- Matt Faulkner

On Friday night I decided to reinstall Vista Ultimate on my Lenovo x61 Tablet PC.  I was just having too many issues from installing and uninstalling way too many trials, betas and demos.

What I have done is tracked my progress and showing what I have installed and give you an idea of what I did during the install.  It's kind of spread out over a couple of days - but I did keep the times on most things.  I also had the Slingplayer running on the R2H during the whole thing watching a movie - Who knew Miami Vice was actually made into a movie....  Anyway's, back to the install.  Also remember that I am starting from a MSDN Vista DVD, so this process is made a little easier since I don't have to do an install from the recovery media.

Click the read more to see all the details!!

- Rob Bushway

Looks like Nokia is following the latest tablet trend by integrating a slide-out keyboard.

Checkout Thoughtfix's TabletBlog for the confirming FCC info, which also backs up Engadget's previous report of a slide-out keyboard.

 

 

- Rob Bushway

When students at Winona State get to choose between a Mac and Tablet PC, more and more students are choosing the Mac. Makes me wonder what would happen if Apple ever decided to come to market with a Mac Tablet:

From TwinCities.com

At the University of Minnesota bookstore, Macs are enshrined in a flashy sales-display area intended to imitate Apple's retail stores, while a handful of Windows laptops at the campus shop are relegated to a back wall.

Students at Winona State University, required to choose between a MacBook laptop and a Windows-based touch-screen tablet PC for school use, have increasingly gone Mac despite its lack of touch-screen capabilities.

At Minnesota's private colleges such as Macalester, St. Olaf in Northfield and Gustavus Adolphus in St. Peter, the percentage of Mac-using students has doubled, tripled or more, although this trend is by no means universal.

...

Winona State University may constitute the ultimate test of Mac popularity because it gives students a stark choice - MacBook or Gateway-branded Tablet PC - when selecting their school-required laptop. And, indeed, Mac use has increased. Last school year, student computer use was 89.8 percent Gateway and 10.2 percent Apple; this year, the split is 83.6 percent Tablet PC and 16.4 percent MacBook, according to school-tech administrators.

Winona State professor Patrick Paulson said while Windows laptops still represent the vast majority of portables in his management-of-information-systems classes, Mac use has grown.

He says Winona State students increasingly are adventurous and willing to try new things - such as loading Windows on a MacBook and using it as, essentially, a PC.

 

- Warner Crocker

Digital Rights Management is a scourge we all live with in order to download music digitally (and legally) over the Internet. But lately companies are making moves to change that. (Side note: My objection to DRM isn’t about being able to share music, but about being able to play it on any device I own. I also firmly believe that the DRM software that comes attached to content files and the systems built in to monitor DRM are a big part of the problems we see on many systems these days. ) Apple now offers some DRM free music. Walmart has entered the fray and is offering DRM free downloads. Last week Amazon.com made its move as well. Of course some of this is aiming at Apple’s dominance, but Amazon and Walmart are also trying to grab a piece of a very lucrative pie.

I’ve been locked into iTunes for quite some time now and continue to be so, but recently I’ve given both of these other two big retailers a shot to see how their services work. Here’s a report.

- Warner Crocker

Lifehacker has an interesting post on how to protect yourself in a work environment by taking good notes. I’m sure you might be familiar with a situation where something went wrong (or someone claimed something did) and everybody goes back to meeting notes to figure out what was said when and by whom? 

Sounds like a perfect opportunity for taking digital notes on a Tablet PC to me. Nice to have all those notes right there with you, completley searchable, and ready to be reviewed quickly when the situation arises.

- Rob Bushway

I've had the beta of Vista Service Pack 1 running on two different Table PCs (2710p and X61) for three or four days. All in all, my experience with the beta has been pretty smooth. I experienced one bluescreen early on, but I honestly expected some rough stuff since it is a beta service pack. Any beta service packs I've ever installed have been pretty rough - it comes with the territory, especially this early in the process. Except for that one bluescreen, my experience has been pretty smooth.

A couple of readers have asked me about battery life - I have not seen any degradation or improvements in regards to battery life.

I plan on continuing to test the service pack, and hopefully get that bluescreen to appear again so I can report it to Microsoft.

 

- Rob Bushway

Thoughtfix was fortunate enough to attend Nokia's Unlocked event, and has been posting up a storm from the event. As someone who also follows Nokia closely and enjoy's using the N800 Internet Tablet, I found Nokia's VP Bill Plummer answer to Thoughtfix's question about their next Internet Tablet intriguing: more consumer focused rather than geek focused. What might that entail? Any guesses?

As we've said before, Nokia is one company you need to follow in the whole MID / UMPC / Internet Tablet space. We'll also continue following them closely on GBM.

Watch below as Thoughtfix puts the "next Internet Tablet question to Plummer:

- Warner Crocker

When the First Lady of the First Family of Tablet PCs asks, you better deliver. Lora Heiny has been on a bit of a blogging role these last few days, and as usual she’s prodding and asking questions. But she’s also providing some great insight while she’s asking the questions.

In this post, where she requests that GBM put up a poll to ask the questions, What are your favorite Tablet PC innovoations today and what would you like to see tomorrow?

Not only does she ask the question, she provides some insight into her own favorites and how they fit into her work-flow. In case you don’t know, Lora is not only a great advocate for Tablet PCs, along with the rest of her family, but Lora works at Microsoft so her advocacy is also internal there.

So, take a minute and give us some feedback in the comments here, or in this post in the GBM Forums. The First Lady is listening and waiting for your responses.

- Warner Crocker

Lora Heiny posts up a tid bit that Circuit City is looking to hire Project Specialists for Enabling Tech Ops in their new concept stores called The City. The job description says:

“In this role you would help coordinate the deployment of Enabling Technologies such as Tablet PC, to all of our new concept stores…”

I’d love to see Circuit City (and other big boxes) go this route and actually get Tablet PCs and Ultra-Mobile PCs in stores. I’m sure you know the litany by now. If we can get Tablet PCs in the hands of customers it will make a difference in the market place. Maybe this development will mean that these Concept Stores will actually have employees who understand the technology, and provide customers with that experience. Here’s the link to the job description.

- Warner Crocker

This is an interesting development. While there have been many rants about Microsoft’s Vista SP1 beta (key point there: it is a beta) Long Zheng of istartedsomething has posted that there is a now a Create a Recovery Disk option in SP1 that:

To be blunt, this tool creates merely a slimmed-down Windows installation disc. It takes a normal Windows installation disc image and strips out all the “installation” functionality leaving only the repair tools and common system files.

Interesting development that looks to offer some real utility. Read more of the details here.

- Matt Faulkner

Well, it's been a while and lots of beta's and trials...  It's time to give Vista some new life on the x61 Tablet PC...  I am going to be doing a clean install of Vista Ultimate tonight.  One thing I'm going to do - I'll record everything I do so in the future some others might benefit from the experience.  There is already some information in the forums, but I'll post up my process and experience just to add to the mix.  First thing to do is to make sure I have a backup and get off all the important things I need to not loose!

What's after that?? Linux on the x60 :)

- Matt Faulkner

I'm not sure if these are going to continue or not (this is the first one) but YouTube user jgvanides has posted a 'Tablet PC Tip #1 over on YouTube.  This is a quick once over with some tips on how/why to use Ink in a Powerpoint presentation.  This might be one to keep an eye on!

- Rob Bushway

When we go "off-topic" at GBM, we try to make it worth it. This case is no different.

Watch the video below for an unboxing of the HTC Tilt / Kaiser/ TyTN II that I just received from Dynamism.com

- Matt Faulkner

Who would have thought...  This is kind of interesting and something I have never though of Tablet PC's being used in the past.  I use Tablet PC's daily to do mapping, but most of what I do is above ground, or mapping boring holes.  These guys are talking about Tablet PC's being taken underground to map out caves.  One of the guys is even using this Tablet PC pictured on the right as his under ground mapping tool.  Oh, and there is kind of a heated debate going on as well.

- Matt Faulkner

This is an interesting Tablet PC that I haven't seen before today.  It's the Quadro Quadpad and it features Bluetooth, WiFi and 3G via a PC card slot.  It looks like they are making a push for the Automobile industry in their marketing with all the GPS navigation talk.  And hitting on the Automobile industry again as a 'in shop' learning tool.  In the Rationale section they also mention the Quadpad being used in the home as a control unit, marketing events, mobile till system, warehouse and music industry. There are multiple versions available with different configurations - Only thing missing is the Tablet PC OS, though I am sure it could be put on there.

- Rob Bushway

Allegiance Technology Partners is a good friend of GottaBeMobile.com, and to many folks who have wanted to demo a tablet pc before buying one.

Well, Philadelphia Business Journal picked up on John Hill's reputation and has featured him and his company in this story. Unfortunately, the entire story is only available to print subscribers, but you can get a feel for its tone by the opening paragraphs.

Adam Stone, the reporter who wrote the story, interviewed me for it. Since I'm not a paid subscriber, I don't know how my quotes ended up being used, but it was good to talk with Adam about the many things misunderstood regarding the tablet pc market, and the marketing missteps OEMs and Microsoft have taken.

- Rob Bushway

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

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

All GottaBeMobile.com InkShows are sponsored by

- Warner Crocker

Here is a link to a great case study of how one school, Torrey Pines, intergrated Tablet PCs into their curriculum. The goal was to work with Wolfram Research’s Mathematica 6.0 technical computing software for advanced students. Here is a brief excerpt:

James concurs: “I was bombarded with the magnificent qualities of the Tablet PC’s special features, namely its functionality with the stylus. I found the computerized pen very efficient and the computer could easily decipher my horrendous handwriting. All in all, my collective adventures with my Tablet PC, whom I have named Hamlet, have enlightened me in the world of technology and allowed me to accomplish the unthinkable, the remarkable, and the extraordinary.”

Further, the description of collaboration methods is both informative and enlightening. And excellent read.

Thanks to Lora Heiny for sending this along.

- Warner Crocker

Yesterday we posted about the availablity of Office Mobile 6.1 as an upgrade for those who have a licensed version of version 6 on their mobile devices. The info and download link for that post is now broken and Microsoft seems to have pulled the update.

This morning, Kevin Tofel of jkOnTheRun is sharing some additional information on this:

"Office Mobile has always been provided as an optional license for our partners so they can create a custom portfolio. That means that not all Windows Mobile devices have a full version (editing and creation capabilities) of Office mobile on their device. The full version of Office Mobile is being made available as a standalone application for Windows Mobile 6 (Standard and Professional) and Windows Mobile 5.0 Professional devices that do not have the application on their device. Pricing and exact availability are still being determined, but things are close."

Looks like changes are afoot, so we’ll keep you updated as we know more.

UPDATE: From NeoWin comes word that the info put out yesterday from Microsoft was just a bit too hasty and was accidentally leaked by a Microsoft employee. The download page was only supposed to be available for internal testing.

- Rob Bushway

Continuing a look at several BlueTooth headset options that are out there, here is a quick look at the Cardo S2 wrap around BlueTooth headset. Certainly not a headset option for driving around, but the Cardo S2 does the job if you’re looking to consume some media. It pairs up nicely with all of my devices, has good sound quality (but doesn’t suppress outside noise) and is very light and comfortable to wear.

- Warner Crocker

Daniel (aka Thoughtfix) is attending and blogging from Nokia Unlocked, a conference that is focusing on Nokia’s approach to mobile devices. (The title is certainly interesting giving all of the news about Apple’s clamp down on unlocked iPhones with the latest update.) He’s posted a mini-wrapup that includes a couple of interesting points.

1. Nokia is very grateful for the community that sprung up around the device for helping to show the viability of the platform.
2. Nokia’s next “Internet Tablet device (MID?)” will be more consumer orientated and take less “hacking” from the user to take advantage of its potential.

We’ve been saying it for awhile here, (most recently in our last GBM Podcast) keep an eye on Nokia when you’re thinking about mobile devices for the future.

- Rob Bushway

In a sign that they are listening to OEM and customer feedback regarding Vista, Microsoft issued this press release today announcing that they are extending the availability of Windows XP through June 30, 2008.

In an effort to respond to feedback the company is hearing from its customers and partners, Microsoft is extending availability of Windows XP editions among original equipment manufacturers (OEM) and retail channels for an additional five months to June 30, 2008. In addition, the company will continue to offer Windows XP Starter Edition in emerging markets where it is currently available for the rapidly growing class of hardware-constrained ultra-low cost PCs until June 30, 2010.

- Matt Faulkner

There really isn't much content other than a short description in the post on YouTube.  And I thought I enjoyed my 24" widescreen hooked up to my Tablet PC...

This movie shows the development of a visualization system of massive image data for tiled displays which uses a Tablet PC as the source for image input and also user interface. The proposed system is able to simultaneously handle multiple user interaction to the tiled displays as well as it is possible to use the TabletPC as a private environment. In addition, it enables the users to make hand-written annotations. I believe that this system can greatly improve the efficiency of your collaborative work when using tiled displays.

 

- Matt Faulkner

We are all about being mobile here on GottaBeMobile, and one thing about being mobile is that often there are times when being able to watch some of your favorite shows can't happen.  Enter the Slingbox - The Slingbox will allow you to watch your show almost anywhere.  With the help of a Tablet PC, UMPC, desktop, regular laptop or phone - and some type of data connection - the Slingplayer on the mobile device will allow you to stream what's on your TV with some great results.

In this InkShow I have the Slingplayer on my Tablet PC (Lenovo x61), UMPC (Asus R2h) and my Treo 750.  I take you for a overview on a large 22" widescreen for when you are at home and want to watch your show on your wired network.  I also take the Tablet PC connected via my Cingular HSDPA card and show the Slingplayer running on the x61.  After the x61, I take the R2H for a spin on a wireless network and from there I view my TV on the Treo 750.

• Download the high res InkShow here: Windows Media, 14 minutes, 114mb

• Watch the embedded InkShow below

  
  Click To Play

  All GottaBeMobile.com InkShows are sponsored by

  

- Warner Crocker

Microsoft has rolled out an upgrade to Office Mobile 6.0 that now allows you to read native Microsoft Office 2007 file formats. If you recall, Office 2007 introduced a new file format based on Open XML, but the new file format at the launch of Office 2007 wasn’t available on other platforms. Of course there was a work around by simply saving Office documents in an earlier compatibile format.

Well, for Windows Mobile users you can now use the native Office 2007 format in Windows Mobile with Office Mobile 6.1. You’ll need to have Office Mobile 6.0 installed to use the upgrade, or purchase a version of Office Mobile 6.0 to use this.

Read more about it or download here.

UPDATE: Looks like changes are afoot here, as Microsoft has pulled the info and download page. We'll post more as we have it.

- Warner Crocker

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

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

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

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

- Rob Bushway

Being a multiple Tablet PC person right now and suffering through the effects of having an integrated broadband account being tied to just my OQO Model 02, I'm definitely seeing the value in a more portable WWAN connectivity solution. This new USB Wireless modem, which will sell for $149.99, just announced by Verizon looks intriguing since it will also double as a device:

Verizon Wireless, the leading wireless company with the nation's most reliable wireless voice and data network, today announced the availability of the USB727 Modem. Developed by Novatel Wireless , a leading provider of wireless broadband solutions, and carrying the distinction of being the world's smallest Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO) Revolution A (Rev. A) modem stick, the USB727 features an integrated microSD(TM) slot, allowing for the seamless storage and transport of up to 4 GB of files, photos or videos. Customers may purchase the USB727 Modem today online at http://www.verizonwireless.com and through Verizon Wireless' business sales channels. USB727 Modem will be in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores including those in Circuit City on October 5.

The USB727 is designed to work with any computing device equipped with a Type A USB port -- including most desktops, notebooks, and tablet PCs -- and provides on-the-go access to Verizon Wireless' national high-speed wireless broadband network. With out-of-box support for most operating systems, including Windows(R) (Vista, XP, 2000), Mac(R) and Linux, the USB727 enables Verizon Wireless customers to stay connected to online resources with speeds and performance similar to those of traditional cable or DSL connections.

The USB727 is optimized for Verizon Wireless' EV-DO Rev.

- Warner Crocker

Rob reported about Sprint’s WiMax news with Nokia yesterday. Turns out Sprint might be spilling the beans on some potential Ultra-Mobile PCs from some new players in one of their press releases. Kevin Tofel of jkOnTheRun picked up this paragraph:

"PC manufacturers Acer, Asus, Lenovo, Panasonic and Toshiba have expressed intent to embed WiMAX into their next generation Intel Centrino-based laptops and ultra mobile PCs in 2008, so these devices can connect with the Xohm WiMAX network."

Some interesting names on that list, but the phrasing leaves a lot to speculation. (The bold highlights are mine.)

 

- Warner Crocker

Fascinating. CTitanic has a very powerful pictorial that shows off the before and after of a company making a transition from conventional PCs to UMPCs. Agromillora Catalana SA is a High Tech Nursery that recently made the switch from all PCs to TabletKiosk eo V7110 UMPCs. 

 

 

- Warner Crocker

William at The Student Tablet PC has put up an informative post for those who might be taking a look at purchasing a Tablet PC second hand. From a student’s perspective, (or anyone who is lacking the cash to purchase something new) he offers some good insights into why a used (but much loved by its previous owner) Tablet PC might just serve your needs. Worth a read if you are in the market.

- Rob Bushway

Tis' the day for tablet news!

This in from Reuters, which confirms what Thoughtfix uncovered yesterday from the FCC regarding Nokia's latest Internet Tablet due next year:

Intel Corp. said on Wednesday it had won a mobile WiMax chip order from cellphone maker Nokia, which will use its semiconductors in Internet-focused devices from 2008.

Nokia will roll out the first WiMax-enabled Internet tablets using Intel chips in the first half of 2008, a Nokia spokeswoman told Reuters.

- Matt Faulkner

Well, just when you think you have seen it all...  Thoughtfix comes up and trumps it! What is it??  He calls it a 2NITS - Two Nokia Tablets and an iPod Touch.  This is what is in the car:

Nokia 770 Internet Tablet running Carman

Nokia N800 Internet Tablet running Navicore

iPod touch playing music

Motorola Q

Harman Kardon Drive+Play (attached to the iPod mini in the glove compartment - not used for the video)

And I thought I was cool and innovative with my Asus R2H mounted in the dash for a GPS device...  Check out the video below! Also, check out his site for a link to some photos of the mod.

- Rob Bushway

AppleInsider has all the juicy details on what Apple is cooking up as their answer to the UMPC. AI calls it the return of the Newton, building on the features of the iPhone and iPod Touch. The picture below is an artist rendition, by AudioPollution / AppleInsider, of what it might look like, to scale.

Talk about a game-changer...

With the initial iPhone now out the door and two successive models well underway in Apple's labs, it's believed to be full steam ahead for the modern day Newton project. Like iPhone and the iPod touch, the new device runs an embedded version of Apple's Mac OS X Leopard operating system.

Externally, the multi-touch PDA has been described by sources as an ultra-thin "slate" akin to the iPhone, about 1.5 times the size and sporting an approximate 720x480 high-resolution display that comprises almost the entire surface of the unit. The device is further believed to leverage multi-touch concepts which have yet to gain widespread adoption in Apple's existing multi-touch products -- the iPhone and iPod touch -- like drag-and-drop and copy-and-paste.

More broadly characterized as Apple's answer to the ultra-mobile PC, the next-gen device is believed to be tracking for a release sometime in the first half of 2008. Assuming the project remains clear of roadblocks, sources believe it could make an inaugural appearance during Jobs' Macworld keynote in January alongside some new Mac offerings.

- Matt Faulkner

In the GottaBeMobile.com Podcast #34, Warner and I chat about quite a few things that have been running around the Internet for the past week.  Before we get into that though, we talk about the new upgrades that just happened in the GBM Forums.  We have our thoughts on the new style and some of the new features that were included in this upgrade.  After that, we discuss the MID's that were released during this past week at the Intel Conference.  MIDs are going to play a big role in the future of 'mobile' technology and we share our thoughts - the good and the bad.  Speaking of the future of 'mobile', Warner and I also talk about Vista and it being a platform for a mobile computer.  There are some issues that we all know, but we stick with it and with SP1 right around the corner (Beta released the day of the Podcast) how will that change things??

Show Notes for this episode:

• New forums - check them out
• MID Discussion
• N800
• Vista Information discussed in Podcast

So have a listen, tell us what you think and enjoy the show, because we always enjoy putting them together for all of you!!

Download or listen to this GBM Podcast here (42.1mb, 45:55 minutes, mp3 format) or you can subscribe to our GBM Podcasts in iTunes or via your favorite podcatcher at this link.