Uber Tablet: A Tablet PC Talk Spot

A Question of Ecosystem Viability

2011-03-06T03:58:00.000+11:00

Two major rumors in the last week have me thinking about ecosystem viability and what it means for tablet PCs in the next year or two. The first rumor was a potential game changer as a video surfaced (via CrackBerry) of a Playbook demo in which an RIM representative can be overheard saying the PlayBook will support Android Apps. It’s not the first rumor of this sort, but it’s the first one to come directly from RIM (even unconfirmed).

The other rumor is that Microsoft’s newest operating system – Windows 8 – won’t be ready for tablet integration until the second half of 2012. With recent rumors pinning the development of Windows 8 around build 3 and a beta likely to be released this summer, the timing seems about right (though possibly a bit earlier in 2012 than some people think). That’s a long time to wait to get into a market that is starting to boom as we speak.

Both rumors (and the reaction of writers to them) point to one thing – the market can only support so many development ecosystems. It’s not so much about the people who buy these devices. If the Apps and hardware are there, people will buy any number of different operating systems.

That’s not the problem. The problem is that when there are too many options, developers tend to shift resources to those platforms that are the most profitable – in this case iOS and Android. RIM seems to be at least contemplating that as they don’t deny rumors of Android support on the Playbook. And while this is a great way to drive sales, it will probably further deflate the Playbook development community. Why would a developer produce two apps – one for Android and one for Playbook – when they could just as easily create only an Android app?

On the other side of the coin, Microsoft is still playing catch up, and unfortunately they are doing it slowly. It’s sad to see a company that was so much at the front end of tablet PC development fall so far behind the curve. By the time they release their first tablet specific OS, if Windows 8 is tablet specific, the iPad will have been on the market for two full years with a third generation device just having launched (if it follows Apple’s normal development cycle).

Android will have had a full year to propagate on new tablets and there will be at least two other major players on the market in the Playbook and HP’s WebOS. If Windows 8 was released right now, it would be a little late to the party. By 2012, the party might be moved somewhere else entirely.

This is a new age of ecosystem sales. People don’t just buy devices – they buy the experience those devices offer. And the more people buy into the iOS and Android experiences, the less likely any of them will shift to a new model, especially developers who make so much money with the current offerings.

Of course, things can change. We don’t know what Windows 8 for tablets will look like. Deep integration with a desktop, advanced handwriting support, a centralized app store, actual ARM support for longer battery life – these are all features that could help Microsoft’s new offering succeed. But, will it be too little too late? That remains to be seen.

Should Your Tablet Be a Desktop Extension?

2011-03-04T10:40:00.000+11:00

I like to use my tablet PC as a replacement for most of the technology I own. That’s not to say I don’t use a PC or mobile phone at all, but in general, if I can get away with using a tablet, I do. So, I am always intrigued when a new player in the remote desktop market arrives and people start talking once more about how useful it is to access your PC on the go.

Specifically, Citrix has finally released their GoToMyPC software for the iPad – something many Citrix subscribers have been waiting for. LogMeIn and Team Viewer have both been available for a while on the iPad and there are a handful of cloud tools to access files and remote file structures, so this isn’t new, but it is interesting.

It comes down to one thing though – should a tablet PC be a fully functional workstation replacement? The question has been asked a lot lately because, frankly, the first few generations of tablets tried very hard to be fully functional. Even modern Windows 7 tablets provide full functionality of a PC with some hardware limitations. It was the iPad that changed all that – paring down what a tablet does to simple, intuitive multi-touch gestures. Android tablets are a little more powerful and have far more latitude for developers, but the same idea remains – it’s not a complete desktop replacement…yet.

Eventually, I envision a tablet PC market that can utterly replace desktops. It happened with notebooks and laptops in the 2000s. Early laptops were heavy, had very poor battery life and couldn’t keep up with even mid-range desktops. That has changed. You can buy laptops today that last for 6+ hours unplugged and provide plenty of power for desktop publishing, graphic design, and even gaming.

So, it will probably not be long before we see a sharp increase in the viability of tablet PCs as notebook and desktop replacements.

But, it goes beyond the power under the hood. You can make a super powerful tablet PC, but if the software and input solutions are not there to provide users with the intuitive interface they need to use something like Photoshop CS5 or Office 2010, it gets tricky. And that’s when people start looking to software solutions like GoToMyPC.

Personally, I think this software is fantastic. It provides a great option for enterprise users especially who don’t want to upload sensitive documents to the cloud where they are vulnerable. It also allows us to access software not yet available on the iPad or Android devices. But, as time passes, we as consumers need to support the idea that the developer community building up around tablets will provide these solutions and finally allow us to use our tablets as full blown workstations.

The time is coming – it’s just a matter of when.

Getting Data into Your Tablet

2011-03-01T01:21:00.000+11:00

One of the most interesting things about tablet PCs is the fact that there are now so many different input methods. Where before the input methods on a PC were fairly static – mouse and keyboard for most of us – we now have handwriting recognition, Bluetooth keyboards, multi-touch, and a handful of other software solutions that are growing in popularity.

So, which is best? Whichever method you like best to maximize productivity is probably the best solution. I have my preferences and you likely have your own, but here are some of the more interesting ways to get more out of your tablet, depending on how you use it.

Handwriting Recognition

For iPad and Android users, handwriting recognition is fairly limited, but for those that use a Windows tablet like I do, handwriting recognition is fantastic. Microsoft’s TIP – which they’ve been working on for more than a decade now – offers intuitive interaction with most applications and allows you to easily input your thoughts. Software like OneNote even makes your handwritten notes searchable.

Bluetooth Keyboard

While I have almost universally switched from typing to handwriting on my tablet, sometimes you need to write a little bit more and having a good keyboard on hand is very helpful. Bluetooth keyboards are generally mobile and lightweight and they can be synced to your device on the fly only when you need them.

Built-In Multi-Touch

The multi-touch interface on the iPad and Android devices is very good. It allows simple, intuitive interaction with your data that feels fantastic. This type of input is wonderful for web surfing, checking email, or other tasks that don’t require a lot of data entry. It is only when working on spreadsheets or documents, or typing long emails that the interface can be most frustrating.

SWYPE

SWYPE is a software solution for data input and it is fantastic. It takes the technology behind autocomplete, which has been standard on mobile phones for many years now, and ups the ante considerably. Instead of just guessing what you’re trying to say based on the form of the word, SWYPE predicts text based on the motions of your finger across a keyboard.

To start, you place your finger on the first letter of a word, and then you move your finger around the keyboard in a swiping gesture, touching each letter in the word. The algorithm in SWYPE then determines which word you were targeting and displays it on the screen. All this would be useless without accuracy. Luckily, SWYPE is incredibly accurate and one of the fastest non-keyboard input methods for a tablet.

And of course, there are other tools like Dragon Naturally Speaking or the Windows Speech Recognition tools built-into all Windows Vista and Windows 7 tablets.

However you enjoy inputting commands into your computer, a tablet PC has solutions designed to meet your needs. And because of the robust developer community growing around tablets, we’re likely to see even more incredible methods in the years to come.

Honeycomb Arrives - What Happens Next?

2011-02-25T06:06:00.000+11:00

Today is the day – the first Honeycomb tablet officially hits the market today, arriving at Verizon stores and Best Buys across the United States. And on the 2^nd we will finally hear from Apple about their new iteration of the iPad. The year of the tablet is officially underway and that means there will soon be more tablets than we know what to do with crowding shelf space at your local electronics store. What role will Android play in the new market and how will the platform develop in 2011? Right now we are still guessing, but there are quite a few possibilities.

Full Android Functionality

For those that wanted a full scale PC experience on a tablet computer, the early Android releases like the Galaxy Tab were a little disappointing. Samsung’s first foray into the tablet market was impressive, but it was pared down quite a bit due to the use of Android 2.2, an OS designed for mobile phones.

With Honeycomb finally here, we will likely start to see new apps and possibly even new tablets that can do exciting things. It will still be a bit of time though before the apps roll in as the final Honeycomb SDK was just released on Tuesday. But, with new tablets coming from the likes of LG and Toshiba, plus Motorola throwing quite a bit of marketing weight into their first slate, Android is getting a strong push in 2011.

The Enterprise

An area we should keep a close eye is the enterprise. Companies are clamoring right now to adopt and integrate tablet PCs into their technology plans. But, thus far only the iPad has made an impact in the enterprise community, mostly because there were so few competitors in 2010. Even though Apple claims 80% of Fortune 500 companies are exploring enterprise use of the iPad, I imagine many will take a closer look at Honeycomb tablets as a potential alternative in 2011.

The iPad is not built for enterprise use, and while Apple has produced a handful of features and is expanding support for enterprise on the platform, the open nature of Android is friendlier for IT departments that must contend with support tickets and content control on a mobile scale. Third party companies are already arriving with solutions for Android like push app installation, remote support and rebooting, remote content control, and lost or stolen device detection.

And while BlackBerry Playbook will surely be a factor in the enterprise discussion this year, until it is released, there is no way to know if it will be the device to fill the gaping hole in enterprise mobility or if Honeycomb can make headway in that market.

What Happens Next?

Everyone wants to know what happens next – will Apple slide in market share to Android as it did in the smart phone market? Or will Apple’s commanding lead be bolstered by the iPad 2, likely arriving sometime between April and June? It is impossible to know for sure, but one thing is for certain – the arrival of Honeycomb is going to have a big impact on the tablet market and we will all be watching very closely.

The Importance of Display Size in a Successful Tablet

2011-02-22T08:03:00.000+11:00

A lot of people argue right now about what the perfect tablet looks like. Should it have this feature or that feature? Does it need Android or Windows or iOS? Can anyone but Apple but profitable? There are a lot of little quirks in the tablet market right now that are drawing attention from analysts, but one of the biggest is probably display size.

Can a successful tablet hit the market with a display size of less than 10”? Steve Jobs doesn’t think so, and yet we have news that Apple may be preparing a new product that is essentially a larger iPod Touch, checking in at 5” instead of the 3.5” that it sits at now. And that brings up even more questions. Not only does display size matter, but how small is too small for a tablet to be a tablet anymore? When does it become a media player or gaming device?

The Profit Margin Issue

Right now, one of the major issues for most manufacturers is that Apple has a pretty big portion of the component market cornered. With all that cash sitting around, the company can afford to make moves like they did in January to shore up $3.9 billion in components. And Apple’s estimated share of the display component market is growing larger constantly as they prepare to expand their iPad offerings.

So, it drives up the costs for other companies to build their own 10” screens and when they launch, like the Xoom will next week, the cost is much higher than many would like (the Xoom will sell for $799 without subsidies). Other devices, however, have launched at smaller sizes and have kept cost down. The Galaxy Tab and Dell Streak 7 are both 7” tablets that sell for less than $500 with subsidies while sporting decent technical specs. And while sales are brisk, they are nowhere near in line with Apple’s.

Some say it is because of Apple’s dominating lead, but others point out that a tablet of only 7” starts to look an awful lot like an oversized media player. Typing on the screen and performing daily tasks gets a bit tougher, though not impossible at that size. I don’t think there is degradation in usability, but many people will look at a small device and compare it to the iPad their friend or neighbor has and wonder, why.

What’s the Perfect Size?

There is no perfect size for a tablet screen. Just like some users prefer a netbook screen of only 10” to a 26” monitor on their desk, others will prefer a 7” tablet they can place in their pocket to a 10” screen that requires a bag to carry.

What I’m really interested in right now is what consumers are willing to purchase. How will manufacturers balance price and function to effectively take a larger portion of the market away from Apple? In 2011 we will see a number of new 7 inch tablets along with many new 10 inch models. Assuredly, the 10” tablets will continue to sell better, especially because Apple will keep their iPad at 10” only.

However, with new options opening up in oversized media players and low cost devices, the market is still far from set, and through it all, display size will likely play a major role in consumer interest.

What Should a Tablet Really Cost?

2011-02-19T07:03:00.001+11:00

I remember early 2010 before the iPad turned into something more than a longstanding rumor. A lot of people were interested to see what Apple could do to jumpstart a tablet PC industry that to date had only drawn interest from a handful of tech enthusiasts. Sleek design, intuitive features and mass market appeal went a long way, but what blew away a lot of people was the $499 price point.

Of course, there are more expensive iPads. The top end model with 64GB of storage and a 3G antenna costs $829, on par with the projected sale price of the new Motorola Xoom, but if you ask someone how much an iPad costs, most would say “$500”.

What about the New Guys?

With that in mind, can new devices compete with Apple when their starting price points are so much higher? A lot of the excitement surrounding the Xoom was tempered when we found out it would ship at $799 with a WiFi only model available for $600. The Galaxy Tab only gets under that magic $500 price point with a contract through a mobile carrier.

And it’s not as if Apple takes a hit on profits. I believe Apple likely makes the same amount of profit on their devices, regardless of a $500 price point, as Motorola, Samsung, RIM, HP and LG are likely to make with their new tablets. The difference is in the economics of scale. Apple produces significantly more devices when they launch a new product – they have a worldwide brand they can mobilize to sell those products. And now that Apple has taken such a commanding lead in the early tablet market, they can afford to keep their price points low going forward.

The cost of components are such that, unless a manufacturer plans well in advance, shoring up stockpiles of key components (especially those screen materials), they cannot afford to compete on certain levels. Apple’s moves in January to invest $3.9 billion in long term contracts for certain components show what a company with so much cash and an existing market so large can afford to do in shoring up its competitive advantage.

Remaining Profitable

The cost of components is always shifting and so too will profit margins for these companies. I’m hopeful that pricing will not harm companies that aim for innovation in the tablet market. Companies like Motorola and Samsung need to make a profit to stay in business. They cannot afford to cut their margins too thin just to compete with lower priced devices.

And as consumers, we need to remain supportive of higher priced devices with advanced technologies, especially if we ever want their prices to drop. Because unless they develop a stronger following, these other companies will never have the leverage needed to make the same investments as Apple.

How much should a tablet cost? I feel that functionality dictates a lot of the cost. An entertainment focused device like the iPad or Galaxy Tab should cost what a reasonable consumer can afford to pay - $500 seems to be the magic number. But, larger, more powerful tablets can and should be able to sell for slightly higher price points. What that number ends up being remains to be seen, but as long as consumer interest is there, hopefully it will remain low enough to be affordable. And for those companies that can afford it, WiFi only models and smaller screen sizes will be effective ways to provide a reduced cost lineup for entry level tablet users.z

Mass Market or Niche Specific - What a Tablet Needs to Succeed

2011-02-15T10:25:00.001+11:00

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – 2011 is going to be an interesting year. No one really knows where the tablet market is likely to take us and as a result, a lot of people are trying to guess. Just the other day, NDP Group threw out one of the biggest numbers I’ve seen yet – an estimate of more than 242 million tablets by 2015. Do I think it’s possible? Absolutely. Do we know for sure that it will happen? Not quite. And yet, part of the fun right now is trying to determine exactly where this tsunami of new technology will take us.

Will Apple dominate for years to come as they did in the portable music player niche? Or will then become one of many high profile players in the market as they did with their iPhone? Will Motorola make a strong debut at the end of the month despite a $799 price point on the Xoom? Or will then struggle to get a foothold against a less expensive, more ubiquitous device in the Apple iPad?

Right now, a lot of analysts are worried about pinpointing who can compete directly with the iPad. Maybe there isn’t a direct iPad competitor, but do we really need one anyways? The iPad fulfils a niche need. Despite its incredible sales numbers in 2010, the device cannot replace a desktop or laptop computer for heavy users. In fact, like many Apple products, the iPad is designed to provide the creature comforts of computing in a sleek, well-constructed frame. It is attractive, it is easy, and it has a LOT of Apps and media.

Other devices do not yet have these features, but that may be okay because in a market that is currently hurdling toward the future, the next big question should probably be “who can deliver the best device in each niche?” not who can provide another mass market device.

Companies thrive and customers win when the focus is taken away from trying to please the most possible customers instead of playing to strengths and developing a device that does specific things very well. And while devices like the Xoom and TouchPad look incredibly attractive, their success hinges largely on the ability of retailers and the manufacturer to market toward a tech-savvy niche of users who want more power in their devices.

How to Establish a Niche in a Growing Market

I don’t think no one stands a chance as a mass market manufacturer. There will surely be at least two or three very strong devices in the next two years that rise to the top of the field for Android and Windows tablet computing. But, as the tablet market moves forward, I think we will also see a strong shift in focus toward creating niche devices that serve more specific needs.

Even Apple has done this in the past with their Mac OS as Windows took and held a huge lead in the home operating system market. If you cannot be the biggest fish in your pond, find a smaller pond. Apple did that with schools and creative professionals.

And right now, I’m as excited to see what manufacturers do with medical devices and enterprise integration on tablets as I am to see what the next mass market entertainment-focused tablet can pull off. Convertible tablets, 3D based tablets and many more are drumming up interest right now and it’s a good thing. The more companies are willing to seek a specific niche in which they can excel, the more varied and advanced tablet technology is likely to get.

But for now, we are likely to see things shake out a bit between companies like Motorola, HP, LG, and Asus. Apple may have taken the crown in 2010 for mass market device of choice, but there are a lot of alternatives in 2011 hoping to give them a run for their money.

The Year of the Tablet Consumer

2011-02-12T01:27:00.000+11:00

Since CES I’ve felt like we’re building to something – a showdown of sorts slated for this spring. With dozens of new devices coming out in the next few weeks and even a handful of new operating systems set to land, the tablet market is about to change in ways we’ve never seen before. So, what does it mean for consumers? Let’s take a closer look at the state of the tablet market.

Sales and New Products

In 2010, there were 17 million tablet sales, most of which were Apple iPads. In 2011 that number is expected to climb north of 40 million and include a lot more Android and Windows devices. How much more of the share will be for other manufacturers remains to be seen, but one thing we can be sure about is that the ecosystem model developed by Apple isn’t going anywhere.

People want a device that provides a complete system. They want App stores and operating systems they come to know and trust throughout the day. They want a device that is operational but also a part of their identity – and while PCs and phones have done this, tablets stand to be even more of a cultural touchstone because of their mobility and the fact that they will be shared and used frequently in the presence of others.

Developments Coming Soon

As of two days ago, the signs still point to a release of the Motorola Xoom tablet on February 24^th. The Best Buy ad leaking the launch date also pegs the price point at $799 and shows a variety of data plans for those wanting high speed access.

When the Xoom launches it will signal the opening salvo in a yearlong back and forth between Apple and everyone else. While Apple clearly dominated in 2010 it was mostly because they blindsided the market. Other developers were not ready for the raw demand for tablets while Apple played the cards and guessed right. They subsequently cleaned up because of it.

In 2011, things won’t be so simple. New devices will likely come out with better technical specs and stronger performance numbers than the iPad, even after the iPad 2 launches. Apple will surely upgrade their device in April with a dual core processor, much more powerful screen and at least one camera, but will it be 4G? Will it support SD slots? Will it have HDMI out? These and a dozen other questions will fill the articles of tech writers everywhere and will likely impact how consumers respond to the flood of new devices.

And then there are the other guys. We cannot forget about RIM and their Playbook release set for some time in spring or summer. MeeGo may see its first major release in 2011 as the open source OS continues to gain steam. HP continues to promise a slew of new options in WebOS for tablets and Windows 7, despite a lack of new innovations at CES will continue to appear on new devices, including a number of convertible tablet/netbooks.

If 2010 was the year of the tablet, 2011 is the year of the consumer – users will have more options and greater opportunities to make choices that reflect their needs and desires in a device. Now, we just need to sit back and wait to see what the consumers decide.

Five Things You Need to Ask Before You Choose a Tablet Operating System

2011-02-09T08:39:00.000+11:00

It looks like we are only a couple weeks away from the first Honeycomb tablet hitting store shelves. To commemorate the moment and the soon to be rampant iOS vs. Honeycomb conversations, I want to talk about what an operating system should do for its user.

This post is not designed to single out any one operating system and declare it the “best”, though I’m sure we each have our opinions on that matter. Rather, I want to talk about what a good tablet PC should do for its user. We all use technology in different ways so we all have different expectations for what it will do.

1. Is it Truly Mobile?

One of the primary reasons tablets are so attractive is that they provide an untethered alternative to a desktop computer (and are markedly lighter than notebooks). But, in the age of streamlining and cloud connectivity, is your device really 100% mobile? Remember that tablet computers do not have optical drives and their storage space is usually limited to less than 64 GB (usually around 16-32) with some offering SD expansion slots. If you are required to plugin to software on a desktop or constantly delete and replace files, mobility suffers. In this category, iOS suffers due to its reliance on iTunes while Android works wonderfully due to its support for over-the-air updates and SD backups.

2. Will I Use it for Work?

Technology makes work easier, so many of us want to use our tablets to reply to emails, check spreadsheets and finish a few last minute edits. Some systems are better suited than others. A Windows tablet has access to Microsoft Office while Android has a burgeoning security environment starting to develop. A lot of enterprise users are waiting for the Playbook to arrive as well, to see what it will offer.

3. Will I Switch in the Future?

If you plan on changing devices in the future, iOS is out of the question. After spending hundreds of dollars on iOS Apps, it will be hard to make yourself replace them all on an Android or Windows device. Android is likely the most versatile device in this regard. MeeGo, while not yet available in most markets, will likely provide similar flexibility.

4. Apps or Hardware?

Are you a fiend for the highest end hardware or do you want the largest selection of Apps? By far, iOS wins the App arms race, though Android is close behind and the number of tablet specific apps is only growing. Windows suffers in software, but the devices tend to be decently powerful and provide a good number of enterprise features.

5. How Often Will I Use It?

Finally, how often do you plan on using your device? If you just want a device to entertain you on an airplane or train, Apple’s iPad is a great choice because of the sheer volume of movies, TV shows and apps. However, if you plan on using your tablet as a complete replacement for your notebook or desktop, you’ll want something more powerful and capable of being fully untethered all the time.

Choosing a tablet device is getting harder with each passing month as new options hit the market. So, be sure to spend enough time getting to know your options. It’s likely the OS you choose now will be with you for some time to come.

Honeycomb Gets Close and New Devices Start Teasing

2011-02-06T02:53:00.001+11:00

There is a lot of news to talk about this week, though on many sites you must sort through page after page of notes on the Verizon iPhone. For those not in the United States, the battle between iPhone users and AT&T isn’t that big of a deal, though it is interesting from the standpoint of market share since, as the largest consumer base for smartphones in the world, when something changes in the US it has resounding effects around the world.

That said, I’m intrigued by the slew of recent release dates, rumours and new content additions that have appeared on the radar of late. To start with, no one can quite figure out when the new wave of tablets will arrive this spring. An errant Best Buy Facebook Page accidentally said that the Xoom would be available on February 24 in the US. While this hasn’t been confirmed or denied, it seems more and more likely considering how long Motorola’s been sitting on this device.

Of course, since Honeycomb officially debuted three days ago, the floodgates are starting to slide further open as more people prepare to launch their first Android 3.0 devices. Our first official look at the OS was nice – the same slick interface we’ve come to know and love from Android but optimized for a bigger screen.

At the same time, news is swirling around the perceived announcement of an iPad 2. No one really knows when Apple will officially announce it, but Darrell Etherington at GigaOm doesn’t think it will be in the next week (at the 4.3 unveiling), if only because it’s too far from the likely launch date and Apple needs to be more careful with their announcements now that they have real competitors. To me, if the Xoom really does hit soon, I see Apple laying out their plans shortly afterwards to cut off the likely sales of Motorola’s new device, but it remains to be seen if that will happen. The price point for the Xoom will have an impact as well.

In other news, The Daily was officially announced this week and along with it a handful of competitors like New York Times’ News.me. I’m interested to see if this surge to provide an iPad newspaper will cross over to other tablets. It’s obvious that the news media and print industry are playing catch up right now, but at some point, they have to start to thinking ahead – whether for new devices or their admittedly weak subscription plans.

I suppose the message from this week is that we’re in a bit of a limbo phase. While there are some new devices hitting the market (the Dell Streak 7 arrived with a slightly disappointing screen and the first Asus Eee tablet with Windows is finally available), the big boys are still on hold – soon enough though we’ll get our hands on the Playbook, Xoom and iPad 2 and can start really arguing over which is best for 2011.

Getting Behind the Tablet Sales Numbers

2011-02-03T09:07:00.000+11:00

One thing that a lot of tablet PC prognosticators like to do is gauge and measure the market, either while a device is available or weeks to months ahead of its launch. So, when we do get data, inevitably it will be thrown around a dozen different ways before we understand what it really means.

Sometimes, numbers are simple. Estimates of more than 13 million iPads beings old seem realistic considering the demand for the device and the capacity at most retailers. However, the numbers for the Samsung Galaxy Tab, which reported to have sold 2 million units, are not quite the same. Usually, statements like this mean “2 million shipped to retailers” not actually sold to end users. We don’t know how many that means, but company statements have already tempered it quite a bit.

Measuring the Future

What does that mean for companies that have a new device coming out in 2011? What does it take to create a mainstream device and how does the public generally respond to certain features? No one knows. In fact, right now, the only devices on the market to draw data from are the mega-selling iPad and a dozen or so smaller devices with varying reviews and sales numbers – none of them with outstanding selling points.

I think that niche devices like the Playbook will actually sell decently well to their respective markets, though whether they can be mega-sellers in the mass market remains to be seen. I also think that there will probably be at least one other breakout device in 2011 – most likely the Xoom, though LG’s new tablet is starting to look very attractive with the announcement of multi-carrier 4G support and 3D playback.

We have no idea what will drive end-user interest. Reviews, technical specs, and usefulness have never really been the determining factors in what sells in the technology industry. Apple’s products are never the most powerful or the most feature-rich – they are often the “coolest” and that works for them. So, to be successful, does a company need to “out-cool” Apple or can they simply find their way into the niche through a variety of highly useful, mass-market features?

It remains to be seen. But, I have a feeling in 2011 we’ll be doing a lot of number parsing as sales numbers like that of the Galaxy Tab start to pour in.

Possible Component Issues in 2011?

2011-01-31T06:22:00.001+11:00

This year is shaping up to be a banner year for tablet makers with estimates pegged between 30 and 60 million devices being shipped this year. That’s a lot of tablets – almost 15% of the total PC market right now and growing rapidly, but as we all know, these devices don’t necessarily use the same components as a lot of traditional devices. Along with bloggers and pundits weighing in, many market analysts have added their opinion to the fray – some even downgrading shipment expectations due to potential shortages.

We already saw shortages to some degree in 2010 with some areas not getting iPad access nearly as quickly or in as great a number as the demand might signal. Other gadgets contributed to this shortage as Asian supplies of the components in LED backlights were stretched to the limit. So, it’s no surprise to anyone involved with the market that there may be a squeeze in 2011 as dozens of new manufacturers enter the market and attempt to shore up components.

Apple probably won’t hurt. This is a company notorious for measuring and quickly responding to demand for their products. Even when shortages have hit the Cupertino based tech giant, they have responded quickly. What really remains to be seen is how the other companies can respond to the heightened demand. Many companies need to buy components and that means getting orders in early without taking on too much financial burden before a product goes to market.

What this probably means is that most of the companies out there with big names and sure demand like Samsung with their Galaxy Tab and Motorola with their forthcoming Xoom will be fine. However, smaller companies who want to get into the market without over investing will likely produce a limited amount of initial stock. That could mean that if a device breaks through and becomes extremely popular that it will be faced with inevitable supply problems.

It will be interesting to see what all of these means for an industry that is already in upheaval mode right now. Will we see new players who were smart about their component orders and big companies fail because they didn’t think ahead? Or will everyone simply have trouble finding their next device this year?

Five Things a New Tablet OS Needs to Succeed

2011-01-27T05:44:00.000+11:00

In 2010, we saw the arrival of the first new tablet OS since Windows 7 was launched in the form of iOS. Android showed up on some tablets as well, though the first tablet-specific Android iteration is still a few months away. That means 2011 is shaping up to be a year of showdowns and epic feature comparisons between all the new tablet operating systems set to hit the market, including Honeycomb, RIM’s QNX OS, WebOS, and MeeGo – all slated to make their tablet debuts in the next 6 months. Along with a probably upgrade to the iOS in 5.0, what does each of these operating systems need to do to succeed in a suddenly very crowded market?

Security Options

Right now, the consumer market is booming. Children, college students, and 9-5ers are all clamouring for a new tablet to carry with them. But, the biggest market not yet invested in tablet computing is the enterprise field and that’s because of the lack of security on those devices. Android and iOS devices simply don’t have the necessary interface or tools needed to support a corporate system like RIM does. Whether the Playbook is the solution or not remains to be seen, but the tablet that pulls off a secure corporate environment first that is easy for IT departments to maintain will have a huge jumpstart.

Low Learning Curve

Of course, along with security, IT departments look for devices that are easy to pick up and use. We are still in a transitional generation – with many people in the workforce who did not grow up using computers. So, it is important that any new tablet OS be agile and easy to use. I don’t think we need to see an iPad clone, but we also need something more intuitive than the standard touch interface on Windows 7.

Unique Target User Base

I don’t know how many mass market devices can be supported in the tablet field. No one does. In personal computing, despite thousands of competitors, only two came out on top – Windows and Mac. Will we see the same very one sided race with tablets between iOS and Android? Or will the new OS options hitting the market target unique niches in which they can thrive – such as enterprise, creatives, or the youth set?

Strong First Party Interface

In 2010, the story behind Android and iOS often boiled down to who had more apps. But, in 2011 I think apps will start to take a back seat to the first party interface tools that come in the operating system. How does the manufacturer design the user experience and how effective are the free, built-in tools that make up the OS. We already know that no one can catch up to iOS or Android in terms of raw apps, and many companies have publically admitted they won’t try, so first party interface is vital to success.

Powerful Hardware

Finally, the hardware. The fanciest, most attractive operating system in the world won’t mean a thing if the hardware running it fails. Toshiba launched a DOA tablet in 2010 that ran a perfectly effective copy of Android, but the device itself was riddled with issues, including poor implementation of some hardware based features in Android. Whether Playbook’s OS or the new Honeycomb edition of Android are good or not will matter a lot less if the devices on which they are being run cannot hold up to scrutiny.

You’ll notice I didn’t discuss Apps as a major feature. Like I said, no one will catch up to iOS and Android. With nearly half a million apps in the App Store and nearly 200,000 in the App Marketplace, it’s too big of a lead. However, that doesn’t mean a new or revamped operating system cannot come out and wow us with strong first party tools, a dedicated niche, and a powerful support system that will drive sales.

Three Things Android 3.0 Has Going for It in 2011

2011-01-24T05:39:00.000+11:00

If last year was the year of the tablet, one has to accept that it was primarily the iPad that gets credit for that. So, if 2011 is the year of the tablet part 2, at least we get to spread the credit to a second platform this year as Android prepares to take over a major chunk of the tablet market thanks to the release of Honeycomb (3.0) and the variety of new devices that will go with it. So, what will drive success for the Android platform in 2011 – here are three possible sources.

Diversity

First up is diversity. With so many devices set to sport the newest Android edition, we know we’ll have a lot of options to choose from this year. Motorola’s Xoom is at the top of the list for sure, but there are also new Android tablets coming from Toshiba, Asus, and Acer. I’m a huge fan of diversity in technology – it forces ingenuity in ways we can only ponder right now. It will be interesting to see who comes out ahead and what features allow them to do so.

Openness

To me, openness is one of the major reasons Android stands to win in 2011. As more users come into the tablet market, there will be a greater emphasis put on being able to do whatever you want with your device. Access to Flash, integration of custom apps, and security installations for enterprise users are all big on many wants lists – and the iPad cannot yet deliver those things. Whether Android can or not remains to be seen, but it certainly stands a chance.

Ideas

Ideas come out of an open platform and diversity in hardware options. That’s what I’m hoping to see as manufacturers try to stand out as a new option in the increasingly crowded tablet market. As the rhetoric heats up between Apple and Android device makers, the opportunity to see new things is only going to increase. Already, we’ve seen the Xoom with its selection of intriguing new features and just yesterday, Toshiba announced their new Honeycomb tablet would sport a swappable battery (something we’ve been hoping for in a tablet for months now).

The Other Side

Android tablets are set to make a huge impact on the market this year. However, it’s entirely up to the manufacturers of those devices to make it happen. Right now, we’re seeing rumors of a $799 Xoom tablet from Motorola and last year, Toshiba’s first tablet foray was a certified disaster, so having Android 3.0 isn’t exactly a slam dunk.

But, 2011 is definitely shaping up to be some kind of year for the tablet PC and right now I’m guessing that Android will have a LOT to do with that.

And the Numbers Are In...

2011-01-21T01:02:00.000+11:00

Just yesterday, IDC released numbers for Q3 sales of tablets around the globe. As expected, those numbers were very good and as expected, a good percentage of them were iPads. Specifically, the numbers show that Apple made up nearly 90% of all tablets sold in the quarter with 4.2 million sales (of 4.8 million total shipments).

Of course, that’s the not the number I’m most interested in. The final numbers for total shipments in 2010 is expected to be roughly 17 million (once Q4 numbers are finalized) and a lot of those will be iPads for sure (though the Galaxy Tab made a nice run at the end of last year). But, it’s the prognostication for 2011 and 2012 that really draws my attention. IDC has pegged the 2011 market to be somewhere in the vicinity of 44 million tablets with 2012 expected to sell more than 70 million.

Of course, no one company could maintain numbers like that alone. Just like with the smartphone market which saw a huge surge in popularity with the iPhone, but ultimately gained most after Android was released, the tablet market looks ready to explode on the precipice of a widespread Android 3.0 rush.

It’s not just Android and manufacturers like Motorola and Asus that are pushing the market, however. Yes, Apple will have a new iPad available soon – probably in April – and it will likely sport at least 80% of the upgrades that Apple’s customer base has been driving for (the usual almost everything upgrade). But, there are also newcomers slated to hit the market soon, including RIM with their Playbook, HP with WebOS, and the newest versions of MeeGo. Windows tablets are still a tossup with third party extension being absolutely necessary at this point to drive any kind of innovation in those devices, but even so, by the time 2012 rolls around, we might be looking at the first Windows 8 tablets.

It’s amazing to see the growth we’ve seen in only the last 9 months. A year ago we were prognosticating that the tablet market might take off any time and Apple’s new device seemed like a tossup – it could be popular…or it could be a flop. And yet, with the iPad wedging open a new market and millions of consumers turning their attention to this burgeoning market, we are getting ready to enter a completely new era in mobile technology and personal devices.

I’m interested to see where it leads us – not just in sales numbers (these companies could sell anything), but in the actual real world uses of those products. How will they impact our lives in the two or three years to come and how will they affect the way business gets done? Those are the questions I am most excited to have answered.

Investing in Your Child’s Future

2011-01-18T05:56:00.000+11:00

I am frequently very interested in the technology and ideas that go into devices used by children. That’s not to say that I feel a child should spend 24/7 plugged into an electronic device. But, in an economy that stresses connectivity and mobility more and more in its workers, children need to start learning how these devices work and what they offer much earlier in life.

So, what then would be the greatest tech investment for a child? For a long time, the answer would have been a new computer. Where you put that computer and what you allow your child to do on it are personal decisions, but having at least one desktop accessible in the home for surfing the Internet, writing homework assignments and maintaining contact with family and friends is a must.

But, more and more, the trend is turning away from having the newest desktop or laptop technologies in front of our children and more towards mobile devices. There are a few reasons for this.

First, children can more directly relate to a touchscreen mobile device. They can carry it and instead of using a keyboard and mouse – slightly abstract concepts for inputting data – they can use their finger, something most children excel at.

For all these reasons and more, it makes sense to start a child off with a tablet computer to acclimate themselves to the Internet, email, and other mobile systems that they will be using for the rest of their lives. More than that, there are apps that make a tablet computer even more effective for things like learning mathematics and reading, or simply for reading picture books.

Of course, for those not interested in spending hundreds of dollars to watch their child play with a Galaxy Tab box or drop a Xoom on the floor, there are companies developing less expensive, more durable tablets for children. Unfortunately, these devices tend to dumb things down a bit. We have a habit of making assumptions about just how little our children can understand when using a tablet. In most cases, they can get a lot more out of the devices if we’re willing to provide open access to more advanced operating systems.

I’d be interested to see a company start developing Android tablets for children that are specialized in terms of durable hardware but not dumbed down to the point of inoperability for anyone over the age of 6 or 7. Imagine a child growing up with a tablet that can adjust and adapt with them, showcasing new features and unlocking new opportunities as they learn in school. These are the skills they will need in the decades to come – it makes sense that we should be laying the groundwork as early as possible.

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t endorse turning a child away from outdoor activities or team sports as pass times – everything should be done in moderation. But, access and mobility early in life will give children the edge they need as they age to be better at nearly everything they put their minds too.

The Future of Speed on a Tablet

2011-01-14T09:23:00.000+11:00

Coming hot off of CES, it seems that Apple found a way to at least partially circumvent the glowing buzz over devices like the Xoom and Playbook by announcing the Verizon iPhone on Tuesday. Personally, though, I’m still very interested in the stuff we heard last weekend and the impact it is already having on the upcoming tech season.

Specifically, what kind of power will we see under the hood of this next generation of tablet devices? In 2010, the range was relatively diverse. There were ARM 8 processors, a handful of Snapdragons and some proprietary devices that didn’t measure up to the high speed, nearly instant response rate that most users demand of mobile devices.

Now, with many new tablets migrating to WiMax and LTE 4G networks, they obviously need to ramp up the power a little bit and show off what chip manufacturers have been developing in the last three or four years.

Specifically, the first wave of dual core mobile processors are finally hitting the market, and Nvidia’s Tegra 2 is the biggest name among them. For those not familiar with the newest tablet processors, Tegra 2 uses the ARM CortexA9 CPU (dual core), GeForce GPU for high quality 3D visuals and offers full support for 1080p video playback. In short, it’s a full blown mobile computing system in a single chipset.

For reference, it doubles the power present on the iPad while providing the option for four times as much memory. With 4G connections demanding instant access to video chatting services, downloading, and multitasking, it’s almost a necessity. Beyond the raw horsepower, it will offer a breadth of multimedia benefits that Nvidia has become well known for.

For a long time, tablet processors were forced to be either converted smart phone processors, or converted laptop processors. In both cases, the results were less than stellar. Power wasn’t available in the smaller phone chips and laptop chips were often bigger and hotter. Now, with the tablet market taking off, we can look forward to the first real year of tablet-oriented processors.

This is the tech industry, however, and that means the Tegra 2 will likely only be the top offering for a limited time. While it will be present in a number of devices including the Xoom, G-Slate, Streak 7, Acer Iconia, and Asus’s full range of Eee tablets, new offerings are already on the horizon from Qualcomm in the form of a new Snapdragon MSM (8960) and soon AMD and Intel will likely be entering the tablet space with their own mobile processing units.

That’s not to mention Microsoft’s recent “System on a Chip” announcements during CES this year when they discussed new ARM devices being compatible with Windows 8 with full system interfaces in a single chip.

One major mistake the big chip makers made with mobile chips was assuming they were for smart phones only. Not only did the smart phone market expand rapidly to start rivalling home computing – the tablet market is well on its way to doing the same and with mobility increasing daily, soon too will the standard computing industry. Combined, that means a sharper focus on these small, all-in-one chips in the next 10 years. It may not be as exciting as holding the next new tablet in your hands, but in the years to come it will represent a huge shift in mobile technology innovation.

Tablet Overview from CES 2011

2011-01-11T06:21:00.000+11:00

Another edition of CES is out of the way and it looks like we have a second straight “Year of the Tablet” on our hands. Where last year saw the breakout of the tablet market starting with some seemingly lacklustre announcements at CES and driven home by the mega success of the iPad and Galaxy Tab, this year we have quite a few new devices to look forward to, some with interesting features and others with a boat load of unknowns.

Right now, there is no way to know what will come of the surge of new technology. People like to make bold claims as early as possible so that they can say they saw it coming first. I won’t do that, because in a business like this you just never know what will happen. But, at the moment we are seeing dozens of potential “iPad Killers” shaping up with at least one or two of them looking really good.

Another major storyline that I touched on in my last post is the advent of 4G in many of these devices. With Verizon’s LTE network doing so well and Sprint’s 4G network online for the better part of 6 months now, tablets are now aiming for high speed mobile access, which is fantastic because it means a lot more functionality that should be available on a tablet, like video chat outside of Wireless.

The Big Android Question

Of course, most of the new devices on the cusp of being released are waiting for Google to drop their 3.0 Honeycomb Android OS, something that doesn’t have a firm release date (and likely won’t). Beyond merely waiting on Honeycomb to hit the market, we must hope that it works as advertised, without any major hiccups or shortcomings that will give Apple another major opening going into their second generation of iPads.

Assuming Honeycomb does land in good time, we’ll see a huge surge of new tablets hit the market in the next few months including the headliner of CES, the Motorola Xoom. And while Motorola made a great showing in Las Vegas, other companies will have their sights set on a larger cut of this market too including the Notion Ink Adam, the T Mobile G-Slate and the next generation of the Galaxy Tab, promising to have 4G connectivity.

I’ll be honest in saying I was a little disappointed with Microsoft’s showing. The big reveal we’d been hoping for to solve the Windows 7 issues on tablets didn’t come, but there was a lot of good news about how the Windows platform will develop into the next iteration and hopefully how hybrid devices like the Sliding PC 7 from Samsung or the Asus Eee Slate will operate. It’s not for everyone, but the hybrid option is intriguing to me.

Of course, it all comes down to a big guessing game. With three big time Asus tablet releases coming, the new Playbook, Apple’s second iPad, and many others hitting the market in the next six months, there will be a lot of discussion of the “next big thing” and where this market is going. What do you think? Which of these tablets, if any of them, stands a chance of rising to the top (or simply succeeding on a decent scale) in 2011?

The First Day of CES

2011-01-07T07:58:00.000+11:00

The Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas officially started today, so as you can imagine there is a lot of news to sort through. There are a few things that are more interesting than others, though, so here are some highlights as of this morning:

Google’s Android 3.0 Reveal

Not actually at CES, but probably related nonetheless due to the announcement of so many Honeycomb tablets today and over the weekend, Android 3.0 is in fact Honeycomb and as rumoured has been built completely for tablet devices, not smartphones. That means we’re going to get completely dedicated tablet features in the next few months on a slew of new tablets.

What we’re seeing now is as completely overhauled user interface, new keyboard for tablets, and blown up versions of apps that have been, to date, a little unwieldy due to their smartphone roots.

Android 3.0 Tablets

On the subject of the Android 3.0 unveil, there are a number of new tablets being announced as we speak. The Motorola Xoom became official today, featuring the previously rumoured dual core processor (Tegra), 4G, HD video recording, and Honeycomb OS. LG has also announced a new tablet in the form of the G-Slate – details are limited as of right now, but we’ll probably see a lot more very soon. Oh, and Android 3.0 will have video chat through Google Talk.

More 4G Devices

It will be interesting to see if Apple jumps on board with the 4G train too because it looks like there will be at least three or four solid 4G tablets available by the end of Q2 in 2011. The Motorola Xoom was the biggest profile to be announced thus far, but RIM has confirmed 4G capabilities on its new tablet (running on Sprint WiMax for now, possibly more), and T Mobile’s G Slate will also feature 4G. That’s three big time manufacturers with big time iPad competitors coming out in the next few months all featuring 4G connectivity.

Convertible Tablets

Dell already hit us with the Inspiron Duo a few weeks ago, but there are a lot of new convertible tablet/netbook hybrids being announced as we speak. Asus has a new one coming in the form of an Eee tablet and HP has announced their own convertible tablet/netbook option likely to be released very soon.

More to Come

This is only the start of course. I’ll be back in the next couple days with more news out of CES and what it will mean for the tablet computing market. I am still excited to see more hands on time with the Notion Ink Adam, which I personally want to be a fan of (but have been reserving judgment on thus far). Exciting times ahead – stay tuned.

The Wait for Honeycomb

2011-01-04T02:14:00.000+11:00

One thing has always remained constant in the tablet marketplace – we’re waiting. For years we waited for tablets to hit the mass market, and then we waited for a competitor to arrive that would do the format justice (beyond the watered down experience offered by the iPad). It appears that 2011 will be the year that we finally stop waiting and finally get the avalanche of tablet products that push the industry forward at a breakneck speed.

And probably the biggest wait right now for both us and a large number of manufacturers out there is the one for Honeycomb – Google’s long awaited tablet-ready Android iteration. Yes, there are Android tablets on the market, but in a market struggling to catch up to the 7 figure head start of Apple, a true tablet-focused option is necessary. With some tweaks, both Froyo and Gingerbread can get the job done, but Honeycomb is poised to be the OS of choice for many soon to be released tablets.

Far from being a secret, Honeycomb is simply on hold with an as-of-yet unannounced release date. We do know, however, that there are a handful of new devices on the slate for the next 6 months that will show off the new OS. The biggest profile of these is set to be the Motorola Xoom (as trademark applications recently revealed the name to be), and possibly a second device from the electronics giant to follow shortly after. However, it is not the only device we’re waiting on. Toshiba has announced its own Honeycomb tablet (yet unnamed) powered by the Tegra 2 and apparently only waiting for the Honeycomb release from Google.

Right now, we don’t really know how these devices will turn out (though Motorola’s recent Droid successes point toward a solid entry into the field and many are still leery of Toshiba’s failure in the catastrophic Folio tablet release). However, with CES only a few days away, the odds are that we’ll see significantly more devices hitting the rounds as manufacturers announce a huge number of devices waiting on Google’s newest OS.

But, for this to truly be the year of the tablet, we need to see other companies step up big as well. Already, we’re waiting carefully for Microsoft’s big announcement in their CES keynote. Last year’s lacklustre tablet showing was disappointing, but Ballmer and co. are promising a new line-up of Windows 7 options, and some people are hoping for a little more beyond that. Then there are the newcomers including a handful of new Meego tablets propagating the industry, RIM’s Playbook, and dozens of technical advancements including Intel’s new SSD solutions, the new APU processor from AMD and our first looks at Pixel Qi displays. And while we won’t see it at CES, we can’t forget the elephant in the room – the iPad 2, likely to be shown off at the end of the month in an Apple only event in California.

The next four weeks look to be a huge boon for an industry segment that finally got off the ground in 2010. So, while we’ve been waiting for a while, it looks like we’re finally about to see something truly impressive. Stay tuned in the days to come for my thoughts on all the news out of CES in Las Vegas.

Video Conferencing and Chat on Tables

2010-12-31T09:08:00.000+11:00

Seemingly one of the most valuable uses of a tablet computer has only recently come into the consciousness of many consumers. Video conferencing, not available yet on Apple’s iPad (though highly likely on the 2011 iteration) and available in limited form on the Samsung Galaxy Tab, is making the rounds as the next big tool that all tablet owners should be oohing and ahhing over.

And recent news from the world’s largest video chatting service for consumers – Skype – has me thinking more about the role that video conferencing will actually have on the industry as a whole. Skype’s newest iteration on the iOS for iPad and iPhone now allows users to switch from audio only to video chat (iPhone only for now) and rumors of an Android powered version are strong and likely to come to fruition very soon, alongside the current Qik, OoVoo Mobile, and Fring video chatting apps for Android phones.

Some tablets and phones already offer native video chat. The iPhone’s big new feature in 2010 was Facechat – a real time video chatting tool that only worked between iPhone 4 owners on WiFi networks. It was good looking software but very limited by Apple and AT&T’s current partnership. However, Skype has found a way to circumvent that with their 3G enabled video chatting feature, quickly spreading on other phones, and likely to any tablets that offer a front facing camera.

This, of course, comes after Skype suffered severe outages, with nearly 40% of worldwide users suffering downtime due to a variety of bugs. We’ve learned since then that the outage was not caused so much by overload as by a bug in the newest software version of Skype, but the question still arises as to what the networks, including Skype can handle.

That will likely become less of an issue as Skype starts severely expanding its services in the next few months to handle the demand of mobile video chat. Additionally, we have companies like Verizon and Sprint rolling out their 4G networks already and others announcing 4G networks to come in 2011. To those 4G networks there are likely to go a number of new tablets, including the as-of-yet unannounced Motorola 4G tablet expected in Q2/Q3 in 2011.

To put things simply, video chat is a very important part of tablets. It just fits the needs of the format. Think about how small a phone is versus a 7 or 10 inch tablet, and yet how much more convenient a tablet is than a netbook or laptop when chatting at the airport or in a cab. I am not big on lofty predictions, but in 2011 I think we will see a huge surge of interest in front facing cameras, high speed mobile networks, and video chat, as well as all the secondary uses and ideas that go right along with the technology.

Looking Forward to CES 2011

2010-12-27T06:38:00.000+11:00

Right now a lot of people are waiting anxiously for the 2011 edition of the big Consumer Electronics Show. In recent years, the show has been pared down a bit by the exclusivity of many announcements made by companies at their own events. However, this year with the boon of the tablet market in 2010 and so many companies hoping to get off to a strong start in 2011, I’m expecting quite the laundry list of interesting news out of the US in a couple weeks.

I’ve already mentioned the potential announcements that Microsoft has up its sleeve. No one is entirely sure if Ballmer will show off a revamped Windows 7 or if he has something entirely new on the docket. One thing is certain, though. After 2010’s CES, he needs to come out swinging and show off an OS that will truly compete with iOS, the upcoming Honeycomb from Android and possibly even RIM’s Playbook OS, all expected sometime in spring/summer 2011. I love Windows, but I just don’t think it can compete with the touch-oriented operating systems that everyone else is working with right now.

But, then we have Intel’s recently released documents showing that many major manufacturers including Toshiba, Lenovo, Dell, Fujitsu, and Asus are all working on Windows tablets for release in 2011. It will be interesting to see what comes of all these new projects and how many of them we will see at CES 2011.

We’re also seeing some snippets of news leak out from a variety of companies that will likely be announcing new products at CES. A Sony device recently won FCC approval for Bluetooth and Wireless connectivity as a tablet – not much is known about the device yet, but it looks to be a hefty device both in size and specifications. We won’t know for sure until January.

Other known announcements we will see include a Motorola Honeycomb tablet (likely with 4G) recently teased at in an internal event for the company. The new device has been referred to as the Everest and Motorola is already whipping out the quips against Apple’s iPad Samsung’s Galaxy Tab and their pared down computing experiences. Will we get to see exactly what kind of horsepower the Honeycomb tablet OS actually holds or will Google continue to hold back details further into the year?

And then there is everyone else. NEC is slated to show their dual screen tablet, while Notion Ink will hopefully give everyone a chance to actually lay hands on the Adam and ensure it is in fact the real deal. And there are always surprises. If 2010 was the year of the tablet, CES 2011 looks to be the celebration with almost every major consumer electronics company in the world bringing its A-game to Las Vegas.

Cloud Apps that Made News in 2010

2010-12-24T06:33:00.000+11:00

Cloud computing isn’t new by any means, but in 2010 it took off in a way that a lot of us have been waiting for a good long time, largely because of the massive surge in popularity of tablet PCs and smartphones. In the past, cloud computing was a convenience factor for people who used multiple PCs or who collaborated with their fellow workers extensively.

Now, however, cloud apps are essentially required if you want to get any real work done on your mobile device. With flash storage of between 16 and 64 GB, tablets are severely limited in what they can hold. To top it off, if you’re working on anything remotely confidential, a lost device could be disastrous if you store files locally. So, cloud apps have suddenly become the norm and companies are getting very large very fast as a result.

Dropbox

Dropbox has been around for a couple years now and in that time it has grown from a relatively small service that provides on the fly cloud storage of key files and easy sharing with users of your choice to the defacto cloud tool for anyone on a tablet PC running Android or iOS. Some technology writers have joked that Google or Apple should just buy Dropbox as it is as necessary as any of the built in apps on either operating system.

The real value of Dropbox is just starting to develop too. Many apps for both Android and iOS have developed ways to share files directly through Dropbox. You can even set automated folders on your hard drive at home that will process, share, or upload files that you create on a tablet, effectively streamlining tasks you cannot complete when on the road. And this is all with Dropbox just now reaching 1.0 status. It will be interesting to see what these folks come up with in 2011.

Evernote

I could have chosen any number of note taking applications, and I personally use One Note on my Windows tablet because it is more efficient in handling handwritten notes and Microsoft’s attempt at cloud computing has, thus far, gone very well for me.

However, Evernote is the clear winner in 2010 in terms of raw user stats and saturation. Most of that is due to their desire to provide a stable platform on every possible operating system. Evernote can be used on PC, Mac, iOS, and Android, and just recently enjoyed an update to 4.0 on desktops, finally speeding it up enough to stop chewing up memory. And while its support for handwriting on a tablet is still lagging, many hand writing apps integrate with the Evernote or Dropbox apps to quickly store notes on the cloud.

There are of course dozens of cloud computing apps that have been important in the last year. Google continued to develop its arsenal of tools with Google Documents, both on Android and non-Google systems. Microsoft’s Live Office was a success in many ways as well. But, as is often the case, the real test of saturation comes in consumer apps, and both Dropbox and Evernote registered massive growth in the last year, thanks largely to cloud hungry consumers.

The Effect of eBooks on the Tablet Arms Race

2010-12-21T04:53:00.000+11:00

If you’ve been in the tablet business for a while, the whole “eBook reader” debate probably seems like a strange impetus for a massive surge in sales, but nonetheless it seems to have had a big impact. For sure, the sheer volume of Amazon Kindles and Barnes and Noble Nooks that were sold in 2009 definitely changed how Apple initially introduced and marketed their tablet, particularly with the inclusion of iBooks, which admittedly hasn’t done that great compared to Kindle and Nook apps.

And no, most people who bought an iPad or Galaxy Tab in 2010 didn’t do so because they wanted to have a really pricey eBook reader, but buried down in there is the fact that a lot of people who would have bought a Kindle or Nook changed their mind when they saw how amazing a tablet could be.

In effect, the tablet market grew faster in 2010 because a lot of people were already considering buying an eReader and decided it made no sense to spend more than $200 on a device that only did one thing. With some careful marketing and the eventual support of the two major eBook distributors, Apple and later Android devices took advantage of this to provide products that did a lot more than an eBook reader for a slightly higher price.

These days I’m seeing a lot of discussions about color eReaders and whether the screen of an LCD device can match digital paper. However, the real issue here is how many people really need a device to read books compared to a device that will allow them to write email, watch movies, surf the web, and read books. More importantly, is it fair to the medium to compare what could be a full-blown computing solution to a gadget like the Kindle?

Is there a future for eReaders? Of course. Amazon figured it out very fast and dropped the price of their WiFi only Kindle to less than $150, well below the entry level prices of most tablets. Unfortunately for them, however, that probably still won’t convince tablet owners to buy yet another device. Despite the battery life, weight, and e-ink display, it just isn’t as flashy and spending another $150 for something that duplicates a feature on their tablet is a tough sell.

That’s why the move by Nook to produce a color unit for $250 is interesting. It partially bridges the gap between the clunky button interface of a Kindle and the super slick touch screen of a tablet. We’ve still yet to see a tablet truly replicate the eReader experience. They are heavier, experience lots of glare problems and are generally more expensive, so people who don’t need or don’t want all that extra technology will shy away.

If Notion Ink’s Adam with Pixel Qi is the real deal, it might be a good solution, as might other future devices rumoured to be considering Pixel Qi. For now, however, there is an oddly symbiotic relationship between eBooks and tablets. Neither side can quite figure out if they are competitors or complementary formats. When they do, it will be interesting to see what happens.

Microsoft’s New Take on Tablets

2010-12-18T04:52:00.000+11:00

The other day, rumors of Microsoft addressing the growing tablet market were circulated, discussing a major announcement at the upcoming CES in January. Presumably at the Microsoft Keynote, Ballmer will showcase some of what we’ve already seen from a recent New York Times article about Samsung’s newest Windows 7 tablet. There are, of course, rumors that Ballmer may throw a curveball our way with an unveiling of Windows 8 functionality on tablets, especially with the expected Apple announcement of the iPad 2 probably coming sometime in January or early February.

With all that said, I find the news from Microsoft interesting, but not necessarily as encouraging as I would have liked. Don’t get me wrong. I love my Windows on tablets and have for many more years than most consumers were aware tablets existed. However, right now the tablet industry is growing rapidly and while hardware is a big reason, the software interfaces of iOS and Android are what make these devices so accessible to their users.

So, when details leaked that Samsung’s newest device, the Gloria, will have a touch-centric portrait interface and a traditional Windows landscape interface, I wasn’t sure what to think. The idea of convertibility in business tablets isn’t new by a long shot. The TegaV2 did it in another way, with dual-boot Android/Windows while other devices like the Inspiron Duo converts from netbook to tablet PC on the fly.

And then there is RIM which has been making hefty claims recently about how their tablet will “redefine what a tablet should do”. I can’t see them producing anything that completely revolutionizes the approach that Apple seems to have forced so many other developers to take, but while consumer tablets are starting to look very much alike, there is still a very wide open field for the business market – arguably the much harder group to placate.

And that brings me back to Microsoft, because frankly, this is a company with the largest business user install base in the world on traditional computers. But, they’ve fallen behind in all things mobile and it’s partially because of a lack of innovation. They continuously play catchup, as can be seen in their recent Windows Phone 7 launch which doesn’t seem to be doing as well as they had hoped (despite a slick interface and solid reviews). Right now, a company that pretty much had the tablet OS space to themselves for the last 8 years has been marginalized as most new tablets are sporting Android or some other non-Windows interface.

Yet, Windows 7, while decent on a tablet, is not designed for tablet use alone, and powerful software tools like Microsoft Office still cannot stand alone on a tablet without some upgrades like InkGestures or Thinix – great tools but necessary add-ons for full tablet functionality.

I don’t know what Microsoft will show to us in three weeks, but I’m hoping it’s something new and exciting. They really need to blow people away with something that allows for the kind business use that many tablet owners have been waiting for or they’re looking at yet another market that they cannot quite catchup to.

Tablets and the Learning Factor

2010-12-15T02:44:00.000+11:00

I often talk about the many different ways a tablet PC can be used for businesspersons in need of heightened productivity. However, one of the most intriguing aspects of the technology behind a tablet PC to me is how educators and parents will use the devices in spurring development in children.

Whichever device catches your eye, you must admit that Tablet PCs are perfect for the tactile, brightly lit learning that children enjoy so much. Picture books and educational software for old Macs have been the staple of many classrooms for decades, but today parents can get started much earlier with applications on Android (and yes iOS) that help their children learn to read and do figures, as well as enjoy the wonders of the natural world.

The Role of Technology in Education

I am not an educator but as a father I have many thoughts on how we can use technology in educating our children. I am aware that not all parents can afford to invest money into expensive tablet PCs for a three year old preparing to learn how to read. I am also aware that most children will become addicted to the intuitive touch and manipulate nature of most tablet devices.

But, I am still excited by the prospect of providing a device that can actually stimulate an interest in learning through fun, easy to use hands-on interaction. It’s something that will appeal to a much larger majority of children as well. Sure, some kids like to play with computers and some like to read books, not all.

Tablet PCs are an extension of a child’s creativity. From colouring book apps to tracing letters and being coached through simple sums, our children can be fully engaged with an electronic device without getting frustrated by not understanding how it works.

There are dedicated tablets starting to come out from manufacturers who see the promise of a touch screen education for our children. I don’t know if dedicated devices are necessary. Surely, if your budget better incorporates a $200 device with limited features for a child, that may be the only option, but I encourage parents to consider a different route. When considering a new PC that a child will have access to, think on whether a full-featured tablet is a good alternative. Not only will it allow for the same web access and homework assistance that a PC would, it will allow for fun, interactive learning experiences.

Already, we’re seeing some school districts and universities buying up tablets for use by students. They see the value of this kind of interaction with technology. It’s going to be an interesting next couple decades as they fully integrate into our lifestyles, and I hope to see my children poking, sliding, prodding, and best of all, learning the entire way.

Notion Ink Adam Problems - What's Really Going On?

2010-12-11T02:24:00.000+11:00

The tech industry has never been an easy one to get into. There are high barriers of entry in funding, ideas, and distribution, and then there are the pundits. Every product created gets dissected, analysed, and reviewed over and over again, sometimes to the joy of a new company and sometimes to its downfall.

So, it’s always interesting and occasionally painful to watch someone attempt a feat like Notion Ink – the India based tablet manufacturer who burst onto the scene at CES last January with a whole lot of promises in their Adam tablet.

Yet, even before their first tablet, the Adam, hits store shelves, Notion Ink is having a horrific time with their presale. Visitors to their site are finding limited information about the tablet, high shipping fees (or low depending on where you live), limited payment method options, requests for personal data they should never need, hiccups with shipping addresses, and a very short return window. Some are yelling “Scam” while others are simply waiting to see the device in question.

The tablet itself has not been shown outside of very limited tech demos that don’t showcase many of its announced features and as a result is severely lacking in the kind of hands-on buzz needed to alleviate these growing pains. Of course, Notion Ink has promised a reveal on January 6^th at CES, but why then are they preselling so early if no one has actually used the device, and in some cases regulatory approval hasn’t even been acquired.

We don’t know for a fact if this is a case of an unscrupulous company or a very messy preorder process gone horribly awry, but the whole debacle got me thinking about the barrier to entry in this industry. Right now, there are roughly two dozen companies attempting to follow the path that Apple blazed last spring with major tablet launches. Some of them will succeed and many will not. But, most of them are major tech companies with diverse product offerings that can afford to test a new niche.

However, in my eyes, the really good ideas tend to come from the smaller manufacturers – the guys with something to prove and creativity to spare. If you want to succeed out of nowhere, you need to bring something over the top and brand new with you, not just another iPad or Tab replicate. So, I get excited when companies like Notion Ink come along. And a lot of people are with me on this. Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean those companies will follow through with good devices, or even with a functional device.

I’m willing to wait out the preorder problems and accusations to see what the actual device looks like, though I do recommend you hold off on ordering until these issues are worked out. However you look at it, though, small manufacturers bring big ideas to this industry and as a tech enthusiast, I want to see each of them succeed.

If this is just a case of poor planning and Notion Ink bit off a little more than they can chew with a global launch on their first product, I will keep an eye on this thing in January because you never know when the little guy will come through with something impressive. If, on the other hand the Adam is DOA or simply never arrives, it will be a blow for small manufacturers everywhere who work hard to gain the public’s trust with their first product. Let’s hope it’s the latter.

The Risk of Missing the Boat

2010-12-08T07:45:00.000+11:00

Yesterday, I caught an article about an upcoming video game console release from Sony. It has not yet been announced, but it’s widely expected that Sony will announce its followup to the Playstation Portable (PSP) for release sometime next year, and yet many analysts are already calling it a DOA device because of the prevalence (and affordability) of touch devices like phones, iPods, and tablets.

Then, this morning Google finally unveiled a full functional version of their Chrome OS, announced a little over a year ago as a super lightweight OS solution for netbook computers. And yet, many people are saying that this development is also coming just a bit too late as many companies start pushing to sell off their netbook stock and replace it with Tablet PCs.

Now, we all know that the tech industry is a very fluid machine. At any given point, a development in technology or a swing in consumer interest can tank one product and raise another to multi-million selling status. And while I wouldn’t call the current trend toward touch technology a full on revolution, it is definitely having an impact on the way business is done.

Specifically, people are getting used to sleek, technically advanced devices and simpler, single-access solutions for multiple problems. They don’t necessarily want gaming devices anymore when they can use their phone to check email, make calls, and play games. They don’t necessarily want a netbook when they can have a tablet, which looks so much nicer and is even more portable.

And while companies like Sony and Google are not exactly going to bite the dust because they released a device or technology that is past due, there are other companies that need to be careful. It can and probably should make some developers at least a little nervous. The risk of getting so excited that they throw all of their eggs in one basket only to watch the basket get knocked over a couple months later.

I wished I had advice for manufacturers and developers on how to avoid this trap, but honestly I am excited by what it represents. We’re seeing more new ideas, developments, and opportunities opening up every week right now than we saw in personal computing for years last decade, and that means more efficient options not just for the average consumer, but for developers, businesspersons, students, and health care professionals.

What do you think? Are there devices or technologies currently in development that risk being overshadowed by what the tablet or smartphone industries are currently doing with touch? What can the big boys (Microsoft, Dell, Sony, etc.) do to stay ahead of the curve and help revolutionize the personal computing industry instead of trying to play catchup? It will be interesting to see what happens in the next couple of years. One thing I can be sure of, though, is that the consumer will win out in the end.

Always Searching for the Next Big Feature

2010-12-05T00:55:00.000+11:00

Now that more than a handful of new tablets have hit the market in 2010, the shift in talk has turned from X vs. Y discussions about which tablet is better (usually with the iPad involved somehow) toward how the next generation of these devices will stack up against their current iterations.

We all know the iPad is a runaway success, despite it’s less than ideal standards. The Galaxy Tab is also turning out impressive numbers, especially in the US where it has sold more than 1 million units as of a couple days ago. Other devices like the Dell Inspiron Duo, HP Slate and Viewsonic G are all hitting the market before the holidays and more are prepping for release early next year.

But, you know as well as I do that when it comes to technology, the hype for a new device only lasts as long as it’s unavailable. After release and a few weeks of sales tracking, the talk turns to when the next version of that device will be available and how much it will add to blow away all previous models.

Of course, most of the conversations right now seem to focus on what Apple will do to compete with the onslaught of competitors. Sure, Apple has sold more than 4 million iPads, but how will they maintain that industry lead in the iPad 2? Not much is known (other than the highly rumoured camera and a probable processor upgrade), but I’m sure we’ll see more of the same halo-device style upgrades that Apple is known for.

But, what about the rest? What major features are on the horizon in this industry that smaller companies are willing to experiment with in a bid to carve out a share of this market? In 2010, we saw the release of a dual-boot Windows 7 and Android tablet in the Tega V2, something that changed how many people think about the functionality of a tablet PC. The Dell Inspiron Duo is offering a dual mode netbook/tablet experience for those that still feel the urge to type on occasion – definitely not a new idea in touch technology, but a welcome one in the current tablet arms race.

In 2011, Acer has announced its 10 inch and 7 inch tablets with dual core processing, front and back facing cameras (a feature I think we’ll see serious traction on), HDMI out, and multiple form factors (as Samsung has discovered, not everyone wants a 10-inch tablet). Other devices are touting potential phone service, and the first wave of 4G enabled tablets is likely to start popping up by the end of 2011 with most major network upgrades starting to go into effect.

What do you think? What major upgrades and technology introductions do you think will drive the tablet industry in the next 6-12 months? Will we actually see game changing set of features from the iPad, or more of the same closed off iOS environment we’ve grown used to? And will devices with bigger and better features get a foothold in the industry any time soon?

The Essence of an Effective Enterprise Tablet

2010-12-02T09:55:00.000+11:00

Right now, there are more new tablets and smartphones prepped to hit the market than at any point in my recent memory. And one of the big points of contention I’m seeing is the “pro” version of some devices. Despite the huge surge in popularity of iOS and Android devices, the BlackBerry format remains a top seller, largely because of its enterprise uses and the fact that IT departments like how easy it is to set them up and provide support to hundreds or even thousands of users.

So, it’s no surprise that companies like HTC are aiming to release “Pro” versions of hot devices like the Droid smartphone. What does this have to do with tablet computers? More than many people think. For sure, mobile phones are by far the most universal technology being discussed today. In the United States for example there is nearly one mobile phone for every man, woman and child by volume.

So, with the surge of tablet computing in recent months heating up and with the enterprise uses of a tablet PC so obvious, it’s likely that we’ll see a wave of “Pro” devices hitting the market soon that are designed specifically for enterprise users. RIM has already started the process with their forthcoming PlayBook device – due out in Q1 or possible Q2 in 2011.

But, my question, and one that has been asked repeatedly of different smartphone brands is what kind of features does a device need to have for it to be considered “enterprise ready”?

Android and iOS devices are best known for their expansion abilities – they can grow based on the needs of the marketplace with new apps. However, Apple has a firm grip on its approval process and doesn’t necessarily provide the easiest platform for mass security measures or data sharing in a corporate environment. If a company wants to create their own, proprietary App for use on an iPad, they either need to jailbreak their devices or go through Apple’s approval process.

With Android, there are no issues with control, but security represents a major hole. There are many versions of Android out there right now and each of them has different features. Which one should IT choose and how can they secure it in a way that ensures long term data security?

So, RIM has the right idea – bring out a tablet that can compete on a field that current devices don’t have a handle on just yet. But, can a new OS on a new device from a company that has admittedly floundered quite a bit recently really pull it off?

Personally, I see massive potential in tablet computers as enterprise devices. With 4G networks and WiFi overlays becoming more common, and with more and more executives and businesspeople taking their work on the go, a device that can double as a PC in any situation is a gift and one that I’m sure thousands of companies are looking into. Of course, you can’t overlook the value of a Windows tablet – a familiar platform with dozens of security devices already devised for standard desktops.

What do you think? What format will eventually catch on most effectively in a corporate setting and what features will provide the “killer apps” for businesspeople on the go. Will there be a BlackBerry of tablets or will it continue to be a mishmash of multiple formats like the smartphone market that has developed in the last four years?

The App Mentality

2010-11-29T09:09:00.000+11:00

Right now, when talking about tablet computers and their functionality, we usually discuss apps and how they expand the platform. Apple and Android devices alike access massive app stores that offer third party developers chances to offer dozens more tools that don’t come with the device naturally. In fact, for some manufacturers, the allure of the Android App store has made (or broken) their devices.

But, for those interested in more powerful applications or for specific enterprise functionality, Apps don’t always get the job done, at least not right out of the box. The iPad for example has been available for the better part of 8 months and is still gaining functions that its original users have long wanted, and almost all of them rely one or more third party apps.

Android tablets are now in the same place as Apple when its device was first launched. There are more than a hundred thousand apps available on the Android Marketplace, but they are almost all exclusively developed for smart phones. The resolution is lower and interfaces are designed for smaller screens, but with time that will change as the Android Marketplace share for tablet PCs continues to grow.

I’m largely restating the obvious though. What exactly should apps provide that the OS does not and does every passing week make it that much harder for anyone not named Apple or Google to provide a viable operating system for a tablet?

To start with, it depends on your perspective on touch screen computing. For many users, tablet PCs should come with native touch applications. And because those apps can be single access tools with low development costs, it’s not surprising that App stores are thriving. But, that doesn’t mean the Windows model won’t continue to work.

Personally, I wouldn’t be surprised to see more robust advancements to the Windows operating system for touch computing, especially as Windows 8 grows in development between now and 2012. But, even with the current iteration of Windows 7 on a tablet (which I think works great), combined with third party tools like Thinix, you still need applications.

Office is good, as are a number of standard third party tools for Windows, but for a device to be truly effective as a tablet, it needs to be optimized for touch – not the on-the-fly OS tools used to interpret touch input as standard input. Devices like the TegaV2 are attractive for this very reason – the opportunity for dual OS operation (Android and Windows 7) gives owners both options.

If Apple didn’t have such an exclusionary policy about how apps are developed and approved in the App store, I think this conversion would be a lot more interesting. As it is, however, developers are essentially forced to develop iPad versions of their software first, then explore Android alternatives before looking into third party app stores. How will other devices like RIM’s PlayBook or rumoured Nokia devices compete? It remains to be seen, but the App model isn’t going anywhere any time soon.

What Was NEC Thinking?

2010-11-25T01:23:00.000+11:00

It’s not every week that I have two tablets I can point at and say “that’s how not to do it” but after Monday’s post about the Toshiba Folio 100, I have another device I want to point out that just plain gets it wrong.

And while Toshiba at least had good intentions with their Folio design, NEC has completely missed the boat when it comes to their newest tablet entry – the LifeTouch. The device, which on paper doesn’t sound bad with Android, 3G, USB, SD Card reader, and 3 megapixel camera, all running on an ARM Cortex, is just a bit clunky if you ask me.

Here’s the problem. As you can see from the image above, not only does the LifeTouch eschew the increasingly standard silvers and blacks of modern tablets for a bright, glossy white, it is loaded with clunky buttons, a whole lot of extra material and a 7 inch touch screen that looks smaller than it ought to.

Just after receiving news that in the US alone, Samsung has sold 600,000 Galaxy Tabs, we now know that there is a huge market for Android tablets, but devices like this aren’t designed to capture that audience.

To be fair, it’s not like no other devices look like the LifeTouch. Only three years ago, many devices still sported buttons and had thick, heavy bodies for carrying. The difference is that back then touch screens simply lacked the responsiveness and flexibility they have today. And Windows on tablets was still being done with modified XP installations – it wasn’t nearly optimized for touch screen yet, so you needed buttons.

But, today’s devices are sleeker and more efficient than ever. Touch screen has moved forward at rapid speed and Windows is now a hot commodity for enterprise tablets (which is the market the LifeTouch is aiming for). And, this isn’t even a Windows device. It’s Android which means it was built for touch screens – definitely no reason for buttons.

In the end it all comes back to one question – what exactly was NEC thinking? Not only will this device launch at the tail end of the biggest year for tablet computers ever to date, but it will be immediately hobbled by questionable design, an older version of Android (2.1), and no clear market.

The last two years has been an amazing time for anyone who follows tablet computing. The speed with which the market has moved forward still astounds me and the new technology and sleekness of some devices being announced is downright impressive, but every now and then someone gets it wrong. It’s not to say a future device from NEC won’t adopt a sleeker design and a more intuitive layout, but for now we’re getting one more lesson in how not to build a tablet in 2010.

Did Pricing Fail Toshiba or Did Toshiba Fail the Public?

2010-11-23T04:42:00.000+11:00

Right now it seems like every manufacturer on the planet is churning out a tablet PC to compete with the iPad. All those new tablets are sleek, stylish and generally considered quite popular with most consumers – especially when they are in the realm of affordability.

Yet, there is one company that is already finding itself in the dog house with customers over an inferior piece of tech. Now, there are a lot of problem tablets out there, many of them derided for being cheap and cashing in on the tablet craze. But, for the most part, those poorly made tablets are inexpensive – they are bad because they are cheaply made.

However, Toshiba’s Folio 100 has no such excuses. The device, which retails for €399 for most models (and as much as €529 for 3G models) and was released in Europe just two weeks ago, has already been pulled from at least one major retailer’s shelves (PC World).

At first, there was some speculation that price might be an issue. After all, screenshots had surfaced of the Folio 100 with a £999.99 price tag. That was an internal blunder by the retailer, but the device itself had enough problems to push a removal anyways.

What Went Wrong?

So, what went wrong with the Toshiba tablet and how could a company always at the forefront of mobile technology and tablets in particular make such a pronounced blunder? To start with, they rushed a product to market.

In their hurry to compete with Apple and other upstarts like Samsung, Toshiba created a product with inferior integration of Android, a mushy LCD with poor viewing angles and low pixel density, and a plastic case. The device simply doesn’t feel or look like the highly touted, sleekly designed tablets that have been making other companies so successful.

Since the Folio doesn’t have access to the Android Marketplace yet (a big sticking point for many rushed Android tablets) and because the built-in Toshiba Market Place app is so buggy, expansion of basic usability on the tablet is very limited – making it even harder to recommend the device.

This is a problem I think we’re going to see a lot more of. There are hundreds of companies out there frantically rushing to get a device on the market – not wanting to fall behind a burgeoning industry that will revolutionize computing like nothing since the laptop was developed. And because there are other devices already providing optimal user experience, companies that rush something out of the factory will not be rewarded, especially if the price is so high that it doesn’t allow them to forgive technical flaws.

Toshiba probably learned a valuable lesson here, one that cost them dearly. One hopes their next attempt at a tablet does more to highlight their long history of quality and durability in their devices, and that other companies currently rushing their own offerings out the door will learn as well – not all tablets will be successful.

The Power of Embedded 3G

2010-11-19T09:07:00.000+11:00

These days, whenever a new device is announced, the first thing I find myself doing is sifting through the small print to learn whether it will be WiFi only or support both WiFi and 3G connectivity. For sure, 3G seems to have an impact on how the public both perceives and discusses the usefulness of that device, so what does the future look like for this often times overlooked feature?

To start with, it’s obviously a cost issue. Adding embedded 3G to any device costs more money. With the iPad, the price jumps by over $100 and for some devices it goes up even more. However, having a 3G embedded device also creates a natural partnership between mobile carriers and tablets, allowing users to signup for a two year service plan and receive subsidized pricing on the tablet – as is the case with the Samsung Galaxy Tab.

What Does 3G Bring to the Table?

Think of it this way – a WiFi only device is no better than a laptop. Yes, you can carry it with you more comfortably, but you’re still stuck looking for WiFi signals wherever you go. That means paying extra fees in airports and hotels, hunting for hotspots when out of town, and having to simultaneously use the phone for any on-the-go communications.

On the other hand 3G allows you to greatly increase productivity. Just having a 3G transceiver embedded in a tablet, you’re immediately more likely to carry your tablet with you everywhere you go. It becomes more like a phone in its 24/7 mobility than a laptop which you must sit down to use in set areas – there’s a big difference.

Beyond simple access, imagine being able to quickly and easily jump onto the Internet and check a video when on the train or look up an important fact or figure in your email. Imagine being able to work on a file and send it while in a cab. These are things you cannot do with WiFi.

Going Beyond Simple Access

Beyond simple Internet access, there are a lot of manufacturers out there pushing the implementation of voice features on devices with embedded 3G. The Galaxy Tab is again a great example. While not available in the US, the European models of the Tab sport voice that can be paired up with Bluetooth to use your Tab like a giant phone.

On one hand it helps the mobile carriers to sell contracts, but one has to wonder if it is a bit of a distraction. You already have a mobile phone most likely – do you need a voice connection to make your tablet useful? I don’t think it’s necessary, but at the same time the fact that it’s possible is yet one more point in favour of 3G connectivity.

Right now, we’re in the transition between 3G and a series of faster, more direct mobile technologies like WiMax and other 4G technologies. Devices that are willing to explore mobile access to the Internet beyond WiFi are going to not only be more useful, but eventually be more desirable (regardless of cost).

Finding Room in the Tech Market for Tablets

2010-11-16T03:59:00.000+11:00

This morning as I was reading through a handful of my favourite blogs, I came across a number of new stories discussing how the tablet market is cutting into other long established markets. We’ve already discussed a few times the claim by some executives that the iPad is cutting severely into netbook sales, but this is not the only cannibalization in the technology race according to more than a couple analysts.

What interests me most about the growing argument over consumer focus and the effect it has on existing industries is that this is not a rare event. Whenever new technology becomes available, there is inevitably a shift in consumer spending. Most people don’t need a netbook and a tablet. They don’t need cable TV, Netflix, and a Hulu powered device. That’s not to say that some won’t have those devices, but for the most part, many people will stick with what works best in their day to day life.

It’s happened before. New technologies frequently supplant old ones. If you visit your local electronics store, you’ll surely find far more laptop computers on display than desktops. That’s not to say that desktops do not sell, but laptops are used in almost every facet of society – from education to enterprise and beyond while desktops are generally used at home and in the office. When laptops became more powerful and affordable they cut into that market sharply.

The same is now happening with the iPad and soon other devices of the same style and form. These devices are new and consumers do not yet know how they will use them, but we can be sure that many daily activities will be moved to the mobile space, simply because it is more convenient. Already, mobile smartphones are becoming a replacement for many tools such as phone books, maps, and portable gaming devices. So too will tablets gouge out their own space.

There are a few things that I find especially interesting in this new technology push, however. For sure, the demise of netbooks has been prematurely proclaimed. Just look at the sharp push of Macbook Air sales since the newest model was announced or Dell’s soon to be released Inspiron Duo – a hybrid of the tablet/netbook aesthetics. If a netbook can offer superior performance and a sleek design to rival a tablet, it will still sell.

But, on the other side of things, there are more technologies than just computing that will take a hit thanks to tablets. What about books? Or toys for children who are becoming increasingly tech savvy at very young ages? What about entertainment systems for the car? Who will need to spend thousands of dollars for a backseat DVD system when a single tablet with a Disney movie downloaded to it could easily do the same job.

This is an exciting time. All around us, people are innovating and developing new ways for mobile technology to take over certain tasks we perform using existing tools. That shift is only going to intensify as this technology matures – and while some people will be very nervous, I will be watching closely because there are so many avenues yet to be explored. It might harm one industry, but it will definitely provide value to the consumers driving these changes.

How Big Do People Really Want their Tablet Devices?

2010-11-12T09:20:00.002+11:00

With so many new tablets being announced seemingly every week, it got me thinking – what are the newcomers doing to stand out from the industry leaders (i.e. the iPad)? There are a lot of engineering decisions that help the competitors in my books – open OS platforms are instantly more flexible while expansion slots for memory cards are a big plus in my book.

But, one of the many variations I’m seeing that a lot of companies are betting on is the screen size – there are quite a few devices on the market that are offering a 7 inch display rather than a 10 inch – effectively cutting down on the screen real estate available for computing.

While, this might seem like a cost cutting measure, one look at sleek new devices like the Galaxy Tab or the Viewsonic Viewpad shows you that they might have something else to offer entirely. Specifically, a smaller tablet is more mobile, and that is the point, after all.

What Apple did with the iPad is blow their iPhone display and OS up to the point that it could be used interchangeably for media consumption and some basic typing. Let’s face it – no one is going to type a novel on an iPad. But, at the same time, the device is a little bulky. It’s too heavy to carry in one hand and takes up a decent amount of space in a bag – even if it is far less than that of a laptop.

So, a 7 inch device does make sense if you want something that could theoretically fit into a large jacket pocket or go into the front flap of a backpack or messenger bag. Smaller devices can also be held easily in one hand, something that the 10 inch devices don’t allow.

Does the Size Matter?

In the age of hyper analysis of every new tablet announced, I’m wondering what role the size will play in the expanding market. Obviously the iPad is number one and will stay there for some time to come, but do people really want a 10 inch tablet, or is it that the most desirable device on the market (due to marketing and the ever-present Apple “hipness” factor) just happens to be 10 inches?

It really depends on who you’re talking to. To start with, cost plays a role. Smaller tablets can be sold for lower prices without necessarily sacrificing horsepower (something that severely short changes users – see my post on the $200 Gentouch tablet). Another thing that might come into play here is what the tablet will be used for. If someone merely wants a device for watching movies, playing games and checking email, do they need a 7 inch display? For me, the larger display devices are perfect for enterprise applications through Windows 7 but are not necessary for simple entertainment consumption.

As people start to ask whether Apple will introduce a smaller screen version of their uber-selling iPad and others wonder if companies are spreading themselves too thin with multiple sizes of their own first-time entries, it bears considering what role the size of these devises will ultimately play in the market.

Who is the Ideal Audience for a Tablet?

2010-11-09T08:59:00.001+11:00

When reading a number of blogs I enjoy this morning, I noticed a press release that was making the rounds. The release in question was for a new tablet designed explicitly for children from Isabella Products, who has partnered with children’s publisher Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

For a while now, I’ve kept a keen eye on whether tablets will ever expand to provide children’s only options. It’s been downright fascinating in recent months to follow the development of touch technology and how it relates to children. Toys have been working with touch screens for some time now, including Nintendo’s DS platform – a portable video game handheld designed primarily for children (though not exclusively).

Plenty of other toys have made the attempt as well. Children are generally very tactile. They learn through touching and doing and tablets offer just that level of interactivity. But, as anyone out there with a little one of their own knows, children are also mildly destructive. Handing over your new Galaxy Tab or Droid 2 for them to play with is not exactly the safest or most affordable option.

But, they love the things. Recent stories in the New York Times have catalogued the addiction of some toddlers to iPhones and tablets while plenty of parents I know use the devices to substitute for a pacifier or favourite toy when in public. It works like a charm.

So, a child-oriented device like the Fable sounds like a wonderful idea. This particular device comes in three child friendly colors, allows photo sharing, gaming, drawing, and books your children already like to read.

And yet, after reading the small print, the Fable seems more like a toy than a true tablet for children. The device allows the download of new games and books, but only through the Vizitme.com portal – the Isabella based portal for applications and software they offer on various mobile devices.

On one hand, it allows parents to severely limit what their children have access to, but on the other hand, what if you want access to non-HMH published books or games produced for Android devices? The level of support needed by a device with a closed environment may not mean much to a child of 3 or 4, but what about when they get a little older? Will the device retain any value at that point? Let’s face it – children are incredibly tech savvy. They will know by the time they reach primary school that they are using a limiting piece of technology.

All that said, I’m one-hundred percent for devices designed specifically for children. Yes, some children are calm and careful enough to sit down with a Tab or iPad and use a colouring book application or read a Dr. Seuss book, but others would rather use it to hammer blocks into place. So, a sturdily designed, heavy duty tablet with plenty of parental controls and kid friendly interface is just what the doctor ordered. Now, we just need one that can scale with our children as they grow older – allowing them to use a device that challenges them as they become increasingly tech savvy.

How People Use Tablets Now and Soon

2010-11-06T06:32:00.000+11:00

One of the number one factors that holds many people back from buying a tablet is the big question of why. They want to know what a tablet PC will offer that a netbook or laptop could not. And while I personally believe that a Tablet PC can offer all of what a netbook or laptop offer and more, I have been thinking lately about what specific features of a more traditional keyboard based machine users might miss in the conversion to a mobile touchscreen.

For example, the flexibility of the keyboard – touchscreen keyboards are hit or miss. Some work far better than others, but across the board, it depends on the screen and the software behind the screen. Devices like the TegaV2 use EyesBoard to provide a tremendous amount of flexibility in how they function, while other devices have their own proprietary keyboards that are regularly being updated.

Another big issue is touch screen input. Right now, a lot of software developers are still thinking in terms of how to provide input that is adapted from existing software. Business users think “Word and Excel are hard to use on a Tablet” largely because the interface is adapted for touch use, not build around it.

In time, I hope to see more native touch applications that rethink the most intuitive way to enter data. Where keyboard shortcuts and mouse input make the biggest difference in traditional apps, what about multi-gesture inputs or voice input for a tablet? These are the types of problems I think software developers will turn their attention to as tablets increasingly become a viable part of the computing market.

Right now, though, a lot of companies are bridging the gap with hardware solutions. Apple has their Keyboard Dock for the iPad and many devices come with styluses or outside attachments for more traditional input.

For a long time (before the iPad or Galaxy Tab came along), tablets were often hybrid devices, converting from touch screen to standard keyboard input. While most devices have strayed from that in favour of the sleek, attractive body of the iPad and Android devices, some companies are still eager to push the boundaries of convertible devices. The Inspiron Duo from Dell is a great example of a netbook/tablet hybrid that doesn’t result in excess bulk, though it remains to be seen how the device will function in real world circumstances (i.e. weight and profile).

Already, we are seeing processors, screen technology, games, and the future of not a few manufacturers building off the tablet trend. That makes it very interesting to see where we might be headed with the development of new software and even new hardware that makes a tablet PC more intuitive and downright easier to use.

I use a tablet every day for much of my computing; how long until it’s possible for even the most traditional users to follow suit?

How Big is the Tablet Market?

2010-11-03T08:12:00.001+11:00

It’s November and that means we are getting closer to the end of the year, the time when companies scramble to follow through on promises, make new promises, and ensure that their devices are in the public conscious, even if they won’t be available before the holidays.

While a recent Bloomberg story cites data from Strategy Analytics showing that Apple now has a 95% stranglehold on the tablet market, there are dozens of companies scrambling to get in on it. Obviously, very few manufacturers had a product on the market when Apple released the iPad last April, so numbers like that are not surprising.

So the big question, for me at least, is where’s the cap? How much of a market really is there for products in the tablet space? Obviously Apple has a good head start, but smart companies with new products should be able to make headway if they can capture a solid chunk of market attention.

Take the Samsung Galaxy tab, which is making the rounds right now on many of the major tablet review sites. It’s finally hitting the market this month and has edged out the iPad in a number of areas, though no one is sure if it will have the kind of splash many people were hoping for. It remains to be seen how the device is marketed as to whether it will have an impact. (You can read reviews of the Galaxy Tab on Engadget, jkkmobile, Slashgear).

Then there are the newcomers. Every couple days it seems like another company announces their entry into the tablet market. In fact, I’ve mentioned at least a half dozen in the last month alone. Since my last blog post, Michael Dell announced more Dell tablets on the way next year, ViewSonic (the monitor producer) announced their ViewPad offering with a release date for Q1 of its 7 inch and 10 inch offerings (both with Dual Boot Windows 7/Android like the TegaV2), and Creative’s announcement of the Ziio tablet – being released in Europe very soon.

Each device has its merits (and downsides), but one really does begin to wonder just how many devices the market can support. No one seems able to agree on how big the tablet market will be over the next 2-5 years with some analysts seeing moderate growth and others seeing exponential growth on par with PCs in the mid-1990s.

One thing is for sure though – not every company is going to come out of this on top. Many manufacturers will see great success with only a fraction of the sales Apple records, but others will not be able to support adding a new wing to their tech offerings if they can’t really break into this market.

Very soon we will see which features, options, and aesthetics work best in the market, and as a result ,which devices thrive.

What Tablet PCs Mean to Mobile Providers

2010-10-31T07:26:00.000+11:00

For the better part of a decade, mobile phone carriers have made money by enticing users into long term contracts in exchange for subsidized pricing on cutting edge technology. At first it was all mobile phones, then smart phones, and in recent years the burgeoning netbook computer market.

So, it’s no surprise that many mobile carriers are concerned about the recent trend in computing – with iPad sales having a direct impact on netbooks, devices that are traditional sold as a third or even fourth computing option.

If it wasn’t so frustrating to see the tablet space completely dominated by the iPad (for now), it might be amusing to see the flip flopping done by netbook manufacturers like MSI and Acer, who at first were okay with the growth in the tablet market, but now are seeing it affect demand for their products.

Just yesterday, reports surfaced that Acer is concerned about the telecom demand for Tablet PCs. In the last two years especially, netbooks have been a primary way of selling the MiFi and mobile Internet packages which can equal or even exceed the monthly fees charged for just telephone service. Those fees represented the largest single growth opportunity for the telecoms.

But, the iPad has cut into that tremendously. We may never know how much the iPad has actually cannibalized those sales (estimates range from the extreme of Best Buy CEO Brian Dunn claiming 50% of netbook/notebook sales were being devoured, to more reasonable estimates of 15% from industry research groups), but we do know that the rush is on to tap into that market and no industry has a more vested interest than the telecoms who are intent on offering Internet access for mobile devices with their 3G and recently developed 4G/WiMax networks.

What’s interesting in all this is the fact that, in truth, there are not that many devices yet on the platter for telecom release. The Samsung Galaxy Tab is finally hitting store shelves in a few weeks, and Acer plans to have their Tablet PC available by the end of November, but even Acer is foregoing Android in its first batch in favour Windows– not a bad trade off, but not the ideal solution for consumer devices either.

Right now, I think anything that helps spread tablet computing into the mass market is a good thing, provided that the devices being produced are not rushed just to meet telecom demand. I’m not insinuating that Acer’s first tablet outing will be a poor one, but it feels like they’re a little late out of the gate and I hope it doesn’t sour consumes on the potential of more powerful tablet PCs.

There is room for growth throughout the tablet market, and while there is some room to worry that Apple will continue to dominate the fledgling market, cooler heads and more powerful devices will hopefully prevail – telecom companies will get their contracts and users will have their mobile devices. The question now is how ill provide them.

What’s in a Tablet OS?

2010-10-28T10:47:00.004+11:00

Right now, with a slew of new tablet releases making headlines around the globe, including the Samsung Galaxy Tab and the TegaV2, as well as a number of still planned releases from netbook giants Acer and MSI, the bulk of discussion has been about how this new consumer demand will play out over the next five years or so.

And while the hardware being manufactured is increasingly powerful, allowing people to do things never before possible with mobile devices, I’m interested in what an effective tablet OS really looks like. Can a tablet be truly effective for enterprise users, or even advanced household users, if it’s just a ramped up version of an OS developed for mobile phones.

The iOS is a perfect example – a software system that, while deemed restrictive by many iPhone users, still provides a decent user experience, and yet on a tablet seems much more stifling. But, there are more than just “closed OS” issues on the tablet market right now. Recent issues have developed with the open model used by Google for their Android OS.

Since Android is available for licensing and free use for any manufacturer that meets technical requirements with their devices, the OS is appearing on a wide array of devices – including advanced devices like the Galaxy Tab and extremely budget devices like the GenTouch Latte being sold for less than $200.

But, most consumers don’t know the difference between the different versions of Android, leading to issues between Google and manufacturers when devices make it appear that users will have access to the Android Marketplace and clearly do not.

What Should an OS Offer?

So, the big question now is what an OS needs to offer to be effective for a tablet device. What does a tablet need that a smart phone does not? To start with, it should be flexible. It should allow users to type naturally, input data manually (with or without stylus) and access the same software they are used to using on their desktop.

The iOS does not do these things and right now Android is working on it. With Gingerbread recently announced and a handful of tablets on tap from Motorola and Acer this November or December, we will soon see how the 3.0 OS from Google handles more advanced applications. Of course, we must remember that this is still an OS developed first and foremost for phones and while tablets are becoming more common and are likely figuring into the equation, Google knows where the demand is at the moment.

So, what is the solution? Honestly, I don’t think anyone knows just yet. For me, having access to advanced applications through Windows is a must on a tablet, and software like Thinix can make it more intuitive on a touch screen. It remains to be seen how the new RIM operating system will handle the PlayBook or how Gingerbread will perform, but we know one thing for sure – tablets are becoming more mainstream and whether these OS developers realize it or not, their software will need to cater to more than just casual users and entertainment apps in the very near future if they want to remain successful.

Interestingly one solution that is sparking interest comes from Tegatech in the newly released TEGA v2. It is the first Tablet in the world to offer both Windows 7 and Android in one device. It's called “dual-boot” and while it's not quite perfect, it provides a solution for many users. On the Windows side users have access to all their preferred Microsoft Applications, and on the Android side battery life is optimized and the touch experience enhanced through Android. Again I don’t know if this is the perfect choice but it sure opens the TEGA v2 to a breadth of usage scenarios not available prior to its release.

THE OPPORTUNITIES OFFERED BY CITRIX OPENCLOUD

2010-10-26T04:03:00.000+11:00

With cloud computing very much on my mind of late, it’s interesting to take a closer look at what some companies are doing in the enterprise sector. Specifically, it’s companies like Citrix that have shown how cloud computing can be a very viable option for businesses interested in reducing security risks, enhancing connectivity and getting their employees out in the field with mobile devices. Take a look at this video for more about how Citrix and its CTOs are currently pushing this form of anywhere-mobility.

For those not familiar with Citrix, it is a very exciting company working on tools that essentially allow users to take data with them anywhere. Their primary products have been virtual desktop tools like XenDesktop and XenClient (for mobile virtual desktops). Recently, a great deal of focus has been put into mobile access through their tools, however. While Cloud server visualization with XenServer is fantastic, demand is growing for tools that make cloud computing on tablets and other mobile devices safer and more efficient for IT departments, which lead to OpenCloud.

The last thing any company wants to deal with is data security holes or lost devices. So, Citrix has worked closely with a number of product manufacturers to integrate their software and receiver solutions directly into new devices.

Already devices are combining Windows and Android for hybrid use, Thinix for intuitive mobile use, and EyesBoard for quicker and easier keyboard access. With these tools Citrix would make tablet PCs like the TEGAv2 more viable portals to virtual desktops and cloud servers for those companies interested in really securing their data.

Why Citrix for Cloud Computing?

For a while now Citrix has been a company devoted to helping businesses build IT infrastructures that make sense. Right now, cloud computing is what makes sense. It is more dynamic, more efficient, and can adjust to a business’s specific growth needs when necessary.

But, just because cloud computing makes more sense for corporations in theory, doesn’t mean it always works. Citrix developed OpenCloud to deal with those security issues. To me, this is the only company that truly has a handle on what cloud computing needs to look like to be effective in an enterprise setting. That’s why I think it would be such a good fit with many tablet PCs and mobile devices in the enterprise space.

Right now, cloud computing is very exciting – a lot of new ideas are being developed, and while time shall tell how much a part of an IT infrastructure it can become, I personally see it as a stepping stone to more fluid, adaptive technology use in almost any industry.

Cloud Computing and Tablet PCs

2010-10-21T08:25:00.000+11:00

The other day I wrote about battery life and why it is such a vital component in the development of mobile devices. Without an efficient battery and a CPU designed to use less of its power, a mobile device isn’t very mobile. Because I’ve been discussing hardware and innovations in the manufacturer space, I wanted to move to the other side of the spectrum and how software is helping to advance mobility – specifically through cloud based programs.

If you spend any amount of time using a tablet PC, smart phone, or netbook, you likely use a cloud based service. These services include tools like Dropbox and Evernote which store your files and notes on a non-local server so you can access them from any device. But, file storage is only a small part of cloud computing. The real exciting part of cloud computing is the advancement of web-based apps – programs that can quite literally take the place of OEM software, often for free.

Google’s confluence of web apps has been quite popular for some time now, and Windows has followed up with their own app-based service on http://docs.com. Not only can you create free Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents using docs.com, you can directly integrate the new Microsoft service with Facebook, allowing you to generate a friend chart, resume, or slideshow with the data provided by your Facebook account.

Create something useful and you can even share it with other users through the Docs Gallery. The basic idea behind cloud computing is fairly simple, but it’s the application that gets me truly excited – the fact that so many more things are possible when millions of people have access to those documents at any point in time.

Creativity is fantastic, but manufacturers, businesses, and consumers alike are attracted to cloud computing for one reason above all else – it allows expansion of what those devices are capable of. Right now, processor power in tablet PCs and other mobile devices is still less than ideal. Devices capable of the battery life we seek are forced to sacrifice multi-tasking and advanced feature sets to get it, while other devices are left with weaker batteries due to tech provided. Cloud computing allows devices to access more resources without expansion of local storage or processing power.

And then there is the issue of security. Right now, security on mobile devices is one of the primary concerns of enterprise users. If you lose your tablet PC and it has confidential figures for your next sales presentation on it, what can you do? Someone has instant access to data they should never see. However, by storing those figures in the cloud and accessing them only when necessary through a secure connection, they are never at risk.

The Tablet can essentially contain no vital files and be protected at all times. Of course, implementation is important here. Corporations cannot simply open a giant Dropbox account and store all their important files there. Careful creation and moderation of a cloud system is required – it’s one of the major points of focus in enterprise development for tablet PCs at the moment, and one of the major issues with the iPad – its minimal support for those expanded platforms.

As mobile computing becomes an increasingly important part of the business landscape, so too will the cloud. Whether you prefer local apps or enjoy the web-based programs being developed by Google and Microsoft, I can practically guarantee that at least part of your daily work will be done in or with the use of the cloud in the years to come.

The Chipmaking Future for Tablet PCs

2010-10-18T07:57:00.000+11:00

Everywhere I turn lately, there are analysts forecasting an explosion in the sales of tablet PCs. For sure, most of that growth is based off the surge in popularity of the iPad. Much like the iPhone and iPod before it, the iPad represents the first mainstream product in a growing market and it’s not surprising that consumers like it – tablet PCs are great products and soon enough they’ll find out how great as true iPad competitors emerge.

What interests me most in this surge is not the potential for sales in the future. It will be interesting to see if some forecasts, such as a recent Gartner report stating that tablet sales will reach more than 200 million by 2015 while Forrester’s more conservative reports still peg the growing market at roughly 20 million tablets by the same year, will come to fruition.

But, I’m interested in the surge of news coming from chip manufacturers as they shift focus to the mobile trend in tablet computing.

Right now, many devices on the market are running on the A8 Cortex platform. This includes the iPad, which runs the A4 processor, and the Samsung Galaxy Tablet which is running the ARM A8 Cortex. The same chip base is also used in the Nokia 770.

But, despite how versatile the A8 has been in the last two years, manufacturers are aware of the need for faster, more power-efficient chips. It’s why MSI decided to delay its Windpad 100.Instead of rushing a tablet to market with aging technology (in their case an Intel Atom Z530), MSI is waiting for something more efficient and powerful.

The New Chips on the Horizon

While MSI will release at least one version of their Windpad before 2011 with the newer Cortex A9 from Texas Instruments, there are a lot more options in development as well. To start with, Texas Instruments has already licensed a new architecture from ARM – likely to go into new devices in about a year.

Intel is also upping their investment in mobile processing. They have already started appearing in some new devices like the Asus EP121, the Cisco Cius and possibly the HP Slate 500 (still rumors right now).But, we all know that Intel is pushing for more releases in the next two years to ramp up battery life without sacrificing power.

Then there’s AMD – a company that does not yet have a tablet chip on the market. Already, Dirk Meyer has been quoted as saying they won’t invest specifically in tablet computing until “the market’s big enough to justify the investment”. Of course, that doesn’t mean AMD isn’t in the tablet game at all. Their newest Ontario chipset is a combined processor/graphics chip that supposedly draws less power and that they see as being viable in tablets.

AMD is already a little behind in the netbook and mobile field, so this isn’t exactly surprising, but they can’t get away with not discussing it. Investors and analysts alike are tracking tablets because this is a massive growth market.

I still don’t know that numbers like Gartner’s are feasible – 200 million tablets is a lot of devices for a 5 year period. But, I also think we’re looking at the beginning of a massive surge in an industry that’s been on the cusp for 10 years. Chipmakers are going to start shifting resources to where the money is. No, desktop and laptop PCs aren’t going anywhere ( more than 250 million sales a year won’t just disappear), but if we see even a fraction of that in Tablets, the computing industry is going to change a lot in the next 5 years.

Advanced Software Options for Tablet PCs

2010-10-15T08:53:00.001+11:00

Right now, I feel like one of the major concerns users have with tablet PCs is that functionality will be hobbled with a touch screen. Most users are accustomed to the standard keyboard and mouse layout and using a traditional operating system like Windows 7 without those input devices seems like an awkward solution.

It might explain the popularity of the iPad and the increased demand for Android devices – those operating systems are designed exclusively for touch. And yet, especially in the case of the iOS software, simplicity in use of the touch screen has severely weakened the functionality of the device. Single tasking, the app interface, and limited expansion are all major gripes with the dedicated touch screen OS.

For enterprise users and personal users more demanding of their tech, the solution to me still remains Windows 7 or a Windows 7/ Android hybrid (as in the TegaV2). But, even with the added functionality and extreme permeability of both Windows and Android, there is a strong need for enhanced software that is 100% native to touch screens and yet takes full advantage of all the amazing things modern technology can do.

There are industries where tablet PCs could instantly increase productivity – such as in health care, education, and hospitality. But to make that dream a reality, there needs to be software that overlays the standard Windows 7 interface and makes it easier to complete tasks without watering down the device (as in the case of the iPad).

One of the best examples I can point to is Thinix Touch. Thinix Touch provides a more intuitive touch screen interface for a Windows based computer without sacrificing the features that we know and love about Windows. Multi-tasking, Windows software and easy access to your file systems are all still there, but with a touch oriented interface that is reminiscent of iOS or Android.

And the folks at Thinix are well aware of how expandable their software is. In September they released their Thinix Touch VDI software – allowing users to access virtual desktops in the same comfortable Thinix interface on a tablet PC. There are dozens of real world applications here, from health care to education, and business travel.

Another piece of software I feel represents the growing trend for power application on touch screen computers is Eyesboard. This software tool allows users to access a customizable on-screen keyboard that works with stylus or finger input, and can adjusted, changed in size, shifted to other languages, and much more.

Again, people like the interface that devices like the iPad offer, but beyond the aesthetically pleasing layout, the functionality is very limiting. So, having advanced software tools in place like Thinix or Eyesboard will allow users to enjoy that on-the-go, instant touch interface while still using a powerful device that can do everything they need of it.

I’m sure that’s why Tegatech included both pieces of software on the TegaV2 – they’re important and will help anyone get much more out of their tablet PC.

Battery Life and the Future of the Tablet PC

2010-10-12T07:18:00.001+11:00

Despite all the new tablets rushing to the market these days, to me there remain only a handful of features that truly are “must-have”. One of those is a decent battery life.

Battery life in particular is a big point of contention for any new product on the market because it can define the usefulness of that device. When Apple released the iPad earlier this year, it was no surprise that it touted nearly 10 hours of battery life under heavy use. Apple has long been focused on making sure their gadgets last longer for their users (to the detriment of functionality in many cases).

Yet, while many people like to compare the world of tablet PCs to Apple, keep in mind that Apple has long been highly controlling of their devices. If a battery fails in an iPad or iPhone, you can't swap it out for a new one – you must send it to Apple and wait for a replacement.

This is one of the harsh truths about tablet computing – for the device to be small and light enough to be truly functional outside of the office it often has a sealed compartment, making expansion with a new battery nearly impossible.

Some devices have gone against the grain of compartmentalizing, allowing third parties to release larger batteries to power them longer. The Dell Streak, for example, never had the greatest battery life, yet because the batteries can be swapped with relative ease, Mugen Power is able to offer 1800mAh and 4800mAh options as replacements. But, for many new devices, it’s just not a viable option.

As the “tablet wars” heat up, I think it's important to note just how vital the battery issue is going to become. Most of this will lie in the development of battery technology. Right now, it feels like we’re approaching a brick wall – one where battery power can only be improved with larger, heavier batteries.

That’s not to say there hasn’t been much talk of fuel powered batteries or solar power use in consumer devices, but it hasn’t progressed nearly far enough to make up for the advancement of other technologies.

It worries me that despite superior technical abilities and enterprise focus, a device without superior battery power might suffer on the market. The point of a tablet PC is mobility – and yet to get that mobility, devices like the iPad are being hobbled severely for their users. The iPad specifically cuts out external ports, limits OS features and only allows single task processing because anything more would severely cut down on that magic battery life number. Other devices want to offer more, and as a result, they suffer.

Don't get me wrong – I’m hoping that in a few years, this argument won’t matter as much – the same way that hard disk storage and camera megapixels eventually grew so powerful consumers could look to other features. But, the technology has a ways to go yet. The hunt is on for a better battery – one that can transform mobile computing into a powerful, long term replacement for the plugged in desktop. Here’s hoping it’s soon.

If you’re interested in this topic, which has been of great interest to me for many years, I’m working on a Report that will outline some practical tips on battery life optimisation. I should also have some documents finished soon that will outline what you can truly expect from a tablet PC in terms of battery life. I’m hoping to share these with everyone soon!

The Budget Tablet

2010-10-09T09:21:00.006+11:00

Yesterday Augen – the company that had a run in with Google over the summer when their $150 Kmart tablet had unlicensed copies of the Google App Marketplace running on it – announced that they will be releasing a series of six Android Tablets with varying screen sizes.

The tablets in question will be broken down into Latte and Espresso Series. The Latte Series will feature Android 2.2, 2 GB of flash memory, and HDMI out. The memory may be limited, but an SD slot supporting 16 GB of external storage offers some room for expansion. The part of real interest? The Latte will only cost $200 – a super budget option that severely undercuts the advances being made by some other devices.

Additionally, the Gentouch line of tablets will offer some upgraded models, including a $250 Latte Grande with a higher resolution touch screen, and the Espresso line with the Cortex A9 1GHz processor selling for $350.

While the Gentouch line is not yet slated for a specific release date (probably Q4 this year or Q1 next year), it did get me thinking about the position that budget tablets could potential take up in the coming months.

Tablet computing is definitely catching on. Users with subsidized smartphones are getting used to having a powerful device in their pockets that cost them less than $200. Unfortunately, this means that manufacturers are driving to cut prices severely and offer budget items with less features and scaled back functionality – it hinders ingenuity in a lot of ways.

Millions will see the sleek design and mobile possibilities of tablets like the iPad or Galaxy and will wonder how they can get their hands on a similar product. A budget option sold through retailers like Kmart or Walmart stands to be a potentially popular alternative to the devices that right now sell for more than most subsidized phones, game consoles and even television sets, but this only hurts the industry.

A computer, even a tablet device, is a rare purchase. It is a piece of technology that will provide value for months or even years to come. By investing in a device that doesn’t do quite as much to save a few dollars, manufacturers using shortcuts are rewarded and encouraged to continue reducing quality to make more money.

For sure, there is a market for budget tablets, but can a budget tablet offer enough features to be more than just a fancy toy? Android is likely the solution as an open source platform, with scalability through the Android App Marketplace. Storage expansion is also a must. An SD slot allows manufacturers to skip the cost of internal storage and focus instead on providing an intuitive, graphically pleasing display.

There is a definite future for tablets that can effectively replace a desktop PC – providing a range of powerful tools and features. But, what does the casual tablet user need? It’s important that consumers do their research and make informed decisions such that they can inform the market of the tools and features they need without supporting an undercut in quality by manufacturers.

What Impact will Samsung's New Tablet Have?

2010-10-06T08:31:00.003+11:00

There has been quite a bit of news in recent weeks about the Samsung Galaxy tablet, set for release in Europe next week, probable release in Australia in November, and confirmed release in the United States on November 1^st via partnerships with AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, and Verizon. If you’ve read the blog recently, you’ll know I’ve been following the development the Galaxy closely because there is quite a bit of momentum building in the industry and this is one of the big “buzz” devices as a potential iPad competitor.

The release date is well timed with the iPad’s next iteration likely at least 6 months away and RIM’s PlayBook slated for next spring. To top it off, the Galaxy has been making inroads on a number of categories in regards to its potential enterprise use. I’ve made no secret of my opinion of the iPad and its usefulness for businesses – there just are not many ways it truly stands up to daily computing, especially not as a desktop replacement.

So, in the Galaxy Tab we’re seeing talk about how effective this device could end up being. While it has a slightly smaller screen than the iPad at 7 inches, users will find a 1GHz Cortext A8 Processor, 512 MB of RAM, 16 GB of built-in storage (with a Micro SD slot for expansion) and two cameras (one of them front facing and already touting support for Fring or Qik) under the hood.

Unlike the upcoming RIM tablet which will run on a brand new operating system being developed by recent RIM acquisition QNX Software Systems, the Galaxy sports Android 2.2, providing it with the second largest App store on the market and ample opportunity for expansion. It’s especially nice because they’re shipping the Galaxy with the newest version of Android – one of the easiest to use tablet interfaces yet. The only major issue I see here is that the Android Marketplace has not been vetted for tablets yet. Most apps are built for the small resolution of smart phones. In time this will be remedied, but for early adopters, things won’t look too pretty. Real business users may find that Windows is still a far more diverse operating system in terms of the software it supports (hence the Tega V2 supporting both Windows and Android).

Of course, as I and most readers out there will agree, easy to use is only a small part of the puzzle. What does the Galaxy do for enterprise users? Already, we know that Android is a more enterprise friendly OS. It allows more freedom in how apps are developed and supports Flash technology in web pages – two very big plusses for business users.

A statement released today further supports the Galaxy as a more enterprise minded device. Citrix, known for its Receiver software, has announced a partnership with Samsung to offer their software on the Galaxy tablets and smartphones, allowing users to access their virtual desktop as well as a number of other powerful business apps such as databases, all with cloud storage so internal space isn’t eaten up (and to ensure security of the device should it be lost).

Combined with recent partnerships with Sybase, Blackboard Mobile Learn and Epocrates Rx, Samsung is trying hard to incorporate as many business tools into their new tablet platform as possible. With the device still a little ways off and public opinion very much up in the air about long term tablet viability, I’m very interested to see how Samsung’s varying approach to tablet computing will hold up.

The real point of all this is that the market seems to be coming to terms with the future of the tablet PC – a viable, mobile option for on the go computing. That means better support from major firms, more enterprise apps and a variety of connectivity options. There’s still a lot to be done but honestly, with this many new tablets on the horizon, I’m feeling very excited about the future of tablet computing.

RIM’s PlayBook – Can it Work?

2010-10-03T17:07:00.000+11:00

After a lot of question marks popped up in mid-September following a Wall Street Journal article, Research in Motion (RIM) announced their first foray into the tablet field last week. I won’t say I’m not surprised – BlackBerry has been trying to tap into the Apple zeitgeist for the better part of two years now – since they launched their first touch screen phone, the Storm back in 2008.

This announcement, however, dovetailed nicely with my post earlier this week about the surge in tablet computing – from Best Buy’s frantic exaggerations to Apple’s industry dominance (for now). As we know, RIM isn’t alone in their rush to get a piece of the soon to be $40 billion dollar a year industry. Samsung’s Galaxy is in the works as we speak. Dell will soon release their Streak tablet and we all know Apple’s working on their second generation iPad that will likely increase storage and improve on a handful of common concerns for owners of the first generation device.

RIM’s new tablet is set to be a 7-inch device using Marvell Technology Group chips and the newest version of a QNX Software Systems OS (not the long maligned BlackBerry OS that is slowly starting to phase out of RIM’s products). Of course, how that QNX operating system will work on a tablet PC remains to be seen. While QNX has done fantastic work in car-dashboard OS and industrial applications, they haven’t worked in the consumer tech field before, and many people including myself are unsure of RIM’s move to dump the BlackBerry OS 6 so quickly.

The App Issue

Another major issue I can’t help but point out is the lack of App support. For better or worse, the mobile computing industry is now reliant on the App store structure established by Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android. The BlackBerry OS is already at a major disadvantage in this category – how will it perform when looking down the barrel of hundreds of thousands of apps on rival devices with a second OS to support?

In fact, the App issue is the reason most of the new devices we’ve been hearing about are coming fully loaded with Android (or in the case of the Tega V2, both Android and Windows). Personally, I don’t like this move by RIM. The BlackBerry platform, while lagging in consumer markets, is still the number one smartphone platform in the world due to enterprise users – changing it and knowingly splitting developers in an already hungry atmosphere is questionable.

When a company undermines its dominance because they’re afraid of what another product is doing, bad things happen. Apple has done something special in the design and presentation of their iPhone and iPad devices. However, one thing they haven’t done is produce a quality enterprise platform. RIM has long dominated in this field because their phones are developed with business users in mind, providing advanced security options, immediate support and training programs around the globe for IT professionals – can their new tablet do the same in the midst of an OS transition, without 3G support and with extremely limited options for expansion through Apps?

It makes me wonder – what should a tablet developer be focused on right now if they want to produce a successful device? Does a device need to have Android installed to be financially viable, or can a third party OS succeed, even without all those fun add-ons to choose from?

This is a burgeoning market, but in the next 6-9 months I think we’re going to get a very clear idea of where it is headed and who will take the lead. Apple has by no means locked up the title of tablet King – not with so many missing features for power users, but to overcome their sizable head start, manufacturers will need to produce something that reaches not only those who need tablet tools, but those who are attracted to the sleek new form of the mobile PC.

TEGA v2 Tablet live on Australian Television

2010-10-01T20:46:00.002+10:00

TEGA v2 on Kerri Anne Show in Australia

It's so cool to be able to share this! It turns out the TEGA v2 will make its Television debut on the Kerri Anne morning show (breakfast TV) on Monday the 4th of October at 9am. The TEGA v2 will be featured alongside the iPad, Dell Streak and the Samsung Galaxy!

TEGA v2, the latest version of TEGA family, will be on TV across Australia on Kerri Anne Show 4th October 9 am.

Thanks to the Daily Telegraph journalist @StephenFenech (blog). The TEGA v2 will be launched globally on 12th October in North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.

It is with much excitement and anticipation that Tegatech share with you some details of the upcoming release of TEGA v2. With capacitive multi-touch screen, built-in 3G, accelerometers (to register rotation) and approximately 5hrs battery life. The TEGA v2 will impress greatly when coupled with Windows 7 and FREE Android distribution it will be available from October onwards.

more details and http://www.tegav2.com/

Growing iPad Sales and the Future of the Tablet Market

2010-10-01T20:45:00.001+10:00

A few weeks ago, Best Buy CEO Brian Dunn was quoted in the Wall Street Journal as saying iPad sales were cannibalizing PC notebook sales by as much as 50%. I thought it seemed high, and as ARN reported earlier this week, analysts are in disagreement about those very numbers.

As it turns out, NPD data analysis has shown those numbers to be slightly lower – in the mid-teens to as much as 25% range. But, regardless of where the numbers fall, that’s still a hefty chunk of consumers suggesting they don’t need a new netbook or notebook PC – that an iPad, as limiting as the device can be, is the perfect alternative for mid-level browsing and email.

It got me to thinking about where we’re at in the evolution of tablet PCs. I’ve been in this industry for almost a decade back when manufacturers were geeking out about their first wave of Windows based tablets. Tablets of that era were often clunky and heavy, but I fell in love with them immediately and have been a passionate advocate of the platform ever since.

So, it’s hard to step back and look at these trends without intense scrutiny, especially when you consider I’ve had the luxury of owning almost every new device on the market. The truth, which makes perfect sense when you look at those numbers more carefully, is that people are not necessarily replacing notebook PCs with tablets, and they’re definitely not supplanting their power computing with an iPad.

What we’re really seeing is a world where most people own more than one computer – the big powerful machine at home for heavy duty work, the smart phone for on-the-go transactions, and the in-between machine for getting work done at the airport or web surfing on the train. And the iPad is filling that final hole for a lot of early adopters.

Building on Momentum

I’ve made no bones about my impression of the iPad. This thing just can’t get the job done in a business environment. ARN also called my attention to a recent Technology Business Research survey showing 32% of iPad owners using the device as a PC replacement and 44% of them using the device as their number one computing device (by raw hours). When I see these numbers, I get warm fuzzy feelings inside, because I know it means big things are coming for tablets in general, not just iPads.

As you all know, Android has been making quite a stir on the tablet scene in the last few months. Since the first Android tablet hit the market in 2009 (before the iPad I might add), analysts have been wondering what the breakthrough device would be. Smartphones had the Motorola Droid – what will bring Android tablets into the mainstream discussion alongside the iPad?

Some people think Samsung is on the right track with their Galaxy line. Others are looking for big things out of PC manufacturers. Personally, I think it will be a combination of devices, perhaps like the TEGA v2 which will support dual-boot Android/Windows. After all, that’s what has made Android the fastest growing phone OS on the planet, quickly gaining on the iPhone. Apple has their iOS on two phones. Google has theirs on dozens. People can transition between multiple devices, all while using their Google Services accounts to keep track of Apps, data, and everything else that you need when backing up a phone.

And now we have people going gaga for tablets. They’re going for tablets because they’re cool, intuitive and lightweight and they make a great in-between device for someone who needs more power than a smart phone but doesn’t want to lug around a PC.

Apple did something good here – they got the Tablet into the mainstream. It took more than 10 years to do it, but now we’re seeing people switching over at record pace, and just like they did for the smartphone, I see Android devices squeaking in to offer something more powerful, diverse and generally useful than Apple – business users keep your eyes open because it won’t be long before Android tablets litter classrooms, boardrooms, and living rooms everywhere.

Tablets at Computex 2010

2010-06-09T17:43:00.000+10:00

Computex Taiwan was a great event this year. Even though I wasn't there I had a handful of people on the ground sending me emails, text messages and most importantly photos too. Given it is the "Year of the Tablet" I was so excited to see a stream of devices coming out from new manufacturers like FIC, MS and Malata. I really like the Hanvon unit and have ordered one for myself to (play with) and will let you know my thoughts soon. I'm not into the iPad clones and definitley won't be getting any of those! LOL!

As I said, I wasn't there but here is a collection of images I have made into an animated GIF of Tablets found at Computex in 2010.

CeBIT Australia 2010

2010-05-29T14:14:00.000+10:00

Team Tegatech having fun: Taking the Tablet!

CeBIT was extra special for me this year, not only was I speaking at the Webciety conference but my little business (Tegatech Australia) was exhibiting at the show too. I have presented at CeBIT for the last four years and each year is more exciting than the last. I made my way to stage and while the audience was small it was full of familiar faces.

Presenting at CeBIT Australia: Webciety Conference

Not surprisingly as I pulled out the iPad the crowd seemed to double and grow each minute I presented. Then the TEGA Tablet came out, a Tablet made by our little business. Obviously the sentence to follow will contain some amount of praise but given I’ve worked with Tablets for almost a decade I can suggest there is good reason for an iPad alternative to exist.

Crowd builds as TEGA Tablet and iPad come out

The TEGA Tablet multi-tasks, has built-in 3G and SSD options, but best of all it accepts handwritten input thanks to the inclusion of a carefully written Human Interface Device (HID) driver. With this driver users can write on the screen and have those notes transcribed into text (extra great when running Windows 7 Professional) or have those same notes left as handwritten format for reading later. Ultimately with all its ports and full Operating System I think the business community in particular will welcome the TEGA Tablet, or anyone that is above 16yrs of age and doesn’t own a pair of white earphones.

Interviewed for CeBIT TV

The show was great this year and there seemed to be a bigger push from medium sized exhibitors showing off their wears! There was a huge Korean pavilion and even one from Shenzhen China – famous for iPad clones. It was a little strange to see some of the clones on display as I am pretty sure where the iPad clones go lawsuits follow shortly after! I enjoyed myself and I thank anyone that came and spent time with us, and for those of you that missed out we/I will be back at CeBIT Australia 2011!

TEGA Tablet stand!

Viliv S10 Blade and N5 arrive on my doorstep

2010-05-20T18:29:00.000+10:00

So sad...but I'm still like a kid when these come in!

Today was certainly an exciting day with the arrival of the the FedEX man! As per most days there is always a sense of enthusiasm when he knocks but on this day we knew it was extra special. Inside the box...Australia's first Viliv N5 and Vili S10 in the same box!!!

massive hole for battery (10hrs), and interestingly, easy access to SSD

With 10hrs battery life it was easy to see where it gets it from. When I flipped over the machine there was a massive hole looking for a chunky bit of lithium ion polymer to fill its shoes. It's the smartest battery design I've seen in an Ultra-Mobile PC design and with all 7.4V to power itself from it was no surprise why the S10 Blade does so well on the battery life stakes.

S10 Blade open...and converting

It is a convertible notebook but by its weight and design you would almost swear it's a slate. In hand it is light to hold and the swivel action is very refined and a credit to Viliv as it is their first attempt at such a device. It is so much lighter than the Fujitsu P1630, and better built than the ASUS T91 (not hard) so over all a great effort.

this is why they call it The Blade!!!

When this unit is in slate mode it becomes very obvious just how skilful it is. With the amazing ability to act wafer thin while still packing a keyboard I can see I'm starting to fall in love with the unit as a possible "preferred" device. I really didn't think I would be this enamoured but with multi-touch, an SD card slot, built-in 3G and SSD, 2x USB ports and the awesome ability to turn itself into a external storage device (thanks to mini USB port you can plug it into another machine and read data from it), I think this unit is special.

Slated for action!

I like the minimalistic design and the fact that it has a camera. It has been hard to think about the iPad movement and actually suggest there is an alternative in the PC world, but this may be it! I love the portability and the battery life, and the simple design, and nice exterior feel it means that it can sit in your hand quite nicely and perhaps be considered one of the true iPad killers on the market!

N5 has silky (sexy) matt finish

The N5 is so new what I have in my hand is a pre-pre-production model. It has the best feeling (almost felt-like) exterior which means it is a very desirability machine (almost sexy). It has been designed to give a touch experience in your pocket with all the functionality Windows provides. With built-in 3G, large keyboard and long life battery I think this will also turn heads at CeBIT Australia.

N5 open!

I like that the keyboard has left-click and right-click, all the keys needed to work "normally" including the Windows key, and that the screen is quite readable outdoors. It is a light device and will definitely find a happy home amongst consumers. Between the S10 and the N5 I favour the S10 as I like screen real-estate too much but ultimately they are both innovative enough to be called "real" Ultra-Mobile PC. They will be officially launched in Australia on Monday the 24th of May on Tegatech Australia stand (R61).

iPad, TEGA Tablet, Surface and Hunter Valley

2010-05-18T23:18:00.001+10:00

iPad (pre-launch 2010 Australia) - about to begin second session

On Thursday afternoon I packed up my bags, my iPad, my TEGA Tablet and a Surface Table….yes, a Surface Table! My direction was north, and my goal was to speak at the AIS conference 2010. This is the third occasion I have been invited to present and on this occasion I had to give two sessions, for the first time, so I had twice the opportunity to make blunders, or on a positive note, had twice the opportunity to impress.

"during" my talk I let all the attendees come up

and play with Surface

Ultimately the audience is a bunch of well-schooled, well intended, IT managers and professionals. Billed as “The primary event for ICT professionals in independent schools” the event is held in the Hunter Valley, i.e. some of Australia’s most heavenly win country. My talks were scheduled for Friday and without delay I packed, prepared and practiced all my lines. With PowerPoint on my new T900 (with multi-touch) and a plethora of cutting edge devices (totalling a street value of almost $30,000 AUD) it was always going to be entertaining at worst! LOL!

"Inspect A Gadet" LOL!!!

My talks came and went, I had countless questions about the TEGA Tablet, the iPad strengths and weaknesses and even had Microsft staff stay through my first talk and come up after and say they thoroughly enjoyed it (especially the Surface bits). Too cool. I just thought I’d share some images as it was fun to be part of. If I get invited back next year (my fourth year) I better start planning ways to beat this year’s presentations….maybe $100K worth of gadgets!

Next week I'm speaking at the Webciety Conference, CeBIT Australia 2010. Can't wait!!! Tegatech will have a stand their too.

Surface at AIS NSW IT MANAGERS’ CONFERENCE 2010

First look at Panasonic ToughBook CF-C1 (aka C1)

2010-05-11T23:35:00.001+10:00

Today I was lucky enough to play with one of the World’s first Panasonic CF-C1…and loved it! While I have enough been a fan of rugged computers for mainstream (or personal) use I do fully understand the “whys” around the technology and how it came about to exist. While the CF-C1 is not a pretty Tablet, I can suggest it is a robust and well executed effort. It definitely won’t appeal to people looking to buy a Lenovo Tablet, or a toy-ish ASUS T91, it will definitely fill a gap in the market as a tough (as the name implies) and reliable business tool!

Just like the time I had world’s first look at the Fujitsu P1610, and the world’s first look at the HTC Shift, and even Raon Digital VEGA (now I'm showing my geek age!) on this occasion my time with the C1 (although not world's first) was brief and secretive. In a veil of excitement the Panasonic representative came swooping into my home, turned, flipped, held, pointed, prodded and showcases the unit to me. After nearly an hour we debated its merits and everyone walked away contented! While by no stretch of the imagination would I call this a review, I would, based on nearly a decade of playing with these toys, post some quick thoughts.

Positive:

Felt extremely light – at 1.6kgs it’s not entirely a featherweight but the weight distribution felt great
The touchscreen (I believe capacitive) was very light and easy to use, while the Wacom digitizer exceptionally silky.
Tablet swivel hinge was extremely sturdy – like most ToughBook designs the swivel was over engineered IMHO but certainly justified on the CF-C1
Dual battery (hotswappable) bays are great – and at 5hrs per battery, totalling a predicted 10hrs, it certainly will turn heads
Price will be sub $3k AUD (equivalent to early US$2K before taxes) is reasonably for such a device

Negatives

Felt too light! Hard too believe I'd say this, but I mean too light when compared to the image (and impression) the ToughBook brand carries. Almost didn't feel like a ToughBook.
Stylus bay very weak – obviously could be a result of the preproduction unit I played with but when I took the stylus out, and packed it away, there was a real air of “cheapness” around it. I’m sure that will be fixed.
As stated above, the swivel is over engineered, but I can see why it’s done that way
Styling leaves a lot to be desired, especially with the “orthopaedic-styled” palm rest on the underbelly of the unit, but once again “I get it”, it’s TOUGH!

Here are some pictures. Ask me anything you want. I believe it will be released officially in Australia on the first week of June with global locations following similar timelines. If you’re in business chasing a Tablet it may be worth a looks…especially if you work on a farm, drive a pickup, and chew tobacco! LOL!

Hinge: long parallel bracket with built-in stoppers

(only swivels in one direction)

Lock: to prevent from swivelling,

when Tablet is in traditional notebook stance

Screen locked in place.

(good view of hinge bracketry)

Side view: swivel locked

Front on: the mouse pad really jumped out as odd

12.1" C1 sizes up comparably (and a little unnecessarily) to my 13.3" Fujitsu T900H

C1 needs a little more tilt to swivel due to parallel bracket

Thickness similar at nearly 40mm each

(<1.5" for Fujitsu, and <1.7" for C1)

Very practical palm rest/grip:

like a good pair of Crocs I guess, i.e. very comfy but not sexy! LOL

Your pair of Crocs! LOL

Express slot, smart card, USB, VGA, air vent

Power port, Ethernet, 56k modem (WTF), air vent, 2x USB

Throwing up some good numbers!

Some switches, lights, and SD card slot (nice)

lid closed

UPDATE Viliv S5 driver calibration issue fixed with toothpick

2010-04-23T10:44:00.000+10:00

For all of you experiencing issues with the Viliv S5 HID Driver I released recently this email may come as a welcome surprise! Looks as though the answer is in a toothpick! LOL! (And a simple set of instructions). While I am a little sceptical we have tried it with two machines and it works! The answer comes after much backwards and forwards between Tegatech and Viliv and may be just what the doctor ordered!

Not my mouth! LOL!

Try it out and let me know!

From Viliv:

The method is like that.

Control Panel => Device Manager=> Human Interface Device. => Check the 3 drivers (HID-compliant device, Microsoft Input Configuration Device, Viliv HID Touch). Mice and other pointing devices => Check HID-compliant mouse.

If the device has the problem, you re-install the HID driver.

You delete the Human Interface driver with the uninstall menu
You restart the S5 when restart message box is coming.
To delete the trace of the driver, you delete the following the files (Windows\system32\driver\(i8042prt_hid.sys and i8042prt_atom.sys)
Control Panel => Mice and other pointing device => PS2 mouse Driver. Driver update using compatible option.
Restart the S5.
Reinstall the EC driver(0.54).(new driver online at Viliv here)
You have to calibration again with Tool is Control Panel => Hardware and Sound => Tablet PC Settings=> Display option => Click the Calibrate button.

LatteGuy, Fenech and iPad journeys continue

2010-04-20T12:19:00.001+10:00

What started out as an effort to satisfy some friends has quickly turned into a who's who of Australian media! First my mate Jon Dee - runner up Australian of the Year 2010 (also Planet Ark fame and Do Something!) wanted an iPad and then Stephen Fenech (of the Fenech Family fame) and Editor of The Daily Telegraph's Connect column wanted one too.

Jon Dee and Stephen Fenech enjoy the iPads

I spent the late afternoon sipping tea and talking Tablets with these two gentlemen on Monday afternoon and by the end of it felt better about the IT space. Ironically not because they had converted me to a devoted iPad lover but because of the sense of commitment and passion around Tablet seemed somewhat escalated this year.

As we were spearheaded by Jon regarding the App Store, and his latest arrays of expenditures, I understood just how significant Tablets are to mobility becoming an accepted form of computing. With both PC and Apple Tablets there is a sense of freedom, a sense of accomplishment and a sense of empowerment which comes with being able to compute on the road and on the go. I remember my first exposure to Tablet PC and how it revolutionised the way I worked; it seems the “Minority Report” dreams of mobile computing are no longer a dream at all and rapidly becoming a reality.

What I am excited about most is how Apple’s iPad has pushed mainstream PC manufacturers like Dell and HP to look for ways to compete and therefore offer more compelling mobile computing solutions which will include things like proper multi-tasking, full uncompromised Operating Systems and ports! HAHA! I am looking forward to Apple’s touch experience being more common place on PCs and things battery life increases too. Overall Tablets I a good place this year!

Presenting at Sydney Mobile User Group

In other news, last week I presented at the Sydney Mobile User Group (#SYDMO). It was hosted at the City Hotel and ended up being a great night. I took the TEGA Tablet and the iPad and had fun showcasing it to the many folks at the event. I met @TheLatteGuy who then invited me to do a similar presentation on Wednesday (21st April) at #wscm, 54 Norton St Leichhardt. So if you’re in Sydney and want to hang out and Talk Tablets! Pop in for coffee between 8am and 10am.

Microsoft's Michael Kordahi playing with TEGA Tablet

and TheLatteGuy waiting his turn

Reset everything on iPad in 4-clicks

2010-04-14T13:18:00.000+10:00

As promised I did not hold onto my two iPads for very long. The first I passed on once it landed and cleared Customs and the second just this morning. It's not all over as I have another landing on Monday, but on this occassion a good friend of mine Jon Dee phoned me up and without much explanation I could tell this iPad was the exact “hit” he was chasing!

Just before sending it back however I wanted to restore it to factory default and I never would have imagined how simple that would be. I keep forgetting it's a glorified iPod so it makes sense this process is easy. While it excited me to learn of the ease of a total restore (and absolute erase) it also concerned me as to how easy the reset process actually is, especially when given the iPad spent more time in other people's hands (an occupational hazard the iPad will succumb to globally). If the reset process can be password protected please let me know how? If not, and maybe I am thinking too much like a Window's Junky, then I believe Apple should place password protection on the iPad reset process.
Within 30seconds (no more) I was reset, absolutely wiped, deleted and factory reset. Sure I can plug back into iTunes and do a restore but with 630hrs battery life (amazing isn’t it!!!) a lot can happen between charging.

Step 1: under "Setting" hit "Reset"

Step 2: hit "Erase All Content and Settings"

Step 3: first confirmation!

Step 4: second confirmation! "Are you sure sure??"

It's so quick I barely had time to take this photo!

Next screen you'll see is the "iTunes dependency" splash page. Done!

Leon's Drum Kit gets an Ultra-Mobile PC

2010-04-13T14:48:00.000+10:00

Leon setting up RAM mount system on his drum kit

As some of my readers may know I have a nine year old boy who is an absolute geek and has been since he was little. He and I have geeked around at the local carwash, at his school and he even launched a Tablet PC training video when he was only 4yrs old! As he is growing-up however his wants are changing and so are his interests. While still an absolute geek he is also a musician, i.e. percussionist in his local school band. Recently we bought a brand new Pearl drum kit for him to use at home and it is awesome to listen to and watch him practice.

Leon and his mate Ian configure the baby Fujitsu (U1010 aka U810)

Over the years I’ve talked about many Tablet usage case studies but on this occasion I have a “really cool” one! So with Tablets to spare in our home (at last count a year ago there are over thirty tablets at our fingertips) I ordered a set of RAM mounts and installed a new Fujitsu U1010 (aka U810) onto his drum kit! With this he can now surf YouTube for Drum lessons, download music and listen along using his Panasonic headset. The reason I chose the U1010 is that it has no use for me (just too slow) and yet is a perfect size and shape, with its touchscreen and incorporated keyboard, and sits nicely on the drum kit and is transformed into an incredible learning tool!

Geek heaven!!!

Leon's Drum Kit gets an Ultra-Mobile PC

Hugo Ortega gets his first iPad experience in Australia

2010-04-12T23:37:00.000+10:00

I figured it would not be fair to get Australia’s first imported iPad (I know this as Customs worked hard to “define” it in their system today) and not post some thoughts about it. In keeping with that theme it would also not be fair for me to get too detailed on this initial post as I have used the iPad for a total of about 6hrs and that by no means makes me the consummate iPad expert! Truly though after almost a decade of talking Tablet in Australia it is fair to say my interpretation may be different to yours.

and Australia was changed forever

This morning as FedEX knocked on the door and delivered a single iPad to my doorstep I felt like it was the year 2001 all over again and Dr. Neil was at the door! (Read this post and you’ll understand). While on this occasion I had less to be blindly optimistic about, and more to be intellectually cautious about, there was still the palpable taste of geek excitement in the air. As I signed for the package and headed downstairs I couldn’t help but completely forget about the morning’s 200+ emails, the unanswered phone messages or the fact that I had a perfectly good cup of coffee only half drunk! There it was, a FedEX box in its full glory with only but a drawstring standing between me and an Apple iPad.

FedEX, iPad and me!

As my son gathered round with one of my staff we all couldn’t wait to see the item inside. As I pealed open the FedEX box and saw a shiny shrink-wrapped white box with classic Apple logo staring at me I knew I had only one task ahead of me, i.e. cut the nonsense and get the thing out!

Smaller than first imagined

At first I was surprised just how small the device was; I guess like all herculean sized marketing campaigns the reality is often very different. Like all great unboxings I grabbed the device, looked over the ports and buttons (of which it has been repeatedly noted there are some considerable absentees) I then headed for the power button! It turned on very rapidly and one of the initial joys, which have been common in Ultra-Mobile PC design this year, was the sheer silence these fanless devices omit. Not only is there no system fan for cooling there are no spinning components either, i.e. optical drive of traditional spinning hard disk are also gone. Regrettably to my expectation, and almost right on queue, the iPad gave me it’s first “command” reminding me who’s house I was about to move into. Lost in all its shinny glory I forgot for a second I was entering into an autocratic relationship and was about to leave a great portion of my autonomous existence behind. With nothing more than an image of a USB cable and arrow pointing to iTunes logo I knew I was entering the Kingdom-o-Jobs!

Kingdom-o-jobs

After automatially installing the iPad driver and updating iTunes to version 9.1.0.79 (another reminder that I was working with a larger phone-styled device) I was finally into iPad heaven and ready to “get the experience”. My first idea was to get the iPad on the Wi-Fi network so after owning the iPhone (and being extremely happy with it) for some time I headed to the settings control panel and connected to the wireless network. I then jumped to Facebook, Realestate.com.au, Tegatech website and my Blog. I knew this smorgasbord of URLs was familiar to me and it might well help me judge the experience better. Apart from Realestate.com.au diverting to the version of their mobile site all the websites acted as expected and was so easy to navigate thanks to the capacitive touchscreen. The “pinch” gesture worked like a dream and rotating the iPad through portrait and landscape almost seemed to work at the speed of thought! I did however start to experience my first dilemma with the single-tasking processor at this stage. Being a power-power-power user in the PC space, and coming from a world where 8GB RAM and 40+ processes running in the background is what we call a “great start to the morning” I was definitely a little irritated with the websites needing a wake-up (literally a refresh) each and every time I toggled between URLs. I couldn’t care less as I was on “corporate internet time” (a world where Gigabytes of data are covered by the cash-cows I never dare look straight in the eyes) and I was using the Wi-Fi-only iPad; it did however cross my mind that for every frequently visited, but infrequently used, website I visit I would now be clocking up a lot more bytes of data, and potentially costs. I think Apple was clever releasing the Wi-Fi version of the iPad first as with this people will get the experience, but not the hefty internet bill that might come with the 3G version. Interesting!

single-tasking means mutli-reloading, each and everytime

After some surfing I opened up Mail (I consider Mail to be Apple’s answer to Microsoft's Outlook Express) and setup my Microsoft Exchange account. Again this was easy and in no time I was sending and receiving email (actually just after I got rid of "sent from iPad” signature! LOL!) I really did not appreciate the limited functionality that Mail brings (given I live and breathe Outlook 2010 18hrs per day) however I did appreciate the speed at which I was live and working. I then decided to venture into App Store and that’s when I hit a massive hurdle for Australians and perhaps many “smallish” markets, i.e. I was forced into Australia’s App Store (forgetting I'd synchronised using my AU iTunes account) and was limited to the amount of functions and features I could access. I quickly logged off and logged back in using my United States account and I began to “get the experience”. Regrettably this experience literally comes at a price and I quickly found myself spending nearly US$60 on apps, movies and a TV series. On the first day I was scared to log into iBook store as my wife might quickly ban the iPad from my hands!

While the richness of the iPad experience begins with the ultra-thin and ultra-sexy hardware, it easily ends with your wallet receiving “that empty feeling”. Recently I described the iPad as a clever portal to Apple’s most profitable (not in $$$ but in %%%) business revenue stream, i.e. their iTunes Store, iBook Store and App Store. While the math may not look as though the iPad is being built as a commodity item, where users will get handed these free in favour of locking them into contractual/monetary commitments like internet bundles and media bundles, I can suggest it's not far from the truth! Just ask avid readers of the New York Times i.e. if you’re a NYT reader and iPad user be prepared to “get the experience” at a price! I might soon call this the iPaid and not the iPad! (I should coin that...LOL)

wash your hands before, and after, each iPad visit!

In summary I love the hardware, but hate the fingerprints on the ultra-glossy screen, and the fact that the screen can’t be read in direct sunlight; ludicrous given just how wonderfully mobile the device is. I love the battery life but know that if rumours of multi-tasking support are true then I’ll basically halve the battery life I have experienced today; I also love the simplicity of the navigation experience, but regrettably hate that it’s “Apple’s way or no-way” when it comes to functions I can extract from th Operating System. I absolutely love the feel of the keyboard on the capacitive touchscreen, i.e. effortless and extremely accurate; regrettably the lack of handwritten input functionality will be a sad loss, especially on a device of this size and nature, surely a natural fit. There is no reason to go into lack of camera (would have been nice for a skype call), lack of SD card slot (for easy transfer for photos) and lack of support for Adobe Flash (blah, blah, blah).

Ultimately I’m in a dilemma and that is this, the iPad won’t replace my iPhone (so I’ll continue to take that with me everyday) but it also won’t replace my Tablet PC (as I also have multi-touch on my Tablet and the added benefit of handwritten input too). So as per Steve Job’s own admission, the iPad sits happily, and arguably, between an iPhone and a traditional notebook; my dilemma is I’m either on the phone constantly or on my notebook, and rarely anyplace else. I believe in a world of converging technologies and may discover that there will not be space for a fulltime third device in my life!? For now however I’ve downloaded (and paid for) a rental of Sandra Bullock’s “While You Were Sleeping” and am headed to bed with my wife and my iPad (and I’ll sneak my AMEX under my pillow in case I want to use the iPad after she falls asleep!!!

PS. If you're in Sydney (that narrowed down the audience) come to the monthly Sydney Mobile User Group where I'll be presenting the iPad and new TEGA Tablet.

Korea, iPad and me

2010-04-09T13:54:00.001+10:00

Coffee and gadgets with UMID: F1 and M1

(more photos on my FaceBook)

Travelling back from Seoul, Korea I couldn’t help but feel good about my experience. The food was better than what I’d experienced in Tokyo (although I blame that on the briefness of my trip to Tokyo), the people and buildings more interesting than Beijing and the gadgets very innovative. I met with UMID and VIliv, and a few others and discussed what’s now and what’s new. As I sampled the foods and played with the gadgets I could see that the South Korean’s are definitely focused on long-term profitability and viability of their country. If you have not travelled through South Korea I could suggest it is a “must see” on your list. To me it’s as unique and interesting as Dubai, and that came as a surprise to me.

Coffee with Viliv: S10, HD5 and new N5 to play with!!!

(more photos on my FaceBook)

Two amazing products I played with were the yet to be released Viliv HD5 and the N5. Both are innovative and both take the Ultra-Mobile PC platform up a notch! I have a video of the HD5 in action and will post that later. Both are tiny and based on Android form-factors which are designed to optimise battery life, and importantly, decrease price. Like I said the trip was great and well worth the effort. I will let you know more about the details as they come up and as I am able to share. Regrettably I sign more NDAs than I care to remember in my life so it's a wonder I can even write a blog. However if you ask I can always find creative ways to answer! :-)

Technomart, (near Gangbyeon Station). Geek Heaven!

Regarding the iPad I have a few arriving on Monday morning (Aussie time) and will post some thoughts. I got sent some to review and I'll certainly give them a trashing. The first thing I'll do is sit down on my favourite couch and have some fun browsing YouTube (oh wait, no flash support), then I'll jump on Skype and have a video call from my backyard, that will be cool! (oh, there's no camera). At least I can go onto Apple's stores and pay more money for apps I don't need! (Oh, there's no regional support for Australia). CAN'T WAIT!!!

Blogging from Seoul

2010-03-29T02:14:00.000+11:00

Flying into Incheon International Airport I had a sense of uncertainty, and a little apprehension. There is so little known about North Korea that I must have naively assumed South Korea is somewhat similar. The truth could not be more different however. With legions of building lining the streets, towering and competing in beauty and glamour the city travels as far as the eye can see, and then further again.

I left Sydney at 9am local time and because I had a full day of travel ahead I chose to pack a Viliv X70 as my preferred in-flight entertainment. Since the last six flights I’ve done overseas have all been on the Airbus A380 I was definitely concerned about being back on a Boeing 777, with simplified seating and entertainment. Turns out I wasn’t wrong so the Viliv and a handful of DVDs came very handy!

My preferred in-flight entertainment, C/O Viliv X70!

Upon arriving in Korea I caught the number 4 bus all the way to my hotel and was greeted in the lobby by one of the readers of this blog. This was an awesome way to arrive in a new country and something really worth mentioning. Not only is Stan a mobile gadget lover (with a Samsung Q1U-SSD, a Viliv VANT, Samsung N10 and ASUS T10 in his backpack!!) but he is also a gentleman. Without hesitation he waited an hour for me in the lobby and then drove me across town to a very traditional Korean banquet. The food, the conversation and my first taste of Korea will truly be unforgettable.

Yes, they're all plates of food! SOOOOO GOOOD!!!!

Tomorrow I am meeting with Vili, UMID and a partner from France. I better get some sleep!

Melbourne all day today!

2010-03-26T06:25:00.001+11:00

5am and Tablets are getting some rest for their trip! LOL

Today will be a slightly long day but always full of excitement ahead. I’m headed to Melbourne (Victoria, Australia) for a day of Tablet related meetings. I have some meetings with Government, some meetings with resellers and ending the day with a meeting with a company specialising in home automation. As usual I have packed a plethora of Tablets:

Amtek T10
Viliv X70
Viliv S5
DT Research DT312
Samsung Q1-EX
(notable absence, TEGA Tablet. Waiting on a new demo this Monday!)

Something that was funny this morning was a tweet I got from @jessible: "@MrMobilePC: check it out - you're famous!" Thanks Jess!

Intel Intelligent Digital Signage proof of concept

2010-03-24T22:26:00.000+11:00

I came across this Press Release today regarding Intel and the Digital Signage sector. While it is not specifically Tablet related, or even mobility focused, it does involve my other passion which is TOUCH! Check out this image showcasing what is basically a pane of glass with a touchscreen overlay. Ultimately I’ve witnessed the insurgence of robot-like kiosks all over the retail sector but I believe this would be much more minimalist and grandiose.

Intel claims the processor is the Intel i7 and the Operating System will be Windows Embedded. It is based on an Intel Digital Signage proof of concept and it has me very excited. I’d rather see this than clumsy tables and kiosk around the place, and if it became cheap enough how cool would a feature wall of this technology be at home!

One interesting piece of information to come out of the press release was a list of partners. I like that Tablet PC manufacturer DT Research was in the list and involved in this project! Maybe we'll see more of this technology in the mobile PC space!

What a difference a chip makes

2010-03-15T23:11:00.000+11:00

Wi-FI & Bluetooth (on top), Wi-FI only (below)

The more I open these Ultra-Mobile PC I realise just how genius manufacturers are that build the devices. To fit everything into the small form factors and still keep them cool, running fast and full of features it often takes some clever design. Recently I cracked open a device to replace the Wi-Fi module with a combination Wi-Fi/Bluetooth module. It worked perfectly and integrated into the motherboard so well I decided to order a whole bunch “just in case!”

Calibration update for Windows 7 Viliv S5 HID Driver

2010-03-07T23:50:00.001+11:00

Last week I posted about the release of Viliv's Human Interface Device (HID) Driver for their S5 Mobile Internet Device (MID). Many of you reported mixed results (most came via Engadgets story) but sadly a common theme amongst the feedback was a change in sensitivity of touch, while others reported total loss of calibration and even dead spots. Ultimately I want to thank you for participating in the process and commend all of you for being part of the solution! Part the reason I write this blog is to act as a bridge between manufacturers and end-users and with your contributions mere conversations become so much more!

I spent the week working with Viliv Senior Technicians to resolve the HID Driver issues and reporting back each and everyone of your comments. Something that has become clear is that HID users need to realise that the presence of a HID Driver will in fact alter the touch experience; there are many technical reasons for this but in plain English the difference is based on the new layer of "thinking" being conducted by the driver to help Windows understanding exactly why you are touching and what your intended action is. You must expect a change in sensitivity but by no means should you expect dead spots!

With that in mind...here is the solution from the factory:

Please use the instructions below to enhance the sensitivity and accuracy for S5

Check the attached “S5 reset.jpg” file
Reset the Calibration from Tablet PC setting
Execute S5cal.bat and calibrate 25point

As always I will make myself available in the coming days to answer your queries and pass on your comments once again.

Cheers! Enjoy!

In Queensland today with swag of Tablets

2010-03-04T07:34:00.000+11:00

It's 7am and I’m testing out my new 3G upgrade while sitting in the Qantas Lounge waiting for a flight to Brisbane (Queensland, Australia). I’ve got several meetings planned which include partner meetings with the Health QLD, Herron Todd White and Datacom to name a few. On these days I rarely get time for lunch, or a break, but ultimately that’s what happens when you enjoy what you do, right?

I’ve packed a swag full of ten Tablet PCs and UMPC which include:

Fujitsu T5010, DT Research LogiPad, Arbor Gladius, Gigabyte T1028X, Amtek T10, TabletKiosk MediSlate (MCA), Viliv X70, Viliv S5, Samsung Q1-EX and TEGA Tablet.

It’s always funny to see the look on Security’s face when I start pulling out 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, etc…devices. The spaghetti of cables and AC adapters is another favourite of theirs too! Without question I almost always get swabbed and scanned under new anti-terrorist laws for “suspicious behaviour”. My response is “why, how many computers do you travel with!?”

How to upgrade Fujitsu T900 or T5010 Tablet PC to embedded 3G

2010-03-01T16:54:00.000+11:00

One of the joys of having so many computers go past my hands is that I get to tinker and tamper with them till I get them right. If there is one scenario I love the most then it would have to be integrating 3G (HSDPA) into a device that does not have it out of the box.

I have been using Fujitsu Tablet PCs as my “main machine” for some time. To name just a few, I've owned a T4010 which lead to T4210, T2010, T2020, T4020, T5010 and now T900! So out of all the Tablets I own, and Ultra Mobile PC, I still come back to the Fujitsus as my preferred primary device. The main reason is build quality!

Recently the T900 was announced in Australia and to my distaste I was told that there would not be an embedded 3G SKU in the line-up. This caused me to crack out the screwdriver and hit Google for answers. But with no-one in the world posting anything about embedding 3G inside the T900 (or T5010 - mentioned here as they use the same motherboard inside) I felt duty called!

So here it is:

Open the pack plate on the Fujitsu T5010/T900 and (with the front of the machine oriented to you) look for the top left corner of the unit. You are looking for an elongated bit of PCB.
Unscrew the two black screws which hold down the host-PCB and remove it. (FUJITUSU PART #CP378152-XX)
Now place your new PCB (FUJITUSU PART #CP378152-XX) back in the computer (ensuring the power connector is orientated properly). Place back the 2x black screws
Now insert your modem of choice (Architecture: mini-PCI Express)
Connect the black antenna to U.FL connector labbeled "main" and RED to AUX connector on modem.
Insert a SIM card.
Close the machine up
Boot.
Install the appropriate firmware/driver for your card
Surf!

I know these are over simplified instructions so if you need clarification (or proper detailed instructions) please let me know. Ultimately I wanted to showcase how some hunting and gathering can lead to the right part numbers for the right job! I sourced the Tablet in Australia, the replacement PCB in Germany and the antenna in China! It proves that where there is a will there is always ~~a way~~ an importer! LOL!

Here are some images to assist:

Hole where the PCB will be removed from, and added to.

NB. The two antennas on the right are to plug into the modem as per instructions above.

The long white connector is the power connector used to power the PCB.

TOP: new PCB with SIM slot inside

BOTTOM: non-3G PCB with no SIM slot!

NB. The white connector on the left is for power

and is obviously found on both PCBs

TOP: rear view of SIM slot and full view of mini-PCI express slot

BOTTOM: no mini-PCI express slot or SIM slot! (SAD LITTLE bit of PCB!)

An example of two modems you might use:

Sierra Wireless MC8790 or Huwaei EM770W

I hope this helps at least one person out there. It changed my life radically having 3G embedded in my Tablets; so much so that I would never buy a device without it!

Can't hide from YouTube!

2010-02-26T22:56:00.002+11:00

Can't hide from YouTube, or Microsoft TV crew keen for marketing material! At the recent Microsoft MVP Summit I was travelling through the corridors of the Microsoft Campus (outside the Company Store to be exact) when Stéphane and I were pounced upon and recorded! It ended up being a bit of a farce. Very funny!

Friend Barbara Duck found it!

Viliv S5 gets HID Driver for Windows 7

2010-02-26T17:12:00.001+11:00

Viliv has definitley been on the forefront of UMPC progression over the last year. They have worked diligently to provide these devices with great care, quality and full of features. Battery life on the S5 and X70 is beyond comparison (over 6hrs) and with GPS/3G built-in it is easy to see why they have so much traction. If anyone is thinking of buying an iPad (#FAIL) then I would sincerely recommend looking at this machine as a contender (and winner) hands-down.

With all that in mind I am extremely excited to share with you that Viliv has one of the most exciting updates a Tablet enthusiast can imagine, i.e. a HID (human Interface Device) Driver for their S5. With the driver the unit gets a dose of steroids allowing it to function properly with stylus and much more! Without the HID Driver the unit clumsily calls-up the TIP (Tablet Input Panel), stumbles through calibration and suffers as a Tablet PC when compared to post-upgrade!

Here is a summary of what works well (and below a set of instructions)!

[No HID DRiver (TOP) | HID Drive (bottom)]

At login: accessibility keybaord was slow to load,

and often covered vital portions of login boxes for people on Domains.

[No HID DRiver (TOP) | HID Drive (bottom)]

Interesting: The "muted keypad"

(i.e. hides keystrokes when someone is entering a password on a Tablet device)

is missing on non-HID device vs. HID enabled device

TIP (Tablet Input Panel) always availble now!!

Portrait Calibration: Now works when HID installed

(previously just greyed out on non-HID Viliv S5)

For those interested here are the install instructions:

A. For clean install Window 7 user

Extract the attached files
Find the mouse controller in Device manager
If there is no S5 atom touch driver then please choose the PS2 Mouse Driver and choose the Driver Update menu to update the attached new HID Driver
After that, execute the calibration function in the Control Panel in Windows.

B. For Update s5 atom touch driver

Extract the attached files
Find the mouse controller in Device manager
If there is the S5 atom touch driver then please uninstall Atom touch driver first
And Delete “i8042prt_atom.sys” file in C:\windows\system32\drivers
After that, Reboot your S5 1~2 times
Find the mouse controller in Device manager
If there is no S5 atom touch driver then please choose the PS2 Mouse Driver and choose the Driver Update menu to update the attached new HID Driver
After that, execute the calibration function in the Control Panel in Windows.

Download HID Driver for Viliv S5 here

TEGA Tablet almost ready to ship

2010-02-26T16:56:00.001+11:00

There are a handful of joys in life which remain with you forever, i.e. birth, marriage, death and lotto (for those that win!) LOL! I can now add a new one to the list and that is the joy of seeing your name on a computer!

My name is Hugo Oretga and I AM AN ADDICT!

Tegatech has released a Tablet PC and it's branded TEGA and it rocks! (Of course I would say that). After working to get Bluetooth right, Wi-Fi right, 3G and touchscreen the first batches are almost ready to ship.

TEGA Tablet almost ready to ship!

Once it's properly annoucned I'll let you all know.

Landed in Sydney and received an Award

2010-02-21T10:07:00.001+11:00

I've landed back in ol' Sydney town after 7 days away which included meetings in Los Angeles, Seattle and Vancouver (couldn't say no to the Olympics!) It was an awesome trip and the highlight obviously being in Redmond with the folks from Microsoft. There were lots of beers, lots of banter and plenty of passionate opinion flying around about iPad, Windows Phone 7 Series and other bits. Last night I took time out to have dinner with Martin Smekal, President of TabletKiosk and good friend. We talked a lot of things over and I past on all the feedback you all left me regarding TK. He is in high spirits and takes all your thoughts into consideration constantly.

Me and President of TabletKiosk, Martin Smekal at dinner

One surprising email I received was from a friend named Ray Roche. As I sit in my taxi, headed home, passing the Neutral Bay shops and down past Mosman, I was reading my emails and internet bits only to find out that I was awarded as part of the World's "20 most revered commentators on smart mobile devices"! This was cool considering the company I am in (and the fact that I am nowhere near their levcel!).

Here are a few I can recommend you spend time with:

Like I say, I am in great company! For full list of Award Winners go here!

Thanks again for your readership...it means a lot to me. Stay tuned for more and bye for now from the back of my Taxi. I'm almost home and it's 30 degrees (celsius) outside and I can't wait to see my wife and kids!

Take your Vital Signs at Microsoft

2010-02-20T07:17:00.000+11:00

My friend Barbara Duck (of The Medical Quack) would be happy to hear that I found some IT medical gear while in Redmond with Microsoft. As I was in between meetings going from Building 113 to Building 92 I came across one of the Health/Lifestyle room’s setup for MS staff.

Not hugely innovative, or unique to MS, it was still nice to see touch technology in the wild and in use in this environment. Both machines can take your Vital Signs and both designed to feedback your state of health. You can sit on and stick your arm in both machines; the white one primarily designed around diabetes identification and prevention, and the second for blood pressure.

Touch computing focused on Diabetes

Both come with a nice array of disclaimers ensuring people that these provide good guidance, but never designed to replace your GP. You need to visit each device often and take an average of your results to get the highest level of accuracy, so ultimately the results are based on your efforts too.

I like how the white one had built-in sensors on the handgrips and how both offered touchscreen technologies to avoid the use of keyboards and increase the amount of personal (self-serve) health!

Blood pressure machine with touchscreen