Tablet PC Adoption - What it Takes
By Bernie Day, VP Marketing, Leszynski Group

Why does someone decide to buy a Tablet PC? Is it because it is cool? Is it because some software programs works best on it? Is it because a visionary company says so? No, it's not. It actually requires understanding what the Tablet PC can do that other computers cannot. So, let's look for a moment at the differences, rather than the comparables in an examination of the Tablet PC.

Differences:

• The Tablet PC can convert handwriting and/or voice to text. Why is this important? Because handwriting and voice don't fit into a database as eloquently as text does. Data accumulated into a database allows for specified usage of that data, as we all know. The ability to capture, store, retrieve and use data the way we are accustomed to and yet gather it in a new and better way is one of the most compelling differences of the Tablet PC when comparing it to other computers. This new way is through the use of a digital pen and digital paper as well as digital voice.
• The Tablet PC uses a digital pen (stylus) to enter info and navigate pages. The digital pen is the mouse and the keyboard - all in one. It allows for quicker movement from page to page by tapping directly on the screen. It allows for handwriting to be used to gather data (and speaking) - the most "natural" method(s).
• The Tablet PC allows input while standing. This feature is not available with any traditional desktop or laptop simply because a keyboard is necessary to enter data. The Tablet PC can gather handwriting on the screen's surface using a digital pen (stylus) and therefore can be used in any workflow while moving about.
• The Tablet PC is versatile. It can be used in the traditional sense as either a desktop by plugging in a mouse, keyboard and/or CD-ROM and dropped into a docking station (with a slate model) or like the laptop by using the convertible model that has the traditional built-ins but has the added Tablet PC inking and voice features.
• The Tablet PC is lighter. This is especially true when using the slate models where keyboard & CD-ROMs are not part of the mobile system. Being lighter weight allows for long-term carrying from place to place while continuing the data-gathering process. This makes the Tablet PC very portable.
• The Tablet PC allows handwritten notes to be searchable. This feature is not available anywhere else. Any meeting notes, phone notes, or any note of any kind can be written and saved in the handwritten form and be searched for and found when desired. This feature alone makes one realize that they can now get rid of all notepads, paper bits of information and move to a digital format for gathering information on the fly whether it's a phone number or an itinerary. What this means is: No more lost information.
• The Tablet PC allows for annotation with ink. This feature provides a digital way to add comments and/or highlights to any content whether it be a legal brief or a PowerPoint presentation.
• The Tablet PC has produced new opportunities for shifting data entry from the enterprise to the consumer. This is best understood when examining workflows. Imagine the patient filling out his/her medical history on a Tablet PC rather than the receptionist transcribing it from a paper form on a clipboard. Imagine the home inspector entering data electronically while moving about a building rather than taking notes on a clipboard only to return to the office and redo the data-entry, this time into his/her desktop or worse, on a laptop in the car. Imagine meeting notes being handwritten and then re-typed. Almost any workflow can be improved by moving from a paper form to a digital one.
• It is more expensive - but it's worth it! Yes, Tablet PCs are more expensive than traditional desktops and laptops but when one considers the additional features mentioned above, why would a person or enterprise not make that extra investment?

In conclusion Tablet PCs are here to stay. A great deal of effort is being invested by many people to provide the best possible innovations to make this device exceed user expectations. These include software that improves handwriting and voice conversion, specific software that makes gathering data easier, and educational programs to help users leverage all of its features and benefits. If you are not a user yet, try one. Once you do, you will find that the upgrade is well worth the investment!

Author:
Ms. Bernie Day, VP Marketing, Leszynski inDepth Training, provides educational leadership about emerging technologies. You are invited to attend FREE educational events produced by Leszynski inDepth Training (Event Division of Leszynski Group). Review the list of current event offerings and register today: www.tabletpctraining.com/gateway. These educational opportunities are FREE to the public through a sponsorship model. If you are interested in sponsoring an event in your city, please call Ms. Bernie Day at: 1-866-644-7826, x219 or email: bernied@leszynski.com.

Wow... March is quickly coming to a close here, and April is fast approaching. Obviously this newsletter has a global reach, but here in the US Pacific Northwest spring is well upon us and just about everything is in bloom. The weather isn't bad either :-) (73 degrees right now, sunny blue skies, slight breeze). Enough about the weather though, as spring around here is bringing some added excitement in the Tablet PC community.

Last week release canidate 1 of Windows XP Service Pack 2 was released. Included in that release canidate is release canidate 1 of Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2004. (say that 5 times fast) This of course brings us a tad closer to the official release of this much awaited Tablet PC update.

Also last week Microsoft held their Mobile DevCon developer conference. I was not able to go, but Lora from WhatIsNew was there and provides a nice wrap up on her site. From talking to her this morning it sounds like there was a fair amount of excitement and interest surrounding the Tablet PC at the conference. And she also said the Microsoft Tablet PC did a great job of handling the interest and evangelizing (for lack of a better term) the platform. It is always great to hear stuff like this, as it shows not only the interest in the platform from the outside, but also the interest given the platform from the inside of Microsoft.

Anyway, looks like there are some exciting times on the horizon for the Tablet PC. Thanks for making us a part of your Tablet PC experience!

(spg@tabletpcbuzz.com)

“Hand vs. Key”

This week’s thread is one which has some interesting perspectives. It’s a general debate about the use of various input methods, but mostly focused on the use of handwriting vs. different flavors of on screen “tapping” keyboards. Started by forum member AlphaTap (who by the way is a software vendor, discussing his own product), a number of people have chimed in with their opinion on the best current and future methods of inputting text into a Tablet PC, and PC’s in general. The makers of AlphaTap software contend that eventually in the future, we will no longer use handwriting input at all! Here is a small quote from AlphaTap (Liam):

“My guess about what's held back Tablet PC adoption, and even pen computing in earlier incarnations, is the emphasis on handwriting. We've all been doing it since grade school, so it seems fundamental, and a pen is a natural tool to wield. But handwriting is a weak adaptation of speech for paper. Drawing is the original app of the pen, and I love having it on the tablet (drawing should be taught in school as carefully as writing). But I don't think handwriting cuts it in a digital domain. How can tablets become the norm if they cut your text productivity in half?”

Interesting perspective. I do find it interesting the we are returning to the pen after years of learning to type, but still feel there is value in the personalization offered and capabilities offered with ink. But the question and debate is a good one. Why do we want to use an input method that cuts our productivity level? Our beloved Buzz leader Spencer offered this perspective:

“Liam - You mention you think that an emphasis on handwriting is what is holding the Tablet PC back... I don't really think so. The biggest hurdles right now are having enough pen-centric or "pen perfect" applications out there to make them fully useful, and then of course hardware pricing. I will admit that to much of an emphasis has probably been placed on handwriting recognition though. People always say recognizing the handwriting is slower, which it is. The power of the Tablet PC though, is that you don't have to recognize it. Apps like Journal and OneNote let you take notes in your own handwriting, with the natural ink interface. This basically gives you a digital notebook, much easier to use and organize than paper... and allows you to increase productivity dramatically.”

There was also some discussion on the “other” benefits of using digital ink. Things like personalization, the use of the pen to draw diagrams, etc. When stating an opinion on using a “tapping” keyboard, forum member Rob Bushway stated it very simply and honestly:

“why? Handwriting is natural and certainly faster than pecking on an input panel. when I have to put out a long document, I type it. otherwise, I find I actually "enjoy" handwriting. Pecking something out requires something more that handwriting doesn't. Can't explain it, but it does.”

All in all, a very interesting debate worth reading through. Check out the entire thread for your self, see what people think, and offer your thoughts!

http://www.tabletpcbuzz.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=10965

“Good luck on your inking journey …..”