Friday, March 09, 2007

Samsung Q2 not announced in Australia...yet


Don’t think I was going to let the Samsung Q2 go under the radar just like that! I was caught up with so much work and distracted with the fact that I will be overseas soon (more on that later). I’m want to take a moment to contribute thoughts regarding the new release in the hope of assisting some of my loyal readers.


The Samsung Q2 looks ergonomically fantastic. The QWERTY keyboard while, yes, it is split, I can certainly appreciate the thought that has gone into the positioning. If you think about your poor wrists, and just how top heavy this unit might have been had the QWERTY keyboard been placed at the bottom of the device, then you might consider the positioning a fluke, or a clever OH&S (Operation Health and Safety) consideration.


Another massive benefit on the Q2 is the camera array! How many times I have heard people wish that the Video Camera staring at them on an ASUS R2H or an EO i7210 was actually a Digital still camera, and placed on the other side. Well, lots! The inherent productivity benefits for someone working in an asset management environment or with data mining applications is massive here. Add the Tablet PC features (more on that in a minute) and the camera array becomes corporately appealing…we all know it’s also geek heaven.


The introduction of left and right click for me is a winner. I find myself favouring this form of input so often on the R2H and the EO i7200 series. It makes navigation, and especially right-click, a lot easier. On the Samsung Q1, Q1B and Q1P, one could always program the hotkeys (U1 through to U4) to perform this task, but I always preferred to program those for something much more convenient, and far less menial. Look at this video to remind yourself what I thought of programmable hotkeys.


Next I must admit that biometric is very useful. Recently when I was exploring the ability for touch screen devices to wake-on-touch I realized that it was not achievable because of hardware limitations. Because most touch screens that sit inside these Origami devices are based on an internal USB touch controller they therefore lack the ability to wake-on-touch, i.e. come back out of standby by simply tapping on the screen. I don’t know if you guys know but a fingerprint reader can actually be told to wake the device out of standby! To me this presents a quirky Star Trek type of feature that is also highly functional. I know I will be looking further into this when I get my Q2.


On the negative side it is probably crucial that we remember one important feature that is Absent Without Leave (AWOL). The TIP (Tablet Input Panel). Now I might be wrong, and I might be repeating what a hundred other Tablet blogs are saying (I haven’t been reading, sorry) but doesn’t Vista Home Edition lose Tablet PC features? The features found in Start, All Programs and then found in the Tablet PC folder, will actually be missing and not available. This sends off warning bells for me as from the little I knew about the Origami Project I always thought that it was designed to bring down the cost of a traditional Tablet PC…not kill it off!


The second concern I have, especially after viewing the Engadget photos, is the physicality of the device. It looks as though the Q1 has been basking in its own glory for a little too long and in turn forgotten to keep slim. When looking at the photo of the person holding the Q2 it looks uncomfortably fatter and bigger overall. It may just be the way I am looking at it. You tell me.
Since some of you asked it might interest you to know that I heard about the Q2 and its QWERTY keyboard about 8 days ago only. I won’t say who let it slip because of fear of repercussion upon them but I can say it was someone of rank and authority. Upon hearing the news I was intrigued immediately and concerned for the ergonomics; I guess the Engadget photos have done a great job of answering that.


Now the sad news for Australians and New Zealanders; Samsung Korea is still not convinced there is a market here! I had to get their attention by selling Q1s as a grey import for several months before I was actually allowed to have them for “real”. The Q1B and Q1P are not available in this region and the Samsung Q2 is most certainly not coming any time soon either…unless I get involved again. What do you think? Should we get the Samsung Q2 to Australia?

In case you haven’t seen, have a look at the little banner ad one the Samsung.com website promoting the Q2 at the CeBIT Show Hannover. I’m sure it will be well covered by bloggers.

11 comments:

propstm said...

"Now the sad news for Australians and New Zealanders; Samsung Korea is still not convinced there is a market here! I had to get their attention by selling Q1s as a grey import for several months before I was actually allowed to have them for “real”. The Q1B and Q1P are not available in this region and the Samsung Q2 is most certainly not coming any time soon either…"

in other words... It's all fun and games, until Hugo isn't allowed to play with the new gadget!

I'm sure one will make its way into your hands somehow. :-)

Hugo Gaston Ortega said...

hahaha...so now you're getting to know me Matt!

Whilst 75% of my readersship is in countries other than AU the fact still remains that the 25% that are in AU rely on me for this sort of information, e.g. availability and forcasts.

So will a Q2 make it to me some day??? Lets ponder that for a second...

LOL *smiles*

Anonymous said...

Hugo,

I have been hanging out for a umpc with at least 1024 pixel display (try running adobe light room or raw photo shooter on anything less and you will yourself in grief).

I am in australia and I would be one of the first to spend a few sheckles on the q2. It would be even better if I could retro fit a SSD later as pc's get a flogging in camera bags/planes etc.

So I guess I would be a strong supporter for the q2 in australia. If they dont bring them in, I will still consider buying online from the US or europe.

Anonymous said...

"Now I might be wrong, and I might be repeating what a hundred other Tablet blogs are saying (I haven’t been reading, sorry) but doesn’t Vista Home Edition lose Tablet PC features? "

According to the box and comparison charts this is correct; however, I recently upgraded my TC1100 to Home premium edition and the TIP and other tabletPC functions are working just fine once I downloaded the drivers. I haven't loaded Vista on my UX280 or Fujitsu p1510d, but soon.

Hugo Gaston Ortega said...

Hey Photographer! I thought you dropped off the face of the earth or something...glad you're well.

Q2 looks good doesn't it. Especially when you consider the battery options and accessories, someone like you that travels a lot could really benefit from this sort of next-gen device!!! If Tegatech get it, it will go live on the site immediatley.

Keep shooting!

-->

Hello MathProfJohnson,

That's welcomed news. It would be a shame to lose site of these special features that were once dubbed "The Tablet PC OS." The TIP being one of the key ingredients in Tablet PC to means that it should almost always ship with touch screen solutions. Come on OEMs, it's confusing enough for Mr. and Mrs. Non-Technical.

Thanks prof for the feedback. Keep us posted.

Anonymous said...

Hi Hugo

The Q2 looks interesting, particularly the split thumbpad a la pepperpad but I think the positioning of the fingerprint reader is unfortunate for anyone with large hands. I have noticed on my R2h that I get false readings from my left thumb covering it. The fingerprint reader needs to be positioned somewhere away from where the users hands hold the machine, possibly above the monitor or on the top face of the machine.

Brett (in Bris)

Hugo Gaston Ortega said...

Hey BrisVegas Brett!

As usual a great piece of feedback from a true user. Basis fact on fiction is very popular on blogs, here however it's Mr. Brett that comes through with a great bit of feedback. ASUS...are you listening!

Cheers Brett. Don't know about you but I'm really concerned about the thickness of the device. Is it only me interpreting it this way?

Anonymous said...

Thanks Hugo

I wouldn't mind it being a bit thicker - After all my research I didn't realise that the US R2h in reviews has a 4 cell battery and the Aust one only a 2 cell one. Saving up. Hasn't been a big problem though; one lecture room has an ext cord hanging down the wall, in the other I put it into sleep mode when the lecturer is waffling and when I need to write I hit the start button.

Everyone at uni who has seen it including the lecturers has been impressed with the size and with what it can do but I think the price will need to come down for them to really start selling.

Brett

Hugo Gaston Ortega said...

Hi Brett,

Yes, overseas the R2H had a 4 cell shipped with it, while in AUstralia it is a 2 cell that is standard. THe amazinf thing when you look at this fact is tht ASUS gets the more life out of their 2 cell than most others out of their 3 cell. This means the 4 cell is a really good buy. In Australia I am told the 4 cell RRP is worth $149 (AUD). Not a lot really.

UNI sounds great in that power cords abound all over the shop. Really means that battery life is barely an issue at all. Awesome!

Keep turning heads mate! With the R2H.

abarwick said...

Hi Hugo:

"Now I might be wrong, and I might be repeating what a hundred other Tablet blogs are saying (I haven’t been reading, sorry) but doesn’t Vista Home Edition lose Tablet PC features? "

According to Engadget it is running Vista Home Premium.

So with the Home Premium edition it should have the Tablet PC features according to this Vista comparison chart :)


Alex

Hugo Gaston Ortega said...

Cheers Alex!

The Chart is the truth...great work Team!