May 2021

Review: Janam XG4
Scan-intensive jobs require special gear. Touch is good, but touch and keypads is better. Good ergonomics is a must because operators may use the scanners all day long. A "pistol-grip" handle can make use and operation easier and less tiring. And since barcodes may be close up and also far away, the scanner must be able to handle both. Janam's XG4 is one such Android-based mobile scanner computer that can do it all. [Read description, specs and analysis of the Janam XG4] -- Posted Thursday, May 27, 2021

JLT Mobile Computers proudly presents its brand-new JLT Test Center
JLT Mobile, a leading developer of computers for demanding environments, is pleased to announce its brand-new JLT Test Center, established to gain full control over the already high quality and extreme durability of existing JLT products and to enable more efficient development and testing of new offerings. The new JLT Test Center is part of JLT's expansion and growth strategy and the company's commitment to excellence in its markets. [See JLT Mobile media release] -- Posted Wednesday, May 26, 2021

First look: Panasonic TOUGHBOOK S1 rugged Android tablet
A few days ago Panasonic released the 7-inch TOUGHBOOK S1 Android tablet. Since smartphones are now pushing towards (and into) 7-inch displays, we wondered why Panasonic did such a small tablet, especially since they already have the also 7-inch TOUGHBOOK L1. The near duplication still isn't quite clear, but tablets, of course, aren't smartphones. And the new TOUGHBOOK S1 is much closer to a full-grown, full-function tablet than to a handheld. [See description, analysis and specs of the Panasonic TOUGHBOOK S1] -- Posted Wednesday, May 26, 2021

Durabook S14I laptop with in-vehicle dock meets the needs of public safety professionals
Durabook, the global rugged mobile solutions brand owned by Twinhead International Corporation, provides a much-needed in-vehicle solution for public safety with its recently revamped powerful, semi-rugged S14I laptop that integrates with Precision Mounting Technologies (PMT), a subsidiary of Gamber-Johnson, vehicle docks. The unit's advanced design and innovation provide these agencies with best-in-class computing power, incredible storage capability, maximum connectivity, and enhanced security. [See Durabook media release] -- Posted Wednesday, May 26, 2021

Full review: Teguar TP-3445-16 industrial panel-mount PC
Panel-mount PCs are the industrial fixed-mounted equivalent of consumer and enterprise All-in-Ones, designs where the computer is built right into the monitor. However, unlike consumer All-in-Ones, Panel PCs are built from the ground up to withstand the perils of industrial environments. We examined Teguar's TP-3445-16 panel mount PC, one of ten different size models in the company's lineup of such machines that range from 7.0 all the way up to 21.5 inch screens. [See full review of the Teguar TP-3445-16 industrial panel-mount PC] -- Posted Thursday, May 20, 2021

Panasonic introduces powerful new fully rugged TOUGHBOOK S1 tablet to enhance flexibility and reliability for mobile workers
Panasonic System Solutions Company of North America, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America, announced today the launch of the TOUGHBOOK® S1, an all-new, fully rugged 7-inch AndroidTM tablet that offers the functionality, performance, power and flexibility mobile workers need when capturing and accessing critical information in the field. The device is supported by productivity+, a comprehensive Android ecosystem that enables customers to develop, deploy and sustain the Android OS environment in the enterprise. [See Panasonic media release] -- Posted Tuesday, May 18, 2021

Zebra Technologies introduces intuitive, flexible industrial machine vision and fixed scanning solutions
Zebra Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ: ZBRA), an innovator at the front line of business with solutions and partners that deliver a performance edge, today announced it has entered the fixed industrial scanning (FIS) and machine vision (MV) markets with a new portfolio of solutions that enable track and trace capabilities and quality inspection of manufacturing work in process. Zebra's suite of machine vision smart cameras and fixed industrial scanners is unlocked by Zebra Aurora™, a unified software platform that can easily set up, deploy and run both cameras and scanners, meeting businesses' need for simplicity, speed, productivity and efficiency. [See Zebra media release] -- Posted Tuesday, May 18, 2021

Feature: Growing Interest for Linux Tablets and Panels
Over the least few months there has been an uptick in searches and inquiries for Tablet PCs and Panel PCs with Linux Operating Systems. The bulk of those searches are for Linux Tablet PCs. With industrial Panel PCs that handle Linux natively and rugged Tablet PCs that can utilize Linux as a custom ODM or OEM project, Estone Technology explored potential causes for this uptick in search. The product lines for Linux panel PC and a tablet with Linux have distinctly different uses. The feature explores some of the benefits of Linux by the type of product to identify the cause for the trend. [Read Growing Interest for Linux Tablets and Panels in 2021] -- Posted Wednesday, May 12, 2021

In-Car video technology from Motorola Solutions assisting U.K. police to help reduce road risk and increase safety
Motorola Solutions announced that the company has signed a four-year single supplier agreement with BlueLight Commercial to deploy integrated 4RE In-Car Video Solutions to all emergency services in the U.K. including police, highways agencies, border security and the U.K. Home Office. The deployment of In-Car Technology is part of the National Police Chiefs Council's Roads Policing Strategy to improve road safety and security, as well as efficiency. Providing officers with leading video solutions to capture and deliver unquestionable evidence plays a vital role in reducing the number of collisions and persons killed or seriously injured. [See Motorola Solutions media release] -- Posted Wednesday, May 12, 2021

VDC presents Handheld Barcode Scanners Interim Findings
VDC Research announced interim findings of their upcoming report on the handheld barcode scanner market. According to VDC, the handheld scanner market is poised for a strong rebound in 2021 following several down years. Globally, the handheld barcode scanner market will gain over $60M this year across the retail, healthcare, transportation, and industrial / manufacturing sectors. Glove scanners are enjoying a resurgence as almost every vendor is making improvements to their hand-worn models. The upcoming report includes market forecasts, vendor analysis, and analyst commentary coupled with historical data to track market growth. [View the Exhibit Outline and learn how you can adapt your barcode scanner strategy.] -- Posted Wednesday, May 12, 2021

Increase efficiency with versatile Trimble GuidEx guidance system for virtually any machine type
Trimble introduced today the Trimble® GuidEx Machine Guidance System, an advanced machine navigation solution intended to quickly and efficiently guide machines along route corridors or to specific target areas, while providing local awareness using customer provided mapping or engineering data to create exclusion and inclusion zones. For ultimate flexibility and mobility, users can quickly install the Trimble GuidEx system on anything from utility terrain vehicles (UTVs) to heavy equipment, on- or off-road. [See Trimble media release] -- Posted Monday, May 10, 2021

French Ministry of the Interior chooses Motorola Solutions to modernize frontline policing with 30,000 body-worn cameras
Motorola Solutions (NYSE: MSI), today announced that the French Ministry of the Interior will deploy 30,000 of Motorola Solutions' VB400 body-worn cameras to its National Police and the Gendarmerie (military police) to modernize policing. The roll-out of body-worn cameras, valued at $17.5 million (15 million Euros), is one of the largest ever deployed and is expected to start in July 2021. The deployment will support the French government's goal to improve trust and safety in policing by having all law enforcement officers wearing body-worn cameras. [See Motorola Solutions media release -- Posted Monday, May 10, 2021

Zebra wins fourth consecutive MedTech Breakthrough award for mobile health innovation
MedTech Breakthrough an independent market intelligence organization that recognizes the top companies, technologies and products in the global health and medical technology market, announced that Zebra Technologies has been selected as a winner in the 5th annual MedTech Breakthrough Awards program. Zebra Technologies is an innovator at the edge of the enterprise with solutions and partners that enable businesses to gain a performance edge. This year Zebra was selected as the winner of the "Best Overall mHealth Hardware Solution" for its TC52-HC healthcare mobile computer. [See Zebra media release] -- Posted Monday, May 10, 2021

Motorola Solutions Q1 2021 financials
Motorola Solutions reported sales of $1.773 billion for Q1 of 2021, compared to $1.655 billion Q1 2020. GAP operating earnings for Q1 2021 were $298 million, versus $259 million same quarter a year ago. "Q1 was an outstanding quarter, with record first-quarter revenue, operating earnings, cash flow and ending backlog,” said Greg Brown, chairman and CEO of Motorola Solutions. For Q2, 2021, Motorola Solutions expects revenue growth of 19% to 20% compared to the second quarter of 2020. [See Motorola Solutions press release] -- Posted Thursday, May 6, 2021

Trimble reports Q1 2021 financial results
Trimble reported sales of US$886.5 million for Q1, 2021, up from US$792.3 million for Q1, 2020. GAAP operating income for Q1 2021 was US$140.9 million, up from US$98.3 million for Q1 2020. "Our first quarter results exceeded expectations," said Rob Painter, Trimble's president and chief executive officer. "Growth in total revenue, annualized recurring revenue, and EBITDA reflect increasing end-market strength and execution of our Connect and Scale 2025 strategy." said Rob Painter, Trimble's president and chief executive officer." [See Trimble media release] -- Posted Thursday, May 6, 2021

L-com launches antibacterial Cat6a Ethernet cables that inhibit bacteria growth by up to 99.9%
L-com, an Infinite Electronics brand and a preferred manufacturer of wired and wireless connectivity products, announced today that it has released a new line of antibacterial Cat6a cables that are ideal for use in medical offices, hospitals, classrooms and other places where the pathogens are commonly found, and where an extra layer of protection is required to avoid infecting staff, patients, customers and students. [See L-com media release] -- Posted Wednesday, May 5, 2021

Global tablet shipments drop sequentially in 1Q21
According to DigiTimes, global tablet shipments totaled 35.95 million units in Q1 2021, down 22.7% from the prior quarter, but down 45.5% compared to Q1 2020. DigiTimes says White-box tablet vendors are being hit seriously by IC shortages with market shares taken over by brand vendors' inexpensive models. As a result, white-box tablets may be at risk of disappearing from the market in 2022. The global top-4 tablet brands in the first quarter were Apple, Samsung Electronics, Amazon and Lenovo. [See DigiTimes Global tablet shipments drop sequentially in 1Q21] -- Posted Tuesday, May 4, 2021

Zebra Technologies announces first-quarter results
Zebra Technologies announced results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2021. GAAP net sales were US$1,347 million in the first quarter of 2021 compared to US$1,052 million in the first quarter of 2020. Net income for the first quarter of 2021 was US$228 million, compared to net income of $89 million for the first quarter of 2020. "I'm proud of our teams’ exceptional first quarter performance as we continue to realize a strong recovery from the pandemic. We achieved record quarterly sales and earnings which exceeded our expectations, despite industry supply chain challenges,” said Anders Gustafsson, Chief Executive Officer of Zebra Technologies. The company enters Q2 with a strong order backlog. [See Zebra Zebra First-Quarter 2021 Results] -- Posted Tuesday, May 4, 2021

Full review: DURABOOK S14I semi-rugged laptop
With the latest update, Durabook Americas' S14I semi-rugged laptop presents a thoroughly modern tool for customers who require class-leading Intel 11th generation CORE processor high-performance computing power out there in the field, in vehicles, on the shop floor, or wherever else a tablet or a handheld just won't do. It's an attractive, businesslike machine with a very bright, reflection-free 14-inch wide-format display, good connectivity, good battery life, and superior performance. RuggedPCReview analyzed and tested the DURABOOK S14I in detail and found it a very strong performer in the hotly contested market of semi-rugged laptops. [See full review of the DURABOOK S14I] -- Posted Monday, May 3, 2021