April 2012

Intel formally introduces high end "Ivy Bridge" quad-core 3rd Generation Core processors
After much discussion of the "Ivy Bridge" platform of next-gen Intel Core processors, Intel officially introduced a number of higher end quad-core versions of the platform. Called "3rd generation Intel Core processors," the new chips are based on 22 nanometer manufacturing process, have much more powerful integrated graphics with DirectX 11, OpenGL 3.1 and OpenCL 1.1 support, and also come with the new "Panther Point" chipset family with native USB 3.0 and PCIe 3.0 support, as well as new Centrino wireless modules. As usual, there is a dizzying variety of desktop and mobile versions that all promise to be about 20% faster and twice as powerful in graphics than corresponding 2nd generation chips. The new 22nm process, for the first time, employs 3D tri-gate transistor design, perpetuating Moore's Law (doubling transistor count every 18 months) for years to come. The new processors, which do not yet include low and ultra low voltage versions of special interest to tablets, also benefit from a variety of security and power conservation enhancements. [See Intel press release and 3rd Gen Core Processor presentation] -- Posted Tuesday, April 24, 2012 by chb

Rugged tablets in agriculture
Rugged tablets are increasingly used in farming where the concept of precision agriculture has introduced advanced GPS, GIS and management systems to prepare, optimize and run farming operations. SOYL Precision Farming and the Samwell Group demonstrated how small, rugged tablet computers mounted on All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) can get the job done. [See Rugged tablets in agriculture] -- Posted Monday, April 23, 2012 by chb

Neonode reports 17 design wins for Q1 of 2012
Optical touch technology provider Neonode reported that, all in all, they accumulated a total of 17 new design wins in the first quarter of 2012 where the company integrates its hardware-independent touch technology into existing or new product categories for their customers. -- Posted Friday, April 20, 2012 by chb

Media tablet era medical tablet: Cybernet CyberMed T10
Cybernet Manufacturing has developed the CyberMed T10 tablet designed for use in clinical environments. The Intel Atom N2600-based tablet, which has about the same footprint and display as the original iPad, runs Windows 7 or the upcoming Windows 8. The aluminum and glass enclosure is easy to clean, has antimicrobial coating, and sports a fanless design. The 2-pound device, which starts at US$999, has dual cameras, WiFi/Bluetooth, USB and HDMI, and also optional RFID and barcode scanner. [See description and specs of the Cybernet CyberMed T10 medical tablet] -- Posted Thursday, April 19, 2012 by chb

The nature and potential of Windows 8 for ARM devices
By announcing the upcoming versions of Windows 8 and what role the separate ARM version will play, Microsoft has clarified the situation a bit. And a thorough prior Microsoft blog post on building Windows for ARM had already added a lot more detail. So what IS the nature of Windows 8 for ARM devices, and what do we consider its outlook and potential? [Read The nature and outlook for Windows 8 for ARM devices] -- Posted Wednesday, April 18, 2012 by chb

Microsoft announces Windows 8 editions
In a post on the Windows Blog, Microsoft announced that there will be three versions of the upcoming Windows 8. For PCs and tablets based on x86 processors, there will be plain Windows 8 and and the more business-oriented Windows 8 Pro that adds features for encryption, virtualization, PC management and domain connectivity. Windows Media Center will be available as a "media pack" add-on to Windows 8 Pro. A third version, Windows RT, will be available pre-installed on ARM-based PCs and tablets. Windows RT will include touch-optimized desktop versions of a new Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote. [See Announcing the Windows 8 Editions. Also interesting: Building Windows for the ARM processor architecture] -- Posted Wednesday, April 18, 2012 by chb

Brazilian hospital uses Motion Computing tablets to improve safety and work conditions
Motion Computing reports that in 2011, the Samaritano Hospital of Sao Paulo, Brazil, implemented a mix of mobile computingsolutions, including Motion C5v Tablet PCs, notebooks and carts on wheels, for real-time access to electronic medical records throughout the hospital. The mobile devices are an integral part of the hospital's effort to increase patient safety and improve work conditions for clinicians, effectively modernizing the care process. The devices were chosen because they were configured specifically for the hospital environment and in line with infection control protocols. [See Motion Computing press release] -- Posted Tuesday, April 17, 2012 by chb

New accessories for the Motion CL900 Tablet PC boost field productivity
Motion Computing announced the availability of a number of accessories for the CL900 Tablet PC. The CL-Series ReadyDock can store/charge/sync/secure 5, 10 or 15 CL900s; the CL-Series Keyboard Portfolio is a stand and Bluetooth keyboard combined; the CL-Series X-Strap is a simple but effective one-handed carrying solution; and there's also a Micro-HDMI to VGA adapter for connection to projectors. -- Posted Friday, April 13, 2012 by chb

Top medical apps
The folks at iMedicalApps.com present a terrific resource with their attractively designed "Top Apps" section where healthcare professionals can find lineups and reviews of medical apps. [See iMedcialApps.com's Top Apps} -- Posted Friday, April 13, 2012 by chb

Toshiba unveils three new Excite tablets
Toshiba's Digital Products Division (DPD), a division of Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., announced the expansion of its Excite family of Android 4.0/Tegra 3-powered tablets with three new display sizes – 13.3-inch, 10.1-inch and 7.7-inch. The Excite 7.7 (starting at US$499) is just 0.3 inches thick and has a AMOLED display. The Excite 10 (starting at US$449) is also very thin (0.35 inches) and has a 1280 x 800 display. The 0.4 inch-thick Excite 13 (starting at US$649) breaks through the tablet display size barrier with a 1600 x 900 pixel 13.3-inch screen. All models have a durable aluminum housing, use Gorilla Glass, have 5mp document cameras and 2mp front cameras, and will be available around June. -- Posted Wednesday, April 11, 2012 by chb

Wacom to release Bamboo Stylus duo iPad pen
Wacom is launching the Bamboo Stylus duo, a dual-purpose stylus for the iPad and Android tablets that combines a capacitive pen tip for on-screen input at one end of the Stylus, with a ball-point ink pen on the other end for use on paper. With the Bamboo Stylus duo, which costs US$39.95 and will be available April 24, Wacom attempts to address one of the weak points of capacitive multi-touch displays, the inability to write on them. [See Bamboo Stylus duo page] -- Posted Tuesday, April 10, 2012 by chb

Intel reveals studybook Learning Series tablet reference design
Intel introduced another interesting reference design, the Intel studbook. Part of the Intel Learning Series, the studybook concentrates on classroom features and educational software. The reference tablet measures 8.2 x 5.3 x 0.65 inches, weighs 1.15 pounds, has a 7-inch capacitive multi-touch screen with 1024 x 600 (i.e. early netbook class) resolution, is powered by a single-core 1.2GHz Intel Atom Z650 processor, can have up to 32GB of SSD storage, and optional 0.3mp front and 2mp rear cameras. There's 802.11b/g/n WiFi, optional Bluetooth and 3G WWAN, a micro-SD card slot, USB, mini-HDMI, and battery life up to 5.5 hours. The device is said to be able to run either Windows 7 or Android Honeycomb. While the Intel press release refers to "ultra rugged design," we're really only talking a 2.5 foot drop and IP41 sealing, enough perhaps for a classroom. Intel expects pricing of US$200-300, depending on installed options. Intel claims that over 7 millions of its earlier Classmate PC are in use, and that the hardware and software elements of an Intel studybook have been piloted in more than 2,000 classrooms in 36 countries. 9See ] -- Posted Tuesday, April 10, 2012 by chb

Allscripts introduces iPad app for EHRs
Allscripts announced the release of Allscripts Wand, which provides users of Allscripts Electronic Health Records a unique, native iPad application that extends the most commonly used functions of Allscripts Professional and Enterprise solutions. -- Posted Thursday, April 5, 2012 by chb

Blasting Solutions Inc. realizes 75% time savings with Motion Tablet PCs
Motion Computing published a new case study that shows how Blasting Solutions Inc uses the rugged Motion F5v Tablet PC to reduce the amount of time spent filling out job books by 75 percent. For each job, BSI audits the entire job book from front to back, and what previously took three to four days to complete now takes approximately 15 minutes. [See full case study] -- Posted Tuesday, April 3, 2012 by chb