CES Tablet PC Gathering

LPH · #1 (**permalink**) 01-09-2004, 07:16 AM

As the gathering was winding down last night I realized that I was not taking pictures. I started by taking a few pictures but then became interested in the conversations. Microsoft did an excellent job moving from table to table. They were extremely interested in getting feedback on their marketing. Connectivity is very poor here so I'll write more when I am home.

LPH · #2 (**permalink**) 01-10-2004, 07:40 AM

OK, I'm home for just a few more hours and then I'll be driving to Modesto today and back to Palmdale tomorrow. I'll try to update everyone on the gathering as soon as I take a breath.

For now, let me just mention that the gathering was great. As I sit back and reflect on it, I entered the event with ambivalence and left with great hope that the Tablet PC market becomes a mainstay in the computer industry. The executives have invested a lot of time, money, and energy into making this form factor a success.

LPH · #3 (**permalink**) 01-10-2004, 07:47 AM

Oh - before I forget ;-)

There were some great Tablet PC prototypes that manufacturers showed. Clearly the design teams deserve credit for trying to figure out how to make the tablet pc lighter and the battery last longer. Here is a specific -- watch for announcements at the end of January / beginning of February regarding products from companies.

Also, we really need to convince Microsoft that the tablet pc is not only a vertical market product but consumers are interested in it too. All of us want to be mobile and not tied to a desktop.

LPH · #4 (**permalink**) 01-10-2004, 05:49 PM

Let me see if I can sit down and in one post provide everyone with a time line of the event.

2 P.M. January 7, 2004 (Modesto, CA)
Chris Coulter arrived from Sacramento. We set off to pick up Lora's bags at her home and then took off for Palmdale. We drove down the 99 and the time flew by quickly. The rain didn't even bother us. All of us were so excited that we talked the whole way. We only stopped a few times for the bathroom and food. The 300 mile drive ended in Palmdale as we ate dinner at Wendy's and then went to my messy apartment.

Lora and Chris spent some time on a computer I was setting up. I showed Chris Knoppix and gave him a copy on a CD. He showed me some spyware and adware programs. We spent some time watching the movie, "Maid in Manhattan" and I fell asleep.

9 A.M. January 8, 2004 (Palmdale, CA)
We waited for the office for the complex to open so that I could get a fedex package HP had sent. They were the recovery CDs for a machine. We jumped into the car and raced down 14 to Mojave and then out the 58 toward Barstow. Ultimately we intersected with the 15 and we were on our way to Vegas!

2 P.M.
Arrived to Vegas and checked into the hotel. There was enough time to arrange the room and then drive to the Paris parking in order to pick up the badge for CES. A walk over to the Flamingo, enabled us to take a bus to the convention center. As soon as we arrived, we immediately set out to find Microsoft representatives as well as get a look at their booth.

4 P.M.
The Microsoft booth is set in the Main Convention hall. The noise level is great and there is excitement around a sign for a free tablet pc. Microsoft representatives are having people use the tablet pc. The person's picture is taken digitally and the picture is emailed. This enters them into a contest for the free pc. I didn't bother standing in the long lines but looked at the different tablets. Time was short and we needed to get back to the hotel so that I could shower and get ready to pick up Peter from the airport.

5:30 P.M.
Showered and ready for the short drive to the airport, I remembered to grab my MiniDV. The drive to the airport was easy - it was just around the corner. Peter's plane arrived early and we quickly were able to get to the Tablet PC Gathering.

7:00 P.M.
Peter and I walked into the Paris hotel. We parked on the 5th floor and took the elevator. We walked directly to Le Village where we met Lora, Loren and several others waiting. Lora explained that the place asked us to wait a little bit. We stood around talking. There seemed to be four clumps of people laughing and chatting. I chose to interact in the smaller group. I met a few endusers: a high school student and his uncle or is that a tablet enthusiast and his nephew struck up a conversation about using the tablet pc ;-) A gentleman from Adobe was also discussing reading books on the tablet. It was a nice start to the gathering - there is nothing more enjoyable than a little swapping of tips and tricks.

As I looked around, the crowd was starting to grow with even more people. Eventually, a microsoft employee stated that the place was ready. We walked down the side of the place until we reached a gate. The gate was unlocked and we went into Le Village. Tables had been set up in the back. Several tables were joined to span the back of the room and four other groupings had been made.

Peter, Chris C. and I sat in the back corner, using the set of long tables. Frank (Microsoft) came over and started talking about ISV promotions. Now it was getting really interesting because Microsoft wanted our feedback on how to help ISVs and the promotion of the tablet pc.

The conversation was getting heavy when Loren stopped everyone. He announced that the buffet was ready and we simply needed to get in line.

Eating up a storm
After walking up and down the buffet, I made a few decisions about food. While wandering around, Lora told me about some of her conversations. The pasta looked a little blah and it was passed up. The chicken smelled nice and so I took a small breast. The next booth had roast beef and so a person kindly sliced a thick piece for me. It covered most of my plate so I decided to get some fruit. Too much meat isn't healthy. Unfortunately, the smell from the fruit booth was overpowered by the sea food - yuck. Anyway, now that the plate was filled it was time to get back to the table.

Table Dancing - Tatung
After eating, it was time to change tables so that I could meet other people. As soon as a free chair was available, I moved to the Tatung group. The CEO was well dressed in a suit and tie. He was very pleasant as six of us introduce ourselves. Bert from Microsoft was very funny as he explained his role in helping companies. I instantly liked him. Mr. Chen wanted to know about my student's preferences for the convertibles over slates. He explained that in Europe, sales are greater for the slate. Janice explained that she is hoping to get more tablets into the schools. William was quietly absorbing the conversations and interjected a few technical points of interest. It was time to move to the next table.

Swing your partner - Eletrovaya and others
After introducing ourselves, John explained that he was responsible for batteries. We mostly talked about interfaces. He was extremely tired from a long day on the convention floor. He had answered many questions about the tablets and was losing his voice. He looked tired but was obviously happy to be present. Now, I missed the conversations to my left because the Electrovaya CEO was on that end of the table.

Now, I was getting a sense of the company spirit. Electrovaya deserves a lot of credit for promoting the tablet. They completely understand the market and were able to discuss the vertical nature of it. I'd hoped to convince them about letting me use a 30-day evaluation unit but it turned out that several people checked out units and never returned them. Motion Computing mentioned that there were in this same situation. Others chimed in too. It seems to be a problem. Certain people (not to be named - but you were not invited to the dinner) have stolen their eval equipment and this is keeping others from being able to write reviews. Hopefully this situation will be worked out and the units will be returned. But I digress.

10 P.M.
It's been three hours and I haven't met enough people. Luckily several tables full of people are still around. The center table appears to have the most activity but I can't reach it. Instead, I go for a conversation happening in the middle of two sets of tables.

After listening, it turns out to be with a high level Microsoft person. I asked him about working for Microsoft and general chit chat. He started working for MS immediately after graduation. He obviously enjoyed his job. As a tangent, I just had to ask a burning question ... Has Bill Gates changed since his marriage?. The man laughed and explained how Mr. Gates showed a picture of his daughter during a meeting and commented that it was one of his greatest accomplishments. The story put a human feel to the company.

11 P.M.
The employees of Le Village clearly wanted us to leave. They were taking plates, moving tables. Despite their hints, conversations were still continuing with force. A group decided to go gambling and several of us decided to call it an evening.

We returned to the hotel and stayed up talking about the gathering. I missed so much that I regretted not being able to get to other tables. Loren told me about 5 or 6 companies that I didn't even know were there. Lora explained that she only ate a few bites because she was so busy talking to people. It was exciting to hear about their conversations but it was time for some sleep.

7 A.M. January 9, 2004
We started to wake up, shower, and move toward the convention center. We had a meeting at 9 A.M. with FIC and then an appointment with Tatung at 11 A.M. While waiting for the CES security to let us into the south hall, we tried out the WiFi. Connectivity was simply horrible. After talking to a few others, we decided WiFi was a bust in that area.

Now, I can only say that FIC showed us some great prototypes and we hope some of these will hit the market in April. I used their centrino based slate and we took pictures of their convertible. No, you can't see these pictures until FIC wants them released. Sorry, you'll have to be patient. But it IS exiting.

Our meeting with FIC ran past 10:15 and we ran to the other side of the convention center. Sadly, we missed Peter. He had taken a cab so that he could get to the airport. Sorry Peter. It was great to see you have a good time.

Tatung's showroom was in the Bellagio. It was a huge room filled with plasma tvs, mobile devices and their tablet pcs. Unfortunately, we couldn't spend more time. Janice was showing me her tablet when Loren mentioned that we needed to get on the road. Tatung did have their newer tablets for showing some people -- so these should get to the market in the first half of 2004.

4 P.M.
It was time to leave Vegas and return home. We drove to Palmdale talking the whole way. I was interested in everyone's opinions but was very tired. There was so much to absorb. We arrive to the apartment and I fell asleep. Chris stayed up until about 1 A.M. before calling it a night.

8 A.M. January 10, 2004
As we were driving to Modesto, and I was replaying the two days of events in my head, I realized just how much was missed. There really needed to be more time to spend with Fujitsu and Toshiba. So little time was spent with Acer and I never got to the ViewSonic booth. Drats. Well, there is always another time.

LPH · #5 (**permalink**) 01-10-2004, 11:29 PM

Looks like Linda posted some information from her trip to CES too.

LPH · #6 (**permalink**) 01-12-2004, 03:39 PM

Lora from whatisnew has a write up entitled It's all about you. I love the writing style.

LPH · #7 (**permalink**) 01-12-2004, 03:41 PM

Lora had Peter lighten up some photos of the event. There is even one of me ... LOL.

LPH · #8 (**permalink**) 01-12-2004, 03:49 PM

Two more photos were posted by Joseph from pjrjblog

LPH · #9 (**permalink**) 01-12-2004, 09:16 PM

Peter from Tabula PC writes up his schedule for 2004 CES. He definitely wins the prize for the most expensive dinner but I'm glad he had a good time. Next time we need to make sure everyone talks to everyone...

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