The Ultra-Mobile PC is a new kind of computer. It combines the power of Windows XP with mobile-ready technologies that make it easy to access and use your software on the go. Here's an excerpt from my earlier post "Ultra Mobile PC and Apex Sketching - Next Major Technology Leap for Appraisers?"
Real Estate Appraisers, as a group, have been very quick to adopt new technology. Online appraisal ordering, Internet delivery of reports (EDI), digital imaging, laser measurement of properties, and electronic data collection using hand-held Pocket PCs are but a few of the "commonplace" technologies that appraisers pioneered long before their clients were up to speed.
One of the problems with emerging technologies is achieving that blend of the right hardware and the right software at the same time. For example, both appraisers and their clients can remember how digital imaging was held back because of the poor quality printers available back in the "early adopter" stage. For years, appraisers have had mobile and desktop sketching programs but the "mobile" hardware and software have never hit that "sweet-spot" where it could really take-off and be universally adopted by appraisers in the field
That's all about to change . . .
My new tabletkiosk eo UMPC v 7110 finally arrived last week!
Click below to read about for my First Impressions of the tabletkiosk eo™ UMPC v7110 and some of my Learning Curve issues as I try to integrate this new ultra mobile PC into my appraisal and data collection workflow.
READ ON . . .
I purchased my tabletkiosk eo™ UMPC v7110 from Apex Software pre-loaded with MobileSketch Touch Table (MSTT) v3. While still currently in production, I think this unit is considered to be a "Generation One" (G1) device in terms of the evolution of UMPCs.
My decision to buy a UMPC at this point was based on a several factors that might not apply to others. For product purchases (and in life) I generally look at things in terms of "Price and Terms". Seldom do we manage to get both in our favor. In this case, Apex was offering their test units at a discounted price AND they came pre-loaded with the current version of MSTT. A rare situation . . I get BOTH a good price and it comes with software that I want!
Also, my Dell Axim was getting some age on it and the writing-is-on-the-wall in terms of how much longer the PDA is going to be the data collection device-of-choice for appraisers?
My eo model is the v7110 with a 1.0Ghz processor, 1GB of RAM, a 60GB HDD, Bluetooth, 802.11b/g wireless networking, and MS Windows XP Tablet Edition.
I thought I'd share some of my "initial" thoughts as I unpacked and began to use the eo. There have been many other "technical" blogs that have photos, videos, and specs on this device so I won't bore you with a repeat of those comments. In future blogs, I'll try to get into more detailed discussions on how I share files, integrate with MSTT and form filling appraisal software, and other topics. I WELCOME your comments and questions!
NOW WHAT? I opened the box and spread everything out to make sure I had all of the pieces and parts. One of the first things that I thought was "How do I hook this thing up to my computer?" Yes, it does have Bluetooth and WiFi capability but it does not have a standard Ethernet (RJ-45) connector. It has two USB ports though! Hmmm. WiFi??
I had some difficulty getting my the WiFi link working with my Linksys WRT54G Wireless-G router until I went out to the Linksys web site and downloaded their "EasyLink" utility. EasyLink made a copy of the necessary WAP files to my SD card. I popped my SD card into the USB reader and inserted both into the eo (photo to right). The eo recognized the new hardware, launched the EasyLink application, and quickly installed the necessary key to get my WiFi working. I was in BUSINESS!!!
The eo also does not have Flashcard or SD memory card slots. I already have a USB SD card reader to that's not a problem, but I can see now that I'm going to become creative in how I interact with my eo! I've already ordered a USB-to-Ethernet adapter and I also see a USB "thumbdrive" in my future.
I've had a variety of HPC and Pocket PC devices over the years and I've become accustomed to working with ActiveSync. The eo runs Windows XP, like my desktop and laptop computers, and so I need to learn new skills!
LEARNING NEW SKILLS! I plugged in the eo to get it charged up and began thumbing through the two pamphlet sized manuals that came with the device. The hardware manual has a whopping 60 black & white pages in English that primarily only include drawings and explanations of what the buttons do. The other manual is 30+ pages about Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005. There is no tutorial CD included with the device. Good thing we have the Internet for support! Click here for an on-line tutorial.
The Touch Pack is a preinstalled suite of software that is built on top of the Windows XP operating system, specifically designed for UMPCs by Microsoft. The Touch Pack's Program Launcher organizes software programs into categories and it uses large buttons and icons to make it easy to find and launch your favorite applications.
I also discovered that the XP Tablet PC operating system offers enhancements that help with the pen-based computing experience. Let's face it! It's a bit intimidating at first NOT having a keyboard! Here's a few of the most useful ones:
FIRST IMPRESSIONS . . .
- After booting up Windows XP for the first time I had to install 56 updates. This is no different from any other new PC.
- I'm a "lefty" so I like the layout of the controls on the eo.
- There's a utility that links to OneNote, but that application is not shipped with the eo.
- Handwriting recognition seems to work great.
- The hard drive has two partitions.
- The "tabletkiosk" and "eo" logos are stickers that are pretty cheesy looking.
- The unit comes with two styluses. There's a hole in the back where you can stick one of them to prop up the device as a "make-shift" stand.
- It has the standard Windows firewall application but no virus protection.
- The printed documentation is very weak.
- It looks like you can customize all the buttons.
- The screen is great indoors . . . but will take some time getting used to outside.
- The stand that comes with the eo is sort of a "Tinker-Toy" affair. A true docking station is not yet available for the eo.
MUST HAVE ACCESSORIES . . .
- USB to Ethernet Adapter (for when you don't have WiFi access)
- WriteShield Screen Protector (better safe than sorry)
- Automobile Charger (the standard battery runs down quickly)
- Bump case (the eo has a rather slippery finish and no "grip")
WHAT'S IN MY FUTURE?
I'm still just setting up my eo. I've got Outlook Express configured for email but I've not installed any real "Productivity" software like MS Office or appraisal software. I did install Folder Share on both my eo and my desktop machine. FolderShareTM allows you to create a private peer-to-peer network that will help you to synchronize files across multiple devices. I haven't selected the folders that I want to keep in synch yet. That will be for another blog post . . . .
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