June 2008

Panasonic introduces rugged UMPC
With the CF-01 rugged PDA no longer available, Panasonic introduced a rugged ultra-mobile PC, the Toughbook CF-U1. It's a magnesium-bodied tablet built around Intel's highly energy-efficient Atom Z5200 processor that promises up to nine hours of operation from twin batteries. The U1 has a 5.4-inch 1024 x 600 pixel touchscreen, an expanded thumb keyboard, and great connectivity both onboard and via expansion modules that can accommodate a SmardCard or RFID reader. Also available are 1D/2D barcode readers, GPS and a 2 megapixel camera. Pricing starts at US$2,499. [Read description and specs of the Panasonic Toughbook U1] -- Posted Thursday, June 26, 2008

Free seminar by Intermec and Microsoft on benefits of WIndows Mobile 6.1
On June 30, 2008, Intermec will host a free webinar, Windows Mobile 6.1: Benefits for Mobile Computer Users. The one-hour, educational online event will provide insight from both Intermec and Microsoft on how the Windows Mobile 6.1 platform enhances the performance, security, device management, battery life, virtual memory and capabilities of mobile computing. The event begins at 9:00 a.m. Pacific/12:00 p.m. Eastern and features Intermec Principal Product Manager Kelly Ungs and Microsoft Pre-Sales Engineer Jason Johnson. [Click to sign up for the free webinar] -- Posted Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Full review: Getac B300
Earlier this year, Getac released the B300 rugged notebook to do battle with the established competition from GD-Itronix, Panasonic, and others. We did a detailed review of the B300 and found good performance from its Core 2 Duo L7500 processor, good connectivity, great industrial design, and also the brightest display in the industry at a full 1,200 nits (the backlight of a standard notebook is about 200 nits). But Getac also claims up to 12 hours battery life. Can the B300 back up that claim? [Read full review of the Getac B300 rugged notebook] -- Posted Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Zebra announces RW 420 Route Palette for Motorola handhelds
Zebra Technologies, a leader in specialty printing and automatic identification solutions, announced the launch of the RW 420 Route Palette. This multifunction device allows mobile workers to carry the RW 420, Zebra's leading mobile printer for direct store delivery (DSD) and route accounting, with their choice of Motorola's industry-leading rugged mobile computers: the MC70, the recently announced MC75 enterprise digital assistant and the MC9000 mobile computers. -- Posted Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Using a rugged Tablet PC as a hammer
In its latest video, MobileDemand shows a man using an xTablet Tablet PC as a hammer to drive several large nails into a board. An accelerometer is attached to the computer to record impact data. [See "We could use a hammer..." or view the video on blip.tv] -- Posted Monday, June 23, 2008

Datalogic Kyman now with Windows Mobile 6.0
We added the Datalogic Kyman rugged handheld computer, a modern data capture device now available with Windows Mobile 6.0 Professional. The IP64-sealed Kyman, which can be ordered with either a 36 or 58-key keypad, has a very powerful battery, a variety of data capture options (RFID, imager, laser, long-range laser), supports GSM/GPRS/EDGE, and is able to survive 6-foot drops and opeate in a wide -4 to 122 degree Fahrenheit temperature range. [See description and specs of the Datalogic Kyman rugged handheld.] -- Posted Sunday, June 22, 2008

Review: Trigem Averatec Voya 6400
We reviewed the elegantly designed Trigem Averatec Voya 6400, a low-priced semi-rugged notebook. We found it to be sturdy and well constructed, and quite able to handle the bops and spills of business travel and such. We also liked the large 15.4-inch wide-format LCD, speed and overall performance from its 2.2GHz Core 2 Duo T7500 processor, and the notebook's excellent connectivity (including a Smart Card reader and s SIM card slot). [Read full review of the Trigem Averatec Voya 6400 semi-rugged notebook] -- Posted Thursday, June 19, 2008

LXE updates rugged MX3X handheld and VX3X fixed-mount
LXE introduced new versions of its MX3X rugged handheld and very similar VX3X rugged fixed-mount computer. Both use the "open book" design with a half-VGA display and integrated keyboard, a design that originated with early Windows CE devices and is now regaining popularity in the UMPC space. One problem with half-VGA displays was that most were older STN technology LCDs. LXE fixed that with the introduction of the MX3XPlus and VX3XPlus, both of which are available with either a high-bright 350 nit indoor TFT or a transflective sunlight-readable outdoor display. [See description and specs of the LXE MX3XPlus and LXE VX3XPlus]. -- Posted Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Microsoft releases Windows Embedded NavReady 2009
Microsoft announced the availability of Windows Embedded NavReady 2009, Microsoft's first embedded operating system designed specifically for OEMs building handheld portable navigation devices (PNDs). Windows Embedded NavReady 2009 helps developers and OEMs quickly bring to market smart, connected, service-oriented PNDs that easily connect to online services, mobile phones using Bluetooth, Windows-based PCs and the Internet. Embedded NavReady 2009 is based on Windows Embedded CE is Microsoft's second device category-specific offerings after Windows Embedded POSReady. -- Posted Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Fujitsu's little U810 wins eWeek Excellence award
Fujitsu announced that its LifeBook U810 convertible mini-notebook won the 8th Annual eWEEK Excellence Awards in the desktops and notebooks category. Fujitsu bested Hewlett-Packard's HP Compaq dc7800 and Lenovo's ThinkPad T61. [see description and specs of the Fujitsu Lifebook U810] -- Posted Monday, June 16, 2008

Motorola launches MC75 Enterprise Digital Assistant
Symbol's ruggedized MC70 "enterprise digital assistant," launched a couple of years ago and selling nearly half a million units, received an update in the form of the now Motorola-branded MC75. While retaining the PXA270 chip, the new model had twice the memory, a full VGA display instead of just quarter-VGA, and a more powerful battery. The MC75 runs on Windows Mobile 6.0, can be equipped either with a 1D linear scanner or a 2D imager. The device is fully VoIP-capable and also supports 3G HSDPA and CDMA-EVDO. [Read description and specs of the Motorola MC75] -- Posted Monday, June 9, 2008

TSA checking e-boarding passes with Psion Teklogix handhelds
In an effort to reduce the vulnerability associated with fraudulent boarding passes, the United States Transport Security Administration (TSA) has partnered with Continental and Northwest Airlines to create paperless encrypted boarding passes displayed on passengers' cellphones or PDAs. At the checkpoint, TSA Officers are using Psion Teklogix WORKABOUT PRO rugged handhelds to read the bar code to verify the authenticity of the boarding pass. [See TSA release and Psion Teklogix press release] -- Posted Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Full review: Advantech MARS 3100S XP Embedded Tablet PC
The Advantech MARS-3100S shares its chassis and design with the fully rugged, top-of-the-line 3100R, but is internally configured as an embedded device running Windows XP Embedded on a 4GB solid state disk. This means it can provide snappy performance from a highly energy-efficient AMD LX800 processor that has a Thermal Design Power of only 3.6 watts at full speed. Battery life is in excess of four hours, the unit does not need a fan, runs silently, and barely warms up. The very solid aluminum-alloy body is sealed to IP54 specifications and can take a lot of abuse. [Read full review of the Advantech MARS-3100S] -- Posted Tuesday, June 3, 2008

GETAC to showcase rugged PCs at National Guard Conference
GETAC will demonstrate the ultra-Rugged GETAC A790, the high-performance GETAC M230, and a pair of newcomers – the “bright-as-you-need-it” GETAC B300 notebook PC and super-lightweight GETAC E100 tablet PC – during the National Guard Bureau’s Eighth Joint Information Technology Conference, June 3-5 at the Sheraton Dallas in Dallas, Texas (Booth #522). -- Posted Monday, June 2, 2008

Full review: GETAC E100 -- light and handy tablet
Getac introduced the E100 in early 2008 as a light, versatile rugged Ultra Portable Tablet PC for field and customer service applications. It's smaller than a standard sheet of paper and weighs just a bit over three pounds. It has a magnesium housing and an integrated numeric keypad makes rapid data entry easy. The E100 is totally silent as there is no fan. The Intel A110-powered tablet also has a SmartCard reader, an ExpressCard slot, and that it can be equipped with integrated GPS and your choice of 3G wireless network connectivity. The 8.4-inch display is sunlight-readable and the battery is strong enough to last almost four hours. [Read full review of the Getac E100 rugged Tablet PC.] -- Posted Sunday, June 1, 2008