Quicknav is a sidebar shortcut application that allows quick and convenient access to things like the integrated camera, video and voice recording functions via a touch friendly interface.

On the CL900 it can comfortably replace the ExTouch software that ships with the device for a couple of reasons:

• Easier access to camera functions
• Full access to the camera’s full 3Mp resolution
• Easy selection of front or back camera
• Geo-tagging via the CL900’s inbuilt satellite based GPS
• Camera based barcode scanning function.

Dialkeys has actually been around for many years now. I first encountered it on the Samsung Q1 UMPC device about 5 years ago. It has come along way, but some features like the alternative onscreen keyboard still work great with a touch screen device like the CL900.

Barcode Reader

Quicknav offers users the ability to capture barcodes using the devices inbuilt front and back cameras. This feature should not to be confused with the CL900s upcoming inbuilt barcode scanner option.

Capturing Barcodes with an inbuilt camera is only for very occasional use and cannot be compared to inbuilt dedicated barcode scanning hardware. If you need to scan more than about 5 barcodes a day you will want to go with a dedicated barcode scanner as the camera method is too slow and fiddly to use.

Number Pad

On the input front, the on screen Number Pad function is fantastic for entering data in places like Excel spread sheets. You’ll find that the number keys are big and easier to use with touch. The keypad seems to be fixed to the right hand side – sorry Leftys!

Camera

As mentioned above, the camera functionality of the Quicknav software allows you to easily access the full 3 megapixels of the inbuilt front and back webcams.

You can now also geo-tag photos taken with the inbuilt camera. Geo-tagging takes GPS coordinates from the inbuilt GPS on the CL900 and adds them to the properties of the photo. A time stamp can also be added as well as an arbitrary text stamp.

Download Quicknav here:

http://www.motioncomputing.com/drivers/CL900/CL900_Motion_QuickNav_v1118_RN.htm

It’s currently in Beta, so don’t be surprised if you find a bug here or there!

More information on the Motion Computing CL900 here.

As Tablet PC resellers, we have helped many, many Mac users switch to the PC platform. The best kept technology secrets (Windows 7 Tablet PC with OneNote) once discovered are so compelling that even the best of Apple’s marketing machine can’t compete.

The ability to take handwritten searchable notes on a powerful PC platform – once discovered – outguns the slickest, shiniest gadgets that the market has to offer.

Don’t believe me? Then read this from a Tablet PC teacher who wrote in to John Guin’s OneNote blog:

From: http://blogs.msdn.com/b/johnguin/archive/2010/12/16/a-nice-letter-from-a-teacher-using-onenote.aspx

This is reminiscent of many of our experiences in switching Mac users to the Tablet PC.

I hope folks high up in Microsoft and their hardware partners take note of comments like this. Many companies like HP, seem to have swallowed the rhetoric on multi-touch and have become blinded to the untouched market for real productivity Tablet PCs (Perhaps why the are jagging around with the HP slate 500).

Fortunately, some companies are alert to the power of Tablet PCs with touch AND pen (Running OneNote!) and you’ll see a number of new tablets emerging shortly into a new age of accessible Tablet PCs for the mass market!

Cheek out the OneNote Facebook page to see how many Mac uses are begging for a Mac, iPhone and iPad version… it’ll never happen of course. Ok, so onenote for iPhone is out now in the US only which will be a big bonus for the masses of PC based iPhone users, but still no sign of Mac and iPad versions…

Dolphin software of Darwin created a software solution that takes advantage at the MCA features of the C5 such as the integrated camera and 2D barcode scanner to gather information without the need to re-key data or scan documents.

See the video below with an interview of Dolphin software’s Peter Burwell.

For more information on the Motion Computing C5 see our product page here.

Intov8 are the developers of the Corvus Dashboard Suite which enables you to track live data from your mine directly on your Tablet PC screen while you are mobile.

Visit us for a hands on demonstration of Corvis on the Motion Computing F5v and Motion Computing J3500 Tablet PCs. We’ll also have a 23” Wacom Interactive Pen Display for you to test out.

When: 27th – 29th July 2010

Where: Queensland Mining & Engineering (QME) Stand 6040 with Intov8

Click on the image below for the Intov8 flyer.

See you there!

We’ve already had some very interesting hardware shown this week at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.

However, here at TabletPC.com.au, we think that the year of the Tablet PC was 2009!

Sure, the consumer devices from the like of HP, Lenovo, Viliv and Apple will make some waves this year. On the Windows front we have already seen a wave of pen and multi-touch devices like the Lenovo X200t and Fujitsu T4310 with capacitive touch screens.

But the serious Tablet PC business really kicked off last year. 2009 saw many large and small Australian organizations deploy mobile computing solutions with Tablet PCs.

What happened in 2009 for Tablet PCs?

1. Windows 7 – Mobile computing  took a huge stride forward in 2009 on the back of improvements in Windows 7.
2. Outdoor Screen Technology – The introduction of the Hydis AFFS+ display by Motion Computing was a technical breakthrough for Tablet PCs (currently on Motion Computing F5, C5 and J3400) – Most Tablets are used outdoors at some stage, so this technology is essential.
    
3. Mobile Broadband Access – We now have Tablet PCs with 21mbps mobile broadband access with GPS onboard.
4. Applications – Software developers are continuing to embrace mobile applications in areas like building and construction management, building and pest inspections, sales force automation, digital forms, GIS and mapping.

Who started using Tablet PCs in 2009?

Hundreds of Australian  organisations deployed Tablet PCs in 2009 because of advancements in hardware and software that make field computing solutions now practical. Here’s a taste of the types of companies that we helped deploy Tablet PCs with in 2009:

• Defence and Police Forces around Australia
• Local Governments from North Queensland to Tasmania and across to WA. 
• Distribution businesses
• Manufacturing businesses
• Nurseries, Farms,
• Building, engineering, architecture and construction companies
• Physiotherapists, Occupational therapists, Nurses, Doctors, Clinics,  Aged Care Facilities and Hospitals
• Restaurants, Hotels, Bars and Pubs

And many more from small “Mum and Dad” businesses through to multinational companies.

Why did they choose Tablet PCs in 2009?

Our customers have many reasons for choosing Windows based Tablet PCs for their jobs and projects. They generally boil down to the following:

• You gain true computing mobility without sacrificing power
• You can now read the screen without effort
  • Outside reading is comfortable with good battery life
  • Screens are much bigger than PDA (PDA screens are too poky for many jobs)
• They can run their existing Windows programs without having to learn a new system or pay to develop a completely new one
• They were surprised to find that handwriting recognition really works, particularly in windows 7
• You can now work all day away from a power source.

Why did they buy from TabletPC.com.au in 2009?

The largest to the smallest Australian companies called on tabletpc.com.au for advice in 2009 because we are still the only independent Australian company that employs real Tablet PC and UMPC experts.

• We sell all of the Tablet PC brands that are available in Australia to independent resellers, including:
• HP, Lenovo, Toshiba and Fujitsu Convertibles
• Panasonic Toughbook Rugged Tablets
• Motion Computing
• Xplore Rugged Tablet PCs
• Tablet Kiosk, Logipad, Getac
• Viliv, Gigabyte, Asus and Samsung UMPCs
• And if it’s not on the list, we can source it for you…
• We are able to give you advice on your specific needs – We don’t have allegiances to any brand, we will only sell you the best device for your job!
• Our staff have all been involved with Windows Tablet PCs since the launch of Windows XP Tablet PC edition in 2001 – in real world use.
• We have a worldwide network of software solution providers to make sure
  that your Tablet PC is not just a piece of hardware, but a solution that will work for you.
• We supply training and support with all of our Tablet PCs that cheap web sellers and even the manufacturers just can’t offer (because their staff have no idea about Tablet PCs!) – We make sure that you know how to use your Tablet PC effectively.

eNoteFile is developed right here in Melbourne in a partnership between Physiotherapist Bruce Cohen and Software Development Firm Kiandra.

Kiandra was recently awarded as the winner of the Microsoft Worldwide Partner of the Year Award 2009 for “Custom Development Solutions, Application Infrastructure Development.”

eNoteFile was described by Microsoft as:

“Onenote meets the mesh”

Companies and individuals who embrace Tablet PCs will benefit from the unique digital ink, note taking, visual search and web synchronisation capabilities of eNoteFile.

Australians will be familiar with organisations who have been using eNoteFile on Tablet PCs such as:

• The Melbourne Storm NRL Club

• The Geelong Cats AFL Club

eNoteFile is an essential application for your Tablet PC or Notebook, and best of all, eNoteFile is free! No strings attached. Download it here (Registration required).

From the Kiandra website:

Kiandra has been awarded the Microsoft Worldwide Partner of the Year 2009 in the category of Custom Development Solutions, Application Infrastructure Development, for our custom developed eNoteFile software and hosted server solution for eNoteFile Services.

eNoteFile draws on the exceptional skills of Kiandra’s development team to securely record, manage, search, synchronise and share detailed notations and related documentation, in an seamlessly online and offline desktop-based environment.

Watch this YouTube video below to get a quick preview of just one of the features that makes eNoteFile a great Tablet and Touch app…

Although eNoteFile was originally intended as a digital ink based paper and filing eliminator for physiotherapists and allied healthcare, it has found application in a wide range of applications such as:

• Construction
• Education
• Project coordination
• Personal note taking
• Team collaboration

As a product, eNoteFile is continually improving, so we will be keeping you up to date with the latest news on eNoteFile.

New Software Launch Provides Tablet PC Powered ‘Green’ Mobility Solution

CANBERRA, ACT – April 22, 2009 – Capitaleyes Business Technologies, a leading provider of document driven process improvement solutions, in conjunction with its strategic partner, www.TabletPC.com.au has announced the release of a low cost, high value software suite to the Australian market in support of Earth Day 2009.

The solution suite is centred on bridging the gap between the collection of vital information on paper forms and how and where that information is subsequently stored and then made available throughout the organisation. The use of a true Digital Ink e‐Forms technology, together with the handwriting recognition capabilities of a new generation Tablet PC or UMPC, provides a capability that not only does away with the need for additional data entry but also helps minimise a company’s environmental footprint.

In migrating from traditional paper to electronic business processes, organisations can generate numerous benefits and significant return on investment through more efficient digital workflows and reduced costs. The adoption of electronic processes to exchange information both internally and externally decreases and often eliminates paper, reducing the impact organisations have on the environment by conserving land and water resources as well as decreasing fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

For example, an employee filling out 20 paper forms each month (10 pages each) during site visits could save the following each year by converting just half of these to electronic transactions:

“Enabling streamlined business process through migration from paper to electronic is a central component of the value we bring and is a common theme across our entire product and service portfolio,” said Kevin Burdette, Principal of Capitaleyes Business Technologies. “By deploying our solutions, organisations can leverage mature technology to drive environmentally‐friendly business practices, lower their carbon footprint and achieve their environmental and business goals.”

About Capitaleyes Business Technologies

CAPITALEYES BUSINESS TECHNOLOGIES provides software and consulting services to improve the outcomes of an organisation’s business process improvement strategies through the use of mature, innovative information exchange technologies. Founded in 2008, CAPITALEYES BUSINESS TECHNOLOGIES is headquartered in Canberra with partners in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and the USA. For more information, please visit: www.capitaleyesbt.com.au.

The Apex Nexus software demonstrated below is one of the most intuitive Tablet PC applications that I’ve ever seen. It allows you to quickly and easily sketch lines while adding angles, curves and dimensions.

Importantly, you can quickly calculate accurate area. A trades person with this kind of power could even produce a quote on the spot. Goodbye competition!

With Nexus, you can sketch a house, a plan, a driveway, a window or anything that has lines and measurements. Click on the picture for a video demonstration.

The Nexus software is often used by:

• Property valuers
• Insurance assessors
• Real estate agents
• Construction engineers
• Builders, concreters, pavers, landscapers, carpenters, carpeters, floor installers
• Anybody who needs to measure and quote.

Nexus also works beautifully with Disto Bluetooth laser measuring devices. Amazing stuff!

The My Font tool is simple to use and allows you to adjust, retire and preview you font before you compile it.

If you’re artistically inclined, this tool could allow you to create a true type font that is completely unique. You could also use it to make your own symbols font.

Want to use the TabletPC.com.au font? Download this file to your windows fonts folder (usually C:\windows\fonts\) and you’re off.

From the Tablet PC power toys page:

Bring your drawings to life with the Physics Illustrator, a motion simulator for the Tablet PC. Simply draw two-dimensional bodies, connect them in various ways, and apply forces, then watch as animation makes the bodies move, collide, and interact.

The Tablet PC physics tool is hours of fun, and you might just learn something too!