PC manufacturers like Toshiba have had to ramp up production since introducing the latest Tablet PCs late last year. More than 72,000 Tablet PCs were sold in the fourth quarter of 2002 alone.
What do gadget-lovers like about the clipboard-sized computers, which run on Microsoft Windows XP Tablet software? For one, the new Tablets read handwriting via an electronic pen and can convert notes to text or save them in handwritten form, allowing users to send more personal handwritten e-mails as well as documents.
Tablets also come equipped with voice-recognition software and wi-fi capability.
Made in Florida
Software developer Synergistix Data Solutions caters to a very specific type of road warrior -- the pharmaceutical sales rep. The Hollywood company's C.A.T.S. (Call Activity Tracking System) software operates on a hand-held device. It allows sales reps to track sales calls and contains all the information they need about various drugs and physicians -- information previously lugged around in three-ring binders. The company is preparing to roll out its next-generation system using a Fujitsu P1120.
The Write Stuff
The IRISpen -- a highlighter-sized pen scanner -- has been on the market for a couple of years, but the new version released early this year captures text (line by line), bar codes and handwritten numbers with a stroke of the pen. A USB connection allows users to hook up to a laptop or desktop for instant viewing. The pen's translation capabilities have made it popular in multilingual south Florida. (Delray Beach is the U.S. headquarters for the Belgian manufacturer.)
The IRISpen II
Price: $130 to $199
Sold at: CompUSA
Capabilities: A function that can read handwriting allows users to avoid retyping meeting notes, and text-to-speech capability enables a PC to "read" back to you what's been scanned in one of 10 languages.
Coming this Fall: The Smart Phone
What it is: A phone with all the capabilities of a Pocket PC, but smaller. It links to PCs, connects to the web, e-mails, beams contact information from one Smart Phone to another with an infrared beam, transfers e-mail from Outlook inbox to a Smart Phone using ActiveSync file management.
Processor speed: 132 MHZ.
Memory: 16MB RAM, 32MB Flash ROM.
Market: Coming this fall to the U.S. Currently, Orange SA is marketing the Smart Phone in Europe. Trial partners in the U.S. venture are AT&T Wireless, Cingular, T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless.
Cost: Not available.
Wired and Wireless
Caffeine-craving Starbucks customers in Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando and the Tampa Bay area can access e-mail and tap into the web through a new wireless service the chain has begun offering at 115 of its 150 locations statewide: T-Mobile HotSpot wireless connection service.
What's needed: A wireless-equipped notebook computer or Pocket PC and a T-Mobile HotSpot account.
How to register: Users can register online for one of several service plans from prepaid to pay-as-you-go to unlimited monthly plans. Prices range from $29.99 to $39.99 a month to 10 cents a minute. First-timers can take advantage of a "free day pass" promotion.
Mobile Exec Must-Haves
Scott Clark, general manager
Gulf States District, Microsoft
Can't live without: Pocket PC phone. "I've had people ready to step into meetings and I needed to get updated information to them, and they can get that information immediately." Does Clark plan to trade up to the new Smart Phone? "No, I'm a road warrior. I want to have the capability you get with the bigger screen of a Pocket PC phone."
Andy Cagnetta, president/CEO
Transworld Business Brokers, Fort Lauderdale
Can't live without: Palm Pilot, AOL Instant Messenger and Cardscan, a business-card scanner that can connect to a PDA. "My business is all about contacts. My Palm Pilot, I can't do without. That's my lifeblood. I have over 2,000 contacts in there."
Roger Robbins, VP sales
Channel Intelligence, Celebration
Can't live without: Blackberry. "It's always connected. Using a pager network, I get all my e-mails to my Blackberry all the time, about 150-plus e-mails a day. It's the only thing that keeps me current."
Cliff Schulman, attorney
Greenberg & Traurig, Miami
Can't live without: The Blackberry 6000 series with an integrated phone. "You're never really disconnected. It's instantaneous communication. Our clients appreciate our being able to respond from wherever we are."