Motion Computing has officially announced their F5 Tablet PC. The F5 is targeted for the field force vertical market. The F5 is a semi-rugged Tablet PC, positioning itself between commercial Tablet PCs like the LE1700 and more rugged Tablet PCs like Mobile Demand's T8700. It improves upon Motion's Clinical Tablet PC, the C5, by including integrated Sprint Broadband WWAN, IP54 rating, 32 GB SSD option, and an optional vehicle dock. It also features a new two-tone color scheme, which is less likely than the C5 to show dirt. It includes other features from the C5 like an integrated 2 megapixel camera, handle, RFID, optional barcode scanner, a 10.4" active digitizer screen, 1024 x 768 resolution, and a 1.2 ghz Core Solo processor. The F5 weighs 3 lbs 9 oz.

I've been fortunate enough to use the F5 the past two weeks, and have thoroughly enjoyed it. Weighing in at 3 lbs 9 oz, it is well balanced and quite comfortable to hold in various positions. I have not enjoyed using a pure slate, including the TC1100, as much as I've enjoyed the F5. I can't over emphasize enough the value the handle and the flush 10.4" screen brings. In addition, the 32 GB SSD helps a lot with battery life, as I'm experiencing about 5 hours of battery life running Windows XP. As I noted in an earlier post, one of my customers, a cable manufacturer, already has their eye on one to use in shipping, receiving, and inventory management. The pen, SSD drive, integrated camera, integrated RFID, and handle were the features that won them over.

As I point out in this video review, though, there are several important weaknesses: no integrated USB ports, no support for touch, and a Core Solo processor. It is worth noting that many of the reasons field force workers would need USB ports are covered by the F5 integrating RFID, a barcode scanner, and Bluetooth for GPS connectivity. In addition, USB is available through the docking station and an optional vehicle dock. The lack of integrated USB ports, though, has bit me several times just this past week when trying to exchange data with customers or with other computers. Motion could get away with no USB with the healthcare focused C5, but I expect the lack of USB to be major pain point for potential F5 field force customers.

As I noted above, the 10.4" flush screen is a wonderful sweet spot for note-taking. Unfortunately, the $2699 starting price will put this slate Tablet PC out of reach for most consumers. I asked Motion about the potential for more consumer friendly Tablet PCs like the much requested ( and anticipated ) LS800 / LS900 variant. They told me they have no plans for an "LS900" or smaller form factor Tablet PC, but are always looking solutions that balance features, performance, and cost.

• Download the high res InkShow ( WMV, 21 min, 169 mb ) 
• Visit Motion Computing to learn more about the F5
• Read the press release
• Watch our interview with Motion's CEO, Scott Eckert
• Watch our InkShow on the C5
• Watch these additional videos from Motion covering drop and water tests:
  • Drop test – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pkec9JY-KdY
  • IP54 (water) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQhKrgM1v-o

   The day has finally arrived. Motion Computing has officially announced their F5 Tablet PC. The F5 is targeted for the field force vertical market. The F5 is a semi-rugged Tablet PC, positioning itself between commercial Tablet PCs like the LE1700 and more rugged Tablet PCs like Mobile Demand's T8700. It improves upon Motion's Clinical Tablet PC, the C5, by including integrated Sprint WWAN broadband, IP54 rating, 32 GB SSD option, and an optional vehicle dock. It also features a new two-tone color scheme, which is less likely than the C5 to show dirt. It includes other features from the C5 like an integrated 2 megapixel camera, handle, RFID, optional barcode scanner, a 10.4" active digitizer screen, 1024 x 768 resolution, and a 1.2 ghz Core Solo processor. The F5 weighs 3 lbs 9 oz.

I've been fortunate enough to have used the F5 the past several weeks, and have posted my impressions in this video review. In addition, we'll be using the F5 over the next several months, and passing it among the rest of the team. So, you'll definitely be hearing more from us as we use it over the coming months.

Here are some additional videos, from Motion Computing, on the F5 covering their drop tests and some water tests for IP54.

Drop test – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pkec9JY-KdY
IP54 (water) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQhKrgM1v-o

The F5 starts at $2699 and is available now for ordering.

Press Release:

CHICAGO -- Gartner Wireless and Mobile Summit, Mar. 3, 2008 – Motion Computing^®, a leader in mobile computing and wireless communications, today announced the new F5 tablet PC. The F5, a new entrant into the tablet PC market, is a balance between commercial-grade devices and fully-rugged PCs that have costly features only required in a small percentage of field applications. 

The F5 addresses issues encountered by mobile workforces across industries like field service, manufacturing, government and construction.  Organizations within these industries are seeking to reduce the number of devices technicians carry, improve workflow, reduce data collection errors and ensure users can communicate with host systems and each other, in the field or in an office.  The F5 design enhances productivity with key features that include:

• Intel^® Centrino^® processor technology with the Intel^® Core Solo
• IP54 rated and designed to withstand exposure to dust and moisture
• Field-ready slate design that includes a magnesium frame, View Anywhere^® outdoor display, built-in handle and easily cleaned protective covering
• Shock mounted hard drive and combined accelerometer designed to detect drops and shocks in order to reduce the possibility of data loss
• Optional SanDisk^® 32GB solid state drive (SSD) providing further enhanced durability, reliability, higher performance and power efficiency
• Fully-integrated technologies to improve workflow and increase productivity:  digital camera, RFID and optional barcode scanner
• Embedded wireless broadband for continuous data access away from the office
• Microsoft^® Windows^® XP Tablet PC Edition; Windows Vista^® Business

Motion is also announcing a new three year “field-ready” warranty with the F5 that is a leader in the industry in protection for semi-rugged PCs.  The new offering covers damage from short drops (approx. 30 inches), and ordinary course exposure to rain and dust.

“Motion is dedicated to providing solutions that combine innovative mobile products and customized applications from experienced software partners and services that are unique to each vertical market that we serve,” said Scott Eckert, CEO of Motion.  “Our customers came to us with a need and we solved it with the F5.  We’ve combined the mobility and ease-of-use benefits of a tablet PC with the increased durability of a rugged PC, without all of the costs associated with a fully rugged system.”

Motion and its network of distributors and value-added resellers are seeing significant demand for the F5.  For example, Motion resellers Kishmish, Inc., and Xwave, are working closely with Destiny USA, located in Syracuse, New York, and its construction manager, Cianbro, to leverage slate PCs in the development of a $329 million project.

Destiny USA is a first-class destination being built to operate 100 percent free of fossil fuels.  As part of this green initiative, Destiny USA is requiring a paperless work environment, which Cianbro actively supports by using Motion slate PCs as highly mobile, on-site tools that do not require the use of paper.  Syracuse-based Seneca Data, one of Motion’s value added distributors, manages distribution of the tablet PCs for the project.

“Motion’s tablet PCs have helped Destiny USA and Cianbro to become virtually paperless, which has never been achieved in the $1.3 trillion dollar construction industry,” said Robert J. Congel, founder of Destiny USA.  “The F5 is clearly designed for the construction environment.  The semi-rugged features and integrated tool-set will further help us improve productivity, enhance the construction experience and empower our team members to innovate, while respecting the environment by reducing our dependence on paper-based processes.”

About the F5

The F5 is IP54 rated to meet the demands of the job from dusty warehouses to the occasional drop from a vehicle or exposure to a rainstorm.  In fact, the F5 is designed to protect from the top three causes of notebook damage, which continue to be drops, liquid spills and objects being dropped on to notebooks.  Durable enough to withstand exposure to these elements, the F5 is the first semi-rugged mobile computing device to focus on delivering a complete solution for mobile professionals, including the mobile platform, software, wireless capabilities, and integrated data capture and services.

Additional F5 capabilities include:

• Thin and light with high performance capabilities (approximately 3 lbs.)
• Wi-Fi, Bluetooth^®, and optional integrated mobile broadband
• Shock, drop, vibration and temperature resistance
• Vehicular docking capabilities
• Intuitive buttons and triggers
• Integrated barcode scanner (optional)
• Integrated RFID reader offering quick and simple inventory tracking and management
• 2.0 megapixel camera
• Integrated fingerprint reader to simplify password management while increasing data security
• Natural handwriting interface for convenient data capture while standing or walking
• Speak Anywhere® audio technology for convenient access to voice notes and advanced communication

The F5 began shipping in February 2008, and is currently available through Motion’s network of value-added resellers and distributors.  With initial pricing ranging from $2699 - $4000, depending on the configuration, this is a significantly lower point of entry than fully-rugged PCs.

See Motion, the F5, and the company’s enhanced line of tablet PCs in booth W at the Gartner Wireless and Mobile Summit or in the on-site Motion Mobility Showcase where attendees can register to win a new F5.

This has been a totally crazy week. I've spent more time on the road than I've spent at my desk.

Yesterday, I spent a half day at a cable manufacturing plant doing a bunch of SQL Server programming work. As I've been using the unannounced Motion Tablet PC for all of my note-taking the past two weeks, I had it with me during my visit there, too. I showed it off to the controller and he was duly impressed, to the point that he was asking me when it was going to be available, pricing, etc. He immediately saw practical use for the tablet in many facets of his business - from warehouse management to shipping / receiving to outside sales needing to communicate with the home office. I've been demoing tablet pcs to him for several years and this is the first time I've seen him that interested in buying one.

By the way, if you have not been following the comments in these two Motion threads ( here and here ), be sure to give them a read. There are some great comments in there, with some anonymous poster with inside info on the tablet pc giving a whole bunch clues - it's been hilarious and fascinating to follow.

You guys are ruthless. I give you a mile, you want two. I give you some chocolate cake, you want icing on it. Geesh, what else can a guy do to get some appreciation around here?

Hoping to satisfy the longings of the heart of many GBM readers out there, I begged the powers-that-be at Motion Computing to share something else about that super secret Motion Computing Tablet PC I've been using the past week, and here it is:

It's durable.

How's that for something extra to whet your appetite.

Stay tuned.....

The big conference right now for IT and healthcare is the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMMS).

Making a big splash at HIMMS is Motion Computing, showcasing their C5 Mobile Clinical Assistant. When I was at St. Louis Children's Hospital this past week, several doctors and staff made mention of the C5, although I don't remember seeing one in use.

Motion Computing®, a leader in mobile computing and wireless communications, today announced that one year after its initial launch, the C5 mobile clinical assistant (MCA) is proving to change the way patient care is delivered. The success of the industry’s first mobile clinical assistant is clear this year at HIMSS, where the device will be featured by more than 50 vendors across the show floor.

“The C5 was developed by Motion and Intel to address many of the issues that are facing healthcare organizations today,” said Scott Eckert, CEO of Motion. “The most positive result is that we are enabling caregivers to provide better patient care by impacting such critical areas as improving point of care documentation, enhancing nursing satisfaction and providing immediate access to information to help clinicians prevent medication issues, like medication administration errors.”

Results from a recent study:

*  42 percent improvement in point of care (POC) documentation
* 80 percent reduction in data that needed manual transcription, reducing the potential for human error
* Identification of 15 of 1853 “near misses” at the point of medication administration
* Decreased transcription error rate from 25 percent to 7 percent due to increased POC documentation

Checkout this case study from Island Hospital ( PDF ), detailing their use of the C5

I've been a bit quiet here while I'm away taking care of some family stuff, but wanted to take a few moments to talk about a new Motion Computing Tablet PC I've been thoroughly enjoying this past week. I can't talk much about the details nor post pictures, but this ought to whet your appetite until it is released.

First of all, it is a little larger than the LS800, and is not a replacement for it.  This Tablet PC is targeted to a vertical space ( ie - not a consumer or broad business line product ), which shouldn't come as a surprise. As we've seen, Motion is continuing to target different vertical market segments, and this tablet pc is geared along that effort.

I've been toting it back and forth from my hotel room to the hospital and it is a pure joy to hold, carry, and ink on. It is light and fits perfectly in my Tom Bihn Buzz Bag. It has garnered quite a bit of attention as I've used it in Maggie's hospital room. I brought the TC1100 with me, but have primarily been using this new Tablet PC.

I'll be posting an InkShow video review on the day it is officially announced, and will certainly post more in the coming weeks.

Gotta run - got some inking to do!

John Hill over at AllTP has just sent us an announcement regarding a new partnership for his company.  This looks like a very interesting  solution and a wonderful and productive use of a Tablet PC.

Allegiance Technology Partners (ALLTP), a computer reseller company specializing in tablet PCs, has been selected by Hunter Douglas Window Fashions to offer customized tablet PCs to all of their dealers.

The partnership allows Hunter Douglas dealers to purchase tablet PCs that were specially configured to fit dealer needs. The tablet package includes a Motion Tablet PC, Disto laser measuring device and the Hunter Douglas DirectConnect^® software.

With the HD DirectConnect, field representatives use the BT laser measurer to put all the window lengths and widths in the Tablet PC which goes right to the website.  Then they can sit down with the customer and pick fabrics, colors, etc.  By the time they are done, they have a complete quote, can get a deposit and then send everything directly to the manufacturing facility.  It is a real start to finish solution.

This sure would be nice for me right now - we are redoing a couple of rooms in our house.  I can't tell you how many colors of paint and strips of fabric I have seen the last few weeks...

Motion Computing has begun launching YouTube videos featuring their products and customer experiences.

Below is one focusing on the C5, healthcare, and overall customer experience. Check this link for two other videos, featuring LE1700 drop tests from 24" and 37".

Motion Computing has put out some changes today in a press release.  They are expanding their partner program, streamlining some SKU's and giving some price reductions along the way.

Partner Program Enhancements:

• Participation in lead distribution programs;
• Invitation to the new annual Motion partner conference;
• Participation in volume incentive rebate programs;
• Access to marketing development funds;
• Exclusive, custom marketing promotions.

SKU and Discounts:

• SKU simplification. To simplify product offerings and help channel partners more effectively recommend the most popular product configurations to end users, Motion has reduced its number of SKUs related to the LE1700. Similar changes will be applied to additional Motion products throughout the first half of 2008.
• Price Reduction. Motion has implemented price reductions that amount up to approximately $400 on select configurations. These include $200 on 2GB memory upgrades, $300 on 4GB memory upgrades and $50 on the upgrade from a standard display to a View Anywhere(R) display (VAD).

Read the full press release at this link.

McKesson Corp, a healthcare services IT company, announced general availability of Motion's C5 Tablet PC as part of its Horizon Clinicals solution package:

Building upon two decades of experience in mobile point-of-care solutions, McKesson is the first healthcare IT company to announce general availability for the Motion C5 Mobile Clinical Assistant tablet PC. The announcement comes after months of testing with McKesson’s Horizon Clinicals^® applications, configuration and firmware enhancements, and special arrangements with Motion Computing^® for unique product, training and support bundles. Developed by Intel Corporation and Motion Computing in collaboration with thousands of clinicians as well as industry-leading companies like McKesson, the C5 has now proven in multiple implementations to enhance the benefits of information technology for clinicians, and ultimately for patients.

In part 3 of our 3-part video series with Motion Computing, we get to learn more about C5 and the man who headed up the product design effort, Michael Johnson. Michael is the VP of Product Development at Motion after spending 17 years at Apple working in product development. Download the high res version here or watch the embedded video below.

Be sure to watch Part 1 and Part 2.

Click To Play

In part 2 of our 3-part video series with Motion Computing, I spend some time chatting with John Doherty and Scott Eckert, co-founders of Motion Computing. John Doherty personally designed the original Motion slate Tablet PC, the M1200.

John and Scott talk about those early days at Motion, the story behind the design of their original slate, how the name came about, and much more. I think you'll enjoy getting this rare inside look at the people behind the products we have all enjoyed using.

Follow the read more link for the embedded version or download directly here.

I got an opportunity to catch up with Motion Computing's CEO and co-founder Scott Eckert at this year's Tablet PC meet-up. We chatted about the issues that were on your mind: the reasons behind the end-of-life LS800 Tablet PC and the announced but now unavailable LE1700 WriteTouch Tablet PC. Scott opened up about the reasons to end-of-life the LS800 and not ship the WriteTouch LE1700, as well as talk about their success with the LE1700 and C5. Scott told us that capacitive touch is definitely in their future, as well as small form factor devices. Towards the close of our chat, Scott told us to watch the C5 space, because there has been a lot of interest in the C5 from other markets.

This is the first in a series of three chats I had with Scott and others within Motion, including one of the other co-founders, John Dohtery. Stay tuned for the other chats over the next couple of days.

Note: You'll need to turn your volume up in this video, as there was a lot going on around us making it difficult to pick up good audio. Download here or watch below.

Click To Play

Matt and I left for the airport at 3:00 this morning for 6:00 flights. We knew the CES crowds would be out in force, and in force they are!

We are all totally exhausted, but had more fun than ever. I'm already working on an article on the successes / challenges I faced covering CES. I know the others are working on similar posts. I'm also working on an article on my general impressions of what is now my fourth consecutive CES.

Keep a watch on the site over the next several days for a lot more CES videos and articles, including a chat I had with Motion Computing's CEO and co-founder Scott Eckert on the LS800, WriteTouch, and what 2008 holds in store for Motion. It's not your typical PR speak video. Scott was really forthcoming and addressed the issues and perceptions many in the community have been discussing. The Motion videos are actually a three part series, as I also chat with Scott and co-founder John Doherty about the beginnings of Motion Computing, how the design of the M1200 came about, and much more. The third video is chat with Scott and Michael Johnson, who is in of Product Development. They are fascinating discussions I know many of you will enjoy.

In addition to all the news and video coverage we posted, we recorded what is probably the best InkShow we've ever done. It was on the rugged MobileDemand xTablet T8700. I'll be editing and producing it this weekend, posting it up on Monday. Stay tuned. You will thoroughly enjoy it.

My thanks to Warner, Matt, and Sierra for an awesome show. They are some incredible people who truly love mobile computing and LIVE it. I'm so proud to be affiliated with them.

In addition, I want to thank OQO for sponsoring our coverage at CES this year. They provided the Model 02's that Sierra, Matt, and Warner used, and aided tremendously with our highly mobile requirements.

Sierra and I spent some time at the Microsoft booth at the Convention Center and one of the things we found there was a nice display of Motion Computing’s Tablet PCs. The M1700 and the C5 were both on display. This was the first time I’ve gone hands on with the C5 and boy was that a delight. While this slate Tablet PC is aimed at the medical market, I’m really glad to hear that Motion is wide open to other markets as well. The reason? I know this Tablet PC can work well in my work in the theatre.

Another interesting feature of the C5 that was on display is the intriguing hand strap for the Motion C5. Later, at the Tablet PC/UMPC Meetup, Motion CEO Scott Eckert told me that this unqiue handstrap came from a user’s suggestion. By the way, Rob will be posting up a fantastic interview with Scott, and John Doherty, one of the co-founders of Motion Computing, who also is one of the original designers of the M1200 and M1300 series of Motion Tablet PCs. You won’t want to miss that one. Stay tuned.

Tim Berry is the CEO of Palo Alto Software and has posted an intriguing article about his reasons for liking a Tablet PC. He’s using a Motion LE1600. He’s writing the blog post from his seat on an airplane and I’m sure some folks are quite familar with that scenario. Well worth a read.

Thanks to Antimatter for posting this in the GBM Forums.

N-trig just posted a new video on YouTube covering some interesting details on how the N-trig digitizer works. This is the technology behind the new Dell Latitude XT Tablet PC we covered earlier. If you're interested in how it works, check this out. He even uses a Dell in the video as an example convertible, and it looks like a Motion LE1700 as an example slate.

Typhoon Touch Technologies has entered a lawsuit again Motion Computing and Dell, Inc. for patent infringement.   Typhoon Touch Technologies is joined in the suit with their licensee Nova Mobility Systems, makers of a line of rugged Tablet PCs with touch screens. 

Typhoon's (TYPT.OB) complaint alleges that Motion Computing and Dell have infringed and continue to infringe its U.S. Patent No. 5,379,057 ("the '057 patent") issued January 3, 1995 and entitled "Portable Computer with Touch Screen and Computer System Employing Same," and U.S. Patent No. 5,675,362 ("the '362 patent") issued October 7, 1997 and entitled "Portable Computer with Touch Screen and Computing System Employing Same,"

The Typhoon Touch Technologies patents are pretty broad, applying to a "self-contained, general-purpose, portable, keyboardless computer [with] an input/output device for displaying inquiries on a touch-sensitive screen". The keyboardless and touch elements are probably the key aspects since they're suing Motion Computing, who also resold to Dell back in the day.

I am no lawyer, nor do I play one on TV, but the patents from Typhoon Touch Technologies seem very broad. Unless all makers of touch screen, keyboardless computers have licensed the patents from Typhoon Touch Technologies, it seems like Typhoon ought to be suing a bunch more companies than just Motion and Dell, assuming they really want to protect their intellectual property. Of course, companies sue each other all the time and frequently nothing ever comes from it, but I'll be following this to see how it develops.

Update from Motion Computing: 

Motion Computing has just been informed of this claim and is currently in the process of reviewing the details.  To the best of our knowledge, Motion has not infringed patents owned by other parties.

In today's webcast, Motion Computing and Intel announced the results of their usability study of the C5 Mobile Clinical Assistant Tablet PC. Here's the press release and a snippet of the announcement.

Intel Corporation and Motion Computing® today announced the results from several clinician usability studies completed by leading medical centers. The C5 mobile clinical assistant (MCA) is now being used in more than 1,000 hospitals worldwide, and clinicians are reporting a variety of positive results, including increased productivity, improved clinician satisfaction, better adherence to medication administration protocols and decreased latency in recording patient information.

The C5 was developed based on extensive research completed by Intel and Motion, with active participation from thousands of clinicians and leading clinical systems and software providers, to enable nurses, physicians and other clinicians to more effectively do their jobs on the move and provide better care by connecting them with patient information at the bedside. In addition, the unprecedented collaboration among clinician end users, hardware developers and clinical software companies is a concept now proven by C5 implementations to maximize the measurable benefits of information technology in a medical environment.

Some of the industry-leading organizations sharing their initial study results include:

• Alegent Health in Omaha: 62 percent improvement in clinician satisfaction.
• Children’s Hospital in Omaha: 15 percent productivity and efficiency increase, enabling clinical pharmacists increase time spent bedside with the rounding care team and patients in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit to 98 percent.
• Johns Hopkins School of Nursing: 85 percent of nurses rated C5 as important to helping improve nursing practice and increasing efficiency.
• Medical University of South Carolina: 25 percent improvement in patient vital sign charting accuracy, substantial reduction in charting delays and increased compliance with bar code medication administration guidelines.
• UCSF Medical Center: 60 percent clinician productivity improvement and 83 percent reduction in manual transcription of patient vitals information.

Don't forget to watch Motion Computing's and Intel's live webcast, in which they talk about the C5 Tablet PC and usability results.

When: Today, December 4th, from 10:00 - 11:30 am PST

Where: http://www.visualwebcaster.com/event.asp?id=44228

Technorati Tags: C5, Motion Computing, Tablet PC, Healthcare