November 2009

GammaTech is now offering the Durabook R13S, a rugged notebook computer that can also be used as a tablet. The IP54-sealed machine uses a frugal Intel U7500 Core 2 Duo chip, offers good connectivity, and its 13.3-inch wide-format touchscreen is larger than what most of the competition in this class offers. The R13S is a bit heavy though (9 pounds) and there's no active digitizer option. [See description and specs of the GammaTech Durabook R13S]

Advantech launches small, versatile wall or desk-mount terminal
Powered by a Freescale i.MX31 processor and running Windows CE, the small UbiQ-480 terminal introduced by industrial PC maker and ePlatform services provider Advantech is very different from its usual embedded hardware computing modules, IPCs and rugged systems. Sporting a 7-inch touchscreen, a camera and digital I/O, the inexpensive device can be used for all sorts of building/sytems control and communication purposes. [See description and specs of the Advantech UbiQ-480] -- Posted Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Honeywell Scanning & Mobility launches channel reseller program
Honeywell announced the launch of a channel reseller program for its Scanning & Mobility business in North America that includes the popular line of Dolphin handheld computers as well as Metrologic Optimus data collector/PDA products. The program is aimed at building long-term relationships with qualified value added resellers in the US and Canada. For more info on the Honeywell Scanning & Mobility channel program, see the Honeywell press release] -- Posted Monday, November 23, 2009

HID Global provides multi-ISO reader technology for Psion Teklogix Ikôn
HID Global, which specializes in solutions for the delivery of secure identity, announced that its Multi-ISO reader technology is available as a snap-on, secure contactless, high-frequency module option for the Psion Teklogix ikôn handheld computer. The read/write device integrates data capture and voice and data communications using wireless capability tools, including Wi-Fi, cellular 3G HSDPA, Bluetooth and assisted GPS connectivity. [See release] -- Posted Saturday, November 21, 2009

Trimble expands EZ-Office agriculture software
Trimble introduced the AgGPS EZ-Office 2010 software suite of products designed to help farmers easily map and manage field data, providing seamless field-to-office information management. EZ-View, EZ-Office and EZ-Office Pro focus on data management in the office while EZ-Office Mobile software runs on the Trimble Nomad or Juno SB handheld GPS computers in the field. -- Posted Friday, November 20, 2009

Advantech ranked 12 among Taiwan's global brands
Advantech is now ranked 12 among Taiwan's Global Brands. A focus on empowering small-to-mid-sized projects helped the company become the world's second largest industrial PC supplier. -- Posted Thursday, November 19, 2009

Juniper Systems TK6000: a tough ultra-rugged handheld for extreme environments
The TK6000, introduced in the fall of 2009, represents another ultra-rugged, no-nonsense handheld computer from Juniper Systems, the Logan, Utah company that specializes in intuitive field computing solutions for rugged applications such as land survey, natural resource, industrial, agriculture and the like. The tough and rugged TK6000 is a product as much as a mobile platform for OEM solution providers, and who could argue with up to 32 hours or battery life? [See description and specs of the Juniper Systems TK6000] -- Posted Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Getac announces comprehensive ruggedness certification
Getac announced that its line of notebook computers and Tablet PCs has been MIL-STD-810G, MIL-STD-461F and IP65 certified by an independent testing lab to withstand severe environmental conditions. Products receiving certification include Getac's A790, B300, and M230 rugged notebooks, V100 rugged convertible notebook, E100 rugged Tablet PC, and PS535 rugged PDA. These standards were established by the military to ensure minimum performance standards for any product used by agencies and organizations within the Department of Defense. In addition, Getac's B300 Notebook, V100 Convertible, and PS535F GPS PDA each received Ingress Protection (IP65) certification for dust and water resistance. [View detailed Getac ruggedness certification chart] -- Posted Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Fujitsu's PalmSecure now used in hospital
Fujitsu announced that its PalmSecure biometric authentication system based on palm vein pattern recognition is now being used at El Camino Hospital in Mountain View, Calif., for admitting patients. Read about the PalmSecure system and see Fujitsu's press release on its use at El Camino Hospital. -- Posted Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Vasco launches multi-application security model
As mobile field use applications proliferate, secure software access is becoming an increasingly important issue. Authentication specialist VASCO Data Security just released a new multi-application security model that looks interesting. [See press release on security model] -- Posted Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Added: ultra-rugged Casio DT-X30 handheld
Casio's Industrial Handheld Division offers the state-of-the-art Casio DT-X30, a IP67-sealed substantial handheld based on Marvell's PXA320 processor and running Windows Mobile 6.1. The DT-X30, which comes with a 1D/2D imager and an integrated digital camera with LED illuminator, can be equipped with Bluetooth, WWAN as well as GPS, making it a good choice for location-based applications. The display measures 3.5 inches and the 29-key keypad allows rapid data entry as well as support for custom applications via 8 function keys. [Read description and specs of the Casio DT-X30] -- Posted Monday, November 16, 2009

Crystal Group announces IS 9001:2008 certification
Crystal Group, a Hiawathaa, Ipwa based provider of rugged displays and servers, and other rugged computer products, announced that it received certification to the ISO 9001:2008 quality standard. -- Posted Monday, November 16, 2009

RAM announces powered dock and cradle for Intermec CN50
Intermec considers its CN50 mobile computer, introduced in June of 2009, a "new class of device" and "game-changing product," and the CN50 is indeed impressive (see RuggedPCReview's opinion of the CN50). Now RAM announced a powered dock and passive cradle designed specifically for the CN50. Available in December 2009, the RAM dock for the CN50 accepts 12-28VDC power, is spring-loaded, and can use RAM's unmatched torque arm/rubberball-based mounting technology to be installed absolutely anywhere. [See RAM powered dock and passive cradle for the Intermec CN50] -- Posted Thursday, November 12, 2009

Psion Teklogix offers promo packages
Psion Teklogix announced a number of special promo packages for their popular Workabout Pro, Ikon and 7535 rugged handheld computers. Mike Peterson, VP of Product Marketing for Psion Teklogix, said, “We are continually analyzing the factors that drive return on investment and that’s why we have developed these discounted productivity packs to provide outstanding performance, more practical and efficient implementation along with exceptional value.” [See release on Psion Teklogix promo packages] -- Posted Thursday, November 12, 2009

Xplore raises $3.21 million in private placement
Rugged Tablet PC company Xplore Technologies (see review of the Xplore iX104C4 says it has raised an additional US$3.21 million through a private placement, including US$1 million from Chairman and CEO Philip Sassower who said, “There are very significant large scale sales opportunities, including those in the military, currently being aggressively pursued by Xplore and we believe the Company may be on the cusp of capturing a significant portion of this business.” -- Posted Thursday, November 12, 2009

The Austin American-Statesman on Motion Computing
In an article entitled "Tablet PC maker is back on track," statesman.com discusses Motion Computing's start back in 2001, its early successes, its challenges and its strong rally over the past year. [Read Tablet PC maker is back on track] -- Posted Monday, November 9, 2009

Getac video on Chattanooga police force using Getac rugged computers
Getac published a very informative and nicely done video on the Chattanooga, Tennessee, police force using Getac rugged notebook computers. Police staff explain applications and provide rationale for their choice. [See Getac video] -- Posted Thursday, November 5, 2009

Getac promo for semi-rugged P470 notebook
Getac is running a promotion for their P470 semi-rugged notebook computer at significant discounts. Two packages are available, one with a vehicle dock and vehicle adapter (US$2,449) and one with an office dock (US$1,697) (see promo). -- Posted Thursday, November 5, 2009

iPhone/iPod Touch-based vertical market devices on the horizon?
AppleInsider ran a very interesting article on the Apple iPod Touch-based handhelds that will reportedly replace Windows CE-based scanner handhelds in Apple's retail stores. In essence, the system consists of a standard iPod Touch with a two-piece slip-on shell that includes a separate battery, a magcard reader and a scanner. [See AppleInsider's Exclusive look at Apple's new iPod touch-based EasyPay checkout] -- Posted Thursday, November 5, 2009

u-blox LEON GSM/GPRS modules now available
u-blox, primarily known for its GPS modules, announced that its LEON family of wireless GSM/GPRS modules are now in high-volume production. The modules are ideally suited for vehicle telematics (together with u-blox GPS receivers), and telemetry applications such as remote metering with their extremely wide operating temperature range of -22 to 185 degrees Fahrenheit. -- Posted Thursday, November 5, 2009

CC Systems' line of rugged in-vehicle computers
Spotted: Scandinavian CC Systems designs and develops advanced rugged electronics and control systems for industrial vehicles and machines. These include some interesting rugged displays and onboard computers. The CC Pilot XS is an IP67-sealed Windows CE or Linux-based onboard tablet with 6.5 or 10.4-inch display. The IP54-sealed vehicle-mount CC Pilot XL has 10.4 and 12.1-inch displays, runs Windows Embedded , and is available with a variety of Intel chips. The CC Pilot XLi is a high-performance on-board PC with a 10.4-inch display. -- Posted Thursday, November 5, 2009

Toshiba adds rugged 1.8-inch drives
Toshiba Storage Device Division announced new additions to its 1.8-inch Serial ATA HDD product line, including a high-performance 5,400 RPM family with up to 320GB capacity, and a power-efficient, slim (0.2 inches) 4,200 RPM model with 120GB. Toshiba's 1.8-inch HDDs can tolerate up to 1,500Gs of non-operational shock and 500Gs of operational shock, which are 50% and 25% more durable than the most rugged 2.5-inch HDDs. As a result of this extreme ruggedness, 1.8-inch HDDs have been incorporated into some of the most demanding applications for shock and vibration. -- Posted Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Psion Teklogix to pre-load Stay-Linked terminal emulation
Stay-Linked Corporation, a leader in host-based, thin-client wireless terminal emulation, session persistence and terminal management, announced that Psion Teklogix will begin shipping their rugged mobile computers as "Stay-Linked Ready" with Stay-Linked client software pre-loaded. -- Posted Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Samwell introduces space-saving Intel Atom-powered MCA
While most current Mobile Clinical Assistant's (MCAs) follow Intel's 2007 reference design, Samwell introduced a new and smaller form factor with a 8.9-inch wide-format display that leaves off the handle part, but includes RFID, barcode scanning, and camera for flexible data capture. The low-power Intel Atom Z530P allows for a fanless platform, and the aluminum-magnesium housing is rugged and carries IP54 sealing. Weight is just 2.4 pounds. [See description and specs of the Samwell RUGGEDBOOK MCA9 Medical Clinical Assistant] -- Posted Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Motorola releases MC3100 successor to best-selling MC3000
Motorola introduced the MC3100 mid-range rugged wireless mobile computer as the successor of its best-selling (over 750,000 units) MC3000 Series. The MC3100 is based on the state-of-the-art Marvel PXA320 processor, includes an accelerometer, and can be ordered with three different keypads, with turret or integrated scanner, and also in a pistol-grip version. The MC3100, which can use all of the MC3000 peripherals and accessories, has a 320 x 320 pixel 3-inch touch display, runs either Windows CE 6.0 or Windows Mobile 6.1, and can be equipped with either a 1D laser or a 2D imager. Cost ranges from US$1,295 to US$1,995. [Read description and specs of the Motorola MC3100] -- Posted Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Intermec reports third quarter 2009 results
Intermec reported that its third quarter 2009 revenues were $159 million (down 32% from the prior-year quarter) and net earnings of $0.1 million, compared to 2008 third quarter revenues of $234 million and net earnings of $11.0 million. For the fourth quarter of 2009, revenues are expected to be within a range of $160 to $170 million. [See Intermec report] -- Posted Monday, November 2, 2009