UltraMobilePCs.com New Archive

July 2007

July 2 , 2007

Fujitsu Launches World's Smallest Tablet-convertible UMPC
Hardware Zone

Fujitsu PC Asia Pacific today proudly launches its first ever ultra mobile PC series, the futuristically-inspired LifeBook U1010. Created explicitly for the tech lover, mobile executives and field professionals, this small wonder ends your search for the ultimate mobile entertainment device. Bundled with optimum capabilities in its svelte frame, this compact gadget is set to impress!

Staying true to Fujitsu’s thin and lightweight motto, the LifeBook U1010 weighs just over half a kilogram, thanks to its high density mounting technology and lightweight, 0.3mm glass LCD screen. But don’t be fooled by its petite frame. This mini powerhouse can handle multiple operational possibilities like watching movies and listening to music, viewing and editing documents, video-conferencing as well as surfing the Internet – all that you can do on your hand-held, tablet and notebook PC! What’s more, it comes with a newly designed, ultra slim 0.2mm aluminum plated QWERTY keyboard, which does not add to the device’s weight or thickness. The U1010, world’s smallest in its class , is among the very few UMPCs which has such an astounding feature.

An even greater delight is the device’s convertible, swivel form factor – a first in the UMPC market – which gives you the flexibility of using the LifeBook U1010 like a hand-held, tablet or notebook PC. To top things off, it has a Palm Resistance touch screen that allows your fingers to do the walking, in the absence of a stylus. Just touch and go.

July 3 , 2007

Dreaming of the Ultimate UMPC
Warner Crocker

I’ve had the luxury of having my hands on a few UMPCs (not as many as some around TeamGBM) and you know what? I still haven’t found what for me is the ultimate UMPC. I love the Inking on the Asus R2H, can’t stand it on the Samsung Q1P or the Ultra. Love they keyboard on the OQO Model 02, not the one on the Q1 Ultra. I could go on and on. Some times I lay awake nights wondering if there ever will be the Ultimate UMPC for me. Drives my wife nuts.

July 4 , 2007

July 5 , 2007

Fujitsu LifeBook U1010 Smallest Tablet Convertible UMPC Launches in Oz
digitalreviews.net

Revel in Your Work and Life with the Fujitsu LifeBook U1010 – World’s smallest* tablet-convertible UMPC in the Palm of Your Hands

Sydney, Australia, July 04, 2007 – Fujitsu PC Australia today proudly launches its first ever ultra mobile PC series, the futuristically-inspired LifeBook U1010. Created explicitly for the tech lover, mobile executives and field professionals, this small wonder ends your search for the ultimate mobile entertainment device. Bundled with optimum capabilities in its svelte frame, this compact gadget is set to impress!

Staying true to Fujitsu’s thin and lightweight motto, the LifeBook U1010 weighs just over half a kilogram, thanks to its high density mounting technology and lightweight, 0.3mm glass LCD screen. But don’t be fooled by its petite frame. This mini powerhouse can handle multiple operational possibilities like watching movies and listening to music, viewing and editing documents, video-conferencing as well as surfing the Internet – all that you can do on your hand-held, tablet and notebook PC! What’s more, it comes with a newly designed, ultra slim 0.2mm aluminum plated QWERTY keyboard, which does not add to the device’s weight or thickness. The U1010, world’s smallest in its class , is among the very few UMPCs which has such an astounding feature.

An even greater delight is the device’s convertible, swivel form factor – a first in the UMPC market – which gives you the flexibility of using the LifeBook U1010 like a hand-held, tablet or notebook PC. To top things off, it has a Palm Resistance touch screen that allows your fingers to do the walking, in the absence of a stylus. Just touch and go. Its unique Glide Point Pointing device also makes interaction with your personal companion that much easier.

Add a thumb-board to any UMPC
By James Kendrick

Samsung really ratcheted up the thumb-board/ no thumb-board debate with the introduction of the Ultra Q1 UMPC. The unique split thumb-board certainly has birthed many debates over the utility that tiny keyboards bring to the UMPC platform. One thing that these debates seems to verify is that when you really need a little keyboard it's great to have one handy. The folks at Freedom feel the same way and have released the Freedom Mini Duo Bluetooth keyboard , a keyboard that folds up to the size of a credit card. The theory is if your UMPC (or other Bluetooth-enabled device) doesn't have a thumb-board and you need to tap out some text you can simply pull this baby out of your pocket or bag and have an instant keyboard available. The design of the Freedom thumb-board seems perfect for two-handed thumb input so it may even be more useful than the split design of the Samsung Ultra. It will set you back GBP50, or about $100.

July 10 , 2007

Fujitsu LifeBook U1010 Ultra Mobile PC
MobileTechReview

Fujitsu's new LifeBook U1010 is a tablet convertible UMPC that runs on UMPC platform with Windows Vista and has 5.6 inch display. It's currently available in Asia market

It's a Hand-held. It's a Tablet. It's a Notebook. The LifeBook U1010 deftly exhibits chameleon-like versatility with its multi-functional design. Handle it like a Hand-held when you're on the move. Twist the screen, and it becomes a Tablet PC with pen input. Use it like a notebook, with a Qwerty keyboard. The LifeBook U1010 equates unparalleled fun, and maximum functionality. Anywhere.

USB Duet™ Technology

USB is ubiquitous today. This technology is most popular in consumer devices and gadgets, such as digital cameras, flash drives, mobile phones, and printers. USB Duet Technology from PLX adds a USB client port (like on digital cameras) to a mobile PC system and enables the port to have multiple functions such as sharing files and peripherals. Its familiar usage models (e.g. mass storage) and plug-and-play capabilities allow instant usability.

step by step video showing how the EZ-Dock can be used with the UMPC

July 11 , 2007

How to modify, add or remove a touchscreen virtual mouse
JKontherun

"So how do I add / remove / modify that virtual mouse on my touchscreen tablet?" I've seen this question quite often lately and while it's easy to explain the answer, it's even easier to show the answer.

This is the little virtual mouse we early Vista adapters saw (and wonder about) when we upgraded our touchscreen Tablets and UMPCs. For the life of me, I couldn't readily find the settings for it and based on the e-mails I've received, I suspect others are having the same problem.   

Part of the issue is that the on-screen or virtual mouse is called the "Touch Pointer", which is only descriptive after you know what it's referring to. In some cases, you can also show or hide this virtual mouse using a tray icon if your environment supports it. I've found that the setting doesn't "stick" however, meaning that once you reboot, that virtual rodent reappears. 

On behalf of our readers a big Thank You goes out to Kevin C. Tofel

July 16 , 2007

Some Random Sunday Thinking On Tablet PCs and UMPCs
Gotta Be Mobile

Just some random thinking on Tablet PCs and UMPCs on a Sunday. It might be worth sharing, it might not.

• I still enjoy the freedom a Tablet PC gives me in the workplace. Every day.
• I’m increasingly trying to integrate a UMPC in those same situations but find that a UMPC is becoming a one task (note taking in OneNote 2007) device in most circumstances.
• I still wish Inking on a Tablet PC was more integrated in the OS and thus more transparent.
• I still enjoy relaxing with a Tablet PC in slate mode and perusing the Internet or reading feeds. That is a singular joy for me.
• Touch on a UMPC is becoming more of a use to me as a navigational tool the more I use it.
• Touch on a UMPC still has a long way to go.
• Isn’t there some happy medium between “hard touch” and “soft touch?” “Hard Touch”  works better for me in Inking notes. “Soft touch” is useless in this case in my experience.
• Small may be in, but I find that using a 12” convertible Tablet PC offers me less frustration than using a UMPC.

Editors Note:  I agree with Warner on all of the above!

July 17 , 2007

GottaBeMobile Software InkShow: Touch and Google Maps on a UMPC
Gotta Be Mobile

With the release of the iPhone, Google Maps added some new features for that little heard of device. One of those features added is the ability to shift a route on the fly using drag and drop. Basically you can click on a route that is displayed and drag and drop it to the road you wish to take. That sounds very handy and also something that should in theory work on a UMPC or other touchscreen.

I thought I’d give this a shot on a UMPC using the touchscreen to see how well it would work. I used the Samsung Q1P to do this. (The Asus R2H running Vista and Camtasia Studio is just too slow to really show how this works.) In this very short InkShow I demonstrate it in both IE and Firefox.

Watch or download the High Res version  (5:16 minutes, 32.2mb, Windows Media streaming or direct download)

July 18, 2007

Voice controlled wheelchair, thanks to UMPC
ultramobilelife.com

This powered wheelchair is equipped with a UMPC which interprets voice commands and controls the motion of the wheelchair. The UMPC has a customized GUI on it for controlling the chair as well. On top of controlling the wheelchair, the UMPC can also be used as a regular computer for internet access, productivity or entertainment. Think about the development costs that Think-a-Move has saved thanks to this form factor. Previously, to get a controller this size they'd have to source a custom embedded solution that in the end may not even have all of the capabilities of the UMPC. I think it's amazing that we are finding so many novel uses for the UMPC as it begins to enter more and more into mainstream consciousness.

10 Things - Using checkboxes on the Tablet PC & UMPC
Nick White

If you've used Windows XP on a Tablet PC, then you're probably aware that it wasn't very easy to select multiple files when in Tablet mode.  Luckily, Windows Vista changed this to make it a lot easier to navigate via Windows Explorer and use the Tablet functionality of your Tablet PC.  It may not seem like a big difference at first glance, but it matters.

When you hover over any group of files with your Tablet PC pen, a checkbox appears to the left of the file.  Tapping this box will check it and allow you to continue selecting more files.  Once all the files you need are selected, you can then move, copy or delete them as a single group.

July 19, 2007

Q1 Ultra-V ultra mobile PC
PC World

Designed to supplement--not replace--a notebook or desktop PC, the Q1 Ultra-V combines the functionality of a PDA with that of a notebook, according to Samsung. It packs a 60GB hard drive, measures just 9 by 5.5 by 1.25 inches, and weighs only 1.5 pounds. Unfortunately, it is inappropriately saddled with Windows Vista Home Premium Edition, which seems to plunge every function into a molasses bath. Samsung claims that its AVStation Now software can run movies, music, or photos without performing a full Windows boot; but I found that it booted Windows and took more than 3 minutes to load--2 minutes longer than a normal Windows boot. A dedicated AV button on the Q1 Ultra-V's side launches this multimedia package.

July 21, 2007

The Media Center Show #115 Kevin Tofel on UMPCs
thedigitalifestyle.com

The Media Center Show is a weekly podcast focusing on Digital Media and Windows Media Center. Guests ranging from Microsoft Media Center developers, to manufactures and 3rd party developers chat about how to get the most out of your Media Center and live the digital lifestyle Hosted by Ian Dixon in Audio and Video

This week podcaster and blogger Kevin Tofel joins me to talk about UMPCs (Ultra Mobile PC). We talk about the different devices available, what you can do with them and how you can use them with Windows Media Center

Call for Best Mobile PC Practices
Tablet PC In Education Blog

Here's a chance for educators using Tablet PCs, Ultra-Mobile PCs, and other mobile PCs in classrooms to share your best practices.

T.H.E. Journal is currently looking for the following types of articles for future issues and for our eNewsletter, T.H.E. SmartClassroom:

School Perspectives - discuss a specific topic, trend, or concern about education technology.

Case Studies - have you implemented technology and learned a lot from the experience? If so, share your efforts about what worked -- and what didn't.

If you have a potential article, or questions about the above topics, please e-mail editorial@thejournal.com

Tableteers have valuable experiences that others can emulate. Consider passing it on, so more students may increase their rates of learning as have your students.

July 24, 2007

This looks like it will be of use. Frank “CTitanic” Garica is linking to a utility from TodoUMPC team member Angel Garcia called Tablet_FnKey, that from what I can tell allows users to reassign alternate actions to hardware keys and buttons. It looks like you need a FN key press in combo to call the action. According to the notes, it works in both XP and Vista. I haven’t had time to try this out, so if you do, report back and let us know what you think.

July 31, 2007

Citizen's CMP-10 Mobile Printer Teams With TabletKiosk's eo(TM(TM) Line Of Ultra-Mobile PC's for the Ultimate in On the Go Computing and Printing
TMC Net

Citizen Systems America Corporation (CSA), a supplier of world-class printing solutions, is proud to announce its partnership with TabletKiosk, maker of ultra-mobile computing solutions. Both devices feature ultra-compact and wireless connectivity giving end users the ultimate in portable computing and printing.

When you combine one of our eo(TM) line of ultra-mobile PC's with a Citizen CMP-10 printer it opens up a whole new world of POS possibilities," says Martin Smekal president of TabletKiosk. "For instance a waitress using this system could take a customer's order, send it to the kitchen, print out a bill and process and print out a credit card receipt without ever leaving the tableside."