jkOnTheRun

jkOnTheRun video- HP tx2051 Entertainment Notebook

When I first saw the HP tx2000 earlier this year I was impressed with the improvements made over the original tx1000 model.  HP has incorporated a dual digitizer that provides an excellent touch experience along with a great inking experience with the pen.  The tx2051 covered in this 20 minute video is a powerhouse that is easily the fastest Tablet PC I have used.  Take a look and see why I feel this is a good value for those who want a good notebook with occasional inking.  In the video I show how good the touch experience is on the tx2000.  It is easily as good as the touch I have seen in videos of the Dell XT with the capacitive digitizer.  Enjoy the show.

jkOnTheRun- First impressions of the HP tx2000 Entertainment Notebook

This is by no means a full review but I'm hearing from so many interested parties about the HP tx2000 Entertainment Notebook that I want to give my very brief first impressions.  The tx2000 is a reasonably priced Tablet PC with a dual digitizer that has some interesting features that are uncommon in the genre.  First up you'll notice that HP calls this an Entertainment Notebook and not a Tablet PC and after playing with it for a day I can see why they do.  The tx2000 is a great device for entertainment functions as it is a Windows Media Center in addition to a Tablet PC.  The cool remote control that runs the WMC fits in the ExpressCard slot for storage and transport and the screen is drop-dead gorgeous for watching videos on the integrated DVD drive.

The tx2000 with the AMD Turion 2X64 processors is without a doubt the fastest Tablet PC I have ever used.  This thing runs like greased lightning and everything just happens instantly at all times.  The 4 GB of memory probably helps in this regard too but I think most of it are those two processors from AMD.  Windows Vista 64-bit seems faster too so maybe it's the entire package that flies.  Whatever it is I like it a lot and now when I leave the tx2000 and jump over to another machine, even the MacBook Pro, the other machine feels slow.

The dual digitizer is a welcome upgrade over the touch-only predecessor, the tx1000.  The touch is feather light and reminds me a lot of videos I've seen of the Dell Latitude XT with its capacitive digitizer.  I can barely stroke the screen and have things happen just right which is very nice.  The dual digitizer auto-switches so when I want to ink and bring the pen to the screen the touch-screen turns off to prevent interference and this works well too.  All in all the tx2000 is a breeze to use with either touch or the pen and is well implemented.  It's especially cool to run the Media Center by touch.

The tx2000 is pretty heavy for a Tablet PC and I wouldn't want to carry it as my main Tablet every day.  It can get pretty heavy in the hands after a bit but it works great sitting on a desk or in my lap watching TV.  I would peg the tx2000 as a great notebook for those who like to use the Tablet bits occasionally.  It is very good in that scenario because like I said, it's FAST!  I haven't used it long enough yet to get a good feel for battery life but I've been using it with the extended battery and so far it hasn't run out too quickly but I haven't timed it.   Not a benchmark by any means but it's all I can say at this point.  I'll be coming back with additional coverage before too long and a video or two but I wanted to get this out to those of you with an interest in the HP tx2000.  Did I say this puppy is FAST?

jkOnTheRun video- first look at the HP Mini-Note UMPC

The good folks at HP let me play with the brand new HP Mini UMPC.  It's been known as the HP UMPC, the 2133 and who knows what else but it's officially the HP Mini.  This video is longer than most we do because we wanted to give you the best look possible at this innovative mini-notebook.  The Mini will only set you back $499 for the entry level configuration but this video shows off the top-of-the-line model.  This one is only $749 so it's still a very good deal.  You'll see the HP Mini from every angle, see how well constructed it is and get a good look at how well the Via C7-M 1.6 GHz processor performs.  Take a look at the video and see what we think of the new HP Mini.

jkOnTheRun review- hands on with the HP Mini-Note UMPC

The Asus EEE PC woke people up to the benefits that a sub-notebook device brings to consumers, especially if it's priced attractively.  HP is releasing their hotly awaited sub-notebook and the Mini is a solid first effort in this small notebook category.  I know, we have heard this device called the 2133 or the Mini-Note but HP told me they are going to release it as simply the Mini.  I have been using the HP Mini for a week now thanks to the good folks at HP and this hands-on review of the device should answer all of your questions about it. There is an interesting story behind the Mini as I discovered by spending an hour with the folks at HP behind the device.  The Mini is the brain child of the group at HP that produces products for the education sector and not the main consumer group.  HP found that in discussions with educators that they needed a notebook computer that was small enough for students to easily handle and yet sturdy enough to survive the knocks that they dish out to the gear they use.  HP went to work and the Mini emerged to fit those needs and they've done it so well that I'm pretty sure it will appeal far beyond the education sector, especially given the attractive pricing.

And the secret device is- HTC Shift, US version with Sprint EV-DO

I know I teased you with word I was testing a device that I couldn't talk about but since Amazon blew the embargo HTC has lifted me from mine.  The past week I have been evaluating the US version of the HTC Shift UMPC with SnapVUE.  This is news because the US version is a Sprint-branded device with EV-DO and not GSM like the European versions you've seen reviewed lately.  I am not prepared to do a complete review because I didn't think the embargo was going to be lifted until next week but I can share some photos of the Shift taken very quickly.  They are after the jump.

JK- First impressions of the Celio Redfly

Well, I've been playing with working with the Celio Redfly smartphone companion for just a few hours but I'm already getting beaten up to give my first impressions of the unique device so here goes.  This will not be a full review and will only touch upon the things I have tried with the Redfly and what I think about those.  There will be additional coverage coming from both Kevin and I so take this as a very quick and dirty overview of the Redfly.

First up, what is the Redfly?  It is a small (almost the exact size of the EEE PC) laptop form device that does only one thing- it connects to a Windows Mobile smartphone or Pocket PC and extends the display and the keyboard of the phone.  That's all it does and it does it very well.  There is no processor onboard, no memory, no computer of any kind.  It uses the phone as the processor and simply gives you better input/ output capability for the Windows Mobile phone.  There is a short list of currently certified WM phones that will work with the Redfly but Celio is working on adding to that list.  The folks at Celio supplied an AT&T Tilt to use with the Redfly evaluation but I will not discuss the phone at all at this point.  Read on for my impressions of the Redfly.

jkOnTheRun review- First impressions of the Fujitsu P1620

It took what felt like a very long time for the Fujitsu P1620 to reach Mobile Tech Manor but in reality it was just a few weeks.  Now that I've had it for 24 hours I can ask myself "was it worth the wait"?  The answer is a resounding yes.  Here are my first impressions of the newest little Fujitsu as I am getting a lot of questions from a great many people interested in this little touch-enabled Tablet PC.  Hopefully these impressions will answer some of the most pressing of those questions.  This is simply a rambling post with my thoughts so far, my impressions of how the P1620 compares to its older sibling the P1610, and how it compares in real use with the HP 2710p I have been using.

jkOnTheRun review- ezSkin slimline for iPhone

The folks at ezGear offered up the opportunity to review one of their ezSkin slimline cases for the iPhone, so I've got a short video review to show it off. For $29.99, it's not a bad deal for the thin protective case plus belt holster for your iPhone. I like the partnership between ezGear and the invisibleSHIELD folks because there's an included invisibleSHIELD for the front face of your device. While all of the cutouts provide access to your iPhone controls, the controls don't extend beyond the case cutouts. Some folks might find this an issue but I suspect it's more a matter of getting used to having a case on the phone.

jkOnTheRun review- WiBrain B1-H UMPC

Note to self: never get a review unit of anything two weeks before or after CES. Not even a new-fangled USB paperweight. OK, not that I've got that personal productivity mantra off my chest, it's time to provide a review of the WiBrain UMPC on loan from Dynamism. I'll start with a rundown of the specs to level-set you, along with the fact that this device configuration currently sells for $849. Right up until the recent (and drastic) price reduction of the Vulcan Flipstart which now goes for $699, I was telling anyone who would listen that the WiBrain is has a great price to value ratio. It still does, but there are clearly competitors as the low-priced portable market continues to gain momentum. If you missed our unboxing and video Geek Session of the WiBrain, now's a good time to get a quick video overview.

JK's Mobile Tech Predictions for 2008

The end of 2007 is nigh and we geeks are casting our eyes to the future to figure out what mobile goodness might be coming our way in 2008.  You should take these with a grain of salt as we can never be certain about such things but here are my mobile tech predictions for 2008.  Read on if you want to get my take on what next year might bring with phones, MP3 players, notebooks, UMPCs, and Tablet PCs.

UPDATE: I should have mentioned the Google Android under the smartphone predictions so I've added it now.

jkOnTheRun review- Waterfield Designs SleeveCase for the HP 2710p

I have waxed eloquently about the great cases and especially the Sleeve Cases available from Waterfield Designs (WD).  I first bought one for the Fujitsu P1610 and later got one for the MacBook Pro as well.  What I like about their SleeveCases is how they are as thin and light as possible while still protecting the equipment.  I had been really looking forward to getting a sleeve case for the HP 2710p so I can carry the Tablet with me without worrying about it getting damaged.  I am happy to tell you that there is a case now that fits the 2710p and here's a brief review of the Waterfield Designs SleeveCase for it.

jkOnTheRun video- advance look at Verizon Voyager

The Verizon Voyager is the hotly anticipated phone that will be available next week and thanks to the folks at Verizon I've got one in my hot little hands.  I had to share the love in this advance look video that shows the device and all its features for your enjoyment.  The Voyager has a big touch screen on the front that has tactile feedback when buttons are pressed that makes using the touch capability much nicer.  Open the clamshell and there's a second screen the same size inside along with a great QWERTY keyboard for texting and email.  In the video I tried to give a good feel for how the web browser works on the Voyager as it is a full HTML browser that works quite well with the touch screen and the keyboard.  Take a look at the video and see if you agree with me that Verizon has a nice offering coming out soon.

Voyager specs:

• Frequency: 1.9 GHz CDMA PCS, 800 MHz CDMA
• Data Transmission: High–Speed EVDO
• Dimensions: 4.64" (H) x 2.12" (W) x 0.71" (D)
• Weight: 4.69 oz.
• Internal LCD: 262K Color TFT, 400 x 240 Pixels, 2.81"
• External LCD: 262K Color TFT, 400 x 240 Pixels, 2.81"
• Usage Time: Up to 240 Minutes OR
• Standby Time: Up to 480 Hours
• Hearing Aid Compatibility=M3
• SAR: Head –0.765, Body –0.893

jkOnTheRun video- TV on a MacBook Pro

The 17-inch screen of my MacBook Pro was crying out for me to be able to watch TV while working away.  I had a Windows version of the Pinnacle PCTV HD USB tuner that I decided to see if it would work with the MacBook Pro.  It obviously did as this video demonstration proves and I must say I am very impressed with the Pinnacle and watching/ recording TV on the MBP.  I had to purchase the full version of EyeTV (by Elgato) that works with the Pinnacle since I didn't have the Mac version but if you buy the Mac version you get it included.  Take a look at how well this works for TV on a Mac. Apple sells a similar product by Elgato but I've seen some reliability issues reported on the web.  I have not seen any problems with the Pinnacle.  Enjoy the video.

jkOnTheRun- a typical day with all my gear

It's time for another "typical day with" post but this one is going to be a little different than most.  Usually I detail how a particular device fits into a typical day's routine but today I'm going to share how all the gear I use fits into a typical day.  This is mainly in response to those who wonder how I use so many gadgets which I am fortunate (or broke enough) to have.  A lot of people I hear from assume that once I buy gadget A then all the other gadgets go in a drawer somewhere and nothing could be farther from the truth.  Here then is a typical day with all my gear.

jkOnTheRun review- a day in the life of the HTC Advantage

Say what you will the HTC Advantage is an interesting device that is trying to figure out what it wants to be when it grows up.  Or maybe it won't grow up and will just stay a small notebook-like PDA.  I think the Advantage is having a hard time figuring out what it is, a speakerphone, Skype machine, PDA, blogging machine or an ebook reader.  Actually it is all of these and more.  I decided to put the Advantage through its paces all day today so here's how it went.

jkOnTheRun- a typical day in the life of the HP 2710p

The HP 2710p is happily inserted into my daily work and it's time to present a "typical day in the life" article, something that I try to do with every device I use in my work day.  Yesterday is the day I am covering since it was a typical work day for me but also because it's still fresh in my memory so I'll get it right.  :)

The alarm went off at 5 am, I don't have to go into Big Oil Co. this morning so I get to sleep an extra 30 minutes.  It's still darn early at 5 am.  I get up, head downstairs to the first cup of coffee of the day.  Coffee cup in hand I grab the HP 2710p Tablet PC from the dock where it has been happily sleeping for the night just like me.  I spin the screen around into slate configuration, something that we Tablet PC owners love to do, and head for the Man Chair in front of the TV to catch up on the news happenings in the world overnight.  I check my email in Outlook, only 25 came in during the night.  I respond to those that need it using the pen and the TIP, and then fire up Google Reader to check my RSS feeds.  Only 325 items to review.

jkOnTheRun review- HP 2710p Tablet PC

HP has the undeniable honor of having produced the best Tablet PC I have ever used, the tc1100.  That hybrid Tablet PC is to this day the most innovative mobile PC that has ever been produced.  All of the subsequent Tablets that HP has produced have been just laptops with swivel screens, with the exception of the new 2710p Tablet PC.  This new model is a design marvel that rekindles the love of using a Tablet PC, and that's why I bought one.

I have been fortunate to have used an evaluation 2710p supplied me by HP for over a month (big thanks to HP).  The evaluation was a good one from the unboxing and continued to impress me to the point that I pulled out my credit card and bought one myself.  That one arrived yesterday and it's time to write a good review of the 2710p with an emphasis of the out of box experience (OOBE) that I have recently lived through.

Novatel ExpressCard to PCMCIA adapter in the house

The HP 2710p and the MacBook Pro both have ExpressCard slots instead of PC Card slots so I updated my EV-DO modem to the v740 from Verizon.  That little modem card works wonderfully in both of those devices and I have been very happy with that upgrade except that it won't work in the Fujitsu P1610 which has a PC Card slot.  This week I ordered a Novatel XCA-3 adapter which lets you use ExpressCard devices in a PC Card slot and it arrived yesterday.  I haven't had a lot of time to play with it in the Fuji due to my problems with the Vista SP1 install but I have been able to try it enough to report that it does work fine as advertised.

The Novatel adapter requires no drivers and the system recognizes the ExpressCard just as if it was a native ExpressCard slot so I'm happy to report that it works just fine.  At least it does while the Fuji is not crashing due to Vista SP1.  It seems to be just as fast speed-wise as systems that use the modem without the adapter so I recommend it for anyone needing an adapter like this.  It was only $69 so it's well worth it to me as I can now enjoy EV-DO speeds on all devices in my possession which is the intent.  I bought this Novatel adapter from 3gstore and I'm not linking to them nor recommending you buy yours from them because I was surprised and annoyed to find it shipped without any Novatel packaging, rather the adapter was in bubble-wrap with no original packaging.  My initial concern was that it was used since it definitely had been opened before as I don't believe that Novatel ships anything without packaging nor documentation like this.  I examined the adapter carefully to make sure it looked new and it did but still, shipping opened electronic devices is not cool.  Having no documentation means I have no idea what the Novatel warranty is on this device and I have to go to their support web site for any information, and that should have shipped in the box.  Shame on you 3gstore for shipping this device opened.  Otherwise I'm happy with the adapter and you'll find some pictures (albeit blurry) after the jump that demonstrate how much farther the adapter makes the modem stick out of the slot.

UPDATE: 3gstore has offered this explanation for the way this adapter ships:

Guess what, Novatel ships the ExpressCard adapters EXACTLY as you received them. When we buy them 100 at a time, they come individually wrapped in bubble wrap - exacty as you got it. We pull them out of a large shipping box and put them in a bin and then ship them directly - they are not used or opened. On our next shipment, I will take a picture so you can see how they come to us - so you will be better educated and perhaps take your gripe up with Novatel - who ships them EXACTLY the way you got it.

Firefox is gaining on IE, Safari is too

One of the interesting things we watch about visitors to jkOnTheRun is what browser is being used for the access.  This lets us get a snapshot of how many people are using Firefox versus Internet Explorer.  The current statistic shows that Firefox is still gaining on IE:

Of great interest is that the 7% browser share you see in this graph is Safari.  Must be all those iPhone owners accessing jkOnTheRun.  :)

jkOnTheRun review- first impressions of the HP 2710p Tablet PC Part 1

The HP 2710p Tablet PC has been in my hands (literally) for less than a day but it's already making some strong impressions with me so I felt I should share those.  Judging from the number of inquiries I have received about the 2710p there are a lot of people interested in this new Tablet, and rightly so.  A big thanks to HP for sending the evaluation unit to me so I can share my thoughts with you.

jkOTR review- BlackBerry 8830- why I did it

The excitement of June 29th has come and gone and today I, like many others, am reflecting back on my decision to tread into new territory by purchasing a phone the likes of which I have never used before.  Unlike all the others who picked up new phones yesterday I chose a different route by passing on the iPhone and picking up a BlackBerry 8830 World Edition phone.  Like all mobile device purchase decisions this one was driven by need for me, and I resisted the cool factor and went with the device that I feel will serve me better in the long run.  Here then, is my story.

Lapworks Aluminum Desktop Stand loves my MacBook Pro

My MacBook Pro is a big honking laptop.  I wouldn't trade it for anything, though, it's a great desktop replacement and it's working very well for me.  I only have two problems with it- it gets too hot sometimes and my wrists hurt after typing a while on it.  The former problem is only during CPU intensive tasks like games (so I've heard) and running Parallels.  The latter is a bigger problem for me since I do a lot of writing and because the MBP is so thin and flat that after a while my wrists really hurt.  I was thinking about what to do about that when the nice folks at LapWorks sent me one of their new Aluminum Desktop Stands to try out.  What a difference the right angle makes!

The Stand is a very thin and light adjustable stand designed to hold any notebook computer at a comfortable angle for typing and viewing.  It is well constructed from aluminum (hence the name) and can be used in a number of ways depending on your needs.  There are 3 different angles the stand can be positioned to allow you to get your notebook at a comfortable angle for typing.  In these configurations the screen is also elevated providing a totally ergonomic layout for your device.  I use the Aluminum Desktop Stand in this configuration and it has totally eliminated my wrist problem.  The stand holds my MBP securely and I just have to remember not to eject a DVD while on the stand as it does block the slot on the MBP.  The elevated MBP runs much cooler as air can flow under the notebook and the difference is notable when using the stand.  Both of my problems solved with a simple solution.

The stand can also be configured in 3 high angles for those who use an external keyboard with their notebook.  This raises the laptop screen up to eye level for such usage.  In any of the 6 configurations the base of the stand can swivel 360 degrees allowing easy rotation of the notebook for any scenario or to show the screen to someone nearby.  No matter what the configuration I find the LapWorks stand to be very sturdy, even on my 17" MBP which is much wider than most laptops.  It is well constructed and comes complete with a neoprene travel case that can function as a mouse pad in a pinch.  It also comes with 4 stick-on rubber feet that can be attached to the stand to provide additional stability for the notebook, but I haven't found it necessary to use them with the MBP.

The LapWorks Aluminum Desktop Stand retails for $69.95 but can be picked up for $59.95 throughout the month of May, complete with a one year warranty.  The stand is sold on the LapWorks web site and I highly recommend it.

jkOnTheRun review: Netgear SPH-101 Skype Phone

I won't argue that there are some great VoIP and chat services better than Skype. For better or worse though, I keep coming back to my first love and have stuck with Skype as my primary voice and chat service. Last year, I caught news of Skype handsets from several manufacturers: Linksys, Belkin and Netgear. Each and every time the idea of a WiFi Skype handseat appealed to me in every way except for the price. I simply thought the cost was too high for a single-function device when I could use the same service on several devices I already had.

Maybe a hands-on review will change my mind. Perhaps the experience is well worth the three-figure priced tag. As a prior Netgear Blogger-in-Residence, Dave Zatz hooked me up with a review unit. Let's put the Netgear SPH-101 through the grind, shall we?

jkOnTheRun review- MacBook Pro gets mobile with the Waterfield SleeveCase

I have been loving the 17" MacBook Pro since it arrived at Mobile Tech Manor and it has a warm spot (literally) on my desk where it's performing well as a complete desktop replacement.  The screen is to die for and the speed of the Core 2 Duo processors is flat out quick.  While my intention is not to use it as a mobile device too much due to its size and weight now that I have the Waterfield SleeveCase I have begun venturing outdoors with the MBP in tow.  I took it to a Geek Gathering last weekend in Houston where my wife used it to blog from the coffee shop where the meeting took place.  She even posted about the Mac experience on her blog.  I am now taking it occasionally myself to coffee shops when I need to do some serious writing and the Waterfield case makes that very easy to do.  Read on for my impressions of the SleeveCase and some photos of the Mac encased.

jkOnTheRun Review- Monster Outlets to Go

It’s a common scenario, you check into the hotel on your business trip and set up your gear on the little desk they have provided to meet your traveling computing needs.  Unfortunately, you have more power plugs then they have outlets so you either pull out the big, bulky power strip you brought with you or you stagger what you plug in at any one time.  On the last OnTheRun with Tablet PCs podcast Marc Orchant mentioned a mobile power strip he is using from Monster, the folks who make all those audio/ video cables.  I checked out his recommendation online during the show and was so impressed I ordered one while we were still recording.  Having used the Monster Outlets to Go mobile power strip on my recent trip to Seattle I want to share my thoughts on this accessory that rapidly became one of the most useful ones I brought with me.

jkOnTheRun review- Verizon EV-DO Rev A

Earlier this week I kicked off my quest to find Verizon’s upgraded EV-DO Rev A service in Houston.  In order to do that I first had to get my hands on the Sierra Wireless AirCard 595 (AC595) modem that Verizon began offering last month that is EV-DO Rev A enabled.  As I detailed a few days ago I visited a Verizon store and ordered the AC595 and it finally arrived late yesterday via FedEx.  Actually, there was no one at home in the afternoon when FedEx tried to deliver it and since Verizon shipped it with a signature required (I hate that) I had to make a late run to the FedEx depot to pick it up.  Because of the late reception I didn’t get a chance to install the card and try it out until very late last night.

jkOnTheRun review: Raon Digital Vega

When I first took the Raon Digital Vega out of the box, I was simply shocked by the size. Yes, I knew it had the 4.3-inch screen, but with roughly a one-inch bezel on the left and right, along with a small half-inch bezel above and below the screen, this is one tiny device! Being "vertically challenged" and small in stature, this is why I jumped at the chance to review this Korean made unit. You won't find the Vega in your local Best Buy or CompUSA here; you'll need to order it from an importer or hop a plane to Asia. I opted for the former and got a loaner from the great folks over at iCube. Along with many other devices you'll find overseas, iCube sells the Raon Digital Vega and were kind enough to let me play with one for the past several weeks.

jkOnTheRun review- Waterfield SleeveCase

All right, I admit I am addicted to finding the perfect case for my gear.  It's a driving force that I'm helpless to fight, the desire to find the one case in the universe that fits both my gear and my needs exactly.  I recently reviewed the Fujitsu Tablet PC Bump Case for the P1610 and while I initially thought it would fit my needs perfectly the wheels soon began to come off the cart.  First of all, the P1610 didn't fit well in the laptop pocket of the Booq bag while nestled in the Bump Case.  The case with device inside was just too thick and I began to fear I would damage the screen, which is totally unprotected in the Bump Case, which was strike number two against it.  Lastly, the P1610 is very difficult to remove from the case when I need to go into laptop configuration, and putting it back in is just as difficult.  Plus it catches on the PC Card eject button which I am afraid will eventually break off altogether.

The more I thought about a replacement the more I began to realize that what I needed was some sort of sleeve for the P1610 that would make it easy for me to carry around, especially indoors, and that would still fit inside the Booq bag for longer trips.  My quest would still be ongoing if I didn't have the good fortune to overhear two people at the CES talking about gear bags.  One of them said "I hear the Waterfield bags are nice."  I don't know who these people were but since I had never heard of Waterfield bags before earlier this week I decided to check them out.  I just received the Waterfield SleeveCase that fits the P1610 perfectly.  Is this my perfect bag?  Read on and see...

jkOTR review: Vaja Balance case for Zune

If you've ever searched for a stylish mobile device case, you undoubtedly know the name Vaja. Vaja designs and crafts some of the most beautiful leather cases that not only look good, but they protect your mobile mojo on the go. When I bought my Zune, I didn't even give a thought about a case, given that there weren't too many accessories at launch. Sure enough, Vaja had Zune cases right after the Zune launch and they were kind enough to send me a Balance model. Included in the package was the case and three screen protectors; simply remove the blue plastic (shown right) and you have a perfectly clear protector (shown left).

jkOnTheRun Review- Lovin' the Lamy Accent 4 in 1 pen

One of the best things about using a Tablet PC with a touchscreen is the ability to use just about any old stylus instead of a special pen.  While some touchscreen devices come with a lousy stylus, I have to admit that the stylus that came with the Fujitsu P1610 is not too bad as styli go.  I have been using it a lot since my trusty old no-name multi-tip stylus started getting all scratchy recently.  As good as it is, I still like the feel of writing with a real pen so a few days ago I headed over to Stylus Central to see what was available.  It didn't take me long to fall in lust with the Lamy Accent 4 in 1 pen. Lamy are fine pen makers in Germany and the 4 in 1 is a classy instrument that looked like I could write on my Tablet just like a real pen on paper.

I was wrong about that, the experience is even better! Writing on the P1610 with the Lamy is like writing with a fine fountain pen, the stylus glides over the screen like butter.  The pen sports 4 tips in a nice black and silver housing that speaks of understated elegance.  The pen doesn't look fancy, though, so it is at home in any setting. Every seam and joint in the Lamy is perfectly tooled and the pen is a fine piece of craftsmanship.  Can you tell I really like this pen?

The four tips on the Lamy are a 0.7 mm mechanical pencil, a black ball point pen, the stylus, and an interesting orange highlighter/ felt tip.  What sets the Lamy apart from other multi-tip pens is the clever way you select the desired tip. Around the top of the pen just below the clicker is a narrow band of colors, each color representing a particular tip.   To select a tip you hold the pen and rotate the entire pen until the color representing the desired tip is pointing up, and when you depress the clicker on top the proper tip magically protrudes from the barrel for use.  It is so simple and works perfectly every time, unlike most multi-tip pens I've used. To retract the tip back into the barrel there is a small silver button that does that when pressed.

This pen makes writing on the screen such a joy that I've been having fun using it. It's not cheap at $70 but how often can you say your stylus is fun to use?  The pencil and pen tips work really nice too for those moments when I have to write paper notes to give others. Of course there is a tiny eraser under the top of the pen for correcting errors made with the pencil.

I am extremely pleased with the Lamy Accent 4 in 1 pen and highly recommend it if you can afford it. I spend so much time taking notes on my Tablet that for me the expenditure was worth it.

UPDATE: checking the website I see that the Lamy Accent is now on sale for $59.99.  I guess I bought mine too early.

jkOnTheRun Review- Fujitsu P1610 Tablet Mode Bump Case

Miyagi, my Fujitsu P1610 Tablet PC, is a true workhorse and I couldn’t be happier with the boost in productivity I am enjoying having it around.  The small device is so light it begs to be taken everywhere and makes it simple to do so.  On the days when I spend most of my time at Big Oil Company, I am usually going from one conference room to another and I have been carrying Miyagi in my hand from meeting to meeting on those days.  I have been getting a little concerned about the safety of the P1610 when I carry it by itself in my hand so I decided to pick up the Tablet Mode Bump Case from Fujitsu (part # (FPCCC79).  I received it this past week and have been using it for a few days so I thought I’d share what I could about this capable case.

Philips DVD player case- cool mini laptop bag

I recently mentioned that I thought cases made for carrying portable DVD players would work fine for carrying UMPCs around and today I dropped by Target to check them out.  I had the idea that it would be nice to have a small case to carry the Fujitsu P1610 along with a few accessories and avoid carrying my backpack everywhere.  Sometimes you just want to go small so off to Target I went to look at the cases for DVD players.  I found one that fit the P1610 perfectly so here's a look at the Philips DVD player case I picked up for $25.  Read on after the jump for my impressions of this cheap case.

Using the Fujitsu P1610 port replicator

I have been very pleased with the usage of the Fujitsu P1610 Tablet PC, as you can see in the video review of this marvelously portable Tablet PC with a touch screen.  I have been using it in my daily routine and it has performed very well and I have no quibbles with the performance nor the usability that Fujitsu has packed into the little Tablet.  I have also been using the Fujitsu port replicator (part # FPCPR56AP) and this article will focus on that extension of the P1610.

ThinkOutside Sierra Bluetooth keyboard: hands on review

It doesn't get any more "hands on" than an actual keyboard review, now does it? I passed along a great deal on the new Think Outside Sierra Bluetooth keyboard last week (just $98 at Amazon) right after I ordered it. Lo and behold, Mr. FedEx dropped off a box only 2 business days later!  Now my mobile office is completely wireless and can be carried in one hand.

I'll cut to the chase right now and begin with the end: when asked how this keyboard works, here was my response after using it for just one hour:

"If I close my eyes and start typing, I can't tell the difference between this portable keyboard and a notebook keyboard." OK, I gave you the summary first because of all the pictures after the jump. For all of the eye-candy pics and first impressions, read on....

Get your voicemail anywhere with GotVoice: full review

I’m constantly on the go. If there was an eighth day to the week, I’d be on the go then too; that’s how much I tend to be mobile. As a result, I rely on my “7 x 24” EV-DO connection for Internet service on my mobile devices. I always have my cell phone with me, since I use the XV6700 Windows Mobile 5.0 Pocket PC Edition phone, but oddly enough, I get calls on my home phone too. Imagine that!

I haven’t dumped the land-line just yet and although I’ve investigated VoIP services like Vonage’s offerings, I haven’t taken that plunge yet either because I use DSL at home. So what happens to those voicemails I get at home? Like so many others, I tend to call in to the Home Voice Mail service that I pay for through Verizon. You might have a different phone provider, but you know what I mean: every few hours you call in to a special number to check for messages; you might call in more frequently if you’re expecting a call. Either way, I find it a very unproductive use of my time. Think about it: you’re calling in for messages that might not even exist! This is a “pull” system in the worst way…what if there was a “push” system that sent your voicemail to you whenever needed, similar to that direct push e-mail I’m so addicted to? Turns out there is a solution and I’ve been testing it for a few weeks now. It’s a service appropriately named GotVoice; read on for the full hands on ears on review.

jkOnTheRun reviews two Vaja cases for the Palm Treo 700w/p

Gadget cases are no doubt the most personal accessory one can purchase for that beloved device and the quest for the perfect case can be never-ending as a result.  Smartphone cases are especially personal as such a small device must meld perfectly with the case so the phone does not feel too bulky once safely ensconced in the case.  I have always found it difficult to find a good case for phones and especially so for the Palm Treo 700w since there are numerous controls situated all around the phone that I need to constantly access.  Finding the perfect case for the Treo was something I thought I’d never accomplish, until now.

Anyone who has used mobile devices for any length of time at all is no doubt familiar with Vaja cases.  The Argentinian case maker is renowned for their fine leather cases that are not only beautiful but extremely functional too.  The good folks at Vaja recently sent me a couple of cases for the Palm Treo 700w/p to evaluate and I have to tell you they don’t disappoint in the looks department.  Read on to see how they fared in the useful category.

jkOnTheRun Audio Edition #15 - XV6700 / PPC-6700 Sena Case video review

Watch jkOnTheRun Audio Edition #15 here (WMV format, 320x240, 55 MB, 15 minutes)

Some folks might have already seen this 15 minute video review on my personal blog site; if you have please accept my apologies. James and I thought that the jkOTR audience at large might not have seen this, so consider this the Internet's first ever "repeat". Protecting mobile devices is often overlooked, but after spending hundreds or even thousands of dollars on a device for daily usage, consider a few extra dollars for a solid case. For my XV6700, I pre-ordered a case from Sena Cases. I've used their cases for several years with multiple devices, mainly because of the excellent and thoughtful design. In this "case", I'm happy with my purchase, but have a few gotchas to point out so you can make an informed decision.

Subscribe to jkOnTheRun Audio Edition here (RSS)

Please note:  This video is in WMV format so it will not show up nor play in iTunes.  You will have to use another podcatcher or download the show direct to view.

jkOnTheRun review- keep your PCs in sync with FolderShare

So you are thinking about picking up one of the new UMPCs that seems to be all you hear about if you go anywhere near the web. Or maybe you use a laptop and a desktop computer and you have that uneasy feeling all the time that the one important file you will need is on the other computer. Maybe you use a Tablet PC in conjunction with a laptop or desktop and you have the same fear. If you could only have a secure and pain-free solution for keeping two or more PCs totally synchronized you could go back to sleeping nights.

I have been using my HP tc1100 Tablet PC alongside a Sony U71 for a few days and the solution I have chosen to keep them in sync is FolderShare, a free (in beta) service from the Windows Live offering from Microsoft. FolderShare claims to be a simple solution to keep multiple computers in sync no matter where they are, provided they are connected to the web. I have been using it and so far I am very happy with the service and how well it works.

My FolderShare main window

Installing FolderShare is a straightforward process that involves visiting the FolderShare web site and signing up for your free account. Once your account is open you download a small program to each computer you want to have available for syncing. It is important to note you must log in to the same account from each computer which is how it can track file changes. Once you have it installed on at least two computers you access the My FolderShare area on Windows Live which you can do easily by clicking on the FolderShare icon in the system tray. On the web page that opens you have three options available to you- Sync My Folders, Share with Friends, and Access My Files.

Folder select window

"Sync My Folders" is where you configure all the folder pairs you wish to keep synchronized between your computers. They are called "Libraries" and setting up which data to sync is point and click simple. There are some pre-defined libraries such as "Documents", "Photos", and "Videos" which will configure the appropriate Windows XP folders for syncing. You can also manually define any folder(s) you want providing total flexibility no matter how you have your data organized on the PC. Once you have at least one library defined you select if you want an automatic sync which keeps the computers in sync all the time without any user intervention or if you prefer to only sync when you want you select on-demand syncing. I have been using automatic syncing for my purposes.

The sync process is done completely in the background and is very fast at scanning the libraries on each computer and comparing if changes have been made on one of the computers. If a file change is detected FolderShare copies the file to the appropriate PC, and very quickly in my observation. I have noticed that it intelligently copies files at different speeds depending on the file size and if it determines both computers are on the same network. I have watched it sync large files at 2+ Mb/sec when both PCs are on the same network which means the sync process is always quick, after the initial syncing. That first sync was still pretty quick, in my case taking about 10 minutes to sync 20 GB of data between the Sony and the HP. There is an activity window you can turn on to keep an eye on all file changes and transfers that FolderShare is doing at a given time. This window is updated in real time. I am extremely happy with FolderShare for this primary task and find it very productive to always have my documents, RSS feeds, music and other files on either computer without giving it a single thought.

Activity window

The second mode of operation for FolderShare provides a simple way to share files with friends and family. The "Share with Friends" mode lets you define a folder on one of your PCs and then invite people via email to share those files. They will be prompted to install the FolderShare satellite program if they are not already running FolderShare. Once they have been invited your selected group of people can share photos, home videos, and other files very simply. When you add new photos your invited group will automatically get them. No setting up an FTP server or other complicated process.

The last mode of operation is "Access my Files" which does exactly that. Say you are on the road and discover that file you need is not on your local computer because it is in a folder that is not being synced. No worries, as long as your home computer is on and running FolderShare you can selectively go in and upload them to you wherever you are. This is a simple and effective way to insure access to everything you need.

I have not encountered any glitches in my FolderShare usage so far and am quite happy with it. It is very liberating to feel that no matter which computer I grab on the way out the door I will have all the data I might need in my travels. There are other sync solutions out there but I believe the ability to use FolderShare no matter where the computers may be is very invaluable to me. I have experienced no performance hits or other negative side effects of using FolderShare. I don't know how much the service will cost when it's out of beta but I know if it's not priced unreasonably I will be re-upping.

jkOnTheRun mobile tech predictions for 2006

Everybody else is making predictions for the new year that is just around the corner so I figured I'd better jump in with my own. This year has seen some real advancements in both the hardware and software used to power mobile devices and I believe we will see the fruits of these advancements start to appear next year. Here are my predictions in several categories in no particular order.

Notebook computers

Next year will be the year of the notebook computer with dual-core processors. These processors will begin to appear in volume in devices that will be released by major OEMs like Lenovo, Dell and Gateway. These laptops will run faster, cooler and use less power extending the ability of notebooks to be true desktop replacements. Expect product announcements early in the year.

Vista will be released late next year and we will see a number of innovative notebooks that offer media center and Tablet PC functionality all rolled into one device. OEMs will begin putting touchscreens on full sized notebooks now that Microsoft has allowed them to be used with the Tablet PC bits of the OS. The addition of media center capability will turn the notebook into a total entertainment center for many consumers and a hub for multimedia entertainment, especially for apartment dwellers.

Ultra-portable computers

While there have been several attempts to produce full-featured handhelds that are true laptop replacements only the Sony Vaio U series reached the mark. Several companies are working on similar products that should start to appear in 2006. The keys to the success such UPCs need to garner in the consumer space are two-fold. A UPC must be a full, no compromise Windows computer that will fit in the hand. This means an intelligently designed dock will be the "make or break" feature determining the success or failure of these gadgets. Consumers have gotten used to laptop computers that will do anything they need and they will expect the same capability of these new handhelds. Consumers have proven repeatedly they will not pay a huge premium for a subset of their other computers and this will be a big challenge for the OEMs in this space. The other sticking point will be price. Consumers have a difficult time justifying paying over $1,000 for a device that won't be used as their main computer and it's a slippery slope for OEMs to balance the two consumer requirements. I believe next year a few devices will be released that will begin to address both these consumer requirements and this market segment will begin to take off. Once mainstream purchasing of these gadgets takes off you will see an explosion in the UPC space.

Smartphones

With several new smartphones due to appear early next year with new features and cool appearances we should see this segment start to take off. The upcoming Treo 700w running Windows Mobile will see brisk sales exposing the technology to consumers who have never seen them before. This will escalate sales even further and other smartphones like the Motorola Q will be well met by computers. Carriers will continue to add download services offering all sorts of video and music that will make the smartphone fill a larger role in the consumer's daily life. When you add easy photo sharing of photos taken with integrated cameras that offer good quality images into the mix I think you'll see sales in numbers bigger than ever. Price concessions will need to be made by the carriers to bring the price point down low enough to generate mass market sales.

Portable music players

This one will be a no-brainer, Apple will continue to dominate as the iTunes Music Stores continue to enjoy record sales globally. Competing music stores will begin to get very creative to try to grab some iTunes customers to switch, and I think we will see at least one of iTune's competitors take a risk and give free or very low cost players to new customers. These will be full-featured like iPods and it will be interesting to see how consumers react to such an offer.

DRM will continue to plague consumers and I don't think we'll see this change next year. The RIAA will continue to bully the little guy while professional thieves will not be deterred even slightly in the distribution of illegal music and video files. The assumption that all consumers are thieves will continue to be shared by content providers.

PDAs

This category is a tough one. We should see a lot of new Windows Mobile 5.0 devices start to appear next year but adoption will be slow. Most of the advancements in Windows Mobile 5.0 are "behind the scenes" and consumers may be disappointed at the apparent lack of new features. Developers are taking a long time to release WM5 versions of their software and this will slow adoption even further. Palm will continue to release cheap PDAs at major retail outlets while Windows Mobile devices continue to be available online only. The PDA segment will continue to be hammered by portable music and video players that are getting cheaper all the time and smartphone sales will eat into the PDA sales even further. PDAs will become even more of a niche product next year extending the trend of the last two years.

Tablet PCs

Next year will be an exciting one in the Tablet PC segment as Vista is released and new features enable users to tailor the ink experience to fit the way they want to work. We will continue to see the notebook and Tablet converge as the major OEMs continue to offer convertible notebooks with swivel digitizer screens. The hybrid Tablet with a detachable screen will likely disappear completely with convertibles becoming the standard. Slate OEMs will continue to innovate to appeal to consumers and vertical markets who want to shed the keyboard.

Smaller Tablet PCs will begin to appear in number and prices will significantly drop for these devices. If this happens early in the year these mini-Tablets will begin to penetrate the mass market with big sales numbers, thus cementing this segment for some time to come. A lot of these devices will have passive digitizers (touchscreens) to keep costs down and increase usability in the field. I predict we will see the first mini-Tablet PC with integrated EVDO or EDGE for "always connected" utility. All of these events will offer consumers more choices and sales of Tablet PCs should shoot up as a result.

jkOnTheRun exclusive- details emerge about the DualCor cPC

The DualCor cPC has captured the imagination of technophiles and geeks since word of this unusual device was given by CNET this past week. The idea of having a handheld that can run Windows XP for normal computing tasks yet switch to Windows Mobile 5.0 when the user needs more PDA type functions is very novel and I think it will be a very useful device for mobile professionals. I have an exclusive source of information about the cPC from "Deep Throat", someone very close to the cPC and I want to share some of that information with my readers. I've also been in touch with the CEO of DualCor who has shared some basic information about the cPC. Here's all the information I've gathered about the cPC from both sources so far that can be disclosed at this time.

The cPC sports a dual processor design, a Via 1.5 GHz processor running Windows for standard computing functions and an Intel chipset running Windows Mobile 5.0 Phone Edition for handling PDA and phone tasks. The cPC doesn't just rely on the dual processor/ OS design to innovate, it also has a passive digitizer (touch screen) running Windows XP 2005 Tablet Edition! This will provide a rich stylus-enabled experience for those times when end users are mobile and not docked. A tiny Tablet PC makes perfect sense for a device this size and will no doubt increase the benefit to the user who needs to manipulate the interface and work with ink on the go. The screen resolution is 800x480 which should provide a good viewing experience without making everything on the screen too small. This resolution is the same as that found on the OQO. The cPC sports 3 USB 2.0 ports (2 Type A, 1 Type B), a mini-VGA port, stereo headset port, telephone headset port, and a CF Type II slot.

DualCor made the dual OS design choice for the mobile professional who needs a PDA and phone when they are running around so they get the benefits of instant on, quick checking of PIM data, and extended battery life. Here's a quote from DualCor CEO Steve Hanley detailing his envisioned work scenario:

This really is a "10X factor" - as you note, it is the ultimate "dual mode" device - plug it in at the office and have full access to any peripherals (large screen monitors, keyboards, web cams, etc.) and the network - easily powered by a 1.5 GHz processor, 1GB of DDR2 RAM and a 40GB hard drive. As soon as the end user "leaves the office", they can "click on an icon" and immediately (as fast as electricity moves!!) avail themselves of Windows Mobile 5.0! Instant-on, always-on, always-connected - and while the "current generation" of WM5.0 devices "max out" at 128MB (other than SD cards and the like), the DualCor device has over 40GB available!

The DualCor cPC is becoming even more intriguing as details leak out about the little Tablet PC and I can't wait to see one at CES in a few weeks. DualCor has put some fantastic technology in a small package and not least on that list is how the cPC uses "shared controllers" for display, input, hard drive, etc. for a total Microsoft solution. In fact, both the XP Outlook and the Wm5.0 Outlook share the same repository which means always synced and no duplication of data. This is a great technical achievement and will be nice to see in practice.

I will share additional information about the cPC as I find it so as they say, stay tuned.