- Matt Faulkner

Motion has another Medical Center using their new C5 Tablet PC.  Health News Direct has the article about the South Dakota Regional Medical Center using the Tablet, but just as a FYI - you have to register to see the full text:

South Dakota-based Rapid City Regional Hospital, a not-for-profit regional medical center, has chosen Motion Computing’s 300 Motion® C5 mobile clinical assistants (MCA) solution, to enhance the functionality of the hospital’s existing MEDITECH Client Server Health Care Information System.

- Warner Crocker

Motion Computing is announcing some new enhancements and also some new peripherals for the Motion C5, F5, and LE1700 Tablet PCs.

The enhancements to the LE1700 are designed to improve usability in the field without impacting battery performance:

• An additional Intel® Core2 Duo processor option, the Ultra Low Voltage U7500, offers up to a 10 percent increase in performance over the previous Core Solo processor without impacting battery life
• Enhanced UltraView and UltraView Anywhere displays which provide a brighter, wide viewing angle in an SXGA+ resolution of 1400 x 1050
• A new 64GB solid state drive (SSD) option that provides better performance and added durability by better protecting the PC against extreme shock and vibrations

For the C5 and the F5

• Smart card reader and EasyConnect USB/Ethernet Module improve the usability and enhance security options for the F5 Mobile Field Tool and C5 Mobile Clinical Assistant
• The new smart card reader enables companies to improve the security of critical data by enhancing authentication processes.  Additionally, the EasyConnect USB/Ethernet Module allows for easy connection to other devices or local area networks (LAN), without sacrificing the durability and protection offered by the fully sealed, protective design of the rugged tablet PCs.

Below are pictures of the EasyConnect USB Ethernet Module

- Warner Crocker

John Hill of ALLTP tells us that there is “Summer Sizzle” special running right now on the Motion LE1700 Tablet PC. If you buy new Motion LE1700 Tablet PC with SXGA+ Standard or View Anywhere screen you can get an instant rebate of $250.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Check out our GBM InkShow on the Motion LE1700 Tablet PC  

- Truc Bui

The Motion F5 has been out for a while now, but Rugged PC Review recently published an in-depth look at what makes the F5 such a great tool for the mobile vertical market. According to the article:

Motion designed the C5/F5 platform with three goals in mind. First, to create a device specifically tailored to the needs of certain vertical markets as opposed to simply design another ubiquitous slate computer. Second, to come up with something that would truly improve the productivity of workers in the field. And third, to make the device secure.

From the review, Motion has nailed it right on the head with the F5, offering a blend of design and functionality that greatly increases productivity while out in the field.

- Rob Bushway

You don't see this very often - Allegiance Technology Partners has just announced a special $600 trade-in credit on your used LE1600, good towards the purchase of any new Motion Computing Tablet PC.

Here are the details:

- Warner Crocker

Some good news for our Canadian friends from Motion. Motion will announce today that TELUS will become the latest Canadian Value Added Reseller for its products. TELUS will be reselling the C5 Motion clinical assistant to enhance its healthcare offering. Hit the Read More Link for the full press release.

Also, John Hill of TabletPC Buzz and Allegiance Technology Partners has posted a streaming audio interview with Motion founding member and current COO and President Dave Altounian. Here’s the link.

- Warner Crocker

As many of you know, for the last month or so I’ve been extraordinarily busy with the renovation and re-opening of the Wayside Theatre where I work. I hope it goes without saying for GBM readers that while I was in the middle of construction, rehearsals, and dealing with building inspectors that I had my mobile arsenal close at hand to help me get through the work load.

In fact, I shifted things up a bit and set my workhorse, the Lenovo ThinkPad X61, aside to focus on using two other Tablet PCs during that time. They were the Motion F5 Slate Tablet PC and the HP tx2051. I used both in different scenarios, at different times, for different chores, and with different success rates.

The Setup

The Motion was running Windows XP and the HP tx2501 was running Vista 64bit. On both Tablet PCs I had essentially the same applications installed with one exception. This included Microsoft Office 2007 (including OneNote 2007), and EverNote Beta as my primary tools. I had BlueBeam PDF Revu on the Motion and PDF Annotator on the HP for document markup and signing. I also integrated Windows Live Mesh into my arsenal when that came along. What a boon that turned out to be. My primary tasks as I saw them going into this period were going to be:

• Note taking
• Document creation
• Document review and signing
• Email correspondence
• Research

Keep in mind that during any day I wore multiple hats. Far too many, as a matter of fact. My days would go from dealing with contractors and inspectors in the morning, to union, board, and contract negotiations, copy creation, financial management throughout the day, and then finally rehearsals in the evening.

- Rob Bushway

Businesses reap huge benefits when they are able to implement solutions like what Active Ink Software has demoed below. Using their form collection software and Motion Computing's Semi-Rugged F5 Tablet PC, Active Ink captures images real time using the F5 integrated camera, annotates them, and sync them to the home office using the F5's integrated WWAN. This is a great example of a software solution harnessing the power of the hardware to provide real value.

 

 

- Matt Faulkner

In the past few weeks I have been talking about getting my work issued computer and looking for a companion device.  Well, I have both of them - kind of...

The M4300 - It's been a while since I have had a 'normal' laptop.  Oh how I have missed the high res 1920x1200 - 15.4 widescreen!!! It's like heaven looking at that thing.  Sooo much screen real estate to have a bunch of applications open at the same time.  And the POWER - it has the C2D 2.5 GHZ 6MB L2 Cache 800mhz FSB that is processing data from 2 - 7200 RPM drives!!  It sure is nice to have things happen so fast!  With the applications I run daily - I have to refer to JK - "the right tool for the job". 

The LS800 - Perfect for what I want to do with a companion device - something small enough to carry to meetings, keep in my bag with the M4300, use for Power Point presentations and sit on my desk for quick notes.  I still need to have my Tablet PC (it's part of my work flow now) and unless something else comes out soon - the LS800 is the device I will have... and I almost did...  Thanks to John at AllTP I had a loaner LS800 for the past couple of weeks that I intended to buy but I had to send it back.  Why?  Well the money I had is going to fix a roof, get rid of mold and repair a bunch of dry wall...  Looks like the trusty x61 is going to stick around for a little while longer. Gotta put the roof over my family's head first before the toys. (the boss did still give approval for the iPhone if there is a little left)

What does all that mean?  It means that for the next few weeks/couple of months I will be using my M4300 and my x61 to do my job, get my Tablet PC fix and also have a sore shoulder...  Good thing the x61 isn't that heavy (cause the M4300 sure is!).  After funds add up for a while and I can make the purchase I will have my 'as close to perfect' setup to keep me productive and organized.

Does anybody else have a 'combo' system?  Desktop and Tablet PC?  Like me - the Laptop and small Tablet PC combo?  How is it working for you?

- Rob Bushway

If a slate Tablet PC is your thing, then Motion Computing's summer sale might be up your alley - up to $200 off when purchased with either Sprint WWAN, View Anywhere or 2 GB of memory. Check their resellers for more information. Promo ends July 31, 2008.

 

- Matt Faulkner

Last night I put up a post about NASCAR using Tablet PC's - and today there's another one!

In the comments section, reader Grant, put a comment linking to another photo - on the NASCAR official site.  This one is of Kevin Harvick and his crew chief looking over a Motion Tablet.

The image is below, but check out the full story on their site.  Can anybody get me in to talk to these guys at Indy in 2 weeks about how they're using their Tablet PC to do their work??? :)

- Rob Bushway

Just got this news in from Motion Computing, announcing David Altounian, a founding member of Motion, as their new President and Chief Operating Officer (COO).

 Motion Computing^®, a leader in mobile computing and wireless communications, today announced it has expanded its executive management team to include the role of president and chief operating officer (COO).  David Altounian, a founding member of Motion^®, will assume this new position.

“We are excited that David has decided to again join Motion’s executive team and know that his added leadership will help position us to execute on our business goals,” said Norm Fogelsong, a General Partner at Institutional Venture Partners (IVP).  “David’s high level of energy, passion and enthusiasm for Motion make him an ideal fit to help lead the success of the company.”

From 2001 to 2005 Altounian held several leadership roles at Motion.  Prior to joining the Board of Directors, he focused on technology strategy and future products as chief technology officer, and before that oversaw both marketing and engineering functions.  As COO, he will assume responsibility for many of Motion’s day-to-day activities, including strengthening critical relationships with key technology and development partners. 

“I am thrilled to be working with the Motion team again and look forward to getting started on helping to drive aggressive revenue growth,” said Altounian.  “I believe this is a tremendous opportunity and I am confident Motion is well positioned for future success.”

Scott Eckert will continue in his role as Motion’s chief executive officer, focusing on relationships with major customers in the U.S. and international markets, key strategic partners, media, analysts, and the financial community. 

“David was instrumental in Motion’s early success, and ultimately in helping the company achieve the leadership position in our category” said Eckert.  “I look forward to working with him going forward as we continue on this next important stage of growth for Motion.”

Motion’s industry-leading tablet PCs, the LE1700, F5 and C5 mobile clinical assistant (MCA), reduce the number of devices mobile professionals must manage, minimize data collection errors and ensure that users can communicate with host systems and each other, no matter where work takes them.  Mobile professionals across industries, including healthcare, government, and field sales and service are reporting rapid return on investment, improved productivity, reduced costs and enhanced customer service.

- Matt Faulkner

What a great story that Mickey Segal found and put in the forums.  It’s an article in the LA Times featuring a guy, Ed Velandria, who uses his Motion Computing Tablet PC to effectively use time on his subway commute.  Each time picking a different person and trying to catch their ‘soul’.  There are tons of links to his work showing off some of his sketches.

As we have been talking about marketing, state and future of Tablet PC over the past week or so, this to me is a wonderful example of how marketing the Tablet PC should occur.  It’s a unique story about one person that has taken the platform and embraced the functionality and mobility.  Yes, he could just be using a piece of paper and a pencil, but what fun would that be??? 

Check out his Flickr page for more images

- Rob Bushway

News reports of layoffs and reorganizations are becoming all too frequent these days, and unfortunately, Motion Computing is the latest to join the fray.

Motion Computing has announced another series of layoffs, their 4th in about a year, affecting 19 of their 120+ employees. Nine employees were layed off last week, with another ten being layed off yesterday. According to Mike Stinson, Motion's VP of Marketing, this latest series of layoffs is due to sales numbers not being hit over the past several quarters, and a need to focus on profitability. As a result, Motion's sales team was reorganized into geographic regions; while their internal office staff also faced reorganization.

Stinson said they are not seeing any cancellation of projects, but are seeing bigger projects, mainly from the healthcare and construction industries, pushed out a quarter or two. In addition, Motion is feeling the competitive impact of thinner / lighter convertibles on their LE1700 sales.

Stinson added that Motion Computing is continuing to move forward with new and exciting product designs for their target markets.

- Rob Bushway

Late yesterday afternoon I got a call from Motion Computing regarding our "Talk To Motion" article. They are quite impressed with the level of information and passion that people are sharing, and wanted the community to know that they are listening.

Expect some dialogue from Motion in the days to come.

- Rob Bushway The past few weeks have been the busiest ever for me. With trips to the Surface team, AMD, Dell, and Motion, my mind is crazy with everything that is going on.

Here is a quick run-down on the companies and technologies that I'm most excited about and why.

• I'm excited about the iPhone 2.0 software due to Exchange and 3rd party application support. I'm not too crazy about iPhone 3G - kind of meh at this point.
• Microsoft Surface is totally nuts. There is so much potential in that new paradigm of computing, I can totally understand the Surface team's struggles with focus and execution. They want to get it right and, so far, are doing a great job. They want Surface in the consumer space as quickly as everyone else, so stay tuned. It'll happen, we just need to be patient. Why do we talk about Surface so much on a mobile site? The technology they are working on will find its way to mobile computing and a new paradigm in computing will totally revolutionize the mobile space. That is why I'm working on Dell Latitude XT. Right now, it is the most future proof tablet pc on the market.
• Dell is looking to be a trendsetter rather than a follower in the mobile space. I think they will do it.
  
• Motion Computing is working on some awesome stuff and I'm very excited about them as a company. I am concerned, though, that they should shorten the time between products. They started off with a regular yearly product release cycle, but have been increasing the time between new products as each year passes, thus allowing other companies to encroach. In my opinion, the LS800 was the right product at the right time with the wrong pricing that also needed some engineering issues addressed. I'm not sure that we will ever see Motion release another form factor like that, but I would never bet against them, either. A reegineered LS800, if properly marketed and priced, could totally revolutionize Motion.
  
• AMD's biggest move to the mobile space is happening right now with PUMA, their upcoming Hybrid CrossfireX technology (discrete and integrated graphics in the same box), and Shrike (GPU and CPU on the same piece of silicon) targeted to ultra-mobiles. AMD wants to be a major player in the ultra-mobile space, and I think they will succeed. I found AMD to be remarkably frank and honest about their past mistakes and learning from them. There is a lot of trust be earned right now, and AMD is in a position to earn it back or get laughed off the stage. I think they will earn the trust in a big way.
  
• OQO has been releasing frequent updates to its Model 02 (CPU, SSD, etc), but it has been a year and a half since the Model 02 was announced. It's time for something new and innovative. I'm very excited to see what OQO has been working on the past year. OQO is the right player in the right space at the right time with the right product. Pricing structure changes will help elevate them to the next level.
  
• Lenovo's rumored X200 Tablet PC has got a lot of people talking. If it is anything like the X300 ultra-portable, it should be an overwhelming success.
• HP seems to be hitting some great strides with their TX Tablet PC series. The word I'm hearing is that it is selling like crazy. They hit the price point and addressed interaction issues. Let's hope they are listening with regards to the 2710p - folks love it, but there are definite issues to address with the next release.
• Evernote has totally revolutionized my use of notetaking and access to those notes from whatever device I'm on.
• Syncing is the buzz word of the moment, and in my opinion, the key to working successfully in the cloud. I've been taking great use of SugarSync. However, I'm very excited to see where Windows Live Mesh ends up. Seamless syncing between multiple platforms is hot stuff and is the future of the cloud.

Technorati Tags: amd, motion computing, oqo, hp, evernote, mobile, sugarsync, tablet pc, surface

- Rob Bushway

Motion Computing is improving upon their C5 / F5 Tablet PCs by integrating WWAN into the C5, offering SSD as an option, increasing HDD capacity at no additional cost, and introducing new accessories like the new Mobile Dock and Flex Carry hand strap.

If you have not been reading our Talk To Motion thread, be sure to. Fascinating comments for sure.

Motion Computing® , a leader in mobile computing and wireless communications, today announced the C5 mobile clinical assistant (MCA) and F5 semi-rugged tablet PC feature upgrades and new custom peripherals created for the unique design of the devices. The C5 now features integrated mobile broadband and solid state drive (SSD) options to extend its usability to the point of care, regardless of patient location. Additionally, the C5 and F5 now feature improved capacity with standard 80 GB hard disk drives (HDD) at no additional cost.

“Motion understands mobile workforces and we are focused on improving productivity across a broad range of environments, from the patient bedside to the construction site,” said Mike Stinson, VP of Marketing at Motion. “Customer feedback is a critical part of improving our tablet PCs, and based on recent input we’re confident that these upgrades will enable our target customers to be more productive, no matter where work takes them.”

With the C5’s optional integrated mobile broadband, mobile clinicians can improve productivity by accessing important patient information, including digital images and patient history details. For many mobile point of care applications, such as those in home healthcare, ongoing connectivity will enable better collaboration with other treating clinicians and reduce travel time by allowing the immediate transfer of documentation after every patient visit, which can reduce processing delays and improve billing cycle times. Additionally, the optional SSD will help further protect the C5 from the occasional bumps and drops experienced by highly mobile professionals.

Motion® continually adds features and options that help organizations reduce the number of devices technicians carry, improve workflow, reduce data collection errors and ensure users can communicate with host systems and each other from the field. With a new standard 80 GB HDD in the Motion F5 semi-rugged tablet PC, mobile field forces in construction, government, field sales and service, and manufacturing are now able to store more images and other documentation, allowing them to complete tasks and solve customer issues when away from the office.

Motion also announced today new peripherals, custom-designed for the C5 and F5 that offer expanded options to more easily transport, charge and utilize the PCs while away from the office or standard docking stations.

Motion Mobile Dock. The Motion Mobile Dock offers the convenience of docking the C5 or F5 in almost any location, such as a vehicle, wall or cabinet, and features full port replication and charging capabilities.

Motion Flex Carry. An ergonomic solution that provides alternate methods for carrying and holding the devices throughout the workday, the Flex Carry includes shoulder and hand straps and easily fits into the standard docking station for uninterrupted workflows.
Motion tablet PCs now ship with Windows Vista® Business, which offers integrated features that improve the tablet computing experience. Benefits include improved handwriting recognition, enhanced searching capabilities, tablet input panel with auto-fill features for email addresses and URLs and pen clicks that enable users to quickly conduct an action with a simple pen gesture.

The Motion F5, C5 and Flex Carry are available now through Motion’s network of resellers and distributors. The Mobile Dock is expected to ship August 1, 2008. Visit www.motioncomputing.com/buy/index.asp for more information.

- Rob Bushway

Motion Computing has been in the Tablet PC space from the very beginning, experimenting with different form factors, but always staying true to their calling - the slate. From the M1200 to the LE1700, from the LS800 to the C5 / F5.

What is Motion doing right and what could they do to improve? If you have considered buying a Motion slate tablet pc in the past, but decided on some other solution, what were the tipping points? If you are a current Motion owner, what made you decide to go with their product over someone else's?

- Rob Bushway

I've been having this back and forth discussion with Warner about Motion Computing's F5 Tablet PC. He's had it for several months and seems to conveniently forget to send it back to me, even though I bring it up on a weekly basis. I know he is busy using it to help launch his new theater, but I want it back; so, I thought I'd take my issue public.

I miss the F5 badly, Warner, and I want it. I love the inking, the 10" inch screen, the seamless bezel, the integrated WWAN, the handle, the semi-ruggedness - it is just a great slate tablet pc and I want to begin using it again.

You've got my address.

- Warner Crocker

As we look at the immediate future of mobile devices, Ink is still very much a second class citizen. The ultra-sub-mini-net low cost notebook pond is so full of contenders swimming around in the shallow end, you need a Baywatch-sized cast of lifeguards to sort them out. Running along side that pool and parallel with that development is a move towards touch and multi-touch (Windows 7). But touch and multi-touch haven’t dipped their toes into the shallow end of the pool with all those ULCPCs yet. Forget the shallow end. I want to leap off the high dive and do some serious swimming around with the adults using a device that let’s me get some real work done.  For me, and I’m sure for others, that means note taking in Ink. Ink is getting left behind, which is still puzzling to me, given how many folks have to take notes in their daily chores.

I’ve been using an evaluation unit of Motion’s F5 Tablet PC quite a bit lately. I really enjoy the mobility of that device and the Inking works very well, although I wish it had the Inking enhancements of Vista. I even enjoy the handle. Running EverNote on that device gives me the ability to Ink away in rehearsals or meetings and have that information back at my desk or at home, or anywhere that I can connect up for that matter. But I don’t need all the bells and whistles (or the price tag) of the Motion F5. As I watch how things are evolving these days, and enjoy the note taking I do on the Motion F5, it leads me to want a device that incorporates Inking but with the parameters that seem to govern the rise of the netbooks.

Here’s what I think would work well:

• An 8 to 10 inch Slate form factor
• Some sort of minimal OS that allows access to the Internet, but also allows for a similar Inking experience to what we have in Vista
• WiFi, BlueTooth, and 3G
• Instant On
• Works well with Windows Live Mesh or another file syncing option
• A price point between $600 and $900

Here’s what I think is completely unnecessary for this kind of device:

• A keyboard
• An optical drive
• Multiple ports
• Complicated and overhead heavy media playback features

Yeah, I know. I’m dreaming, but follow along here.  My needs are actually pretty simple. I want to be able to take notes in Ink, have them sync to a more powerful desktop or Tablet PC automatically. I’ll use the Internet or Cloud for other rudimentary chores (email, document creation and review) I might need to do while I’m using this device. With the exception of enough power to run an active or capacitive digitizer, I don’t need to have a lot of power on this device. I certainly wouldn’t need lots of storage, or too many of the other bells and whistles we get on Tablet PCs these days. They are nice, but for this device I don’t see them as necessary. I want this to be a low cost Netbook with Inking. I know that flies in the face of marketing considerations that are governing the market today, but I think there are quite a few note takers who would gladly take advantage of this kind of device.

Here is range of my other thoughts on this.

File Syncing

The advent of some excellent file syncing options, and the potential for Windows Live Mesh, and Apple’s MobileMe, have led me to believe that I don’t need a full featured PC when I’m taking notes. I believe I can rely on that kind of Cloud communication, (when I have connectivity) to do my work. But the key is sliming everything down. Heck, a device that could run EverNote successfully might be all that we need, so maybe if the EverNote folks come up with a Linux based option that allows Ink, we’d be all set.

Silverlight

Maybe we’ll have a shot at something like this once Microsoft takes the wraps off of Silverlight. Some talk as if that’s the real future because of its potential for low overhead. We certainly haven’t seen enough yet to know whether it will be or not. I certainly hope that, in combination with Live Mesh, it might provide an opportunity for an Ink Enabled Notebook, but then that would require some OEMs to get on board as well. Adobe Air and Microsoft’s Silverlight are going to be in competition in this low overhead space, and both are aimed at the increasing number of users who have multiple devices using multiple platforms. Here’s hoping one of them won’t leave Inkers high and dry.

Apple’s Role

Apple’s iPhone/iPod Touch line has proven that you can get a lot done on a small handheld device. I believe it is about to prove you can do even more here shortly with the roll out of iPhone 2.0 and MobileMe. The only thing missing is a larger screen and Inking. Maybe that’s all that the long rumored Apple Tablet needs to be. Expand the iPhone size a bit, add credible Inking, and go.

Get Rid of the DRM Overhead

From an OS standpoint, I certainly don’t need the overhead that the various DRM schemes force Microsoft and Apple to employ so they can bring the latest and greatest in media to small devices. Would I give up some media playback possibilities on this dream device? Again, I’m hoping that’s what Silverlight or Adobe Air’s low impact solutions offer us. So, if they do, great. But then let’s craft an OS that doesn’t carry this legacy DRM code around.

Quite honestly, I don’t care who comes up with an Ink Enabled Netbook first. It could be a Linux based system, come from Microsoft, or come from Apple. Maybe Asus will get smart and realize that they came very close to a good Inking solution  with the R2H UMPC, although it was encumbered with so many other problems. When I look at the early starts on what we’ve got going at the moment, I see great potential. So, somebody take some notes and get cracking on this.