Dell Mini 5 tablet (slate) coming soon

Get ready for this Android-powered mini slate tablet called the Dell Mini 5. This video gives you a glimpse of this device. Should this be called a tablet? A slate? An MID or Mobile Internet Device? A PDA or smartphone? Reminds me of the Archos 5 Internet Tablet running Google Android.

UPMC vs. UMPC

UPMC = The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
UMPC = Ultra-Mobile PC

The two acronyms have the same letters, but in different arrangements. Can you see why people may get them confused?

Who came up with UMPC anyways? It's hardly used these days because the UMPC movement really never took off the ground and netbooks have swept the nation. Now, if a tiny tablet or other form of miniature PC appears, people are more inclined to call them "netbooks."

To add to the confusion, we're now seeing a major movement in digital book readers like the Amazon Kindle and the Barnes and Noble Nook. As these devices evolve and incorporate color screens and Internet capabilities, how will they get classified? What will people call Apple's new iSlate tablet? Will they refer to it as a tablet PC? (I doubt that) or a giant iPod touch? (I doubt that too). They certainly won't call it a UMPC or a digital book reader (even though I'm sure it will be capable of displaying e-books).

We're causing mass confusion by adding more acronyms and names for these small gadgets that don't really fall into the category of "laptop" or "smartphone." Let's hope that 2010 is a year when we'll develop some type of standardization on this whole topic.

New mobile computers at CES

CES is coming up and we'll see some really great looking mobile computers appear at CES in January. Next week, we'll see a variety of ultra-mobile PCs (UMPCs), mobile internet devices (MIDs), micro PCs, netbooks, and many other mobile devices. Since CES is mainly geared for consumers, we may not see many devices (other than tablet PCs) that can be used in the hospital setting.

Wouldn't it be great to see something like CES that's primarily for health care professionals?

Excited about CES?

Someday, I hope to attend CES (Consumer Electronics Show). I know several people who attend every year and I'm so envious. So many innovative computers and other mobile devices (such as MIDs, UMPCs, micro computers, etc.) get presented every year at CES. Now that I think about it, it's probably better that I'm not there. Otherwise, I'd be buying things left and right when they come out. I'm very much an early adopter, but recently I've tried to slow down so that I'm not spending so much money on technology that quickly becomes obsolete.

So what about you? Are you a gadget freak? Do you own multiple computers and handheld devices? Are you an early adopter? Do people ask you questions related to technology and computers?

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?

Is a smartphone a pocket computer?

How do you define the word "computer?" Here's how Webster defines it: a programmable usually electronic device that can store, retrieve, and process data.

Today, so many devices and gadgets qualify as a computer if you choose to follow the Webster dictionary. Of course, most of us expect that personal computers will run an operating system such as Linux, Mac OS X, and Microsoft Windows.

We now have specific terms for simpler devices that don't run a complete OS. The line between a mobile internet device or MID and smartphone is getting blurred all the time. At what point will a smartphone replace all these ultra-mobile PCs (UMPCs) and micro PCs that are emerging? I often wonder about the role of these pocket-sized computers that run Windows XP, Vista, or 7. Does that really make sense? Or is Google Android sufficient?

For some people, the smartphone has become their pocket computer. They check e-mail, use Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and they browse the Internet. You've seen those commercials on television where people are using their smartphone to stay productive outside of the office. Is that realistic? Are people actually doing that? How productive can you be on such a small device?

Nokia N900 MID tablet

The Nokia N900 is the first Mobile Internet Device (MID) tablet that uses wireless data networks. Unlike prior tablets that only had Wi-Fi access, this device can be used anywhere you have access to a 3G network. You'll get Bluetooth and Wi-Fi on the N900.

So, does it make sense to have a dedicated tablet like the Nokia N900? Or, should the N900 also be a type of smartphone? It's going to run a Linux-based OS called Maemo, so I doubt you'll find many medical applications for it. However, maybe all you really need is a mobile web browser so that you can look your medical questions.

Would you use a "mini notebook" over a netbook or notebook?

First, perhaps we have to define the term "mini notebook." I am not referring to netbooks. I'm not referring to tablet-style ultra-mobile PCs (UMPC). In my book, the category "mini notebook" is a very unique category because we see a few devices out there that don't really fall into the UMPC or netbook categories. Some may say that they're a netbook or UMPC, but I'd probably disagree.

Let me pick on two examples:

1. Sony Vaio P. This is a very slim mini notebook. It lacks a touch screen. The screen is 8" and it weighs 1.4 pounds. Some may call it a netbook, but Sony prefers not to call it a netbook. I call this device a mini notebook. It's smaller than a netbook. It could be a UMPC (since it is ultra-mobile), but that could be debatable.
2. Fujitsu U820. Fujitsu calls this device a "mini-notebook." It has a passive touch screen that is 5.6" and the device weighs 1.32 pounds. This device can be converted from a notebook to a tablet. So, it's actually a mini convertible tablet PC. Fujitsu shouldn't call it a mini notebook.
   

Are these mini notebooks practical devices? Or are they glorified toys (very expensive toys) for gadget lovers like me? They're still far too expensive to compete against netbooks. Will they survive? At some point, devices can be too small to be very useful.

As smartphones become more powerful and as they blur the line between smartphone and MID (mobile internet device), we will certainly see an evolution of mobile computing practices. What if someday, your smartphone is your entire PC? You dock it at work, use a full-size keyboard with two monitors, and then you remove it from the dock to take it home with you. Can you imagine holding that much computing power in your pocket?

Should mobile PCs have a thumb keyboard?

As more healthcare professionals use smartphones (BlackBerry, Treo, etc.) that have a thumb keyboard, they're getting fairly proficient at thumb typing. You don't need to have a T-Mobile Sidekick to know how to use a thumb keyboard.

Does it make sense to include thumb keyboards on more mobile devices such as ultra-mobile PCs (UMPC)? The OQO model 02 had a thumb keyboard. The Sony Vaio UX series also had a thumb keyboard. Samsung added a thumb keyboard to the Q1 Ultra UMPC series when the original Q1 did not have a thumb keyboard.

Does it make sense to have a thumb keyboard on smaller slate tablet PCs? If we follow the Samsung model, we see this:

• Original Q1 (slate only, no thumb keyboard)
• Q1 Ultra (slate plus thumb keyboard)
• Q1 EX (slate only, no thumb keyboard)

Does this reveal that the thumb keyboard on an ultra-mobile slate tablet PC was a flop? What about sliders? The OQO and Sony UX both included a thumb keyboard. Even the Nokia N810 MID has a thumb keyboard. However, the Viliv S5 does not. Does that make sense?

Viliv S5 reviewed by PC Magazine

The Viliv S5 Premium has been reviewed by PC Magazine. It's a tiny little PC (also known by some as an ultra-mobile PC or UMPC).

Conclusion = Fair
Bottom Line:

The Viliv S5 Premium is a pocket-sized MID with a touch-only interface and a full blown operating system, but the price is real deal-breaker here.

Pros

• Fits nicely into a large pocket. Featherweight PC. Good battery life.

Cons

• Processor not running full speed.
  
• Wireless throughput is slow.
  
• Choked during 720p HD playback.
  
• Haptic keyboard needs predictive text.
  
• Resolution too high for text on a 4.8-inch screen.
  
• Too expensive for stripped down netbook.
  
• Lacks a physical keyboard.

I'm surprised it even got 2 stars and a "fair" rating with that list of cons. The question in my mind is this: Is the ultra-mini PC market simply not practical? Without a doubt, it's not practical for most consumers. But what about for the healthcare industry? At what point does a computer become too small that it loses its value?

There must be a reason why I'm not using my OQO model 02 very much these days. I use my Samsung Q1 Ultra and Thinkpad X200 all the time. However, my model 02 simply isn't getting much use anymore. Is it simply an impractical luxury? Click here for the full review of the Viliv S5 on PC Magazine.

Smartphones and MIDs

MID = mobile internet device. Sounds like a smartphone, doesn't it? Will the term MID dissolve? Or, will smartphones get renamed as MIDs? Read my post on MedicalSmartphones.com titled, "Is a Smartphone an MID?"

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.