July 2018

Panasonic unveils sleeker, slimmer handheld devices for the connected workplace
Panasonic, an industry leader in mobile computing solutions that are purpose-built for the way people work, today introduced a new pair of highly-capable handheld devices to the Toughbook line. The Toughbook T1 and L1 are designed to address the evolving mobile needs of today's diverse workplaces. By bringing the rugged reliability that has made Panasonic an industry leader in workplace mobility to these sleeker, slimmer devices, more workers will be able to take advantage of 21st century solutions that keep them connected and redefine what it means to be mobile. [See Panasonic media release] -- Posted Wednesday, July 25, 2018

First look: Panasonic Toughbook FZ-L1
On July 25, 2018, Panasonic announced the Toughbook FZ-L1, a slim and sleek 7-inch Android v8.1-based tablet designed for data collection in retail stores, warehouses field service, transportation and delivery or many other environments where a fragile consumer tablet just won't do. Weighing less than a pound, the IP67-sealed Toughbook L1 includes an integrated barcode reader that is field-configurable for landscape or portrait modes. [See description, analysis and specs of the Panasonic Toughbook L1] -- Posted Wednesday, July 25, 2018

First look: Panasonic Toughbook FZ-T1
On July 25, 2018, Panasonic announced the Toughbook FZ-T1, a rugged, elegant 5-inch Android v8.1-based combination of smartphone and handheld computer to further expand the company's lineup of rugged, durable devices for mobile workforces in a wide range of roles and industries, including retail and hospitality, manufacturing, transportation and logistics. IP68-sealed and able to handle 5-foot drops, the Toughbook T1 offers industrial-grade scanning and comprehensive onboard communication. [See description, analysis and specs of the Panasonic Toughbook T1] -- Posted Wednesday, July 25, 2018

Handheld announces Verizon Wireless network certification for ALGIZ 8X and Algiz 10X tablets
Handheld Group, a leading supplier of rugged mobile computers, today announced that Verizon Wireless has tested its ALGIZ 8X and ALGIZ 10X rugged Windows tablets and has certified them for use on the Verizon 4G LTE network. Algiz ultra-rugged tablet computers are designed specifically for fieldworkers in challenging environments. [See Handheld news release] -- Posted Wednesday, July 25, 2018

Zebra Technologies introduces ZQ600 mobile printers to optimize supply chain operations
Zebra Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ: ZBRA) today announced the new ZQ600 series of label and receipt mobile printers designed to help businesses increase productivity in stores, backrooms and warehouses. Building off the success of Zebra's most successful mobile printers, the QLn printer series, the new ZQ600 mobile printers offer a color display screen with a customizable menu for easy operation, as well as advanced battery and wireless capabilities that enable peak performance for applications such as pricing management and faster checkouts in retail stores. [See Zebra press release] -- Posted Tuesday, July 24, 2018

A closer look at Panasonic's updated Android Oreo-based Toughbook FZ-N1 handheld
Panasonic originally launched the Android-based 4.7-inch Toughpad FZ-N1 early 2016, together with a Windows 10 IoT Mobile Enterprise-based sibling, the Toughpad FZ-F1. The Android version went on to be very popular, whereas with Microsoft's withdrawal from the mobile space, the FZ-F1 is now gone. To prove its commitment to the handheld space, Panasonic has upgraded the FZ-N1, now under the Toughbook brand, with a faster processor, enhanced electronics, more memory and storage, and various refinements. RuggedPCReview takes a first look at Panasonic's updated Toughbook handheld. [See description, analysis and specs of the Panasonic Toughbook FZ-N1] -- Posted Tuesday, July 24, 2018

Rugged and refined Toughbook N1 delivers the power and tools that workers demand
Panasonic, an industry leader in mobile computing solutions that are purpose-built for the way people work, today announced a major update to its popular and acclaimed Toughbook N1 rugged handheld device. The latest 4.7-inch device has been refined to meet the challenges of today's workplaces, with hardware and features designed to make capturing, sharing and analyzing data faster and easier than ever. [See Panasonic press release]
-- Posted Tuesday, July 24, 2018

SEGGER introduces emPack, the complete operating system for all 8-/16-/32-Bit IoT and non-IoT systems
SEGGER introduces emPack, the complete operating system for IoT devices and embedded systems. It is delivered in source code for all 8-/16-/32-bit microcontrollers and microprocessors. emPack is optimized for high performance, and small memory footprint and easily fits onto typical microcontrollers without requiring expensive external memory, keeping the cost of the embedded computing system to a minimum. [See SEGGER press release] -- Posted Tuesday, July 24, 2018

iKey announces collaboration and availability of two new rugged keyboards for the Dell Latitude 12 Rugged Extreme Tablet
iKey, LTD announces two new rugged, sealed keyboards designed in partnership with Dell for the Dell Latitude 12 Rugged Extreme Tablet. This rugged solution is designed specifically for reliability, affordability and ruggedness, which are absolutely vital to mobile computing in public safety, industrial and energy applications. This Dell solution is being marketed to rugged customers worldwide. [See iKey press release] -- Posted Friday, July 20, 2018

Google hit with record antitrust fine over Android
European Union regulators have slapped Google with a record five billion dollar fine over using "Android as a vehicle to cement the dominance of its search engine" and pressuring device manufacturers to preinstall a growing number of Google apps. We've definitely seen an increase in the latter over the last several versions of Android, as well as a heavier hand by Google to use its tools and services on Android devices. Android, of course, is free, and so it should be interesting to see how this plays out. [See Gpogle hit with record $5 billion EU antitrust fine] -- Posted Wednesday, July 18, 2018

Full review: Winmate M101BK tablet/vehicle-mount hybrid with integrated keyboard
The Winmate M101BK is not your typical tablet. It's a Windows 10 tablet with an integrated physical keyboard, one large enough to be actually useful. It has ten function keys. It's also a vehicle-mount computer that's light and handy enough to be used as a standalone tablet, with enough battery to power it through extended data collection and other tasks. [See full review of the Winmate M101BK -- Posted Tuesday, July 17, 2018

Five ways to tell if your "rugged" tablet, laptop, or handheld is a knock-off
These days, almost any premium, high quality product will quickly be copied and offered at an often much lower price. But, apart even from the legality of blatant copies, are "knock-offs" truly a bargain? What if it looks pretty good and seems a great deal? Tom Kost of Xplore Technologies looks at some of these issues and how to guard against making mistakes in Five ways to tell if your "rugged" tablet, laptop, or handheld is a knock-off. -- Posted Tuesday, July 17, 2018

Winmate and JLT Mobile Computers to co-host InfoAG Conference
Winmate will be co-exhibiting at the InfoAG Conference with JLT Mobile Computers, a key partner that specializes in providing rugged wireless computers and IT solutions to the agriculture industry. The conference, titled “The Premier Event in Precision Agriculture,” taking place July 17-19 at Union Station in St. Louis, Missouri, United States, has been the premier event for the discussion and advancement of precision agriculture, drawing interest from agriculture professionals globally. [See InfoAG Conference and to register] -- Posted Monday, July 16, 2018

Added: Unitech EA602 rugged Android handheld
The vast majority of the world's smartphones uses Android, so chances are that employees are already familiar with Android. Which means it makes sense to make handhelds look and work like smartphones. Only make them much more durable and add industrial grade scanning. That's what Unitech did with their new and competitively priced EA602. [See description, analysis and specs of the Unitech EA602] -- Posted Monday, July 16, 2018

What happend in rugged computing 10 years ago: July 2008
Not that much usually happens in the dog days of summer, but the following kept us busy in July of 2008: Fujitsu introduced two Tablet PC convertibles, the Lifebook T5010 and T1010, Itronix (RIP) supported a Zambezi expedition with their super-tough GoBook XR-1. We reviewed the Roper Mobile Duros tablet back when Duros was a separate product line. Intermec relocated final assembly from Everett, WA, to a Singapore serves provider. Honeywell introduced the Dolphin 9900, and announced it was buying Metrologic. And MobileDemand suggested we check if their rugged Tablet PC worked underwater. It did, for a while. [See more of what happened in rugged computing 10 years ago] -- Posted Monday, July 16, 2018

Case study: Panasonic's partnership with the grants office helps Colorado first responders
Two small cities in Colorado, Canon and Trinidad, were looking to implement mobile technology for their first responder network. However, like many small public sector agencies, they were worried about having room in their budgets for these much needed new mobile computers. But working with Panasonic enabled them to discover new avenues for funding that they didn’t know were available to them. [See Panasonic's partnership with the grants office helps Colorado first responders] -- Posted Friday, July 13, 2018

L-com Introduces new IP67-rated HDMI cables and coupler for extreme connectivity applications
L-com Global Connectivity, a preferred manufacturer of wired and wireless connectivity products, announced today that it has introduced a new line of waterproof HDMI cable assemblies for use in industrial computing, digital signage, factory automation, medical and harsh environment A/V applications. [See L-com press release] -- Posted Thursday, July 12, 2018

Nautiz X2 All-In-One rugged Android handheld upgraded to Android 7.0
Handheld Group, a leading manufacturer of rugged mobile computers, today announced that the Nautiz X2 enterprise handheld now comes with the Android 7.0 operating system. The popular Nautiz X2 was first introduced in February 2017 and is built for data entry, barcode scanning and data entry in extreme environments. [See Handheld press release] -- Posted Tuesday, July 10, 2018

noax Technologies Corp. announces move to new Charlotte Office
noax Technologies Corp., a leading manufacturer of industrial PCs, announced it has relocated their North American headquarters in Charlotte, NC. The new office is conveniently located approximately 10 minutes from both uptown Charlotte and Charlotte-Douglas International Airport. [See noax technologies press release] -- Posted Monday, July 9, 2018

Juniper Systems donates $88k worth of data collection devices to Utah State University's College of Natural Resources
Since the beginning, Juniper Systems has put an importance on education, conserving natural resources, and serving the community. By donating 25 Mesa 2 Rugged Tablets, 6 Geode Sub-meter GPS Receivers, and all the appropriate accessories to Utah State University’s Quinney College of Natural Resources, we strive to continue this focus. These data collection tools will be used to educate undergraduate students on the basics of modern GIS and field data collection and to support graduate student and professor field research projects around the world. [See Juniper Systems donates $88k worth of data collection devices to Utah State University's College of Natural Resources] -- Posted Thursday, July 5, 2018

Full review: RuggON Rextorm PX501
Now in its 3rd generation, RuggON Corporation's Rextorm PX501 has always been one of the toughest, most polished rugged tablets available. Designed as a general purpose rugged tablet, the PX501 can be used for a vast variety of applications. Its sharp and bright 10.1-inch display makes it especially suitable for graphics-intense mapping and positioning deployments where precision and minute details matter. The powerful Intel "Kaby Lake" processor makes for excellent performance and very good battery life. A very compelling rugged tablet solution that convinces on every level. [See full review of the RuggON Rextorm PX501] -- Posted Thursday, July 5, 2018

Zebra Technologies to acquire Xplore Technologies
Zebra Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ: ZBRA), and Xplore Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ: XPLR) today announced that their boards of directors have approved a definitive agreement in which Zebra will acquire all outstanding common stock of Xplore for $6.00 per share in cash. Under the terms of the agreement, Zebra plans to effect the acquisition via a tender offer. [See Zebra press release] -- Posted Thursday, July 5, 2018

Xplore Technologies reports fiscal 2017 financials, announces acquisition by Zebra
Xplore Technologies reported financials for all of their fiscal 2018 that ended ended March 31, 2018. For the entire fiscal year 2018, Xplore reported revenues of US$86.9 million, up 11.6% from US$77.9 million for fiscal 2017. There was net profit of US$0.3 million for the full year, compared with a net loss of US$2.6 million in 2017. Xplore reported revenue of $20.3 million for fiscal Q4, 2018, up 20% from the $16.9 million in the year-ago fourth quarter. CEO Tom Wilkinson stated: “Our success as the #2 global provider of rugged tablets and strong growth outlook earned the notice of Zebra Technologies, the global leader in rugged mobile computers, barcode scanners and barcode printers. This morning we announced an agreement to be acquired by Zebra for $6.00 per share." [See Xplore fiscal 2018 financials] -- Posted Thursday, July 5, 2018

The Case for COMs: Cut down on manufacturing time with Computer-on-Modules technology
ADLINK Technology points out that the demand for new technology is skyrocketing and will continue to increase as technology advances. Many companies struggle to keep up with the rapidly-expanding market and lose their competitive edge. How can manufacturers produce high-quality products while reducing overall development time and time-to-market? ADLINK views Computer-on-Modules (COMs) as a promising answer. [View The Case for COMs: Cut down on manufacturing time with Computer-on-Modules technology] -- Posted Thursday, July 5, 2018