Apple: Another step towards a Tablet Book

Technorati-Tags: Apple,Tablet PC,Tablet Mac,Axiotron,Modbook,Parallels,Fusion

When will we see a MacTablet? Apart of decent hardware you need ink enabled OS and applications, decent handwriting recognition and a killer app.

MacGadget links to an Apple job description in which Cupertino searches for a “Handwriting Recognition Engineer” who shall be “responsible for advancing Apple’s handwriting recognition technology for Mac OS X”.

The technology “may extend beyond Mac OS X to other applications and the iPhone”.

Some months ago it was reported that Asus is helping Apple to create a Mac Tablet. I blogged about that here but have not heard any news since then.

The news would be really exciting if Apple is seeking for more than just one new engineer for their Handwriting Recognition team. With the iPhone you have OS X and a touch screen. Adding a pen it would be easy e.g. to save short notes or new contacts hand written, convert them to text and synch with your Mac. But that alone wouldn’t enable all the great things you can do with a Tablet PC. Nevertheless this is another step in the right direction :)

[Update 04.01.2008, 00:59]

I should have mentioned that Axiotron has already modded a MacBook into a TabletMac called Axiotron Modbook. Price is high but OK price, esp. regarding the current Euro/Dollar relation (around 1800 Euro including 2.4 GHz CPU, 250 HD and 4 GB RAM). In a forum thread several users report that they can use ink under Parallels (or Fusion) in virtualized Windows XP and Vista after installing the Wacom driver and of course under Boot Camp Windows. Downside: Weight of 2.5 kg (5.5 pounds). No European resellers yet, but the US shop ships worldwide.

Yes, Eee PC will have Touchscreen very soon.

Technorati-Tags: Eee-PC,Asus,Tablet PC,Fujitsu Siemens,P1620

Today Digitimes reports that Asus “8.9 inch second generation Eee PC line up will include Touchscreen panels and possible GPS support”. Digitimes report is highly credible, I think. This is the same info I heard from Asus at Cebit three weeks ago, unfortunately without being allowed to post it ;).

It is not clearly stated in the quote but I’d like to point out that this means that touch functionality will be an option (“lineup will include”) and not available for all different upcoming Eee PC models. Note that Kevin Lin, Vice President Sale, projects a 500 $ price (around 400 Euro). Launch to be expected in May or June.

As Microsoft OS is much more demanding for smooth usage than Linux, Asus is forced to increase RAM and flash disk size for those models. Digitimes relies on “industry sources” saying that minimum RAM will be 1 GB and flash disk 8-12 GB.

I see some pretty nice usage scenarios esp. when you set up synchronization and make your important stuff available online for your workforce, esp. with also planned integrated 3G (UMTS) option.

Conclusion

Must have for Tablet fans. Great breakthrough for Tablet platform. Hard times for FSC and their new 8.9 inch Lifebook P1620 with much powerful hardware (would that matter for just taking some notes, word processing and E-Mail?), but in a price range far beyond 2000 Euro.

BTW, if you are an experienced Bastler, there is no need to wait: Take a look at these nice videos and create your current Eee PC a Tablet PC :)

Acer: Acquiered E-TEN, will have UMPC this year

Technorati-Tags: Acer,E-TEN,Tablet PC,Eee-PC,UMPC

News from Cebit: Acer has aquired E-TEN and will enter the handheld and ultra mobile devices market. When asked (by me) what their answer to the Asus Eee-PC will be, German director Stefan Engel responded that there will be an answer this year – no more details.

In the press release, Gianfranco Lanci, President of Acer Inc., simply states: “Acer will enhance the competitiveness in the ultra mobile segment, by combining PC and communication technologies.”

Acer quit the Tablet PC market two years ago after releasing some  big but too heavy convertible Tablets and an innovative but not that comfortable model and so unsuccessful products, the C301 and the C204.