I'm sure that eveyone remembers MacGyver as being famous for knowing how to make useful things from practically nothing! I wonder if MacGyver was given a tabletkiosk eo UMPC, and the task of taking it into the field on a typical residential appraisal assignment, just "What Would MacGyver Do?" to get the job done?!
Let's face it . . .the tabletkiosk eo UMPC is a great little device but it doesn't take long to see that it is does have its shortcomings in terms of being a "Full Featured" data collection device for appraisers.
What Are Its Shortcomings?
- No Ethernet Port (10/100 RJ-45)
- No Flash Card / SD Memory Card Reader
- No PMCIA slot ( for EVDO - HSDPA )
- No VGA port (full monitor)
- No Port Replicator (currently available)
- Short Battery Life (1.5 - 2 hours standard)
- No Built-In MIC (microphone)
- No Built-in Camera
- No Built-in GPS
The good news? There's a great selection of add-on hardware and software solutions to overcome many of the eo's deficiencies. MacGyver HELP!!!! . . . read on:
No Ethernet Port: If I've got WiFi access wherever I go, an Ethernet port for Internet access won't be a problem. But, what if my office does not have a WiFi LAN or I'm staying in a motel without wireless Internet? It can be a big problem. In my earlier "eo - First Impressions" blog post I also disussed issues with loading drivers (out of the box) to connect the eo to a network.
Solution: A USB to Ethernet adapter. For $20-$30 either the SMC Networks or Linksys Compact USB 2.0 10/100 Network Adapters would make a good "mobile" choice. In an office, the cabled Belkin version should do the trick.
No Memory Card Slot: Even though I purchased a USB to Ethernet adapter, there was no way to install the drivers! Also, my WiFi setup uses WAP security and the easiest way to setup a new computer is to copy over the existing settings. Because the only hardware "connectivity" slots available are USB, I needed to find some way to install the drivers/files directly via the USB port.
Solution: A Jump Drive or a basic USB memory card reader for use with an existing memory card. Pop the USB drive/card into an existing computer, copy the install files, and then plug it into the UMPC. The USB device will be automatically recognized as an additional drive.
No PMCIA Card Slot (for EVDO - HSDPA ): I've purchased a UMPC because I plan on being "Ultra Mobile" right!? Today, that means I want to always have access to the Internet. The problem is that EVDO - HSDPA "Air Cards" are primarily designed for Laptops and full-sized Tablet PCs. What can I do?
Solution: Products like the Franklin Wireless USB EVDO card will enable Tablet PC users that do not have a PCMCIA card slot to connect to the Internet or company information with broadband-like download speeds using Sprint Mobile Broadband Services operating on the Sprint Power Vision Network. Previous ultra mobile portables have had the "ball and chain" by tethering their EVDO phones/pda's but now those days are over.
No VGA (Monitor) Port / Port Replicator: Maybe I want to use my UMPC as a "Desktop Replacement" (not recommended)? Maybe use it for out-of-the-office presentations? Maybe I just want a simple way to connect my UMPC to a traditional network/desktop? How can I do that with just two USB ports?
Solution: The UniXpress - USB 2.0 Universal Port Replicator with VGA and Dual PC support is the ULTIMATE "MacGyver" solution! Users simply connect the VGA display, Ethernet, speakers, microphone, USB printers, and other peripherals to UniXpress. All of these peripherals can then interface with the computer via one single USB cable. This cable will be the only cable the user connects or disconnects when the computer is on the go!
Short Battery Life (1.5 - 2 hours standard): Again! Since this is a an "Ultra Mobile" device, we expect the device to be mobile most of the time. If the standard battery is only going to last for up to 2 hours, that means I need to to recharge it in the field or come up with a longer lasting solution.
Solution: I've opted for BOTH solutions! I purchased the tabletkiosk eo Auto-Charger and "Extended Battery (6-cells)". I've discharged and recharged the extended battery and believe that it will work well for 3 to 4 hours. When I'm in the car I can plug the unit into the car charger. For an emergency back-up, I have the original 3-cell battery charged up.
No Built-In MIC (microphone): A week or so ago I got interested setting up a Skype account while I had some down-time in another town. That's when I first realized that I had some sort of issue with voice recording. A call to tabletkiosk confirmed that the eo does NOT have a built-in MIC. When you think about it, that's almost inconceivable! A UMPC running XP for Tablets, that incorporates voice activated commands, but does not have a MIC?? How am I going to make voice memos while doing property inspections?
Solution: The tabletkiosk eo comes with an ear-bud/microphone thingy that plugs into the audio jack on the upper-right of the unit. I've tested the MIC, and it does allow recording, but I really don't want to be tethered to the unit. The least expensive and simplest solution I could find is the Nexxtech Mini Notebook Microphone (eBay) . Another, more full-featured, devices is from Planet Headset. It uses one of the USB ports and still has jacks for a headphone monitor and for an optional external microphone. photo Once the eo is equipped with a microphone, notes and voice recordings can be saved to a OneNote entry.
No Built-in Camera: Most of the newer cell phones come equipped with small built-in cameras. As in the case of the MIC (above) I find it incredulous to think of a UMPC not having at least a camera for VoIP (Skype / Vonage) conversations. I've tried the flash card style phones in my Pocket PC, and would have thought by now that we'd have seen significant improvement. Built-in imaging, connected directly to an appraisal record or file is a must have.
Solution: I'm not sure that there is a GOOD solution to this. I could find the Multipod 5-in-1 (see photo above) "MacGyver" style device for sale on the Internet because I don't think it is still available?? The Kodak V610 has Bluetooth connectivity but does not have the popular wide-angle-lens that we appraisers favor in the V570 and V705. A lower tech solution (for now) is to use a USB to Camera connection or a USB card reader solution.
Some other things I'd like to see in a Tablet PC camera:
- A 180-degree rotatable lens so that the camera can be pointed toward the user, away from the user, or parallel to the Tablet PC case when the Tablet PC is resting horizontally on a table.
- Cableless USB camera with a built-in connector that plugs right into a USB port.
- Thin packaging that is no wider than my eo Tablet PC so that when I lay the eo flat, the camera doesn't get in the way.
- On the Tablet PC there would need to be USB connectors on the top and side of the case so that the camera can be used equally well in landscape and portrait modes.
No Built-in GPS: This of course is NOT unsual!! But I'm pretty sure that the "MacGyver" style appraisers would demand it!! (wink) In an earlier Appraisal Scoop blog post I discussed StreetDeck. That devices is pretty much a catch-all for all the other toys one might want!
Features:
- Voice guided turn-by-turn navigation with auto-rerouting
- Detailed geographic coverage for the United States and Canada
- Cities and major highways for Mexico
- Innovative gesture-based touchscreen interface
- CD playback and ripping
- MP3 and digital audio playback
- Video jukebox
- Picture Viewer
- High-quality American/English text-to-speech voices
- Full development tools for writing DigitalMods and customizing skins
Additional Features:
- Downloadable web-based service integration for weather, navigation data, and more
- DVD playback (requires DVD drive and appropriate codec)
- FM Radio (requires FM tuner hardware)
- Voice recognition (requires microphone)
- Wireless multimedia library synchronization (requires WiFi)
- Bluetooth Phone Integration (coming soon)
- Satellite Radio (XM Radio only, requires adapter)
- Vehicle Diagnostics (requires OBD-II adapter)
Author: Brian J. Davis, RAA - Brian Davis & Associates - Brian has over 22 years of appraisal experience in Central, IL and hosts the Appraisal Scoop blog and the WinTOTAL Users Group an email forum for appraisers
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