Work, work, work. Seems like at times that’s all we do. Well, with our new theatre facility, some of that work gets to happen with some relaxation mixed in. We’re in a very rural setting just west of the town of Front Royal, VA, and have some amazing views to gaze upon around the theatre.

On a day like today with the Virginia summertime humidity very low, it is a pleasure to spend time outdoors on our veranda/patio area while the show is running. In fact, I’m sitting in that area right now, sipping a glass of wine, soaking up the beautiful evening air while tonight’s show is off and running.

What’s great is our WiFi network extends outdoors enough so that I can do that. Behind the theatre where the views of the mountains are spectacular, we’ve got a herd of about 15 deer that come and graze about 50 yards away from the entrance. That’s a great treat to watch. What a joy.

I finally got my hands on the Samsung Q1 Ultra that the team has been passing around. This one has been around the globe all the way to my mate Hugo Ortega and now it is back stateside. I’m going to spend the weekend giving it the once over but here are some early impressions.

Retraining

I’m going to have to completely retrain my hands in order to work with this device. Everytime I pick it up, my hands grab the areas that contain the splilt keyboard.

Keyboard

Useless in my opinion.

Weight and Form Factor

The Ultra does feel lighter than the Q1P. It also feels cheaper. The plastic case just doesn’t have the same quality feel of the Q1P.

Navigation

This has always been one of my bugaboos of the Samsung UMPCs. I much prefer the navigation options on the Asus R2H. Samsung has added an on the bezel mouse control, but it my early hands on testing it is a poor implementation as I can’t seem to find the right touch to use it effectively.

Inking

I have less Ink vectoring issues with the Ultra than I do with the Q1P although the problem is still readily apparent and problematic for me.

Setup

I want to give big KUDOS to Samsung for including not only a Vista OS disk but also a separate disk that allows you to select which of the utilities, drivers, and ancillary programs you wish to install. Hugo had wiped the device clean and installed XP. He put the Vista OS back on it, but not the drivers. (No complaints, mate.) I popped in the Driver Disk, made my selections and the install happens. Very slow n a USB drive, but nonetheless it is a pleasure and a reassurance to have this option. Asus also does this. Both of these (and other OEMs) that provide OS and driver disks in this way are too be commended. Those OEMs that don’t should force their CEOs and bean counters to reinstall their systems daily.

There is other cell company news going today, you know? Verizon has announced, to the joy of many mobile professionals out there, that they have upgraded their entire network to EV-DO Rev A. Verizon EV-DO users, with Rev A compatible equipment, can now expect average download speeds of 600 kbps - 1.4 Mbps and upload speeds in the range of 500 - 800 kbps.

Here is some information on compatible devices that can take advantage of EV-DO Rev A.

Devices that take advantage of the faster speeds provided by the EV-DO Rev. A network enhancements include the USB720 wireless modem, V740 ExpressCard, AirCard 595 and PC5750 PC Cards from Verizon Wireless, which are fully compatible with the company's enhanced and existing wireless broadband networks and the company's NationalAccess network (based on CDMA 1xRTT technology).

Unfortunately, it appears that the integrated Verizon card in my OQO Model 2 is not Rev A compliant, as I'm getting about 500 kbps on the download side.

UPDATE: I am still trying to find out if the Novatel Expedite cards are Rev A compliant, but my speeds are peaking at about 1 mbps now - good sign!

UPDATE 2: I have heard from Novatel, and the integrated card in the Model 02 is an EV620 Rev 0. The EV720 is Rev A compliant, but is not currently offered for the Model 02.

via Engadget

CrunchGear is reporting that the new multi-touch features as implemented on the iPhone will begin showing up in new ultra-portable Apple MacBooks in October.

Now that is something I'd go camp in line for! Bring it on, Apple!

Check out CrunchGear for the details

Thanks for the tip, Loren.

UPDATE: It appears that the multi-touch support is going to be on the touchpad only.

After one week with the new theatre space operational it has become increasingly apparent that I’m going to be a bit more mobile each and every day as I travel back and forth. I have a short list of podcasts that I listen to each week (The GBM Podcast is of course top of the list) but I find that I’m spending more time traveling than I have podcasts to listen to.

Below is the list of the podcasts I subscribe to and it is admittedly a short list. I’m looking for suggestions from the GBM readers of any podcasts that you are listening to and enjoying. Suggestions don’t have to be necessarily tech related. Some of these podcast every week, some less frequently. So, fire up the comment page and let me know if you have any suggestions.

• GottaBeMobile.com Podcast
• MobileTech Roundup
• OnTheRun with Tablet PCs
• TWIT
• The TabletPC Show
  
• Cranky Geeks
• CalacanisCast by Jason Calacanis
• Meet The Press
• Dave Winer’s Morning Coffee Notes (sporadic publication)

John Hill, of Allegiance Technology Partners, sent me a brand new, unopened TabletKiosk Sahara i440D Tablet PC. I captured the unboxing, gave a quick tour of the machine, and demonstrated how the multi-mode touch features work in the following 2-part videos. This is a very nice Core Duo slate Tablet PC that should sell quite well.  With a few features like manually controlling touch / active mode, FireWire, and an eSATA port, the i440D definitely has a few advantages over other slates on the market. The version I unboxed has Windows XP Tablet Edition.

If you are interested in purchasing the Sahara i440D Tablet PC or would like to demo this unit for yourself, visit Allegiance Technologies Partners. Also, be sure to check out Hugo Ortega's InkShow of the Sahara.

Part 1

Part 2

Anagram is a very handy software utility, made even more handier for the Tablet PC with the new Tablet Enhanced edition. Anagram allows you to grab text out of a document and insert it into the PIM that you use. (Outlook, Salesforce, NetSuite, or Palm Desktop) Grab an address and create a contact. Grab a meeting request and create an calendar item. Grab some text and create an Outlook note (does anyone use those anymore?)

Anagram has been around for awhile but the new Tablet Enhanced version makes it easier to use with the pen. I have to say after using it the last several weeks, it is a time saver for me. In this Software InkShow, I take a quick tour of Anagram and show you how you can insert data into Outlook 2007. (Apologies for the bad hair day.)

There is a 45 Day Free Trial so if your interested head over and check it out. Anagram sells for $29.95 if you’re using it on one computer and there are discounts for using it on a second computer or if you use Outlook and Palm Desktop together. There are also other pricing options for Salesforce and other applications.

Watch or download the High Res version  (7:52 minutes, 44.9mb, Windows Media streaming or direct download)

Check out Anagram

Enjoy!

All GottaBeMobile.com InkShows are sponsored by:

Hugo and the Fedex man had lots of fun dealing with delays this week, but he finally got the new gadget he was waiting for. No, that’s not an iPhone in his hands in the picture, it is a Raon Digital Everun. Hugo has posted a short YouTube video about the device which includes his trip to the Fedex depot. I think this may be the frist unboxing video in a car. I’m glad I’m not the only GBMer who does videos in a car.

Here is a useful "How-To" that I have missed using for some time. It's an oldie, but a goodie. Surely there are those of us that sometimes brave the innards of Vista's GUI to do a little command line tango. There are times when when you need to issue commands on several folders you find in a search but want to bite a nail in half from having to go back and forth between Explorer windows and the "DOS" command. (Yea, I know it's not called DOS anymore, old habits are hard to break) but sometimes, the command prompt is the best tool for the job. Today's How-To will show you a neat trick for solving this problem.

GBM How-To Series # 17 : Adding a command prompt option on the Vista Right-Click Menu

Here's how...

Step 1 : Load RegEdit.exe

From the Vista Start Search bar, enter "regedit" then Enter to load the registry editor. The Vista UAC may prompt you, so go ahead and let it run.

Step 2 : Locate the registry entry

Navigate your way to the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Classes/Folder/Shell entry. You can do the "Find" thing in RegEdit, but you can likely navigate there a lot faster. The keys are in alphabetical order, so just look carefully and you will be there in no time. One you find this key, you are ready for the next step.

Step 3: Create a new registry key

In the "Shell" folder, create a new registry key called something like "Command Prompt Here" or whatever you would like to see in your windows explorer menu when you right-click. To do this right click on "Shell" and select "New" then "Key". This is where you enter the key label for the right-click menu. Now lets create a sub-key under "Command Prompt Here" called "Command" in the same manner. Got it?! Great. Now for the next step.

Step 4: Edit the values in the new key

We need to enter the command into the newly created sub-key called "Command". To do this, Right-Click on the "(Default)" value of the key and select Modify. Enter the following exactly, but WITHOUT THE QUOTATION MARKS..., "Cmd.exe /k pushd %L" as the value of the key and click OK. The "Cmd.exe" part is the command to load the command prompt, while the "/k" switch makes the prompt wait on you to enter commands rather than just exiting. The "pushd" command is used to store the path to the current Windows Explorer location, the "%L" allows the "Cmd.exe" command to access this path.

Step 5: Exit the registry editor

To exit, simply select "File/Exit" from the main menu. Your newly created registry key is now ready for action. Remember that it ONLY works on folders, NOT files.

Tips and Notes:

• One more time. This ONLY works for FILES FOLDERS!!!! (Oops, fingers ahead of brain...)
• If you have any doubts about editing the registry, BACK IT UP WITH THE EXPORT COMMAND!
• The Registry Editor will take you right back to the last place you were editing when you left.

Nova Mobility systems has sent us a NMS 5000 Fully rugged CE Tablet Computer to test out for a little while.  This is a little different from what we normally cover as it is a Windows CE based system, but the touch and pen input should provide for some interesting testing.  I'll be testing some field based applications on it, so look for a review of this device in the future.  Below are the specs of the NMS 5000.

General Characteristics
• CPU: Intel XScaleTM PXA255, 400MHz
• Companion Chip: SM501G8 with 8MB VRAM
• OS: Microsoft WindowsTM CE.NET 4.2
• Flash: 32MB Intel Strata Flash for image
• SDRAM: 128MB on board 
• Audio system: AC-97 link audio system

Power
• Battery: Swappable Li-ion battery pack 7.4V, 4400mAH
• Operating time: 4 hours
• Charging time: 4 hours (on/off mode)
• Backup battery: 5-min. life for changing main battery
• Power adapter: Universal AC 90V ~ 265V, 47~63Hz input;
  12V output

Wireless Communication (options)
• 802.11g WLAN, built-in antenna
• Bluetooth (class 1) (This is what my unit has in it)
• 2.4GHz long range transceiver (up to 2 miles/3.2km)
• Wireless LAN and WAN capable
• Support for installation, updates, monitoring and control

Cue James Brown. During the last month as we have been building Wayside’s new theatre a big part of my daily life has been shuttling between our office in one town and the new theatre site in another. It was obvious awhile ago that this was going to be an excellent opportunity to use my mobile arsenal to get work done. What also became apparent was that my current gadget bag was not going to fill the bill as I needed to tote a few more things back and forth than normal. Part of the reason for that was that the agenda for each day would change radically. A morning plan of going from one location to another with the intention to return would often get scuttled for one reason or the other, and I needed access to what I had with me at any given time.

So, I went searching for a larger bag that could do the trick. I settled on the Swissgear Maxxum (Amazon link)  which I picked up on sale at Circuit City for $49.99. (Side note: I’ve discovered recently that products on the shelves at Circuit City often have a substantial discount if you order them online for in-store pickup. The bag was listing for $69.99 in the store. Amazon currently has it for $56.94. ) I needed a large bag so that I could tote a portable printer (The Cannon i70) back and forth in addition to the X61, and either the Asus R2H or the Samsung Q1P, as well as the Battery Geek Portable Power Station. In addition to my gear, I also needed to carry a shirt or two because I was running back and forth to media interviews constantly, and a quick change was often needed. So the Maxxum looked like it would fill the bill.

It did, in spades. The laptop pouch comfortably fits the ThinkPad X61 and keeps it secure. The X61 slides in from the top. There are more pouches and pockets than I know what to do with. I like the fact that the large center pouch has a foldable bottom flap that will keep the bottom of the bag flat when I stand it up in the car backseat or on a floor or table top. I also like the very roomy top pouch (designed for a media player) that allows me to toss my iPod, Bluetooth headset, PPC 6700, and several other small accessories in there and retrieve them quickly. There were a few days when I literally had twice what I normally carry in a gadget bag in the Maxxum slung over my shoulder. While that was a heavy load that I wouldn’t recommend for every day use, it felt comfortable enough carrying it slung over my shoulder. It served me well and I’m glad I made the purchase. As we begin to settle into a completely different routine with our office in one location and our performance venue in another, I feel pretty confident that this bag will allow me to carry more than need as I continue to shuttle back and forth.

There is a fake Microsoft Security Bulletin floating around the Internets so be warned in advance. The Bulletin (MS07–0065) addresses a supposed flaw in Microsoft Outlook. If it pops up on your radar don’t click on any of the links. Always keep in mind that Microsoft never issues security alerts via email.

I’ve ceased to be amazed that the malware malefactors continue to prey on users like this but have turned my amazement to those who must continue to ignore warnings and common sense about these things. In my busy work period recently I let my Junk folder fill up without checking anything until recently. The scams are ridiculous. Heck, if I totaled up the amount of money I supposedly had won during that period it would be well over a billion dollars. The whole thing just mystifies me.

Marc Orchant has more.

TabletPCBuzz.com's MiniMage has written a pretty thorough review of the Amtek T770 UMPC. With the following specs, this should be a UMPC on everyone's short list:

• 1.2GHZ VIA C7M NaNo Processor
• 1GB RAM
• 40GB hard drive
• 7" touch screen, native 800x480 resolution with 800x600 and 1024x600 emulation
• 802.11b/g wireless
• built-in USB Bluetooth
• 2400mAh battery
• Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium

MiniMage's conclusion:

There's a lot about the Amtek T770 that was done right. It feels good in the hands and is generally quite responsive when using most applications, whether it is reading mail in Outlook, researching a problem on the web, or viewing and editing documents, and it gets along very well with Microsoft's newest generation of client operating systems. It does a pretty good job of not sacrificing ability for portability, however, the issue of standard battery life keeps it from doing a great job; fortunately, there is an extended battery option available. For now, potential owners will need to prefer performance over quick note-jotting and responsiveness of the passive digitizer over the ability to ignore an accidental brush of a digit. Those who need to be able to access resources on company domains will need to consider that this may not be possible without installing a version of the OS that did not come with the device.

Well done, MiniMage.

Gateway has officially unwrapped what we all got wind of last week: the E-295 / C-140 Tablet PC. This is a major update of their M280 Tablet PC with a lot of improvements to highlight: a Core 2 Duo processor, a much heralded switch to the Wacom digitizer, an option for a dedicated  ATI Radeon X2300 HD graphics card, and battery options to provide up to 10.5 hours of mobility life.

Like their other Tablet PCs, Gateway will offer separate SKUs for both the business and home user. The business class E-295C starts at $1549, and the home user version, C-140, starts at $949.  Both models are available for ordering now. Update: There is also a Small Business sku: the S-7235C, starting at $1049

Gateway will be sending us an E-295C soon, so stay tuned for an InkShow on this 14" bad boy.

The following is a quick run down on the specs. Click the Read More link below for the complete specs and every conceivable option you could think of, along with the text of their press release.

High Level Specs:

• Intel Core™ 2 Duo Processor
  • Integrated 2MB Level 2 Cache (T7100)
  • Integrated 4MB Level 2 Cache (T7300, T7500, T7700)
  • 800 MHz FSB
  • Supports VT, Intel64 bit support, and XD
  • Processor speeds: 1.8ghz, 2.0ghz, 2.2ghz, and 2.4ghz
• Display:
  • 14" WXGA, 1280 x 768 ( internal ), 2048 x 1536 ( external )
  • 200 nits
• Graphics:
  • Intel 965GM - or
  • ATI Radeo X2300 HD
• Memory
  • 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM
  • Dual Channel
  • Two 200-pin SODIMM Sockets on Motherboard
  • Both End-User Accessible
  • Expandable to 4GB 667 MHz DDR2
• Battery:
  • Removable 8 and 12 cell batteries
  • Removable Modular 6 cell
• Modular Options:
  • CD-ROM (10x min / 24x max
  • DVD/CD-RW Combo (24x/24x/24x/8x)
  • DVD±R/±RW/CD-RW (8x Double Layer)
  • 2^nd Battery (6-cell Prismatic)
  • Weight Saver
• I/O Ports
  • 3 USB 2.0 Ports
  • VGA Port with locking screws
  • Type II PC Card Bus Slot
  • IEEE 1394 (4-pin)
  • 7-in-1 Digital Card Reader (xD, MMC, SD, MS, MSP, miniSD and RS-MMC)
  • Microphone Jack
  • Headphone Jack
  • R-J11
  • RJ-45
  • Power Input
  • Port Replicator Connector

Looks like Linda has recovered from the Pink Floyd experience and has posted up a nice review of the Toshiba R400 Tablet PC.  There are some great photos and close up pictures of the Tablet PC in the review!

The Toshiba R400 is not the fastest Tablet PC on the block, but it is the most elegant and sophisticated and it does have the best display I have ever seen on a Tablet PC.   The ink experience is excellent and it's a pleasure to use.   In a world where first impressions are important, The Portégé R400 is one of my all time favorite Tablet PCs.

The R400 is not for everyone, It's not intended to be.    The Toshiba Portégé R400 Tablet PC is for those who are confident enough in their life not to have the need to to boast about how much power they have.    It's for those who appreciate elegance, style and sophistication.   For Those who want to make an impression when they walk into a room. It is an is excellent choice the busy professional who wants a Tablet PC that is a reflection of who they are. 

I think we're spoiled with the dual core processors cause the Core solo 1.2 processor doesn't sound that good to me.... especially in a device this big!

Eric Mack, a good friend of mine and of GBM, received an evaluation Lenovo X61 SXGA Tablet PC and has been evaluating the heck out of it to see if the tablet pc love is coming back his way.

In this latest article, Eric has written up a good review of the SuperView coating and has taken a lot of pictures to demonstrate the screen in various conditions.

If you think an X61 Tablet PC is in your future, be sure to give Eric's article a read.

No, we aren’t going to start covering the iPhone mania here at GottaBeMobile.com on a regular basis. But it should go without saying that the multi-touch interface is going to have an impact on how touch for data input is talked about in the future. I’ve been waiting (and mostly I still am) to see how all of those who derided UMPCs for not having a keyboard will respond to the iPhone’s touchscreen keyboard. We’re starting to see a couple of early reviews (notably Walt Mossberg’s and David Pogue’s) both of which say it takes a few days to get used to the on-screen keyboard. Imagine that. Mossberg goes so far as to say that after five days or so, data input without a keyboard on the iPhone is now a non-issue for him. Interesting.

On the one hand (or is that finger?) I wonder if they gave the UMPC touchscreen and Inking features the same amount of trial? On the other, it will be interesting to see more in-depth coverage of how Apple has integrated touch into the device and how real users take to it. I wasn’t that impressed with Dial Keys on the UMPC in the early going and quite honestly I’m still not, so I think how the software is implemented can have a lot to say about the potential success or failure. Granted the iPhone is a different device than a UMPC, but in my mind, because it is also a phone, data input is a more crucial issue in some respects. This is going to be very interesting to watch after all the hype dies down.

UPDATE: Here’s a link to recently released video showing how the on-screen keyboard works. Interesting.

 Chippy, of UMPCPortal.com has his hands on the much anticipated Raon Digital Everun Ultra-Mobile PC and has produced a very detailed video review for us all to get a first look at.

I have to say, that device looks really, really attractive. I love the auto rotate function. Windows XP Home, though?

BTW: Dynamism has the Everun listed on their site and it is available for pre-ordering, with July shipping. No price is given, though.

If you are one of those who is still looking for the right text entry application for a Tablet PC or UMPC, you might want to give SpeedScript a look. Speedscript is more widely know as a PDA application, but they’ve made BETA versions for the UMPC and Tablet PC available free for a year. I haven’t tried this out but if you do, let us know what you think.

Here are the download links:

• SpeedScript smart for UMPC
• SpeedScript smart for Tablet PC

And if you’re a lefty you can send an email to get a link for that version to write@speedscript.biz

Hat tip to jkOnTheRun

Ok, this is turning into a fashion dilemma. I have to say, I’m with Rob on the recent fashion debate on whether or not to wear the OQO Model 02 on your hip, so I’m not predisposed to be a fan of the Urban Tool slotBar. Maybe I’ve got no fashion sense, or maybe I spent too many of my teen years working on construction sites with heavy tool belts wrapped around my waist, but I just don’t get it. That said, I’m sure others will. Thoughtfix is talking about and showing off the Urban Tool slotBar as a solution to carry all of his gadgets on his hip. So, if this sort of geek fashion accessory is what you’re looking for, you might want to head over and check it out. He’s also got a video of it here.

Let me also say this for all these belt toting geeks. I know black on black is the cool way to go. But it doesn’t help show off the product that well in pictures and video. I just can’t see Dennis wearing this. Hugo maybe, but Dennis? Nah.

It might be a sticky subject, but other GBM Team members might be enjoying their experience using superglue to put a stand on their OQO’s just a bit too much. But have no fear, Hugo Ortega and Warner Crocker aren’t sniffing anything on this podcast.  GBM Podcast #23 features a wealth of Tablet PC and UMPC information, all fume free. We discuss a number of new developments and new Tablet PCs, and answer the question that Warner raised in this post: Guess Which Device Came In Handiest This Week? as he was busy building a new theatre trying out three mobile devices in the process. Can you guess which device he reached for the most? The ThinkPad X61 Tablet PC, The Asus R2H, or the Samsung Q1P? You’ll have to listen to GBM Podcast #23 to find out the answer.

Here’s the notes for show #23:

News Items:

• Rob gets all sticky and gooey putting a stand on his OQO Model 02
• Fujitsu’s T8140 Tablet PC (Can you say SSD?)
• Gateway’s New 14” Convertible Tablet PC
• Would You Like Hover With Your Touch Device?
• Thanks to Loren Heiny for the tip on this article.
• Hugo Upgrades the Samsung Q1 Ultra to 2Gig of RAM

Hot Topics in the GBM Forums: 

• Chris Paris posts about using Tablet PCs in TV Production
• Pen, Nibs, and Writing Feel: A great post by Steve S 
• What UMPC is Right For Me? GBM Forum members want to know.
• jim_joh is undecided
• zackwz is not sure which way to turn

And as promised, Warner lets you know which mobile device he used most in his recent work, but you’ve got to give the show a listen to find out. You might be suprised at the answer.

Download or listen to this GBM Podcast here (39.39mb, 43:01minutes, mp3 format) or you can subscribe to our GBM Podcasts in iTunes or via your favorite podcatcher at this link.

 All GottaBeMobile.com InkShows are sponsored by:

Reviews continue to come in on Samsung's latest UMPC, the Q1 Ultra. InformationWeek's Dave DeJean has written a pretty decent review of the Q1 Ultra, but in the end isn't quite convinced that it is a fully functional PC.

There is one big piece of information that Mr. DeJean has wrong and it needs correcting. DeJean says that the Origami Experience Pack comes with Windows Media Center. Windows Media Center is not a feature of the Origami Experience Pack. Windows Media Center is a premium feature of Windows Vista and it is only available in the premium versions of Vista: Home Premium and Ultimate. The Origami Experience Pack contains three applications: the Origami Experience ( for accessing pictures, music, and files), Sudoku, and Touch Settings (an application to enhance the touch interface). The Origami Experience Pack is shipped with Windows machines that Microsoft has certified as an Ultra-Mobile PC . It is also available as a download for those devices that meet Microsoft's qualifications of a Ultra-Mobile PC.

The Samsung Q1 Ultra ships with Windows Vista Home Premium and contains the Origami Experience Pack.

Here are DeJean's closing thoughts on the Q1 Ultra:

The ultramobile PC category is growing rapidly, and designers and manufacturers are experimenting almost wildly with features and designs. Samsung has been one of the leaders with its work on the Origami spec and the rapid release of new Q1 models over the past year. It's design decisions for the Q1 Ultra are interesting, particularly the continuing omission of a full keyboard and the reduction in processor speed from 1 GHz to 800 MHz (even while adding Windows Vista, an operating system that requires a good deal of heavy lifting).

The portability is hugely tempting -- I'd love to leave my 6-pound laptop at home and take a Q1 Ultra (and a folding keyboard) on my next trip. But overall, a device with a small screen, no keyboard, and performance in the PDA class doesn't quite convince me it's a "fully functional PC."

Watch our video review on the Q1 Ultra here, and read comments in our Samsung forum on how users are enjoying the Q1 Ultra.

Having just moved back in to the multi-device world with an X61 Tablet PC and an OQO Model 02 Ultra-Mobilie PC, I've found it necessary to have my files available on both devices and for them to be kept in sync seamlessly.

There are a ton of applications available for syncing, one being the Sync Center within Vista. For me, though, I've found FolderShare to be the most seamless sync service available. FolderShare is a Windows Live web service that keeps multiple devices in sync across the Internet using a small satellite application installed on each device that stays in communication with the FolderShare web service. As files get modified on either device, FolderShare syncs them.

I've been using FolderShare on and off for a year and a half now, and consider it an essential mobility application. Best of all, FolderShare is currently free. FolderShare is available for both Windows and Mac OS X clients, which is great news for me because I frequently live in a Mac world, too.

Using the web application, you set up all devices that need to be kept in sync and then configure each of the folders that you wish to keep in sync. You can have up to 10 FolderShare libraries, with each library containing up to 10,000 files. Because I have more than 10 top level folders that need to be kept in sync, I've consolidated my folder structure so that  just about everything under the My Documents folders stays in sync.

In addition to being able to keep devices in sync across the Internet, the FolderShare web application allows you to access your files from devices that are currently on line. Imagine you are at a client site and you forgot your mobile computer. Your client wants to sign that big contract you've been talking about, but you don't have it with you. All is not lost. By simply logging on to FolderShare.com, you can connect to your computer back at the office and download that contract. Problem solved. Contract signed. Money in the bank. Spouse is happy.

If you own more than one device and need to keep your files in sync while mobile, I highly encourage you to check out Foldershare.

Stay tuned to Hugo's blog to find out what the FedEx man is delivering this time. The word from Hugo is that it will be a "World Exclusive"...

Any guesses?

This is funny. There has been lots of talk about Microsoft’s Surface technology since the announcement at the D: All Things Digital Conference a short time ago. And of course anything worth attracting attention also attracts those who love to do parody. Over at Gear Diary there is a very funny parody of Microsoft Surface. I suggest you check out the Microsoft Surface website first and watch the short promos there and then tune into the parody for the full effect.

Michael Harrison has developed two utilities for the Tablet PC and UMPC user: Rotate Screen and ClearType Rotator. I have not tried these out myself, but they look quite useful. Until Michael mentioned to me about rotation problems with ClearType, I didn't know the problem existed. Interesting.

Here are the links to the utilities and a description from Michael on the problems they are designed to solve:

1) RotateScreen

RotateScreen is a very small console application that allows the user to rotate the screen to a specific orientation.  It's designed to be called from another application such as a tablet menu.

Download: http://www.dragonseye.com/RotateScreen100.zip

2) ClearType Rotator

I finally got tired of resetting ClearType whenever I rotated my tablet screen and started work on ClearType Rotator.
It can capture your font smoothing settings for each screen orientation and automatically restore those settings when you rotate your screen.  It can also rotate the screen to a user-specified angle.

Download: http://www.dragonseye.com/CleartypeRotator002.zip

Thanks for the correct link, Robphy.

Tablet PC and UMPC enthusiasts rejoice - Samsung's 1.8" 64GB SSDs should be hitting OEMs soon, although I suspect the initial upgrade could cost upwards of $1000 or more. Price wise, this should bode well for the current 32GB SSD drives.

It wouldn't surprise me to hear an official announcement soon from Samsung, regarding a new 64GB SSD version of their Q1 Ultra, although I suspect you'd need to take out a second mortgage in order to buy one.

Via Engadget

TabletKiosk is making inroads to the hospitality industry by partnering with SoftBrands, Inc, developers of reservations and property management software.

SoftBrands, Inc. (Amex: SBN), a global supplier of enterprise application software, announced today that it has signed a distribution agreement with TabletKiosk for their portable workstation solution. SoftBrands has selected TabletKiosk's Sahara Slate PC line to launch this initiative. The units are blue-tooth/wireless Tablet PCs and run on the Microsoft Windows operating system, including Windows Vista, Windows X