Next evolution of Janam's smartphone-style rugged Android touch computer
(by Conrad H. Blickenstorfer)

In January, 2020, Janam introduced the Janam XT3. It has the same form factor and ultra-rugged design as Janam's best-selling XT2+, but adds state-of-the-art processing, wireless communication and data capture technologies to drive new levels of productivity and efficiency. Android 9 and Android Enterprise Recommended certification make the XT3 comply with demanding enterprise requirements.

Janam's XT Series started a number of years ago. With smartphones selling by the billions, Janam realized that many enterprise customers were looking for handhelds that combined cutting-edge smartphone technologies with mission-critical enterprise features and security. Janam initially addressed that need with their original XT1 rugged mini-tablet, followed a couple of years later with the revolutionary XT2 that supported both Windows 10 IoT Mobile Enterprise and Android. A slightly updated Android-only XT2+ version followed, and now we have the new XT3 with significant hardware and software upgrades and enhancements.

The challenge with this approach — offering a tool for the job that also looks like a modern phone — is to really pull it off. If a device looks like a state-of-the-art smartphone but can't back up the look with the advanced specs and tech consumers expect, it'll quickly be dismissed. If it does deliver but is just too big and heavy, again, it won't go far. So the challenge is to come up with something that has that appealing consumer tech look and feel, but also adds enough serious tool-for-the-job value to make enterprise users accept a bit of extra extra heft in exchange for features and durability.

So let's take a look at the Janam XT3. It has a 6.1 x 3.2 inch footprint, which is almost exactly that of a modern smartphone. How is that possible with the tough-looking protective perimeter armor and corner guards that fragile consumer phones don't have? It's because the XT3's 5.0-inch display is smaller than what you'd find in standard smartphones with their beautiful but fragile edge-to-edge screens.

While the XT3 looks much like a (much) better protected smartphone from the front, it has the kind of connectivity and data collection technology only professional gear can provide. The XT3 includes, for example, an integrated industrial-grade Honeywell N6703 1D/2D barcode reader. That's because on the job you don't scan inventory with the phone camera and a potentially flaky app. You do it with tech that was designed for fast, reliable scanning.

As far as ruggedness goes, the XT3's specs really don't tell the whole story. It is IP67-sealed (dust- and waterproof) and has a 5-foot drop specs. Leading smartphones are often IP68-sealed these days, and can handle enormous drops in the cheap cases virtually every gleaming new consumer phone is immediately put it right upon purchase. But look at all the consumer phones that still break, because they are simply too flimsy. The XT3 won't break. In addition, the -4° to 140° Fahrenheit operating temperature range means the XT3 can be used just about anywhere. And it doesn't mind severe vibration and getting rattled around either.

Unlike consumer smartphones, the XT3 has a big, hot-swappable, replaceable battery (and if maximum battery power is needed, there's an optional battery with twice the punch). As a result, the XT3 is 0.8 inches thick and weighs almost ten ounces. That is amazingly thin and light for an enterprise handheld computer, but certainly thicker and heavier than a consumer phone.

Compared to the XT2/XT2+, the XT3 comes with significantly more powerful hardware. Under the hood, a 2.2GHz octa-core Qualcomm SD660 replaces the 1.2GHz quad-core Qualcomm SD410. Based on our XT2 benchmarks and benchmarks with other SD660-based devices, the XT3 should be three to four times quicker than the XT2/XT2+. That's huge.

Processing isn't the only thing that's been enhanced in the XT3. Instead of 16GB of onboard storage you get 64GB (plus what you put into the card slot). RAM has doubled from 2GB to 4GB. The front camera goes from 2 to 5 megapixel. The rear documentation camera goes from 8 to 13 megapixel. There are additional sensors (gyro and digital compass) that can be used for extra app functionality. Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and mobile broadband are all much faster. Positioning now uses all four of the major satellite systems instead of just two. That may mean better performance in adverse environments.

On the software side, the XT3 jumps from the XT2+'s Android version 6 all the way to Android 9. This is the newest version in major use, and it's upgradeable. It is also "Android Enterprise Recommended." To qualify for this Google certification, a device must support multiple major operating system releases, deliver Android security updates within 90 days of release from Google for a minimum of five years, and must be protected against moisture and dust intrusion. In addition, the devices must offer bulk deployment options, including the Android zero-touch enrollment option for easy setup and configuration.

Not everything has changed compared to the XT2. There's still the 500 nits 5.0-inch capacitive multi-touch display. It no longer looks very large in this day and age of giant smartphone screens, but it is big enough to run the huge variety of apps available for modern Android devices. 720 x 1280 pixel resolution makes the screen sharp enough even for apps such as GIS, positioning, etc. The display is protected by Gorilla Glass 3. For operating the device, there are four actual hard keys. Three are for standard Android functions, one can be programmed. Two additional hard keys are for scanning.

What does all that make the Janam XT3? Back when we reviewed the XT2, we called it "an attractive choice for any enterprise seeking to deploy and manage smartphone-style Android-based handhelds with industrial durability and data collection technology." The XT3 is still that, and now it's a whole lot faster and more powerful. — Conrad H. Blickenstorfer, February 2020