South Australia sees first Ultra Mobile PC


One thing I am an absolute sucker for is "enthusiasm," or for fans of Anthony Robbins, Im talking "passion!" With the permission of the sender I am publishing an email I received today (rather unsolicited) from a new UMPC owner.

I thought it was really creepy cool and showed just how transformational your first UMPC experience might actually be. For those of you that own an Ultra Mobile PC I apologies for preaching to the choir; but for those that don’t, this is perhaps an indication of what you might be install for.

The original email:

Hi Hugo

Today is a big day for me, because i just recived my new eo7110 (white)!!!
This is the best pc ever, and I thank you for bringing these to Australia.
there is a bit of learning involved (with the touch screen) but im loving it.

Greg swift told me that this is the first one sold in SA. I like that,and i will be showing many people about the wonders of umpcs

here are two pics, 1) me and Greg in a cafe (where it all
happend) 2) my sister with her new pc, on the way home...

i have decided to call my new eo hugo because it is because of you that we have the eo is Australia! (hope this is ok)

well must carry on playing (um working)

Thanks again,
Jordan Weier


ps, this email comes from the eo...



As JK says, “I love what I do!”
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CeBIT Fair is back and so am I

CeBIT Fair is just around the corner and there is a real buzz in the air. I have been asked to play a significant role again so sleep is really something I have little time for. For your own reference my duries include:




  • Official CeBIT Blogger - Part of a Team now after successfully launching the Official CeBIT Blog last year
  • Keynote Speaker – Given my success with the CeBIT Blog they want me to stand up next to the likes of Google folks and tell my story at the eMarketing Expo.
  • Bloggers Breakfast Host – I will be hosting an Official Breakfast to launch Blogger Zone (a CeBIT initiative designed to get bloggers blogging, FROM the show. (More on this soon)

I’ll keep you posted on how it all goes but for now all I can say is this: “thank God for the Samsung Q1P and 8 cell PowerBank. I’m gonna need it!”

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WATCH THIS SPACE


WATCH THIS SPACE

12th April 2007

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The Budget Tablet


Yesterday Augen – the company that had a run in with Google over the summer when their $150 Kmart tablet had unlicensed copies of the Google App Marketplace running on it – announced that they will be releasing a series of six Android Tablets with varying screen sizes.

The tablets in question will be broken down into Latte and Espresso Series. The Latte Series will feature Android 2.2, 2 GB of flash memory, and HDMI out. The memory may be limited, but an SD slot supporting 16 GB of external storage offers some room for expansion. The part of real interest? The Latte will only cost $200 – a super budget option that severely undercuts the advances being made by some other devices.

Additionally, the Gentouch line of tablets will offer some upgraded models, including a $250 Latte Grande with a higher resolution touch screen, and the Espresso line with the Cortex A9 1GHz processor selling for $350.

While the Gentouch line is not yet slated for a specific release date (probably Q4 this year or Q1 next year), it did get me thinking about the position that budget tablets could potential take up in the coming months.

Tablet computing is definitely catching on. Users with subsidized smartphones are getting used to having a powerful device in their pockets that cost them less than $200. Unfortunately, this means that manufacturers are driving to cut prices severely and offer budget items with less features and scaled back functionality – it hinders ingenuity in a lot of ways.

Millions will see the sleek design and mobile possibilities of tablets like the iPad or Galaxy and will wonder how they can get their hands on a similar product. A budget option sold through retailers like Kmart or Walmart stands to be a potentially popular alternative to the devices that right now sell for more than most subsidized phones, game consoles and even television sets, but this only hurts the industry.

A computer, even a tablet device, is a rare purchase. It is a piece of technology that will provide value for months or even years to come. By investing in a device that doesn’t do quite as much to save a few dollars, manufacturers using shortcuts are rewarded and encouraged to continue reducing quality to make more money.

For sure, there is a market for budget tablets, but can a budget tablet offer enough features to be more than just a fancy toy? Android is likely the solution as an open source platform, with scalability through the Android App Marketplace. Storage expansion is also a must. An SD slot allows manufacturers to skip the cost of internal storage and focus instead on providing an intuitive, graphically pleasing display.

There is a definite future for tablets that can effectively replace a desktop PC – providing a range of powerful tools and features. But, what does the casual tablet user need? It’s important that consumers do their research and make informed decisions such that they can inform the market of the tools and features they need without supporting an undercut in quality by manufacturers.

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Dr Neils notes show 7

Hi Guys!

Dr. Neil has released the latest version of Dr. Neils Notes Podcast. As always Dr. Neil has made the podcast as snappy and concise as possible for our listening pleasure. What I liked was his thoughts on UMPC "as a coffee table device." He also mentions MEDC in Australia, an event that I may tag along to, so stay tuned!

Enjoy:



Dr. Neils Notes 7
Show 7

  • Greetings from Seattle, Washington
  • Weekend in New York
  • Sync Center Web Cast
  • UMPC
  • CTIA Mobile.com
  • ViaVirtualEarth team members in Seattle
  • Virtual Earth Commercial useLive.com
  • MEDC Melbourne Australia, May 25th

Happy coding!

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Tegatech Australia announces 2nd sellout

It seems Tegatech Australia and Ultra Mobile PC are on-fire; Tegatech Australia has just announced another sellout, but this time of allocation number two. While Samsung still ponders the UMPC market in Australia, Tegatech Australia seems adamant in proving that Ultra Mobile PC has a place.

When asked exactly who is buying these devices Tegatech Australia is quite clear: "Our Resellers are targeting the Verticals and major Corporations. Medical, Finance, Gaming, Education and Realestate all seem to be hotspots. In recent times several Government Agencies have made enquiries too."

You tell me if Ultra Mobile PC has a space in Australia and New Zealand.

snipping:

ETA in Australia is end of April 2006. Units will be allocated on a priority basis to orders placed, and paid for, as of now 29th March 2006.

[UPDATE 13th April 2006 10:30am] First allocation of eo is sold out (in black) and we have 7 only left (in white). Second allocation is now ON SALE and due for delivery in Australia on the 19th of May 2006.

[UPDATE 28th April 2006 17:28] First allocation of eo is now completely sold out. Second allocation is now ON SALE and is already 20% sold out. Due to final retooling the first allocation is due for delivery in mid to late May 2006 and second allocation early June 2006.

[UPDATE 18th May 2006 16:33] Second allocation of eo is now completely sold out. The third allocation is now ON SALE. Due to final retooling the first allocation, and second allocation, are due for delivery in mid June 2006.
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Advanced Software Options for Tablet PCs


Right now, I feel like one of the major concerns users have with tablet PCs is that functionality will be hobbled with a touch screen. Most users are accustomed to the standard keyboard and mouse layout and using a traditional operating system like Windows 7 without those input devices seems like an awkward solution.

It might explain the popularity of the iPad and the increased demand for Android devices – those operating systems are designed exclusively for touch. And yet, especially in the case of the iOS software, simplicity in use of the touch screen has severely weakened the functionality of the device. Single tasking, the app interface, and limited expansion are all major gripes with the dedicated touch screen OS.

For enterprise users and personal users more demanding of their tech, the solution to me still remains Windows 7 or a Windows 7/ Android hybrid (as in the TegaV2). But, even with the added functionality and extreme permeability of both Windows and Android, there is a strong need for enhanced software that is 100% native to touch screens and yet takes full advantage of all the amazing things modern technology can do.

There are industries where tablet PCs could instantly increase productivity – such as in health care, education, and hospitality. But to make that dream a reality, there needs to be software that overlays the standard Windows 7 interface and makes it easier to complete tasks without watering down the device (as in the case of the iPad).

One of the best examples I can point to is Thinix Touch. Thinix Touch provides a more intuitive touch screen interface for a Windows based computer without sacrificing the features that we know and love about Windows. Multi-tasking, Windows software and easy access to your file systems are all still there, but with a touch oriented interface that is reminiscent of iOS or Android.



And the folks at Thinix are well aware of how expandable their software is. In September they released their Thinix Touch VDI software – allowing users to access virtual desktops in the same comfortable Thinix interface on a tablet PC. There are dozens of real world applications here, from health care to education, and business travel.

Another piece of software I feel represents the growing trend for power application on touch screen computers is Eyesboard. This software tool allows users to access a customizable on-screen keyboard that works with stylus or finger input, and can adjusted, changed in size, shifted to other languages, and much more.



Again, people like the interface that devices like the iPad offer, but beyond the aesthetically pleasing layout, the functionality is very limiting. So, having advanced software tools in place like Thinix or Eyesboard will allow users to enjoy that on-the-go, instant touch interface while still using a powerful device that can do everything they need of it.

I’m sure that’s why Tegatech included both pieces of software on the TegaV2 – they’re important and will help anyone get much more out of their tablet PC.
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