November 2016

MobileDemand has a long track record of offering new and interesting rugged tablet PC products, and the 8-inch Intel Cherry Trail-based xTablet T8650 is no different. It's a tough, handy and versatile Windows 10 tablet that — thanks to its Intel RealSense 3D camera system — can also be used as a pilot and test bed for bleeding edge 3D data capturing and manipulation technology. RuggedPCReview conducted a detailed analysis of the T8650 and its unique camera. [See full review of the MobileDemand xTablet T8650]

Case study: Meat distribution company improves quality control in refrigerated storage facilities
Even small environmental changes can make an enormous difference when it comes to food preservation. For food distributors, a storage and transportation climate that's just one degree too warm or a few percentage points too dry can compromise the quality of deliverables — and impact revenue. Fridosa is Bolivia's largest meat-product exporter. Its offerings include cuts of meat, burgers, breaded meat, sausages and potato snacks. They chose the Handheld Group's Nautiz X3 to improve quality control in refrigerated storage facilities. [Read Turning a Cool Profit with Rugged Mobile Computers — A meat distribution company improves quality control in refrigerated storage facilities] -- Posted Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Sharp, clear web images
RuggedPCReview readers who view our site on a modern tablet, smartphone or high resolution monitor have probably noticed that many images on RuggedPCReview.com are noticeably crisper and sharper than those on the vast majority of websites. Why is that? It's because earlier in 2016 we started serving images in both standard and high resolution. That way, if your browser automatically detects that you're viewing a page on a device with a high resolution display, it'll serve a high resolution image. If you're viewing it on a standard display, it'll load a standard resolution picture. Let me explain... [read article] -- Posted Wednesday, November 30, 2016

ARBOR introduces BIOS Anti-Crash Technology
ARBOR Technology introduced their BIOS ACT, an anti-crash technology aimed at enabling embedded devices and solutions to restart in case of a system BIOS failure. In general, if the BIOS gets corrupted for whatever reason, or gets damaged during a system update, the device becomes unable to boot. If that happens, ARBOR's BIOS ACT technology will automatically recover BIOS code from a secondary on-board flash. [See ARBOR media release] -- Posted Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Industry 4.0: The Making of the Mobile Information Worker
Like IoT, the Internet of Things, the term "Industry 4.0" is talked about a lot these days. In essence, Industry 4.0 describes a world where intelligent networked systems go beyond mere machine control via feedback systems, interdisciplinary cooperation, IoT technology, and advanced resource/demand management to morph into "intelligent" or at least "smart" factories. Where does that leave workers? Xplore's latest blog describes how we're seeing a rise in "information workers" who are valued for their capacity to make better-informed decisions and take more meaningful actions to improve the quality and efficiency of increasingly specialized manufacturing operations. [Read "Industry 4.0: The Making of the Mobile Information Worker"] -- Posted Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Added: Fujitsu Stylistic V535 rugged Windows tablet
Fujitsu was among the tablet computing pioneers in the early 1990s, and remained a market leader with its innovative Point, PenCentra and Stylistic Tablet PC designs for many years. Their current rugged tablet offering is the Intel Bay Trail-powered 8.3-inch Stylistic V535 Windows tablet that features a very interesting expansion "shell" system as well as multi-modal input. [See RuggedPCRewview's description, analysis and specs of the Fujitsu Stylistic V535] -- Posted Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Avalue announces 21-inch Skylake-powered medical Panel PC
Avalue Technology announced the 21-inch HID-2132 fanless medical Panel PC. Powered by high-performance Intel 6th generation "Skylake" processors, the UL 60601-1 certified HID-2132 features an easy-to-clean anti-microbial finish and targets medical and healthcare applications such as patient infotainment, hospital information systems, special care (AAC), and nursing carts. Equipped with 10-point capacitive multi-touch and extensive connectivity and customization options, the HID-2132 also features an IP65-sealed front panel, UPS and optional RFID/NFC/SCR/MSR/WiFi/Bluetooth. [See Avalue news release and HID-2132 web page] -- Posted Tuesday, November 29, 2016

MyScript's handwriting recognition SDK adds multimodal input
Pioneering handwriting recognition and digital ink management company MyScript announced the availability of the latest Software Development Kit. MyScript's SDK8 provides building blocks to develop Multimodal Input (MMI) solutions that combine superimposed handwriting together with a versatile keyboard input facility. Users can now independently write character, cursive or words on top of each other, all without changing device input modes. [See MyScript media release and watch multimodal input demo video] -- Posted Tuesday, November 29, 2016

ICEE Company picks Getac T800 rugged tablet to streamline sales, service, training
Getac reports that the ICEE Company will provide its service technicians and sales reps with Getac's fully rugged T800 tablets to streamline work management processes and conduct remote online training with field staff, reducing the need for service center visits and maximize the time with customers. ICEE selected the Getac T800 because it provided a single solution to the computing and communication needs of its field staff. Beyond capturing service data, the device needed to be rugged, incorporate a fast processor, include a large viewing screen in a small form factor, and a variety of integrated features necessary for field work. [See Getac media release and RuggedPCReview's analysis of the Getac T800] -- Posted Tuesday, November 29, 2016

U.S. Army expands deployment of DT Research ultra-rugged tablets to third facility
DT Research announced the U.S. Army continues to expand the use of the DT311 series Ultra Rugged Tablets into additional army facilities to support training missions and other logistics. This is the third Rugged Tablet contract that the U.S. Army has awarded DT Research this year. "We are honored to have the U.S. Army choose our Rugged Tablets again," said Daw Tsai Sc.D., president of DT Research. "The U.S. Army has strict requirements for advanced durability, powerful computing, robust connectivity, and fully integrated data capture options for the Rugged Tablets they use. We are proud to meet these high standards and deliver a specialized tool that will serve the U.S. Army well in their diverse environments." [See DT Research media release and RuggedPCReview's description, analysis and specs of the DT311 Series] -- Posted Monday, November 28, 2016

Review: faytech IP65-sealed capacitive 15" Touch PC
faytech's goal is to provide German quality and organization at pricing made possible through manufacturing in China. RuggedPCReview.com had a chance to analyze and test the 15-inch version of faytech's Intel quad-core Celeron J1900-powered IP65-sealed, fanless, high-bright, industrial-grade capacitive Touch PC. And we did a brief profile of this very interesting company. [See review of the faytech 15-inch Touch PC] -- Posted Wednesday, November 23, 2016

BARTEC partners with Winmate to release HazLoc ATEX / IECEx Zone 1 and CID1-certified tablet
Electrical equipment operating in hazardous locations where flammable gases, vapors, or dusts occur must be designed so that it does not cause ignition or explosions. German BARTEC has been working with Winmate to create a line of rugged Windows tablets certified for use in Zone 2 and Zone 1 locations. The new sunlight-readable 10.1-inch, Intel Braswell-powered BARTEC Agile X IS tablet PC provides not only HazLoc ATEX / IECEx Zone 1 and CID1 certification, but also offers unique features such as built-in scanner, hot-swappable battery in HazLoc areas, direct USB access in Zone 1, and an expansion port system. [See BARTEC and RuggedPCReview's description, analysis and specs of the BARTEC Agile X IS] -- Posted Friday, November 18, 2016

Xplore rugged Android tablet chosen for underwater vehicle HMI
Xplore Technologies announced that Strategic Robotic Systems (SRS) has exclusively selected the Xplore XSLATE D10 Rugged Tablet use in an intuitive Human Machine Interface to control its new hybrid FUSION underwater vehicle. FUSION was designed for mine countermeasure, explosive ordinance disposal and other military inspection tasks, as well as search and rescue or body recovery operations. [See Xplore media release and SRS FUSION page] -- Posted Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Zebra introduces TC5 Series of enterprise-class touch computers
Zebra Technologies introduced the TC5 Series of "touch mobile computers." Looking like modern smartphones, the 5-inch capacitive touch Android-based handhelds bring industrial-grade scanning, enterprise-class durability, hexa-core Snapdragon 650 power, as well as as enhanced security to the table. Zebra offers configurations with or without Android for Work and the Google Mobile Services. [See Zebra media release and RuggedPCReview's description, analysis and specs of the Zebra TC5 Series] -- Posted Monday, November 14, 2016

Xplore reports their fiscal Q2/2017 financials
Xplore Technologies reported Q2 financials for its fiscal year 2017. Revenue was US$20.0 million compared to US$16.5 million in Q1/2017 and US$28.85 million for fiscal Q2/2016. Xplore reported a net loss of US$536,000 compared to a net income of US$403,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2015. The revenue decrease compared to the same quarter last year resulted from softer sales in Europe and timing of customer shipments. Xplore chairman and CEO Philip Sassower said "Fiscal second quarter revenue increased 21% sequentially on rising shipments while operating costs declined significantly, placing Xplore firmly on track for profitability in the second half of this year." [See Xplore media release] -- Posted Friday, November 11, 2016

Motorola Solutions completes acquisition of Spillman Technologies
Motorola Solutions announced that it has completed its acquisition of Spillman Technologies, a provider of law enforcement and public safety software solutions for computer-aided dispatch (CAD) and records management systems (RMS). Spillman provides public safety software to more than 1,700 agencies throughout the US. In addition to CAD and RMS, Spillman offers an integrated suite of comprehensive software solutions and next-generation tools for jail management systems, fire, mobile data, data sharing, field reporting, mapping and geographic information systems. [See Motorola Solutions media release] -- Posted Thursday, November 10, 2016

Getac V110 on TV hit series The Blacklist
It's always good to see rugged mobile technology in action in movies and on TV. The picture to the right shows a Getac V110 rugged convertible notebook used by the bad guys in Season 4, Episode 4 of NBC's hit series The Blacklist. Powered by Intel 6th generation "Skylake" processors and easily convertible from laptop to tablet, the powerful, versatile V110 helped the bad guys almost get away (hardly anyone ever gets away from the combined might of Raymond Reddington (James Spader) and the FBI. -- Posted Tuesday, November 8, 2016

What happened in rugged computing 5 years ago: November 2011
In November 2011, PD DisplaySearch predicted that the average resolution of tablet PC displays would grow to more than 200 pixels per inch (ppi) in Q2'12. We analyzed the status and outlook for rugged Android devices. We reviewed the GD Itronix GD8200 rugged notebook, the Fujitsu Lifebook T731, and the Fujitsu Stylistic Q550. Intermec reported Q3 2011 sales of US$212 million and a small profit. RuggedPCReview previewed Windows 8 and drew parallels to Microsoft's earlier attempts at spreading FUD in the light of emerging tablet technologies. Xplore announced a 4,000 unit order for its new iX104C5 rugged tablet, AMREL announced three new rugged laptops, Wyze bought Trellia, Winmate released the E430T industrial PDA, and Panasonic launched the Toughpad in a major event at Dallas Cowboy Stadium. [See RuggedPCReview November 2011 archives] -- Posted Monday, November 7, 2016

Panasonic upgrades Toughpad FZ-G1 Windows tablet
Panasonic announced it has updated its 10.1-inch Toughpad FZ-G1 Windows tablet. Initially introduced early 2013, Panasonic's Toughpad FZ-G1 was upgraded from Intel 4th generation "Haswell" to 6th generation "Skylake" processor technology. Now equipped with a 2.4GHz Core i5-6300U processor with Intel HD Graphics 520, the G1 also gets Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 8260 WiFi, solid state storage up to 512GB, and a water-proof digitizer pen. Battery life with the standard battery is now up to 14 hours. The FZ-G1 starts at US$2,899. -- Posted Monday, November 7, 2016

Quo Vadis, rugged handheld market?
Rugged handhelds are a roughly US$3 billion market that hasn't been growing as of late, initially because legacy Microsoft OS platforms were stranded, then because of uncertainty over Android, and now over uncertainty on whether to go with Windows 10 IoT Mobile Enterprise (whew! what a name!) or Android. Microsoft's vision of universal apps hasn't taken off as of yet, and there's increasing competition from inexpensive and increasingly better sealed smartphones. VDC Research published a new report on overall market opportunity for rugged handheld devices that can shed some light on things, both challenges and opportunities. [See executive brief of VDC's The Global Market for Rugged Handheld Computers and Smartphones for Line-of-Business Application -- Posted Friday, November 4, 2016

SMART High Reliability Solutions announces HRS-M1 highly ruggedized MLC Solid State Disks
SMART High Reliability Solutions — which specializes in ruggedized, high-performance and high-capacity solid-state drives for defense, aerospace and industrial markets — announced its HRS-M1 2.5" SATA 6Gb/s SSD. The HRS-M1 is packaged in a high strength, industrial enclosure to protect it from harsh elements. It's MIL-STD-810-tested for shock and vibration at extreme operating temperatures of -40°C to +85°C. The HRS-M1 can handle operation at altitudes up to 80,000 feet, and comes in capacities up to 1.92 TB. [See Smart HRS media release] -- Posted Wednesday, November 2, 2016

IPC maker Advantech 3Q16 earnings hit record high
DigiTimes reports that IPC and embedded solution supplier Advantech has reported net profits of US$46.17 million for Q3 2016 on Q3 revenues of US$318 million, up 9.4% on year. -- Posted Tuesday, November 1, 2016