... Did it without any help from Ruby, DeWitt and Bradley!
Sunday, July 31, 2011
My HP TouchPad Received an Update Today!...
My HP TouchPad received an update today...
... Did it without any help from Ruby, DeWitt and Bradley!
... Did it without any help from Ruby, DeWitt and Bradley!
Saturday, July 30, 2011
TouchPad: What to Do About HP?
Now that the clock has just about run out for HP to release an OTA update for the TouchPad this month, we all know that life goes on, but what do we early TouchPad users do wiith an "unfinished" device?... and what do we do about HP?
Us and the unfinished device?
Since, at its core, the TouchPad is a good device, we are over HP's barrel and have little choice but to hang in there as they string us along. Updates will come -- sloooowly -- and the TP will probably never meet the original HP promises and our expectations. (The ghost of Ruby and the reviewer's wails of "potential" will haunt our dreams.)
What do we do about HP?
This is a real tough one for me. When I was a kid, my Dad worked for HP and I've personally benefited -- via stock -- from good management of the company until somewhere in the late 1990's.
I've personally purchased HP products -- printers -- on several occasions and had good experiences. I've had similar good experiences with HP devices in the workplace. They've built up a lot of goodwill with me over the years.
So, what's next now that I've laid down some good bucks for the TP, have an incomplete/unfinished device to which they won't "man up" and promptly cure the deficiencies?
The goodwill isn't entirely gone, but Messrs. Ruby, DeWitt and Bradley are well-deserving of a public shaming. Maybe we should revive the dunk tank and the stocks in the town square.
Some might exclude Ruby because he has already been kicked to the side of the road and will be out the door shortly. I disagree and contend that he should be at the front of the line because he's a serial offender in matters of this type.
DeWitt and Bradley earned their eligibilty with this month's nonsense about soft launch/hard launch and shortly after/by the end of the month.
This is all a bit of fun to talk about putting people in the stocks and dunking them in the town square, but what's the real-life and professional, effective way to make Ruby, DeWitt and Bradley accountable for their TouchPad shenanigans?
I'll try to get back to you on this in a few days. Since my TouchPad isn't ready yet to fully support my activities/work, I have some down time to ponder their shaming.
Us and the unfinished device?
Since, at its core, the TouchPad is a good device, we are over HP's barrel and have little choice but to hang in there as they string us along. Updates will come -- sloooowly -- and the TP will probably never meet the original HP promises and our expectations. (The ghost of Ruby and the reviewer's wails of "potential" will haunt our dreams.)
What do we do about HP?
This is a real tough one for me. When I was a kid, my Dad worked for HP and I've personally benefited -- via stock -- from good management of the company until somewhere in the late 1990's.
I've personally purchased HP products -- printers -- on several occasions and had good experiences. I've had similar good experiences with HP devices in the workplace. They've built up a lot of goodwill with me over the years.
So, what's next now that I've laid down some good bucks for the TP, have an incomplete/unfinished device to which they won't "man up" and promptly cure the deficiencies?
The goodwill isn't entirely gone, but Messrs. Ruby, DeWitt and Bradley are well-deserving of a public shaming. Maybe we should revive the dunk tank and the stocks in the town square.
Some might exclude Ruby because he has already been kicked to the side of the road and will be out the door shortly. I disagree and contend that he should be at the front of the line because he's a serial offender in matters of this type.
DeWitt and Bradley earned their eligibilty with this month's nonsense about soft launch/hard launch and shortly after/by the end of the month.
This is all a bit of fun to talk about putting people in the stocks and dunking them in the town square, but what's the real-life and professional, effective way to make Ruby, DeWitt and Bradley accountable for their TouchPad shenanigans?
I'll try to get back to you on this in a few days. Since my TouchPad isn't ready yet to fully support my activities/work, I have some down time to ponder their shaming.
Friday, July 29, 2011
Follow-Up: New York Times News Feeds
A few days ago I did a post about the new New York Times News Feeds app for the HP TouchPad and was in the mode of not immediately abandoning the old New York Times beta app that carried over from my Pre smartphones. The new app certainly provides a richer, graphical presentation, but the news is the news.
Well, as it turns out, keeping around the old app has some real merit... at least for now. With it you have the ability to save stories for future reference, as well as the ability to text and email stories with a couple of simple clicks.
It appears to be a different story with the NYT News Feeds app. Registration is required to email stories, leading me to think taking this step will bring us into the world of paying for NYT content. I love reading the NYT online, but I don't love it $15 per month worth.
Meanwhile, back at the old NYT beta app... I was surprised last winter when the NYT went to a paid online subscription model and the beta reader on webOS survived as a freebie.
I was thinking they weren't worried enough about the small audience accessing their content this way to go to the bother of shutting us off.
As time has gone by, however, I'm not sure what's up, but I still have the free ride and the ability to readily save/text/email stories.
I think I'm staying on board the beta app train to the end of the line.
Well, as it turns out, keeping around the old app has some real merit... at least for now. With it you have the ability to save stories for future reference, as well as the ability to text and email stories with a couple of simple clicks.
It appears to be a different story with the NYT News Feeds app. Registration is required to email stories, leading me to think taking this step will bring us into the world of paying for NYT content. I love reading the NYT online, but I don't love it $15 per month worth.
Meanwhile, back at the old NYT beta app... I was surprised last winter when the NYT went to a paid online subscription model and the beta reader on webOS survived as a freebie.
I was thinking they weren't worried enough about the small audience accessing their content this way to go to the bother of shutting us off.
As time has gone by, however, I'm not sure what's up, but I still have the free ride and the ability to readily save/text/email stories.
I think I'm staying on board the beta app train to the end of the line.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Flash on the HP TouchPad: Flash It If Ya Got It
For my money, one of the biggest differentiators between the new HP TouchPad and the Apple iPad is the TP's built-in Adobe Flash support for playing video.
Check out my YouTube video about the McKim Building of the Boston Public Library, as it plays on the TouchPad...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKrx8SCzkTo
Check out my YouTube video about the McKim Building of the Boston Public Library, as it plays on the TouchPad...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKrx8SCzkTo
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
TouchPad OTA Update: Why I see it as MIA for July 31
For starters, I really do want to see HP release a SIGNIFICANT OTA Update on or before July 31. Its just that, for my money, the signs point toward something later, perhaps something on the order of... "by the start of calendar year Q4, so that we can do it right for our customers".
Language
Phrases like "Shortly after... " and "... by the end of the month" are not new from the Palm gang, but HP is now getting in on that act. That's disturbing and unsettling, indicating that the HP suits don't have enough confidence in what's happening on the OTA update front to truly put a stake in the sand. I think they've left themselves some wiggle room to tap dance again when July 31 comes and goes.
Quantity & Quality
I have no doubt that they've been working on updates for months, but methinks -- going back to the language they're using -- HP knows that they don't have the quantity and quality of updates coming to offset what their customers (rightfully) perceive as the necessary updates for the TouchPad. They're in a bind and not in the mood to admit it.
Commitment
I saw some blog/forum posts yesterday that put forward the idea -- and I agree -- that maybe HP lacks real commitment to the TouchPad, the Pre/Veer smartphones and webOS. They (HP) are huge and the Palm acquisition was something relatively small for them. Maybe success or failure with webOS isn't a big deal for them... small potatoes in the grand scheme of things.
Let's watch the calendar and see what happens.
Language
Phrases like "Shortly after... " and "... by the end of the month" are not new from the Palm gang, but HP is now getting in on that act. That's disturbing and unsettling, indicating that the HP suits don't have enough confidence in what's happening on the OTA update front to truly put a stake in the sand. I think they've left themselves some wiggle room to tap dance again when July 31 comes and goes.
Quantity & Quality
I have no doubt that they've been working on updates for months, but methinks -- going back to the language they're using -- HP knows that they don't have the quantity and quality of updates coming to offset what their customers (rightfully) perceive as the necessary updates for the TouchPad. They're in a bind and not in the mood to admit it.
Commitment
I saw some blog/forum posts yesterday that put forward the idea -- and I agree -- that maybe HP lacks real commitment to the TouchPad, the Pre/Veer smartphones and webOS. They (HP) are huge and the Palm acquisition was something relatively small for them. Maybe success or failure with webOS isn't a big deal for them... small potatoes in the grand scheme of things.
Let's watch the calendar and see what happens.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Download: New York Times News Feeds
Stumbled across a pleasant surprise this morning in the app catalog this morning... a free app for reading New York Times News Feeds on the HP TouchPad
I've been a user of the NYT beta app on the Pre for the past couple of years and have continued now to use it happily on the TouchPad in the emulator on webOS 3.
Will I be immediately abandoning the Pre/early webOS version?... Nope. The earlier version is a perfectly acceptable way to read the news that hasn't been rendered dead by the new app.
Will I switch exclusively to the new app in the long run?... Hard to say. The new app is obviously -- having the new Enyo styling -- a richer graphic presentation/experience, but what's at the core of what I want in a NYT app or any news app?... READING!
Both apps seem to pass the reading test for me. Last time I checked this morning the story content was the same in both apps. Good enuf for me!
Small nit to pick... The old NYT beta app has a NY/Region section that I enjoy reading. Not immediately seeing it on the new News Feed app. Not a "dealbreaker" for me vis a vis the new app... just an observation.
I've been a user of the NYT beta app on the Pre for the past couple of years and have continued now to use it happily on the TouchPad in the emulator on webOS 3.
Will I be immediately abandoning the Pre/early webOS version?... Nope. The earlier version is a perfectly acceptable way to read the news that hasn't been rendered dead by the new app.
Will I switch exclusively to the new app in the long run?... Hard to say. The new app is obviously -- having the new Enyo styling -- a richer graphic presentation/experience, but what's at the core of what I want in a NYT app or any news app?... READING!
Both apps seem to pass the reading test for me. Last time I checked this morning the story content was the same in both apps. Good enuf for me!
Small nit to pick... The old NYT beta app has a NY/Region section that I enjoy reading. Not immediately seeing it on the new News Feed app. Not a "dealbreaker" for me vis a vis the new app... just an observation.
Monday, July 25, 2011
First Impressions: Gemini File Manager
My recent "hit list" posting of the five things I needed to make the HP TouchPad a useful tool to me, moving it beyond just being a large format web browser, had one big, fat omission... a File Manager.
How did I miss putting something like a File Manager on my list? I'm not sure, but I'll hang my hat on the fact that I've been working for so long without one on my webOS devices that I guess I've resigned myself to working "blind" on my Pre smartphones and carried that over to the TouchPad.
(Before you start... Yes, I am aware that I could have installed a File Manager to my phones via Preware, but that's a topic for a post/rant at another time.)
Getting back to the case at hand...
Well, lo and behold, the Gemini File Manager for the TouchPad has arrived on the scene to fill my void. I've done the download and taken a quick spin around the app.
First impressions
Now, if we can get some document editing in Quickoffice...
How did I miss putting something like a File Manager on my list? I'm not sure, but I'll hang my hat on the fact that I've been working for so long without one on my webOS devices that I guess I've resigned myself to working "blind" on my Pre smartphones and carried that over to the TouchPad.
(Before you start... Yes, I am aware that I could have installed a File Manager to my phones via Preware, but that's a topic for a post/rant at another time.)
Getting back to the case at hand...
Well, lo and behold, the Gemini File Manager for the TouchPad has arrived on the scene to fill my void. I've done the download and taken a quick spin around the app.
First impressions
- Intuitive enough for even the casual user
- Functions as advertised
- Worth the price of $2.99 (putting aside for the moment that HP should already have a File Manager on the device)
Now, if we can get some document editing in Quickoffice...
Sunday, July 24, 2011
TouchPad OTA Update: MIA or Just SOL?
Now that we're at July 24, deep into the "shortly after" of the HP TouchPad's July 17 official launch and approaching the "by the end of the month" promise from HP, who wants take some action on the proposition that the OTA update will be MIA and we'll be SOL again?
I hate to be cynical and negative-sounding, but after a few decades in the business world, one develops a nose for the "horse hockey" -- borrowing a phrase from Col. Potter of M*A*S*H -- you hear from the Ruby-esque corporate types.
HP's soft launch/hard launch and shortly after/by the end of the month tapdances are the corporate equivalents of "the dog ate my homework". They're not ready. They don't know when they'll be ready... and are just trying to buy themselves some time to cook up the next tapdance.
So, what does this mean to those of us bought the TouchPad for what turned out to be the "on double-secret probation" July 1 soft launch and the "this time its for real, trust us" July 17 hard launch?...
I can faintly hear the Jackie Gleason/Ralph Kramden "Hummada hummada hummada" now from the direction of Palo Alto.
... Or is it, "August 15... Yeah... That's the ticket!" from Jon Lovtiz's liar character?
--------------------
Cynicism is an unpleasant way of saying the truth. -- Lillian Hellman
Bad taste is simply saying the truth before it should be said. -- Mel Brooks
I hate to be cynical and negative-sounding, but after a few decades in the business world, one develops a nose for the "horse hockey" -- borrowing a phrase from Col. Potter of M*A*S*H -- you hear from the Ruby-esque corporate types.
HP's soft launch/hard launch and shortly after/by the end of the month tapdances are the corporate equivalents of "the dog ate my homework". They're not ready. They don't know when they'll be ready... and are just trying to buy themselves some time to cook up the next tapdance.
So, what does this mean to those of us bought the TouchPad for what turned out to be the "on double-secret probation" July 1 soft launch and the "this time its for real, trust us" July 17 hard launch?...
I can faintly hear the Jackie Gleason/Ralph Kramden "Hummada hummada hummada" now from the direction of Palo Alto.
... Or is it, "August 15... Yeah... That's the ticket!" from Jon Lovtiz's liar character?
--------------------
Cynicism is an unpleasant way of saying the truth. -- Lillian Hellman
Bad taste is simply saying the truth before it should be said. -- Mel Brooks
Saturday, July 23, 2011
A Bookmark Trap?...
One difference I immediately saw between webOS on the Pre and the HP TouchPad was that "Clear Bookmarks" has been added at the top of the "clear" options list under Preferences for the web browser.
Ouch! That looks like an accident waiting to happen.
I guess a "clear bookmarks" option could come in handy somewhere down the line, but putting it at the top of the list (before Clear History, Clear Cookies and Clear Cache) appears to be putting my hard-compiled list squarely in harm's way. One instinctive/errant/automatic swipe and my work is gone.
Hey, HP, was this one of Ruby's ideas of how to "make things right" for us early Pre users?
Ouch! That looks like an accident waiting to happen.
I guess a "clear bookmarks" option could come in handy somewhere down the line, but putting it at the top of the list (before Clear History, Clear Cookies and Clear Cache) appears to be putting my hard-compiled list squarely in harm's way. One instinctive/errant/automatic swipe and my work is gone.
Hey, HP, was this one of Ruby's ideas of how to "make things right" for us early Pre users?
The Hit List...
Here's my hit list of the top five things I need to make my HP Touchpad something other than a large format mobile browser and a useful tool...
Hey, HP, am I asking too much?
- Quickoffice editing
- A Task app
- Cloud sync of profile/apps (contacts, calendar, tasks and memos) between multiple webOS devices
- Smoother scrolling and swipes
- Better/easier cursor placement in memos app
Hey, HP, am I asking too much?
Friday, July 22, 2011
This Post is Great/This Post Sucks
Yesterday, I saw a good Jerry Seinfeld clip on YouTube from the Letterman show about the difference between "great" and "sucks".
View the clip here and think about the differences between the assorted reviews and info you're getting these days -- here and elsewhere -- about the new HP TouchPad.
It also is a pretty good primer for a way to view just about anyone or anything you encounter in your daily.
(Hang in there until the end of the clip. It runs 6+ mins.)
--------------
A tip o'the hat to @NormanBirnbach on Twitter for the original tweet on the Seinfeld clip.
View the clip here and think about the differences between the assorted reviews and info you're getting these days -- here and elsewhere -- about the new HP TouchPad.
It also is a pretty good primer for a way to view just about anyone or anything you encounter in your daily.
(Hang in there until the end of the clip. It runs 6+ mins.)
--------------
A tip o'the hat to @NormanBirnbach on Twitter for the original tweet on the Seinfeld clip.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
The Aha! - Saving (Moving) E-Mail Messages...
I've had a bit of an aha moment in the past day regarding the ability to save/move e-mail messages on the HP TouchPad tablet.
Yesterday, I was grousing that it took more steps to save an e-mail message (move it to a folder). While that still appears to be true for saving an individual message -- as compared to saving a message on a Pre smartphone -- it doesn't hold water for saving multiple messages on the Touchpad. There's a bit of an improvement baked into the TouchPad.
On a Pre, messages must be saved/moved one by one. On the TouchPad, the new mail interface allows multiple messages to be selected and then saved to a designated folder... certainly not a bad thing.
Now that I've weasled my way around saying outright that I was wrong... I have to run. I have a mailbox to cleanup.
Yesterday, I was grousing that it took more steps to save an e-mail message (move it to a folder). While that still appears to be true for saving an individual message -- as compared to saving a message on a Pre smartphone -- it doesn't hold water for saving multiple messages on the Touchpad. There's a bit of an improvement baked into the TouchPad.
On a Pre, messages must be saved/moved one by one. On the TouchPad, the new mail interface allows multiple messages to be selected and then saved to a designated folder... certainly not a bad thing.
Now that I've weasled my way around saying outright that I was wrong... I have to run. I have a mailbox to cleanup.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Amazon Kindle App - Day 2
In the past 24 hours I've had a chance to dive a little deeper into the Amazon Kindle app on the HP TouchPad. Clearly no "wow" factor here... not that there actually needs to be one. Its just a reader ap combined with the ability to download and synch books purchased from Amazon.
Animated Page Turns
I get the idea that some people feel the need to have the visual metaphor of turning a page on an e-reader -- or they just think its "cool"-- but its a loser in the present incarnation... slow, clunky and cheap-looking.
'Nuf said!
Animated Page Turns
I get the idea that some people feel the need to have the visual metaphor of turning a page on an e-reader -- or they just think its "cool"-- but its a loser in the present incarnation... slow, clunky and cheap-looking.
'Nuf said!
Saving (Moving) E-Mail Messages
Is it just me, or is the process for saving messages (move to a folder) a lot clunkier on the HP TouchPad than on the HP and Palm Pre WebOS smartphones?
On the Pre, its just a matter of choosing "move to folder" from a dropdown menu and then selecting the desired folder. Fairly straightforward and to the point.
For the TouchPad, more steps are required to do the same thing, clearly a drag on personal productivity.
Am I missing something obvious here or has HP gummed up something that was simple in the world before WebOS3?
On the Pre, its just a matter of choosing "move to folder" from a dropdown menu and then selecting the desired folder. Fairly straightforward and to the point.
For the TouchPad, more steps are required to do the same thing, clearly a drag on personal productivity.
Am I missing something obvious here or has HP gummed up something that was simple in the world before WebOS3?
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
First Impression: Kindle App
I saw early this morning on PreCentral that the Amazon Kindle app for the HP TouchPad had finally arrived. As is usually the case, the comments along with the postings were a mess of conflicting "stuff", rendering the post to -- perhaps what it should be -- a note saying "Its here. Go check it out for yourself".
I did a brief spin around the app. No "wow" factor here. Just an app that, if you are a Kindle user, is familiar and navigable enough when you take into account that the Kindle on any non-Kindle device ain't a Kindle. Don't get yourself bogged down in details like page turn animations or side-loading books.
Amazon has pretty much "got it right" with their Kindle devices.
Kindle apps for non-Kindle devices, such as this one for the TouchPad, are probably the best a reasonable person can expect. It does a reasonable job of making a book readable on a tablet device.
Last thought... If e-ink displays were at the point of being viable for a tablet like the TouchPad, then we'd have something to flap our gums about.
I did a brief spin around the app. No "wow" factor here. Just an app that, if you are a Kindle user, is familiar and navigable enough when you take into account that the Kindle on any non-Kindle device ain't a Kindle. Don't get yourself bogged down in details like page turn animations or side-loading books.
Amazon has pretty much "got it right" with their Kindle devices.
Kindle apps for non-Kindle devices, such as this one for the TouchPad, are probably the best a reasonable person can expect. It does a reasonable job of making a book readable on a tablet device.
Last thought... If e-ink displays were at the point of being viable for a tablet like the TouchPad, then we'd have something to flap our gums about.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Day In and Day Out...
Not the old song, but rather a brief post about how my TouchPad's battery is responding to daily use.
In a word... Fine. As I'm typing this, my battery is just a bit south of 65%, nearing 3:00 PM on a weekday.
Are there other tablets out there with better battery specs than the TouchPad?... Sure, but I'm not using one. The TouchPad is meeting my current needs, so the talk about which battery takes and holds a bigger charge is irrelevant to me at this time.
Hey, I've been using devices powered by rechargeable batteries for close to thirty years, and I've had a few "dogs" along the way. The TouchPad isn't a dog -- far from it. Its fine!
In a word... Fine. As I'm typing this, my battery is just a bit south of 65%, nearing 3:00 PM on a weekday.
Are there other tablets out there with better battery specs than the TouchPad?... Sure, but I'm not using one. The TouchPad is meeting my current needs, so the talk about which battery takes and holds a bigger charge is irrelevant to me at this time.
Hey, I've been using devices powered by rechargeable batteries for close to thirty years, and I've had a few "dogs" along the way. The TouchPad isn't a dog -- far from it. Its fine!
Sunday, July 17, 2011
E-Mail Access Problem at Local Burger King
The e-mail access/synching problem with my Touchpad via the new free wifi hotspot at a local Burger King still lives from last week... and is also present on my Pre2!
What seems to be happening is that I can connect and surf the web successfully, but any attempt to check my email just goes through the motions and does not actually send or receive any messages.
I haven't encountered this problem scenario -- yet -- at any other wifi hotspots.
Does anyone out there have the technical answer for what's happening here?
No pressure, but the fate of the free world does depend on this being solved.
What seems to be happening is that I can connect and surf the web successfully, but any attempt to check my email just goes through the motions and does not actually send or receive any messages.
I haven't encountered this problem scenario -- yet -- at any other wifi hotspots.
Does anyone out there have the technical answer for what's happening here?
No pressure, but the fate of the free world does depend on this being solved.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
TouchPad: A Crimefighting Tool?
I read somewhere on the Internet today that law enforcement authorities have classified the new HP TouchPad as a crimefighting tool... because it captures the fingerprints of any who touches it.
Friday, July 15, 2011
No Wailing or Gnashing of Teeth
Several weeks ago, while briefing my wife about the upcoming purchase of an HP TouchPad, it dawned on me that the two laptops we have -- both less than one year old -- are probably the last laptops we'll own. (Our last laptops, which were almost exclusively used in the home, lasted around 7 years. The desktop PC was sent to the bullpen about four years ago and laid off for good before New Year's Eve 2011.)
I might be the last guy on this side of the Mississippi to have that realization, but the introduction and adoption of the current style of tablets, not withstanding the arrogant stampede of the Apple iPad and the launch of the semi-crippled HP TouchPad, has been a remarkably uneventful affair. No wailing or gnashing of teeth within my earshot.
... Although I do think I'm hearing a faint whimper coming from the Targus 16" padded bag over in the corner.
I might be the last guy on this side of the Mississippi to have that realization, but the introduction and adoption of the current style of tablets, not withstanding the arrogant stampede of the Apple iPad and the launch of the semi-crippled HP TouchPad, has been a remarkably uneventful affair. No wailing or gnashing of teeth within my earshot.
... Although I do think I'm hearing a faint whimper coming from the Targus 16" padded bag over in the corner.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
It Can't Do No Stinkin' Editing!
My purchase and regular use of a TouchPad was pretty much a foregone conclusion, but getting my wife into the tablet computing world is another story. (Being the owner of a Pre+ and a Pre2, I pretty much knew what I was getting into.)
The unknown is what kind of a tablet -- HP, Apple iPad, or one of the Android variants -- will fit her needs and be a machine that she can effectively use.
The (current) case I can make to her for the HP TouchPad has a ginormus hole in it... It can't edit documents and spreadsheets. She, like a great number of potential purchasers/users, won't be interested in waiting for a "coming soon" (or maybe never) update. The TouchPad is dead to them... Case closed, end of story, ballgame over.
With apologies to the Treasure of Sierra Madre, "It can't do no stinkin' editing!"
Hey, HP, do what it takes, exert the right pressure, to get the editable version of QuickOffice on the TouchPad!
The unknown is what kind of a tablet -- HP, Apple iPad, or one of the Android variants -- will fit her needs and be a machine that she can effectively use.
The (current) case I can make to her for the HP TouchPad has a ginormus hole in it... It can't edit documents and spreadsheets. She, like a great number of potential purchasers/users, won't be interested in waiting for a "coming soon" (or maybe never) update. The TouchPad is dead to them... Case closed, end of story, ballgame over.
With apologies to the Treasure of Sierra Madre, "It can't do no stinkin' editing!"
Hey, HP, do what it takes, exert the right pressure, to get the editable version of QuickOffice on the TouchPad!
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
TouchPad Touchstone Charger - First Impressions
I received the Touchstone charger for my TouchPad yesterday via FedEx.
First impressions...
- Overall... Looks like a good investment (putting aside for the moment that HP really should be including a free Touchstone with every WebOS device)
- Size and Stability... My concerns, based on what I had seen in pictures and videos, were greatly reduced when I got the unit in my hands. It still appears to be on the smallish side, but it seems to hold the TouchPad securely and stabily.
- It works correctly. Can't ask for more than that. (...well, it should be bundled for free with the purchase of the TouchPad!)
First impressions...
- Overall... Looks like a good investment (putting aside for the moment that HP really should be including a free Touchstone with every WebOS device)
- Size and Stability... My concerns, based on what I had seen in pictures and videos, were greatly reduced when I got the unit in my hands. It still appears to be on the smallish side, but it seems to hold the TouchPad securely and stabily.
- It works correctly. Can't ask for more than that. (...well, it should be bundled for free with the purchase of the TouchPad!)
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Soft Launch???
I just heard that HP called the botched July 1 launch of the TouchPad a "soft launch" and announced that the real launch will be on July 17... Hhhmmm.
We -- the customers -- apparently never knew that Ruby had us on "double-secret probation". We are customers... We couldn't be trusted.
And now that Ruby has been pushed to the side of the road, it sounds like HP is trying to fix the mess... kinda.
Suggestions to Leo and the rest of the gang at HP:
Step 1 - Fess up in a straightforward, honest manner.
Step 2 - Really "make it right". The $50 offer/gambit you recently made to the owners of older Pre models is really nothing. Forcing previously abused customers to buy the more expensive TouchPad model in order to get the abuse "made right" is adding insult to injury. Let your abused customers experience the TouchPad at the level of their choice (16GB or 32GB). That's much closer to "making it right".
Hey, HP you're better than this! (... or at least you used to be.)
We -- the customers -- apparently never knew that Ruby had us on "double-secret probation". We are customers... We couldn't be trusted.
And now that Ruby has been pushed to the side of the road, it sounds like HP is trying to fix the mess... kinda.
Suggestions to Leo and the rest of the gang at HP:
Step 1 - Fess up in a straightforward, honest manner.
Step 2 - Really "make it right". The $50 offer/gambit you recently made to the owners of older Pre models is really nothing. Forcing previously abused customers to buy the more expensive TouchPad model in order to get the abuse "made right" is adding insult to injury. Let your abused customers experience the TouchPad at the level of their choice (16GB or 32GB). That's much closer to "making it right".
Hey, HP you're better than this! (... or at least you used to be.)
The Touchstone is HP's Pickle!
Strange way to title a post, huh?
Well, not really. Hang in there and read on.
Several years ago I read a book called "Give 'em the Pickle!" when I was in the customer service training business.
If I'm remembering correctly, one of the things author Bob Farrell promotes is doing the easy things that will make loyal customers who keep coming back to you for more.
Farrell ran ice cream/sandwich shops and found that charging for the pickle on a sandwich plate made all the -- bad -- difference in the world. He lost more by charging for the pickle (or not giving the pickle) than he "lost" by giving away the pickle. The free pickle made all the -- good -- difference in the world to his customers.
He urges people and businesses to find the "pickle" in their world and give it to customers for free.
The Touchstone charger is HP's pickle. Its one of the big things that differentiates WebOs devices from Apple's devices.
Hey, HP, give your Pre and TouchPad customers the pickle!
Well, not really. Hang in there and read on.
Several years ago I read a book called "Give 'em the Pickle!" when I was in the customer service training business.
If I'm remembering correctly, one of the things author Bob Farrell promotes is doing the easy things that will make loyal customers who keep coming back to you for more.
Farrell ran ice cream/sandwich shops and found that charging for the pickle on a sandwich plate made all the -- bad -- difference in the world. He lost more by charging for the pickle (or not giving the pickle) than he "lost" by giving away the pickle. The free pickle made all the -- good -- difference in the world to his customers.
He urges people and businesses to find the "pickle" in their world and give it to customers for free.
The Touchstone charger is HP's pickle. Its one of the big things that differentiates WebOs devices from Apple's devices.
Hey, HP, give your Pre and TouchPad customers the pickle!
TouchPad WebOS Emulator
Many reviewers and bloggers have expressed disappointment with the emulator in the TouchPad for launching older WebOS apps..
I don't find myself in that camp. I'm actually ok with the emulator and find myself going down the path of "the glass is half full" thinking on this one.
Hey, it works and lets you use your older apps.
Count your blessings that Rubenstein semi, partially, somewhat delivered a bit on something... Kinda, maybe, perhaps.
There are more important things that need to be upgraded -- and fast -- on the TouchPad.
I don't find myself in that camp. I'm actually ok with the emulator and find myself going down the path of "the glass is half full" thinking on this one.
Hey, it works and lets you use your older apps.
Count your blessings that Rubenstein semi, partially, somewhat delivered a bit on something... Kinda, maybe, perhaps.
There are more important things that need to be upgraded -- and fast -- on the TouchPad.
Wow!
In my post yesterday morning about the badly unexploited value of the Touchstone charger to HP Palm and how they should make an "addition by subtraction" move in the Palm ranks, I was wishing out loud for the departure of Jon Rubenstein.
Little did I know that several hours later HP would actually be making that move... Or least putting it in motion.
Great news, HP! Now keep things moving in the right direction.
Little did I know that several hours later HP would actually be making that move... Or least putting it in motion.
Great news, HP! Now keep things moving in the right direction.
Monday, July 11, 2011
The Touchstone Charger and There's an App for That...
The Touchstone charger is one of the things that clearly differentiates the TouchPad from Apple's iPad.
Is it an iPad-killer by itself?... No, but it is a big, big difference that isn't being well exploited by HP Palm.
What's not to like about dealing with one less wire every day (or whenever)?
I think it can ultimately be as valuable to HP as "there's an app for that" is to Apple.
HP Palm still seems to be stuck in a rut when it comes to both completing and promoting their WebOS devices. Both efforts have something dragging them down, holding them back.
At this point in the game, one has to wonder if HP needs to make a big "addition by subtraction" move in the Palm ranks to correct these problems.
Maybe there should be an app for that?
Is it an iPad-killer by itself?... No, but it is a big, big difference that isn't being well exploited by HP Palm.
What's not to like about dealing with one less wire every day (or whenever)?
I think it can ultimately be as valuable to HP as "there's an app for that" is to Apple.
HP Palm still seems to be stuck in a rut when it comes to both completing and promoting their WebOS devices. Both efforts have something dragging them down, holding them back.
At this point in the game, one has to wonder if HP needs to make a big "addition by subtraction" move in the Palm ranks to correct these problems.
Maybe there should be an app for that?
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Office Web Apps and Sky Drive
So far, I haven't had much luck with sucessfully using the cloud-based Office Web Apps from Microsoft on my TouchPad.
I can open an Excel file I have on Sky Drive for web-based editing, but am not presented with any onscreen way to scroll either left/right or up/down in the file.
Its great to be able to see view some of the file, but it is of little use to me without a way to readily scroll around in it.
Just wondering out loud... Is anyone out there seeing/finding any logical, practical way to scroll in an Office Web document?
Just wondering out loud #2... When will HP actually make good on its promise to have document editing on the TouchPad?
I can open an Excel file I have on Sky Drive for web-based editing, but am not presented with any onscreen way to scroll either left/right or up/down in the file.
Its great to be able to see view some of the file, but it is of little use to me without a way to readily scroll around in it.
Just wondering out loud... Is anyone out there seeing/finding any logical, practical way to scroll in an Office Web document?
Just wondering out loud #2... When will HP actually make good on its promise to have document editing on the TouchPad?
E-Mail Account Synching
The past couple of mornings at my breakfast hangout, I've experienced some problems with my e-mail synching correctly between my Pre2, TouchPad and GMail. Then, later in the day at various other locales, all is well... Hhhmmm.
A little bit of playing around with my devices is leading me to point a finger more at the new, free wifi service at my local Burger King than at the TouchPad. It appears that the hotspot isn't fully "acknowledging' the acceptance of their TOS screen, then not letting the mail app do a "proper" synch with GMail. It "goes through the motions", but no synch actually takes place.
Let's see what happens with this in the longer term...
A little bit of playing around with my devices is leading me to point a finger more at the new, free wifi service at my local Burger King than at the TouchPad. It appears that the hotspot isn't fully "acknowledging' the acceptance of their TOS screen, then not letting the mail app do a "proper" synch with GMail. It "goes through the motions", but no synch actually takes place.
Let's see what happens with this in the longer term...
Onscreen Keyboard and Memo Apps
The TouchPad reviewer at PreCentral was not happy with the current state of the keyboard and memo apps for any serious writing. Thus far, I would have to disagree with my brother blogger and put forward that any problems I've had are more related to my poor typing skills rather than the limitations of the apps.
Sure, autocorrect isn't quite where it needs to be, but what about getting better vis a vis our typing and spelling skills in the first place?
One nit to pick... Manually placing the cursor in text to make an edit is more of a chore than it should be. Hey, HP, why did you let something like this get by? (Oops, I retract the question... I just remembered how bad the physical keyboard was on the Pre+.)
Sure, autocorrect isn't quite where it needs to be, but what about getting better vis a vis our typing and spelling skills in the first place?
One nit to pick... Manually placing the cursor in text to make an edit is more of a chore than it should be. Hey, HP, why did you let something like this get by? (Oops, I retract the question... I just remembered how bad the physical keyboard was on the Pre+.)
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Battery Life?
I haven't had the opportunity to fully run down the battery yet and get a feel for how long the TouchPad will actually run on a charge, but I can say that it seems to sip power more slowly than any device (other than an Amazon Kindle) I've ever owned.
Fingerprint Magnet?
Yep... You're surprised that the TouchPad, or just about any other modern device, is a fingerprint magnet???
Fit and Finish
Good... Hiawatha Bray of the Boston Globe called the TouchPad a bit "greasy" to hold. I understand that comment to a point, but I'll choose to go down the path of saying the TouchPad feels "finely polished". Good work on the part of the folks at HP Palm.
One small nit to pick... On/off and speaker volume buttons are a bit raised on my unit, causing some snagging on other objects. For my money, the buttons should be a bit more flush with the unit, perhaps even to the point of being a bit recessed.
One small nit to pick... On/off and speaker volume buttons are a bit raised on my unit, causing some snagging on other objects. For my money, the buttons should be a bit more flush with the unit, perhaps even to the point of being a bit recessed.
Unboxing and Setup
Unboxing
The unboxing itself was uneventful. (I'm sure there will be a number of unboxing blog posts and videos on YouTube, if that's what floats your boat.)
Setup and Accessing Palm Profile
I had to go through the initial setup process and accessing my HP Palm profile several times before I was successful.
My guess is that it was not the TouchPad's fault and the problem was related to connecting to the Internet via the sometimes less than stellar wifi signal of the mobile hotspot feature on my Pre2.
Wish List?
After the one-time synch with my existing HP Palm profile, entries like contacts and memos are recorded separately on each WebOS device and do not synch.
Hey, HP, how about making this seamless and transparent to your customers?... Let the WebOS devices sharing the same profile keep in synch with each other.
The unboxing itself was uneventful. (I'm sure there will be a number of unboxing blog posts and videos on YouTube, if that's what floats your boat.)
Setup and Accessing Palm Profile
I had to go through the initial setup process and accessing my HP Palm profile several times before I was successful.
My guess is that it was not the TouchPad's fault and the problem was related to connecting to the Internet via the sometimes less than stellar wifi signal of the mobile hotspot feature on my Pre2.
Wish List?
After the one-time synch with my existing HP Palm profile, entries like contacts and memos are recorded separately on each WebOS device and do not synch.
Hey, HP, how about making this seamless and transparent to your customers?... Let the WebOS devices sharing the same profile keep in synch with each other.
Why?...
As a veteran of the Pre+ and the Pre2, and now the owner of a TouchPad, I guess I'm as qualified as anyone out there to write a bit about the state of the nation that encompassses HP/Palm and WebOS.
Right up front, I'm pullin' for HP/Palm and the TouchPad, but they don't make it easy for a fella!
Potential.
This is the word we've heard a ton of over the past two years in connection with the Pre, Pixi and Veer devices... and now again with the TouchPad. This is the time to deliver, but the device reeks of potential, and continues not to fully deliver on it. They tease us again with the promise of updates -- which should have originally been on the device -- "coming soon".
Incomplete.
That's what I'd have to call the TouchPad at this point, which seriously raises the question as to why would a non-fan lay their money down on it at this point in time. And how do you get the world's attention again when you finally have the device upgraded to where it should have been in the first place?
Hey, HP, what have you been doing for the past year? It seems as if you've been doing something else other than concentrating on the TouchPad.
I'm not one of those who is troubled by the thickness or weight of the device. I'm not one of those who cares about how many dozens/hundreds/thousands of apps you have in your store catalog. I don't want an Apple iPad killer. I want a machine that comes from the factory in a state that allows me to be really productive right out of the box.
The TouchPad does not meet that standard -- really productive right out of the box -- for me. Why isn't there a built-in Task/To Do app? You've had one in the past WebOS devices. Where is the document/spreadsheet editing capabilities you promised for the launch? I could go on...
Flash is fine. The mail program is ok. But I wish you had done a little better for the launch.
I'm sure that the time needed to get the launch apps completed, approved, and into the hands of the vendor for the manufacturing process played a role in this sad affair.
Just wondering out loud here... Since the launch was July 1, how far in advance did Palm actually have to have everything ready so that units could be built overseas, shipped, and in the hands of vendors (in sufficient quantities) for the event?
For me, this timing issue is only part of why the TouchPad is "incomplete".
So, can anyone out there give a credible answer to the other part of why we're still stuck talking about "potential"?
Right up front, I'm pullin' for HP/Palm and the TouchPad, but they don't make it easy for a fella!
Potential.
This is the word we've heard a ton of over the past two years in connection with the Pre, Pixi and Veer devices... and now again with the TouchPad. This is the time to deliver, but the device reeks of potential, and continues not to fully deliver on it. They tease us again with the promise of updates -- which should have originally been on the device -- "coming soon".
Incomplete.
That's what I'd have to call the TouchPad at this point, which seriously raises the question as to why would a non-fan lay their money down on it at this point in time. And how do you get the world's attention again when you finally have the device upgraded to where it should have been in the first place?
Hey, HP, what have you been doing for the past year? It seems as if you've been doing something else other than concentrating on the TouchPad.
I'm not one of those who is troubled by the thickness or weight of the device. I'm not one of those who cares about how many dozens/hundreds/thousands of apps you have in your store catalog. I don't want an Apple iPad killer. I want a machine that comes from the factory in a state that allows me to be really productive right out of the box.
The TouchPad does not meet that standard -- really productive right out of the box -- for me. Why isn't there a built-in Task/To Do app? You've had one in the past WebOS devices. Where is the document/spreadsheet editing capabilities you promised for the launch? I could go on...
Flash is fine. The mail program is ok. But I wish you had done a little better for the launch.
I'm sure that the time needed to get the launch apps completed, approved, and into the hands of the vendor for the manufacturing process played a role in this sad affair.
Just wondering out loud here... Since the launch was July 1, how far in advance did Palm actually have to have everything ready so that units could be built overseas, shipped, and in the hands of vendors (in sufficient quantities) for the event?
For me, this timing issue is only part of why the TouchPad is "incomplete".
So, can anyone out there give a credible answer to the other part of why we're still stuck talking about "potential"?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)