http://hd.engadget.com/2006/01/20/do-you-think-its-time-for-wmce-and-tablet-to-merge/ Engadget HD Comments for Do you think it's time for WMCE and Tablet to merge? http://hd.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://hd.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://hd.engadget.com/2006/01/20/do-you-think-its-time-for-wmce-and-tablet-to-merge/http://hd.engadget.com/2006/01/20/do-you-think-its-time-for-wmce-and-tablet-to-merge/Jan 20th 2006 9:56AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2006/01/20/do-you-think-its-time-for-wmce-and-tablet-to-merge/http://hd.engadget.com/2006/01/20/do-you-think-its-time-for-wmce-and-tablet-to-merge/Eventually the market will most likley swing in that direction, once Microsoft and others realize the money involved in the "high end" installation market.]]>Jan 20th 2006 10:30AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2006/01/20/do-you-think-its-time-for-wmce-and-tablet-to-merge/http://hd.engadget.com/2006/01/20/do-you-think-its-time-for-wmce-and-tablet-to-merge/Jan 20th 2006 11:17AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2006/01/20/do-you-think-its-time-for-wmce-and-tablet-to-merge/http://hd.engadget.com/2006/01/20/do-you-think-its-time-for-wmce-and-tablet-to-merge/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.]]>Jan 20th 2006 11:57AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2006/01/20/do-you-think-its-time-for-wmce-and-tablet-to-merge/http://hd.engadget.com/2006/01/20/do-you-think-its-time-for-wmce-and-tablet-to-merge/
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.
]]>Jan 20th 2006 12:39PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2006/01/20/do-you-think-its-time-for-wmce-and-tablet-to-merge/http://hd.engadget.com/2006/01/20/do-you-think-its-time-for-wmce-and-tablet-to-merge/
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-Ryan
http://www.cybernetnews.com]]>Jan 21st 2006 11:29PM