- Rob Bushway

My weak spot for a good mobile bag has been well documented, and I've been doing a pretty decent job of being content with my Ogio bag. However, when the folks at TomBihn.com contacted me and asked if I would like to review their newly redesigned Buzz Bag, I couldn't resist. Fortunately for me, my wife loves the bag, enough so that I think she wants one, too.

In this InkShow, I take you on a tour of the bag, show you the ways in which it can be carried or worn, and let you take a sneak peak at a new device I'm playing with. By the way, stay tuned to GBM, because we are partnering with TomBihn.com to give you an opportunity to win your own Buzz Bag.

Enjoy!

• Watch the InkShow (Windows Media Player format 10:58 83.1mb)

• Learn more about Tom Bihn and their Buzz Bag by visiting them at TomBihn.com. The Buzz Bag is available in a variety of colors at $120.00.

 

All GottaBeMobile.com InkShows are sponsored by:

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- Rob Bushway

HP is quite successful in the education market, especially when it comes to Tablet PCs. DyKnow is also highly regarded for their Tablet PC enabled educational software, too. So, it is good to see the two partner together to make further inroads into the educational space:

From their press release:

DyKnow, a leader in interactive education technology, has announced that DyKnow software will be packaged and sold as part of HP's education solution. This solution includes HP's pen-enabled Tablet PCs, on which DyKnow's collaborative note taking and interactive features are optimized.
 
"We share HP's vision of digital classrooms in which teachers are given the tools to actively engage students in the learning process," said Laura Small, DyKnow president. "We are excited that customers will be given access to this comprehensive hardware/software solution."
 
Teachers can use DyKnow Vision software to instantly transmit content to student computers for annotation. Students' personalized notes can be added, saved and replayed at a later date for review. DyKnow Vision's partner software, DyKnow Monitor software, reduces electronic distraction by displaying thumbnails of student screens, blocking applications, blanking screens and monitoring in wireless environments.

- Rob Bushway

- Warner Crocker

Ok, it is well known that I think DRM and many activation procedures are plagues on mankind. Sure, I understand the raging fear, paranoia, and in some cases pure greed that lead companies to do what they do to protect their investments. But much of that comes at the cost of penalizing their paying customers to the point of utter frustration.

Last night as Rob and I were preparing to record this week’s GBM Podcast, I couldn’t get Skylook to work. Skylook is an otherwise excellent Outlook add-in we use to record our Skype calls. I checked the settings and tried rebooting. No luck. Just as Rob and I were ready to call it a night and move on, I remembered that I had recently installed a BIOS update from Lenovo and that I had got bitten by iTunes for not de-authorizing the computer before doing so. So I hit the activation button and reactivated Skylook. Voila. Problem solved. Simple you say? Maybe, but not simple enough.

Here’s my message to software developers. We’re in an age of moving targets with new hardware and Vista. Things are changing quite frequently. If you’re going to tie your activation procedures to the BIOS or other system processes that might undergo changes then you need to re-examine your methods. Yeah, sure, I can get on the phone or visit your customer service via emails and forms, but not when I’m getting ready to do a task after updating my machine. Whoever came up with the logic that your software is at the forefront of my mind when I’m doing a BIOS update or installing new software or system patches needs to re-examine that logic.

Give your customers a break.

- Warner Crocker

Yesterday’s news was all about the Vista hotfixes that may or may not be released soon. Apparently the hotfixes were released to a select number of beta testers and someone decided to release those hotfixes to the web. Microsoft has since forced the removal of of the leaked fixes. Speculation is still all over the map as to when and how these will be released, so the best course of action on that front is to just wait and see. That said, a few words still trickled out about how they worked.

Colin Walker who gives excellent reports that are always worth following on betas and new software, got his hands on the fixes legitimately and has posted a few of his early thoughts here.

- Warner Crocker

I’ve been on a search to find a simple solution for the missing Windows Image Resizer Powertoy that was so hand in XP. The simple functionality of that powertoy allows you to simply right-click on an image and change the size of the image. I’ve found a couple of options, and huzzah, yet another simple solution has presented itself.

Over on Cumo Grano Salis, Shahar has posted a simple right-click solution that not only gives you right-click resizing functionality but allows you to right click and copy an image to the clipboard and choose the size you want the copy to be. Nice! The resizing tool is called the Prish Resizer, and it works like a charm. This is a handy little Cool Tool to have. Check it out here.

Thanks to Matt Faulkner for the tip.

- Warner Crocker

TabletKiosk’s new Sahara Slate Tablet PC, the i440D, has captured a lot of attention and it is now shipping with Vista installed. The i440D features both pen and touch input and uses a button to manually make the switch. Of course you can also still order the unit with XP if that is your choice. Follow the Read More link to read the press release.

- Rob Bushway

If you thought Dell's Tablet PC Massacre was pretty rough, this latest entry from Dell is going to really get you. In this latest "If You Had a Tablet PC That Drove You Crazy" episode, there's a company picnic and the office folk take that frustrating Tablet PC and turn it in to a pinata. Then the office folks have at that tablet pc and seem to overly enjoy destroying it.

Speechless.....

- Matt Faulkner

I'm not much of an artist, so maybe some of the readers can chime in on this one....  There is a new upcoming release of an animation software called Toon Boom Studio Version 4.  One of the features of this new version is the support for the Tablet PC OS - XP and Vista.

Studio 4 also includes: support of Adobe Illustrator layers, the Vectorize Preview window, improved drawing tools, improved timeline, Alpha Onion Skinning and support of Tablet PC OS (for Windows XP and Vista).

What else is interesting about this software?  Well, the new release of The Simpsons Movie used this software!  It sure is interesting to see some of the software used to make movies like this - wonder how long it took to make that feature length movie?  If you are an artist and a Tablet PC user, make sure and check back with us when you get a hold of this release!!

 

- Matt Faulkner

 Gavin Gear points to an Ink Enabled Silverlight video - Where can you see this going?  What kind of apps are going to be using Ink in the future?

Here's a 6 minute video showing how to get started with Ink support in Silverlight 1.1 by Mark Johnston from MSDN UK.

His video will guide you through the process of integrating Ink support into your Silverlight 1.1 project. The concepts are basically the same as the Silverlight 1.0 code samples that I've shown you, but you develop your codebehind in C# rather than JavaScript.

Silverlight 1.1 Ink Demo by Mark Johnston of MSDN UK - from Gavin's blog

- Rob Bushway

Fujitsu is running a Back To School "$100 off" special on any Fujitsu notebook or tablet pc, but it expires August. Use coupon code BACKSCHOOL to get your discount. In addition to the discount, they  are giving away a free carrying case, free shipping, and no payments for 6 months.

Hop to it!

- Rob Bushway

I just got this in from Motion Computing regarding updated ship dates, and an added Intel abg WLAN option that we earlier reported on here and here:

Revised LE1700 Windows XP Ship Date

Due to a recent manufacturing concern, we have revised various ship dates on the LE1700 product family as follows:

All orders placed and acknowledged prior to 7/27 will ship by 8/10
Orders placed from 7/28 thru 8/3 will ship by 8/14
Orders placed on 8/4 or after should will ship with normal lead times

LE1700 Vista Update

All LE1700 systems ordered with Windows Vista® Business Edition systems will ship by 8/24.

Intel abg availability

Effective today, July 30, 2007, the Intel abg WLAN additional option to the Atheros abg WLAN is now available to order on the LE1700 and will ship by 8/17.

Call your distributor today, to order the new LE1700 Super SKU's with the Intel abg WLAN option or the current Atheros abg WLAN option at the lower price starting at $1,699

Customizable SKU's are available with both Atheros and Intel abg WLAN options.

We apologize for any inconvenience the revised ship dates might cause.

- Warner Crocker

Loren Heiny asks a question I’ve been thinking about for sometime now, prompted in part by all the recent coverage of the recent Microsoft Financial Analysts Meeting and Gates’ impending step down. Whether intended or not, it looks like the Bill Gates final tour is starting to pick up steam.

But back to Loren’s question. It is no secret that Tablet PCs and the concept of Natural Human Interface have no greater advocate than Bill Gates himself. And those who pay attention are certainly wondering who will take on that chief evangelist role within Microsoft. It is a question that bears pondering. Loren thinks it might be debatable as to the need for a strong executive champion within the confines of Redmond, given that there is momentum with Tablet PCs in the business and education sectors, as well as some of the strong voices within Microsoft. I disagree and don’t think the point is debatable. I think there does need to be that kind of executive push to keep things moving forward. But then history proves that even with Bill Gates’ passion as a push, Tablet PCs have had a rocky road.

I will agree with this point of Loren’s though. Our work, (those who love and evangelize the platform) is indeed cut out for us. We do need to keep our passion flowing and keep articulating the benefits of the technology.

- Matt Faulkner

There are a few sites reporting some Beta Hotfixes that have found their way out on the net.  These Vista patches are supposed to enhance the performance and reliability on some issues that many have been complaining about - resuming from Hibernate or Standby and file transfers.  Below is the list of fixes being addressed - maybe next Tuesday??  I know that when these come out, my x61 will be a happy camper!!

938979 Vista Performance and Reliability Pack
This update resolves a number of individual issues which may be affecting some computers running Windows Vista. These issues have been reported by customers using the Error Reporting service, product support, or other means. Installing this update will improve the performance and responsiveness for some scenarios and improves reliability of Windows Vista in a variety of scenarios. Some examples of the improvements contained in this update are:

• Improves performance in resuming back to the desktop from the Photo and Windows Energy screensaver.
• Resolves an issue where some secured web pages using advanced security technologies may not get displayed in Internet Explorer on Windows Vista.
• Resolves an issue where a shared printer may not get installed if the printer is connected to a Windows XP or Windows Server 2003 system and User Access Control is disabled on the Vista client.
• Resolves an issue where creating AVI files on Vista may get corrupted.
• Improves the performance in calculating the ‘estimated time remaining’ when copying/moving large files.
• Improves performance in bringing up Login Screen after resuming from Hibernate.
• Resolves an issue where synchronization of offline files to a server can get corrupted.
• Resolves a compatibility issue with RAW images created by Canon EOS 1D/1DS Digital SLR Camera which can lead to data loss. This only affects RAW images created by these two specific camera models.
• Resolves an issue where a computer can lose its default Gateway address when resuming from sleep mode.
• Improves the performance when copying or moving entire directories containing large amounts of data or files.
• Improves the performance of Vista’s Memory Manager in specific customer scenarios and prevents some issues which may lead to memory corruption.

938194 Vista Compatibility and Reliability Pack
This update resolves a number of individual issues which may be affecting some computers running Windows Vista. These issues have been reported by customers using the Error Reporting service, product support, or other means. Installing this update will improve the reliability and hardware compatibility of Windows Vista in a variety of scenarios. Some examples of the improvements contained in this update are:

• Improved reliability and compatibility of Vista when used with newer graphics cards in several specific scenarios and configurations.
• Improved reliability when working with external displays on a laptop.
• Increased compatibility with many video drivers.
• Improved visual appearance of games with high intensity graphics.
• Improved quality of playback for HD-DVD and Blue-Ray disks on large monitors.
• Improved reliability for Internet Explorer when some third party toolbars are installed on Vista.
• Improved Vista reliability in networking configuration scenarios.
• Improved the reliability of Windows Calendar in Vista.
• Improved reliability of systems that were upgraded from XP to Vista.
• Increased compatibility with many printer drivers.
• Increased reliability and performance of Vista when entering sleep and resuming from sleep.

- Warner Crocker

When you turn on a power saw of any type you make some noise and make a mess. Dell certainly did that with the recent video of a supposedly frustrated Tablet PC owner slicing and dicing through his Toshiba M400 Tablet PC. As Rob mentioned, folks are discussing this and some are thinking that Dell went a bit too far and some are welcoming the negative comparative marketing approach. I’m in the latter camp.

First, let me say, Dell has to deliver now. You can’t go slashing another company’s product unless you can live up to the hype. Dell just raised the expectation bar. If they can’t leap over it watch out. That out of the way, I’d love to see a slash and burn approach take off in the Tabletscape and here’s why.

The marketing of Tablet PCs has been extremely poor. That’s no secret. Confused messages, lack of exposure, and general confusion on how to position Tablet PCs and UMPCs have hurt the platform as much as any other aspect throughout the platform’s existence. Heck, all you have to do is to page back through Tablet PC Buzz, GottaBeMobile.com, or any blog by a Tablet PC evangelist and you’ll see almost overwhelming excitement when Microsoft or an OEM actually ran some advertising about Tablet PCs. That’s a pretty sad comment if you ask me. The marketing of Tablet PCs will one day become a case study for how not to market a product. So maybe this will change things. A little “swift-boating” couldn’t hurt an already moribund approach.

If I was Toshiba, I’d have a video answer within a few days. If I were the other Tablet PC OEMs I’d do the same. If that would occur it would only be a boon. Somehow I doubt it will, but I’d love to see it. 

Some say Dell not only has to deliver a product, but their next step is to start delivering some specs. That is correct. But hey, one way or the other, Dell has gotten a lot of folks talking about their new Tablet PC and that is the first step. Now is that going to be a rip-cut or a cross-cut?

 

- Warner Crocker

CNET has posted a review of Fujitsu’s Lifebook A6030 laptop and no it is not a Tablet PC. But it does have an interesting feature for those interested in Touch and Ink. Fujitsu calls the feature “point and write” and essentially you point a stylus on the touchpad and the touchpad becomes an input panel. According to the review, you hover the stylus over the pad to move and manipulate the cursor and you can also Ink on the Touchpad which calls up the TIP. The review points to a point of curiosity that I have with the technology in that the small touchpad is a difficult area to “write” in. I’m also not sure why you’d like to navigate a screen with a stylus hovering over a touchpad rather than use your finger to begin with. At any rate, it is an interesting development and I wonder if we’ll see more of this.

- Warner Crocker

I really enjoy when James Kendrick blogs one of his Day in the Life posts. They are always very informative and entertaining as he walks through how he uses his gadgets. In this Day in the Life he goes through a day of meetings with his Fujitsu P1610 and some other work with the Lenovo X61, as well as how he integrates his new Blackberry device.

Well worth a read.

 

 

- Warner Crocker

Fellow Tablet PC MVP Marc Orchant who seems to be everywhere at once these days (check out his blogs here and here) is celebrating his 50th birthday today. But he’s not the only Tableteer celebrating his arrival on the planet. Ed Holloway who created the Ink Blog Plug-In for Windows Live Writer should also find himself blowing out candles today as well.

Congrats to both Tableteers.

 

 

 

- Rob Bushway

The Tablet PC community is picking up on Dell's Tablet PC video that I posted this morning, and the words are not kind for Dell: James Kendrick says the trash talk is leaving a bad taste in his mouth, and some of his readers are seeing it as a foolish move. StudentTabletPC.com says that Dell shouldn't have wasted a tablet pc like that.

Personally, I think a little trash talk among OEMs is a good thing and I'm happy to see it. A little verbal competition and in-your-face talk is good. You gotta know that the tablet team at Toshiba are feeling a bit miffed right now as they see their baby trashed, and other OEM tablet teams are beginning to put their gloves on, too. I say "Bring it on...." Competition breeds better products and lower prices.

All of that said, Dell better have the goods to back that kind of video up - if they don't, it will certainly back-fire on them and you can be certain the community will let them know about it.

- Rob Bushway

The authors of the Direct2Dell blog have created a great little YouTube video asking what you would do with a Tablet PC that drove you crazy. They then take an M400 Toshiba Portege 3500 Tablet PC and cut it in half with a table saw - quite a sight!

Do you think Dell is trying to send a message about their upcoming XT Tablet PC? This is starting to get fun....

Updated: changed model number to Portege 3500....thanks, g.

- Warner Crocker

Nice little video editorial here from ThoughtFix on the need for Instant On in our mobile Devices. I couldn’t agree more. He’s quite the barrista.

 

He mentions the article Rob linked to on The Hole in Our Lives is something we’re going to be discussing on this week’s GBM Podcast. Should be an interesting discussion.

- Eddie VanDerbeck

"On the road again.... just can't wait to get on the road again... " My best Willie Nelson.... What a blast. We are having tech overload here on I-95 Northbound toward Richmond,VA. Dennis is driving, make that Grrrr'n and the alternators in the white Yukon's are as well. You see, we (the Rice's and VanDerbeck's) are headed to our nations capital for a few days of sight seeing and on site education for the younger kids. The only problem so far is that the power converters just can't keep up. Oh well. We'll keep looking for a solution. On other problem. Dennis intentionally drives so as to hit EVERY hole, crack, void, bump, chasm, and dead animal in the road. Repeatedly I have requested that he not do that but to no avail. Trust me, the hard drive crash protection has not kicked in yet, but I expect it to any minute now. How's a guy to work with driving like that. Note to self: Next time Sandra drives or maybe I can ride with Splotch? Yea, he snuck onboard just as we were leaving. I'm sure you will see him in some photos to come.

What techno toys are we traveling with? You may ask? Here you go...

To start with we've got a Lenovo X60 Convertible Tablet, a Lenovo X61 Convertible Tablet, Gateway M280 Convertible Tablet, 2, yes that's two OQO Model 02's, HP TC1100 Tablet, Toshiba M200 Convertible Tablet, a Verizon Air card, another Verizon Air Card attached to a Kyocera KR-1 mobile router, assorted power converters, and a partridge in a pear tree. Sorry, the partridge part is not true, but the rest of it is. There is even a rumored Samsung Q1P stowed away somewhere. I cannot remember is I packed it or not. Way to many gadgets on this trip. Oh yea, I almost forgot the lesser equipment; a HP DV-6227 laptop (to store digital photos,etc) and a Garmin Nuvi 350 GPS system. Do you think we brought enough? And yes, most of them are out and being used as I write. Well not the X61 or the DV-6227, my wife is driving one car, Dennis the other. Everything else is is fired up and surfing on our 70+ MPH HIGHLY Mobile wireless access point made possible by the KR-1. Very cool piece of equipment! Check out my "How-To" on that one here.

   Splotch headed for Washington; without his buddy Warner. :(

Now if only we could get the blasted power converters to work without overheating. I just don't get it, why can't I have an AC outlet in my Denali? Hello! GM, are you listening?

More "On the Road" with Dennis and Splotch to come.... stay tuned.

- Rob Bushway

Congratulations to Mark Payton, the winner of our "Free Wi-Fi For A Day" contest.

Stay tuned for more contest from GottaBeMobile.com!

- Warner Crocker

Thoughtfix is celebrating the one year anniversary or blogaversary of UltraMobileGeek today. Thoughfix has made some great contributoins to the community with his thoughtful posts and evangelism. If you haven’t subscribed to UltraMobileGeek yet, I’d do so. A worth addition to your feed reading.

Keep on doing the good work, Thoughtfix!

- Warner Crocker

Tablet PC Show podcaster Perry Reed has a Motion LE1700 in his hands and spends a good portion of his latest podcast reviewing the new slate Tablet PC. He also covers a range of other topics. Check out the show notes or download The Tablet PC Show #62 here.

 

- Dennis Rice

 Well, the MindJet team just keeps rolling right on producing great software.  I don't mean software that merely functions, I mean software that innovates and meets great current expectations for interface, functionality, etc.  With the introduction of MindManager Pro Version 7, they have really kept their reputation for great software secure.

 In this GottaBeMobile InkShow, I have taken the beginning of a real life planning process, and used it to show you just a few of the ways this application can assist you in planning, brainstorming, integrating different processes, etc.  Splotch and I (oh yeah -- and my wife also) are headed to Cancun in a month or so for a week on the beach in an all inclusive resort.  I'm excited.  I am also excited about the fact that I have a great tool like MindManager Pro Version 7 to help me plan the journey.  I literally use this tool every day in my personal and professional life to keep my head straight on what all is going on.  The process of using mind mapping is one that should be taught in every school, even prior to college.  The process is great, but the tool needs to support it well, and MindManager from MindJet does that.  I demo a number of great features of this product, but there is no way to show it all.

As I use the tool to plan my trip, I spend a little time sharing how to brainstorm, use ink and the keyboard, import, export and synch Outlook data, use other data sources, etc. to make the process better.  If you do not have any experience with mind mapping, or MindManager, it is worth taking the time to check out, especially to see the end result of a process that takes lots of details and help get it organized.

Oh yeah, there is a special bonus as well. If you watch this show, you will also get to hear me sing a bit.  Never mind what Splotch says about my voice, it's not that bad -- really.  Enjoy the show.

Watch the Hi-Res InkShow
(Windows Media Player format 23:50, 71.1mb)

For more info on MindJet Mind Manager Version 7:

• Pro Version ($349)
• Lite Version ($99)
• MacIntosh Version ($129)

Download 21 day trial version here 

Pick up your own copy.  Then you too can plan a trip to Cancun!  :)

(now what did I do with my Jimmy Buffet CD's?)

 

All GottaBeMobile.com InkShows are sponsored by:

- Rob Bushway

I was cleaning out my stuff today and came across an unused DayCard good for 1 day of unlimited Wi-Fi service at all T-Mobile HotSpot locations. I can't remember how I got it, but I'm happy to pass it along to one lucky GottaBeMobile.com reader.

All you have to do is reply to this article with a link to your favorite GBM news post, InkShow, or forum post, and you'll have a chance to win it. I'll take entries through 9:00 am (MT) on Saturday, July 28, and announce a winner by 10:00 am. That way, you'll be able to use the free Wi-Fi sometime during the weekend if you want. Be sure to include your real email address so I can send you the instructions, promo code and serial number from the back of the card.

The best I can tell, the service only works in the U.S., so lets only accept U.S. residents for this contest.

- Matt Faulkner

As we all would love to see Tablet PC's become even more prominent in education, we like to see reports where things are actually being implemented in large numbers. 

Handheld computing defines the current wave in the evolution of technology. It symbolizes the idea of anytime/anywhere learning and has changed the face of the world of business, medicine, and other professions. In our endeavor to prepare our students for the increasingly technological world we have made a commitment to personal computing and the integration of handheld computing in our classrooms. Tablet PCs extend the possibilities of notebook computers and provide the power of a notebook in hand-held form. No functionality of a notebook computing device is lost. On the other hand, the Tablet PC adds an important set of functions without detracting from the common laptop paradigm.

The Tablet PC Education Blog (VIA - Lora)has the scoop and the links.

- Rob Bushway

My bag fetish is well documented. So you know when I get a new bag in, it is a good day in the Bushway office, but not in the Bushway home. Well, the good folks at TomBihn.com sent me their Buzz Bag to evaluate, and it just came in today. This is one nice bag!

Look for an InkShow review on Tuesday where I go over all the nice features of this bag,  and then you can decide if it could be a part of your mobile life.

Excuse me while I go figure out how to get this home without my wife seeing it.....



Tags: TomBihn, Buzz Bag, Mobile

- Rob Bushway

Yesterday, GBM reader and Tablet PC MVP Steve Seto noticed that the pricing and product numbers for Motion Computing's LE1700 WriteTouch Tablet PC were recently removed from their website. I touched base with Motion regarding their upcoming WriteTouch model and this change, and they had this to say:

Motion has revised the availability date of the LE1700 WriteTouch to October 2007. During the final round of internal testing, Motion discovered a quality issue that does not meet its standard and has chosen to delay the shipment to perfect the WriteTouch display option on the LE1700.

When we hear more about the upcoming model, we'll let everyone know.

Tags: Motion Computing, LE1700, LE1700WT

- Rob Bushway

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