So far, I’m really enjoying my eo. I’ll have a full review sometime this week, complete with pros and cons.

For now, though, I think it’s my responsibility to document a process that took me 20 minutes to figure out.

Step 1: Press Left Fn+Right Fn+Ctrl on the keyboard.

Step 2: Open the Bluetooth application on your eo. It’s in the system tray. You’ll see what looks like a solar system. Click “My Bluetooth”->”Bluetooth Device Discovery” in the menu bar.

Step 3: Right click on your keyboard in the solar system view. Choose “Pair Device”.

Step 4: Remember the 6 digit code that appears. Hit ok on the dialog.

Step 5: On the keyboard, hold down the Fn key and type digits from the dialog that you already dismissed. Then, release the Fn button and hit Enter on the keyboard.

Step 6: In the bar of icons at the top of the solar system view in the bluetooth app, click on the mouse icon, telling the app that you want to connect to the keyboard and use the input service.

The Samsung Q1 UMPC US pricing was announced today. I called CDW and they are currently taking preorders for early June at a pricepoint of $1086.99 for the 900Mhz Celeron / 512MB RAM / 40GB, 4200 RPM Hard Drive. PC Mag has a review. Samsung’s site has more info on specs.

The TabletKiosk eo is $1000 for the 1Ghz Via / 512MB Ram / 40GB HD configuration (AllTP and TabletKiosk).

Based on what I know, the eo is the better choice for me, ignoring price.

• I’ve heard that the eo screen is sharper than the Samsung Q1 screen.
• The eo is a little faster (its CPU is faster AND its 5400 rpm hard drive should be zippier than the 4200 rpm version on the Q1).
• The eo has a touchpoint mouse (like the one you see on a ThinkPad) built in, where as the Samsung has an 8 way (not analog) joystick. The touchpoint is a much better fit with my lifestyle, although I don’t expect to use it much.
• The eo has a docking port. When a cradle is available, I expect to attach a few USB devices and a monitor. Then, I’ll just drop the UMPC into the cradle when I get home. Samsung chose to put the ethernet jack and the VGA port directly on the Q1, which means more cables to connect if you are always ‘docking’ at the same place.

So, I’m happy with my eo decision. Others, though, might opt for the built in CF slot, VGA port and ethernet jack on the Q1. It’s great to have choices!

More at GottaBeMobile (“[lack of a keyboard].. is in fact its strength”), OrigamiPortal , JupiterResearch (Michael Gartenberg has an eo and a Q1), Life on the Wicked Stage (“it sounds like the [PC Mag] reviewer doesn’t really get the concept”), Incremental Blogger.

Marix is asking for suggestions.  What questions do you want answered about the eo UMPC (or ANY Origami device, for that matter)?

Last night, John Hill at Allegiance Technology Partners confirmed that the eo I preordered will arrive next week. This is a huge relief. I ordered the device very early, but I was worried that the shortage announced on Monday would interfere.

Everyone at Allegiance and TabletKiosk has been super friendly and very helpful from the start.

For the past few weeks, I’ve been keeping a list of thoughts. I have some extra free time right now, so I’ll organize them for you (and me).

Keyboard:

• This will be the first Windows XP device I will own that has no bundled keyboard. I’m no stranger to keyboard-less devices, though. None of my phones or PDAs (except my Palm Tungsten C and my RIM 957) had keyboards.
• Does Windows XP for Tablets have a mini on-screen keyboard for the login prompt? I’ll be logging on to the Windows network at the office and hopefully it will be easy to enter my password every morning.
• I may purchase a Happy Hacking Keyboard (USB, 11.6 inches X 4.3 inches X 1.5 inches) with full size keys for $70.
• The ThinkOutside folding bluetooth keyboard also looks like a good match. I used to have a stowaway for my Palm V.
• I have a half-finished chordite chord keyboard from a few years ago. That’s another option.

Connectivity:

• The eo has 802.11b and g, and, since it’s a Windows device, it will support WPA. I’ll be able to get on the LAN at home, at work and at Wifi Hotspots (for a fee).
• The eo supports bluetooth, so I’ll be able to tether to my (hideously slow) Cingular phone in a pinch.
• I may get an EVDO phone at some point and use that for an always-available, fast connection.
• The eo does not have a PCMCIA slot, so an EVDO PC card is not an option – only an EVDO-ready phone with bluetooth will work! I hear that Sprint may have a deal I can’t refuse!!

Software:

• For RSS feeds, I generally rely on Gregarius. I have a FeedLounge subscription, too, but I haven’t been using that lately.
• Those are both ONLINE-only solutions, though. With the eo, I think I’ll want to use an offline feed reader if I won’t always be connected. I’ll have to give that some thought
• I recently purchased another copy of Moonbase Commander on ebay. I lost the one I bought two years ago. It’s a great turn based strategy game and I’m sure it will run well on the 1ghz / 512MB RAM eo UMPC.
• WinTabber looks like it might be a great way to manage windows. I don’t know if it has a place in the 800×480 eo screen resolution, but I’ll give it a shot.
• All the software I mentioned last month. Including Firefox, ArtRage, OneNote, Graphite, BallDroppings, TEO, TopDesk, Sketchup, etc.
• The Wikipedia download will be handy.
• OrigamiCar, naturally.
• The Firefox extentions I mentioned last month that should make touch-screen interaction more usable!

Accessories:

• I bought MS Streets & Trips 2006 (with a GPS button) yesterday. Driving directions has been a big part of the Origami/UMPC lifestyle concept and I’ll be giving it a try.
• If I do pick up a keyboard for the device, I’ll use it with my trusty Microsoft Wireless Notebook Optical Mouse .
• I’d like to find a 3 axis gyro motion sensor to plug into my usb port. Motion as an input device is highly underrated.
• A slim mousewheel that plugs into a usb port would be nice, too.
• Screen Protector?
• iGo universal car charger or power inverter?
• Extra eo battery.

Things to Comment on in a Review:

• Can Second Life be played on a slate tablet pc (with no keyboard)? Is the eo fast enough for Second Life?
• 3D and CPU Benchmarks. Battery Life tests (after several discharges/recharges).
• How do tablet users get by without Alt-Tab? AutoHotKey + TopDesk, which work well together will be a great workaround, I think.
• How does ClearType look in 800×480? Does it get automatically turned off in the higher, scaled res modes (I HOPE!!)?

I ordered super-early, so I don’t expect that this will impact my order. My fingers are crossed, though, just in case.

“TabletKiosk eo UMPC Shortage” news at OrigamiPortal.

After speaking with Martin from TabletKiosk, I feel a little reassured.  Those who pre-ordered as soon as the units were announced are probably OK.  Meanwhile, I appreciate that TabletKiosk and AllTP have been incredibly forthcoming with information during these past several weeks.  Then, in the face of this nasty first-run production issue, they immediately reached out to their customers with as much data as possible.  Sounds like good business (or maybe they’ve been reading Robert and Shel’s book).

I’m also glad to see the community cheering them on rather than complaining: GottaBeMobile says “Kudos to TabletKiosk”,  UMPC Buzz says “Good for TabletKiosk for making sure the UMPCs work before shipping.”, Life on the Wicked Stage says “Kudos to TabletKiosk for valuing quality and communication with their customers.”.  And there is a similar wave of warm feelings on the forums (here and here, for instance).