Janam, which since 2022 has been part of HID, is a New York-based rugged mobile computing vendor with worldwide distribution. Janam was initially established in 2006 as a provider of purpose-built rugged handheld computing devices for mobile workers. The Janam XT40 — successor to the company's XT30 — is one of the Janam's rugged touch computers, designed to merge modern smartphone ease of use with robust construction and the kind of functionality needed on the job.
Janam describes the XT40 as one of the industry's most affordable rugged touch computers that gives mobile professionals the features and functionality needed to reliably run line-of-business applications. It's light and sleek like a modern smartphone, but it's also tough and stuffed with enterprise-grade technology. The device is targeted at small- and medium-sized operations in retail, field service, transportation, logistics and warehousing to tackle and improve mobile applications like asset management, inventory control, price markdown, package tracking, home delivery and the like.
For size, the XT40 measures about 3 by 6 inches, is about 0.7 inches thick, and weighs just under ten ounces. The rugged build, protection and extra functionality add a little size and weight compared to a modern big-screen smartphone, but not much. You can put the XT40 in your pocket just like a phone.
One thing that sets the Janam XT340 apart is that it is available with either standard Android GMS or Android AOSP. Android GMS, which stands for Google Mobile Services, is what most Android users are familiar with. GMS includes all the popular Google apps and services pre-installed on all GMS-certified Android devices.
Android AOSP stands for Android Open Source Project and does not include any of those Google apps. So no Google Chrome, You Tube, GMail, Maps, Photos, etc., or Play Store. XT30s with AOSP do have open source versions of most of those, and they provide the same functionality, they're just not the Google GMS versions everyone's used to.
Why offer AOSP on the XT40? Because Android is inherently a consumer platform with easy, unlimited access to entertainment, apps and, increasingly, advertising and solicitations. That is not necessarily a good thing in business where devices are used for work and the last thing they should do is invite and facilitate distraction. AOSP tones that down quite a bit and also allows developers, system integrators and resellers to offer Android devices equipped and configured for the tasks at hand, and nothing more.
For that, you need competent, reliable hardware to get the job done. So the Janam XT40 uses the widely used octa-core 2.4 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 processor (internally listed as the SM6225) that has established itself as a workhorse in numerous industrial Android devices. There's 4GB of RAM and 64GB of eMMC storage, the latter augmentable with up to 512GB via a microSDXC card inside the battery compartment.
The XT40's display measures 5.0 inches diagonally and has 720 x 1280 pixel resolution. That makes for 292 pixels per inch, not as much as high-end smartphones, but very crisp and sharp. The display, of course, is capacitive multi-touch and everything is completely touch-optimized.
State-of-the-art wireless communication and trouble-free reliable connectivity is expected on any job today, and, of course, the XT40 provides that. Wi-Fi is of the dual-band 801.11a/b/g/n/ac variety and Bluetooth is at Version 5.1. The 802.11 d/e/h/i/k/r/v/ww extensions in the specs refer to additional features and improvements, such as handling global roaming, interference elimination, enhanced security, fast roaming, optimized network performance, power savings, and client/infrastructure protection.
Modern smartphones can scan barcodes with their cameras. But that's neither good nor fast enough for professional use. So the Janam XT30 comes with a dedicated, integrated Honeywell N5703 1D/2D scanner that is small enough to neatly fit into the device without a "scanner bulge." The N5703 is a high-performance 2D scan engine specifically designed for mobile devices that require motion tolerance, extended read range, and good low-light performance. Dozens of 1D barcodes and 2D area code types can be scanned and decoded in milliseconds, and that includes hard-to-read codes or when the XT40 is in motion.
Ruggedness sets devices like this Janam handheld apart from consumer smartphones, even if those are embedded in a case. The XT40 can handle multiple five-foot drops onto concrete, so it can not only survive being dropped during use, but stay unharmed in case of just about any imaginable drop. Environmental sealing is at the IP65 level, meaning the XT40 is completely dust-proof and can also handle water jets from all directions. The device has a wide operating temperature range from 14 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit, good enough for most jobs. The 17.1 watt-hour user-accessible and replaceable rechargeable Li-Ion battery is plenty good enough for full-shift operation.
With the XT40, Janam offers a handheld Android-based enterprise touch computer that looks and feels just like a smartphone, only it's a lot tougher and more durable than any consumer phone. And it's built for business with an integrated, industrial-grade scanner, a powerful user-accessible battery, a bright and sharp display, and a very competitive price that's lower than many consumer smartphones. Conrad H. Blickenstorfer, May 2024
