Grassroots Motorsports

Register Log in to GRM
- Community

Birthdays
Recently on the Classic Motorsports forums

Subscribe get a full year for only $23.95 Sample Free Test Drive—no strings attached

Login to post Forums » Off-topic discussion » Tablet used for business

Dec. 27, 2011 3:32 p.m. vwcorvette HalfDork

iPad, Kindle Fire, Nook Color, Samsung Galaxy, etc. Others?

Considering a tablet for Driver Education. Figure I could use it in lieu of clipboard and printed paper to track individual students during individual drives for skills, etc. Anyone have any experience using these devices for business. I figure I could use it for other stuff as well. Do they hook up to printers, projectors, scanners, etc? I checked on the Nook today and there are Droid apps that handle Excel spreadsheets. I like the idea of a touch screen for use in the car while teaching.

Suggestions or ideas?

Thanks,

George
Dec. 27, 2011 3:39 p.m. pete240z SuperDork

I have an ipad for work - I have all my pricing sheets, 15+ vendor catalogs, power points, and a dozen other pdf sheets. I have all my company catalog information at my fingertips 65+ pages.

I have 20,000+ contacts with history from ACT (sales database). I can update and pull up any of my salesguys accounts and see all the recent history and what they have entered. I also have some company related youtube's that I can use to show customers.

Projector? I have this little one that is weak and sickly and takes hours to figure out how it works.

Printers and Scanners - not yet. Most of my excel sheets are for reference only as I have yet to get to the point of creating excel sheets on this.

The downside is typing and my pudgy Italian sausage fingers........I use the ipad as a remote tool that works along side my desktop computer.
Dec. 27, 2011 3:41 p.m. BoxheadTim SuperDork

I know that some of our clients are using iPads for work and they seem to be very happy with them. But that's the financial industry, no idea how they'd work for Driver Ed.

I'd make a list of all the functionality that you think you need and go hunting for applications in the various app stores to see if you can get the apps. The best tablet isn't worth the money if you can't get the apps you need for it.
Dec. 27, 2011 3:41 p.m. ultraclyde HalfDork

I have yet to hear good experiences using these things to actually work data - as in spreadsheets, word processing, etc. They are pretty useful for sales pesentations and the like, but you have to stick to touch-friendly applications.
Dec. 27, 2011 3:47 p.m. vwcorvette HalfDork

I would use it along side my home computer. DE privately is taught in a variety of places from classrooms at schools to church activity spaces to park and rec rooms. I agree that I will need to list my needs and go looking. Shall start that immediately to see if apps exist to help me.

My thoughts are to create documents I could manipulate while on the road. Columns and categories that I could check off as the student accomplishes various tasks and behaviors. I would then catalog this stuff for tracking as time goes by with each student.
Dec. 27, 2011 5:32 p.m. turboswede SuperDork

iOS handles most document formats natively. With the use of Evernote, Dropbox, Mobile Me you can transfer documents to nearly any device with internet capability. Google Docs provides similar capabilities and lightweight document editing online.

I agree that outside of basic note taking, the iPad is ill-suited to working with large amounts of data as the on-screen keyboard just takes up too much real estate. With an external keyboard they are slightly more useful.

As for connecting to projectors and the like, there are video out adapters for the iPad and using the Camera connection kit you can import pictures via USB or via SD card. If you unlock the iPad you can use the Camera kit to connect to USB devices (like thumb drives or keyboards)

With the iPad you can use apps like Logworks or Dynolicious to monitor g-loads and speeds using the integrated GPS and Accelerometers. That could be useful for student training. There are similar apps for the Android-powered devices, but some of the Android devices lack the parts internally, so double check the specs when shopping.
Dec. 27, 2011 9:43 p.m. petegossett SuperDork

FWIW, I just discovered the Pandigital Novel. It's an Android-based e-reader that sells for around $70. The cool thing is there's a pretty well documented hack that opens it up to full-Android, including all the apps in the Market, etc.

One word of caution though, the Novel comes in white and black - they are NOT the same. The black one has a different OS, and is somewhat limited.

Compared to an iPad, the iPad wins in every category except cost: $70 vs. $500?
Dec. 27, 2011 10:04 p.m. carguy123 SuperDork

They make a cover for the iPad that has a bluetooth keyboard built in which solves the virtual keys taking up too much real estate issue.

It also takes care of the "my fingers shifted slightly and I'm typing gibberish" issue.

I love Apple products BUT the iPad comes up short in some very basic ways. Printing, you need a special printer that hardly anyone has unless they have an iPad.

They aren't any other browsers for it (eg. Firefox) therefore synching bookmarks etc. can be an issue.

Their built in Mail program has been dumbed down to 1990 levels. Many of the features you take for granted don't work with Mail Someone on the board just told me about ibismail. It looks like it takes care of many of the MAIL issues, but I have no idea how it works. I believe they are in beta on ibis.

If you might have sensitive info on your emails Mail also doesn't allow you to hide emails and just see a list of emails received. It always has an email open. If someone is standing beside you or you lay your pad down, anyone can see the content.

There were several areas just as basic that I can't believe are lacking on the iPad. I took mine back.
Dec. 27, 2011 10:27 p.m. mmosbey Reader

It's a shame the Eee EA-800 was never released in the US.

If you are trying to capture hand-written notes, you'll probably either want something with a Wacom-type digitizer pen or something big-ish. Trying to write notes on my Dell Streak 5 using a capacitive stylus is nearly impossible. It's just not precise enough.

I'd suggest the Lenovo Thinkpad Tablet or the HTC Flyer.

For apps, I kinda like the combination of Evernote and Evernote Skitch. The two integrate, allowing me to create and sync hand-drawn notes. It's far from perfect, but it's okay.
Dec. 28, 2011 7:30 a.m. SVreX SuperDork

For hand drawn notes, its really hard to beat LiveScribe. It's a smart pen that writes on what appears to be regular paper (it's not).

It also records audio.

It syncs the audio with the written word in real time, and can then upload the data to PDF style documents on your computer in your own handwriting. There is also add-on software to translate it to typewritten text.

It's handwriting recognition is very accurate, even for someone like me with crappy handwriting.

The audio/ paper written sycronization is amazing. Basically the audio is recording while you are taking notes. If you later touch any point in your notes, it will replay the audio that was recorded at the same time the note was written.

There are also online sharing components.

One of the nice things is that you are not limited by whatever document or form you are using. It can copy anything you can write or draw.

Great way to go paperless.
Dec. 28, 2011 8:21 a.m. pinchvalve SuperDork

I'm an iPad guy and I love it, however, I have fully swallowed the Kool-Aid. I have an HP printer that is iPrint capable, so I can print wirelessly from anywhere in the house with ease. I can even send an e-mail to it and print it when out of the house. Sure, I had to buy a new printer, but for $65 so what? The old one crapped out after 2 years anyway and the ink costs more than the printer these days.

I use iCloud, so I can work on spreadsheets on my laptop, then have them on my iPad (or iPhone) whenever I want. If there is something you want to keep track of, there is an App for that. If you want handwriting recognition on the iPad, there is an App for that. (just get a stylus) If you want to talk, and have the iPad type what you say, there is an App for that. If you want to stick with spreadsheets, you can use Numbers and do almost everything you can do in Excel.

I have a Bluetooth Keyboard, and it is nice, but hard to get used to not having a mouse. You still have to touch the screen for edits.

I know that the iPad is pricey, but you save money with other devices by accepting limitations. Anything you want to do on the iPad is possible, and if you don't like something (like mail, or safari) the fix is simply a new app away.

I bought connectors for my iPad and regularly use it for presentations. Simple to do, and I use my iPhone as a remote control to advance slides.
Dec. 28, 2011 9:41 a.m. vwcorvette HalfDork

So I've been checking out various tablets (Samsung Galaxy 10.1 and 7 and Nook color and tablet). The Galaxy is getting great reviews. The only real negative seems to be the plastic housing giving it a cheaper feel. Seems like there are more apps than a person can handle--both iPad and Android.

Hadn't considered the stylus. We have one or two at school of the type that record your writing and voice but have never used them.

Another consideration is wifi versus cellular connectivity. Prices are quite different there.

Also, I have an Acer 17 inch lap top that I use for the majority of stuff at home, an HP mini for back and forth to school and an iPod touch for simple things. Maybe I have one too many devices?
Dec. 28, 2011 9:47 a.m. carguy123 SuperDork

pinchvalve wrote:

, and if you don't like something (like mail, or safari) the fix is simply a new app away.

actually it hasn't been a new app away. I believe it will be a new app away someday in the future.

Ibismail is new and is the only app out there for a mail alternative. There really aren't other browsers for the iPad yet. Once Firefox offers one that will solve a lot of problems. If you truly want to synch your computer, phone and iPad you have to have cross platform browsers.

The printing issue is HUGE. it only cost you $65 bucks but what about businesses? You want them to scrap their printers just so the occasionaly iPad user can print? Not going to happen. I fully expect printer companies to add the technology to their whole printer line, but that will take time and what about all the printers in use out there? Should everyone just scrap them?

I have mobileme or dot mac and that works well. The new iCloud is the area that many features were dropped.

I believe the tablets are the future. I believe they can and will do 90% of what most people use a computer for. I see a docking station to add that other 10%, but right now, while cool, they missed the mark on the easy stuff.

You expected them to miss the mark on the tough stuff or maybe I should say you expected them not to support all the tougher things but you expected it to be added. I can't believe they missed the mark on the easy stuff.

I will have a tablet.
Dec. 28, 2011 10:00 a.m. FlightService Dork

My kids just got a Lenovo K1, thing is flat awesome. Being a Lenovo it is business grade (which is why we got it for the kids)

Pros: Outperforms a similarly equiped iPad2 Cheaper than the iPad2 Really well built

Cons: Screen side camera is a little grainy for Video Chat Rear camera washes white with some flash photos Lenovo Apps to get update requests credit card number for purchased apps. (trying to figure out a work around)
Dec. 28, 2011 10:39 a.m. Tom Heath Web Manager

The iPad keep surprising me with it's capability as a "actually get things done" machine. It doesn't replace a real computer, but in 5 years or so I think tablet machines will be as common as laptops are today. They aren't perfect, but they do some jobs exceptionally well. I could easily see one being used like the OP describes.

I've printed from my iPad to several wireless printers; it does require something relatively modern though. It works especially well on our $119 Wal-Mart sourced HP printer though. Worst case, I mail things to myself and print them out later.

I've processed hundreds of shots from race events from the passenger seat of a car as we left the track. I had them posted to my photobucket account and had already posted some online before we got home.

I created a company organizational chart with my index finger and a .99 cent app. I think the software side is as compelling as the hardware; developers are creating reasonably priced apps that are much easier to justify than the expensive software used on real computers. My iPad photoshop substitute was free and works really well for what I need.
Dec. 28, 2011 10:55 a.m. 4cylndrfury SuperDork

ultraclyde wrote:

hey are pretty useful for sales pesentations and the like, but you have to stick to touch-friendly applications .

Not as true as you might think

one of these is next on my list...think: touchscreen laptop.

kthxbai
Dec. 28, 2011 11:17 a.m. fastEddie SuperDork

OK, where to start.

I have one of these and just ordered another one for my boss. Nice part is the keyboard (which you can buy separately) is universal with Android keys in addition to the iOS keys.

There are many apps (such as Notability) that allow handwritten notes while also recording audio and tying the two together.

For printing I use PrintCentral. It requires a PC on the network with connection to the printer(s) but works great at work with our networked copiers, etc. A good $9 solution if you don't want to buy a new printer or can't (in a corporate environment).

Dropbox (and Box.net) and now iCloud are great for sharing and syncing files between your devices.

You can even use your iPad as a small second monitor to your Mac/PC if you want to.
Dec. 28, 2011 11:21 a.m. 92CelicaHalfTrac SuperDork

I actually just bought a Vizio VTAB. Cost me $165 shipped from woot.com.

The more i mess around with it, the more i think it could completely replace a laptop.

Reasonably powerful, easy to use.

The only things that would prevent me from replacing a laptop with it are 1) Size (8" screen is a little small) and 2) Storage. It relies on mini SD cards if you need more than the 2gig of remaining storage it comes with.

Other than that... i've been pleasantly surprised.
Dec. 28, 2011 11:26 a.m. fastEddie SuperDork

SVreX wrote:

For hand drawn notes, its really hard to beat LiveScribe. It's a smart pen that writes on what appears to be regular paper (it's not).

It also records audio.

It syncs the audio with the written word in real time, and can then upload the data to PDF style documents on your computer in your own handwriting. There is also add-on software to translate it to typewritten text.

It's handwriting recognition is very accurate, even for someone like me with crappy handwriting.

The audio/ paper written sycronization is amazing. Basically the audio is recording while you are taking notes. If you later touch any point in your notes, it will replay the audio that was recorded at the same time the note was written.

There are also online sharing components.

One of the nice things is that you are not limited by whatever document or form you are using. It can copy anything you can write or draw.

Great way to go paperless.

Do you have to use their paper with those types of pens? That would be a big drawback for me.

What I want is a bluetooth pen like described above but that will connect to my iPad and corresponding app for transcribing; it doesn't even have to be real-time, I'd be fine with a 5 second delay if necessary. Even with one of those funky soft-tip capacitive stylus I can't go fast enough or neat enough to make handwritten notes on the iPad useful. Same goes for my previous Win7 TabletPC's, even OneNote and a good Wacom screen & stylus is no substitute for paper.
Dec. 28, 2011 12:17 p.m. mmosbey Reader

fastEddie wrote:

SVreX wrote:

For hand drawn notes, its really hard to beat LiveScribe. It's a smart pen that writes on what appears to be regular paper (it's not).

It also records audio.

It syncs the audio with the written word in real time, and can then upload the data to PDF style documents on your computer in your own handwriting. There is also add-on software to translate it to typewritten text.

It's handwriting recognition is very accurate, even for someone like me with crappy handwriting.

The audio/ paper written sycronization is amazing. Basically the audio is recording while you are taking notes. If you later touch any point in your notes, it will replay the audio that was recorded at the same time the note was written.

There are also online sharing components.

One of the nice things is that you are not limited by whatever document or form you are using. It can copy anything you can write or draw.

Great way to go paperless.

Do you have to use their paper with those types of pens? That would be a big drawback for me.

What I want is a bluetooth pen like described above but that will connect to my iPad and corresponding app for transcribing; it doesn't even have to be real-time, I'd be fine with a 5 second delay if necessary. Even with one of those funky soft-tip capacitive stylus I can't go fast enough or neat enough to make handwritten notes on the iPad useful. Same goes for my previous Win7 TabletPC's, even OneNote and a good Wacom screen & stylus is no substitute for paper.

IIRC, they had a utility that allowed you to print your own paper. Supposedly, the size of the unique space provided by the livescribe microdot system is roughly comparable to the land area of Europe.
Dec. 28, 2011 12:26 p.m. speedblind Reader

I got an iPad as an anniversary gift and have tried to use it for business. In the end, it won't eliminate the laptop - hardly - but it does have some uses.

Business/Professional Use

Good for reviewing documents on a plane where space is limited.

OK for quickly checking email. Instant-on vs. waiting for my laptop to boot up (though I'd argue my phone is equally as good if not better).

Nice/shiny wow factor for training - for some reason, people get a kick out of watching a video or reviewing slides on an iPad vs. on a screen/projector. In this way, I can see iPads replacing printed materials for training events or other presentations. Plus, anything electronic is easier/quicker to update vs. reprinting.

Entertainment

It literally does nothing that my Droid phone can't. The Droid even has a mini HDMI output, so I can stream Netflix to the TV of whatever hotel I happen to be in

My phone is also a mobile hotspot. With 4G, it's unbelievably fast, and compact.

I would add the keyboard case, but at that point the total package is the same thickness of a small laptop (and a small laptop is a few hundred bucks cheaper.

Conclusion: Like anything Apple, it's nicely-designed, the interface is slick and all applications are tightly controlled. Everything's integrated and works. I'd stop way, way short of calling it revolutionary, though. It's a neat little toy...if I were spending the money, my iPad would look a lot like new shocks for the M3.
Dec. 28, 2011 12:31 p.m. speedblind Reader

To those that mentioned printing - I bought a ~$150 HP all-in one from Costco a few months back. Wi-fi networked and I can print/scan from anywhere using my phone or the Internet. Also prints/scans directly to email, and you can choose a number of scan options (.pdf, .jpg, etc.).

Print quality is what you'd expect for $150, but I have a nicer Brother printer for client-facing documents.
Jan. 10, 2012 10:00 a.m. vwcorvette HalfDork

Just found this.
Jan. 10, 2012 11:51 a.m. bluej Dork

Purchased a toshiba thrive for my fiancee for christmas. Works very well so far. Big selling point was that it has real ports and lots if them. (mini usb, reg usb, reg hdmi, reg sd, etc..) And a removeable battery. It'll do all tge cloud stuff the other tabs do, but doesn't have to rely on them.

You'll need to log in to post.