Windows Tablets For Fieldwork

[NC Appraising]

Are you using the tablet to do the sketch? If so, which program (or app) are you using?

I'm currently using Apex's MSA on an Asus TF201 then converting the field sketch in v5 on a desktop. MSA is innovative and very easy & efficient to use the in the field but the conversion and clean-up process sometimes takes longer than starting the sketch in v5 on the desktop.

To me, it doesn't seem like v5 is well suited to doing the sketch in the field but maybe you've found a technique that works and hopefully you'll share.

I'm using Wintotal 2013 and their sketch, which uses the pen.

As you know, the windows tablet will run the full version of your software, and if you want to keep Apex, you can just use the on-board keyboard to do your sketches. For some homes, I still use the keyboard as Total has some hiccups.


I have also used Phenoix and Alamode mobile to do sketches using a Samsung galaxy (the cheap ones without a pen). All I can say is it is not my cup of tea......being nice.

It takes about 2-3 months to get used to using the full version of your software in the field, but it is well worth it. Maybe Apex can make a superior on screen keyboard similar to their mobile version or a pen function similar to Alamode so that appraisers can use Apex in the field with their full version of appraisal software. I truly believe this is the way to go. Now if they can figure out how to make uploading pics even easier using the tablet.....now that would be nice (take a pic using the tablet, and then it automatically gets uploaded to the report that you have open.)

 

[Randall Garrett]

NCA,

With reference to your comment about Apex perhaps adding pen input like other programs, you may be interested to know that we actually invented and brought that to market back in 2006 - it has been used in valuation offices in other parts of the world continually since that time and includes on-site data collection plug-ins and integration into various software reporting programs. It seems that what we created, along with the whole Bluetooth DISTO drawing stuff was highly "inspirational"...

Now that there is more interest in Tablet (vs. "Pad") stuff here in North America, we can add that stuff in the next version of Apex if there is sufficient market demand. Our desktop software already has an optional "KeyPad" in the MobileSketch Module, but I don't (personally) think that combo works in a mobile environment nearly as well. Of course, our Tablet software also has a KeyPad option for those who are not fortunate enough to have "discovered" the pen (yet.)

Here's a link to a video shot by an Australian blogger back in September, 2006 after he attended a Mobile Technology CE course I was teaching for IPA. You might get a chuckle out of the cheesy music we had in the video, and I thought the blogger added his own humor in the PIP insert. As you might imagine, the underlying software has matured considerably since then.

Enjoy the step back into "the Wayback Machine" ;-)

UMPC Software reaches an Apex - YouTube



-Randall Garrett-
..Apex Software..

/end/

 

[NC Appraising]

I'm glad to see we created a good marketing commercial....although it was not intentional!! I went to APEX's website and looked around a little, did not see any of that!! Looks cool and even has the pop up writing tool thanks to the Motion.


As for inspirational, :icon_wink: got it. I thought about mentioning their name in a Apex section, but look what came about it.... the new technology (to me) has been out for 7 years now = egg is face. Not the first time.


FWIW,

My new Disto, per Leica, was engineered to have a pink hue. I have purchased two of them and both have it, with one being sent over seas to the R&D department. Not sure I'm buying that, as you and several others have stated that your units do not have a pink hue. O'well, lose some and you win some.

 

[Randall Garrett]

No commercial intended, just a little history... The link to the video was intended to poke a little fun at myself - we pretty much suck at marketing ;-)

You won't find much on the US appraisal site regarding Tablet stuff, but it is more central on the other Apex sites in markets where mobility items are the mainstay. When the product in the video was introduced here, none of the US appraisal software companies were too interested, but it has done well enough elsewhere and in other market segments here. That may change for US appraisers now that the US appraisal market is beginning to catch up to the mobile side of things. It has a ways to go, but the acceleration is good now that the price/performance ratios are better

I still don't understand why you keep associating the TIP with Motion. It is not a Motion thing - it is part of the MS Windows Tablet PC extensions before Windows 8. If your app doesn't have that, it is due to the software or OS not exposing it. You may not see it in your Win8 tablets because it was deprecated - it was there in the developer build but removed prior to RTM - but it may be more exposed after "Blue" goes retail. Nobody knows at this time - "Those who know aren't' talking and those who are talking don't know." You can still get to the remnant but you have to dig deep. My suggestion is to wait until we have confirmation from MSDEV regarding the new TIP (or whatever acronym they decide to use, LOL.). Should know something around Build (late June.)



-Randall Garrett-
*Apex Software*

/end/

 

[NC Appraising]

I still don't understand why you keep associating the TIP with Motion. It is not a Motion thing - it is part of the MS Windows Tablet PC extensions.

-Randall Garrett-
*Apex Software*

/end/

Just having a little fun here.

I realize what you are saying.....The only reason I associated the TIP with Motion because the guy was using a Motion in the video with the TIP feature. If I'm correct you can still get the Motion with the TIP feature, unlike the newer tablets with Windows 8. So understand it is a Windows feature. Furthermore, in the appraisal world, all of the videos and on the Motion website shows the TIP with the Motion.

The TIP feature is still nice, although with my Helix, when I use the writing feature and close it, my appraisal software maximizes automatically. With my SurfacePro, I had to re-maximize it each and every time.

Thanks,

NCA, the no-tech guy.

 

[Randall Garrett]

OK, got it now - I can be thick-headed, and my writing is not the best. I wanted to make sure you were not just concluding that you were doing something wrong or that just getting a Motion would make it show up again. The deprecation of the TIP has not been a popular move, and there are several people earnestly working on a solution. I have encouraging, yet private, feedback and I hope to be able to share some good news in that regard before too long, but I've learned to wait until I have corroborating statements from two sources first. Let's hope the news is good at Build (or before.)

We now return you to your regularly-scheduled gadget discussion... ;-)


-Randall Garrett-
*Apex Software*

/end/

 

[joechuchran]

I'm using Wintotal 2013 and their sketch, which uses the pen.

Maybe Apex can make a superior on screen keyboard similar to their mobile version or a pen function similar to Alamode so that appraisers can use Apex in the field with their full version of appraisal software. I truly believe this is the way to go. Now if they can figure out how to make uploading pics even easier using the tablet.....now that would be nice (take a pic using the tablet, and then it automatically gets uploaded to the report that you have open.)

NC A,

I agree. Maybe we can convince Randall to do a Vulcan mind meld and combine v5 with MSA. I really like using MSA in the field because you can draw the entire house (2 story also) in just one trip around the house including cantilevers, bay windows, doors, fireplaces, decks, patios.

I watched the video link in Randall's message...I often wondered what the Aussie Boogaloo looked like ;-). I used Nexus exclusively until my LE1700 died. It also saved time but cumbersome because the Motion was heavy and had a short battery life.

 

[Randall Garrett]

Joe,

I guess we should start a different thread on that so we don't further "pollute" this thread with Apex-specific stuff. I think most readers here want to read about and discuss various items regarding new and improved hardware, and might not like us "hijacking" the thread by injecting Apex/MobileSketch items beyond using them to perhaps illustrate a feature in the devices when appropriate. While I'd love for everyone to use only Apex products, I'd like to keep this thread more "sketch agnostic" so readers can find out more about devices which suit their choice of software. I think I am already guilty of getting us off track with the TIP stuff... ;-)

That said, I'll address your "mind meld" comment by saying that I almost always look at future versions from an "evolutionary" perspective - take what worked best in earlier products and add in new features and/or tweak old ones as devices improve, users' expectations increase, etc. the last time I did something "revolutionary" (vs. evolutionary) was with Nexus and I think it was too much, too soon. An important factor in user acceptance is doing things in a way that does not alienate existing users. I think we did an OK job when bringing the ancient MobileSketch product up to speed - taking the good from the old Pocket PC program and modernizing it for today's devices and adding things that made sense without making them too hard for long time Apex users to use. I think it makes sense to take the good from MSA and apply it to a future Apex. And yes, I'm taking into account your observations regarding Symbols ;-) - you are right and it will be addressed. I further believe that it makes sense to continue to offer a "full Apex" product and a lighter weight MobileSketch product for Win8 devices since they come in two distinct "flavors" - Clover Trail and Core i5/i7. FWIW, Wayne is already well into "MS8" and, like MSA, it is built from the CAD product which is already "shipping." The wait won't be nearly as long this time ;-)

Now, getting back to hardware, perhaps we can get NCA to give us some user feedback on his Helix since he's had it for a bit. He went through a range of devices before getting it and I would think that the readers might find his real world compare & contrast thoughts - maybe even a picture or two...


Regards,


-Randall Garrett-
*Apex Software*

/end/

 

[NC Appraising]

Joe,



Now, getting back to hardware, perhaps we can get NCA to give us some user feedback on his Helix since he's had it for a bit. He went through a range of devices before getting it and I would think that the readers might find his real world compare & contrast thoughts - maybe even a picture or two...


/end/

Here are some PICs. Got to finish up a report, will update later.

From a forum: http://forums.lenovo.com/t5/X-Serie...s-the-Helix-release-date/td-p/1047985/page/67
Anyway, has anyone heard anything else about the UU models having some sort of incompatibility issue with the Gobi 4g radio? The only place I've seen this mentioned is in this thread.

What are the UU models?

 

[Randall Garrett]

NCA,

Thanks for the pix. Looking forward to your summary field test evaluation.

The UU models are just designations specifying the GOBI (4000?) radio. I assume you know that GOBI is essentially the spec/standard for internationally certified 3G/4G radios. None of the models I've seen as being available in the first round of shipments had a GOBI option. I don't think this item is of any worry for you (?)

Happy to discuss, but it may be a little geeky for most here.



-Randall Garrett-
*Apex Software*

/end/