Why I won't buy a first generation iPad

Frankly, I was very disappointed by the name iPad. It sounds like iPod. I was really hoping that Apple would choose something like iSlate. After all, if you're a foreigner and you happen to have an accent, then people may have a difficult time understanding you if you say iPod or iPad.

Here are the reasons why I don't plan to purchase a first generation iPad:

• Apple has a history of "fixing" problems and releasing 2nd and 3rd generation mobile devices
• No multi-tasking? You've got to be kidding me. Does this mean that I can't listen to my music while I'm reading an e-book or browsing the web? 
• Pay extra to get an iPad that has built-in 3G and GPS? Why make it an option?
  
• No camera? How will I Skype?
• Still can't easily change the battery.
• Dock only in portrait mode? (I think the 2nd generation iPad will allow you to dock in both portrait and landscape modes)
  
• Where's the Corning Gorilla Glass option?
  

Sorry, but I had much higher hopes for this device. I was quite disappointed and I don't think this first generation iPad will have any significant impact on the health care industry. Then again, the iPad is really geared for the consumer and not for the professional market. I just hope Apple won't punish the early adopters by dropping the price 3 months after the iPad gets released.

Tips when you're computing in the car

Never drive while you're computing in a car. If I'm computing in a car, I'm not driving. Because I do some work-related traveling in the car, I find myself pulling out my laptop, tablet, or ultra-mobile PC to stay productive while I'm on the road. Here are some tips I've learned over the years:

• Never expose your computer or computer bag when you're parked. You're inviting theft.
• Carry a DC charger (or preferably an AC/DC charger) that has an attachment for a cigarette lighter adapter. This way, you can stay charged up while you're in the car.
  
• Use an active laptop cooling pad that has a built-in fan.
  
• Carry an extra battery.
• Tether using your smartphone to get online. Or, use the built-in WWAN. Broadband cards are a nice option as well.
  
• Carry a USB-powered keyboard light if you think you'll be riding at night.
• Plan to use maximum screen brightness when you're riding during the day. This will eat up your battery life, so make sure you have plenty of battery or DC power.
• Get on Traffic.com and check your local traffic.
• Get on Weather.com and check your local weather.
• Offer to navigate if necessary. If your computer has a GPS, then you can easily navigate using your PC.
  

Finally, make sure you don't distract the driver in any way while you're computing.

Archos 5 Internet Tablet reviews (Android)

There are a few reviews of the Archos 5 Internet Tablet (not to be confused with the Internet Media Tablet) floating around on the Internet. I don't plan to purchase an Archos 5 Tablet running Android, but if you're thinking about holiday shopping, then this may be a nice toy for someone who already has a smartphone, netbook, laptop, etc.

So, why is the Archos 5 Internet Tablet so great?

• Runs Google Android (note that the Internet Media Tablet does NOT run Android)
  
• Built-in GPS (once again, the Internet Media Tablet does NOT offer GPS)
  
• Great battery life
• Simple, but functional web browser
• Great multimedia functionality
  
• Very thin
• Nice 4.8" screen

So, looking for a nice little gadget? Consider the Archos 5. However, if you're shopping online, make sure you get the Internet Tablet with Android and not the Internet Media Tablet. I'd encourage you to read the reviews that are out there. You may decide that for the same amount of money, you're better buying a netbook or laptop instead. I can respect that. I don't need another laptop or netbook, but that's me. I also don't need an Archos 5.

Archos 5 Internet Tablet

I'm excited about the upcoming Archos 9, but the Archos 5 appears to be a great little mobile device that you can easily slip in your pocket. Unlike the OQO model 02, the Archos 5 is very thin.

Archos has confused consumers by using the name "Archos 5" to refer to two different products:

• an Internet Media Tablet (I'll call this the media tablet)
  
• an Internet Tablet (I'll call this the Internet tablet)
  

Confused? They both have the word "Internet" and "tablet" in their names, so I agree that it's a bit confusing. The media tablet is a fancy media player that also includes a web browser. The Internet tablet includes some of the features found on the media tablet but it also runs Google Android and it has an internal GPS. So, the Internet Tablet is more like a mini computer. Would it be more clear to use the common phrase Mobile Internet Device (MID)? Archos likes to be different.

Now, some may argue that it doesn't make sense to purchase an Internet Tablet if you already use a smartphone. That's a reasonable argument. However, I have a smartphone and I also have an iPod touch. Some may say that the iPod touch is a media tablet. Others may call it an Internet tablet. I suppose if Apple releases a tablet some day, then things could start to get really interesting. However, until we see that happen, we're really talking about devices that are being defined by their screen sizes and storage capacities. Do you have a smartphone that has a 5" screen? Would you want to use a smartphone if it had a 5" screen?

Archos 9 PCtablet

The Archos 9 is the tablet PC I would buy as a peripheral computer. Actually, it's a PCtablet, not a tablet PC. Archos calls it a netbook, so now I'm really confused.

I would not get this as my main workhorse computer, but as my super note pad and multimedia player. This thing is really thin and light! I like the fact that the screen is 8.9" and it has some nice functional buttons on the sides. If I had to buy a tiny peripheral tablet today, this would be the one on the top of my list.

The Archos 9 doesn't have a cooling fan, so I wonder how warm it gets. How much heat is generated by the 1.8" spinning hard drive and the Intel ATOM Z510 1.1 GHz processor? I currently use a Samsung Q1 Ultra as my super note pad and I'm running Windows 7. I wouldn't mind trading my Q1 Ultra for the Archos 9 so that I can have a larger screen and a thinner device.

If the Archos 9 ends up being a success, then I'm sure the next version will have:

• More RAM (1 GB just isn't enough these days)
  
• A capacitive screen with multi-touch
• Internal GPS
• A cooling fan? (maybe it's really not necessary)
• SSD instead of a spinning 1.8" hard drive
• Built-in WWAN
  
• Longer battery life (although a 5 hr rating is quite impressive for such a thin device)

Let's see what the reviews look like. I wish I could walk into a local Best Buy and play with this device. $499 seems like a reasonable price for this type of tablet. I'm tempted, but I think I'll wait for the next generation and I hope they will include some of the features on my "wish list" above.

I was tempted to buy a netbook today

I saw what appeared to be a killer deal today: A GPS-equipped Dell netbook that includes turn-by-turn navigation features for $499. (I passed on the TV tuner because I never have time to watch television)

Now, let's step back for a minute. How do you use a netbook in your car? Who needs a netbook when you can simply buy a standalone GPS navigator like a TomTom, Garmin, or Magellan for less than $499?

But then again, who needs a standalone GPS unit when you can simply get a GPS-enabled smartphone and install turn-by-turn navigation software made by TomTom, Garmin, and several other major companies?

Fortunately, I did not purchase this netbook. I have enough computers (including some that have built-in GPS functionality) and I really don't need another gadget right now. My HTC Touch Pro2 works just fine as a GPS navigator. My OQO model 02 and my Samsung Q1 Ultra (Ultra-Mobile PC or UMPC) are great gadgets that are capable of GPS navigation if I pair a Bluetooth GPS. My Lenovo Thinkpad X200 tablet PC has a built-in GPS because of the built-in WWAN radio.

So why was I tempted to buy this Dell netbook? Because you simply don't see too many netbooks advertised as a GPS navigator with turn-by-turn navigation software. As netbooks continue to evolve, perhaps a built-in GPS will become a standard feature. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth and fairly standard features. Built-in WWAN is getting to be a standard feature, and this often means that you'll get a built-in GPS antenna.

Sorry Dell, maybe next time. $499 is just too much. $299 is a different story. Of course, if others are looking for a netbook that includes either a built-in GPS or a built-in TV tuner, then you should take a look at the Dell Mini 10 and 10v (starting at $299, but going up to $499 for the nicer models).

Windows 7 drivers for theThinkpad X200 Tablet PC

I now have all the proper drivers for my Lenovo Thinkpad X200 tablet PC running Windows 7. My Device Manager show no errors. My fingerprint scanner works perfectly. The SD reader works. The built-in WWAN also works. This computer originally came with Windows Vista, but I've been running Windows 7 for the past few months and things had been fine. I find that Windows 7 is much faster compared to Vista on this particular machine.

I'm disappointed that ThinkVantage System Update 4.0 didn't load all the necessary drivers for this machine. Well, maybe the next version of System Update will get fixed. In the meanwhile, "thank you" Lenovo for releasing all the drivers for Windows 7. Now, let's see if I can get the internal GPS to work.

More discussions about the Apple Tablet

Have you read the BusinessWeek story about the upcoming Apple Tablet? Will we see different screen size configurations in this upcoming tablet? Will the price point of less than $700 be enough for consumers during this economic depression? Will it compete against the Amazon Kindle as some form of an e-book reader? Will it run the iPod OS or some modified version of Mac OS X? Will early adopters who buy the new Apple tablet get punished as they lower the price after a few months? Will there be a keyboard option? (I'm guessing you'll be able to use a Bluetooth keyboard, but that's just a guess). Will it have an internal GPS chip?

Click here to read the BusinessWeek story.

Traveling with my UMPC

Whenever I travel with my ultra-mobile PC (UMPC), I'm often using it in the car (when I'm not driving, of course). The UMPC is a great travel tool because you can use it as a GPS, an Internet device, and work on your Microsoft Office documents. I don't travel much, but when I do, I always take my UMPC with me. I have to admit that I've even gotten into the habit of taking my UMPC with me when I go out to the mall. I'm always connected!

Nokia RX-51 MID

I admit that whenever I go to the airport, I swing by the technology stores to browse gadgets and play with the Nokia N810 tablet Mobile Internet Device (MID). The N810 is a really nice device that runs a simple Linux OS and has a full-featured web browser. It doesn't support business applications such as Microsoft Office, so it really is a device intended to be used for digital media and web browsing. I never purchased one because I already have so many gadgets that it would be impossible to justify.

I think the new Nokia RX-51 is going to be a really nice MID. In fact, Nokia has been very receptive to feedback and improved their tablet by adding a slide-out keyboard, internal GPS, and additional capabilites. What more can they do? Let's see what Nokia delivers later this year with the RX-51. I'm optimistic that it will be a really versatile device that may help physicians who are on-call and who need to have Internet access while they're out of the house. No one wants to carry around a laptop computer, but people may slip a tiny MID in their pockets.