Dear Eric,
I'm a classical pianist who has been using Tablet PC's to completely replace my paper music library - in conjuction with my new wireless footswitch from Musebook, i'm able to turn pages without removing my hands from the keyboard (for musicians, that's a BIG deal!) Anyway, saw your blog about the UWSTPC (ultra widescreen tablet pc) and I have to say - this would be PERFECT for orchestra conductors! I've had several look wistfully at my system, envying the fact that I can carry my entire music library in the hard drive of my Fujitsu Stylistic ST5202D, but the 12.1 inch display is too small for the enourmous orchestra scores they have to lug around. Seeing your picture of the pre-production unit made me say, "YES!!!" This could be the perfect Tablet PC for orchestra conductors!
I hope your manufacturer friend will seriously consider making a presentation at next year's NAMM convention (NAMM is an arm of the International Music Products Association - www.namm.com ). I would love to see our orchestras adopt tablet pc's - once you can convince the conductors of the benefits of the technology, you'll start seeing it trickle down (hopefully) to the rest of the classical music community.
Have fun with the unit 'till Monday!
All the best,
Hugh Sung
How would YOU use an Ultra Wide-screen Tablet PC?
Post a comment with your ideas. I wonder if I can get the manufacturer to give a unit away to the best application posted to this blog. It's worth a try. ;-)
Discussion/Comments (12):
Hi Eric! Great post - here's another music-related idea, if i may be allowed to piggy back a bit - my Fujitsu Stylistic Tablet PC's 12.1 inch screen only allows me to see one page at a time at virtually the same ratio as paper music (i could set it up to see 2 pages at a time, but that would mean reducing the ratio to about half of "normal" size). Several musicians complain that my computer screen is still a bit small even when displaying only one page at a time. The ultra-widescreen would be perfect to display 2 full-sized pages at a time, just like traditional music - good enough for orchestra player and pianists, not just conductors (although i suspect that the music stands for the orchestra players would need to be pretty sturdy to support the weight of the unit - wirestands probably wouldn't suffice - unless they're redesigned with carbon fiber bodies...)
Another application would be for visual arts. I once had dreams of being an animator - this would be perfect for computer modeling or animation. Most digital artists currently use Wacom pen pads attached to computers (Macs, mostly), where they have to draw on a separate pad away from the screen (it's actually pretty intuitive - i have an old one of these myself for my 'regular' pc). It would be so natural to work DIRECTLY on a digital screen as opposed to an offset pen pad! The widescreen would be perfect for movie/dvd film ratios...i could go on and on on this point...
As an educator at a small classical music conservatory (The Curtis Institute of Music) we have very small classroom sizes. Rather than purchasing a separate laptop and projector setup, our classroom may actually be small enough (average: 5-10 students per classroom) to have the ultra-wide tpc as it's own combination display/computer unit all built into one. This might actually translate into some significant IT savings for small schools...
Just a few thoughts here to get the ball rolling...maybe you (or perhaps, the manufacturer) could come up with a mini contest like the one Tracy Hooten did for her Tablet PC tips to spark more ideas on the uses/needs for an ultra-widescreen tablet pc? Just another crazy thought!
Take care!
Hugh Sung
Posted at 04/01/2006 14:32:27 by Hugh Sung
Imagine what this could do for landscape architects, building contractors, and interior designers! Of course, it'd have to have a view anywhere display for outdoor use. Seeing your question made me think of my father, who does landscaping. I've seen him wield huge handrawn (yes, he still draws everything by hand!) blueprints of landscaping jobs. Imagine having this to meet with a client, especially then handing the pen over to the client to add his/her own corrections, ideas, etc.
Posted at 04/01/2006 15:03:59 by Michael
What would I do with an ultra-wide tablet PC?
I can't think of anything as outright cool as the orchestra example, but I can think of one thing.
I'm becoming a really big fan of MindManager, and mind mapping in general. As a matter of fact, I'm mind mapping course material for a certification I'm studying for. Having the ability to do this with an ultra-wide screen would be pretty cool. I find it quite boring sitting at my workstation typing away into MindManager. Having the option of inputing data while sitting on the couch would be very nice. I can do this now with my current tablet, however the screen real estate is very limited.
I'm using an HP TC1100, so anything larger than 10.4" would be cool. On the other hand, I'm a huge fan of portability so I'd have to scrape up more reasons to use the ultra-wide features before I would sacrifice the portability. Of course, in my case $$$ is always a limiting factor. :-)
Posted at 04/01/2006 16:35:34 by Chance Evans
Hi Eric! Great post - here's another music-related idea, if i may be allowed to piggy back a bit - my Fujitsu Stylistic Tablet PC's 12.1 inch screen only allows me to see one page at a time at virtually the same ratio as paper music (i could set it up to see 2 pages at a time, but that would mean reducing the ratio to about half of "normal" size). Several musicians complain that my computer screen is still a bit small even when displaying only one page at a time. The ultra-widescreen would be perfect to display 2 full-sized pages at a time, just like traditional music - good enough for orchestra player and pianists, not just conductors (although i suspect that the music stands for the orchestra players would need to be pretty sturdy to support the weight of the unit - wirestands probably wouldn't suffice - unless they're redesigned with carbon fiber bodies...)
Another application would be for visual arts. I once had dreams of being an animator - this would be perfect for computer modeling or animation. Most digital artists currently use Wacom pen pads attached to computers (Macs, mostly), where they have to draw on a separate pad away from the screen (it's actually pretty intuitive - i have an old one of these myself for my 'regular' pc). It would be so natural to work DIRECTLY on a digital screen as opposed to an offset pen pad! The widescreen would be perfect for movie/dvd film ratios...i could go on and on on this point...
As an educator at a small classical music conservatory (The Curtis Institute of Music) we have very small classroom sizes. Rather than purchasing a separate laptop and projector setup, our classrooms may actually be small enough (average: 5-10 students per classroom) to have the ultra-wide tpc as it's own combination display/computer unit all built into one. This might actually translate into some significant IT savings for small schools...
Just a few thoughts here to get the ball rolling...maybe you (or perhaps, the manufacturer) could come up with a mini contest like the one Tracy Hooten did for her Tablet PC tips to spark more ideas on the uses/needs for an ultra-widescreen tablet pc? Just another crazy thought!
Take care!
Posted at 04/01/2006 17:22:57 by Hugh Sung
Hi Eric! Great post - here's another music-related idea, if i may be allowed to piggy back a bit - my Fujitsu Stylistic Tablet PC's 12.1 inch screen only allows me to see one page at a time at virtually the same ratio as paper music (i could set it up to see 2 pages at a time, but that would mean reducing the ratio to about half of "normal" size). Several musicians complain that my computer screen is still a bit small even when displaying only one page at a time. The ultra-widescreen would be perfect to display 2 full-sized pages at a time, just like traditional music - good enough for orchestra player and pianists, not just conductors (although i suspect that the music stands for the orchestra players would need to be pretty sturdy to support the weight of the unit - wirestands probably wouldn't suffice - unless they're redesigned with carbon fiber bodies...)
Another application would be for visual arts. I once had dreams of being an animator - this would be perfect for computer modeling or animation. Most digital artists currently use Wacom pen pads attached to computers (Macs, mostly), where they have to draw on a separate pad away from the screen (it's actually pretty intuitive - i have an old one of these myself for my 'regular' pc). It would be so natural to work DIRECTLY on a digital screen as opposed to an offset pen pad! The widescreen would be perfect for movie/dvd film ratios...i could go on and on on this point...
As an educator at a small classical music conservatory (The Curtis Institute of Music) we have very small classroom sizes. Rather than purchasing a separate laptop and projector setup, our classroom may actually be small enough (average: 5-10 students per classroom) to have the ultra-wide tpc as it's own combination display/computer unit all built into one. This might actually translate into some significant IT savings for small schools...
Just a few thoughts here to get the ball rolling...maybe you (or perhaps, the manufacturer) could come up with a mini contest like the one Tracy Hooten did for her Tablet PC tips to spark more ideas on the uses/needs for an ultra-widescreen tablet pc? Just another crazy thought!
Take care!
Hugh Sung
Posted at 04/01/2006 21:43:07 by Hugh Sung
Great Dole! I would use the screen to open more the one web view at atom. I review credit and make loan decisions from an online site. It would make my life much easier to review more than 1 page at a time.
Thanks!
tc
Posted at 04/02/2006 21:03:05 by Travis Carnahan
I would use it to view videos, like the one Eric posted of his use of the Ultra-Wide-screen TPC.
Posted at 04/03/2006 8:29:35 by Wesley
Hey Eric:
I'm on my second Tablet now (currently using the ThinkPad X41). I used to think I knew what I wanted in a Tablet, and then my work situation changed dramatically. I am now working remotely from a home office....connected virtually to my firm's main office in Oklahoma City. My assistant is in OKC, and prepares all of my paperwork there (we lawyers still like lots of paper, unfortunately). I connect to the firm's network and sign everything on the tablet...she then handles all the mailing, etc. from OKC.
The X41 fit the bill when I made the initial setup. It's a great notebook AND a great Tablet...making it perfect as a travel computer. But, at home, the screen really is small and I can see immediate advantage for my setup with that large screen in the Tablet you're evaluating. I would probably use the widescreen tablet in connection with a desktop stand that keeps it in "writing-ready" mode at all times -- ready to sign documents, take notes for calls, etc.
Tablet functionality is crucial to me when travelling, too. I really am virtual...my office is wherever I'm at. On the road, I need to be able to review and sign things electronically just as I would in my home office. So, the X41 would stay...but it would be relegated to the briefcase.
The widescreen would serve another important function....I am a patent attorney and constantly review patent drawings with inventors, clients, etc. I use GoToMeeting to do this virtually....showing a drawing on the Tablet and marking it up -- or letting them mark it up -- can avoid numerous phone calls sometimes. The bigger screen would make this whole process a lot more effective.
Wow...I guess I'm saying that I would use the widescreen to move to a two-tablet setup (widescreen on the desk in the office and X41 in the briefcase on the road). I like it.....
I hope this helps,
Matt
Posted at 04/04/2006 8:19:51 by J. Matthew Buchanan
As an art student, it would be an invaluable replacement for the portfolio and countless supplies I'm required to carry and deal with on a daily basis.. though a smaller tablet or touchscreen laptop would probably serve the same end purpose, there's just something about working in an actual large format that simplifies things. Replacing five or ten sketchbooks with a single ultra widescreen unit, even loaded with batteries, would be much less of a pain in the back and shoulders... not even mentioning any color supplies.
The option to switch over and start working in an animation mode would be incredible as well. Even with only five hours of cordless runtime, that'd allow more than enough time to relax and work outside, again without carting around boxes of supplies.
Only way it could be made better would be integration of multi-point touch, and possibly touch area sensing to allow finger-working with virtual charcoals, or blending with pastels. :)
Posted at 05/15/2006 1:06:15 by John Berryhill
Hi Eric, I have been using a PC Tablet, the Toshiba Portege, in my math classroom for over a year. It has transformed the way I present my lessons. In addition my students have easy access to every lesson which is stored on the school’s server. However, with my growing dependence on this machine I have become increasingly more frustrated with its small screen size. I use Microsoft’s Onenote and Excel, a virtual Texas Instrument calculator, and Autograph 3 all the time in my presentations. I would love to be able to comfortably display two, three, or four of these applications all at once. A wide screen Tablet PC would be perfect for my use.
Posted at 06/04/2006 9:00:37 by Doug Burbank
Doug, thanks for posting your application. Although this quest started out as wishful thinking, the more I think about it, the more practical it seams. (For select applications, of course.)
Posted at 06/04/2006 15:37:50 by Eric Mack
I use my tecra M4 for Art. Using the wacom plugin I have awesome control in my paint programs. But it is too small and it is hard to truly judge the colors. I always have to make the color corrections on my regular PC.
I would absolutly love a large format Tablet that I can unhook from the PC. Drawing would be much easier and I would not have to put my nose to the screen to see the details. And with the screens getting better eventually I could do the final colors on it.
Posted at 10/30/2006 15:00:25 by Michael Grills
Discussion for this entry is now closed.