April 2007

Where are they now? Rejuvenated CIC inks deal with Lenovo
Longtime followers of the pen computing scene know CIC, Communication Intelligence Corporation, as a pioneer in handwriting recognition. As we all know, that was a rocky road. But where most others gave up, CIC rolled with the punches and reinvented itself as a (now profitable) provider of electronic signature solutions for business process automation in the financial industry and a leader in biometric signature verification. CIC just announced a sales and marketing agreement with Lenovo to provide its electronic signature solution for ThinkPad Tablet PCs and for the companies to jointly promote their product offerings. Much optimism stems from IDC suggesting that convertible Tablet PC unit shipments will reach more than one million this year and more than four million by 2010. CIC's SignatureOne Suite includes its SignatureOne Server, Sign-it, and iSign software. SignatureOne Server provides user authentication, profile administration and transaction receipts. Sign-it and iSign provide shrink-wrapped application plug-in as well as developer tools for the integration of signatures into complex enterprise architectures and custom applications. -- Posted Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Trimble introduces WinMo5 Juno ST GPS handheld
Trimble introduced the latest addition to its GIS product line—the Juno ST handheld, a portable, low-cost data collection solution supported by Trimble's range of field and office software. It comes standard with a built-in high-sensitivity GPS receiver, runs WinMo Microsoft 5.0 software, has 128MB of non-volatile Flash, a SD slot, an 8-hour battery, WiFi/Bluetooth, weighs just 4.8 ounces and measures 4.3 in x 2.4 in x 0.7 inches. The Juno ST handheld GPS receiver is available for order now through Trimble's Mapping and GIS dealer network. It is expected to begin shipping in early May 2007. -- Posted Monday, April 23, 2007

Reseller agreement between Itronix and Telos
General Dynamics Itronix announced a reseller agreement with Ashburn, Va.-based Telos Corporation for provision of rugged computing equipment for Army customers in office environments. The agreement includes rugged handhelds and laptops, including the Duo-Touch Rugged Tablet PC, GoBook VR-1 semi-rugged notebook and the award-winning GoBook XR-1 fully rugged notebook. Telos is a prime contractor under the Army Desktop and Mobile Computing-2 program. As part of the Army's Small Computer Program, ADMC-2 focuses on leases and purchases of personal computers, notebooks, ruggedized notebooks, tablets and personal digital assistants as well as printers, digital cameras, video teleconferencing equipment, projectors, displays and high-definition television units. All military services and the Department of Defense agencies may also use the contract, if desired -- Posted Monday, April 16, 2007

Panasonic reveals rugged Toughbook CF-08 Wireless Display
Panasonic introduced the Windows CE 5.0-based Toughbook CF-08 Wireless Display. The new slate, which measures 10.5 x 8.25 inches, is 1.4 inches thick and weighs 2.65 pounds, is primarily meant to be used for terminal sessions while communicating with a Toughbook or Windows Server via Citrix or Microsoft RDP. The PXA270-powered slate has a 10.4-inch daylight-readable TFT with 1024x768 resolution. It is also meant to last, with IP54 ingress protection and a 4-foot drop spec. [Read our preview of the Panasonic Toughbook CF-08] -- Posted Thursday, April 12, 2007

Advantech releases industrial handheld terminal
The portable computer division of Advantech, a diversified Taiwanese computer maker with 33 branches worldwide and 2,700 employees also active in vehicle-mounts and medical computing platforms, has released the WinCE/XScale-powered MARS-1030 compact handheld mobile terminal for use in retail, warehousing, logistic and ordering service applications. The MARS-1030 carries an IP54 rating, can handle 5 foot drops to concrete, and operate between 14 and 122 degrees. Memory is up to 128MB of Flash and up to 256MB of SDRAM. There's a 3.5-inch transflective touchscreen display, both CF and SD card slots, 16- or 44-key keypad options, and a full-shift battery power. Options include integrated wireless LAN, Bluetooth, 1D/2D barcode scanners, GSM/GPRS and a large variety of accessories including pistol grip, holster, chargers, docks and cables. [see Advantech MARS-1030 product page] -- Posted Wednesday, April 11, 2007

DRS Technologies gets large Army contract
GCN reports that DRS Technologies scored a $52 million contract with the US Army for computer systems in vehicles, operation centers and command posts. The DRS Tactical Systems unit in Melbourne, FL., will produce the computers, including more than 5,700 processors, 5,800 display units, 5,300 keyboards, 6,700 hard disk drives and 1,400 rugged, solid-state hard disk drives. -- Posted Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Review: GETAC M230
The GETAC M230 is not your typical rugged notebook computer. This Intel Core Duo-based cool-running, silent magnesium-alloy machine is thinner than most (just 1.8 inches), yet has a media bay that can accommodate an optical drive or a second battery. It has a very high resolution 15-inch display (1400 x 1050 pixels), plenty of connectivity (including legacy ports), and state-of-the-art 3G wireless options (including a SIM slot). The GETAC M230 also features exemplary ergonomics and excellent industrial design. [read our full review of the GETAC M230] -- Posted Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Added/updated Fujitsu listings
We've added and updated listings for various Fujitsu Tablet PC products: Fujitsu LifeBook P1610, Fujitsu LifeBook B6210, Fujitsu LifeBook T4215, and the Fujitsu Stylistic ST5100 Series. -- Posted Wednesday, April 4, 2007