August 2006

We've added descriptions and specs for two of UK-based DLoG's rugged industrial Windows CE 5.0 terminals. Both are designed for vehicle mount and occasional mobile use. They differentiate themselves from most Windows CE-based units by their large 7-inch displays. See the DLoG XMDA rugged portable industrial terminal and the DLoG X 7 slate. We'll be adding DLoG's other vehicle-mount rugged PCs shortly.

Full review: ViewSonic V38r
RuggedPCReview.com takes a very detailed look at ViewSonic's V38r Enterprise Digital Assistant. The V38r is a rugged Pocket PC available either with Windows Mobile or CE .NET. It is a fully ruggedized, IP54-sealed handheld with a 4-foot drop spec suitable for use in demanding environmental conditions. Integrated 802.11b/g, a versatile 1-D imager, superb WiFi performance, and a 1.3 megapixel CMOS digital camera add to the appeal of this economical and quite compact mobile computer. Also interesting is an extended battery that gives the unit full-shift battery life. [See our full review of the ViewSonic V38r.] -- Posted Monday, August 28, 2006

Synaptics offers new biometric security module
With security becoming ever more important, Synaptics announced the introduction of SecurePad, a new biometric TouchPad created especially for notebooks. SecurePad is the result of a partnership with Validity Sensors, Inc. which allows Synaptics to exclusively offer TouchPad interface solutions that incorporate Validity's LiveFlex fingerprint sensing technology for convenient and reliable biometric security in the notebook market. The SecurePad integrates the LiveFlex fingerprint sensor with a Synaptics TouchPad, offering notebook OEMs a single integrated biometric interface module. This modular approach not only simplifies integration for the OEM, but also allows manufacturers to offer fingerprint security as a build to order option. -- Posted Monday, August 28, 2006

Taiwan seeks piece of RFID action
According to Digitimes, Taiwan's government plans to heavily invest in the next few years to establish a basic infrastructure for the development of RFID technology and applications, with the aim of creating a competitive RFID industry by 2013, according to sources at the NICI (National Information and Communication Initiative). Citing data by ABI Research, the sources indicated that, by 2013, the global production value of RFID tags will top US$33.8 billion, whereas the production of RFID readers will reach US$11.4 billion. By leveraging the capabilities of Taiwan companies in the manufacturing of IT hardware, Taiwan-based makers should be able to account for more than 10% of the global production value of RFID products, the sources stated. -- Posted Monday, August 28, 2006

Smart Card Alliance annual conference coming up
The Smart Card Alliance -- voice for the rapidly growing smart card industry -- will hold its 14th annual conference at the Hyatt Regency - La Jolla Hotel in San Diego, California, from October 3 - 6, 2006. Each year, this premier event showcases leaders and innovators in the use of smart cards across all industries and market segments in North America and around the world. "Preparing the Way for a Smart Future" is the theme of this year's conference. Agenda topics will focus on major industry developments in market adoption and technology innovation for smart cards. Their topics will range from security to financial to identity issues and include hands-on project leaders who are involved in some of the most exciting smart card projects in the world: [detailed info on conference] -- Posted Friday, August 25, 2006

Enviance uses Tablet PCs in US Navy application
Enviance, a provider of Internet-based on demand systems for the management of environmental, health and safety (EHS) compliance activities, announced that it is enabling real-time mobile compliance data collection for the United States Navy through its Naval Online Environmental Compliance Checklist System (NOECCS). The Navy expects the Tablet PC-based system to significantly reduce the engineers' time to perform and document the inspection process, provide real time finding notifications, trend and report on potential Notices of Violation (NOVs) and improve compliance workflow while promoting data accuracy and integrity. [see press release -- Posted Wednesday, August 23, 2006

Socket SD Scan Card adds scanning to PDAs
Socket Communications announced that Mosaic Sales Solutions, the largest field sales and marketing company in
North America, is recognizing significant cost savings, greater inventory recording and tracking accuracy through the use of a portable data collection solution featuring the Socket SD Scan Card 3E. The Secure Digital Scan Card (SDSC) 3E is a Series 3 Entry Level scanner that adds affordable bar code scanning to Pocket PC or Palm OS device solutions. Based on miniature Linear CMOS Imaging technology from Symbol, the SDSC 3E scans all popular linear bar code symbologies and uses only 57mA of power during scanning to maximize battery life. SocketScan keyboard emulation software sends decoded data to any Windows or Palm application as virtual keystrokes. -- Posted Tuesday, August 22, 2006

Unitech strong in rugged PDAs
Digitimes reports that Taiwan-based Unitech Electronics has enjoyed brisk sales of its own-brand rugged PDAs this year and is currently ranked the third largest rugged PDA vendor in the global market, trailing after Intermec and Symbol, according to company sources. [see Unitech PA950 brief] -- Posted Saturday, August 19, 2006

RFID transponder volume growing rapidly
According to Venture Development Corporation's recently released RFID Transponders volume of its annual RFID Business Planning Service, the global market for RFID transponders reached an estimated $750 million in 2005. VDC anticipates a compound annual growth rate of nearly 26% through 2010, with revenue shipments projected to exceed $2.3 billion within five years. Global 2005 shipments were US$371 million (direct) and US$376 million (indirect. Expected numbers for 2010: US$1,090 million direct and US$1,255 million indirect. [VDC RFID reports] -- Posted Thursday, August 17, 2006

Itronix releases new high-performance rugged notebook
Itronix, a General Dynamics company, announced the GoBook XR-1, the first Itronix product to be released under the General Dynamics brand. The XR-1 is a IP54-rated rugged notebook that combines excellent performance from a 1.83GHz Intel Core Duo processor, compact size (11.8 x 9.65 x 1.98), amazingly low weight (6.8 pounds), and very good battery life (up to 6.5 hours) with ergonomics and superb industrial design. The new machine, which has a starting MSRP of US$4,330, is geared towards a variety of industrial and government markets and applications. [Read our full review of the GoBook XR-1] -- Posted Monday, August 14, 2006

Full review of MobileDemand's rugged xTablet T8600
RuggedPCReview.com examines MobileDemand's new xTablet T8600, a versatile, rugged tablet computer for vertical markets. The T8600 runs the Windows XP Tablet PC edition, is technologically up-to-date, has a massive battery for full-shift operation, a digitizer that can be switched from touch screen to active operation, and features an integrated numeric keypad for rapid data entry. [Read full review of MobileDemand T8600] -- Posted Tuesday, August 8, 2006

Glacier Computer adds rugged Getac W130 and M220
Glacier Computer, a designer, developer, and supplier of rugged industrial PC-compatible devices, has added the Getac W130 and M220 rugged laptops to its line of rugged computer solutions. Glacier's laptops are ideal for mounting on forklifts and warehouse walls as part of real time data collection solutions, as well as for connecting warehouse managers and service technicians to the corporate network. The Getac W130 is a 12.1” XGA unit with Pentium M 1.6 GHz processor, 40 gig drive and numerous upgrade options. The Getac M220 is offered with a 14” or 15” display, two batteries with over six hours of run time, and all of the same rugged characteristics of the W130. -- Posted Monday, August 7, 2006

Panasonic integrates Cingular's 3G BroadbandConnect service
Panasonic Computer Solutions Company and Cingular Wireless introduced the first Toughbook CF-29 targeted to public safety with Cingular's 3G BroadbandConnect service built-in. The two companies announced the availability of the rugged, wireless clamshell notebook at the APCO 2006 show in Orlando. Using the Toughbook CF-29, public safety officers can wirelessly access criminal databases and other mission critical information at broadband speeds while sitting in their patrol cars when in UMTS/HSDPA-based BroadbandConnect coverage areas. The Toughbook 29 provides seamless, high-speed EDGE network coverage outside of those areas. -- Posted Monday, August 7, 2006

Symbol introduces rugged scanner
Symbol introduced the LS3008 rugged handheld scanner designed for high-performance and reliability in healthcare, warehousing, manufacturing and back-end retail environments. Leveraging Symbol's design knowledge and boasting a small, ergonomic form factor, the LS3008 broadens Symbol's rugged scanner portfolio to meet the needs of customers and markets where cost and ergonomics are critical factors for customers seeking real-time data capture capabilities. The Symbol LS3008 rugged bar code scanner has a list price of $419 and is currently available to order globally through Symbol partners. -- Posted Monday, August 7, 2006

Itronix VR-1 mentioned in emsresponder.com feature
The semi-rugged Itronix GoBook VR-1 was mentioned in the first of a two-part series looking at the latest advances in emergency communications at emsresponder.com. The feature was a reprint from the August 2006 issues of Emergency Medical Services and highlighted advanced communications hardware and software available for today's emergency providers. -- Posted Wednesday, August 2, 2006

Symbol reports Q2 2006 results
Symbol reported Q2 2006 revenues of $453.1 million, compared to Q2 2005 revenue of $427.8 million and Q1 2006 revenue of $444.9 million. Q2 net income was $27.2 million or $0.11 per share, including a net charge of $2.7 million from restructuring and asset impairment charges, stock option expenses and a legal judgment. This compares with a Q2 2005 as reported net loss of $30.5 million or $0.12 per share, which included a $35.1 million net charge resulting from restructuring and asset impairment charges, partially offset by a benefit related to a class action lawsuit. -- Posted Wednesday, August 2, 2006