the keyboard is attached. Slightly heavier is the Fujitsu T4010 Tablet PC, at 4.3 pounds with weight-saver or 4.7 pounds with a media drive installed. Its convertible design keeps it close to being a regular laptop. With tablets, there is a premium to pay for handwriting features, so be sure that's what you want before you spend the extra money.

Altiris and Fujitsu Siemens Computers Showcase Live Installation
Yahoo News

A joint Altiris and Fujitsu Siemens Computers team will show visitors how to manage and efficiently control heterogeneous and mobile computing devices from the Altiris® Web-based console. The wired and wireless network infrastructure at the Fujitsu Siemens Computers CeBIT stand will include STYLISTIC tablet PCs

Altiris will demonstrate server management in the Dynamic Data Center and comprehensive IT lifecycle management in the Client Management area (Tablet PC Mobility), Hall 1, Stand 5e2.

Truckee Donner To Present GO! Sync (Redline) At GITA
LBS

The simple to use field mapping system will be deployed on Tablet PC's, and combines powerful, yet intuitive field specific tools, including standard map navigation, searching, trace modeling, routing and GPS support. All of the tools can be activated using the Tablet PC touch-screens and easy to learn gesturing commands.

Intellisync Now Pushes Virtually Any Enterprise Application Data
PR Newswire

Intellisync Corporation (Nasdaq: SYNC), a leading developer and marketer of wireless software for the worldwide mobile communications industry, today announced that its award-winning Intellisync(R) Mobile Suite(TM) software has broken yet another mobility barrier by enabling true real-time push access to multiple enterprise applications on a mobile device

Push apps to virtually any mobile device, including Windows Mobile-based Smartphones, handhelds based on the Pocket PC and Palm operating systems, as well as laptop and tablet PCs.

March 8 , 2005

Pegasus Technologies Announces Integration With Microsoft Office Office OneNote 2003
Business Wire

Pegasus Technologies, Ltd., (www.petagech.com), a leading provider of breakthrough handwriting input solutions, announces cooperation with Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq:MSFT) to provide laptop and desktop PC users the ability to take or upload handwritten notes directly into Microsoft(R) Office OneNote(R) 2003.

OneNote 2003 (www.microsoft.com/office/OneNote) is a new program in the Microsoft Office System that combines the freedom and flexibility of paper notes with the efficiency and power of digital organizational tools. With OneNote, users can take, organize, find and use their notes on a laptop, desktop, or Tablet PC. OneNote helps users be more productive with their notes and ideas whether they are at their desk, meetings, presentations, classes, phone conferences, or brainstorming sessions. OneNote enables desktop and laptop users to type notes, copy pictures or documents, even record audio and video notes. Tablet PC users have enjoyed the additional ability to handwrite notes and draw within OneNote easily and naturally.

New system-on-chip family aims to embed x86 everywhere
Linux News 

According to Product Manager Epan Wu, Via's CoreFusion initiative will allow x86 to extend into handheld, battery powered devices such as tablet PCs and portable media centers.

IBM, Unisys Focus on Services
eWeek

Unisys is also finding that the traditional desktop environment is becoming mobile. Increasingly, corporate users are working from home offices and using laptops. In some cases their business tools of choice are smart phones and tablet PCs, said Smith.

March 9 , 2005

PhatWare Announces PenCommander for Tablet PCs
ClickPress

PhatWare Corporation, a leading provider of software products and professional services for mobile and desktop computers, announced today the launch of PenCommander for Tablet PCs. The new stand-alone application features a new powerful scripting technology which was first introduced as a part of PhatWare’s PenOffice handwriting recognition application.


PenCommander allows users to use the pen to call up commands that can control Tablet PCs in almost limitless ways, such as editing documents, inserting often-repeated text into documents, and launching applications. To execute a PenCommand, simply write a PenCommand name on the PenCommander input panel. PenCommander is the best tool for entering repetitive data, accessing frequently used applications and documents, and overall extending Tablet PC functionality and user’s productivity, providing a simple and fast way to functions that typically take longer to complete.

“PhatWare is pleased to add PenCommander for Tablet PCs to our line of productivity solutions,” said PhatWare President Stan Miasnikov. “This stand-alone application promises to make computing easier for those who mainly use the pen and a Tablet PC.”

Toshiba Satellite R10 Tablet PC advertised at $1259.10
Whatisnew.com

The Satellite R10 Tablet PC uses Intel® Centrino™ Mobile Technology for maximum performance, battery life, and advanced connectivity. Microsoft® Windows® XP Tablet PC Edition provides a world-class environment that's easy to use. Toshiba's innovative hinge design allows the 14.1" diagonal screen to swivel and lock into tablet position easily. The Satellite® R10 even senses the tablet's tilt, and, with a single touch, adjusts from letter to landscape mode for optimum viewing. This is the first Toshiba tablet PC to feature an integrated optical drive, so you can play and burn CDs and watch DVDs!

Air One, Italy's largest, privately owned airline, has implemented the first stage of a system that allows 3G broadband data link with a Tablet PC for cockpit communications and flight log reporting. The G3CARS system was built by ASI Entertainment, Inc.

Microsoft Launches New Real-Time Communications Tools
PC World

Gates said that in the next version of Microsoft Office, "a big theme will be taking real-time capabilities and building them into Office in a bigger way." He added: "We think of collaboration in a very broad way," ranging from an individual using the OneNote note-taking application on a tablet PC, to software for training and other group activities.

Mark Burnett, creator and executive producer of The Apprentice, who spoke from Santa Monica along with Microsoft Information Worker Group vice president Jeff Raikes, said he could benefit from the real-time communications features of the Microsoft products to track his various productions in several countries. He added that in the fourth season of The Apprentice, one of the tasks assigned to the competitors would involve Microsoft.

How to Buy a Portable Computer
Connected Home,

There are many kinds of portable computers. In a broad sense, you could divide the market into notebook computers, subnotebook computers, desktop replacements, and Tablet PCs. The general notebook-computer market is typically represented by a 14" screen, a full-sized keyboard, a speedy processor, an integrated CD/DVD drive, and a decent-sized hard disk. Subnotebooks typically drop the optical drive and feature smaller screens, smaller hard disks, and slower processors. Desktop replacements are larger and heavier and can often use a desktop PC processor, in which case they'll also get worse battery life. They also often include large widescreen displays, though wide screens are also appearing on other notebook types.

Tablet PCs, meanwhile, are definitely divided into two subcategories. The first, called convertible PCs, resemble typical notebook computers. But you can swivel their screens around so that you can write on them with an included stylus. The other type of Tablet PC, known as a slate model, lacks a keyboard and relies solely on stylus-based input. Such machines are typically used only in select niche markets. Also, Tablet PCs tend to be a bit more expensive than comparable notebooks, although that price differential is improving.

An Open Conversation With Robert Scoble, Microsoft Geek Blogger
WebProNews

Yesterday, Shel and I interviewed Robert Scoble, the Scobleizer, in the March 7 edition of The Hobson & Holtz Report.

Neville: When I read Steve's post, I agree with him, blogs don't seem to appear in the planning and I would argue that blogs should play a role. A bit like your call not long ago on Tablet PC evangelism, what it needs to get that awareness raised, get people moving and talking about it. Blogs could really help!

Robert: Yep, yep, yep!

Shel: And I imagine, Bob, that this is something you've been doing with Scobleizer?

Robert: Yeah, with the link blog I'm reading 3500 items a night and I put about 100 items a night over there. So I'm just sifting through these 3500 items a night looking for, you know, 100 things that my readers would be interested in, you know, and that I'm interested in really. And I assume most of my readers are sort of like me, interested in technology, you know, not interested in cat photos!

Actually, I'm just going through right now and actually do look at probably 80 percent of the items, even the ones with the bad headlines. A lot of people use such bad headlines that I just have to read through everything anyways! But because it's all local, it's really fast; I just click on it with my pen and go boom, boom, boom. I can go through all items really, really fast. I'm looking in ActiveWin right now…

Neville: So you're doing this on a Tablet PC, right?

Robert: Oh yeah. That's a little secret, actually, um, reading on the tablet is way better than reading on a laptop mode. Because I read in portrait mode so the screen is vertical, and that makes me have to do less scrolling to read, and scrolling is bad for readability.

If you actually do eye-track research and learn how the eye works, um, any time you scroll, your eye has to refocus on the text and your brain has to parse that text and find where it was in the text, so it really slows you down when you have to scroll. And one of my tricks is not have to scroll on a vertical screen, which shows more text.

March 10 , 2005

Live from CeBIT: Tatung Sonoma Tablet PC
gizmodo.com

Tatung, the Taiwanese computer manufacturer who only recently started selling machines under its own brand, is showing off this 12.1-inch Tablet PC, which they claim is the first to run on Intel’s Sonoma platform.

Toshiba Set To Refresh Notebook Lines
CRN

Starting next month, Toshiba plans to reinvigorate its portfolio of notebook PCs with a Portege model that weighs 2.5 pounds and houses a battery that can run for up to five hours.

Toshiba also aims to refresh much of the rest of its Portege, Tecra and Qosmio notebook lines through the middle of the year, as well as add tablet PCs to its Portege, Tecra and Satellite laptop product families,

AMD Mobilizes Turion to Fight Centrino
Wi-Fi Planet

AMD is upping the mobile ante in its chip battle against Intel's Centrino processors.

The No. 2 chipmaker began shipping its single-core, low-power, 64-bit processor family named Turion today in coordination with the start of the CeBIT show in New York this week.

AMD said the chips should start appearing in thin-and-light notebooks and Tablet PCs later this month. OEMs like Acer and Fujitsu Siemens are first on the block to install Turion in their new mobile PCs. And the company's usual support group of ASUS, Averatec, BenQ, MSI and Packard Bell have also pledged systems based on the mobile chip.

Geeks Found At Duran Duran Concert
WebProNews

How can you tell a geek at a Duran Duran concert? He's the guy over talking to the sound crew and checking out the equipment.

And who did I find there? Mark Brnich, director of technical services for Eighth Day Sound. He was in charge of the audio at the concert.

Oh, I'm so excited! He's a Tablet PC fan. In fact, he was using a Motion Tablet PC to run the hall's audio. He says he loves his Tablet PC because it replaced a whole rack of gear. I wish I remembered the name of the app that was running on it. It was quite cool looking. He had digital access to all the amps.

Microsoft's Bill Gates outlines his future vision for business applications
PublicTechnology.net

"Well, thank you. It's very exciting to be here at Convergence and talk about business applications. In many ways, all the Microsoft R&D goes towards having that final application that allows a business to do a better job.

Recently, I got a reminder that I should always use digital technology wherever I go. I was at the World Economic Forum and I'd gone to a press conference and not taken my Tablet PC. And so I just grabbed a piece of paper and doodled some notes, and this is actually exactly what I put down.

Consequently, I left those notes behind and the press captured them and mistakenly thought that Tony Blair, the prime minister of the UK, who sat next to me, that these were his notes. And so the British tabloids had a heyday with this because handwriting experts determined that only a weak leader would write things like this. (Laughter.) And clearly, he was confused about the press conference or something strange was going on.

So that's how we determined it wasn't the prime minister, it must have been me. (Laughter.) So next time I'll have my Tablet and won't have that problem at all.
The speed of the network we're connecting up to, whether it's the backbone or inside the business, is going up massively and now many businesses are putting in Wi-Fi networks so you can be connected up even as you carry a portable or a Tablet machine around.

The disk capacity, letting us now think about things like video storage and data mining, click mining things that wouldn't have been feasible -- or at least cost-wise, practical -- in the past, are all now becoming very, very reasonable.

And so the hardware industry is delivering us these capabilities, big screens with great graphics capabilities, smaller portable devices. The premium cost for Tablet over a portable PC will come down from about US$150 to about, oh, say $60 over the next years; mobile phones with more capability, GPS location, Internet browsing, the ability to connect up to applications, the ability to notify you of things.

March 11 , 2005

Toshiba develops detachable display
Digit Magazine

Toshiba Corp. has developed a detachable display that the company says will combine the convenience of a Tablet PC with the computing power of a notebook PC, and that could be available in about three years, it said at Cebit on Thursday.

The company already developed a prototype stylus-operated display that can be detached from a notebook PC, and is showing it at the Hanover, Germany, trade show

The detachable screen technology could enable users to enjoy the best of both worlds by combining the functions of a Tablet PC with a laptop's processing power.

JumpingMinds MathPractice Starter Now Available
whatisnew.com

WinInfo Short Takes: Week of March 14
WinInformant.com

AMD Takes on Centrino with New Turion Line
   AMD has revealed its 64-bit answer to Intel's Centrino chipset, which powers mobile computers from virtually every notebook and Tablet PC maker on earth. Dubbed the Turion 64 and designed for the thin and light notebook market, the new 64-bit chipset is compatible with AMD's x64 processors, and companies such as Fujitsu, Packard Bell (it's still around?), and Seimens will be early adopters. The Turion 64 also includes support for ATI and NVIDIA graphics, 802.11g wireless networking, and the AMD PowerNow technologies, which can reduce notebook power consumption by as much as 75 percent.

MIKE'S MAILBAG
Detroit Free Press

Last year you wrote a column about a tablet PC that possessed the ability to record audio while you took notes with a stylus. You could later touch a section of your notes and the tablet would begin playing the audio recorded at the moment those notes were taken.

I work at the University of Michigan in the Science Learning Center; one of my responsibilities is to observe study groups. This tablet PC might be useful to me if I could take notes on the group dynamics and the study group leader, and use the audio to illustrate my points when I met with the leader a few days later.

Do you think that the audio/microphone would be sufficient to do this?

It's actually a program called OneNote from Microsoft that does this, Joe. And while OneNote is built especially for tablet PCs, it also works with laptops. Instead of a stylus on the laptop, you'd use the keyboard to take notes.

March 14 , 2005

StudentTabletPC.com Contest
studenttabletpc.com

The contest will consist of identifying screenshots from various tablet related software and hardware. Each correct answer will win you an entry into a drawing. At the end of the week, we'll pick names at random and the winners will be announced.

We have some excellent prizes to give out.

1 copy of MindManager X5
1 copy of xThink's MathJournal
4 copies of OrangeGuava bundled with ActiveWords

Contest: Day 1

Day 1 of the contest is on. In order to win you need to correctly identify the piece of tablet hardware or software from the picture. Email your entries with your name and email address to studenttabletpc@gmail.com

Pinellas County Building Department plugs into efficiency with Tablet PCs
bizjournals.com

The Pinellas County Building Department is testing new wireless tablet PCs in an effort to increase the efficiency of department inspections.

Inspectors involved in commercial code inspections are field-testing three Motion Computing tablet PCs.

The technology enables inspectors to write comments on computer screen templates and convey information directly to the department inspection database.

The automated method replaces the traditional practice of having staff input hardcopy reports at the end of each day.

The tablets can dock in electronic desktop stations and then immediately download updated information, including the next day's inspection schedule.

If the trial period goes well, the department expects to purchase 35 additional units for use by all building inspectors.

When fully operational, the tablet PCs will be tied into the county's Permits Plus land management system. It will link together several departments involved in site plan review, environmental permits, zoning, utilities permits, land use negotiations, code compliance and bond tracking.

Company couldn't PLANiT better
Mississauga News

PLANiT Measuring Company of Mississauga conquered a different kind of space to win a Canadian Innovation Leader award from the National Research Council of Canada (NRC).

PLANiT measures space inside buildings with the unique MeasuringBoard system they developed with help from the NRC Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP). A laser measurer plugs directly into a portable tablet PC-based CAD system that produces precise measurements and a digital CAD diagram that is easier to read than a blueprint.

Pepcom and Laptop Magazine Announce Awards Tonight at MobileFocus Media Event in New Orleans; Awards Will Honor the Best in Mobile and Wireless Technology
Business Wire

Mobile Computer/Professional Winner: IBM ThinkPad T43 Finalists: Toshiba Tecra M3, Dell Latitude D410, Panasonic Toughbook Y2, Motion Computing M1400 Tablet PC

Toshiba tablet gets results at lower cost than rivals
Los Angeles Times

Submitted for your consideration: the new Toshiba R15 Tablet PC. At $1,599 with a CD burner built in, it is dramatically lower priced than most contenders offering clipboard-size laptops that fold transformer style into handwriting-enabled tablets.

Think of conveniences like having a handy tablet in the automobile that can reach out for addresses and phone numbers as you drive along. We'd always be in reach of Mapquest. Kiss goodbye the era of asking for directions at the 7-Eleven.

The Tablet PC I reviewed will translate e-mail and then read it aloud in various computerized voices. Using handwriting recognition, it finally is possible to use a pencil (a stylus actually) to jot a quick e-mail message.

On to the review:

The Toshiba Satellite R15's central processor is the 1.6 gHz Centrino from Intel with a built-in power management feature that must work as promised because I got four hours of battery life.

The Windows XP for Tablet PC operating system has become very good at recognizing both cursive and printed writing.

On the downside, the Satellite lacks Microsoft Office and it doesn't burn DVDs, just CDs. The single stylus included costs $52 to replace if lost.

March 15 , 2005

Fujitsus Convertible T4000 Tablet PC
Designtechnica

A new indoor-outdoor wide-view display provides exceptional visibility at all angles and lighting conditions and an indoor high-resolution screen delivers striking clarity.

With the introduction of the two additional display options, Fujitsu offers the most display choices available in any convertible Tablet PC

Fujitsu Tablet PC Offers Unmatched Versatility with New DisplayOptions for Every Work Setting
PR Newswire

Fujitsu Computer Systems today announced two new display options for the LifeBook(R) T4000 Tablet PC, making it the ideal convertible for all types of work environments and lifestyles. A new indoor-outdoor wide-view display provides exceptional visibility at all angles and lighting conditions and an indoor high-resolution screen delivers striking clarity. The new display options offer unmatched flexibility in choosing the most appropriate display for working indoors, in varying lighting settings or in situations that require the highest resolution.

Versatility continues to distinguish the LifeBook T4000 Tablet PC, which combines the convenience and familiarity of a notebook with the powerful and flexible functionality of a slate. With the introduction of the two additional display options, Fujitsu offers the most display choices available in any convertible Tablet PC.

"Computers should adapt to the way the user works, which is the design philosophy behind offering the industry's broadest selection of Tablet PC displays," said Paul Moore, director of product marketing for mobile computing at Fujitsu Computer Systems. "Today's workforce has a range of viewing requirements that can now be accommodated by the diverse display options offered with the LifeBook T4000 Tablet PC."

If viewing from all angles in all types of light is essential for working successfully, the LifeBook T4000 Tablet PC offers an indoor/outdoor wide-view display option 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, the LifeBook T4000 Tablet PC now offers a 12.1 inch, indoor high-resolution SXGA+ TFT display 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.

The 12.1-inch XGA TFT Indoor/Outdoor wide-view display option is priced at $150 and the 12.1-inch SXGA+TFT Indoor high-resolution display option is priced at $50. The LifeBook T4000 Tablet PC with display options is available through the Fujitsu direct sales force, Web site and channel partners.

Microsoft pops Viagra into English language
Inquirer

SOFTWARE GIANT Microsoft said it has introduced something called the Digital Pharma initiative, in cooperation with Pfizer, Merck and other companies.

The thrust of the statement is that all 18 companies involved will use .NET Framework. Vole gives an example - "closed loop promotion", devised by Accenture. This lets sales reps use a web interface to transfer customer data and product information while they're out and about, using a Tablet PC.

Microsoft Digital Pharma Initiative Is Supported by More Than 18 Companies
Yahoo News

Strong Ecosystem of Industry Partners Including Accenture, HP and Siebel Provides Range of Innovative Solutions That Enable Speed-to-Insight and Value-for-Cost for the Pharmaceutical Industry

Today at the Pharmaceutical Technology Congress, more than 18 companies announced support for Microsoft® Digital Pharma, a practical vision and solutions framework that is designed to enable pharmaceutical and life sciences companies to realize their full potential by increasing speed-to-insight and value-for- cost. This strong showing of partner support will provide pharmaceutical companies with a broad range of industry-specific solutions to help best meet their needs over time.

Motion Computing Inc. Motion Computing -- a Tablet PC market leader -- combines world-class product innovation and ultramobile computing and wireless industry experience so people can use their computers in new ways and places. The company designs and engineers award-winning Tablet PCs and accessories for pharmaceutical professionals who need a combination of true mobility, power and versatility. The lightweight, ultramobile Motion Tablet PC empowers any employee -- from traveling sales representative to corporate executive -- to maximize productivity while on the go. Marketed directly through the company's Web site and an experienced international reseller network, each Motion product is built to customer specifications. More information can be found at http://www.motioncomputing.com.

Microsoft Announces Digital Pharma Initiative, Providing Comprehensive Solutions Framework to Drive Business Efficiency and Speed-to-Insight in the Pharmaceutical Industry
Yahoo News

One example is Closed Loop Promotion (CLP), a successful offering conceptualized by Accenture. CLP redefines the interaction between sales representatives and physicians, using the Microsoft platform for collaboration and rapid exchange of information, and using a Web-based interface to deliver customer data and product information to representatives in the field. The solution utilizes pen-based, touch-screen Tablet PCs built on the Microsoft Windows® XP Tablet PC Edition operating system to interactively share information. Accenture combines its knowledge of the relevant business issues with software from Proscape and Siebel to deliver the benefits of Closed Loop Promotion.

CompactFlash 5.5-digit DMM
Ferret, Australia 

THE PDA-DMM from Meilhaus Germany is a new concept in test equipment that allows a PDA, Notebook, Tablet-PC and all other systems equipped with a CF or PCMCIA slot, to be turned into a dual channel Graphical Digital Multimeter with sophisticated analysis capabilities.

March 16 , 2005

Arcs of Fire Day in the Life Videos
arcsoffire.com

New videos have been posted at the Arcs of Fire Web Site

Arcs of Fire - a game and hardware evolution paper. 

Video 1 - Overview of the Arcs of Fire Design Concept

Video 2 - Overview of the Arcs of Fire Game Engine Code

Video 3 - Overview of the Arcs of Fire SDK Code

MEC day 2 is over
tuxreports

Time to put the feet up and relax after the second day at the Microcomputer Education Conference (MEC 2005).

Not as many people dropped by the booth today as yesterday, which I'd expect. I'm guessing there were probably 50 people. Several were repeats. And by the end of the day several recruited their colleagues to come by and see the Tablets too.

Our last booth visitor was a gentleman pushing for the conference to do more with Tablets next year. He wants to see teachers talk about their Tablet deployments. The conference organizer suggested a session on managing a Tablet deployment would be a good idea too. Her "day job" partly centers around handling training for ASU's blackboard system and she described how a cookbook set of solutions using Tablets and GoBinder would be a great idea.

Tablet PC Development Webcast on Friday!
whatisnew

"Tablet and Mobile PC Applications Development" is the first in a series of webcasts. Anyone is welcome to attend, but those of you interested in creating note-taking applications should definitely attend.

Join us for the first webcast in the series entitled "Tablet and Mobile PC Applications Development", designed for .NET Developers. This session focuses on the InfiNotes Note Taking Framework built by Agilix Labs Inc. as an extension to the Tablet PC SDK and Visual Studio .Net Development environment.

Listening to The Tablet PC Show, Episode #2
whatisnew

Register for Gnomedex 5.0
whatisnew

Electrovaya Scribbler SC2200 Windows XP Tablet Edition Notebook
PDA Buyer's Guide

We reviewed the Electrovaya Scribbler SC 2010 exactly one year ago and marveled at its extremely long battery life. Electrovaya has upped the ante with the SC 2200, which has an even higher capacity battery! Electrovaya is a company that knows power, and their Scribbler SC2200 will last you longer than any other Windows XP Tablet Edition computer or any consumer notebook for that matter. Electrovaya is known for their work with Lithium Ion batteries and they've made a name for themselves in the XP Tablet market in the last three years as well. While the Scribbler 2010 used their own 9,500 mAh (that's huge capacity) SuperPolymer Lithium Ion battery, the SC 2200 has a 10,200 mAh SuperPolymer battery. That's nearly 10 times the capacity of the Dell Axim X50 Pocket PC's battery and three times the average notebook battery capacity.

The Scribbler is a slate or tablet design machine which, unlike convertibles, has no permanently attached keyboard. Instead you can snap on the included keyboard which doubles as a hard-top display cover when needed and otherwise carry it on your arm as if it were a pad of paper. It runs Windows XP Tablet Edition 2005 which offers several key input improvements over the original Windows XP Tablet Edition.

March 17 , 2005

OrangeGuava+ActiveWords
orangeguava.com

ActiveWords adds words to Windows, providing a personal, portable, context free user interface with immediate response. Your words launch programs, jump to websites, send email, substitute text, search, and more.

Used together with OrangeGuava Desktop, ActiveWords can be triggered with both keyboard and ink.

Take a look at the 25 second video to see how well it works.

Using Your Tablet PC for Networking and Working Remotely While Traveling
whatisnew.com

In the beginning, Windows XP Tablet PC Edition was aimed at two types of professionals: the Corridor Warrior who worked away from his desk in meeting rooms and labs and the Road Warrior who took her Tablet PC on trips across the country or all over the world. Now that the Tablet PC is in more widespread use, it's become clear that many other professionals can benefit from using a Tablet PC.

Toshiba Now Shipping Affordable Convertible Satellite Notebook for Consumer Market
Business Wire

Toshiba's Digital Products Division, a division of Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc. and provider of industry-leading portable computers, projectors and other mobile-related services and products, today announced the availability of the Satellite(R) R15-S822, the company's third-generation convertible notebook and targeted at mainstream notebook users, starting at $1,599.(1)

The Satellite R15-S822 convertible notebook allows users to work with a traditional keyboard or rotate and fold the screen down for use as a Tablet PC with digital pen-based input and control. Consumers are given the capabilities of a full-featured notebook with the added convenience of handwritten notes.

Designed for students, teachers, independent professionals and others, the Satellite R15-S822 is currently available from ToshibaDirect (www.toshibadirect.com) and major consumer electronics and computer stores nationwide.

With a 14.1-inch XGA display, the Satellite R15-S822 simulates the dimensions of a paper notepad in Tablet PC mode, offering a large 8.5-by-11-inch writing and viewing area. A Tablet PC Input Panel allows users to later convert digitized "ink" into text.

Equipped with Microsoft(TM) Office OneNote(TM) 2003 software, users can write and draw just like they would with pen and paper, as well as edit, organize and even search through handwritten notes on their Tablet PC. OneNote 2003 allows users to record audio notes as well.

The Satellite R15-S822 features an integrated DVD-CD/RW optical disc drive for multimedia enjoyment, 60GB hard drive(2), 512MB memory (expandable to 2GB) and Intel(TM) Centrino(R) Mobile Technology(3), and Microsoft(TM) Windows(R) XP Tablet PC Edition 2005 operating system.

MSDN webcast explores Tablet PC .NET application development
WindowsForDevices

MSDN has announced the first in a series of one-hour webcasts titled "Tablet and Mobile PC Applications Development," aimed at .NET Developers. The first session will take place Friday, March 18 at 10:00 am PST, and will be led by Michelle McKelvey, ISV architect of Microsoft's Mobile Platforms Division, and Bernd Helzer, senior architect of Agilix Labs Inc.

GiveMePower's PowerCAD SiteMaster Receives Microsoft Mobile2Market Mobile2Market Certification
Business Wire

PowerCAD SiteMaster Becomes First Solution Of Its Kind To Receive "Designed For Windows Mobile" Logo Certification; Assures Highest Quality Standards and Exposure Through Microsoft's Mobile2Market Program

Replacing traditional "measuring tape and paper" methods, SiteMaster allows one person to more quickly use precise measurements from BlueTooth(R) wireless lasers such as the Leica DISTO(TM) Plus to instantly create detailed 'as-built' floor plans, construction and inspection drawings on a Pocket PC, Pocket PC cell phone, Handheld PC, XP Tablet PC, laptop or desktop computer running Windows(R) Mobile(TM), Windows XP(R), Windows XP Tablet PC(R) and Windows 2000(R) operating systems

March 18 , 2005

TabletKiosk has a limited number of Slate Style Tablet PC's available for 1195.00 - *While Supplies last*

TABLET SPECIAL

Sahara Slate

1.0 GHz Transmeta Processor

256MB Ram

30 GB HDD

802.11B Wi-Fi

Simple Stand

Portfolio Carry Case

XP Tablet Operating System

$1195*

* Plus Tax and Shipping, while supplies last
($100.00 TabletPc2.com reader discount does not apply to this special)

To purchase contact:

Martin J. Smekal
Ph:  310.782.1201   Fx:  310.782.1205
martin@tabletkiosk.com