Matt Faulkner, Warner Crocker, and Truc Bui took some time off from their Olympic viewing to get together for another GBM Podcast. In GBM Podcast #56 we talk about a host of options from viewing the Olympics on your mobile devices to the new Acer Aspire One NetBook that Warner’s wife won’t let him check out. We also talk about Loren Heiny’s controversial post about the future of Tablet PCs, free Tablet PC Software, what’s going on behind the scenes at AMD and VIA Technologies, and what we think the coming NetBook craze (or is it already here) will mean.

No one gets a medal on this show, but we sure do have some fun. Give it a listen and we hope you have some fun too.

• Download GBMPodcast #56 here. (43.41MB 47.25 minutes)
• AMD Will Sit Out the NetBook Craze for the Time Being
• VIA Will No Longer Make Chipsets for Intel and AMD Systems
• GBM InkShow: Thomasin and the Acer Aspire One
• iHangman for Tablet PCs and UMPCs Now Free
• TEO 3.0 Is Now Free
• The End of Tablet PCs Debate Keeps Perking

• Is The End of The Tablet PC Era in Sight

• Subscribe to our GBM Podcasts via

• iTunes

• Zune

• or your favorite podcatcher.

All GottaBeMobile.com InkShows and Podcasts are sponsored by TechSmith.

This is great news for Tablet PC users who use Microsoft Outlook. Tablet Enhancements for Outlook 3.0 (TEO), the killer Tablet PC application from developer Josh Einstein is now free. Yep. You heard that right, it is now free for the grabbing.

TEO 3.0 is a must have Tablet PC application and for me has been for quite awhile. It allows you to use Ink in Microsoft Outlook effortlessly, and in my opinion is a program that anyone developing for the Tablet PC should try to emmulate for its elegance and UI.

We’ve done quite a few InkShows on TEO 3.0 and I’m listing them below. If you have a Tablet PC and use Microsoft Outlook, there is no reason now not to use this great tool. Using TEO 3.0 in many ways shows what using a Tablet PC should and could be.

• TEO 3.0 Exclusive Preview InkShow
• TEO 3.0 Research Assistant InkShow
• ActiveWords & TEO SoftShow
• Tablet Enhancements for Outlook 3.0 Inkshow

Trying to keep all my e-mails during the day straight is sometimes a chore, and the biggest part of that is making sure some of the requests get done before I forget about them...

This is what I am currently doing - I do have a new process I am going to try, but I will post that up after about a week of trying the new system.  What do others use?  OneNote and Outlook?  Am I missing a great tool??  This process works in tablet mode or laptop mode with the help of TEO.

1. I have added a button to the Quick Access Toolbar that will allow me to 'copy to folder' - I do a copy because I still want the e-mail to be in my Inbox

2. Then I choose the folder for 'Tasks'

3. After that, I put in the Title and when the task is to be completed

So there you have it - my simple way to make a task out of an e-mail...  I will sometimes just do a drag and drop, but I already have the e-mail open most of the time - say form a reply or fwd.  And since I have a Windows Mobile phone, the reminders get to me on my phone as well with Exchange Activesync.  The new system to get me more organized is going to be much more work to get set up, so we'll see after I get it fully up and running.  Stay Tuned!

If you’re one of those who wished Microsoft had been consistent across the Microsoft Office 2007 suite of applications and added the Ribbon Interface to Outlook, you might want to take a look at this work in progress.

Josh Einstein, the amazing developer of Tablet Enhancements for Outlook (TEO 3.0) has been tinkering with a Ribbon for Outlook. In the GBM Fourms, he’s announced that he’s put up a version for those who want to take a look at this and, most importantly, to give him some feedback.

Here’s a link to the download and here a part of what Josh has to say:

Treat this as experimental code. It won't blow up Outlook but it's not exactly in the most usable state right now. Because it hides the menu bar and toolbar and replaces it with a ribbon that does not yet have all the functionality it's replacing, some commands are simply not available. Most of the stuff on the main tab works and that's about it.

Tablet PC software developer extraordinaire Josh Einstein is looking for your feedback. Not only is he continuing his efforts on the must have Tablet PC application, TEO, he’s working on something new for Outlook 2007.(Click on the thumbnail for a larger view.) Here’s what Josh has to say:

Like many of you, I was pretty disappointed when it was revealed that Outlook 2007, my favorite application in the suite, would not be getting the ribbon makeover. At least not in the main part of the UI which is what we spend most of our time looking at anyway. The justification of course is that Outlook 2007 isn't overloaded with commands the way the other Office applications are. I agree with that, but it does make Outlook stick out like a sore thumb and makes it seem like a red-headed stepchild instead of the first class Office citizen that it is.

So anyhow, I did something about it. But what I need now is feedback from you guys on what you would want to see on the primary ribbon tab and whether or not you would even use such a thing. I'm not planning to charge for it either. Here's my prototype so far. I have no idea when this will be available for the public.

He’s started a thread and a poll in the GBM Forums for you to give him feedback. Keep in mind, Josh doesn’t know when he’s aiming to release this, and he’s looking at this as more than just a Tablet PC development. My $.02? This would be a grand idea.

Head over to this forum thread and leave your input.

In our GottaBeMobile.com forums, Josh Einstein, of Einstein Technologies,  has publicly stated for the first time, that development on TEO will continuing on, with 3.5 and 4.0 design plans already on the whiteboard. This is great news, because in October 2006 Josh announced that development on TEO was likely to cease as he didn't see a business case for future versions. Obviously things have changed since then, which is great news for all of us TEO lovers, and of course for Josh.

So, what do we have to look forward to? Well Josh isn't showing all of his cards ( smart move ), but we can anticipate at least the following:

• An interim 3.5 release, followed by a 4.0 release
• Printing, ribbon integration, and support for recurring appointments are top priorities.
• Support for Virtual Earth is a secondary priority, but will likely be added
• Support for Outlook XP

No commitments on dates, but it is definitely good news to hear that design and development of TEO is moving forward.

So - what would you like to see in a 3.5 or 4.0 version of TEO?

This weekend, I posted 6 tips on how to improve the touch experience on Ultra-Mobile PCs and Tablet PCs.

Craig Pringle, a fellow Tablet PC MVP, has written a 5 part series on this subject, and goes into more depth from an application perspective. I encourage you to check out Craig's posts - great stuff:

• Getting More from a Small Screen Tablet - Part1: The OS
• Getting More from a Small Screen Tablet - Part 2: Mind Manager
• Getting More from a Small Screen Tablet - Part 3: Office, IE et al
• Getting More from a Small Screen Tablet - Part 4: ActiveWords
• Getting More from a Small Screen Tablet - Part 5: TEO

This is a fascinating, disappointing, and I guess you could say potentially sad post to write. Earlier today in looking through my feeds I came across this statement on Tablet Enhancements for Outlook (TEO) developer Josh Einstein’s blog:

“Yeah unfortunately TEO 3.0 just isn't cutting it. Put aside for a moment the fact that I feel like I wasted a year of my life developing it. I would have been alot more successful had I stuck to my original plan and spent the year working on the Sylantro software. But TEO was the product that was paying the bills so it had to come first. It's not that it isn't a good and useful product, just that I lack the ability to properly market it and support it. I wish there were more Tablet PC software companies out there because I'd love to sell it to someone who would give it a good home.”

So, is Josh’s dissatisfaction a symptom of the Tablet PC marketplace or is it a rather a the tale of the small independent software developer (ISV)? Before I wrote anything about this, I pinged Josh and asked him about this thoughts. Here is what he said to GottaBeMobile exclusively:

JE: “I don't think my experience really bears any reflection on the overall state of the tablet pc or anything. it's more a reflection of my own limitations sales and marketing-wise.”

GBM: Folks will want to know if TEO stops here as far as you are concerned.

JE: “It’s not a number #1 priority at the moment, but I’m not completely done with it yet.”

GBM: Is it fair to say you are contemplating ending future development for TEO?

JE: “It's not so much that I’m contemplating ending future development as much as that I am not at this time seeing a business case for a new version. In hindsight, there wasn't a business case for TEO 3.0 either since TEO 2.0 was selling just as well and upgrades to 3.0 were few. I mean I guess they're the same thing but it's not like I am trying to give it the axe, more like I don't think people want future development so there's no point in wasting time. The failure of TEO is nearly completely due to my inability to reach any deals with OEM's and Microsoft as well as my inability to market it outside of the small enthusiast community. The TEO 3 numbers I'm seeing are nearly identical to the TEO 2 numbers over the last year or so. Which isn't good - it wasn't enough to match a decent salary and definitely not enough to support me and my family without taking on side projects as well. The hope was that TEO 3 would increase my conversion rate from trial to paying customer and thus double or triple my sales which would have been a nice income, but unfortunately that didn't happen. TEO 3 resulted in little or no difference over TEO 2 in terms of downloads and conversion rate.”

Here’s my thoughts. TEO 3.0 (and 2.0 for that matter) is an amazing product for the Tablet PC. It is a definite home run.  I’ve made no secret about my feelings that it is a “MUST HAVE APP FOR THE TABLET PC.” In fact, it is an app that I can’t imagine myself using my Tablet PC without. I and many other Tableteers have gone on the record stating that Microsoft should just simply cut Josh a check and buy TEO and integrate it into Outlook. Josh has an amazing vision and attention to detail in his efforts and they are abundantly apparent in TEO 3.0. Josh has reached one of those decision points that any small business person reaches when he/she has to measure the return against the investment in time and resources.

Although I agree with Josh that this isn’t a symptom of the Tablet PC software market, it is safe to say it is a small market at the moment and any market, large or small, has its perils. Smaller ones even more so.

But I’ll say this, based on my experience with TEO, as Josh contemplates consulting or entering the corporate world, someone looking for an ace developer with incomparable skills should jump on the opportunity to hire him. And, I’ll say it again, Microsoft should buy TEO 3.0 and run with it. I don’t think anyone could do any better. And as for those of you with a Tablet PC. I’d pick up a copy of TEO 3.0 and give it a go. Whether you are using Office 2003 or 2007, you won’t find a better quality experience on your Tablet PC.

• Check out this GBM Inkshow on TEO 3.0
• Check out this interview with Josh Einstein on the release of TEO 3.0
• Download TEO 3.0 here.
• Check out Josh’s blog post here.

We’ve got winners! We had 10 correct submissions in the TEO 3.0 Free License contest and have randomly selected two winners from those 10 correct submissions. But before we announce the names of the winners, here are the correct answers.

1. In the GBM Audio Inkshow what two potential add-ins does Josh Einstein mention that he his working on or would like to add to TEO as future functionality? (you need to name both potential add-ins to get this one correct.)  ANSWERS: Microsoft Visual Earth and TechSmith’s SnagIt.
2. In the GBM Software Inkshow of TEO 3.0 what address am I looking for directions to for my meeting with Josh? ANSWER: 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, Washington DC.

And now for the winners: Congratulations to Matt Miller and Jim Prudner. You licenses are on the way to you, courtesy of Josh Einstein and Einsten Technologies. (Thanks, Josh!) Thanks to all who submitted entries and make sure you keep your eyes peeled for future GBM contests!

Rick Segal of The Post Money Value slings some kudos Josh Einstein’s way for TEO 3.0, and the kudos extend beyond the excellence of the software. Segal points up accurately that ISV’s and developers should pay attention not only to how a “properly ink enabled application should function” but also how Josh appraoches customer relations and much more. Here’s a snippet:

TEO 3.0 is a welcome add on to any Tablet PC. Josh Einstein and crew is a company you will like doing business with.  The evolution of the product and the company is something every software start up should track.

I hope others pay attention.

And don’t forget to get your contest entries in. We’re giving away two free licenses to TEO 3.0. Follow the link for the details on the contest. Entries need to be in by Sunday night. Watch, listen, learn, have some fun and get Inking in TEO 3.0 for free!

Ok, this is easy. It’ll only require you to spend a little time watching and listening and then you could be off Inking away in TEO 3.0. Einstein Technologies has given GottaBeMobile.com 2 licenses for Tablet Enhancements for Outlook 3.0. We’re giving them away to two lucky contest winners. Here are the details:

In the GottaBeMobile.com Software Inkshow of TEO 3.0 and the Audio Inkshow Interview with developer Josh Einstein there are two Easter Eggs. Watch and listen. Identify both easter eggs and send an email to info@gottabemobile.com with your answer. (DO NOT leave your answer in the comments.) We will randomly select two winners who correctly identify both Easter Eggs. The contest begins now and runs through midnight Pacific Time Sunday, July 23. We’ll announce the winners on Monday, July 24.

Here are the Easter Egg questions:

1. In the GBM Audio Inkshow what two potential add-ins does Josh Einstein mention that he his working on or would like to add to TEO as future functionality? (you need to name both potential add-ins to get this one correct.)
2. In the GBM Software Inkshow of TEO 3.0 what address am I looking for directions to for my meeting with Josh?

Thanks to Josh Einstein of Einstein Technologies. Now get those entries in!

I’ve been trumpeting the newly released and eagerly anticipated Tablet Enhancements for Outlook 3.0 (TEO 3.0) as if I owned stock in Einstein Technologies. (I don’t.) The reason for my cheerleading: this Tablet PC application is more than worth talking about and demoing. It is essential for you to add it to your Tablet PC toolbox if you use Microsoft Outlook.

This InkShow takes a look at the UI and a number of features in TEO 3.0. I take a brief walk through of creating Ink Contacts, Appointments, and Tasks. I also take a look at the very powerful note-taking abilities now added to TEO 3.0, as well as Mappoint Integraton. I think you’ll discover why I say this must have application for The Tablet PC has moved into Killer App status. But don’t take my word for it. Watch the Inkshow and download and try TEO 3.0 yourself. You’ll be glad you did.

• Watch the InkShow  (21:44 minutes, 69mb, .wmv streaming or direct download.)
• Visit Einstein Technologies and purchase TEO 3.0
• Download 15 Day Free Trial of TEO 3.0
• Check out the Exclusive GBM Audio InkShow Interview with developer Josh Einstein.

Let us know what you think and watch for a contest to be posted shortly where you can win a free license to TEO 3.0!

All GottaBeMobile.com InkShows are sponsored by:

Einstein Technologies has released Tablet Enhancements for Outlook 3.0 (TEO). This must have Microsoft Outlook add-in for the Tablet PC is now available for download with a Free 15 Day Trial.

Tablet Enhancements for Outlook is an add-in for Microsoft Outlook® 2003 and 2007 that turns the popular personal information manager into a fully pen-enabled application on your Tablet PC, UMPC, or Origami device. TEO 3.0 replaces Outlook's standard UI with fully ink-enabled forms and lets you write and keep your notes in your own handwriting. No synchronization required.

For an Exclusive chat with developer Josh Einstein check out the GBM Audio Ink Show.

And of course make sure you download TEO 3.0 while you’re listening to the Ink Show.

It only took us three tries due to some crazy technical difficulties, but we got her done. We’re thrilled to bring you this exclusive Audio Inkshow interview with Josh Einstein, the developer of Tablet Enhancements for Outlook 3.0 (TEO 3.0) which is now available for sale as of today. If you’re like me, you’ve been waiting for this with eager anticipation (the software, not the interview) but now, today, you can get your hands on TEO 3.0, and listen to Josh Einstein talk about this amazing Tablet PC application. 

Josh and I talk about the many new features that he has loaded TEO 3.0 with. There is a bevy of new functionality that moves this “must have Tablet PC application” into the realm of Killer App, in my opinion. We discuss the Research Assistant, Mappoint and Skype Integraton, Audio notes, and the new enhancements to note taking in Outlook that, I posit, will see a number of users turning to Tablet Enhancements for Outlook 3.0 as their major note taking tool. It may sound like I’m a fan boy, and I am, but only because this application is truly transformational  for Tablet PC users who rely on Microsoft Outlook. If you use Outlook and haven’t given this a try on your Tablet PC, you need to do it now. Not later, not tomorrow. Now. Stop reading this post. Go download TEO 3.0  and listen to the Audio Inkshow.

• Listen to the Audio Inkshow (34:44 min 41.7mb .mp3)
• Get Tablet Enhancements For Outlook 3.0
• Check out the EinsteinTech Community Site
• Watch GBM Inkshows on TEO 3.0
  • TEO 3.0 Exclusive Preview (from an earlier Beta release)
  • TEO 3.0 Research Assistant (from and earlier Beta release)
• Watch GottaBeMobile.com for an Ink Show later this week featuring TEO 3.0

Pricing

• New users: $49.99
• Upgrade pricing for TEO 2.0 users:
  • If you purchased after October 1, 2005–FREE upgrade
  • If you purchased before October 1, 2005–$24.99
• Watch for Student Pricing Soon

There is also a 15 Day Free Trial available.

Watch GottaBeMobile.com for chances to win a free license to TEO 3.0 later this week.

Thanks to Aubergine for the rocking intro music, Pursuit.

All GottaBeMobile.com InkShows are sponsored by:

Congratulations to Josh and Heather Einstein on the birth of their new baby boy: Jacob Tennyson Einstein. Have you given him his first Tablet PC yet? We are expecting great things out of that “Baby Einstein”!

Josh is the developer of Tablet Enhancements for Outlook

Josh Einstein has released Beta 3 of Tablet Enhancements 3.0 (TEO 3.0) and is getting closer to the final version. If you want to check out the changes for this beta you can do so here. This is a must have and much anticipated application for the Tablet PC and you really should give it a look-see if you are already a TEO 2.0 customer. If you’re new to TEO than you can also give it a trial run.

Here’s a short list of the many features.

• Rich note taking support. Mix handwriting, text, pictures, flags, and shapes on multiple pages of notes attached to each item.
• Audio recording and playback lets you record meetings, lectures, conference calls, and more
• Enter appointments, contacts, tasks, and journal entries in your handwriting or use Microsoft's incredible handwriting recognition to convert it to text.
• Handwritten items synchronize (as text) to your PDA just like any Outlook item.
• Use the Outlook Journal to organize your daily activity and categorize your notes with almost infinite flexibility using Outlook's built in sorting and grouping features.
• With Microsoft MapPoint, you can embed live maps and directions into contacts and appointments.

Make sure you check out these GottaBeMobile.com Ink Shows of TEO 3.0.

• TEO 3.0 Exclusive Preview
• TEO 3.0 Research Assistatnt InkShow

(note these InkShows were produced using pre-beta previews.)

Get TEO 3.0 Beta 3 here.

Josh Einstein has just released the latest beta version of TEO 3.0. In addition, you can now trial TEO 3.0 for 15 days without being a current owner.

The upgrade price for current owners will be $24.99. You can download the latest version and trial at www.einsteintech.net

Watch our TEO 3.0 InkShows

I always appreciate a really, really good review – one that gives me practical, take home advice on how I can use something. Tracy Hooten has done just that with her TEO 3.0 review.

There has been a fair amount of positive buzz regarding TEO 3.0 and rightly so. A “plug-in” it is not.

Whether you have watched our video or not ( and thanks for the plug, Tracy ), I’d encourage you to read Tracy’s review. She offers some really practical tips on why you need to seriously consider TEO 3.0 as your notetaking application.

 Josh Einstein has implemented a new process for the TEO 3.0 beta. This is important for everyone who has been beta testing. From Josh's blog:

The good news is that I have put together a beta registration page where you can now “officially” register for the beta program. The bad news is, I barely got this up in time and had no time to implement trial functionality. So quite simply, this means that until I get a trial version of this built, only registered users can use the beta. Non-customers will have to use the TEO 2.0 trial.

Register for the TEO 3.0 beta here.

Josh posted this morning that TEO 3.0 is now working with Outlook 2007. A new build is not available yet, but it shouldn't be long. Keep checking the download page

Update: Josh just posted an update. Here are the bug fixes. Download the update here.

• Bug when default country not set fixed (this was a big one)
• Better logging
• Better recognizer fallback
• Outlook 2007 working in my test environment (tested on Outlook 2007 Beta1TR). Let me know how it works for you. There is still a glitch in Outlook that the standard Outlook screen momentarily shows. This is as far as I can tell, an Outlook bug. Also did not fully test all features. But forms load and save and toggling back and forth works.
• No more huge wikipedia.dat. Moved to the web server.
• Zip code and city/state auto fill enabled. More web services will be coming soon.