I could not resist. After much consideration over 72 hours I have decided to head back to the OQO. I could not resist its sexy looks, its pocketable design, its Active Digitizer screen, its effortless keyboard, and more. With so many devices to choose from I still could not find a way to replace my OQO...and believe me I tried!

• Screen is too small for late night long hours. As I got to 2am and my 5th hour of normal workflow it is definitely debilitating on the eyes, neck and back.


• The combination of docking station (even when travelling) and Samsung Q1 keyboard is a must. The mouse I use is cabled (USB) and a great addition for scroll wheel only.


• The ZOOM feature on the OQO model 02 is Heaven sent.


• I recommend leaving the OQO screen lifted up and exposing the keyboard for two reasons, i.e. the screen is a little more raised and the keys on the keyboard (especially “show desktop”) becomes very functional.

Just a few quick thoughts as I’m back in Sydney tomorrow and looking forward to seeing my son play soccer! Can you believe they won 10-0 last game?!?!!! I'm meeting fellow MVP and Perth-it, Nick Randolph, for dinner now so gotta run!

It's Saturday night and I'm catching up on some vlogs and blogs from throughout the week. I've been on the couch (using the OQO model 02) for the last couple of hours and I thought it would be an opportune moment to post my top five Positives and Negatives of the device. I’ve been a fulltime user for several weeks and I’m getting to know its idiosyncrasies pretty well. Maybe some of my thoughts will resonate with OQO owners, or others, so I would love to hear your thoughts.

Time to do a top 5 on the OQO model 02

This is not a mirrored image. This is my OQO model 02 (XP Tablet Edition) and my new OQO Model 02 Vista Ultimate. (Some people have more money than sense. LOL)

While I was away I it seems as though another mate of mine has decided to have a dig (that’s Aussie speak for launch an attack). First it was Frank Garcia, and now Chippy!

Before you all get too carried away with my opening comment you need to know that this is all in good jest. Both Chippy and I are good mates, and in fact Frank and I are too. What occurs – often – is that we have-a-dig in order to see if the other is awake/listening/asleep or not. So on this occasion I thought it was important to fill in some blanks and go on record for Chippy's sake. At this point you may want to note that my videos are shot unprepared, unedited and unintentional. They are really about a geek spontaneously having fun in the moment. LOL.

The following is an extract from Chippy’s blog and in RED text are my thoughts.

Chippy said:

• It's significant that a tablet MVP has dropped pen input. I've said before that I think handwriting input is going to become less important. Especially for mobile and mass market consumers. It will still be useful for a niche segment but its not important for devices that are not targeted at this segment. Oops Chippy...your first "what tha!" Unquestionably I chose the OQO for its PEN features far and beyond most other compelling reasons; it is after all the smallest Wacom Enabled UMPC on Market (which makes it the best for inking). The only other feature that comes close to the importance I hold for the pen on my Model 02 is the form-factor itself. Have a listen to this podcast I recorded with the GBM Team (May 22nd) which should show you that this is not an off the cuff remark I am making but something I feel stands true. I don't believe there is any such thing as a Tablet MVP losing their love for the pen...especially not me. I believe you are entitled to your comment (regarding the demise of the pen) and it sounds like you have a great ally in JKK too. There is a great deal of merit in Touch Technology and your argument but I believe it should never be as black or white as one or the other. The choice will empower many. If we lose one or the other then we lose so much flexibility.
• The Samsung Q1 organizer keyboard is not cramped. Its one of the best quality mini keyboards that I've ever used. I'm using it right now and have no need to attach a full size keyboard. Have you got farmers fingers mate? Good point mate (not about the fingers). Allow me to elaborate...The Q1 Keyboard is most useful in a static position, i.e. not standing, not car, not walking. IMHO the Organiser Pack, which I love so much, is inconvenient when actually static (as I prefer a "real" keyboard then) and also inconvenient when I am mobile (as I prefer a smaller one). As I stated in my video these are benefits I did not realise I would appreciate until I got the OQO in my hands. Subsequently I have had to make myself flexible enough to accept the changes that are occurring in the Tablet space and learn to implement them into my routine without falling trap to previous addictions.
• Do you need that Dopod any more? You've pretty much said that the OQO does everything that the Dopod does and better. If I were you I would move down to a feature phone. Absolutely makes more sense now. In fact I am not using it as much any more at all. I'm not sure what to get though?!?! Any Mobile Phone Dudes want to recommend a phone for me. I need HSDPA, touch, Windows Mobile 5.0 or 6.0, and small. The Dopod 810 springs to mind but I think it’s still a bit big.
• Pocketing an OQO Model 02 is going to be 1 - awkward 2 - going to rip your pockets. I used to carry a lot around in my suit when I worked in London but I ended up at the tailors every three months! (I think you're reading too much into this comment of mine.) Ironically pocketing the OQO is NOT something I do often. My video was designed to highlight that it CAN be done SHOULD the need arise. In fact one of my readers even pointed out that I might not be able to pull it out of my pocket when sitting! Good point. LOL. As an FYI normally I pull it out of my pocket well before my bum hits any seat. LOL.
• Is it really your desktop PC or do you have a larger desktop that you use for video editing? It is my desktop replacement for Business functionality, i.e. everything other than ripping podcasts and editing videos. Don't forget I own over 17 Tablets (including UMPC) so I'm a little spoilt. The Model 02 has however, for the record, replaced my desktop; podcasts and videos are a hobby for me and I don’t consider them as part of my day-to-day desktop requirements. For this reason I see these tasks as vertically oriented rather than directly related to my desktop activities – so I use a dedicated device for those tasks. I think we all know that editing a movie on a C7M would be futile (unless left as its only task).
• Numeric keypad. How many numbers are you putting in per day? really needed? Oops...I thought it was my video, about me. LOL. WRT the number pad I use it a lot. My passwords for almost everything are alphanumeric so daily I would use it between 30 and 60 times a day. Not to mention when I am working with numbers on an Excel spreadsheet or putting Contract entries into Outlook.
• Q1 organizer pack is a table-top solution I agree. Not a sofa, standing, car, bed solution. Here what you said in point number two "The Samsung Q1 organizer keyboard is not cramped." Now you come back with a contradictory comment. For the record it is cramped, in some instances, and not cramped, in others. I stand by my reply to your point number two. I think it’s about choice.
• I agree. Windows is not optimized for touch but there is a lot of software that is. Navigation for example. Touch is important. I just don't miss Touch on a 5" device. Sorry.
• I use the Q1b as a desktop replacement but its not quite good enough. Intel based devices make far better desktop replacements. XP on 1.2Ghz VIA is probably about the entry point so yes, I agree it can be used as a desktop and yes, you have to change your working style a little. So true.
• What battery life do you get with your extended battery. Is it a full day like with the other two solutions or did you sacrifice some battery life? No sacrifice due to a little beauty of an accessory named the Battery Charging Adapter. All that has happened is that I carry two fully charged extended batteries instead of one 6 cell plus an 8 cell power bank.
• We know that the keyboard on the OQO isn't much faster than on screen typing/handwriting. Would you be happy to lose 4-8mm on the depth of the device (or have a bigger battery capacity) without a keyboard and use an on screen keyboard? Personally it is much faster than the use of the software keyboard embedded in the TIP (Tablet Input Panel). Once again personally it is slower than ink-to-text using the TIP. So it is dependent on what you/I am doing. I would favour this device with a keyboard more so than without it. At least it is there on the 30% of the time I need it (% based on overall usage). Batteries would not be a reason to lose the keyboard as much as weight and thickness would. If it did not have a keyboard I don't think I would have bought it as I would rather go back to the Q1P with OP. Because my keyboard usage (as stated previously) is somewhat dynamic, i.e. sit/walk/run, then it has merit here; take it away and it might change the hole HUGOMETER balance.
• Don't forget to highlight that the OQO Model 02 with docking station is around double the cost of a Q1b with organizer! You have to be tech-savvy and also be able to justify saving minutes per day to balance the extra cost. You just did. Well done.

Play Video [210 MB, 26 minutes]

Watch it on MyYouTube:

• Why OQO 02 Hugo: Part One
• Why OQO 02 Hugo Part Two
• Why OQO 02 Hugo: Part Three

I think it is great that everyone (the UberTablet Family) are carrying on the threads without me. Admittedly I am inundated with work so all I can do is post some pictures and some thoughts at present. I saw Frank’s comments (Ctitanic) and with that in mind I asked my wife to take this photo of me before I went into the city for a meeting. This photo not only describes a little bit about why I believe in the OQO model 02 but it also showcases just how discrete my new desktop really is. LOL.


Thanks Frank for your great post on why??? I promise I will answer the question clearly and concisely. Until then I will let this picture paint a thousand words.

Is that an OQO on my belt or am I just happy to see you.

OQO model 02

Windows XP Tablet PC Edition

I think most of you know that my Tablet PC geek-iness is so far out of control that it is almost irreversible now. I still remember vividly a video I shot demonstrating how The Origami devices would work well before they had been released. It caught a lot of attention and highlighted two things:

• We can create Virtual Hardware experiences and still learn a lot;
• People will go to extraordinary lengths to make the intangible tangible.

Why all this rhetoric?

Recently I was pinged by a fellow Aussie and passionate follower of bleeding edge technology who had gone down a similar path to me, i.e. creating Virtual Hardware. I thought it was so amusing creepy intriguing enthusiastically replicated that I had to share it with all of you. For the record his name is Paul Stanway and his passion is papier-mâché sculpture origami Gadgets!

Oh…and so you know…NONE OF THESE DEVICES ARE REAL. ALL ARE MADE FROM HI-RES PRINTOUTS FOLDED TO SCALE TO REPLICATE ACTUAL DEVICES ABOUT TO HIT THE MARKER. LOL.

Apple iPhone, Nokia E90, HTC Shift

Q1 Ultra, OQO 02, iPhone, Nokia E90, HTC Shift

Q1 Ultra, OQO 02, iPhone

G'Day from Downunder! My name is Hugo Ortega and yes, I am an Aussie! It is with great pleasure and much enthusiasm that I join the GottaBeMobile Team and provide you with this - my first GBM InkShow.

When faced with the challenge of picking my first topic I couldn't resist the opportunity to showcase my latest UMPC, i.e. the OQO 02. Since unboxing my “shiny” new OQO two-weeks ago I felt the time was right to Vlog my thoughts. This device has captured the imagination of many and had lots of us salivating since its unveiling at CES 2007. As you can imagine I was somewhat excited to receive it and after spending the last 16 days with it as my fulltime machine I felt compelled to break my silence.

In this video I cover the following topics:

• The Pen Experience (including a look at inking in OneNote 2007 and using the TIP)
  
• I do a brief UMPC comparison (side-by-side view of the OQO and 5 other UMPC)
  
• We get intimate with the OQO 02 DVD RW Docking Station (including a sneak peak at how I replaced my desktop with this device)
  
• And more…
  

So if you’re at work make sure your boss isn’t watching (or maybe make sure s/he is). If you’re at home pull up a chair, get comfy and grab some popcorn. The next 40 minutes are designed to inform, enlighten and most of all entertain!

The Model in the video is the one OQO terms the OQO 02 -Best with Windows XP Professional. I performed my own manual upgrade (not a clean install as my device did not like that) to Windows XP Tablet PC Edition and bought the additional pen to utilize the included Active Digitizer screen supplied in the 02.

Enjoy.

[Ashamedly I forgot to mention battery life in the video: “on the std. 3 cell I am getting a pinch under 2hrs, and on the 900omAh I get a pinch over 4hrs. That’s with “some” Bluetooth and “some” wireless.]

Watch or download the High Res version (47:59 minutes, 367mb, Windows Media streaming or direct download)

All GottaBeMobile.com InkShows are sponsored by:

This post has been prepared throughout my working day using nothing but my OQO 02 with Dopod 838 pro for connectivity. I am not preaching or teaching; only telling you how I use my OQO. It is my desktop, notebook and Mobile PC. So far so good.

• 6:00 am – wake and check email (docked and connected to Ethernet)
• 7:00 am – reply to emails and read comments on blog (still docked)
• 8:05 am – show me boarding pass to the front counter and ask for a print out.
• 8:11 am - check emails at the airport and reply to three emails urgently
• 8:16 am – finish a conversation with one of my blog readers (using ink on Messenger)
• 9:04 am – on flight DJ822 heading to Melbourne typing this
• 9:11am – read an interview, in the Virgin Blue Magazine, of Toshiba General Manager Mark Whitttard. Quote: “I think eventually the keyboard will disappear and forms of input will be handwriting and voice. We see that in maybe five years’ time there will be flat, slate-style products without keyboards that will be very portable and compact. We actually have a prototype that folds up – imagine an A4 sheet of paper and fold it into thirds as if you’re putting it in an envelope to mail it. We’ve developed some very flexible LCD screen technologies.”
  WOW…straight from the horses mouth! Maybe true Origami is et to come!
• 9:40 am – finished preparing my PowerPoint Presentation (titled: UMPC, past – present – future)
• 9:42am – remembered that I needed a background image for the PowerPoint so I fired up Photoshop and created a quick JPEG. (still on the plane)
• 11am – arrived at Melbourne CBD checked emails and replied to three urgent emails. Met a friend for coffee and reviewed my PowerPoint presentation.
• 11:55am – transferred the PowerPoint presentation from me OQO, via USB memory stick, and sat in a meeting taking notes on OneNote.
• 12:20pm – dropped the standard battery and popped in the extended.
• 2pm – went back into meetings and kept taking (OneNote)
• 2:10 pm – went to lunch and came back to check/answer emails. Read blog comments (favourite part of the day) and watched some YouTube.
• 3:00pm to 5pm – met with Victoria Government and talked UMPC. Answered more email. Entered notes. Updated contact details and used Outlook Instant Search to find some attachments I referenced in the meeting (spontaneously).
• 5:45pm to 6:42pm – sat at the Virgin Blue lounge and answered emails, replied to readers on my blog, answered more emails, made more phone calls and took more notes on OneNote. All connected to wifi this time.
• Now – heading to catch my plane and on my way home. Yeah!

I know it has been a while between posts but I have been overwhelmed with work commitments, family commitments, fun commitments, and to top it off the migration of my life onto the OQO 02 took a bigger toll than I initially expected.

So without delay it is my absolute pleasure to announce that I am 100% fulltime OQO-ing! As this picture might suggest I have solved the screen size issue, I have found several preferred input methods and my Internet connectivity is near perfect.

23" running Outlook and Blog,

5" runnning OneNote and Messenger

Here is what I am running on the OQO currently:

• Windows XP Tablet PC Edition (manual installation as I had bought the XP Pro version
• Office 2007 Ultimate Edition (I love that name)
• MYOB v.12 (Accounting Software)Adobe Photoshop 8.0 with Image Ready
• Castblaster
• and several other mandatory apps

I plan to install:

• Cyberlink PowerDirector
• Tablet Enhancements for Outlook
• Minjet Mind Manager
• And more

It feels like I have turned a corner in my mobility and it might be really hard to turn back. Today I answered emails while watching my son at Swimming Training - not impressive to some of you I know - but I also caught up on some YouTube, I finished of a PowerPoint Presentation for tomorrow, and, I reviewed and amended a Pricelist using Excel.

Let me know your questions I will do what I can to answer them via video, photos and text throughout the next few weeks. Tomorrow I am on a plane to Melbourne for the day and plan to give my new Mr. Mobility persona a good run for its money. With my Dopod 838pro (in my left blazer pocket) and my OQO 02 Best (in my right blazer pocket) mobility has never been so literal.

My first duty in the morning is to launch the Official BloggerZone lounge at CeBIT Australia 2007. I'll be meeting a group of 25 bloggers for pastries and coffee while accompanied by my OQO 02! (I had to mention it again).

I just want to apologies in advance as I will not be able to answer your many queries regarding the OQO 02 for a couple of days but please keep the comments coming! I will keep my promise and answer each and every comment individually (as usual). In the mean time be sure to visit CeBITAustralia.blogspot.com for videos n' stuff.

Stay well!

[Wednesday is my big day on stage]

Finally I can reveal why the FedEX Man came to visit. And the reason is the new Model OQO 02 - BEST and Docking Station!

As I mentioned Mr. FedEX (his name is actually Ben) has been known to come to my place once or twice before but on this occasion I must admit that even I was a little more excited than usual. Given the Ultra-Mobile PC story and where it is up to today you’ll soon see why replacing a desktop and becoming truly Ultra Mobile is nothing but a little black-package away. (“black-on-black-on-black”)

You might note that in this video I am proud to welcome a brand new Platinum Sponsor to the website in none other than manufacturer VIA Technologies, Taiwan! In a rather timely announcement they also happen to be the manufacturer of the Ultra Low Voltage (ULV) Processor shipped inside the Model OQO 02.

Welcome VIA Technologies!

Don't stress if you're in Australia and wandering why the shiny new OQO 02 you just ordered hasn't arrived yet. I am lead to believe they are on their way! Until then however here is OQO's biggest fan "tnkgrl" in the OQO Office having some hands-on experience (does that sound weird?) Cleverly he she has also taken with him her some OQO 01s so that we can tell the physical difference.

via: JkOnTheRun