Rugged flashlight-style handheld with superb wireless connectivity
(by Conrad H. Blickenstorfer)

In May of 2006, Motorola announced an addition to its "commercial off-the-shelf mobile computing solution for the enterprise," the HC700 Series of rugged handheld computers. The 700 Series has an extended 40-key ABC thumb-keyboard with numeric overlay, is powered by the 416MHz version of Intel's PXA270 processor and can be ordered with 64-128MB of RAM and Flash each. Measuring 7.8 x 3.2 x 1.9 inches, and weighing 18 ounces, it is larger than a consumer-class Pocket PC, but handy enough to carry around.

The latest version of the HC700 uses Windows Mobile 5.0 and Motorola offers a wealth of developer support for the product. The 3.5-inch transflective touchscreen is standard for this class of device. There is also a protected Mini SD slot and a 1D/2D HHP Adaptus 752x480 CMS imager. A ruggedized connector provides both USB and RS232. A 13 watt-hour Li-Ion battery pack lasts up to ten hours between charges. IP64 sealing allow use under most harsh environmental conditions, and the device can survive multiple 6-foot drops. Numerous accessories are available, including 4- and 8-slot comms cradles with Ethernet and RS232 ports, a car cradle, hand strap, and a belt/shoulder holder.

However, whereas the original HC700-L came with just Bluetooth and 802.11b WiFi, the 700-G adds GSM/GPRS. The HC700 series was designed to operate seamlessly with the Motorola MOTOPRO Mobility Suite, an integrated software framework that enables rapid development and deployment of enterprise-wide mobile applications, device security and management, with full integration to existing information systems, so the addition of phone functionality adds a new dimension to this 700 Series.

As of August 2008, what with all of Motorola's reorganizations and restructuring, the HC700-G is no longer found on Motorola's byzantine website. However, it remains listed at the Motodev (Motorola Developer Network), including all sorts of developer info (see here).