Do you think it's time for WMCE and Tablet to merge?
By Kevin C. Tofel 
posted January 20th 2006 9:35AM
posted January 20th 2006 9:35AM
Over in the RemotelyCool forums
an intriguing post just popped up regarding touchscreens for Windows Media Center. I'm a Tablet PC user and the thought of combining either a touchscreen or a
digitized pen with an Electronic Programming Guide, for example is interesting. Yes, the high-end remotes for our HDTVs and home theaters are
"cutting edge" now, but is that far fetched to see a move towards small touchpad remotes that even dual
function as wireless handheld televisions? We've seen touchpad-tablets for audio, video and home-security, but a merger
of WMCE and Tablet takes things to the next level.What do you think? Are we just trying to put "toys" together because we can or could you see some value?
A WMCE Tablet would be my dream device. I've started thinking about getting either a Table PC or some other WMCE PC later this year or maybe next year. One device that was integrated would be awesome.
I have not purchased a Crestron or AMX touch panel control system for this very reason. If it will cost you between $500 to $5000 for a setup that could be configured easily with a tablet pc or PDA and a WMCE for much less money and increased versatility.
Eventually the market will most likley swing in that direction, once Microsoft and others realize the money involved in the "high end" installation market.
The rumors at this point (and is true of betas) is that the MCE and Tablet feature set will be in every version of Vista. This would in theory make creating a tablet remote very easy.
Various versions of VNC (desktop remote control software) running on a
tablet or laptop can essentially extend the desktop now. Seems like a
lot ("lot" being a relative term) of folks perfer the older, cheaper
Fujitsu tablets for this function. It's more than I want or need, but
pretty cool.
I have a tablet (and love it), but I would *not* hook it up to my home theater if I had the option.
I've been using a Compaq tc1100 for almost a year and a half now (it's one the Apprentice candidates are always toting around).
Granted that web surfing on the couch with a pen stylus is good fun (thank you IMDB!), but with today's equipment there are some big disadvantages.
1. Power: Compared to replacing a few batteries every year or so on a HT remote is nothing compared to the amount juice these tablets are thirsty for (and extra tablet batteries don't come cheap). It would spend way too much time tethered to a cord recharging.
2. The stylus: There aren't a lot of touch-sensitive tablets out there. Most tablets require a special stylus. Using a stylus to do simple stuff like raise and lower volume would get old (sorry, Palm OS guys). What happens when it falls between the couch cushions in the moment you need it?
3. The weight: My tc1100 hundred is very light for a lap top (3 lbs.), but for an HT remote it would be too clunky.
4. The heat: Today's tablets are hot. Compared to a good HT remote, a night of moderate channel surfing would be uncomfortable.
5. Gravity: Remote manufactures know you'll drop the remote dozens of times and they plan for it. A light tablet couldn't take that kind of abuse. A heavy one could, but ... then you have a heavier device to tote around.
6. Windows: I'm sorry but I'm not going risk my home theater control functionality to the threats of crashes, viruses, etc, etc. I can hear my wife now, "Honey, the remote crashed again! Fix it!"
7. Portability: Unless you live alone, using a tablet as a remote would hinder your ability to take it places outside your house. "Honey, why did you take the remote to work?"
Sorry to rain on the parade, guys. Sure one day we'll all have a HAL 9000 controlling everything in the house, but don't expect a tablet with Vista to deliver that out of the box.
I think that it is a good idea to merge the two systems, but I think they first need to focus on perfecting the Tablet PC. I have a Tablet PC and it runs a little hot and the cost is a little higher than it needs to be. I would like to see the Tablet PC's fall down to the price range that some laptops are going to: around $600 - $700!
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-Ryan
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