August 2010

Experts expect tens of millions of tablets will sell over the next couple of years, and their OS of choice may well be Android. Yet, despite all the tablet announcements, we really haven't seen much. Enter the Augen GenTouch78, a US$169 tablet running Android 2.1. It's available at, of all places, KMart. No, it's not an iPad competitor, it's really stylus and not touch, and it's not very polished. But it provides an inexpensive look at the potential of Android on tablets (and it's better than any Pocket PC ever was). RuggedPCReview.com took a detailed look at the Augen GenTouch, including inside. [See full review of the Augen GenTouch78 Android tablet]

iSuppli: Apple will dominate tablet market through 2012
According to a report by iSuppli Market Research, Apple is expected to dominate the tablet market at least through 2012. In 2010, the iPad accounts for 74% of all tablet shipments, with the remainder older-style Tablet PCs and competing ablets. In 2011, even with the advent of competition, the iPad is expected to maintain 70% of the market. In 2012, the iPad's share is still expected to be over 60%. iSuppli also says that it took iPhone competitors about three years to come up with truly competitive products. [See iSuppli release] -- Posted Thursday, August 26, 2010 by chb

Full review: Handheld Algiz 7
The advent of Intel's Atom processors a couple of years ago made possible a new generation of smaller, lighter and less expensive "netbook" computers that provide adequate performance and functionality for a wide range of applications. Likewise, we're now seeing a new generation of smaller, lighter tablet computers that use similarly targeted technology for vertical market applications. The Algiz 7 by the Handheld Group is such a product--lighter, handier and smaller than full-size tablets. RuggedPCReview.com presents a detailed assessment of the Algiz 7, its features and performance, and its suitability for tough outdoors jobs. [See full review of the Handheld Group Algiz 7] -- Posted Wednesday, August 25, 2010 by chb

Surveying software on DAP Kinysis tablets
The American Surveyer reports on a "New Tool for Highway Surveyors and Engineers Available on Rugged Tablet Computer". What they're talking about is Highway Surveyors’ ReGen software available on DAP Technologies’ rugged Kinysis tablet computer. ReGen is a data collection, survey management, and data optimization tool with a Google Maps interface; the Kinysis is a handy, rugged tablet computer, available in versions with or without integrated keyboard, running Windows Embedded Standard -- Posted Tuesday, August 24, 2010 by chb

Australian aged care home chooses Motion C5v tablets
Aiming to be entirely paperless within two years, Australian healthcare organization Jacaranda Village is taking delivery of the Motion Computing C5v Mobile Clinical Assistant (MCA) as it commits itself to mobility solutions. Using i-Care software, electronic medication charts, and the device's wireless functionality, means, according to Jacaranda Village’s chief executive Sue Bowditch, "our staff can spend more time with the residents and still get their work done.” [See Motion press release] -- Posted Tuesday, August 24, 2010 by chb

HP hedging tablet bets
During their quarterly earnings call, HP's chief of their Personal Systems Group, Todd Bradley, supposedly said, ""You'll see us with a Microsoft product out in the near future, and a webOS-based product in early 2011." -- Posted Friday, August 20, 2010 by chb

New Intel Atoms, and how Oracle is helping Microsoft
So Intel adds a couple of new Atom chips to its growing and rather confusing roster of low-end chips. What do the new D425 and D525 mean for you? And Oracle's suing Google over Android! What's up with that? [read more...] -- Posted Thursday, August 19, 2010 by chb

Assessment of potential iPad competitors
With the Apple iPad having such a huge lead in the tablet market, how will the compeition react? That's what CNET's Erica Ogg discusses in her insightful article "The clock is ticking for iPad competitors". -- Posted Tuesday, August 17, 2010 by chb

LXE announces Atom/Windows 7 Marathon field computer
LXE announced an interesting new machine. The LXE Marathon field computer picks up the "open book" design that combines a display and a keyboard in a very compact tablet. The Marathon weighs just over two pounds, has a 7-inch outdoor-viewable touchscreen, runs Windows 7 on an Intel Atom processor, and includes a high-res camera, a fingerprint reader that doubles as a mouse, and also offers a wealth of bolt-on accessories such as a mag stripe reader, 2D imager and extended battery for up to 8 and 12-hour operation. The device, which measures about 8 x 7.6 inches, includes Gobi WWAN, 802.11a/b/g/n WiFi and Bluetooth, and is sealed to IP 65 specs. [See LXE press release] -- Posted Friday, August 13, 2010 by chb

Xplore financials
Xplore Technologies reported revenues of US$5.1 million for the quarter ending June 30, 2010, a slight increase over the same quarter last year. The company also reported a small operating profit for the quarter, but still a net loss of $0.67 million, down from a net loss of $1.3 million for the same quarter last year. The company said it prepared to launch "a significantly improved and highly anticipated new generation of its iX104 Tablet PC family later this year. Here's what'd be on our wish list: both a Core i5/i7 version and an Atom version; capacitive touch and electromagnetic digitizer; Android and Win 7 OS options. -- Posted Wednesday, August 11, 2010 by chb

Motion and Bluebeam host seminar for construction professionals
Design and construction professionals looking for new ways to cut costs during closeout will have a unique learning opportunity next week. Bluebeam Software, the developer of PDF solutions for the architecture, engineering and construction industry, and Motion Computing are teaming up to present a case study webinar titled, "Take PDF Punchlists Mobile with Tablet PCs." For more information or to register visit: www.motioncomputing.com/promotions/webinars.asp -- Posted Monday, August 9, 2010 by chb