Friday Morning Report

Are the tablet wars beginning with the onset of the iPad from Apple? Is a tablet device really what we need between our laptops and smart phones?

Last night I managed to catch the “late news” before heading off to bed with ideas of the iPad dancing in my head when I saw something new. Now I’ve seen the Archos Tablet, HP Slate, JooJoo and rumors of many others coming but nothing this far along yet. The WePad (Reuters video), is being reported by many as the iPad killer and thus hinting at the upcoming battle of the tablet but frankly I’m not sure I agree with all of these reports that this particular device is a iPad Killer – simply because I see them as two devices with two different purposes content consumption and content generation (slime-lined and efficient) and I need more the generation side of things.

OK now many of you who know me know that I really like my Mac and that I am a huge technology person and of course gadget lover and that I am thinking of getting an iPad, I mean I use my iPod Touch extensively and the iPad would just be the bigger version of that right? I could do away with having to carry so much gear with me to all the events and oh the wonderful dream world we live in. One of my major hesitations with the iPad is of course the lack of Webcam, when I travel I depend on the webcam quite a bit for communication purposes and recording on the spot videos for the show and for posts. So without the webcam I would still have to carry my laptop, camera and cables with me plus the iPad as well?

OK so next week I will get my hands on an iPad (friend at work has one) for the first time so I will do my best to review it and give everyone feedback around in an upcoming show – not sure how much I can add to the gobs of data already out there but I will do my best. HP Slate is not here yet nor is the JooJoo and the Archos 7 I had a good run with while in the US last December and was quite impressed with but not “thrilled” with the experience – it did everything you could want but the interface was simply not that exciting nor innovative and therefore it quickly fell off my list.

The list? Well my list is simple I want an input device with internet access and a webcam that allows me to read mail, surf the net and even in extreme cases host an impromptu show on the road. I need a webcam to allow me to do my video conferences and phone calls (via Skype) and I need something that is going to let me chat and of course get ot my work mails and share the screen for presentations and demos. So far the iPad is almost there and the JooJoo sounds like it will be there and now we have the WePad which seems to be THERE now.

I’ve sent a mail off to the folks over at neofonie the creators of the WePad offering to do a review of the device on the show. I mean i’d really like to get my hands on one for a week and see if I am able to function, do my job and do the things I need to do with it – could it be what I need to reduce my gear bag? Could it be the “one” device I’ve secretly lusted after and wanted for all these years? Well if they take me up on my offer then we’ll find out otherwise I’ll have to wait until I find it in a store somewhere or find someone that has bought one.

The other week Jon Reed from JonERP asked me to join him for his next episode of the ERP Lounge which I was both honored and flattered to do so. The episode which is now online and you can find here he also posted a piece up on the SAP Community Network that you might want to have a read through as well – the podcast is the same but with Jon he gives a very audience oriented introduction so to get the full blast of everything I recommend you read both! Was a thrill to do and Jon I must say puts an amazing amount of energy into doing!

Jon also does what he can to track what people are saying about the podcasts so he can fine tune future episodes and managed to somehow catch the following comment in Twitter…

Which of course was awesome to see that my thoughts and feelings were coming well enough across during the podcast.

Jon touched a lot of topics that we were able to dig into and if you are a member of the SAP communities I’d recommend you have a listen and if you have comments or feedback by all means please do share – with anything community related it’s how things evolve and change!

Once again major thanks to Jon for giving me the opportunity to share a bit of my thoughts!

This was one of my favorite podcasts, probably because Craig was incisive in his self-reflection, at a turning point in his own career, a few weeks into a new job role at SAP. Craig’s articulation of the community path to recognition signals a new era in SAP career growth, where expertise is tied as much to community involvement as the solo pursuit of knowledge. At the same time, I wanted to give Craig a chance to call “BS!” on social media hype, and give us an honest take on how much the rise of social networks really helps our careers and how much of it is, frankly, “happy talk.”

A big thank you for that Jon as well, you have a very impressive collection of podcasts so that statement alone will go in my book of high honors received!

 Enhanced Podcast [16:16m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (107)

Today’s show takes a look at a new program underway in Australia called “Energise Women”.

Talking Points

• Shout Out: Tanya formerly of Geeknet/SourceForge – Good luck with the adventures!
• Shout Out: Sarah Otner
• Shout Out: Zoli and his “Video is a crock“
• Studio and Backdrop
• Energise Women
• Update: #fmr24 the second 24 Hour Marathon for Doctors Without Borders

Video Replay