Origami six months later = text entry
So it was six months ago, more or less, when the Digital Kitchen video of the Origami concept device surfaced. What’s happened in the time since? What have consumers and OEMs learned? Does the product meet the expectations of the concept?
There are so many questions and answers here in a scant six months, and I thought to highlight some of them. I’m winging this one a bit, as in I’m not planning the entire thought process, but I envision a series of posts on a semi-regular basis, say one or perhaps two, per week. Each of these will address something we’ve specifically learned or an aspect that has quickly matured and developed in the UMPC space. With so many recent developments tackling one of the largest consumer frustrations with Origami devices, let’s kick off with input methods. The listing is not in any particular order, nor is it all encompassing, so don’t hesitate to comment with an entry system that isn’t listed.
Just about every mainstream media review I’ve read begins to bash Origami UPMCs due to their lack of an integrated keyboard. Is it a limiting factor? For those who aren’t Tablet PC adopters or who’ve never used a slate form-factor tablet, sure it is. I’d argue (and I have) that these individuals missed the concept of the device and have unfairly judged it.
Let me give an example since the UMPC is essentially a smaller slate Tablet PC. Do we bash slates such as products from Motion, HP and Electrovaya because they have no keyboard? Can’t we add a keyboard to them if we want to? This is akin to bashing a car because it doesn’t have integrated GPS. How could you possibly drive something that has no idea of where it’s going? Sounds silly, no? Then again, there are plenty of options to customize or enhance your vehicle, and GPS is surely one of them for those that desire it.
Backtracking for just a second, I don’t suggest that the infamous "integrated keyboard complaint" isn’t valid. For some consumers, it is valid because they rely on a keyboard and know of very few text entry options, or they simply believe that those options are not viable for them. Some people may be too "addicted" to a keyboard for lack of a better word and that’s OK. For these people, they have every right NOT to use a UMPC. It’s their choice.
Getting back to the heart of the matter: what has developed in the last six months to help Origami devices with text entry? Some solutions already existed, even though MSM would have folks believe otherwise. Many of the solutions are viable, if you ask folks that have actually used them for more than a few hours. Not every solution will work for everyone; if that were the case, we’d all have the same computing devices running the same software, wouldn’t we? It’s a matter of personal preference: what works for me may not work for you.
Let’s recap with some of the options because there are more than people realize and the intent is for you to seek out the one that’s best for you. Perhaps you’ve tried some of these and they didn’t work for you. Not a problem! The point is that there ARE options. Additionally, the hope is that the "integrated keyboard complaint" begins to diminish over the next six months:
1. Text Input Panel or TIP: This is standard with Windows XP Tablet PC 2005 Edition on every Origami-class UMPC. Some people don’t realize there are three entry options within this one solution. If you want an on-screen keyboard to tap at, it’s in there. If you want to write your characters one at a time via the Character Pad, it’s in there. Want to handwrite your input for what is likely the quickest input; you can do that too. Additionally, the TIP in Windows Vista can be trained and\or will learn your individual handwriting style to increase recognition accuracy in the 90% and up range.
2. DialKeys by Fortune Fountain: This too, comes with every Origami device. Using a radial on-screen keyboard, you can touch the letters you wish to use like a virtual keyboard. You can control the transparency of the radial keyboard and even move the application in the background to provide you a better viewing experience of your text entry. While some have indicated this method is difficult and unwieldy, the tool should be evaluated in the context of the problem it’s trying to solve. Would you write a three-page Word document using DialKeys? Not likely, although you could. Would you tap out a three-sentence e-mail reply and then minimize DialKeys to the tray? That’s more likely of a scenario where this tool comes in handy.
3. Speech Recognition: This is built in to Windows XP and integrated with the TIP. It’s advisable to train the program for your unique speech habits and of course, you’ll need the right equipment and conditions for effective usage. However, we shouldn’t condemn speech recognition because of these "limiting" factors. Again, is this the right tool for the job? If you’re dictating pages of material in a loud office using an external microphone, of course it isn’t. If you’re at the home office and have a high quality USB headset and mic, this can effectively free up your hands for other tasks while still inputting textual data quite nicely. In Vista (shown above), this capability is of magnitudes better as you can quickly control everything on your PC as if you were moving a mouse instead of moving your mouth.
4. Ilium’s InScribe: Although this application was just released, it’s actually a customized rework of a similar program from the late 1990’s. InScribe is similar to the TIP in that it’s an on-screen keyboard, but it is much more customizable. Additionally, it has a "ghost" feature that brings background apps to the virtual forefront so that you can interact with the directly; right through the on-screen keyboard. This free application should be on every Origami device owner’s "must try" list, if not "must have" list.
5. PhatWare’s PenCommander for Tablet PC and UMPC: this is more of a ink-enabled command or shortcut application, however can be handy if you input the same text repeatedly. You can program scripts in PenCommander to recall that text, which can be a valuable time-saver in the right circumstances. Additionally, you can script common shortcuts to oft-used applications; a simple ink action enables the command which can save additional time and reduce screen taps.
6. ActiveWords from ActiveWords Systems. This powerful app is similar to PenCommander and can increase productivity in the same manner. If you have a number of favorite websites that you visit repeatedly and don’t want to use (or have room for) Favorites or Bookmarks, you can assign an simple ActiveWord to each URL. Instead of trying to text enter a lengthy URL, you can assign a meaningful ActiveWord to it and in one swipe of the pen, you’re surfing. The same concept can easily be applied to opening programs.
7. Einstein Technologies Tablet Enhancements for Outlook for Tablet PC, UMPC, Origami: This application brings the full inking experience into Outlook and Microsoft would be wise to truly integrate it in a future Outlook version. From tasks to contacts to appointments, everything can be easily inked on the screen. The handwriting recognition is second to none, but the best part is: you don’t need to translate the writing to text. If you’re the only one looking at your calendar, aren’t you the only one who needs to read your own writing? Skype integration and MapPoint support round out another top notch application here.
8. Small External Keyboard. What, you can add aportable keyboard to these devices? Folks tend to overlook the obvious here or just "expect" that a keyboard is included since they’re buying a computing device. Should they expect a keyboard with a slate Tablet PC? By definition, the slate form-factor is simply that: a writing slate. There are any number of wired and wireless options; here’s a few viable ones:
- Samsung’s USB keyboard for the Q1 currently in use here at jkOTR
- ThinkOutside’s Stowaway Bluetooth keyboard which we’ve demonstrated
- ThinkOutside’s Sierra Bluetooth keyboard that we’ve recently reviewed
- Brando’s mini Bluetooth keyboard
- Freedom Universal Bluetooth keyboard
The list here could go on and on, but the point being, there are portable keyboard options. Again, you have to marry up the right tool for the task. You might find that your text entry is done in short bursts that don’t justify an external keyboard.
There are certainly other options that exist and as previously mentioned, please add yours to the comments section. However, with very little thought or digging around, there are eight text entry input options for Origami class UMPCs. Do we need further development in this area? Sure we do! I personally think that the floating tip add-on should be mandatory on touchscreen Tablet PCs as I prefer to have the TIP pop up automatically; there’s another opportunity right there to make a good device even more usable.
Regardless of my personal opinions, there are real, actual solutions for one of the biggest complaints regarding Origami devices. Perhaps the spec will be revised in the future to include a mandatory or integrated keyboard, but for the moment, the choice is yours. Everyone’s computing approach varies and an Origami device allows you to vary your solutions so that your UMPC works for you.
I always welcome feedback; especially on this "6 month" approach or series that appears to be developing in my head!
A few quick. Samsung q1
Voice input would be easier if there were a simpler way to turn it on and off. I find it works quite well.
But, why is ther no external mike (sound in) port?
On my q1, i can’t get the tip to float, which is a real pain.
Amazing that micosoft reader is not customized for the origami.
I am a big user of onenote and love it on the q1.
I want to add that you have been very helpful over these last months. The style of urgency, personableness and helpfulness have really worked for me.
Thanks for the feedback Doug. For your voice input, are you using the the Speech option in the TIP? It’s in the Options of the TIP, a tap on Speech turns it on or off. In Vista, you can actually use speech to tell the computer to listen or stop listening. There’s really no need for an external mic port on the Q1 as you have two options already. You can use the integrated dual-array microphones (which work great!) or a USB headset in one of the two USB jacks. For the floating tip, do a Google search for floattip.exe.
I’m not a fan of the MS Reader app, but in fairness: nobody has customized a reader application for the UMPC screens. I find that eReader works well and the beta a Times Reader is awesome! Thanks again!
I also wanted to say thanks. It was reading your experiences which made me decide on the Q1 Pentium. I just got off IM with customer support at CDW. Originally, they’d assured me that the new Q1s would ship on 23 September, but they’re now saying the new Q1s are on backorder and the shipment date has been backed off until 6 October. One of the many questions which I’ve had about the whole UMPC thing is why there’s so much smoke and mirrors about releases. Samsung didn’t say anything about the Q1 Pentium; it just seemed to appear at Frys, and bloggers like you and Carrypad seem to be more up to date on what’s happening than the resellers. It’s frustrating that the mainstream media continue to downplay the formfactor, but one of the reasons they have is that the various folks involved witht he platform continue to make promises which aren’t being kept. I understand why the Q1 Pentium will cost $1250, and I’m willing to pay the price as fair; but, why the promise of a $500 pricepoint for the UMPC. I’d bet there’re folks still out there not buying the current round of UMPCs because they’re waiting for the promised pricepoint, and it’ll be a long time coming. Same could be said about integrated GPS, etc. It seems as if the process could and should be more transparent, and retailers and producers should be working to make it so. I won’t go into how much digging I had to do to make sure that the Q1 Pentium had the array mics and stereo speakers of the original Q1. So, the question, why isn’t the release being better handeled?
Got the floating tip. Instruction says “unzip in startup folder”. Which one?
I had forgotten about the USB heatset option. Solves that problem.
Yes, using speech option on tip, and now that it (is going to) floats, should be much easier.
Steve, you might have given me an idea for the next installment of this “series”. In short: there’s been a bunch of poor marketing and a lack of communications in this space. Bear in mind that we’re a ways off from seeing a high performing, $500 UMPC; some are close, but the technology and pricing isn’t there just yet.
Doug, what the instructions essentially mean is to unzip the floattip.exe and then put in your Start Up menu under Start, Programs. You don’t have to do this, but this ensures that each time you boot, the floattip.exe app will run for you. You could just unzip it and execute it, but after you reboot, you’ll have to re-run it.
When I first saw the $500.00 price point, my first thought was, “How are they going to do that?” So, I wasn’t too surprised when the units came in around $1000.00. Linda’s (?) post explains why. My real concern is that the UMPC concept will remain a nitch market and won’t “take off” because of poor coordination of advertising and promises not being kept. I think the form factor/concept of the UMPC is one of the best ideas to come out of Microsoft/Intel. I do much work out on the rez, and any weight or space I save is a godsend. It also doesn’t hurt that the smaller formfactor is less intimidating than the full-size tablet, and I can use it in iterviews–thus, allowing me to get rid of the digital recorder. The usefullness of the design is one reason I’m willing to trade in my well used and loved TC1100, but I watched many of the same mistakes being made with the release of the Tablet, and I’m still—three years later— explaining to co-workers the utility of the tablet.
Considering the power of $400 PMPs nowadays, I wonder if, instead of building down from a laptop, should companies be building up from portable media players? If they have enough processing power to handle near DVD-quality video, they can’t be total slouches, right?
I just got a note from CDW that they’d applied a $100 discount for my having to wait. It’s one reason I like dealing with such a class act. In any event, it might be worth while for other folks in the same boat to IM customer service at CDW and querry the shipment date. I also noticed that the shipment date on the sale’s page for the new Q1 Pentium has been backed off from 1-3 days to 8 days. In any event, the discount makes me think that the problem in shipment may be with either the shipper or Samsung, not with CDW.
One last thought: as I said before, one reason I went with the Q1 was how satisfied y’all seemed with the original Q1 and with Flash (?), the Q1 with the flash hard drive. I’m hoping that when the prices for the flash harddrives fall, I’ll be able to put one in my Q1 Pentium. The notion of a hard drive which can take dust and bouncing around BIA roads is very, very inviting. In any event, I truely appreciate the work and thought you at jkontherun put into the community.
Posted about your article at my blog Kevin. Very nice written.
I would add a Triggerfinger Software enabled game controller to the list of keyboard solutions. This message was written touch type on a Q1 with a game controller.
Excellent 6 month UMPC “State of the Union” blog Kevin!
I resisted my desire to get a UMPC when they first came out and decided to wait at least 6 months to see how the 2nd generation units look. I think these units are progessing nicely and as long as they can market them better and sell enough of them I’m sure the prices will come down 25% – 50% within another year. I finally broke down and ordered a Q1 Pentium and anxiously await it. I think the backorder problem with these is a manufacturing or shipping issue since all retailers are backordered now. Then again Samsung did say they would not be available until 4th quarter of this year which is still over a week away. It would be interesting to see how may UMPC units have sold this first six months.
Very nice overview of the current UMPC situation, Kevin. I wrote a similar article back in May for InformationWeek and I hope they publish it before it’s out of date.
Too bad to let this lapse..