A couple of weeks ago I had posted that I might be moving to a regular laptop as my main 'work' computer (not personal mind you :) ).  I also said that I wouldn't mind checking out the HTC Shift to maybe use as a 'companion' device to that laptop.  Well, the good folks at Dynamism sent me a Shift to play around with for a few weeks.

I know this is old hat to some as they have been out a while, but it will be a new adventure for me as I am trying to find alternatives if I have to change the way I work and the processes I use.

Any questions you want answered as I investigate this little machine?  Anything you want me to try?

Looks like the Origami Team just released the Origami Experience 2.0 according to the Origami Project.com. Their are four applications in 2.0.

• Origami Central updates the original OE application to allow users to access media, but has added a fully-optimized browsing experience for UMPCs and a RSS reader. The media features have also been extended.
• Origami Now offers one-touch access to your info whether it be email, calendar, RSS feeds, weather, you name it. It is all on one screen.
• Origami Picture Password is being touted as a real breakthrough for using mobile devices. Instead of a password or finger print, you access a series of pictures.
• Touch Settings which offers the same functionality as 1.0.

No link available on OrgiamiProject.com for downloading yet, but we’ll update this post when it is available. Perhaps we’ll see more of this at the Tablet PC/UMPC Meetup tomorrow.

How times quickly change. When the Origami / Ultra-Mobile PC platform was rolled out in 2006, Microsoft and Intel defined the platform as having a touch screen that was seven inches or smaller. They then modified that to include devices with active digitizer screens like the OQO Model 02.

Now, we are seeing devices like the Asus Eee PC get labeled as a Ultra-Mobile PC, and for good reason. It is ultra, mobile, and a pc. But it lacks a touch screen, at least coming pre-installed from the OEM that way. In a large measure, though, Asus has changed the name of the game by coming out with a low price, ultra-portable solution.

So, really, what is a Ultra-Mobile PC? Do the old rules apply or should we treat any computer less than 10 inches as a Ultra-Mobile PC? What is the difference really between an Ultra-Mobile PC and a Ultra-Portable PC? What about devices like the Sony TZ series with its 11 screen? Isn’t it ultra, mobile, and a pc? What is the optimal screen size to be considered ultra and mobile. Is touch or an active digitizer even a pre-req anymore?

These are questions that we struggle with daily at GBM, as they drive the areas in which we should cover, but not branch out too far. When developing the guidelines for the UMPC Of The Year, we chose to stick fairly close to Microsoft’s original guidelines by insisting it either had a touch screen or an active digitizer, but be less than 10 inches.  I don’t think we can realistically do that in 2008, though.

So – help us out here: define the Ultra-Mobile PC.

ASUS has posted a new product page for the ASUS R2E Ultra Mobile PC. This system really excited me! It has a 7" SunRead "glare-proof" touchscreen, built-in 3G module, fingerprint reader, 1.3 megapixel camera, Bluetooth and WiFi, all running on Windows Vista. For me, one intriguing element is the ASUS InfoPen. Although the pen in the pictures appears to be a standard stylus, the website claims that the DigiPen features an eraser end and mouse control buttons. If so, that would be pretty remarkable in this class of device. I can't wait to try out the inking on this. There are extensive pictures on the ASUS site, including all angles and every port. Unfortunately, it looks like the heat exhaust goes out the bottom side, so expect to get warm while using it.

I also love the case that is pictured. There is apparently an external TV tuner/antenna module available, so you can watch TV from anywhere. This usage model gives me the ease of a very small clamshell computer with a keyboard, but the flexibility to go slate style with just the unit itself. Bring it on!

via JKKMobile

OrigamiProject.com has posted a request for folks to fill out a survey on UMPC usage and perceptions. As an incentive they are giving away some prizes, too. So, here is your opportunity to give some feedback to Microsoft and help impact future design.

Here are the details from OrigamiProject.com:

Dear UMPC Enthusiasts,

As part of our ongoing efforts to better serve the UMPC category, Microsoft is conducting a survey to gather additional data on UMPC usage and perceptions. If you own a UMPC, or are interested in UMPCs, we invite you to participate in this short survey:

https://deploy.ztelligence.com/start/index.jsp?PIN=139JGXPZGJBJD

Please feel free to share this survey link with your fellow enthusiasts and to re-post it on blogs or other UMPC forums. This survey will remain open till October 28, 2007, 11:59 p.m. PT. As an incentive, survey participants are eligible to enter sweepstakes for prizes.

Additionally, you can choose – at the end of the survey - to voluntarily opt-into joining Microsoft’s Mobile PC User Panel, which will provide you with additional opportunities for participating in future studies.

Thanks in advance for your participation,

Microsoft Origami Experience team.

 I've seen a lot of Ultra-Mobile PCs here at GottaBeMobile.com, but I have yet to see a UMPC perform as snappy as the Amtek T770. With its good performance, configurable buttons, and well designed track stick / mouse buttons, the T770 should make the short list of anyone looking for a UMPC.

Follow the Read More link below to download the high res WMV and M4v version, as well as watch the embedded one.

All GottaBeMobile.com InkShows are sponsored by

Layne Heiny, of UMPCBuzz.com, has some very insightful commentary on the state of the ultra-mobile pc space and how it lines up with the Intel MID. Layne doesn't mince words when he says:

Sitting back and considering the events over the past six months, one can easily get all excited over the silly drivel about Intel MIDs and Microsoft UMPCs. Neither company is coherent. There was great hope but like all Microsoft events over the past few years - hope was a four letter word quickly morphed into profanity.

Yet, the Intel MID has momentum. While Microsoft sleeps - Intel pushes forward. This formula is a great mixture for Intel to wash away the UMPC and work with manufacturers to build competitive products to the Apple iPhone.

Loren Heiny, a Microsoft Tablet PC MVP, has written up a fantastic essay on his thoughts regarding the Moorestown prototypes and the MID devices rolled out during Intel's IDF conference.

Intel is squarely marketing its platforms as a Mobile Internet Device, not a UMPC--even though they toss in UMPC support every now and then. It looks to me like Intel is moving its marketing might away from the UMPC. That's very unfortunate for those that develop and support this platform. Now some could argue that Intel hasn't done all that much to advocate the UMPC anyway. As a software developer, that would be my opinion. Outside of announcing the UMPC before Microsoft and providing some sneak peeks as various reference designs, I'm not sure what else Intel is doing in terms of UMPC evangelism. I've been at Intel events where the people don't even know one lick about UMPCs, other than some group in Intel works on them. Then again, maybe I'm looking in the wrong places.

...So why aren't these devices called UMPCs? Yes, many are smaller. Here's why: Vista isn't going to be running on the first generation ones. Why not? Vista is too big and expensive for devices like this where the no-brainer goal should be to drive down costs and yield the best experience. Instead Intel is turning to Linux.

I agree with Loren. Devices like the Moorestown prototype, the iPhone, etc are where it is going to be. I have classified my iPhone as a MID with no hesitation - it is a mobile internet device in every sense of the term. The "origami experience" has shifted to devices like these where many people believe they will ultimately take off. For Microsoft to succeed in this space they need to leave Vista behind and concentrate on a small platform OS that gives them the true freedom to innovate, hook in to the Media Center / MediaGuide streaming technologies they own, hook in to Live Mail, and design a capacitive touch UI without all the baggage that a huge OS has on it.

Continue reading Loren's thoughts on what this means for developers, Silverlight, etc.

WallStreetJournal.com's Jeremy Wagstaff has written a really good article about on the "hole" in our lives that companies are recognizing and trying to fill with the UMPC / internet tablet / mini computer. The hole, as recognized by many, is the place between a cell phone and laptop.

In a lot of ways, Jeremy is spot on, especially with companies trying to shove too much into a small platform, when all we want is some "hole filler' devices that excel at flling that hole. Having used both a Nokia N800 Internet Tablet and quite a few Windows based UMPCs, I can definitely see his argument and I think it has a lot of merit.

Thoughts?

All of these devices call themselves Ultramobile PCs, or UMPCs, a category that has already attracted a good number of yawns. I suspect part of the reason is that most manufacturers have packed in everything they can think of, trying to turn the UMPC into something as powerful as a laptop, without realizing that they're solving the wrong problem. No one who uses a laptop is going to ditch it for good for one of these things, so these devices stand and fall on what they can offer that the laptop can't: lower price, ease of use and fun. And, given that few UMPCs sell for less than $1,000, price isn't it. By installing Windows Vista, you're ruling out the other two because this is software designed for a fully fledged computer, not something that would get you away from that world.

The recent excitement about the iPhone illustrates, among other things, that we have a more emotional relationship with our gadgets than some manufacturers allow for. It's all about an experience -- the physical feel of the device, the elegance of its interface, the interaction with it. The more connected we become, the more important this will become, because those devices serve as conduits to the worlds and communities we inhabit online. The lesson? Filling the Hole means taking the lessons we've learned with cellphones, iPods and iPhones and applying them to devices that are a little larger, not the other way around: trying to cram our workshop tools into something smaller.

Does the virtual mouse touch pointer on Origami/UMPC devices drive you a bit crazy? It certainly drives me bonkers until I get rid of it. I also know that in the GBM Forums asking how to remove it, is a frequently asked question. Kevin Tofel of jkOnTheRun has put up a short video demonstrating how to banish the virtual mouse from your small screen life.

Well, as promised, here is my InkShow review of the Samsung Q1 Ultra UMPC.  I spent a LOT of time on this machine, and attempted to answer as many of the questions I could folks posed on it, but there were so many I am sure I missed a few.  I would like to have more time, but alas all the other GBM team members are wanting their time with this eval unit as well!

The Samsung Q1 Ultra was first announced this year at CEBIT in Germany, and there has been quite a high level of anticipation on this machine, which has just now began shipping to end users.  The model of Q1 I received was the Q1U-V model, which is the earliest model to ship.  It comes with an 800 Mhz Intel A110 UMPC processor, 1gb RAM, and a 60gb 4200 RPM disk.  Pre-installed is Vista Home Premium. 

The Samsung press materials indicated the following models available (some coming soon) of the Q1 Ultra:

1. Q1U-V - A fully featured 800mhz launch model with a retail of $1,199.00  (reviewed here), with Vista Home Premium
2. Q1U-XP - An 800mhz business (?) model with the Windows XP OS with a retail of $1,149.00
3. Q1U-CMV - An 800mhz HSDPA cellular enabled broadband model retailing at $1,499.00, with Vista Home Premium
4. Q1U-EL - A "back to school" model will be introduced at $799 with a 600mhz processor and Vista Home Premium

Here is a quick rundown on what I covered in the InkShow:

General comments

• Physical Walkaround on the Q1 Ultra hardware
• Some real-time application load times, including video and audio
• A quick look at the internal 1.3 megapixel / 300 pixel camera / webcam
• A comparison look at the Samsung Q1 Ultra vs. the Samsung Q1P UMPC.  Which machine got a CrystalMark benchmark score of  13,000, and which one got 16,000?  
• A quick keyboard and text entry experiment
• Inking on the Q1 Ultra -- my comments on ink and touch

Machine specs (as tested):

Well, I have been waiting impatiently for my new OQO Model 02 to show up while playing with the new Lenovo X61.  No shortage of fun around here right now.   When I saw a box had arrived today, I got the familiar old feeling I get every time something electronic shows up on the doorstep of GBM Southeast regional office!  You know that feeling, right?  Technolust!

A quick glance at the label on the box showed that it was a package from Samsung, which told me right away what was inside, a new Samsung Q1 Ultra UMPC!  As you can see from the picture, Splotch climbed right on the thing, ready to go for the big ride (he makes little squeaking noises every time a new device shows up - No, really, he does!)!  Get off there Splotch, there is serious playing (I mean work) to be done here!

Well, there was no other choice (since work was out of my head for the day) but to open the box and get that all important 1st impression.  Here is my real quick bulleted list of thoughts as I picked it up and spent about 20 minutes before running off to normal domestic husbandly evening duties:

• Slimmer and lighter! - I have not compared the specs to my Q1p, but this puppy is definitely smaller and lighter
• Screen takes up much more of the device - It struck me right away that the screen itself was most of the front of the device, and that there seem to be fewer buttons
• Windows Vista sticker - Not a "Vista Capable" sticker, just a "Windows Vista" one.
• How do ya get the darn battery in?  - Took a minute to figure that out, and felt a little like I was forcing it, but I probably did not do it right
• Battery gauge button on the battery - Yeah!  I love those little buttons on batteries that let you know the charge level with a gauge...
• Boot up a bit slow - Powered it on, and it took a while.  Even when I thought it was done booting, I could not get apps to load.  Once booted it was fine, but did take a while to get started.
• Cursor control! - Yeah!  Thank you Samsung.  Unfortunately, I found it really hard to control, but I have been so used to the cursor button being on the right with the TabletKiosk eo i7210.  This unit has the cursor control on the left and the L/R mouse buttons on the right.
• Thumb keys are pretty tiny - My big thumbs were saying, huh?  But they got used to it.  I opened up Notepad and did a little typing.  REAL awkward at first, but I got better pretty quickly.  I had to keep shifting my eyes side to side though, since it is not a natural touch typing experience.  Having it split is kinda weird, but I could get used to it though.  I was in a slightly dark room though, and there is no backlighting on the thumb keys, making it real hard to see the keys.
• Resolution switching button? - I don;t think there is one!  Need to figure that out.  Surely there are multiple resolutions....
• Screen is BRIGHT - Man oh man.  What a bright screen.  I am sure it will suck life out of the battery quickly if up all the time, but there is nothing dim about this thing.
• Ink looks really good - I played in Windows Journal and felt the ink laid down nicely, BUT....., palm rejection was pretty bad.  No joy for me there.  Wish the darn thing had an active digitizer already!
• Touch works well - There is no question that touch is fun, and it seems to work really well on this model.  I had no problems using the on-screen mouse cursor control.
• Where's the stylus? - I had to hunt a minute, but  but found it on the bottom right.  Used to that being top right on Q1p.
• Prop up stand on the back is nice.  All UMPC's should have this stand!
• Camera lens in front AND back - Yeah!  The included webcam/ digicam has a lens in the front and back of the screen.  Good move.

Okay, that is about all for now, InkShow coming folks, so if you have questions, get em in now so I can address them in the show!  More later folks!

 We first got news of this company when at CES this year where I did a quick standup interview with Derek Prentice of Azentek. Since then, we have stayed in touch with Azentek.  Well I recently got an email from Derek, outlining they're new UMCP being released sometime in July.  This will be called the AxSS (pronounced "Access").  Here is some text from Derek's email:

Hi Dennis,
I thought you might enjoy seeing a sneak peak at our latest UMPC that will be released in mid-July. It is called the AxSS (Pronounced “Access”) .

 We had a very cool custom rear seat mount made from our friends at PanaVise for a rear seat entertainment offering. Official retail pricing has not been set – but it looks like it will be around $999.

Some quick Specs:

• Processor: VIA C7M NaNo Processor 1.2GHZ
• Memory: 1x SODIMM Slot DDR2 533MHz (1GB standard))
• Display: 7” 800*480 TFT – CPT with VIA VX700 controller
• Brightness (cd/㎡) : 185 nit (min) / 220 nit (typ)
• Contrast Ratio : 400 : 1
• Viewing Angle : 70 / -70 degree (H)
  60 / -40 degree (V)
• Camera: 1 x 1.3 Million Pixel CMOS Camera
• ZOOM function for 800*480 as default, 800*600, 1024*600
• Disk drive: 80GB 2.5” HDD

We expect to get an eval unit in the next month or so, and will do a full demo then.  Stay tuned for more info.

Well, we've been talking on GottaBeMobile.com for a while about the "Wow" factor being low to people in the Tablet PC arena.  Rob isn't being wowed enough to keep him happy, Warner seems to think marketing is a big issue, and for me?  Well, I still love the feeling of opening any new box that contains electronics I have not seen before.

 Last week I received a shipment.  Yes -- it was ANOTHER piece of electronics to review (yippee!).  The device in question?  AN OQO Model 02.  I had seen the device ever so briefly at CES this year, and we had our request in way back then for an eval unit, but to be honest, I was not jumping up and down in anticipation.  I had spent some time with the small Sony UX models, and was not impressed.  My experiences thus far with UMPC's has been somewhat lackluster, so I have to admit my expectation levels were indeed somewhat low.  The Model 02 changed that.

Capital "W", capital "O", Capital "W" again.  WOW.  I felt it when I opened the box and pulled this tiny 5" screen device out.  Here is my quick "I Like" list:

• It was not the heavy, big bulky thing the UX was.  One pound?  YES!  I like it.  Fits in that pocket nicely.
• It had an ACTIVE digitizer (yes, yes, yes!!).  The inking experience was quite nice, although screen real estate is obviously an issue with a screen this size.  No touch?  THANK YOU VERY MUCH OQO.  I don't want it.
• The slideout keyboard was comfortable and useable with my thumbs (note that if you have not previously had experience with a thumb keyboard, you may not agree here, but I have used Treo's and my MotoQ for a long time now).  The "SmartLock" keys were awesome.  Being able to lock shift-alt-ctrl-func keys and know they are locked with indicator lights is a great usabiulity thing.  Nice job there.
• The Wide VGA LCD screen was bright, crisp and clear.  The magnification buttons work really well.  800x480 native, all the way to 1200x720 interpolated.  Works for me (although I did need my old man glasses at highest res)!  In addition you can magnify even eyond that if needed and scroll and pan.
• The on screen "capacitive scrollers" scrolling controls (both vertical and horizontal) were great!  Note to OEM's: I want those on all my devices from now on.
• It had Windows Vista Ultimate installed, and it ran really well.  It was a 1.0 on Vista Experience, but I really didn't care.
• It had Sprint WWAN installed and even though I have Sprint connection issues in my area, it worked really well.  I'd like to see Verizon performance, which is an option also.
• The dock with the slot loading DVD was very sexy and functional.  It has HDMI also!  The small footprint on the desk is awesome to still get so much functionality.  Besides the dock, the included VGA/Ethernet adapter is an added plus.  I like it being separate, since those are only needed on occasion.
• Slipping it into my pocket was such a cool experience.  I got a lot of looks when I pulled it out to use it.
• This thing felt SOLID.  It looks good, feels good, and I believe that this all indicates a quality engineering job.  Didn't do any drop tests, but I bet it would be fine.  Note to GBM team:  Whoever has it last, do the drop test.  Just kidding.

Just for balance, here are my "Not like so much things":

• The price.  I know, I know, it is a compact, heavily engineered marvel, so carries a nice price tag.  But just think if you could get these things for $1,000 or less!  It would be an OQO world (ala iPod)!
• No pen included?  When I got it, I immediately started looking for the pen garage.  Hmmm, where is tha darn thing?  It's gotta be here somewhere!  Nope -- it's not there.  Huh?  Whassup with that?  Active digitizer means I need a pen.  What, not included?  Tsk-tsk-tsk.  Not good.  A pen is included with XP Tablet SKU, but not with Vista?  Need to change that one OQO.
• While inking (with my X60 pen), I had some problems with the "capacitive scrollers" moving the screen around on me a bit when my hand hit them, but it was not a huge issue.  When you are hovering, I think they turn off, but outside that range, you can accidentally move the screen around.
• It got a little warm.  Note I did not say, "HOT", I said "warm".  It's to be expected, but overall it looks like they have engineered the heat dissapation pretty well.
• When you magnify outside the resolution capability of the screen, you of course get a scrolling and panning screen (which is nice, but...).  When it passed resolution capability though, the pen got out of synch with the screen, forcing me to the joystick pointer.  Seemed kinda glitchy to me there.
• No stand.  There were a few times I wanted to stand it up outside the dock where I could see the screen, but there is no kickstand.  I had to lay it flat, forcing me to pick it up or prop it up each time to see an incoming email, etc.  Seems like a pretty easy thing to add, and it is needed.

As you will notice I am referring to this thing in the past tense! I had to give it up to the next GBM teamie, Eddie VanDerbeck (darn it, I hate to share!).  I really wanted to keep this one.  I see no problem integrating this thing into my daily work life.  I did not get a chance to plug it into a full size desktop montior and keyboard, but I see no issues using it as a full time PC.

Well, that is about all for now.  I am in the somewhat enviable position of getting to use a LOT of cool toys like this, but this one was special.  As you can see I loved it, and I do not make statements that strong very often.  If it was up to me, OQO would be having a hard time getting this one back.  Our thanks to Bob Rosin and the folks at OQO for a chance to use this device for a bit.  You've done a great job here. 

UPDATE:  I got in a lot of trouble after I originally posted this for not including Splotch's comments.  So Splotch old buddy, what did you think about the OQO Model 02?

  " Hmph.  I don't get no respect around here.  All you big organic dudes think we little blue guys have nothing to offer, but you're wrong, we are great judges of little things.  The OQO Model 02 is incredible.  Trust me, being little can be tough, and this thing does little REALLY well.  It has all the right pieces, in all the right places.  Everyone needs to quit comparing this one to that one and just find one that works for them.  THis one will work for you Dennis.  I will be glad to share your pocket with this thing.  Go for it."

Well said Splotch.

(Now where is that credit card my wife doesn't know about?)

WinHEC certainly appears to be the place to be for UMPC news this week. It has been a steady stream of annoucements and such all week. Now comes news of Origami 2.0 specs:

CRN's Paul Rooney is reporting on a converesation he had with Microsoft's Vikram Madan:

"The second set of possible UMPC specifications under consideration calls for ultra-thin PCs that weigh less than 1.5 pounds, incorporate 5-inch or 7-inch displays .and are housed in an 18- to 20-mm footprint, executives said.  Potential features of the next-generation Origami design at the drawing board include an integrated QWERTY keyboard, a touch screen fully integrated into the LCD, at least 1 GB of memory, and battery life of between three and four hours."

Check out CRN.com more information

SeattlePI.com's Todd Bishop has a good article on WinHEC and Origami. He includes this quote from Origami Experience lead program manager, Jeremy White, on the messaging and marketing of Origami:

"We're learning, too. This is a new platform for us. So we do something, we take feedback and we learn. I can't say next week we're going to have a $50 million campaign," he said. "It's definitely something that's under discussion: How do we do a better job of messaging? We've been quite frank about saying that we probably haven't done as good a job as we could have."

Recent developments in the Ultra-Moible PC scape seem to have had an effect on a few mainstream tech media folk and they are starting to sing a slighly different tune about the smaller devices.

David DeJean of Information Week has done a 180 in an article entitled, “OK, So I Was Wrong About Origami.” What seems to have turned his head are the newer devices just being announced (mostly from WinHEC), especially the 5 inch screen models and he credits Microsoft for extending their Origami definition to cover the smaller screens. He also seems to now “get it” that Origami wasn’t a product but a concept. Here’s a quote:

The hardware is simply adorable, and, as WinHEC has proved, Microsoft has continued to work on Origami. It wasn't Microsoft that got Origami wrong a year ago, it was us in the computer press. We thought Origami was a product. It wasn't. Origami was Microsoft's take on what devices smaller than notebook PCs and larger than cellphones might look like. It turns out they don't look much like Origami, but they do work well with Microsoft's OS. And that means this week was only the beginning. I'm going to be hearing a lot more about Origami after all.

And everybody’s favorite tech curmudgeon, The Wall Street Journal’s Walt Mossberg, looks like he might be coming around, although he hasn’t quite done a 180 yet. His gaze as shifted a bit thanks to the new Samsung Q1 Ultra and of course his focus in on the new split keyboard and he still sees limitations in the product but gives kudos to Samsung. He doesn’t think it is a mainstream device just yet.

Mossberg sets the tone for many in the mainstream media pack, so it will be interesting to see how many other MSM folks follow is lead in the months to come.

Hat tip to Marc Orchant on Mossberg column.

The folks on Microsoft’s Origami Experience team are running a poll and asking for feedback on how you use your Ultra-Mobile PC and the Origami Experience software. According to this blog entry from Rob, a tester on the Origami Experience team, the feedback will help them a lot in their design for future versions of the Origami Experience.

From Rob:

Even if you aren't using it that much, or at all, please let us know why, and if there is anything we can do to change that. We want to focus the majority of our energies in the right area, so please do let us know by taking the poll, and if you want to tell us something about your usage or experience, post a response in the forum and let us know. Good, Bad or Indifferent, we want to hear from you.

So, head over there right now and vote in their poll. In addition, submit some comments on how you want Origami Experience improved.

This is not a new question.  It has been debated and asked many times in the past few years.  I have entered into the fray a number of times myself, and been most involved in touting it.  So where are we in the Tablet PC world?  Here are my current rambling thoughts:

1. Tablet PC has matured - I guess you will have to develop your own criteria on what is "mature" before you agree or disagree with this statement, but for me, I think it is ready.  There are lots and lots of good choices for Tablet PC's, and some mainstream OEM's are in the business of producing Tablet PC's.  The public is much more aware of what the concept is, although a lot of education still is to be done on just what can be done, and apps need to catch up (more on this later).
2. Microsoft is still committed - Having just returned from Redmond and having spent a couple of great days with the team doing Tablet PC / UMPC at Microsoft, I can vouch for their committment.  Add to that the session with Bill Gates where he stated that Tablet is still a favorite of his, and he "continues to believe in Tablet", and you have soe pretty strong support.  Now, admittedly, there is more innovation going on for UMPC right now (more on that later too).  This is simply because it is still not totally ready for prime time, and needs work.  The Tablet features in Windows Vista are strong and function well.  I can also say that a lot of the questions we received from Microsoft were related to where to take Tablet next in terms of development, and how to encourage developers to write tablet apps.  They are on it, and still excited.  From their perspective, it has gone mainstream, which means it remains a solid platform for them.
3. UMPC is not "mature" - I like the UMPC platform a lot, but it has a lot of work needed.  In my mind, there is an inappropriate amount of attention being given to it right now.  I know, I know, it is cool and fun, but it does not have maturity.  If you remember the original specs for this thing, it was touted as a consumer entertainment and communcation device.  Now there are a lot of complaints about it not running heavy duty apps well.  Until the software and hardware catch up to the concept, it will continue to have issues.  this is so like Tablet was 3 years ago.  Poor processor support, horrible battery life, apps not designed for the screen size or touch interface.  Stay tuned here folks, there are some cool things to come for UMPC.  But in the meantime, let's not bash it to death as it tries to mature.  That will certainly not create growth.  Offer encouragement and good suggestions instead.  I currently own 2 UMPC's, and like to play with them both.  However, neither one can serve as a device I can depend on every day for a critical function.
4. Touch vs. Pen - I love the ink experience of an active digitizer that uses an electro magnetic pen (EM).  I do not like the ink experience of a resistive touch screen using a stylus (touch).  Ink has gotten better on touch devices (pretty darn good on Fujitsu P1610 for e.g.), but still does not compare to EM in terms of quality and flexibility.  So EM still rules on ink.  However, I really like the ability to do navigation and object manipulation with my finger, and that of course requires touch. So here is where I get greedy.  Give me both.  If I have a choice, I can use it when I need it.  Also give me the ability to turn touch off easily.  This is happenning, but needs more work for sure.  I see a great place for both.  Vendors who offer this choice should be able to sell units.
5. Tablet as a "feature" - Microsoft turned this corner a couple years ago, and I think it is starting to happen.  Instead of touting the Tablet PC as a form factor, we are starting to see this capability included in regular notebooks and touted as a feature.  In the case of the HP TX1000, it is an option you can choose.  I think you will see more of this as new hardware comes out.  Of course slate Tablet PC's are still a good choice, but are somewhat vertical in natiure nowadays.
6. Software STILL needs to be developed - We still do not have enough good Tablet PC apps, but that will come with more device sales.  As more people get ink and touch capability, I am confident that we will see more good apps.  Microsoft is working hard on encouraging this still.

Okay, enough for now.  Suffice it to say that I continue to be excited about the whole arena of Tablet and UMPC's.  As we continue to expand coverage on GottaBeMobile.com, we are finding lots of new angles where tablet comes into play.  There are more tablets sold each day, and new models continue to be developed.  That means more interested people,

The future looks bright, at least from this enthusiasts standpoint.

Do you agree?

It may surprise you all to know that I am a gadget junkie.  Okay, maybe not.  I like to act like a plain old guy, but I am reall a geek through and through (and proud of it actually!).

My wife does not necessarily understand the importance of having a gadget within reach at all times to enhance my life (do I hear an amen from the geek audience?).  However, I have noticed that when we are watching TV, she does not seem to mind the full surround sound experience on the big screen TV which I control from my position next to her on the love seat with my $300 remote control!

Now my curent dilemma (aside from my HP Z545 Media Center power supply being down, but that is another story), is that I have a number of functions in my home that are not automated (gasp).  I actually have to get out of my chair to turn down the lights, turn on the ceiling fan, and turn the heat up because my wife is cold (again).  I know, I know, this situation must be remedied!

So..., I have been spending some of my internet play time checking out home automation systems that run on Ultra-Mobile PC's.  I have not done a lot of research on this yet, but did come across this product from VANTAGE E.M.E.A., called the Touchpoint 700.  It is based on what looks like the PaceBlade Japan OEM UMPC model (alah the TabletKiosk eo i7210 UMPC).  Here is a quick blurb on this device from their site:

"It is a 7-inch TFT LCD resistive color touch panel ideal for any home or work environment. Homeowners and employees can enjoy complete room-to-room control of lights, security systems and music. This tablet touchscreen comes with a re-chargeable 3-cell lithium ion battery, which lasts up to 2 hours, with a 3 hour charging time. The TouchPoint 700 design offers ultra- portability with an ultra slim screen, enhancing the look of any room. The TouchPoint 700 offers complete control of any project by not only controlling the lights, but also heating and cooling, fireplaces, home theaters and window treatments. The TouchPoint 700 provides room-to-room control."

Yes, I am having visions of total home control now.  I have not done much research yet, and I am sure there are others out there, but I wanted to post this just as a point of interest.  When Microsoft first introduced the concept of the UMPC to the Tablet PC MVP's (of which we have 3 on staff at GBM), they made the statement that they wanted this to be a device that would be carried around for many different life functions, and would be just like your cell phone -- never leave home without it.  Well, I propose that even walking around in our home, the UMPC can take a front seat and help us eliminate a true geek household phenomenon -- the multi-remote nightmare!

If you are a dealer of this type of solution, contact us at info at gottabemobile dot com, we'd love to demo your stuff.  If you are a user who has something like this happen, we'd love to hear from you as well.  More on this as it happens!