Tablet PC Launch Events

[Jason Dunn]

<a href="http://www.event-register.com/hp-tabletpc/index.htm">http://www.event-register.com/hp-tabletpc/index.htm</a><br /><br />The Tablet PC drum is starting to beat louder with the November 7th launch date looming. HP has a public event on November 6th - are they trying to steal Microsoft's thunder or what? At any rate, the event kicks off at 5 PM in New York City, so if you're in the area stop by and tell me what I missed. :wink: <br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/guywithtablet.jpg" /><br /><br />"Join Michael Capellas from 7:00pm to 8:30pm at the Hudson Theater as he rings in the new era of mobile computing at the Compaq Tablet PC Party - with special guests Dick Clark, Chubby Checker, Gary U.S. Bonds, and the Shirelles!"<br /><br />Tablet PCs and Chubby Checker? Old, new, it's all the same. Oh wait - maybe he'll start singing that "Let's twist again" song while Michael Capellas shakes his hips and transforms the HP Tablet PC from keyboard mode to monitor mode. Gosh, that would be fun to see. 8)

[Arne Hess]

What's wrong on the HP picture above!?
The guy use a landline phone instead of a HP WDA.
He has still a PC on his desk and why the hell he use his Tablet PC for Outlook!?

I would exchange one of my xda to the Tablet PC of that guy. With the xda he could make phone calls and use Outlook as well... :wink: and wouldn't need his Tablet anymore... :lol:

[splintercell]

I am going to the Philly launch event on November 8th. Our IT department is taking a nice leisurely road trip away from worries. And then a nice "business" lunch someplace along the way. :wink:

[Jonathan1]

HEH I've been so hyped over these things the last few months that I've almost convinced myself to just go out and buy one the day they came out. Then I remembered MS's track record on product released. Mainly that it usually does take them 3 attempts to get anything right. From Windows NT to Pocket PC to Tablet PC. So I think I need to step back from the buzz for a second and take a critical look at the Tablet PC. I'm going to hold off on one until I can walk into CompUSA or Best Buy and spend an hour playing with one.

My biggest concern is MS's disregard for handwriting recog. There are more then a few articles where MS has disregarded handwriting recog as the most important thing on the Tablet PC. *scratches head* Huh? What would happen if my keyboard only recognized 1 in 10 keystrokes? Handwriting recog IS the most important part of the device simply because it is the core method of interacting and inputting info into that device.

Personally I think when MS disregards something it usually means they can't get it to function right out of the box which could be a serious buzzkill for the Tablet PC.

What MS should have done is just gone to Apple and licensed whatever tech they used in the Newton's handwriting recog for the Tablet PC. TO date the software on my Newton is close to 90% accurate for me. Along with the previous “gripes” I also want to know:

How do device manufacturers plan to deal with the potential for the device to be scratched? Do they have a better surface? Writewrite for the Tablet PC? Since the pen uses a EM method of input it doesn’t require direct interaction with the surface so a cover of some sort should work. Last thing I want to do is spend 2K+ on a new device and scratch the bloody thing within a weeks time.

Is anyone else planning on releasing better handwriting recog? CalliGrapher for the Tablet PC anyone?

What companies are on board to support the Tablet PC. From what I’ve heard Adobe is going to be supporting it which should be interesting. Specialized version of Photoshop anyone? What other companies?


I don’t know. I’m cautiously optimistic with the Tablet PC. But I need to play with one before I make any decisions. If nothing else I may very well hold off until Dell decides to jump into the market. I’ve always been a big fan of Dell products. If they have decided to hold off on releasing a Tablet PC there usually is a good reason and that reason may very well apply to me as well. *shrugs* Time will tell. If anything I’m most likely going to stop by a CompUSA or Best By November 7th and see what they have to offer.

[This has been a Jonathan rambling. We now return you to your regularly scheduled posts]

[dochall]

I don’t know. I’m cautiously optimistic with the Tablet PC. But I need to play with one before I make any decisions.

I agree with most of your comments, but remember that this isn't MS's first attempt at pen computing. I'm currently looking at a new laptop. I was going to go for a lightweight one anyway so the tablet PC is right up my street.

I act as a consultant so attend a lot of meetings. Being able to take notes directly on the tablet PC is a real boon. Something I have tried on my PPC but no always with the greatest sucess. This could be particularly useful if a pen enabled version of visio is also available.

The other thing that actually really interests me is the use the tablet pc as an ebook reader. A full 12" inch screen will be a boon for reading and reviewing documents. Also having access to the Adobe ebook reader (as well as acrobat will change my whole computing experience.

I do hope it is a huge sucess, I can see a tablet pc/ppc combo providing so many potential solutions to the frustrations with a normal laptop/ppc combo.

Roll on November 7th. :D

[xnovax]

I have a friend who has been one of 80 or so "Microsoft Champions" for tablet computing. He's been living with one for months. This guy is a hard sell but he has embraced this device with a passion I've never heard from him before. (He's a techie for MS -- not a sales weenie.) He's convinced embedded XP is going to rule the tablet market space. It doesn't matter who the hardware vendors are. It will be interesting to watch this develop.

[Steven Cedrone]

My biggest concern is MS's disregard for handwriting recog. There are more then a few articles where MS has disregarded handwriting recog as the most important thing on the Tablet PC. *scratches head* Huh? What would happen if my keyboard only recognized 1 in 10 keystrokes? Handwriting recog IS the most important part of the device simply because it is the core method of interacting and inputting info into that device.

Huh?

Why would Microsoft disregard one of the biggest features of this device? AFAIK, Microsoft has pumped huge amounts of money into the handwriting recognition software on these units(I can even remember when they were taking handwriting samples years ago).

I saw dozens of people pick these up and use them, and the handwriting recognition was flawless (out of the box, no learning/teaching involved)...

Steve

[Sven Johannsen]

I haven't used a Tablet PC, which naturally comes with a version of XP with special addons just for the new UI you know, but I have used a Pocket PC for handwriting and the handwritting recognition capabilities of Office XP when coupled with a drawing tablet. I think the latter two are pretty darn good, so have no doubt the HWR will be quite good on the Tablet. It has to be... that is the intended use. I really enjoy handing my PPC, with Calligrapher, to someone who hasn't used one but knows about Palm Graffitti, "No, no special characters, just write. Yea, anywhere on the screen." Nine out of 10 times they're impressed. MS could never have sold a point and click interface if the mice didn't work. I don't think they'd release a Tablet that the input mechanism doesn't work.

BTW, I bet the guy in the picture isn't using a regular computer with a a Tablet PC. I bet that's a MIRA (remote display?) :).

[Jason Dunn]

Well, FWIW, on the demos I've seen the HWR is quite good - the correction tool looks great, which is the fatal flaw of Transcriber on the Pocket PC....

[David McNamee]

He has still a PC on his desk and why the hell he use his Tablet PC for Outlook!?

Maybe the idea is that the Tablet PC is what you live out of, and the desktop PC is used for specialized applications like financials, medical or CAD.

[SassKwatch]

Maybe the idea is that the Tablet PC is what you live out of, and the desktop PC is used for specialized applications like financials, medical or CAD.
I see the future a little differently. I.e., I see the desktop pc eventually becoming little more than a 'file server' of sorts...or maybe more accurately, a primary 'storage' device. And whatever mobile device the user chooses being the primary input and 'presentation' device.

I'm still skeptical about the potential for widespread adoption of TabletPC devices. IMO, they're little more than a small evolutionary step beyond today's 'boat anchors'.....er, I mean 'notebooks'. :) And it continues to surprise me how much unfulfilled use there has been of the boat anchors. I still almost never see anyone bring these devices to meetings for notetaking and or recording of meeting minutes. It seems their largest utilization is still from those with 24/7 'support' responsibilities (to avoid having to come back into the office) and sales force type indivicuals.

A TabletPC device likely will change that somewhat, but I'd be surprised if it changed that dynamic dramatically for a couple reasons.....
* Size. Though probably lighter than the majority of current notebooks, there still is the physical dimensions aspect. I suspect there will remain a *LOT* of folks who won't jump to this platform simply because they can't stick it in a pocket/purse.
* Handwriting as the primary means of input. It just *TOTALLY* befuddles me that so many continue to clamor for that. IMO, the best thing about the pc world is that I *DON'T* have to hand write much. I'm only a reasonably decent touch typist, but given a choice between a keyboard and a Bic, I'll take the keyboard any day. And any of the various methods of input from Graffiti, Block Recognizer, Fitaly, Calligrapher, etc are more than adequate for data entry when a keyboard isn't available.

I truly hope the OQO or something of that ilk hits the market in the not too distant future. That would be my mobile device of choice. Small and light enough to stick in my pocket when mobile, but 'dockable' when at a desk w/ full-sized keyboard and a large monitor available.

There may well be a TabletPC in my future, but it would be a secondary choice to the above.

[sweetpete]

At $4000 CDN for the WLAN and 30gb version, it's a little expensive for my taste. I've been wanting one since I heard about the product and read TabletPCTalk every morning along with my visit to PPCThoughts :)

I have to say that the products announced are great, but the pricing should be closer to $2500-3000 CDN. I'm thinking once the initial marketing is finished and the price gouging on initial shipments is gone, then we'll see some more affordable prices.

[atsouch]

I was at the pre-launch of the Tablet PC at Frankfurt Book Fair last week and I was amazed by the quality of the recognition engine.

I'm not an american and so my handwriting isn't like what an american-made engine would expect. But it recognizes almost everything and most importantly it integrates handwriting in a surprising way.

You have to use it to see what I mean... Forget whatever you know about Transcriber or Calligrapher. It's something completely different. If you try a Tablet PC it will be almost impossible to go back to a normal PC.

[sweetpete]

I can't remember where I read it (probably http://www.tabletpctalk.com]Tablet PC Talk[/url]), but I remember an article stating the amount of R&D that went into the recognition engine.

Even though it doesn't learn your handwriting, MS took tens of thousands of samples of writing into the recognition engine to make it very capable and fast.

You have to use it to see what I mean...

I agree with you. Each person needs to try this out before they can make conclusions based on previous engines.

[Rob Alexander]

Maybe the idea is that the Tablet PC is what you live out of, and the desktop PC is used for specialized applications like financials, medical or CAD.
I see the future a little differently. I.e., I see the desktop pc eventually becoming little more than a 'file server' of sorts...or maybe more accurately, a primary 'storage' device. And whatever mobile device the user chooses being the primary input and 'presentation' device.

I'm guessing it'll be more like what David suggested. One of the things that's a constant issue at my university is faculty members who want to work on the same stuff at home and at work. Most of us have desktops in each location and we have gone though serious contortions to get our data back and forth and to synchronize it. We've been through 1) stacks of floppies, 2) two Zip drives (one at home and one at work), 3) two CD-R's, 4) two Jaz drives, and now 5) a tiny 20GB USB 2.0 HDD (which is the first really nice solution I've had, BTW). But even with my current nice solution, I still have to maintain two complete systems, install the same apps (which sometimes means twice the licenses), troubleshoot two systems, etc.

The idea of having a single computer that's really comfortable to carry around and use casually, but then can dock into a regular monitor/keyboard/mouse is quite appealing. I still don't find my PPC is all that great for notes in meetings (other than quick to-do's or calendar entries), and laptops just don't cut it with the screen blocking you from everyone else. I think this will hit a chord in people that will finally make your computer something you can use in all situations. Sure, I'll still type at the keyboard when I'm writing a paper, but when I'm sketching out a new idea or taking notes in a meeting, the Tablet form factor will be perfect. If they do it well, I believe it will really change the way we look at portable computing.

And for students... man this is exactly the form factor they've always needed. We could see realistic ebook texts with associated technical software and such. This really is going to change things.

All that said, I share Jonathan's concerns about the actual implementation. Yeah, sure, Joe Blow loves it.... they've spent millions developing it... John Q Public held one in his hand and it was neat... Haven't we all heard this stuff a million times before? Nothing, and I mean nothing... that's happened up till now can possible tell us how well these will work in the real world. Get a few hundred thousand of them out there doing real work day after day and then we'll see how it goes.

There will be surprises and some of them will be unpleasant. There will be a ton of things, just like with the PPC, that will make users shake their heads and wonder 'what moron thought this would be a good way to make it work?' And each of us will have to decide on what is an acceptable balance between those things and the extra genuine usefullness these things offer.

But that doesn't really worry me. The concept is really solid and even if there are teething pains, and there will be, these will still change the face of computing forever.

[atsouch]

MS took tens of thousands of samples of writing into the recognition engine to make it very capable and fast.

Millions of samples...

And it works for English, French, German, Korean, Japanese and Chinese!

[welwyngc]

[quote=Jonathan1]
...The other thing that actually really interests me is the use the tablet pc as an ebook reader. A full 12" inch screen will be a boon for reading and reviewing documents. ....Roll on November 7th. :D

I have been using the new Acer laptop/tablet PC for the past week or so. Weighs just over 3 lbs.


Well, ebook reading is truly wonderful - the new XP includes version 2.5 of MS Reader