A lot of readers like to know how different screen technologies work indoors and out.

In this video from MobileDemand, they compare their xView screen to their standard display.

Here are the show notes from MobileDemand's video:

This video demonstrates the difference in direct sunlight and indoors between the standard xTablet Tablet PC display and the new xView sunlight readable display.  We show you various angles during a sunny day in direct sunlight. 

Note that the displays are nearly equivelent indoors, while the sunlight readable display is far superior in direct sunlight.

We intend to also demonstrate the difference and viewability of each display while inside of a vehicle, such as a beer truck.  MobileDemand has sold thousands of tablets that are used in beer trucks and other vehicles with our standard display and have had great success.  That extra little bit of shade inside the vehicle makes all the difference so the standard display is easily viewable. 

The MobileDemand xTablet is your rugged computing solution for the wireless world. What sets the xTablet apart? Three words: POWER, CAPABILITY and RUGGEDNESS. With the industry’s highest processor performance, this resilient tablet PC can be used anywhere from the shop floor, to the delivery truck to the checkout line. And our military-tested ruggedness will meet your business’ performance standards. Features include:

· Integrated numeric keypad

· Bar-code scanner

· Credit card reader

· Sunlight readable display

· Vehicle mounts and accessories are also available to complete your system

The xTablet is a versatile, flexible and powerful performer that is designed with your needs in mind.

Check out these sites who are still running HP HDX Dragon contests as of today. Ours is coming up on June 1, so be sure to tune in then!

11 May - 18 May www.windows-now.com
12 May - 19 May www.windowsconnected.com
13 May - 20 May www.geekstogo.com
14 May - 21 May bink.nu
15 May - 22 May www.mediablab.com
16 May - 23 May www.last100.com

No, this isn’t from Apple. Christian Moore has hacked up a full screen mutli-touch device running OS X. He’s calling it Lux and he claims it will run under any platform, including a web browser. Gizmodo has a short interview ith Moore about Lux.

Talk about a trip down memory lane. BoingBoing is linking to a scan of a 1983 Byte Magazine review of the Compaq Computer, the supposed first “portable” PC, weighing in at 28lbs. The scan appears in ModernMechanix. Give it a read for some history and perspective.

I’m not trying to be prurient here, nor am I trying to make fun. But I have to say this is one of the most intriguing mobile tech/green stories I have ever seen. Japanese lingerie maker Triumph International is showing off a Solar Power Bra concept.

Of course it raises some interesting issues, given that most folks would wear clothing over them. And then there is this bit from the company: you can’t wash the garment.

Apparently this company keeps looking for innovative ways to use ladies lingerie as they have previously created a bra that turns into a resuable shopping bag.

Via Reuters

I dont’ think anything will slow Asus down. Even changing brands from the Asus Eee PC to just the Eee PC. The Asus 900 Eee PC is just rolling out and now comes word of the 901 Eee PC. The 901 Eee PC is running Intel’s Atom chipset and also contains Bluetooth. Note also the price is inching up to $650 or so. Launch is set for June 3 at Computex.

Via blogee.net and jkkmobile

The folks at UMPCFever got there hands on a prototype Aigo MID and have put up some unboxing pics, video, for all to see. They’ve also managed to install Windows XP on the system as well. Looks interesting although the 2 hour battery life seems to be a concern.

Via UMPCPortal

Interesting. Looks like the differences between black and white models of the Asus Eee PC aren’t just black and white. Apparently the keyboards and keys are also a little different.

Via Endgadget

Ben over at UMPC Portal noticed that the Wikipedia entry for UMPCs needs some serious work. So much so that at the top of the page you find the following (click to enlarge the image):

I’ve been bemused by the goings on about the designations for UMPCs and ULCPCs for quite awhile now. In fact, I’m on record as saying we’re soon going to say farewell to the UMPC. It all gets comical again with the recent news that Microsoft is trying to define a set of specifications for the ULCPC class that will not allow the inclusion of a touch screen. 

Ben is right. The graphic on the Wikipedia page does speak volumes and completely lays bare the entire marketing fiasco that this whole thing has become. The bottom line is this. Events, Intel, Apple, and Asus have outrun Microsoft when it comes to defining the ultra-portable market. Create as many acronyms and designations as you want, but no one cares. Microsoft was just too slow in capitalizing on the original UMPC vision and is now trying hard to play catch up with its ULCPC designation.

Microsoft’s latest efforts are coupled with the ongoing saga of determining how long XP will still be around. The fact that, at the moment, XP will be allowed on the ULCPC class longer than on other boxes is a loud, but telling move. Essentially, this means that Microsoft has given up on its vision of lots of ultra-portable devices running Vista. There’s no surprise there. Just confirmation of what most have known for awhile. What can possibly be surmised here though is that Microsoft is either ceding the ground to other players, or is content to wait a few years before attempting a come back in this market with any real effect. Maybe after they have some sort of OS that can work with these devices.

The reason all of this is meaningless is quite simple. Too many other players are too many steps beyond Microsoft when it comes to putting these devices in consumers hands. Consumers who are looking for an ultra-mobile solution aren’t going to waste their time wading through designations and specifications one way or the other. In fact, they won’t have to. OEM’s won’t give them the chance. OEMs, Intel, and VIA have already proven that they aren’t going to wait around and play Microsoft’s game unless they can sell more of their devices with XP on them. But then, if they are to believe Microsoft and its time frames, you’re looking at a limited sales window for these anyway. But in the grand scheme of things even that doesn’t matter because we are probably looking at devices with a price point that makes it easier for consumers to buy the new model every 12 to 18 months or so.

Like I’ve said before, the ultra-mobile vision is going to succeed. Microsoft just won’t be the major player in the game.

This is welcome news. When Vikram Madan started blogging and including some of his drawings awhile back it was always a must read. But, things have been quiet on his blog for sometime. Here’s hoping this latest cartoon means that Vikram will keep on filling us in on his thoughts. I’m sure most mobile device users will get a kick out this.

Everyone is talking about the new version of the Aliph Jawbone BlueTooth Headset today and in my opinion rightly so. I’ve been using the earlier version for about 9 months now and love it. The noise suppression technology is excellent. The newer version improves on that and also is smaller, so I’m looking forward to getting my hands on the newer version to try it out. You can purchase the new version from Aliph or at AT&T stores for $129.99. A tad on the expensive side, but worth it as far as I’m concerned. Also note that the earlier model is now on a number of sites at vastly marked down prices. Yes, you still have to be willing to wear one of these things on the side of your head, but if that isn’t an issue for you, this is one of the best BlueTooth headsets out there in my opinion. Here’s a link to the press release.

BTW, I did a BlueTooth headset comparison awhile back that included the earlier version of the Jawbone. Check it out here.

When news first got out in January 2007 about Axiotron's ModBook, yours truly was beyond ecstatic at the thought of an Apple-based Tablet. We'll, we've been waiting ever since to get our hands on one, and am pleased to say that Axiotron notified me yesterday that the ModBook is on its way to us!

Here's the kicker: Axiotron configured boot-camp with Vista, so in addition to covering the Mac OS X side of the tablet, I'll also be checking out how the ModBook holds up as a Windows-based Tablet PC.  With 512 levels of pressure sensitivity, built-in GPS, and built-in SuperDrive, it ought to be fun. I have a friend who is an awesome graphic artist, so I'll be getting his impressions of it from that perspective as well.

There will finally be a review on the ModBook Tablet from a site that knows Tablet PCs - GottaBeMobile.com!

Fujitsu isn’t giving up on the UMPC market, having just announced a new model. The U2010 is aimed a the higher end of the market with a price estimated at $1295 and is scheduled for a July launch in Taiwan. A difference from previous models is that it will have a 6–row keyboad instead of five. Given that some with big hands find the smaller Fujitsu keyboards on these smaller devices a bit tough to work with, this will be interesting. It will also contain 3.5G connectivity and a GPS module.

Via DigiTimes

Almost on cue, Intel has disclaimed yesterday’s report/rumor from ZDNet.de that there would be an Apple Tablet or MID or larger iPhone running Intel’s Atom chip. Though this was mentioned by an Intel exec, Hannes Schwaderer, he has now layered some nuance on the intial report/leak saying he mentioned the Apple product as an example. The funny thing about Apple rumors is that disclaimers usually cause the rumor to pick up steam. Like I said, here we go again.

Via The Guardian Unlimited

I've decided to try something new on my LS800.  After I doubled the height of the taskbar, as suggested by Warner I had an annoying issue. 

When I clicked the orb to bring up the Start menu in landscape mode I would get a message stating that some Start Menu items could not be displayed.  Remember that the LS800 has a screen resolution of 800 x 600.  As far as I could tell the only item missing was the little graphic at the top of the menu that displays your user picture or the icon for the currently selected menu item.  That said the error message is annoying.

To see if I can get around this I've decided to try something new.  I've positioned the Taskbar on the right edge of the screen. 

This is certainly going to take some getting use to - old habits die hard.  That said I am finding it quite productive.  You see - because I am right handed when I am "at rest" like reading a document my hand holding the stylus naturally rests off to the right side.  So if I need to switch to another application, like to check an incoming email, the pen is already in the right place.

When I bring out the Start Menu it has a bit more room to expand out.

I'll give it a few days and then let you know how I am finding it.