The blogosphere has been up in arms today over a report from PC World about Sony charging $50 to remove "crapware". Yep, you got that right - $50 to remove software that would cause your new notebook to run as slow as molasses.

According to Gadget Lab, the noise must have gotten too loud, as Sony had a change of heart.

From Gadget Lab:

Responding to a tidal wave of outrage, Sony has reversed a plan to charge $50 to remove all the pre-installed applications — often derided as "bloatware" or "craplets" — from its high-end TZ-series notebooks.

Earlier today, PC World reported that Sony would charge $50 for a configuration option called "Fresh Start," which would not include the bloatware. When contacted by Gadget Lab, a spokesperson for Sony said that the company will now remove that charge.

"There will be no charge for Fresh Start," said the spokesman.

Not that I'm trying to one-up Warner or anything, but I just received a sample of an iRex iLiad e-book reader with an integrated Wacom digitizer.

Although the iRex iLiad is not a new product, given the recent reviews of the Amazon Kindle and the video we did with the Kindle and the Sony Reader PRS-500, it seemed appropriate to look at the only real pen-based solution on the market. After all, inking is the way to go!

I'll be doing a full InkShow on the iLiad in the next couple of weeks, but to whet your appetite:

• Best screen visibility -  by FAR, over the Sony Reader or the Kindle. Totally subjective, but wow.
• Larger screen - 8.1" diagonal vs. 6" diagonal
• Digitizer - allows both book annotations as well as free-form note taking on blank sheets of e-paper
• Sudoku - 'Nuf said.
• WiFi - I connected to my WPA encrypted access point at home in just a couple of minutes. Transfer files, etc. Although the reader doesn't officially support web browsing, there are solutions for that available on the web (like enabling the browser that actually ships in the system but hidden/disabled).
• File formats supported : PDF / HTML / TXT / JPG / BMP/ PNG / PRC (Mobipocket)
• You can read the full set of product specifications on the iLiad website.

Before you ask, yes, all of this goodness comes at a hefty price. The official US sales portal is eReader Outfitters who list the iLiad at $699. Yes, for that same $699 I could buy a decent laptop. But for those people who really want a portable note-taking solution, this could be an interesting slate. I plan on checking this out as more than just an e-book reader so that I can see how far into the slate computer category this can stretch.

  One of the best things I've purchased in quite some time was an e-book reader, namely the Amazon Kindle. Being new to the electronic book area, I have found the experience to be quite enjoyable. Sierra, on the other hand, has been using an e-book reader for a long time, namely the Sony Reader Digital Book, and has picked up on the subtle differences between Sony's Reader Digital Book and Amazon's Kindle. She used my Kindle for several weeks, and came away with some interesting observations. By the way, it is worth mentioning that I almost didn't get my Kindle back....

In this InkShow, Sierra and I take them both on a head-to-head comparison, looking at screens, navigation, buttons, contrast, and the book buying experience.

• Download the high res version ( wmv, 13:30, 103mb )
• Watch the embedded version below

Click To Play

Splotch and I just got back from a lovely time in Mexico. That little guy really gets down with the traveling! We had a lovely time traipsing around Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, and Cabo San Lucas together.

Aas for the gear I took, on this trip I stuck with what are, for me, necessities and left some gear at home. Here's what I had in my gear bag:

• Fujitsu P1610: The P1610 is a great little traveling computer, but I'm still longing for my own OQO. Even smaller and more portable and easier to pack. Given the fact that I'll never go on vacation without a computer, even for a weekend, the OQO seems like a good safety net.
• AT&T 8525 cell phone syncing email from GottaBeMobile, personal, and work. My 8525 phone is the "old reliable". Sure, I'd love to upgrade to the Tilt, but work is providing this, so I use what they give me. As sexy as the iPhone is, that won't work for me. I've tried to shoe-horn my usage models into its available capabilities, and I just want more than it offers, mostly for advanced email. And it has to be a global phone, which knocks off anything non-UMTS.
• Amazon Kindle: I'm still deciding if Rob gets it back.   And just wait until he sees how his Kindle spent Christmas Day.
• Sony Reader - first generation model I've owned for a while, to compare to the Kindle. I still like this reader.
• Apple iPod Nano - in Hot Pink of course. Gotta have my tunes. The new Touch does look interesting...
• My old and trusty Casio Exilim Ex-Z4 camera. This needs replaced. Badly. I'm eying the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX55P. My husband has a Lumix that he loves. He's an optical engineer, so he's fussy about having a good lens and the Leica lenses they use in the Lumix line are quite good.
• plus the power cables / docks for all of the above, of course

So was I happy with what I took? Moderately, yes, but I still need (expensive) improvements. In addition to the OQO, new camera, new phone, and the Kindle, I need a better power supply situation. The iGo everywhere85 looks like a good possibility for me, particularly if I combine it with the Monster Outlets to Go portable power strip. If I get the power cable tangle under control, it will help a bunch, but then I'll start noticing that I really need a 3G connection for my computer, probably through USB since I swap around a lot. I spent far too long in the lobby of a hotel in San Diego trying to get the free wireless to connect properly. It never did, so I'm grateful I had iPass to allow me to connect for free through the coffee shop.

I leave for CES on Saturday morning.  As Rob mentioned earlier, OQO is sponsoring us for CES, so I know I'll have access to an OQO Model 2 with EV-DO during the event and I'm THRILLED with that opportunity to try out what I think may be my next computer purchase. Unfortunately, little else will probably improve in my gear bag until then, but I'm hoping to find lots of new goodies at CES to fill up my bag for the next trip!

According to this post on MobileWhack, Sony is developing their own multi-touch screen. Why not? It is all the rage. Sony’s prototype is 3.5 inches and runs 640x480 resolution and has five points of contact.

Here’s a link to the press release in Japanese.

The Boy Genius Report just posted a great comparison of the Vulcan FlipStart, the OQO Model 02, and the Sony UX280P. He compares nearly all facets of each system, from design and portability to feature set and configurability. If you are trying to decide on a 4" screen device, this is a must-read.

I've used all three myself, although I've never had the opportunity to compare them directly. My favorite is the OQO, hands-down. Small Tablet PCs like the OQO are hard to find, and the active digitizer is even more rare. The biggest point in the OQO's favor for me - it just feels good in my hands. The tactile feel of the unit is just a pleasure for me. The Sony would come in second, but it felt oddly thick to me. Personal preference. The FlipStart was a non-starter for me. No touch screen, no digitizer. It's just a tiny laptop.

MicroPCTalk.com has been following the Sony UX news like a hawk, and just picked up that Sony has the much anticipated UX490 listed and available for sale at $2499. Unfortunately, the UX490 is still using AT&T Edge for WWAN.

Here are the specs:

Ultra-portable micros PC
2 built-in cameras
Wireless LAN
Bluetooth® technology
Series Features: 48GB Solid State Drive, large capacity battery and Bluetooth® GPS receiver

Intel® Core™ 2 Solo Processor U2200 Ultra Low Voltage (1.20GHz, 2MB L2 Cache)
Genuine Windows Vista® Business

In stock. Estimated ship date: 11/05/2007.

I was in CompUSA the other day and had to do the classic double-take when I noticed a Sony UX UMPC. I was impressed that the popular hand-held UMPC on display, but was again dismayed to find that it was locked way in jail keeping folks from actually holding it.

All of the controls were covered up, and it was practically impossible to try out the keyboard. About the only thing that I could do was move the screen up and down. How can people see the value in the cameras if they can't take a picture with it?

I can promise CompUSA and Sony one thing: you won't sell any UMPCs unless people can hold them in their hands - period.

With all the talk of Ultra-Mobile PCs and Mobile Internet Devices lately, we haven’t heard much about the Sony UX series. Sony has refreshed the UX going from 32–bit to 64–bit adding a Core 2 Solo chip and a 64GB SSD. You’ll still be able to find a Celeron model if you want one. And of course, in addition to refrehsing the specs, Sony has refreshed the model numbers with a dizzying array of new numbers and letters with different SKU’s for different geographic markets. Akihabara News breaks the news and it is now running everywhere, but Kaz911 Rescue has a good rundown of specs for one of the US models.

The OQO Model 02 began shipping today for those who ordered it with XP. (It’ll be April for those who want Vista on the tiny device.) In the interm, tnkgrl Mobile has put up a hands on video that gives you a really good look at the size of this device. I couldn’t help thinking while I watched it being manipulated in one hand (while the other was running the camera), that the Model 02 sure looks like it is crying out for a touch screen. Remember this the one non-touchscreen enabled device that Microsoft has okayed being called an Ultra-Mobile PC. Interesting.

Here’s the link to the video.

Well this is interesting. James Kendrick got a tip from a jkOTR reader that Dynamism is now offering an upgrade to the Tablet OS on the Sony UX line of ultra mobile devices. The upgrade pricing is $200.

Lots of Sony news on Engadget today.

Sony follows Samsung with news that it is introducing a new model of the VAIO UX that contains a 32GB SSD (solid state disk.) They’d previously annoucned a 16GB SSD model, so this model looks like it will be aimed at those who need a little more HD space, and who have a few extra bucks to drop. The cost of these solid state drives will drop one day, (if I repeat that enough times, maybe it will become true,) but in the meantime it remains an expensive proposition to say the least.

And also via Engadget, comes new pictures of the Sony PRS-500 eBook reader. Still no price and still no release date. I still question the market for this type of device, but with the news that the device will support RSS feeds that might change a few minds.

Sony is adding another entry to its Vaio UX lineup. Joining the UX180P will be Vaio UX280P. It ups the ante with a 1.2Ghz Pentium M and 1Gig of memory. Availablity looks like October 18 and price will be $1999.99. For a look at the UX180P check out GBM’s InkShow review of the Sony UX180P here.

Hat tip to jkOnTheRun

Remember the hue and cry from the mainstream tech media about UMPCs having no keyboard? Well, I recently got a chance to take a look at an ultra-mobile device that comes with a keyboard and that has everyone talking. Rob Bushway loaned me his Sony’s Vaio UX180P to try out and post his review. (Rob’s a trusting soul.) The Sony UX180P may not inlcude the Tablet OS, or Microsoft’s UMPC touchscreen enhancements, but it certainly offers a range of options for anyone on the go.

In this GottaBeMobile.com Hardware Inkshow, I take a look at the device, the dock that ships with it, and also some of the basic functionality of the UX as well as very quick look at the Beta of Ilium Sofware’s new data entry product, Inscribe. You’ll find out why I think the keyboard is both an asset and a detriment for the Sony UX, as well as how I feel about integrating the Sony into my work flow. Check out the Inkshow to see if it might be right for you.

Special thanks to good friend Malia Arguello for helping out with the camera, and I apologize in advance that some of the lighting is a bit dim.  

• Watch the video( 22:37 minutes, 71.9mb, Windows Media streaming or direct download).
• Visit the Sony site.

Enjoy!

All GottaBeMobile.com InkShows are sponsored by:

Cisco Cheng, the PC Magazine writer who recently admitted that there is a lot to like about Tablet PCs, has posted a review of Sony’s UX180P.All in all, I’d have to say that Cisco’s review of the UX180P is right on the money.

I recently purchased a UX180P and absolutely love it. Several weeks ago, I sent it to Warner Crocker so that he could do a Hardware InkShow on it. Look for that InkShow review to be posted later this week.

From Cisco Cheng:

If, like me, you've ever had severe back pain or found yourself bedridden, a portable PC device can help you avoid tons of disconnected downtime. Arriving just as I found myself on temporary bed rest (I'll spare you the details), the 1.2-pound Sony VAIO VGN-UX180P couldn't have come at a better time. Handling this miniature handheld is a lot like playing with the T-Mobile Sidekick 3, except that it's loaded with a full-blown edition of Microsoft Windows XP Professional and has features you'd normally find on a laptop. And although the Sony UX Series is not ready to replace my laptop, it has a lot to like.

David Ciccone has in his hands what many of us have been waiting for in utlra mobile devices – an ultra mobile pc with a 16gb solid state flash hard drive. Although the drive is a bit small for my needs, it won’t be long before we start to see bigger drives, which means tremendous savings on battery life, speed, etc.

David has produced a video of the Sony Vaio UX-90S with the 16gb flash drive, along with comparisons to the UX180P.

Check it out

Here’s a nifty video that shows Sony’s eBook Reader in action. I was impressed with the size and also the discussion of the display technology. I’m still not impressed with the concept of this kind of stand alone (hand alone?) device when you can do the same thing on other devices like the UMPC or a PDA. Worth a look though.

Follow the link to the CNET TV site and look in the right hand column for a link to the Sony Reader video.

Hat Tip to Loren Heiny

Ok, if this isn’t enough to get the green envy bubbling up and send me searching undeneath the couch cushsions for loose change to save up for another gadget purchase. Rob and I were IM’ing and he had to leave to pick up his son. Does that stop the conversation? No. From his car with the Sony UX he continues messaging:

And of course from his car, (at the next stop light presumably) he sends me a file to look at. Ok, Rob. I’m green with envy now!

Here are some quick thoughts on the Sony UX180P UMPC and using it the past 24 hours.

1) I went to Boy Scouts last night and the UX garnered a lot of attention - from parents and scouts alike. The first word out of several scouts who saw it was “ Is that an Origami?” They really flipped out when I slid the screen up to reveal the keyboard, let them hold it, type, move the mouse, etc. Then I showed them the camera and the ability to switch from front to rear on the fly and that really wowed them. Most of the parents did double-takes, taking turns wanting to hold it. There were a lot of common reactions: it feels really good to hold, the text is really small, a perfect take any where computer, I WANT ONE ( until they hear how much it is ). I asked my kids: “Which one would you want to take on a trip with you : the Fujitsu P1510D, the eo, or the UX180P?” Both Dax and Maggie replied that they would prefer the UX180P because they could type on it, be on the internet, and hold it like a game. That tells me that the OEMs need to take a hard look at including slide out keyboards.

2) As I’ve played with the Pen software that the UX came with, I’ve found very little vectoring issues. This is primarily because there really is no place to rest your hand on the screen. I can see myself taking notes on this thing - really. It won’t be like taking notes on a 12” LE1600, but I’m thinking it is going to be ok. Not ideal, but ok.

3) The UX180P comes with a 30GB harddrive. 10 GB is partitioned off for recovery, 4gb already used for system stuff. So that leave 15 GB out of a 30 GB harddrive to actually use. That is no where near enough space. I’ve already created my recovery cds and am about to wipe out the recovery partition, and create another partition to install Vista on. I’ll likely end up getting a 60 GB Toshiba drive for it.

4) Having embedded Edge on this thing is really, really cool. I went from the wifi in my house to Cingular Edge with a push of a button. Edge is not nearly as fast as Verizon EV-DO, but it certainly keeps you connected with very little for the end user to do.

5) The keyboard is really nice ( and a must have in my opinion), but the lack of textual feed back on the keys is bothersome - the keys lay almost flat to the surface. Like others have reported, the missing right hand shift key is a big pain. For example, to type an email address, you have to hold down the shift key and the 2 at the same time to type an @. That means your right thumb has to stretch a good ways to press the 2. That said, this keyboard solution is sooo much better than the on-screen keyboard that comes with the Origamis. You can actually see where you are typing. After having used both an eo with no keyboard and ux180p with a keyboard, I’d be hard pressed to go to an origami without a keyboard again. The experience, to me, is that much better. My wife immediately took to it, there was no fumbling around with software, etc. Just type.

6) Touch at this resolution works, but it isn’t a good experience. Everything is too small. I use the mouse and mouse buttons all the time, rarely using the stylus or my finger. But it is nice to know that it is there if I want to.

7) The screen resolution is small – no doubt about it. I get that comment from almost everyone who sees it. Cary Philips mentioned that if you are comfortable with 1400 x 1050 on a 12”, you should be ok with this. Otherwise, it could be too small for you. I personally really like this resolution, but if Sony came out with one that was 800 x 600, I think they would have a real winner on their hands. As soon as folks finish talking about how small the text is, they say “ You know, I could really see myself using this and taking it with me”.

BTW: the best tip I have to help with resolution is to turn on Large Fonts in Display Settings. Also go up to 120% DPI if the text is still too small (where Large Fonts don’t apply). I’m playing with various settings, but I keep going back to regular settings.

To me, it feels like what I thought an Origami would be. Natural.

Anyway, that is a little bit of “first thoughts” I’ll have more to say as I continue to use it, and install Vista on it to try out actual inking and notetaking. BTW: Sony really, really messed up by not putting the Tablet PC OS on it. Should have been there from the beginning.

My son, Dax, was a star on the eo InkShow I did several months ago. Well, he picked up the Sony UX180P UMPC and said “This is what I thought the Origami would be like – sliding screen to reveal a keyboard, much smaller, feels much more like a PSP or Gameboy than the eo did…”

What are my first impressions? Everything on the screen is really small - but it feels simply wonderful to hold and use. The zoom is instant, unlike the Q1 and eo which take a bit to display. Slide the screen up to type, slide it back down when finished. Very SideKick like. Mouse on the right, buttons on the left. It feels very, very natural. I’m with Dax – the second gen OEMs need to take some good, hard looks at the UX180P.