Will HP kill the Slate running Windows 7?

Rumors are circulating everywhere that HP is going to kill the Slate. Is it because of Windows 7? The limited battery life? Read the report on TechCrunch.

Given that HP is buying Palm, maybe they're going to release a slate tablet running webOS instead of Windows 7. Other hardware manufacturers are developing slates running Google Android, but HP could be the only one making a slate running webOS.

If HP wants a product that will effectively compete against the Apple iPad, then a slate running webOS makes more sense. A slate running Windows 7 probably doesn't make sense unless battery life and performance improves significantly. If HP creates a slate tablet running webOS, then battery life and performance should be at the same level as the Apple iPad.

Lenovo coupon codes

Planning on purchasing a new computer? Here are some Lenovo coupon codes:

• $50 off Lenovo ThinkPad Edge, ThinkPad SL, ThinkPad X100e laptops. eCoupon: USPLENOVODEALS
• 15% off Lenovo ThinkPad W510 and X201 laptops! eCoupon: USPLENOVODEALS
• 20% off ThinkPad T Series over $1500. eCoupon: USPTSERIES20

Windows 7 - Microsoft's fastest selling OS

According to several reports, Windows 7 is Microsoft's fastest selling OS in the history of the company. Microsoft has sold 90 million copies! Perhaps it's not a surprise given that Vista was plagued with bugs and other problems. I'm running Windows 7 on most of my PCs that used to run Vista. I still have one PC running XP and another running Vista. Of course, I also have some machines running Mac OS X and Linux.

So, have you been using Windows 7? What do you think so far? Has it lived up to all the hype? I've been happy so far with the performance and stability of Windows 7.

GE Healthcare and Ascom Partner to Enhance Mobile Clinician Communications

GE Healthcare and Ascom Partner to Enhance Mobile Clinician Communications

Will enable physicians and nurses to receive clinical text-message and pager alerts throughout the hospital, enhancing clinical workflow

WAUKESHA, Wis. & GOTHENBURG, Sweden--(BUSINESS WIRE)--GE Healthcare and Ascom Wireless Solutions today released plans to launch a wireless hospital-wide messaging system, to improve workflow and communication for healthcare providers. The agreement aligns the GE Healthcare patient monitoring platform with Ascom's wireless communication solutions to enable hospitals to customize, filter and send secondary alarms to clinicians' Ascom Voice over IP (VoIP) phones, pagers and Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) handsets. This addresses challenges recently reported by Spyglass Consulting Group-incompatible hospital communications systems make it difficult for nurses to effectively communicate wirelessly.1

"Healthcare Without Bounds: Point of Care Communications for Nursing"

Caregivers are highly mobile, yet require access to patient data to support critical-care decisions in near real-time. According to a recent Spyglass Consulting Group report, 66 percent of hospital-based nurses said their organizations had deployed VoIP-based communications to enable greater mobility, so they can perform their jobs more efficiently at the point of care.1

Read more »

More medical students using the iPad to enhance their education

Recently, I've had the opportunity to chat with medical students who've been using the new Apple iPad to enhance their education. Why is the iPad so useful for medical students? The main reason is because the medical school curriculum is based on a significant amount of hands-on learning. Gross anatomy isn't the only class where you're in the lab. However, it's a good example where multimedia devices like the iPad can enhance learning.

The iPad is also great for medical students who may be struggling with physiology. It can be difficult to understand all the principles outline in a textbook. However, the minute you begin to view the physiologic changes in the heart or the lungs on a multimedia device, physiology comes to life. Learning reaches a whole new level when you're using multimedia.

So, do medical students think that the iPad is enhancing their education? The iPad isn't simply for those who wish to take notes during class. It can enhance the learning experience and help students through some of the most difficult classes in medical school. I'm sure that over the next 1 or 2 years, we'll see some published data on the use of the iPad in medical school. Who's going to fund such a study? Apple!

Touch but no multi-touch

I'm currently using an older Lenovo ThinkPad X200 tablet PC that has a touch screen, but it's not a capacitive multi-touch screen. Instead, it's a passive or resistive touch screen that only allows input from a single touch point. The tablet also has a Wacom Penabled digitizer, so I'm not limited to the passive touch screen.

What are the advantages of a resistive touch screen panel? For one, you can use any pointed object on this screen. Don't use something that will scratch it, but even if you're wearing gloves, you can easily touch the screen and navigate your apps. We're going to see fewer tablet PCs that come with resistive touch screens because most tablets will now include capacitive touch screens. I wonder if we'll look back someday and desire having resistive touch screens on our tablet computers.

McAfee causing Windows XP to crash

There have been some recent reports that a McAfee update has been causing computer crashes. If you're running Windows XP and McAfee, pay attention. Otherwise, you may experience constant rebooting or the BSOD (blue screen of death) system crash.

PC World has published a story titled, "Recovering from the Flawed McAfee Update." Click here to read how you can fix your broken computer. Do you have a backup of your computer? The easiest thing might be simply to restore a backup. Of course, that's easy to do if you're dealing with a single computer. However, it's more complex if you're dealing with a high volume of corporate PCs.

Speaking of computer crashes, do you have someone lined up who can come to your rescue if your PCs crash? Can you afford to lose a few days of productivity if your computer crashes?

Buy Microsoft Office 2007 and get a free upgrade to Office 2010

Have you heard of the Microsoft Office 2010 Technology Guarantee?

Buy Office 2007 today, get Office 2010 free

Purchase, install, and activate a qualifying Office 2007 product between March 5, 2010, and September 30, 2010, and you’ll be eligible to download Office 2010 at no additional cost.

Receive an e-mail reminder when Office 2010 is available for download.

You can test Office 2010 right now for free. You can download the beta version of Office 2010 and play around with it (although I would not suggest you do this on a mission-critical workstation). If you have an old PC laying around, it might be interesting to see how well Office 2010 runs on an old computer.

How will netbooks evolve?

Do you own a netbook? These tiny little laptop computers have been amazingly popular and you've probably seen them at the airport, the bookstore, and even in office meetings. Who wouldn't want to carry a small, light computer? Why spend $1,500 for a really light Apple MacBook Air when you can spend $300 for a light netbook?

My prediction is that we'll start seeing more hybrid netbook/slate tablets. The Lenovo IdeaPad U1 Hybrid will probably be the first model that makes it on the market, but I think we'll see similar computers in the near future. The iPad revolution will get more people interested in touch-screen devices, but will netbooks get replaced by slate tablets? 2010 is the "year of the tablet," so I guess we'll have to wait and see.

Interactive content will soon replace static medical textbooks

Given the recent success of the Apple iPad, I'm convinced that interactive content will soon replace static textbooks. Medical students will have access to interactive textbooks that include video and multimedia animations. Such interactivity will enhance the educational experience and allow students to learn much more efficiently.

I envy students today. They have access to such innovative technological resources. Makes me want want to go back to school so that I can learn something.

For pleasure reading, static books will still remain popular. However, I'm sure that we'll see educational textbooks reach an entirely new level as publishers incorporate interactive content for students. We're already seeing the application of interactive content in the world of continuing medical education (CME). Physicians are getting more accustomed to learning on the Internet. Now, the iPad allows all of us to take the Internet to the next level of mobility.

Microsoft's Skinput

This story is from CNN: Microsoft's Skinput turns hands, arms into buttons

• Microsoft and Carnegie Mellon University develop a prototype called Skinput
  
• The system turns a person's arm and hand into a virtual keyboard
  
• Users tap their fingers together and touch their forearm to send messages to gadgets
  
• The prototype won't be commercially available for two to seven years

Spring cleaning at the Dell Outlet

Looking for some new office computers? If you're a bargain hunter, then maybe you don't mind buying a refurbished computer or a "scratch and dent" model. The Dell Outlet is going through a spring cleaning sale. You can save 20 to 25% on Dell desktop and laptop computers. Make sure to look for those coupon codes!
www.Dell.com/Outlet

Dell Streak (slate tablets running Android)

As predicted, 2010 will be the year of the slate tablet. The Apple iPad has launched and now we're seeing other manufacturers coming out with slates that will run Windows 7, Android, and other operating systems. Dell will be coming out with a 7- and 10-inch tablet running Google's Android OS and these Streak tablets will resemble the iPad.

The Streak will come in 3 sizes:

• 5" screen (Streak 5)
• 7" screen (Streak 7)
• 10" screen (Streak 10)

Which screen size makes the most sense for you?

Google Docs drawings (new feature)

Google Docs drawings is a brand new feature that you can use on Google Docs. You can use Google Docs drawings to make charts, diagrams, designs, and more.
Google Docs is an easy way to compute on the "cloud." Have you played around with cloud computing? 

Apple refreshes the MacBook Pro

There's no way we can keep up with computing technology. Maybe you've heard people say that "the minute you buy a new computer, it's obsolete." Well, maybe it becomes obsolete a week or month later.

Apple has updated (refreshed) the MacBook Pro. With the Core i5 and Core i7 processors, these laptops are very fast. Plus, get ready for high-resolution displays on the 15 and 17 inch models. Have you wondered when Apple will sell laptops that include built-in 3G wireless radios?

Apple iPad vs. netbook (or should you get a hybrid?)

If you've been thinking about purchasing a small and light mobile computer, you may have considered an inexpensive netbook. These tiny notebooks average $300-400 (or less) and are very small and light. What's great is that you can actually try them out at Best Buy, Staples, and even Sam's Club, Costco, and BJs.

Now that the Apple iPad has emerged on the scene, should you go for a netbook or should you get the iPad with the detachable keyboard? Keep in mind that the iPad runs the iPhone OS. Most netbooks run Windows 7 (and some still run Windows XP). How do you plan to use a tiny mobile computer? Business or pleasure?

I still think the Lenovo IdeaPad U1 Hybrid may be the "ideal" device for people who are truly looking for a hybrid experience. If you want something that combines both a slate and a keyboard, then the U1 Hybrid could be the device for you. You can read a review of the U1 Hybrid on laptopreviewscentral.com and then you'll probably need to get your hands on one to decide if a hybrid makes sense. I'm still waiting to see how the HP slate compares with the iPad and the U1 Hybrid.

Verizon Wireless and BL Healthcare Trial Remote Healthcare Solutions

VERIZON WIRELESS AND BL HEALTHCARE TRIAL REMOTE HEALTHCARE SOLUTIONS

BASKING RIDGE, N.J., and FOXBORO, Mass. – Verizon Wireless today announced an initiative with BL Healthcare and a number of customers and third-party providers to jointly trial next-generation solutions for the delivery of remote healthcare applications and services to patients. This initiative will provide a unique approach for addressing issues associated with access to quality healthcare and rising healthcare costs.

The solutions will leverage the next-generation BL Healthcare remote health management platform and the secure, reliable network of Verizon Wireless, along with an extensive list of third-party providers to deliver “best of breed” applications and healthcare-related services to patients remotely. It will also offer an alternative approach for healthcare application developers and other healthcare service providers to generate incremental revenue by marketing innovative new applications and services that leverage their expertise and protocols.

Read more »

Cloud computing on the iPad

Given that the iPad doesn't run a standard operating system like Mac OS X or Windows 7, you may feel like you can't be very productive with a device that only runs an iPhone OS. Well, given that the iPad has a robust web browser, you can be productive if you leverage cloud computing resources. To start, we can use Google Docs (docs.google.com) and create/view/edit documents created by Microsoft Office (such as MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint). Google Docs accepts most popular file formats, including DOC, XLS, ODT, ODS, RTF, CSV, PPT, etc.

So, who needs third-party apps for the iPad? You don't need to purchase iWork to stay productive. Just get online and rely on the cloud for your apps and documents.

Will Apple revolutionize medicine with the iPad?

In the Washington Post, you may have caught the article titled, "With the iPad, Apple may just revolutionize medicine." How will the iPad revolutionize medicine? This weekend, I saw a few medical students attending the Association of MD/MBA Programs 8th Annual Conference and at least two students were taking notes on the iPad.

So, how will this mobile device revolutionize medicine? If the iPad becomes ubiquitous in the hospital setting and if health care providers are using this mobile device to access patient data and imaging studies, then the small and light iPad could improve efficiencies in many aspects. However, we know that the iPad is not a "rugged" device, so will we see other versions that are specifically designed for the health care environment? We've seen several manufacturers create Mobile Clinical Assistants like the Motion C5 and the Panasonic Toughbook H1. These devices are designed for inpatient settings, so will we see a "clinical" version of the iPad emerge soon? The addition of a silicon sleeve won't protect it from other common hospital forces like splashes, drops, and germs.

The iPad has been engineered for the consumer market, but let's see what Apple comes up with for the health care industry.

Medical students with iPads at the MD/MBA Conference

This weekend, I'm attending the Association of MD/MBA Programs (AMMP) 8th Annual Conference. As you may suspect, several students are using laptops to take notes. I'm also sitting right next to one medical student who came equipped with an Apple iPad. I'm sure there are others here with iPads, so I'll have to conduct a survey later to see how many students are studying with iPads instead of textbooks.

Medical students are busy discussing the iPad phenomenon

On the Student Doctor Network (SDN), medical students are very busy discussing the Apple iPad phenomenon. In the Technology [ PDA / PC / Mac / Etc ] forum, you'll see a post titled, "iPad" and it currently has over 4 pages of discussions! Is it a debate? An overwhelming attitude? A mixed bag of reviews and opinions? Or are the majority of comments not even related to the iPad? You'll have to go there to see. Click here to view the forum discussions on the SDN.

What will the 2nd generation iPad offer?

There's so much buzz about the iPad right now. Apple has such powerful marketing. It's called social media. So many blogs are buzzing right now about the iPad. People are tweeting that they just bought an iPad! I don't plan to buy one, but I'm curious to see what the 2nd generation iPad will offer.

• Will it have a webcam? (I think so)
• Will it be the same size/shape? (I think so)
• Will it have a built-in SD card slot? (Probably not)
• Will it have a USB port? (Probably not)
• Will it run Mac OS X? (Probably not)

So, how will the 2nd generation iPad differ from the 1st generation iPad? My prediction is that the newer model will probably incorporate a faster processor, more RAM, and a webcam so that you can use Skype and other VoIP solutions.

viliv S10 Blade

The viliv S10 Blade is a convertible touch-screen tablet running Windows 7. Equipped with an Intel Atom processor, this Korean convertible tablet PC could be a nice option for those who want a small, thin tablet PC/netbook that has a physical keyboard.

Of course, you could also get the ASUS Eee PC T101MT. This little convertible tablet PC/netbook is another nice option.

Why I'd get an HP Slate over an Apple iPad

Here's why I'd get an HP Slate over an Apple iPad:

• HP Slate has 2 webcams. Current iPad has none.
• HP Slate supports Adobe Flash (no work-around required).
• HP Slate runs Windows 7. Won't be waiting for apps to get developed.
• HP Slate is less expensive (for the same amount of storage space)
• HP Slate will have a built-in SD card slot.
• HP Slate will have a built-in USB 2.0 port.
• I already own an iPod touch (it's like a small iPad).

Here's why I'd prefer the iPad over the HP Slate:

• Much longer battery life (10 hrs vs. 5 hrs).

I'm a huge fan of both Apple and HP, but when it comes to iPad vs. Slate, I think I'd rather spend the money on the HP Slate. I'm a power user. I'm not just looking for an e-book reader that has a color screen. I'm not looking for a consumer device that's mainly designed for entertainment. I have an iPod touch that can do all of that. 

HP Slate specs and prices

With all the buzz and excitement surrounding the iPad, when's HP releasing the Slate?

It looks like HP has finally released the specs for the Slate. It will have an 8.9" capacitive multi-touch display, it will run Windows 7, it will have an SD card slot, it will have a USB 2.0 port, and it will have cameras on the front and back of the device. With a 1.6GHz Atom Z530 processor and 1 GB of RAM, it won't be a

Reminds me of my Samsung Q1 Ultra Ultra-Mobile PC (UMPC).   At $549 for 32 GB of storage, it's going to be very tempting. $599 for 64 GB of storage isn't bad either.

Will the iPad be the "hottest gadget" for 2010?

Here we are in April and I'm wondering if the Apple iPad will be the "hottest gadget" for 2010. I'm sure we'll be seeing more new gadgets this year. HP has the Slate. Google will probably release their Android Pad. We've seen some great looking smartphones. Apple sold over 300,000 iPads on Saturday. I'm sure they'll be selling many more (as long as stores don't run out of stock).

The iPad has generated a significant amount of buzz by the consumer world. I'm curious to see what it will do in the health care field. How many physicians will be using the iPad for professional use vs. personal use? How many use the iPad as a patient education tool? How many are simply wondering how this oversized iPod has generated so much excitement?

As I read all the different iPad reviews out there, I realize that people are looking at the iPad with different types of expectations. If you're expecting a "computer," then you'll be disappointed. If you're looking for a large iPod touch, then you'll get what you're looking for. If you're looking for a "super Kindle," then you'll be quite impressed.

Did you buy an iPad today?

So, if you bought an iPad today, what do you think? Any buyer's remorse? Frustrated that you can't access web pages that have Adobe Flash?

Many people have asked me if I'll be buying an iPad. Not now. In fact, I probably won't buy the first generation iPad since I know that the 2nd generation iPad will be a better device and I won't want to sell a first generation iPad to buy a 2nd generation iPad. The big question in my mind is: "when will the 2nd generation iPad get released?"

I'm also keeping an eye on the HP Slate. This device will run Windows 7, be compatible with Adobe Flash, and I believe it will have an SD card slot and USB ports. I think it may also have a webcam.

I'm also waiting to see what type of Android slate tablets get released this year.

Given that the iPad doesn't support Adobe Flash, you'll run into problems if you try to access websites that have Flash animation.

iPad apps now on the iTunes App Store

If you plan to buy an iPad this weekend, you should take a look at the App Store on iTunes to see which apps you'd like to purchase. The iPad is much more than a large iPod touch. I believe it will ultimately transform the way physicians educate patients. It will be a communication tool that will empower patients to learn more about disease self management.

Well, the iPad is coming out this Saturday and I'm sure the shopping malls will be buzzing with a lot of iPad activity. Let's see what ends up happening on iTunes over the next few months as iPad users start looking for apps designed for this large screen.

Voalté® Announces Support For Apple iPad

Mobile Healthcare – There’s a New Platform in Town
Voalté® Announces Support For Apple iPad, Integration Available by Apple Ship Date

SARASOTA, Fla. February 3, 2010 – Voalté®, the leader in Point-of-Care communication technology, today announced its Voalté One solution will be available on the Apple iPad platform. The application brings cutting edge communication technology to nurses and other point-of-care workers.

Voalté (nomenclature derived from Voice, Alarm, Text) currently consolidates all three functions on the versatile iPhone platform. The first-of-its-kind application enables users to send and receive text messages, make voice calls, and receive critical care alarms on the iPhone, providing faster response times to patient needs.

“We feel the iPad will be great tool for healthcare clinicians,” said Trey Lauderdale, vice president of innovation for Voalté. “While this is not necessarily a nurse’s only device, the increased screen size will be beneficial for physicians and other clinicians who want to connect with the EMR, view medical images, make diagnosis and educate the patient.”

Read more »

PC Magazine reviews the iPad

Reviews of the Apple iPad are starting to emerge. PC Magazine has given the Apple iPad the "Editor's Choice" recognition stamp. Here's a brief summary of the highlights.

Bottom line:
A difficult-to-pinpoint target customer and a few pesky omissions are overshadowed by the excellent overall experience you get with Apple's iPad. And it sets the bar high for competing products in this nascent Internet tablet category.

Pros:
Sleek design. Gorgeous, sharp, accurate touch screen. Improved iPod, Safari browser, photo and e-mail apps. iBooks look fantastic and titles are easy to purchase and download. A plethora of downloadable apps.

Cons:
Lacks Flash support. No camera or video recorder. No multitasking capability. Cover Flow is missing from the iPod app. Doesn't ship with a case. Earbuds aren't included.

To read the entire review from PC Magazine, click here.