Toshiba has designed the M750 for the rigors of road use, employing strong magnesium alloy for Asus EPCthe shell; shock-absorbing materials for the hard drive, LCD panel, and chassis; a 3D accelerometer to protect the hard drive heads and platters in the event of a drop; and equipping the M750 with a spill-resistant keyboard. The keyboard is comfortable and has full-size letter keys, though the ancillary keys are a bit truncated. As with other business-oriented portables, the M750 has no dedicated multimedia control keys, but Toshiba does include a volume wheel on the front edge.
Using the M750 in tablet mode is intuitive and enjoyable. You can use your finger to single- and double-click onscreen menu choices and the like, and we found the sensitivity and accuracy spot-on.
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Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Netbooks Hurting Notebooks; Will They Also Kill the MID Market?
It’s already safe to say that netbooks are taking a bite out of notebooks. Windows XP is on the majority of netbooks and Microsoft has already seen a decline in OS revenues because they can’t sell a $300 operating system on a $300 device. Add in the worldwide economic crisis and you’re seeing some people opt for cheaper computers that can handle most everyday tasks.
What about the MID or Mobile Internet
Device market? I’m of the general opinion that the main difference between the MID and smartphone market is that one offers traditional voice calling and one doesn’t. Neither device runs a fully-scaled desktop OS and frankly, neither should. Yet both handheld devices are highly portable, offer web browsing and are in the same general price range as netbooks. So could the netbook start eating into the MID market which got off to a relatively slow start before netbooks even arrived?
What about the MID or Mobile Internet
Device market? I’m of the general opinion that the main difference between the MID and smartphone market is that one offers traditional voice calling and one doesn’t. Neither device runs a fully-scaled desktop OS and frankly, neither should. Yet both handheld devices are highly portable, offer web browsing and are in the same general price range as netbooks. So could the netbook start eating into the MID market which got off to a relatively slow start before netbooks even arrived?
Apple awarded comprehensive iPhone multi-touch patent
Apple has been awarded a United States patent covering the iPhone and its multi-touch interface. Patent no. 7,479,949, titled “Touch screen device, method, and graphical user interface for determining commands by applying heuristics,” details nearly every aspect of the iPhone’s graphical user interface across its 350+ pages. Apple CEO Steve Jobs is listed prominently among the patent’s inventors; the patent also gives Apple extra leverage in fighting off companies which copy iPhone features, as COO Tim Cook alluded to in last week’s Q1 2009 Conference Call. Given the breadth of the patent, however, it’s unclear how successful Apple will be in protecting specific aspects of the iPhone interface; the patent does not necessarily cover every single element disclosed therein.
Sony patent combines printer with touchscreen photo editing
A new patent filed by Sony in the U.S. points to one possible future direction for photo printers.
The new printer concept combines a large touchscreen panel with the printing unit and also seems to borrow some elements from Microsoft Surface. As the image above shows, the touchscreen would sit on top of the printer lid. Your camera is then placed on the screen and gives access to the images stored on it.
The touchscreen looks like it will act as an editing area for each image. You can scroll through the images and then view a particular one full-screen, touch up sections that need attention, select areas of a picture, and then print it.
If the printer was ever made it would form an all-in-one printing and editing unit that is small enough to carry around – like a tablet PC, while offering the ability to edit and print without the need for a PC.
The new printer concept combines a large touchscreen panel with the printing unit and also seems to borrow some elements from Microsoft Surface. As the image above shows, the touchscreen would sit on top of the printer lid. Your camera is then placed on the screen and gives access to the images stored on it.
The touchscreen looks like it will act as an editing area for each image. You can scroll through the images and then view a particular one full-screen, touch up sections that need attention, select areas of a picture, and then print it.
If the printer was ever made it would form an all-in-one printing and editing unit that is small enough to carry around – like a tablet PC, while offering the ability to edit and print without the need for a PC.
Open house Feb. 12 to introduce campus community to Tablet PCs as teaching tools
Appalachian State University
Faculty, students and administrators are invited to attend an open house in the Hayes School of Music Feb. 12 to learn about the school’s pedagogy and technology classroom and tutoring lab. The open house will be held from 4:30-6 p.m. in Room 204 in Broyhill Music Center.
Jennifer Snodgrass, an assistant professor in the Hayes School of Music, will demonstrate ways she and her students use Tablet PC laptop computers in the classroom. Snodgrass uses the technology to teach music theory classes.
“We want the campus community to see what we do, how you can use Tablet PCs to deliver instruction, and how effective our tutoring center has been,” Snodgrass said.
Funding for the Tablet PCs used in the classroom was made possible by a grant from Microsoft, an Appalachian Foundation Fellows Grant, and funding from the Office of Academic Affairs and the Hayes School of Music.
Snodgrass says the technology enables her to cover more material in class, and that her students are more engaged in learning when using the Tablet PCs.
Snodgrass and graduate student Jeff Lazenby were recognized as educators of the month for January by DyKnow, a software company that specializes in interactive software used in the digital classroom. DyKnow plans to conduct a case study of ways their software is used in Snograss’s music theory classes.
In addition to the open house, Snodgrass and Lazenby will lead a workshop on using Tablet PCs Feb. 5 at 4 p.m. in Room 204 in Broyhill Music Center.
Faculty, students and administrators are invited to attend an open house in the Hayes School of Music Feb. 12 to learn about the school’s pedagogy and technology classroom and tutoring lab. The open house will be held from 4:30-6 p.m. in Room 204 in Broyhill Music Center.
Jennifer Snodgrass, an assistant professor in the Hayes School of Music, will demonstrate ways she and her students use Tablet PC laptop computers in the classroom. Snodgrass uses the technology to teach music theory classes.
“We want the campus community to see what we do, how you can use Tablet PCs to deliver instruction, and how effective our tutoring center has been,” Snodgrass said.
Funding for the Tablet PCs used in the classroom was made possible by a grant from Microsoft, an Appalachian Foundation Fellows Grant, and funding from the Office of Academic Affairs and the Hayes School of Music.
Snodgrass says the technology enables her to cover more material in class, and that her students are more engaged in learning when using the Tablet PCs.
Snodgrass and graduate student Jeff Lazenby were recognized as educators of the month for January by DyKnow, a software company that specializes in interactive software used in the digital classroom. DyKnow plans to conduct a case study of ways their software is used in Snograss’s music theory classes.
In addition to the open house, Snodgrass and Lazenby will lead a workshop on using Tablet PCs Feb. 5 at 4 p.m. in Room 204 in Broyhill Music Center.
Acer Ferrari 1200
Acer Acer Ferrari 1200 Ultraportable
Acer, the third largest vendor in the global PC market (source: Gartner data, 1H 2008) today presented the new Ferrari 1200, an all-new notebook series designed to deliver mobile computing superiority in an exclusive style.
In the true spirit of the Ferrari racing team, the Acer Ferrari 1200 notebook combines powerful performance and extreme portability with the excellence of design. From the choice of materials to the smallest detail, the Ferrari 1200 conveys the look and feel of a F1 racecar. The carbon-fibre cover, a material actually used in racecars, is lighter yet stronger than magnesium alloy, making the Ferrari 1200 the perfect travel companion. Unique ventilation design echoes the exhaust pipes of F1 cars and the anodized-metal touchpad resembles the brake and acceleration pedals ofa Ferrari car. A tasteful wave pattern embellishes the cover, while the soft-touch coating and the velvety texture of the interior ensure ergonomic comfort.
Peak digital entertainment
Mobile, versatile and powerful, the Ferrari 1200 enables users to reach new levels of high-powered entertainment. Without sacrificing portability, the Ferrari 1200 includes an integrated slot-loaded DVD SuperMulti optical drive and 2nd generation Dolby Home Theater for true multimedia enjoyment. A wide-aspect 12.1 Acer CrystalBrite LCD with white LED backlight displays business and creative content with superb clarity. LED backlight technology also consumes less power than traditionally lit displays. Together with energy star compliance the Ferrari 1200 helps reduce CO2 emissions.
Exclusive peripherals
The high-tech yet classy design is mirrored in the exclusive Ferrari peripherals, that include the bundled Bluetooth™ wireless mouse and optional Xpress VoIP phone. Emblazoned with Acer and Ferrari Racing Shield logos, they are both covered with a soft-touch coating for a comfortable feel and touch.
Acer, the third largest vendor in the global PC market (source: Gartner data, 1H 2008) today presented the new Ferrari 1200, an all-new notebook series designed to deliver mobile computing superiority in an exclusive style.
In the true spirit of the Ferrari racing team, the Acer Ferrari 1200 notebook combines powerful performance and extreme portability with the excellence of design. From the choice of materials to the smallest detail, the Ferrari 1200 conveys the look and feel of a F1 racecar. The carbon-fibre cover, a material actually used in racecars, is lighter yet stronger than magnesium alloy, making the Ferrari 1200 the perfect travel companion. Unique ventilation design echoes the exhaust pipes of F1 cars and the anodized-metal touchpad resembles the brake and acceleration pedals ofa Ferrari car. A tasteful wave pattern embellishes the cover, while the soft-touch coating and the velvety texture of the interior ensure ergonomic comfort.
Peak digital entertainment
Mobile, versatile and powerful, the Ferrari 1200 enables users to reach new levels of high-powered entertainment. Without sacrificing portability, the Ferrari 1200 includes an integrated slot-loaded DVD SuperMulti optical drive and 2nd generation Dolby Home Theater for true multimedia enjoyment. A wide-aspect 12.1 Acer CrystalBrite LCD with white LED backlight displays business and creative content with superb clarity. LED backlight technology also consumes less power than traditionally lit displays. Together with energy star compliance the Ferrari 1200 helps reduce CO2 emissions.
Exclusive peripherals
The high-tech yet classy design is mirrored in the exclusive Ferrari peripherals, that include the bundled Bluetooth™ wireless mouse and optional Xpress VoIP phone. Emblazoned with Acer and Ferrari Racing Shield logos, they are both covered with a soft-touch coating for a comfortable feel and touch.
GBM Inkshow: Fujitsu LifeBook U820
GBM Inkshow: Fujitsu LifeBook U820Gotta Be Mobile
n this Inkshow, I take a look at the Fujitsu Lifebook U820, a tablet UMPC/MID released at the end of 2008 that employs Intel’s Atom Z530 processor. Besides almost making me blind as I to tried to read the tiny 5.6″ screen supporting 1280×800 pixels upon unboxing, the U820 runs Vista Business on only 1.6GHz of a single core processor utilizing 1GB of RAM
n this Inkshow, I take a look at the Fujitsu Lifebook U820, a tablet UMPC/MID released at the end of 2008 that employs Intel’s Atom Z530 processor. Besides almost making me blind as I to tried to read the tiny 5.6″ screen supporting 1280×800 pixels upon unboxing, the U820 runs Vista Business on only 1.6GHz of a single core processor utilizing 1GB of RAM
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