Author: James Kendrick

It’s a beautiful day that called for heading out and working in the local coffee shop. I’ve been here about an hour working on the ThinkPad X100e laptop. I’m getting a lot of questions about the X100e, and it makes sense to do a brief Q&A session to shed further light on this small ThinkPad.

What is the battery life of the X100e? I have been watching battery life closely, due to concerns about the power consumption of the AMD Neo processor Lenovo is using in the X100e. I am working on battery power presently, and have the power management set to the “Maximum Runtime” setting. ThinkPads have outstanding power management as a rule and I have not customized it on the X100e. I did crank up the screen brightness just a tad, as the coffee shop has all of the blinds open and it’s incredibly bright in here. That will negatively impact the battery life, even at the  Maximum Runtime setting. Based on the length of time I have been working and the current battery percentage, I estimate I can work another four hours. The Windows 7 power meter concurs as it currently estimates 3:55 remaining. I suspect that Lenovo has tweaked the BIOS or other system operation, as this is longer than early reports from other reviewers have indicated. This run time concurs with what I have experienced both yesterday and today.

How good is the performance? My working experience pegs the X100e between Atom-based netbooks and fast notebooks. It is not a screamer, but things happen faster than on a netbook. There is very little lag during operation, and I don’t find myself wishing it was faster.

Does it play HD video? This one is not easy to answer. I find SD video of any kind will play fine, even in full screen mode. I have successfully watched HD video on Hulu, although it gets choppy in full screen mode. The Flash video here on our site is choppy in HD even in a small window. YouTube high quality video plays fine both windowed and in full screen mode. I guess technically the high quality videos of each of these sources are not necessarily true HD.

Does it get too hot? I find it is warmer than Atom-based netbooks, but not alarmingly so. It’s certainly not too hot.

Please leave any other questions you may have about the X100e here in the comments. This is obviously a very popular notebook, given the constant pinging  with various questions. I’ll answer anything I can so just ask away.

The race to get tablets to market has hit the lowly netbook sector, with several models already available and more likely on the way. I love me some slate goodness, and was delighted when Lenovo sent the IdeaPad S10-3t over for a test drive. The S10-3t is the third generation of the Lenovo netbook I tested a while back, and while it’s available in a “normal” netbook configuration the unit I am testing has the convertible multitouch option.

The S10-3t is a 10-inch netbook with some unusual features due to the swivel screen option. It is as small as can be and still fit a screen that size into the case. Lenovo had to make some concessions to keep the netbook this small; it has a multitouch trackpad with no buttons. The two buttons are incorporated into the trackpad itself, something that has been done with varying results by other OEMs. The implementation on the S10-3t works surprisingly well; I normally don’t like this approach but don’t mind this on as implemented here.

The unit I am evaluating has the following configuration:

• CPU: Intel Atom N470, 1.83 GHz
• Memory: 2 GB
• Storage: 250 GB, 5,400 rpm
• Display: 10.1-inch, 1024×600, capacitive multitouch-enabled
• Ports: 2xUSB 2.0, VGA out, audio in, audio out, power, RJ-45, SD/MMC slot
• Communications: Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.1
• Webcam: yes (resolution unspecified)
• OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium
• Battery: 4-cell
• Dimensions and weight: 11.0 x 6.9 x 1.1 inches, 2.8 lbs.

The keyboard on the S10-3t has low profile keys, and it yields a decent typing experience. The aforementioned trackpad is small but works nicely due to the rippled surface. There are two tiny dots on the trackpad, one in each lower corner, to demonstrate where each mouse button lives. Simply click the trackpad in the lower corners to perform left and right mouse clicks.

Lenovo has leveraged its experience making convertible Tablet PCs for years into the design of the convertible function on the S10-3t. The screen will swivel around in either direction, a nice feature as it is not necessary to remember which way it rotates. It swivels around to slate mode smoothly, and while there is no latch to secure it in that mode the screen does not wiggle around.

The bezel around the screen is populated with indicators and buttons to make using the S10-3t easy in slate configuration. There is a large power button that lights up, coupled with a lock slider. The lock slider allows throwing the netbook into a bag while in slate mode without the risk of a button accidentally powering up the device. Underneath the screen (notebook configuration) are 6 LED indicators that show power, battery, wireless radio, HDD activity, caps lock and number lock. On the left side of the screen are three buttons: one to fire up the Lenovo Natural Touch interface, a screen rotation button and a mute button.

The web cam is on the right of the screen, and while it is toward the top of the screen (notebook configuration), it’s lower than those located above the display. This puts the camera off to the side slightly, something that must be taken into account when using Skype.

Using the S10-3t in notebook mode works much like any netbook. The glossy screen is bright and vivid, and the device gives a good notebook experience. The display orientation auto-rotates when it is swiveled around into portrait configuration, although it rotates into upside-down landscape orientation. That is probably configurable and I’ll have to adjust that.

The S10-3t makes for a nice slate tablet, albeit without true inking capability due to the capacitive digitizer. The multitouch functions well, although it can lag at times due to typical Atom processor behavior. Some may find the 600 pixels to be very narrow in portrait mode, especially when surfing the web.

The IdeaPad S10-3t is as good a convertible netbook as you will find, but that comes at a price. The unit as reviewed will cost you $649 on the Lenovo web site, so you’d better have a driving need for the tablet functions.

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When Kevin and I first saw the Lenovo ThinkPad X100e in Vegas earlier this year, I was impressed with the small size of the notebook. I didn’t get much time with the X100e at that time, so I figured that Lenovo had taken a few compromises to get the littlest ThinkPad as small as it did. A pretty red unit showed up at Mobile Tech Manor early this morning, and after spending a few hours looking for a compromise in the X100e, I have to admit that I have been unable to find one so far.

The X100e is infringing on netbook territory given the 11.6-inch screen and relatively low starting price of $449. It firmly leaves the netbook in the dust through stellar performance and with the beautiful, 1366×768 high-res screen.  Throw in a trackstick and multitouch trackpad on top of the full ThinkPad build quality and you leave the netbook world far behind.

The evaluation unit supplied by Lenovo is configured as follows:

• CPU: AMD Athlon Neo MV-40, 1.6 GHz
• Memory: 2 GB (4 GB max.)
• Storage: 320 GB (5,400 rpm)
• Display: 11.6-inch, 1366×768 resolution
• Camera: low-light capable, 0.3 megapixel
• Graphics: ATI Radeon HD3200 integrated, maximum external resolution 2048×1536
• Battery: 6-cell, rated at 5 hour
• Communications: 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi; Bluetooth 2.1; 3G optional (not on the evaluation unit)
• Ports: 3-USB 2.0 (one powered), VGA out, LAN, 4-in-1 card reader slot, audio in/out combo jack
• OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional
• Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.2 x 0.6 – 1.2 inch; 3.3 lbs.

In an effort to keep the X100e price down, Lenovo went with the AMD Neo processor. After using the notebook for over three hours, I am pleased with the system performance using this processor. It is faster than any netbook I have used, and as fast as many “full” notebooks. The only question I have about the AMD processor is how it will affect the battery life. Lenovo rates the 6-cell battery at 5 hours, but after 2 hours heavy use with good power management I only used 20% of the battery. This may be the one case where the OEM battery estimation is actually conservative.

The X100e has no optical drive, because there is no room for one. The keyboard is typical ThinkPad, and that’s to die for. It is also spill-resistant, a nice value. The touchpad is very pleasant to use, and even though I prefer tracksticks, I find myself switching half and half between the two input methods. The touchpad accepts multitouch gestures, making it very useful. Both the touchpad and the trackstick have two mouse buttons each.

It’s too early to make an in-depth evaluation, but I have yet to find anything I don’t like about the ThinkPad X100e. It is as portable as can be, yet provides a complete mobile computing experience. When you realize it is a full ThinkPad, with the build quality that comes with that — you understand the value of the X100e.

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The Viliv S10 Blade has been here for a few days and I am forming some definite opinions about the netbook to share. Like any mobile device, there are things I like and others I don’t. As a refresher, the S10 Blade is a convertible netbook from Viliv, the Korean company that specializes in handheld computers. The 10-inch display can be rotated around to enable use as a slate tablet. Viliv chose an interesting option with this display, as it is a resistive multitouch screen. This has pluses and minuses, as you will see in the list of the 5 things I like and dislike about the S10 Blade.

Likes

Form factor. The S10 Blade is as thin and light as any netbook, even with the convertible screen. It is comfortable to both carry and use in the hands for extended periods. Viliv designed the device with hand use in mind, as every edge is smooth and rounded. There is nothing sticking out anywhere on the gadget, just smooth surfaces that are comfortable to touch.

Keyboard. This one is nearly full-sized, even though the device is so small. The keys have a good feel to them, with a decent travel when pressed. The keyboard is just on the border of being too small for comfortable touch typing, but with a little practice I was able to adjust to it. Typing speed is good, and all of the keys are where I expect them to be.

Battery life. I am seeing a solid 8+ hours of battery life on the S10 with simple power management. This is significant as there is not an extended battery that protrudes from the device, as is usually the case with netbooks. This battery is totally encased in the main unit, making it a very sleek form for use in the hands.

Webcam. The 2 megapixel webcam is nothing special, but its inclusion is welcome for Skype use. It offers decent quality video, and the location on top of the screen is optimum for such usage.

SD slot location. My camera records on SDHC media, and I appreciate having a memory card reader on laptops I use. I find the slot location on the front of the S10 Blade to be very convenient. It is easily accessible whether the S10 is in notebook configuration or in slate mode.

Dislikes

Bare bezel. My extensive history with convertible tablets has proven that it is critical to have controls on the bezel of the screen. Viliv chose to keep the screen bezel devoid of any indicators or buttons, and this is a serious oversight. At a bare minimum, the power button and activity indicators should be visible when the S10 is in slate mode. That’s not the case, and it is not possible to tell what is happening as a result. Putting the activity indicators and power button on the side of the unit would have addressed this issue if it was critical to keep the screen free of controls.

Memory. The S10 ships with 1 GB of memory, and while that is probably OK, I wish there was an option to expand it to 2 GB. It runs Microsoft Windows 7 and 1 GB is just pushing the limits for usability. The S10 costs $600+ so it at least needs an option to upgrade the memory.

Trackpad. I’m not surprised the trackpad on the S10 is so small — the device has little room for it. Viliv has done a decent job with this one, and the only complaint I have is a big one. There is only one mouse button on the trackpad, and it doesn’t work well. It’s one of those rocker buttons that you press on the left side for that mouse button and on the right for the other. Unfortunately, the button is very hard to press and usually requires a second push to make certain it’s registered. That results in the odd double push when not intended. The right button is very hard to press as a result of this.

No screen latch. Convertibles are strange beasts, as the movable screen can be a bit disconcerting if it wiggles around when in slate mode. Most convertibles have a latch to secure the screen for this reason; it can feel a bit insecure if holding the device in slate mode and the screen wiggles a little. The S10 Blade lacks any kind of securing mechanism, and it would have been better with some sort of latch.

Performance. The evaluation unit I have in hand is running an Intel Atom z550 processor clocking in at 2 GHz. This is faster than most Atom processors, and the expectation is that performance would be the best. Unfortunately, while the S10 does most things without lag, occasionally the system bogs down a little and there is a noticeable lag executing some functions. It’s not a deal breaker, as overall the performance is OK; it’s just that infrequent slow-down that gets annoying. I suspect is has more to do with running Windows 7 on 1 GB of memory than the processor.

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The flash drive has become commonplace because it makes it so easy to carry files for use with any mobile device. At least you can with any device that has a USB port, and unfortunately a lot of the smaller gadgets we cover are missing that little connection. That’s where the unique AirStash fits into the picture. The AirStash fits in your pocket but combines three devices in one package that lets you put your files on any device with Wi-Fi. Take a USB flash drive, add a Wi-Fi router and a multimedia content server and you have the AirStash.

Just plug the AirStash into a USB port on the computer that has files you need to share with other devices. While it is plugged in, it works like any other USB flash drive, but it also charges the lithium polymer battery for use on the go. When unplugged it can connect to any device over Wi-Fi and transfer files or stream media over a wireless connection to any Wi-Fi enabled device.

In addition to the USB connectivity, the AirStash adds SD/SDHC and microSD/SDHC to the mix. This makes it a breeze to get photos from a camera, and send them to any phone or gadget via Wi-Fi. Photographers can leave the laptop at home.

The AirStash is not cheap at $99.99 but it brings a lot to the gear bag. It makes it simple to access important files and transfer media from cameras and the like, all over an integrated wireless connection. If you’re wondering how this process works, check out this demo of the AirStash in action:

Like the original 5101, the refreshed HP Mini 5102 netbook is as good as any netbook available. The brushed metal casing and long battery life make the 5102 a great traveling companion. The requests for a video review of the Mini 5102 have been coming hot and heavy since the device arrived at Mobile Tech Manor. In the video you will have a tour around the device, including a good look at the superb keyboard that is as good as any found on any netbook.

The unit I am evaluating has the multitouch option from HP, and that is shown in operation. You also get a good look at the optional handle that HP aims at the student/ education market. Enjoy the video, and leave any questions you might have about the 5102 in the comments.

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The Microsoft MIX10 developer event is currently underway in Las Vegas, and details are starting to appear about the company’s plans to help developers get cracking with Windows Phone 7. Microsoft has stated that Silverlight will play a big role in Windows Phone 7 apps. Developers will be building apps and games with Silverlight in combination with the XNA Framework for Windows Phone 7 Series.

To enable developers, Microsoft is making a free Silverlight developer’s package available for download. A preview of the new Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 Express for Windows Phone is included in the download. Microsoft is also rolling out the Windows Phone Marketplace, and will provide details at the MIX10 conference this week. Apps will be available to customers directly on Windows Phone 7 handsets, and developers will keep 70% of revenue generated through app sales.

A release candidate (RC) of Silverlight 4 will be unveiled this week to provide a more robust environment for Windows Phone 7 apps. Microsoft will also offer Expression Blend 4 Beta, a development environment for Windows Phone 7 designed to provide a streamlined production environment for app building.

Image credit: Microsoft Windows Phone 7 Series

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Many of us depend on mobile broadband to provide a connection to the world to get things done. While the monthly cost of 3G data plans in the U.S. will often result in lively discussion, those data plans are downright cheap when you look at international data roaming charges. We hear far too often of travelers who travel abroad, only to get hit with ridiculous charges from their U.S. carrier for firing up the laptop to get online. I think it’s time to stop these charges which amount to nothing more than legal theft.

Take the case of Nilofer Merchant, who recently traveled to Canada on business. She fired up her laptop using the AT&T DataConnect modem and was online for a few hours.  You can guess what happened when her AT&T bill arrived after this one online session. She was stunned to find she’d transferred 707 MB of data for the bargain price of $10,609.

Every time we hear of these cases we often react with no sympathy for the unwary traveler. We all know data roaming charges are expensive so those getting hit with huge charges like Nilofer are getting what they deserve. That’s a callous reaction to a situation that should never be allowed to happen anyway.

Let’s take a look at how much U.S. carriers charge for international data roaming. It’s an eye opening process, I assure you. AT&T charges $.0195/KB, except in Canada where customers get a bargain rate of $.015/KB. Yes, those rates are in KB. Translating that to a cost per MB, a more reasonable unit of data measurement, we see the problem immediately. The Canadian rate works out to a staggering $15.36 per MB! The AT&T roaming charge anywhere else is a whopping $19.97 per MB.

We can’t just pick on AT&T about these exorbitant rates, here are the current international data roaming charges for the four biggest U.S. carriers:

• AT&T: $0.0195/ KB; $0.015/ KB in Canada
• Verizon: $0.002/ KB Canada; $0.005/ KB Mexico; $0.02/ KB everywhere else
• T-Mobile: $10/ MB Canada; $15/ MB everywhere else
• Sprint: $0.016/ KB everywhere

T-Mobile is the only carrier that specifies its rates in MB, so let’s convert all of them to MB:

• AT&T: $19.97/ MB; $15.36/ MB in Canada
• Verizon: $2.05/ MB Canada; $5.12/ MB Mexico; $20.48/ MB everywhere else
• T-Mobile: $10/ MB Canada; $15/ MB everywhere else
• Sprint: $16.38/ MB everywhere

Verizon gives special pricing in Canada and Mexico, but overall the four carriers have similar roaming rates. Keeping in mind that some carriers have a 5 GB monthly data cap when used at home, multiply any of the MB rates above by 1,024 (or 1,000 depending on how the carrier does it) to get the price per GB. Now you begin to see how these stories about travelers getting hit by staggering roaming charges keep happening. It’s not that hard to move lots of data in a simple online web session.

The front page of the New York Times web site today is 117kb, according to this page size tool. That would cost you $1.87 to access the site on the Sprint network. When you find an article you like and click on it, then the meter goes ka-ching again, as it continues to do every time you click on something. Think about your typical online session and it’s easy to see how quickly you could rack up thousands in charges at these exorbitant rates.

You incur these charges to access your Gmail online, check your Facebook updates and anything else you might do. Don’t even think about watching any online video while roaming; you’ll need to sell your children to afford that and most countries frown upon the practice. The bottom line is when you travel outside the U.S. leave the 3G at home. You can’t afford to use it, even for short sessions.

I am not usually in favor of regulating any industry, but I wonder if this might be an exception. I can’t fathom any set of circumstances that would justify a carrier charging these types of rates for mobile connectivity. What could possibly justify the charging of thousands of dollars for an hour of normal connectivity?

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I am not wandering the streets of Austin at the SXSW conference this weekend, but GigaOM is making it easy for me to keep up with the important things happening there. Liz Gannes covered an important keynote address discussing privacy on the web, and the ramifications of it have my mind buzzing. In researcher Danah Boyd’s keynote address, she took Google and Facebook to task over lapses where user’s private information was made public. In particular, Boyd was on Google’s case for making personal information public by default with the launch of Google Buzz. Google backpedaled to correct that after the damage was done.

She also took Facebook to school over changing user privacy settings without making it clear that was happening. Facebook users found their previously private updates were suddenly hitting the public airwaves as a result. The entire keynote was quite good according to Gannes, and I wish I had been there. I especially found one of Boyd’s points to be very thought-provoking — just because someone says something on the web, does that mean it’s public information by default?

Think about that for a moment. Those of us who have been using the web since the beginning will usually say that if you say it on the web it’s totally public information. If that is true, then the web is useless for confidential business purposes, in addition to social networking. That’s pretty harsh if that’s the way it must be. As Boyd said in her keynote, you have the right to expect that something you say to a real life group in private will remain private. Why shouldn’t that apply to the web, too?

Think about the Facebook example — you sign up, verify your identity and restrict access to any information you “publicly” post on the service to a pre-approved list of friends. Is that a public group then, or is it a private group? It’s not that clear, is it? That’s why some Facebook users got burned when it changed the privacy defaults. Suddenly the “private” information on the web was accessible to those not on the pre-approved list.

I know many will claim that if you put it on the web, then you must assume it is public by nature of the way the web works. I would have previously agreed with this view, but now I’m not so sure. Think about online collaboration tools used in business — you have a right to assume your team’s private information shared will remain private to the group. If the online collaboration service suddenly changes things to make outsiders privy to the confidential information, you can bet users would be squawking loud and clear. That would only be right.

But how are these online collaboration services any different from social networks like Facebook? Both require signup, followed by carefully defining who has access to information shared in the service. Yet we probably feel that a collaboration service has a different level of privacy than a pure social network. How can we define just how private a social network really is? What is a reasonable expectation when using these networks regarding how our private information will or will not be shared? It is a very interesting question and I’m not sure there is an easy answer. I’d love to hear your thoughts on this.

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Android adoption by consumers in the U.S. is growing at an astounding rate, according to numbers released this week by comScore. Not only did the Google platform’s market share surge 153 percent from October to January, but it surpassed that of Palm’s webOS for the first time ever. Equally impressive is how Android market share is now almost half that of longtime competitor Windows Mobile.

AT&T become the final major carrier in the U.S. to carry at least one Android phone with the launch of the Motorola Backflip, but early users of the device are reporting that it has been crippled compared to other Android phones. AT&T has removed Google search from the Backflip and replaced it with search from Yahoo, which is more than a little ironic considering Android is Google’s own platform. There are also a dozen special AT&T apps that perform many of the same functions as integrated Android apps, and these special apps are not removalble by the owner. Finally, AT&T has disabled the ability for Backflip owners to download apps from anywhere other than the Android Market.

Google promised the Nexus One would be going to the Verizon network this year, and this week, some eagle-eyed folks uncovered proof that it is indeed getting close to release. The Verizon information indicates the Nexus One will only be sold online, similar to the T-Mobile version of the phone. Most interestingly, the new Verizon information clearly indicates that its version of the phone will run the HTC Sense interface. Sense is considered a good addition to the Android interface, and the original Nexus One shipped without it.

You say you’re not impressed that the “magic” iPad went on sale today because you want a “real” OS powering your slate device. We’ve got your back as we’re your source for information about all things tablet. As interesting as the iPad is, no matter what Apple wants us to think it’s by no means the first tablet. I’ve been using them for almost a decade, matter of fact. What better way to share the tablet love than to give you 5 alternatives to the iPad. Note that I am currently using or have used every slate on this list, so you know I’m serious about it.

1. Viliv S5. We’ll start out with the smallest slate on the list. The 5-inch S5 with its near pocketable form can be just the ticket for something to take along when space is a concern. It runs full Windows and the screen resolution is as high as most netbooks (1024×600) even though the screen is so small. It’s a real computer too, not a watered-down gadget by any means. The touchscreen works wonderfully, and it can even handle inking in a pinch if you’re careful where you put your hand.

2. Viliv X70. Now we move up in size a little to the 7-inch slate. The X70 has a touchscreen that is the same resolution as the smaller S5, so things are easier to see. Surfing the web on the X70 is a joy, with the full web available due to the Windows platform. Like every other slate on this list, the X70 does indeed do Flash. It will fit in most any gear bag, and is easy to use in the hands as a slate should be.

3. Viliv S7. Now we move into territory the iPad can only dream about, as the S7 is a full convertible. You don’t put the top down on this baby, but you can lift the slate up to expose a full QWERTY keyboard. No onscreen keyboard to frustrate you — you’re too much of a power user. The S7 has the same 7-inch screen as the X70, but adds that keyboard and a full trackpad for full power use. Don’t fret, it can still function as a full slate when put in that configuration. Amazingly, the Viliv folks added the keyboard to the 7-inch slate in a package that is thinner and lighter than the X70.

4. Viliv S10 Blade. If you’re the type for whom a namby-pamby little screen just won’t do, the S10 steps up the game with its 10-inch high resolution screen. That big (1366×768) display adds full 3-point multitouch to the mix, turning it into a full featured tablet. Swivel the screen around and you expose a keyboard that supports full touch typing;  you’ll be off to the races getting stuff done.  To top things off, the S10 (like the S7 and X70) has a webcam, unlike that iPad thing. You’ll be video calling like crazy, getting things done no matter where you might be. Or maybe you’ll be on Chatroulette, it’s your call.

5. ThinkPad x200t. This is the cream of the tablet crop, the device for those who need everything. The x200t is a convertible notebook with a 12-inch multitouch screen, that also has full inking support to tap into the full Tablet PC technology in Windows. Need to get data into your computer? Consider the many options on the x200t: handwriting, typing on a real keyboard, typing on a virtual keyboard (slate mode) or simply by speaking the text. No compromises, no excuses. Just getting work done, no matter what. The way you want to do it.

The weekend draws near and that means it’s time to share the past week in Mobile Tech Manor with you. Mobile Tech Manor is my home office with the revolving door. That door is needed due to the constant stream of cool gadgets that come and go. A couple of new toys crossed the threshold of the Manor and I got a new cloud-based backup system working.

The Toys

Two new notebooks arrived this week, and I haven’t gotten too much time with them as they showed up on Thursday. Both of them have a 10-inch touchscreen, but the similarity pretty much ends there. The first to show up is one of the smallest 10-inch netbooks, and it is designed firmly for the enterprise crowd. The last to arrive is aimed squarely at the consumer camp. That one doesn’t fit in the netbook category, at least the way I define netbooks.

The first notebook to show up is the HP Mini 5102. This model is a refreshed configuration of the Mini 5101 I tested last year. HP smartly kept the device largely the same, but added a touchscreen option and a unique carrying handle. The touchscreen is a standard capacitive design, but since HP sent the evaluation unit with Windows XP it only does standard single touch. The screen recognizes light touches on the screen as is standard for that type of digitizer.

I’m still not convinced that a touchscreen on a laptop without a swivel screen adds much value. While it’s easy to reach out to a laptop screen and touch something, it’s not comfortable to do so. This unit has the standard Windows XP interface, so it’s not touch-friendly at all. Some folks like this sort of configuration, however, and that crowd will be pleased. I would definitely get Windows 7 if I was buying one of these, as it is more optimized for the touch experience. The full multitouch would work on Win7, too. I’ll be shooting a video of the Mini 5102 soon, to show off the touch capability.

The other notebook that arrived this week is the Viliv S10 Blade. Viliv is the Korean company who has been pumping out slates and convertible notebooks of all sizes. The S10 is a 10-inch convertible notebook, and the ability to swivel the screen around into a thin slate form is very useful. Thin is the key descriptor for the S10, as the entire unit is less than an inch thick. It has a keyboard that is nearly full-sized for use in a notebook configuration, and Viliv has packed quite a bit of punch inside this gadget.

The Viliv S10 Blade has something I’ve never seen before. The multitouch screen is a resistive digitizer, so it reacts to stylus input. It can be operated by fingernail, too, something capacitive digitizers cannot do. Unfortunately, there is no palm rejection technology onboard to allow resting the hand on the screen while inking, and that sorely limits the ability to write on the big 10-inch screen. I’ll be doing a video soon that demonstrates this unique touchscreen.

Syncing in the Cloud

In last week’s column I recounted my difficulties deploying a syncing/ backup solution using Dropbox. The service works well, it just doesn’t work the way I prefer. A great suggestion was given by several of you to try Sugarsync, and I successfully deployed a system this week that fits my needs.

I use both Macs and Windows systems, and a number of them. Sugarsync lets me keep all of my documents, music, pictures and other files in sync with both the cloud repository and with any system I choose. Once the initial sync from my main system to the Sugarsync cloud completed, it keeps all of my systems up-to-date on the fly. That initial sync was a slow process, as it had to move 40 GB of stuff from the Mac to the cloud. I started it last Friday afternoon and it finally complete late the following Wednesday. It never interfered with my work while it was syncing, so no big deal

Browser update

These days I am using Google Chrome as my browser of choice on the Windows platform, and Firefox on the Mac. I prefer Chrome on the Mac side, too, but it tends to bog down in the WordPress editor I use all day. Kevin doesn’t have this problem using it so I need to isolate which Chrome extension is causing my problem. I would rather use the same browser on both platforms, and Chrome is so darn fast.

I am able to jump from browser to browser at whim due to the great Xmarks bookmark syncing solution. I have long used it in Firefox as a method to keep all of my bookmarks and site passwords up-to-date on any system I use (there are quite a few of them). Xmarks has grown over time to also work with Chrome, Safari and Internet Explorer, so I put it on every system I use. It works well although I get duplicate bookmarks occasionally, which I believe is due to the multiple browsers I use. I need to prune out the Xmarks server and resync across the board, which I think will fix the problem of duplicates.

Speaking of the Chrome browser, Kevin found two extensions for Google Calendar and Reader that are awesome. Helvetical simply makes Google Calendar display nice and legibly in the browser, as does Helvetireader for Google Reader. Good finds, Kevin!

Web coolness

I don’t usually get into cool stuff I found on the web, but the latest music video by the group OK Go just can’t be missed. The group is famous for their viral music videos on YouTube, and the latest is simply awesome. It depicts the biggest, baddest Rube Goldberg system in the video that was shot all in one take. Breathtaking and not to be missed. Be sure and watch it all the way through, the ending is great.

e-Book of the week

Alas, I have completed the entire Nic Costa series by David Hewson, at least the books available as e-books. This week I returned to James Patterson’s great Alex Cross series, although Alex Cross’s TRIAL is not really about Alex Cross. It is pure historical fiction, taking us back to that dark time in U.S. history when lynchings were rampant. It is a typical great Patterson novel, although hard to read due to the terrible subject matter.

Wrap-up

That’s my week, thanks for sharing it with me once again. Until next time, stay healthy and safe.

It is raining 10-inch notebooks at Mobile Tech Manor today as the UPS guy just dropped off the Viliv S10 Blade. The S10 is a notebook from Korea that has some features not found in most netbooks. The convertible screen swings around to convert from notebook to slate tablet, and is augmented by a unique resistive multitouch display. Most multitouch displays use capacitive digitizers that do not recognize standard stylus taps, but the S10 is resistive and even comes with a tiny stylus tucked in the body.

I have not spent much time with the Viliv S10 Blade yet, but I am looking forward to trying the 10-inch notebook in slate mode. Here are the full specs of the unit as supplied by Viliv for evaluation:

• CPU: Intel Atom Z550, 2.00 GHz
• Memory: 1 GB
• Storage: 32 GB SSD
• Display: 10.1-inch, 1366×768, 3-point multitouch
• Ports: 2xUSB 2.0, miniUSB, VGA out, composite video out, audio in/out, power, SDHC slot
• Communications: Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, Bluetooth 2.0
• Webcam
• OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium
• Battery: 43W/Hr,  rated for 10 hours
• Dimensions and weight: 10.23 x 7.28 x 1.02 inches, 2.67 lbs.

I’m going to bang away on the S10 to get a good feel for how well it works. I can already tell that the resistive multitouch screen is not conducive to inking at all. Meanwhile enjoy these photos that show just how small and thin the S10 is compared to other netbooks.

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The FedEx guy showed up today unexpectedly and brought a new little bundle of joy to Mobile Tech Manor. Last year I thoroughly enjoyed evaluating HP’s Mini 5101 netbook, and the Mini 5201 that arrived today looks just as nice. It is a netbook made of brushed metal, which is unusual for a netbook as most are plastic. The 10.1-inch screen has a surprise in this refreshed model — unlike the previous model this one is a touchscreen.

The HP Mini 5102 is that rare notebook that just feels right. I picked this thing up this morning and got right to work with it. It is the perfect size for a 10-inch netbook, and the island keys on the keyboard are as good as those on any notebook. I took it out of the box, installed the Google Chrome browser on it, and have been using it for work since.

I will be doing a detailed evaluation, along with a video review soon. Meanwhile here are the specs of this model as supplied by HP for evaluation:

• CPU: Intel Atom N450, 1.66 GHz
• Memory: 2 GB
• Storage: 160 GB, 7,200 rpm
• Display: 10.1-inch, 1024×600 (a 1366×768 hi-res option is available), single touch-enabled
• Ports: 3xUSB 2.0, VGA out, audio in, audio out, power, RJ-45, SD/MMC slot
• Communications: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.1
• Webcam: 2 megapixel
• OS: Microsoft Windows XP Professional (s msft)
• Battery: 6-cell, rated at 10 hours
• Accessories: Carrying handle
• Dimensions and weight: 10.3 x 7.09 x 0.98 inches, 2.86 lbs.

The 5102 is much the same as the earlier 5101 model, with the addition of the touchscreen option. This is not a convertible netbook, so without the ability to swivel the screen into a slate configuration the touchscreen may not provide a lot of value for some. I intend to spend a fair bit of time using the touchscreen and will have additional thoughts at that point.

HP has included a unique carrying handle which attaches to the side of the battery on the bottom of the unit. It folds up and forms a prop for the netbook which adds a nice typing angle. The handle swings open for carrying, and it is more useful than I thought it would be.

So far I am impressed with the performance of the 5102. The N450 processor coupled with the high-speed disk drive has things hopping nicely. I’ll be testing this more thoroughly as I spend more time using it. I can already tell that the N450 is going to get good battery life. I have been using this for over three hours and based on that limited usage I think I’ll get a good 8 hours of use per charge.

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That didn’t take long. I just shared my list of the top 10 iPhone apps I wanted on the iPad and today comes word that one of them will be there. Barnes & Noble released a statement today that an iPad version of the eReader app will be available around the time the iPad is due to hit stores on April 3rd, so it won’t be long now.

The B&N eReader is more than just a way to read e-books purchased from the B&N store. It also provides full interaction with the online bookshelf, and can also be used to find or purchase books online. Customers of B&N’s other bookstores, Fictionwise and eReader, can read those books with the app, too. While the app is free, most e-books are not.

It will be interesting to see how long it takes Apple to approve this app in the App Store. Where the iPhone version didn’t compete with Apple, this iPad version will compete directly with Apple’s new iBookstore.

Related research on GigaOM Pro (sub req’d):

• How AT&T Will Deal with iPad Data Traffic
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One of the biggest draws of the iPad is the support for all existing iPhone apps. There are a few of those, after all, and having support for them guarantees the iPad will have a healthy app base from day one. Many developers have indicated they will be producing “big screen” versions of their iPhone apps when it makes sense to do so. I have given some thought to which ones would make the biggest difference for me personally, so here is my list of the top 10 iPhone apps I hope to see ported to the iPad. I admit it is a selfish list, as it is focused on the way I work and my own needs. What apps are on your own list?

LogMeIn Ignition. This tops my list easily, as I can see a lot of benefit obtained by remotely controlling any computer from the iPad. The iPhone edition is already a great utility, but add the extra screen real estate and this quickly becomes the killer app for the iPad. This opens up the iPad to the full capability of any computer. You can even run Flash based on a “real” computer right from the iPad. The LogMeIn interface is built from the ground up to be operated by multitouch, which will be awesome on the iPad.

Evernote. The iPhone version of Evernote is already one of the best apps in the App Store. The ability to take notes and capture information from just about any source is outstanding. An iPad version of Evernote, optimized to take advantage of the larger screen would be phenomenal. It could provide a solid method for interacting with the hundreds of notes in the cloud by fingertip. If Evernote saw fit to enable ink notes (subscription required) with a stylus, that would be incredible.

Barnes & Noble eReader. Sure the iPad is going to have the iBookstore, but many of us already have extensive e-book libraries with other retailers. I have 500+ books at the Barnes & Noble store, and I have enjoyed the ability to read them on the iPhone. Having an iPad version would further extend the usefulness of the slate, and provide alternatives to the Apple ecosystem.

Kindle. The Kindle for iPhone app is a great reader app, and like the B&N reader above it extends the usefulness of the phone. It only makes sense to have an iPad version to use all of that big screen. Let’s hope Apple allows both readers mentioned onto the iPad, or they may face a revolt.

WordPress. This app is a purely selfish one, as I work with WordPress all day. The iPhone WordPress app is pretty good, but it is not a great solution for the work I do due to the small phone screen. That limitation goes away on the iPad, and I’d love to see a WordPress app for the slate. This could provide a good stop-gap method for working with this blog on the run.

Tweetdeck. There are lots of good Twitter apps for the iPhone but I admit I don’t currently use Tweetdeck. I love it on my bigger computers, but it needs that big screen to handle the multiple columns. That’s the reason I’ve never gotten into Tweetdeck on the iPhone. If is was optimized for the iPad, though, I’d be all over it in a heartbeat.

Remember the Milk. I would be lost without Remember The Milk, the multi-platform task manager. I use it constantly every day, and the iPhone version is quite nice. I can only imagine how good RTM would be on a larger screen.

XpenseTracker. I don’t travel that much, but when I do it is almost always on business. That brings the joy of keeping track of travel expenses for the reimbursement process. XpenseTracker is a great tool for doing that, and the iPhone version is a joy to use. Pushing it out to a big screen would be awesome.

Trackthepack. I get a lot of packages in Mobile Tech Manor. It seems like almost every day something arrives for me to have a look at. I spend an inordinate amount of time tracking these packages on their way to my door. Far too much time. Trackthepack is the best way to track this many packages, all on the little iPhone screen. It tracks all of the major shipping companies. Thinking about a large screen version of this app makes my eyes tear up.

Pocket Informant. Long the premier PIM app for PDAs and smartphones, the iPhone version of Pocket Informant is fabulous. It provides an integrated app to handle calendar and task functions. While extremely useful on the iPhone, I still have a problem with handling all of the information presented on such a small screen. Having a version optimized for the larger iPad would be incredible.

That’s my list of must-have apps for the iPad. I know that we all have different needs, and your list is likely different. Share it in the comments along with why you think the apps would be great on the iPad.

Related research on GigaOM Pro (sub req’d):

• How AT&T Will Deal with iPad Data Traffic
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Mobile chipmaker ARM is basking in the attention the iPad is getting. ARM chips are used in all sorts of mobile gadgets, especially in the expected flood of tablets to be released this year. An ARM executive in Taipei has indicated the company expects more than 50 such tablets to be released this year, all powered by the company’s chips.

According to the executive, Roy Chen, the first such slates will appear as early as the second quarter of this year, released by mobile network carriers. That would indicate the phone companies are going to jump on board the tablet train. Most likely they hope to compete with the AT&T/ iPad system. These initial devices will be followed by a host of other tablets in the third quarter, many of them in China.

It is expected that most of these tablets will run either Android, Linux or Windows CE and will be highly optimized for touch operation. I saw one of the early tablet versions in January at the Consumer Electronics Show, and it was impressive. The video of the Freescale concept tablet is included below.

What is amusing is how a lot of this tablet mania seems to be a direct result of the imminent appearance of the iPad. I hate to rain on the tablet makers parade but they’d better be prepared to market their butts off. That’s what it’s going to take to get consumer’s dollars. I do find it amusing that according to the title of the ComputerWorld article linked above, tablets are now “iPad-like devices.” And the iPad is not even in consumer hands yet.

Related research on GigaOM Pro (sub req’d):

Handwriting Recognition: A Killer App for the iPad?

The strength of an open platform is the flexibility it offers to companies, developers and consumers. That openness is a factor in the rapid growth of the Android platform in the smartphone world. Companies can customize the interface, such as HTC with Sense, and consumers can install any Android apps they desire in order to personalize the user experience. AT&T has just entered the Android space with the Backflip by Motorola, but as new owners are pointing out, the phone is crippled to the point of being a closed device.

We’d already heard that AT&T had replaced Google search with Yahoo search throughout the phone. This move alone is rather bizarre, given consumer preference for Google search and especially since Android is Google’s own platform. And now complaints are surfacing that the carrier wasn’t content to stop there in crippling the Backflip.

AT&T has pre-installed some special apps that are not part of the Android package — AT&T programs tied to the carrier’s network that offer functions often better served by regular Android programs. There are a dozen of these special apps, but while normally users could just ignore them if they don’t want to use them — or better yet, uninstall them — unfortunately, AT&T has taken away the user’s ability to remove this bloatware from the Backflip. The carrier can’t make you use the special apps, but it can darn sure prevent you from removing them in order to save space.

Most Android owners get apps from the Android Market — a good source, to be sure. A strength of the open Android platform is the ability to download and install apps from third-party sites, too, such as directly from developers. This is often how beta versions of new apps get distributed. Unfortunately, this is not possible on the AT&T Backflip. The carrier has disabled the ability of users to install apps from any source other than the Android Market. This must make the Backflip the only Android phone in consumer’s hands that lacks this function.

It’s one thing for a carrier to leave its mark on a handset it carries. That’s business as usual. But effectively closing down the owner’s ability to take advantage of the open Android platform is just silly.

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A picture is worth a thousand words and the awesome infographics that GigaOM runs are worth millions. I love how a good infographic can tell an entire story with no words, just the graphic.  The Rise of Netbooks tells such a story, that of the phenomenal growth of the lowly netbook. A simple glance shows how many netbooks will ship this year, and how that compares to the prior two years. Great job on the graphics! I’m not going to discuss the statistics uncovered, that would spoil your fun. Here’s a little taste, but you need to catch the whole story.

Related research on GigaOM Pro (sub req’d):

Better Battery Life Motivates Mobile Chipmakers