Android Tablet

The eo still appears to be orphaned between the United States and Asia somewhere. Now that the time is nearing to partner and expand Ultra Mobile PC worldwide it seems as though the eo is finding a home with Apex Software.

This morning I woke up to an email pointing me to this article about a new partnership between Apex software and Tablet Kiosk, in the United States. Since a lot of you have been interested in who's actually buying these devices in Australia, and beyond, then this article should start to give you some clue.

From Apex Software Site:

Apex sketching and area calculation software is the premier sketching software for the real estate valuation market. Apex allows the user to sketch simple to complex areas, while automatically calculating that area. With Apex you save time and money in sketching the property, while delivering accurate area calculations and a professional rendering of the property. Apex Software can be used standalone, or integrated with any of the major forms vendors

The results have been translated to their website rather quickly too:

Apex Software Australasian Division

Today Australia's Tablet Guy, Hugo Ortega, had an opportunity to do what he does best – Talk Tablet Downunder. This time it was with Brett Gross, Motion Computing Regional Manager in Australia and New Zealand.

While the meeting had been initiated rather strategically on both sides, it was the work of New Zealand Tablet PC MVP, Craig Pringle, that really spurred things along. Craig has recently been caught remarking “Brett, you should meet Hugo, and Hugo you should meet with Brett!”

I think Hugo will be the first to admit that sitting with Brett is like opening a can of worms. His passion, his commitment and his shear brute strength is nothing other than impressive. Given that Brett, compact in stature, was once a Ninjitsu Instructor it's easy to see why Motion Australia/NZ now leads with an iron fist. His commitment to the range definitely left Hugo with a great impression and wanting more; during lunch these two comrades found a shared love for the Slate form factor and immediately rapport was no problem. As they lunched on pizza and flicked through family photos on Brett's LS1600 Hugo couldn’t help but salivate – over Brett's Tablet.

Stay tuned for Mr. Brett Gross. If he’s ever in your neighborhood be sure to say hello; I do however warn you of this, he’s a man so full of integrity and so committed to his new role that you’d better be going where he’s going, otherwise step out of the way! Quickly!

You’re a star Brett! I'll do all I can to make your Tablet adventures fun, productive and purposeful. Surely you and I are destined to cross paths often - in a good way...

• Brett Gross recently attended the Wellington Tablet User Group meeting in New Zealand. I will be in Wellington, for two days "Talking Tablet," on the 18th & 19th of May 2006. While there I too will be visiting with the Tablet User Group (evening of the 18th).

Tegatech Australia today confirmed that the first allocation of EO Ultra Mobile PC has been a complete sell out in Australia and New Zealand. What's more interesting is the fact that their website now states that 20% of the second allocation is sold out too - and there hasn't been a delivery made to date!

WOW! I don't know about you but it sure looks like UMPC has a place in the market, and the market has a real story to tell...

Tablet Kiosk recently ate some humble pie and admitted defeat by announcing an unscheduled delay in EO deliveries (Tegatech Australia followed suit). While it must have been hard to face, the reality is that we must praise Tablet Kiosk for being so translucent with their business practices. Well done boys!

from the Tegatech Australia site (Ultra Mobile PC product page):

ETA in Australia is end of April 2006. Units will be allocated on a priority basis to orders placed, and paid for, as of now 29th March 2006.

[UPDATE 13th April 2006 10:30am] First allocation of eo is sold out (in black) and we have 7 only left (in white). Second allocation is now ON SALE and due for delivery in Australia on the 19th of May 2006.

[UPDATE 28th April 2006 17:28] First allocation of eo is now completely sold out. Second allocation is now ON SALE and is already 20% sold out. Due to final retooling the first allocation is due for delivery in mid to late May 2006 and second allocation early June 2006.