Don’t forget there is a fee webcast today featuring INav’s IGuidance navigation software today beginning at 10:00am PT. (That’s about an hour from the time I’m posting this.) This will be focusing on the touch screen ability of the software.

Here’s the link to the webcast.

Gateway’s newest Convertible Tablet PC, the E155C, is one that I predict, if Gateway follows its previous marketing strategies for the M280/285, will become a very popular choice, especially among first time Tablet PC buyers. Aiming at the student and professional markets, this solidly designed Core 2 Duo Multi-Touch Tablet PC has a lot to offer.

I’m particularly impressed with the implementation of the Multi-Touch screen and very glad to see that Gateway has decided to once again embrace Wacom technology for the digitizer and the pen. It works as advertised and does so quite well. In my opinion the Inking experience is top notch. I’m also very impressed with the brightness of the backlit screen, (even though it causes some interesting lighting effects in the filming of the InkShow.) I did check out the screen in sunlight (although not shown in this InkShow) and it is indeed very readable in sunlight.

Billed as the Thin and Light Convertible Tablet PC, the E155C weighs in at 4.5lbs with the included 4–Cell battery, which in my book doesn’t make it the lightest Tablet PC on the market. That said, it is light enough to tote around in a back pack or briefcase without being too burdensome.

In this Hardware InkShow I take a walk-around tour of the Tablet PC and show you the widescreen and Multi-Touch features. Keep in mind the unit I am reviewing is a pre-production model so the software load and some features may be different from models that begin shipping. This review unit came with Vista Ultimate pre-loaded. Note also that Gateway is planning to release a consumer or home version of this convertible labeled the C-120X at a point in the future.

Here are some specs:

• Intel Core 2 Duo U7500 Ultra Low Voltage Processor 1.06GHz (U7600 1.20GHz available after launch)
• Utilizes the Intel 945 chipset supporting PCI Express with a fast 667 MHz front side bus (system memory runs at 533MHz)
• Supports up to 667MHz DDR2 memory; expandable up to 4GB with two SO- DIMMS (system memory runs at 533MHz)
• SATA 5400RPM hard drive in 80GB or 120GB capacities; (Select models will include accelerometer technology that protects hard drives from damage due to drops; feature available by end of Q2)
• Integrated multi-format double-layer DVD-R/RW with DVD-RAM. (A CD-RW/DVD combo drive will be available after launch)
• Dimensions: 11.9” (W) x 9.9” (D) x  1.17” (H)
• Weight: Approximately 4.5 pounds with the 4-cell battery.  Weight will vary based on battery and configuration
• 12.1-inch WXGA widescreen TFT Active Matrix Display (1280x800 maximum resolution) with 200 nit luminescence and CCFL Backlight
• Anti-reflection polarizer for usability in sunlight
• For more specs check out this post.

Watch or download the High Res version  (29:46 minutes, 227mb, Windows Media streaming or direct download)

Check out more on the Gateway E155C Convertible Tablet PC

Enjoy!

All GottaBeMobile.com InkShows are sponsored by:

I’ve adjusted quite nicely to the new ribbon interface in Office 2007. But perhaps you’re one of those who’d like to do some customization, or would like to see that interface look more like Office 2003. Patrick Schimd as a customization tool for you. The Ribbon Customizer v1.1 allows you to have it your way with the ribbon. The tool costs $30 and allows you to change things around in Word, Excel, Access, Powerpoint and Outlook. (click on the thumbnail below for a larger view.)

You can check it on at pschmid.net or read a review of the tool on ComputerWorld.

Missy Caulk is a real estate broker who uses a Tablet PC in her work. She’s written about it in an industry trade journal, the Inman News where she describes some of her favorite tech tools in her Tablet PC arsenal. Here’s an excerpt:

New GottaBeMobile Guy, Hugo Ortega, is on his way to CeBit Fair Australia with a new toy and before he leaves he picked up a new device. He’s lugging along (how can you say lugging about something that small) the new OQO Model 02. Color me envious. Check out his unboxing.

If I were you I’d stay tuned to GBM around May 10, as Hugo’s first GBM InkShow will feature a review of the OQO Model 02.

OK, I admit it. I have horribly funky handwriting. Well it's not all that bad, just a mix of cursive, block, all caps, you name it. I dash my seven's, zero's, just to name a couple of oddities. Old habits are hard to break. Go Vista! Finally, someone that actually knows what I'm writing! Handwriting recognition his has to be hands down one of my favorite Vista / tablet features. Wow, Vista handwriting recognition has come a long way since XP!

GBM How-To Series #8 : Training Vista for Handwriting Recognition

Start the recognition process by entering "Handwriting Recognition" into the Vista search bar. Hey, isn't the search bar great!

Select "Teach the recognizer your handwriting style" to get started.

Then select either "Sentences" or "Numbers, symbols, and letters". Numbers, etc is short an sweet. Eight entry pages. The sentences training is much longer. About 50

If you select "Sentences", read the instructions on how to get your best results then , select Next. You will be prompted to enter 50 different sentences. Be sure to write them once and in a normal (not your very, very best) handwriting. The goal here is to give the handwriting engine a chance to see your "normal" style. You can stop at any time, but remember the more you train the better our recognition will be. Simply click "Save for later" if you need to ditch the training.

Successful update of the handwriting recognizer is indicated by this info bubble.

Select "Numbers, symbols, and letters", and you are immediately prompted to enter 8 screens of Numbers, common symbols, and Upper and Lower case letters.

Once you have Vista trained for your handwriting, your input panel experience will be much more accurate. However, it is not perfect. This is due in part to your handwriting not being exactly perfect. Don't take it personally. When mistakes are made, be sure to correct them as not only will your document be correct, but Vista will be less likely to make the same mistake in the future.

Tips and Notes:

• To enable "Automatic Learning" click Start, Control Panel, Mobile PC, Tablet PC Settings, then the Handwriting Recognition Tab. Enable personalized recognizer and automatic learning.
• Note that you can specify whether you are Right or Left handed by specifying your selection on the General Tab of the Tablet PC Settings as well calibrate the screen.
• Take your time and try to complete the 50 sentences, practice makes perfect!
• You can even train Vista for another language. Click Here.

Apologies to the Baha Men for the reach in the title.

The cartoon heads are barking about Tablet PCs. I don’t mean cartoon head in any negative way certainly. I’ve got one myself and I’m opening my big mouth to let out a few yelps of my own. I’d like to see others do the same, since we are apparently at one of those “pain point” moments. Again. Rob Bushway started a great, and in my opinion, needed conversation about what he perceives as the missing “Wow” factor in Tablet PCs today. James Kendrick picked up on it and has written (spoken) more words about the state of things. Marc Orchant has also barked a bit. Here’s my $.02 

Actually, two words. Marketing and software.

Answer this question: what was the last exciting piece of Tablet PC specific software that you rushed out and plunked down your cash for, or couldn’t wait to download? C’mon, name it. I’ll wait. My Top Tablet PC apps haven’t changed much in awhile and I’m willing to bet yours haven’t either. But let’s take OneNote 2007 as an example (and it isn’t by definition Tablet PC specific.) If there is a killer Tablet PC app out there right now, OneNote 2007 is it. Anybody seen any real push for OneNote 2007 from the folks in Redmond? But I’m veering into marketing. More veering ahead.

Further, let’s look at the Ultra-Mobile PC. Now that I’ve had my hands on a couple to really work/play with, I see the value and I see the excitement behind the concept. I’ll admit I didn’t early on. But face it, the marketing of the UMPC was a disaster that I’m not sure will ever go away, in fact it it is still a muddling mess. And software for the UMPC? When an unsupported utility that allows you to access control buttons in UMPC native resolution to workaround an OS that doesn’t recognize the small screen is greeted as the second coming of Lotus 123, you’ve got a problem.

While it is true that on some fronts software is being developed for the Tablet PC there’s a dearth of “Wow” factor bits and bytes out there. Software drives hardware and hardware sales. It always will. And both the hardware and the software issues here relate entirely back to marketing. Or the lack of any prowess in attempting it.

Back in the day, The “Microsoft can’t market Tablet PCs ” meme bounced around the Buzz as frequently as server crashes occur there today. That meme has been largely dead lately but it needs to be resurrected. Those responsible have missed the mark time and again. I’ve characterized it as “SnakeBit syndrome” before. With every move you can almost feel the fear of getting bitten again. That fear affects not just end users but software developers, OEMs, and the retail channel. Some thought Think in Ink was a brilliant campaign. I didn’t. It missed the point entirely. While Inking is a key factor in Tablet PCs, the strongest factor that should have been pushed was that Tablet PCs (and later UMPCs) offered more ways to interact with your computer and input your data. Anybody remember that Gateway ran away screaming from Tablet PC with their push to “convertible” and actually had some success with it? Even with a lousy Inking experience? I bet they’ll have an even better success with their newest Convertible, the E155C, and not just because the Inking experience is better. Let’s talk about voice recognition. Anybody heard any strong voices talking about that lately? As jk alludes, the noise about voice recognition has largely been muted.

Here’s a brief story from my Chicago theatre background as an analogy. There are many types of actors: Shakespearean, musical comedy, dramatic, etc…. An old musical theatre producer friend of mine was once discussing “the biz” with a bunch of actors in a bar. One of the actors said he just didn’t get why musical comedy actors were in such demand, even in the classical theatres. My friend asked him, “Can you act?” “Yes.” “Can you sing?” “Nope.” “Can you dance?” “Nope.” My friend says, “So, you can only do one third of what the top talent can do, and you wonder why you don’t get the same amount of work.”

I think the same can be said of computers (mobile or otherwise) that don’t allow you to interact and enter data in multiple ways. In my humble opinion that should have been the approach all along and still could be. It is quite simple. Why settle for a computing solution that leaves you less productive when you don’t have to? Why settle for a computing solution that keeps you from interacting with a client/student/family member in ways that can enhance the interaction? Why settle for less when you can have more? All that nonsense about UMPCs not having keyboards could have been easily circumvented if the approach had been focused on the additional ways you could interact with your device and the freedom that offered, instead of just focusing on “touch” as a new input method. I found it hilarious that “touch” all of a sudden became the hot new thing the minute the iPhone was announced. Watch what I tell you, someone is going to scream for a stylus quickly after the iPhone is released, and there will be a boon in Bluetooth keyboard promotions.

Let’s face it. Microsoft just can’t market effectively for whatever reason, especially in this case. The OEMs and ISVs trying to get on the bandwagon muck around in the miasma as well because there is no clear message. Who let the Wow out? The marketing folks responsible for barking the loudest. If they can’t figure out how to sell it, they ain’t gonna develop it, and they ain’t gonna promote it. Rob, jk, and Marc are talking about the symptoms and and largely missing the disease.

If you’ve been paying attention to what’s being written about the Microsoft reorganization that is taking place post Vista, it sounds like a lot of things are topsy turvy on the inside in Redmond. If you want the “Wow” back, let’s just hope that whatever changes are taking place happen in the marketing mechanism as well. But that would be too easy and would make too much sense. Another Chicago analogy: Microsoft is very much like the Cubs. Why spend the energy and the resources to create a winner when the turnstiles keep turning? The only problem with that, is that occasionally the White Sox field a contender and then everyone sees that the ivy walls are just window dressing. Pun intended.

Woof.

James Kendrick, of JkOnTheRun.com, wrote a nice rebuttal to my "I miss the Wow" article. He brought up a couple of items that I'd like to address.

First of all, I want to point out that James and I are good friends. Our websites are quite complimentary and share a good raport. So, read the following in the context of some good friends having a healthy debate. All in all, I think you'll find that James and I are not in disagreement on a lot with this issue, but I did want to highlight two items:

I believe James overestimates the impact of Dell coming out with a Tablet PC. Sure, it will impact the enterprise in a positive way and make inroads to markets where IT shops are purely Dell. It will bring awareness to a platform we all feel is superior. This will happen in the same way that Lenovo positively impacted the market. However, when Lenovo entered the tablet pc area, it wasn't earth shattering with every Tom, Dick, and Harry coming in to Starbucks sporting a Tablet PC. What I did see was more drug reps carrying an X41 and that is a good thing for sure. If the Dell Tablet PC rumors come true and they come out with a unit that closely models the D420, my point has been validated about a lack of innovation and design. I welcome Dell to the table with open arms, but can they please come to the table with something yummy to eat rather than a repeat of last night's hamburger?

I totally agree with James that Tablet PCs today are just as powerful as their counterparts, and that is a good thing. They should be. At this point inthe game, we shouldn't expect less. But that is not the innovation I'm talking about. Those are things that put the tablet on par with other notebooks. Where are the features that help set it apart? Are they pushing the envelope design wise? Are they designing for the pen user or just sticking a wacom digitizer on a screen, making it a single spindle machine and calling it a tablet? Where are the mobility enhancements we've come to expect in Vista? Where are the software design innovations from ISVs?

I do admit that my 4 1/2 years in this space might be jading my outlook. New people coming in are totally wowed by the machines - a quick look at TabletKiosks i440D dual touch slate, and they are like " I gotta have it ". But if an honest assessment is made over the past 4 1/2 years, looking at OEMs and what they continue to bring to market ( basically clones of what they've done in the past and what everyone else is doing), looking at software and the slow molasses pace it is moving at, what we have given up in battery life due to Vista and what the performance impact that Vista itself has dictated, I'm still left with that overarching feeling of  "...next".

This coming December will be 5 years since I jumped in with both feet to the world of Tablet PC. Dennis spent a good month before then talking my ear off about this new fangled thing called "Tablet PC" and I finally gave in and bought one. And wouldn't you know it - I got my TC1000 before he did! You should have seen Dennis oogling and aahhing over it during a conference we both attended that December.

It has been great seeing all of the new technology come out during the years. From the HP TC1100 hybrid, to the trend setting Motion Computing LS800 slate, different sizes of convertibles, slates, etc. All the great ink-enabled software, and the accessories that have built up around the technology. Seeing the inking experience transform from XP Tablet Edition to SP2 to Vista has been exciting to watch. The tablet and touch experience is now an integrated part of the operating system - that spells progress and speaks well for the future. And now, we are seeing the experience pushed down to smaller devices: UMPCs.

As good as all this is, OEMs and ISVs are getting quite comfortable with the status quo, and as a consumer and tablet enthusiast, I'm tired of it. As I see new hardware coming out, I'm like "ok - another notebook with a flip screen. Next..." Where is the real innovation? The closest I've come to saying "wow" in terms of hardware has been the Toshiba R400: the new hinge, the side display that seamlessly syncs with Outlook, the attractive design, and the wireless docking station. But even that was a partial “wow”. Another example is Motion Computing's C5 with its handle, integrated camera, barcode reader, and spill proof casing. In the same vein, though, Motion's LE1700 certainly set the bar with other OEMs, but they didn't push the envelope. All of the new features, except for SXGA, were expected and many folks would have been disappointed had they not delivered them. Even worse, Fujitsu has basically remained innovative-less since the beginning. As nice as the ST5112 and T4215 Tablet PCs are, they are basically the same units they were 4 1/2 years ago. Can't Fujitsu do better than they did 4 1/2 years ago? Gateway's new e155C is a nice convertible notebook, but again, where is that "gotta have it" trendbreaking feature? Overall, OEMs have become quite comfortable with minor refreshes to their designs, and as consumers, we need to demand more.

What kind of things am I looking for that would "wow" me? What about a big price drop instead of a steady increase? 4 1/2 years into the market and we've got $3000+ convertibles and slates. Why? How about dramatic weight drops with sub 2 lb slates? Instant on? What about battery life that makes the term "companion device" a reality? Dedicated 256mb video cards anyone? How about an ultra-thin slide out keyboard that will also prop up a slate? How about designing a built-in dock for a Zune or iPod that seamlessly fits in the lines of the slate? Why do we still not have integrated cameras in slates?

How about some eye-popping designs that say "I'm cool" instead of "I'm a geek". Design wise, we've taken some big steps backwards since the TC1100, with the inevitable slide toward traditional notebook designs. OEMs have been content with black flip screens, and that just doesn’t cut it anymore. I want more than a black notebook. SideShow devices are beginning to make some headway to panels, but what about being able to jot a small handwritten note on them? Where is the removable SideShow device in slates? How about thin remote controls for slates like the MacBook has?  Wouldn't that make for a great Media Center experience? UMPCs have built-in stands, why not slates? More than any of that, I want to see the stuff that I can't even think about yet that makes me do a double take and causes some real conversation in the marketplace.

On the software side of things, innovation seems to have slowed down, too. Is it the marketplace speaking? Probably so. I think the reality for ISVs is that the market demand isn't there to fully justify a ton of time for developing new products that revolve around a good pen / touch experience, and breaking the mold in UI areas. We've been talking about breaking the UI mold for years, but it still hasn't happened. Why?

In my opinion, Microsoft certainly set a bad example by not pushing the envelope with Vista, and by also doing a minimal ink feature upgrade for Office 2007.  They didn't follow their own marketing advice: Think in Ink. Why can't I still not ink in Outlook Express / Windows Mail after 4 1/2 years? Hello????  And don't even get me started on battery life with Vista - certainly not a mobile friendly experience there at all. When a consumer has to buy an extended battery to get what they use to get out of a standard battery, something is really wrong.

All in all, I'm just looking for some excitement to pop back in to the Tablet PC / Mobile PC space, and it concerns me that release after release leaves me wanting. 4 1/2 years in, shouldn't it be the other way around? If I, a Tablet PC enthusiast, am left wanting, what does that say about the average consumer? We are definitely seeing some interesting things come in the form of UMPCs, but I have yet to see anything there that causes me to scream "I want that - I'll make up the need, but I really, really want it". The closest I'm seeing there in the UMPC market is the HTC Shift, but it is still a ways off from a "gotta have it" experience.

Stand with me Tablet PC community and demand more innovation. Talk about what you want and let the OEMs know about it. OEMs, give us a reason to fork over $2500 and make us proud for doing so. Better yet, deliver that same stuff in a $1500 unit! Bring back the excitement that leaves us hanging on to the next announcement, wondering what's going to happen next. ISVs, impress us with groundbreaking UI and pen / touch applications that cause us to want to go out and buy your software. And Microsoft, give us some reasons in Vista to truly say "WOW".

GBM readers: What would make you say "WOW"?

I guess it is the weekend for Ultra-Mobile PC videos. Steve (Chippy) Paine has put up a video of the Samsung Q1P Ultra-Mobile PC on UMPCPortal. He raises some interesting questions about the device and value for the money. Here’s the link.

Note: Steve is using a DivX player that requires a plug-in to be installed and it brings with it some interesting stuff that dims the screen while playing the video. It also knocked Aero Glass off of my system at the same time. When you close the browser after viewing the video, Glass comes back, but it was bit wacky to watch the screen dim and change.

If you’ve got nothing better to do this weekend and want to see what happens when you go throw the Vista upgrade process with the disks that have finally started arriving for Asus R2H customers, jkkmobile has the video for you. Yep, it is the whole process running over fifty-five and a half minutes. Asus recommends an in place upgrade but jkkmobile, like others, performs a clean install. I think this might be classified as some kind of Ultra-Mobile PC performance art. You can also check out David Maiden’s experiences with the process here.

This InkShow is a result of a comment on a previous post here on GottaBeMobile.com.  The program is called Artweaver and I had never heard of it, but wanted to give it a try.  I am no artist, as you will see, but I do like to play with some pictures and try my hand at sketching every now and again. 

In this InkShow, I give you a very quick overview of some of the features available.  If you are used to Paint.NET, most things will look very familiar to you as the interface is similar.  There are many more features available with the painting and brushes portion of Artweaver.  This InkShow will give you a look at some of the tools, brushes and photo editing capabilities that Artweaver has to offer.  One of the best parts of the program - It's FREE!!

Download GBM ArtWeaver InkShow here (26.16mb, 12 min 41 sec, wmv format)

Download Artweaver

All GottaBeMobile.com InkShows are sponsored by:

Better keep a watch on JkOnTheRun.com over the next couple of days. They are running some great contests to celebrate their 6,000,000 page view.

The contest running today will yield a Samsung i320 to some lucky winner.

Congratulations James and Kevin.

If you've been wanting to use your Ultra-Mobile PC / Tablet PC as a GPS navigation device, now is your time to do so.

Woot.com is running selling Streets and Trips 2006 with the GPS Locator for $44.99

Better head over there now, cause it will sell out quickly.

After purchasing Streets and Trips, you can make the GPS Locator bluetooth enabled with this Bluetooth Dock from Pharos.

Thanks for the links, Matt.

We'd like to take this opportunity to highlight a couple of advertising changes on the site, and also point out some ways you can help GBM.

First of all, we have placed two ads in rotation on the left side of the site for Amazon.com and Buy.com. When you click on those ads before doing your normal shopping at either website,  GottaBeMobile.com will receive a commission based on your purchase.

So, when you need to shop Amazon.com or Buy.com for books, gadgets, computers, accessories, etc, help GBM in the process and checkout the affiliate ads first. Look for some additional affiliate ads to show up in rotation as well.

Second, you'll also notice two new ads from ActiveInk Software and Allegiance Technology Partners on the left side of the site. Special thanks to these vendors for being among our first advertisers when we launched the site last year, and for continuing to advertise on GBM. Thank you in advance for supporting our sponsors and advertisers. Were it not for our sponsors and advertisers, there would be no way we could bring you the content and premium offerings we do.

Thirdly, have you checked out the GBM Gear Store? We've got GBM Logo shirts, hats, coffee mugs, bags, etc to help you let everyone know who the best Tablet PC and Mobile PC site is

Lastly, if you are interested in advertising on GottaBeMobile.com or sponsorsing some of our premium content, send an email to advertising@gottabemobile.com . It is a prime opportunity to reach a large audience of mobile pc users.

This is quite intriguing. On the blog Multi-faceted Refractions, the author, vvrotny, has posted his notes from a recent Tablet PC Roundtable that was held at the Lake Forest Country Day School. There is also a link to more notes and findings from the roundtable on a wiki. Both offer interesting glimpses into what those who are working Tablet PCs in the curriculum are working with. In some cases it is like reading raw data and getting a peak into the conversation. Well worth a look see.

Two things here. First, how does Steve (Chippy) Paine find the time. Second, this sounds like quite an experiment. We all look for mobile power and charging solutions that help us when we are on the road. Well, Steve is prepping for a week long bike tour of South Germany and he’s not taking power bricks along. Instead he’s going to power up using Solar Energy, so he can keep pumping out the steady news he usually feeds the world on UMPCPortal. He’s created a blog just to chronicle the experience called Solar UMPC. Now that’s what I call going mobile!

Fellow Tablet PC MVP Linda Epstein has posted a review of the HP tx1000 Entertainment Tablet PC on Tablet PC2.com. In case you don’t recall, this Tablet PC is powered by the AMD Turion 64 x2 Dual-Core chip. Her review confirms my suspcisions from my limited experience with it at CES. It is an intriguing convertible device but the inking experience leaves something to be desired. That said, it looks like HP has created a convertible Tablet PC aimed at those who don’t rely on the inking features and has focused on creating a portable entertainment center.

Linda does her usual through job of covering the unit soup to nuts and has illustrated the reveiw with a bevy of pictures. Check it out at TabletPC2.com.

PCAuthority.com has a good article on Intel embracing Linux in its move to Mobile Internet Devices. Personally speaking, I think this is a good thing all the way around, and solidifies the UMPC as a device for the future. Regardless of the OS, the consumer is going to be the winner in this whole deal. I'm really excited about getting my hands on some of these new MID devices. With the time I've spent with the Nokia N800, I'm seeing pluses all around.

There is a good comment from Gartner on this UMPC / MID shift that definitely needs highlighting:

"Although the consumer is unlikely to care what OS is running on the mobile internet device, the device cannot succeed without attracting a development community to create a robust platform at an affordable price point."

I couldn't agree more. As we've seen in the UMPC area, it is definitely a challenge, but is doable with the right form factor and a creative, energetic developer community. Linux is not for the faint of heart, and developers have got to learn how to make it easier to install applications in a simple one click fashion. Installing apps on a Nokia N800 and other Linux devices is not a walk in the park. For these devices to take off, it has to be.

As Warner, Dennis, and Hugo talked about in yesterday's podcast, I think Microsoft is still going to be a winner in all of this, as folks decide they want to do more with their MID, and ultimately decide to go to a UMPC. I'm looking forward to seeing all the software solutions that come for these new devices and trying a few out for myself.

So here is the story:

I was going up in Chicago for my 'day job' and remembered the post of GBM Team member Warner getting his training wheels on a Segway...  He had met up with GBM forum member Skip while on holiday over his Christmas vacation.  So I decided , the day before I left, to contact Skip and try and get together with him to talk Tablet PC's.  I didn't really expect to have the Segway ride because it was supposed to rain the whole time, but I wanted to meet up with him anyway...

Well, It ended up that the rain broke when Skip was on his way - so he packed up the Segways and came over to where I was staying...  I have to say that it was TONS of fun!  Skip gave the training session and I was on my way (even got my boss on there as well :))

The conversation after the ride was just as fun.  It was nice to sit down with somebody else that has the same interest in Tablet PC's and what they offer.  During the conversation the craziest thing happed:

Stranger as he was walking by: Hey, is that a LE1600?

Skip: Sure is

(Skip and I think he is just interested in Tablet PC's at this point)

Stranger: I am looking for the LE1700 to come out, maybe with the Santa Rosa chip in it.  Oh, is that an x60t you are using?

(Skip and I know he is a little more into Tablet PC's)

Skip:  I have been looking at upgrading to it as well, but it's kind of expensive

Stranger:  Yeah, I have been reading about it in the forums and websites

(Of course I have to jump in now)

Matt: What forums and sites?

Stranger:  Oh, I have GottaBeMobile as my home page and read JK as well.

WOW things just got really weird!!  Turns out that GBM Forum member Doug, "dpeters" in the forums, was staying at the same hotel!!  Just by chance he was in town for his real job as well.

Needless to say we sat in the hotel lobby and talked for about 4 hours.  We even talked to Warner via MSN messenger for a while too - he was playing on the new Gateway Tablet PC.  It was really nice to have an impromptu 'Mini GBM Meetup' in a hotel lobby.  Sorry for no pictures, but we really didn't think all this was going to transpire... 

Oh, and Doug - make sure you send us a picture of your new Splotch!!

Today's InkShow is an extension of the InkShow from a couple of weeks ago on PhatPad.  The last Show was an overview of using PhatPad on the TabletPC specifically.  This InkShow is going to cover using the Phatpad application on a Pocket PC Device, Treo 750, and syncing the notes with a Tablet PC. 

With this InkShow, I have given a general overview of the features of PhatPad on a Windows Mobile device.  The quick demonstration will allow you to see some of the features to give you an idea what PhatPad has to offer.  I also show how the files sync seamlessly between the Tablet PC and the device.  As always, if there are any questions, feel free to ask!! 

Download or listen to this GBM PhatPad InkShow here (18mb, 9 min 42 sec, wmv format)

All GottaBeMobile.com InkShows are sponsored by:

News of the Kohjinsha Ultra-Mobile PC has been popping up recently, with word now coming out that it is available in the U.S. through Data Evolution Corporation. They have branded the Kohjinsha as the Cathena CX, and list prices starting at $799.

We've got a voice mail in to the Data Evolution offices inquiring about a review unit, so we can bring you more about this UMPC.

Here are the specs from the Data Evolution site:

I’ve been chronicling my experiences with Vista and the Asus R2H (links provided at the end of this article) and along the way been corresponding with a number of other lovers of the bleeding edge who are trying the same thing. David Maiden is one of those users. (Maybe it could be said that misery loves company.) Recently folks have started to finally receive the Vista Upgrade from Asus and David wrote me filling me in on his experiences. (I haven’t received mine yet by the way.) With David’s permission I’m publishing his email here because I think it offers good advice for those who might go down this road. As you will see, even with the upgrade disks provided by Asus, this is still not a trouble free experience for the end user.

I’ve also answered a few of the questions David put to me in the email in bold face.

Hi Warner,

Thanks for your mail, I’ve had a bit of a chance this weekend to tweak up my R2H; took it with my to the car garage on Friday while my cars Air Conditioning was being re-gassed, and when I got home my Vista upgrade had arrived!

The upgrade as you may already have heard comes with a vista upgrade CD and an Asus software & driver CD labelled “All-in-one”!

The upgrade manual assumes users will be performing and on top of the current XP OS upgrade, although you can do a clean OS install (and it the install will move your old OS, user and program files into a “windows.old” folder – thus rendering your XP OS inoperable. This latter method is the way I went for (as have done before) to start fresh with my R2H.

As mentioned the manual is geared towards an in place upgrade and thus advises you remove all the Asus utilities before installing Vista (i.e. settings centre, ATK, and Hotkey utilities etc.) Of course as I was in essence going to be starting from a clean slate I had no need to do this.

The drivers and utility DVD was easy to use and it installed all the recommended bits, although you could deselect items from the install list (i.e. Norton Internet Security 2007.) There are a few things on the install CD that are not on the Asus downloads page, this is notably OEM software that is Vista compatible (i.e. Nero Burner, Cyberlink Power DVD etc.) While the Splendid Utility and mulitframe are back- the mulitframe utility didn’t work with the enlarge window Title bar that the Origami Experience Touch improvements. I uninstalled it without testing with a normal window title bar appearance.

I can report that installing the camera off the CD did not work, just like the current download on the Asus support pages; although I fixed it with the method posted on the Asus Forums.

Curiously there are a few other utilities on the disk, something called “CheckMail” which will check your Microsoft Outlook email without having Outlook fired up, and also something called “Asus Instant Fun.” The irony being however that this application offering instant fun does not load-you get an error message saying the screen resolution is not supported, regardless of the three resolutions you use from the settings page! So why is this on an upgrade disk for the R2H I ask!

My previous experience with Vista, and indeed yours, showed that the bottom left hardware button (which I believe is controlled by the ATK_Hotkey utility) would map this button to Windows Media Player; although you said Media Centre in your last email-is that what happens with Windows Vista Ultimate? Vista Business does not have Media Centre. [Yes, David with Vista Ultimate the left button is mapped to Windows Media Center]

My on top of Windows XP Vista upgrade and install of the Vista ATK_Hotkey utility still left this hardware button set to “Program Launcher”. Get this though, after installing from the new Asus Software & Driver CD the hardware button is now mapped to “Asus Instant Fun.” Yes, the application that wont load. After uninstalling “Instant Fun” it now maps to Asus Cyberlink Power DVD Player! I’m absolutely lost to how this button is configured, and it seems there is almost some priority list of which installed applications it is mapped to, but why does the end user not have control over this!

As mentioned in my past email, I’ve been hoping to get this button mapped to a task switching app. There does not appear to be any settings files I can edit within the ATK_Hotkey installation folder, and I have had no look so far finding anything in registry applicable to mapping this button.

I am pondering posting to Asus about this and asking them how I can remap this button, but I am not confident they will be happy to give out unsupported tweaking advice. Then I would of course ask why they don’t support it by building a utility that allows the user to choose, but then I’m sure they would not justify the resources to make such a change for a single pleb like myself!

On other notes, I am running on the 207 BIOS update which is the latest edition to my knowledge, I have been for a couple of weeks and this fixed my crashes on startup with Vista. I experienced my first touch panel drop out last night, and have experienced occasional BSOD’s when unplugging the wired Ethernet adaptor between PC’s.

It appears my hold button does work, but only partially; it will prevent my hardware buttons from having an effect, yet the touch panel is still active-in XP this was locked out also! Does your touch panel get locked by the hold button? [My hold button is working as advertised with no issues.]

Overall I am pleased with the performance under Vista, I do prefer the Vista interface and the experience is generally more suited to the use of touch by finger. I do have over 1GB of RAM however but don’t as yet have a firewall installed other than the standard Vista one – not sure if this is adequate for protection though.

I love these promises of “Wow” not “Oww” from Microsoft, and “Instant Fun” from Asus, I can only speculate on what this “Instant Fun” might have offered!

Links

• The Asus R2H with Vista Now Complete
• The Asus R2H and the New Vista Drivers: Closer to Full Success
• An Update on the Asus R2H Vista Driver Issue
• The Asus R2H and the New Vista Drivers: Not Quite A Success Story Part II
• The Asus R2H and the New Vista Drives: Not Quite A Success Story Part I
  

Interested in a Ultra-Mobile PC? Not sure which direction to go? Need some help figuring out which device might or might not fit your needs? Check out the UMPC Buyers Guide now published at The UMPC Portal. Steve Paine has done quite a job laying out the ins and outs of everything from processor choice to features that are available. Pretty impressive and well worth a look, especially if you are in the market.