July 2011

MobileDemand awarded GSA Schedule 70 through partnership with SDV Tech
MobileDemand, a provider of rugged tablet PCs for the military, government and public sector agencies, announced a reseller partnership with SDV Tech, a service-disabled veteran-owned small business and distributor of information technology to the federal government, branches of the military and federal integrator community. MobileDemand also announced that its rugged Tablet PCs can now be purchased on a GSA Federal Supply Schedule for General Purpose Commercial IT Equipment, Software, and Services. This way, federal, state and local governments can purchase MobileDemand products from SDV Tech through a streamlined process and pre-negotiated pricing that saves time, resources and money. [See press release] -- Posted Friday, July 29, 2011

Psion July newsletter
The Psion July 2011 Newsletter is available here. It discusses Psion's new RFID brochure, available webinars, an upgrade offer for EP10 customers to the upcoming EP15, and more. -- Posted Tuesday, July 26, 2011

ARBOR launches 2.2 pound rugged POS tablet
ARBOR Technology of Taiwan has introduced the Gladius G1050, a slender but rugged 2.2-pound Atom Z530-powered tablet with a 10.4-inch touchscreen. Designed for point-of-sale and a warehousing and similar applications, the G1050 has strong data capture functionality (RFID, 1D/2D scanner, AF camera, keypad) as well as optional Gobi3000 WWAN. The device can also handle 4-foot drops, extreme temperatures and carries IP54 sealing. [See description and specs of the ARBOR Gladius G1050 POS tablet] -- Posted Monday, July 25, 2011

Full review: DRS ARMOR X7 rugged tablet
RuggedPCReview.com analyzed and tested the DRS ARMOR X7, the latest addition to a line of rugged industrial computers offered by DRS Tactical Systems. The X7 is a very light and compact tablet computer that is tough and rugged enough for use in the harshest environments. Its 7-inch display is small, but just large enough for Windows 7, and it offers very good outdoor viewability. The easily expandable X7 offers IP65 sealing and can also handle steep drops (up to six feet), and a very wide operating temperature range. [See full review of the DRS ARMOR X7] -- Posted Monday, July 25, 2011

Full review: Handheld Algiz XRW rugged netbook
While the focus of attention has shifted from netbooks to media tablets, netbooks continue to sell by the millions, but most are flimsy consumer products. With the Algiz XRW, the Handheld Group offers an enhanced, ruggedized version of a netbook. Its small size and weight make it possible to offer the conventional notebook form factor and functionality in situations and applications where larger, heavier notebooks simply aren't practical. Apart from its handy size, the device offers above-average computing power in this class, but without giving up excellent battery life in the full-shift range. [See full review of the Handheld Group Algiz XRW] -- Posted Sunday, July 24, 2011

Mapping Tuscaloosa tornado damage with the Mesa Rugged Notepad
After the Aril 2011 tornado disaster in the southern states, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, saw itself particularly hard hit. ESRI's disaster response team assisted with damage assessment and recovery kits that included 15 Mesa Geo 3G Rugged Notepads, provided by Juniper Systems. [See Juniper press release and case study] -- Posted Saturday, July 23, 2011

Advantech video: Using medical carts with tablets
Advantech published a very informative YouTube video demonstrating a typical day with AMiS, Advantech's medical computerized nursing cart that also includes the MICA 101 Mobile Clinical Assistant (see full review of the MICA 101). [See YouTube video] -- Posted Friday, July 22, 2011

Juniper Systems announces IntuiTrace irrigation mapping software
Juniper Systems announces IntuiTrace Irrigation Mapping Software as the newest addition to its offering of total solutions. IntuiTrace is a state of the art mobile irrigation mapping tool designed specifically for landscape installation and maintenance contractors. [See press release] -- Posted Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Intermec receives assistance for R&D, contruction project in Cedar rapids
Intermec has received a $1.5 million forgivable loan from the Iowa Economic Development Board for a $56.7 million project in Cedar Rapids. The company plans to invest $42 million in R&D in Cedar Rapids, with building construction for a 78,000-square-foot facility to replace an older facility flooded three years ago in downtown Cedar Rapids estimated at about $10 million. The nice historic background here is that Intermec is investing in Cedar Rapids, the home base of NORAND which Intermec acquired in 1997. Many tech companies relocate or close down acquisitions, and it's good to see Intermec make much better use of its NORAND side. -- Posted Wednesday, July 20, 2011

AIS open frame sunlight-readable monitors
American Industrial Systems (AIS) has alerted to its lineup of high-bright and transflective industrial open frame LCD monitors for outdoor and direct sunlight applications. AIS high-bright displays natively produce luminance of up to 1,500 nits, and come in sizes from 10.4 to 15 inches. AIS transflective displays use a combination of native (usually around 500 nits) and ambient light, and come in sizes from 6.4 to 47 inches. The displays can be used for applications such as ticketing kiosks, retail kiosks, digital signage, ATMs, vending machines and outdoor sunlight readability applications. -- Posted Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Interview: LXE Global Tracking
In an interview published in arabiansupplychain.com, regional manager Harvey Ellis explained how combining rugged handheld and vehicle device maker LXE and EMS Globa Tracking benefits those who seek a one-stop solution for in-transit visibility and satellite tracking systems. [See interview] -- Posted Friday, July 15, 2011

Wyse wins 2011 Microsoft Windows Embedded OEM Partner Excellence Award
Wyse has received the 2011 OEM Partner Excellence Award from Microsoft Windows Embedded. Wyse and four other partners were honored for delivering innovative Windows Embedded products and driving increased Windows Embedded adoption and awareness with prospects and customers. Microsoft's award recognized Wyse's new Z class high-performance thin client family with SuperSpeed USB 3.0 connectivity, dual core processing and DisplayPort, DVI or VGA display options. Wyse's Z class thin client models are available with Windows Embedded Standard 7 or Embedded Standard 2009, and Wyse has incorporated Windows Embedded Device Manager 2011 to assist in managing its Windows Embedded-based thin clients. -- Posted Thursday, July 14, 2011

Motion adds lower cost Core i3 version of J3500 and J-Series Mobile Dock
Motion Computing announced a lower price Intel Core i3 powered version of its J3500 tablet computer that starts at US$1,799 with 2GB of RAM and a 30GB solid state drive. Motion also announced the J-Series Mobile Dock manufactured by RAM Mounting Systems and used for mounting to cabinets, poles, walls and vehicles for easy access in mobile environments. The built-in combination lock adds security, and the dock offers full port replication, including VGA, USB 2.0 and Ethernet, charging and vibration protection. [See our full review of the Motion J3500] -- Posted Thursday, July 14, 2011

Datalogic sponsors 2011 AIM Expo
AIM, the Association for Automatic Identification and Mobility, announced that Datalogic signed up as a major sponsor for its 2011 AIM Expo that will be held September 26-28 at the Las Vegas Hilton. -- Posted Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Projected-capacitive now dominant touch technology
DisplaySearch reports that projected capacitive became the leading touch screen technology in terms of revenue in 2010. Growth has been explosive since being popularized by Apple in 2007, and many tablet PCs manufacturers have adopted it. In 2011, projected capacitive shipments are expected to grow by more than 100% Y/Y, and will account for 70% of all touch screen revenues. Over 60 companies are supplying projected capacitive in 2011. -- Posted Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Toughbook H2: Panasonic drops a Core-i5 into its (formerly) Atom-based tablet
Panasonic announced the Toughbook H2, a rugged handheld tablet computer that appears to be the successor of the H1 Health and H1 Field tablets. The new H2 uses a 1.7GHz Intel Core i5-2557M processor for a major performance boost, though battery life remains at 6+ hours and there is still no fan. The rugged tablet (6-foot drop, IP67) receives Panasonic's "TransflectivePlus" 10.1-inch display that pioneered in the Toughbook 19, more memory and larger disks, and also external ports (USB, serial, LAN). [See description and specs of the Panasonic Toughbook H2] -- Posted Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Unitech unveils impressive PA690 rugged handheld
Unitech introduced the PA690 rugged mobile computer. Powered by a 806MHz Marvell PXA320 processor and running Windows Embedded Handheld 6.5, the PA690 has a large 3,8-inch touch screen with 800 x 480 pixel resolution. There's a 5-megapixel cameras that can also record VGA MPEG-4 video, a 1D barcode reader (or 2D imager) as well as RFID, GPS, dual-band WiFi, Bluetooth 2.1, u-blox GPS, and 3.5G WWAN. The PA690 comes with two keyboard options, has a 5-foot drop spec, and IP65 sealing. [See description and specs of the Unitech PA690] -- Posted Monday, July 11, 2011

ADS to distribute Black Diamond Advanced Technology's Modular Tactical System
Black Diamond Advanced Technology has established ADS Inc., a tactical operational equipment solutions provider for defense and homeland security, as a distributor for its Modular Tactical System (MTS), which is different from other wearable computer systems because it deconstructs the computer to integrate fully into a warfighter’s uniform, while occupying virtually no usable PALS webbing needed for other equipment. In addition, Black Diamond will be demonstrating the MTS at ADS’s Warrior Expo East. [See BDA Tech's Modular Tactical System]
-- Posted Monday, July 11, 2011

iPad increasingly used by military
In an article entitled "The iPad goes to war," InfoWorld executive editor Galen Gruman discusses how military manufacturer Harris Corporation has been pitching the use of Apple iPads in all sorts of battlefield applications, doing the job done up to now by more expensive dedicated rugged gear. That's because the iPad is inexpensive, troops are familiar with the technology, and Apple designed the tablet to work in many environments (plus, presumably, the elegance and ease of use of the tablet). This is absolutely a trend to be watched by makers of ruggedized equipment. [See iPad goes to war] -- Posted Friday, July 8, 2011

Socket now supports Android 3.x for their scanners
Socket Mobile announced SocketScan 10 support for the Google Android 3.x Honeycomb OS. SocketScan 10 and the associated SDK are barcode scanning tools that enable developers to add commercial-grade rapid and barcode scanning capabilities to smartphone, tablet, notebook and desktop applications. The new release covers all the latest models of the Socket Bluetooth Cordless Hand Scanner Series 7 available for 2D and 1D barcode scanning. [See Socket release and SocketScan 10 SDK page] -- Posted Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Intermec receives US patent for improved image acquisition device
Intermec was awarded US patent #7,967,206 (see here). The patent describes an automated data collection device that addresses the problem of insufficient illumination when attempting to capture image codes via a novel/improved aiming and acquisition beam that allows quicker and more reliable scanning of 2D codes. -- Posted Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Case Study: Computers in Diving and Marine Exploration
Editors of RuggedPCReview.com took along an Intel Atom-powered Handheld Group Algiz XRW rugged notebook computer on the 112-foot Solmar V to the Archipelago Revillagigedo, a remote group of uninhabited islands 300 miles off the Pacific coast of Mexico, where the compact IP65-sealed Algiz XRW with its superbright sunlight readable 1366 x 768 pixel display came in very handy. [Read how the Algiz XRW Handheld Algiz XRW boosted safety, productivity, data capture on a marine underwater expedition]. -- Posted Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Getac V100 on 16,000 mile Panamericana Endurance Challenge
The Pan-American Highway is the longest road in the world, connecting the southern tip of South America with the north of Alaska. In July of 2011, adventurer and off-road driver, Rainer Zietlow, and his team commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Pan-American Highway with the ultimate endurance challenge--a 16,000 mile two-week drive from Argentina to Alaska in a turbo-charged clean diesel 2011 Volkswagen Touareg. The team's choice of onboard computer: a ultra-rugged Getac V100 convertible notebook. RuggedPCReview.com reports on the trip as it unfolds, and why the team chose the rugged Getac V100 convertible notebook. [See TDI Panamericana 2011] -- Posted Sunday, July 3, 2011

White Paper: Next Generation Rugged Handheld Device Requirements
Intermec offers a white paper entitled "Next Generation Rugged Handheld Device Requirements" prepared by VDC Research. The paper helps in maximizing mobility solutions ROI. [Request white paper] -- Posted Friday, July 1, 2011

BSQUARE renews embedded OEM distribution agreement with Microsoft
BSQUARE, a leading enabler of smart, connected devices, today announced the Company has renewed its OEM distribution agreement with Microsoft for the 13th year. This continues the rights BSQUARE has to distribute the complete line of Microsoft Embedded Operating Systems within the US, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. BSQUARE also distributes the entire Microsoft Windows Embedded portfolio in the UK and Germany and Windows Mobile worldwide. -- Posted Friday, July 1, 2011

Advantech at SEMICON West 2011
Industrial computer maker Advantech invites to visit their booth (2512) in the South Hall, Wafer Processing section, of the Moscone Center in San Francisco July 12-14, 2011 at SEMICON West 2011 to see their latest Fanless Box PCs, Industrial I/O Servers, Programmable Automation Controllers (PACs), Gateways, Ethernet Switches, Device Servers, HMI’s and Control/SCADA Software. [See Advantech SEMICON 2011 newsletter] -- Posted Friday, July 1, 2011

Trimble 's new RTX brings 1.5-inch GPS accuracy
Trimble announced its new high-accuracy Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) correction technology, Trimble RTX technology. RTX (Real-Time Extended) combines real-time data with positioning and compression algorithms to deliver better than 1.5 inch repeatable accuracy with as little as one minute convergence in selected areas. Trimble RTX powers the new Trimble CenterPoint RTX correction service. [See Trimble RTX press release] -- Posted Friday, July 1, 2011

Detailed review: HTC Flyer
HTC was the company that practically put the Pocket PC on the map. And HTC has continued to make among the best and innovative smartphones. Now they are getting into tablets. Dan Rasmus took a detailed look at the handy 7-inch HTC Flyer, found some interesting innovation, but not a home run. [See detailed review and specs of the HTC Flyer] -- Posted Friday, July 1, 2011