July 2019

Durabook Americas, Inc.has unveiled the Z14I fully rugged laptop, engineered for the extreme conditions faced by military and field service personnel around the globe. The sleek design of the Z14I features an unprecedented range of built-in customization possibilities, proprietary DynaVue® technology, 14-inch Full HD sunlight readable multi-touch display, and hot-swappable battery technology for non-stop power. [See Durabook Americas media release]

Zebra reports Q2 2019 financial results
Zebra Technologies reported sales of US$1,097 million for Q2, 2019, up from US$1,012 million a year ago. Operating income for Q2 2019 was US$160 million, up from US$125 million for Q2 2018. “Our second quarter results were driven by continued broad-based demand for our solutions with particular strength in mobile computing,” said Anders Gustafsson, chief executive officer of Zebra Technologies. [See Zebra Q2 2019 financials] -- Posted Tuesday, July 30, 2019

Full review: Zebra ET56 enterprise Windows tablet
Business customers often face a difficult decision when shopping for tablets. Inexpensive (but fragile) consumer tablets? Tough (but heavy and expensive) fully rugged tablets? Many are looking for something in-between those two. And that's where Zebra's ET51/ET56 Enterprise tablets come in. RuggedPCReview took a detailed look at the surprisingly light and compact 8.4-inch Zebra ET56 Windows tablet and found much to like. [See full review of the Zebra ET56 Enterprise Tablet] -- Posted Friday, July 26, 2019

Getac and Microsoft support scientific expedition
Getac and Microsoft have teamed up to provide technological equipment to support Progretto Wonderfull, a scientific expedition by sea and by land along Italy's seven coasts, whose aim it is to raise awareness of environmental sustainability and responsibility. In the project video, Getac's popular V110 notebook convertible makes several appearances. [See Progetto Wonderfull video] -- Posted Friday, July 26, 2019

Panasonic equips exploration expedition Under The Pole III with rugged mobile devices
Panasonic, Europe's leading rugged computing device provider, has equipped the scientific underwater exploration expedition "Under the Pole III" with TOUGHBOOK 33 devices. The Under The Pole expedition team is crossing the polar seas from the Arctic to the Antarctic on board the polar schooner, "WHY", in order to explore the biodiversity of the ocean twilight zone and push the boundaries of underwater exploration. [See Panasonic media release] -- Posted Friday, July 26, 2019

L-com introduces new polycarbonate NEMA-rated equipment enclosures for wired and wireless applications
L-com, an Infinite Electronics brand and a preferred manufacturer of wired and wireless connectivity products, announced today that it has introduced a new series of NEMA-rated equipment enclosures that are constructed of polycarbonate material. These new polycarbonate NEMA enclosures are perfect for protecting valuable equipment in both indoor and outdoor installations and can be used in wired and wireless networks. [See L-com media release] -- Posted Thursday, July 25, 2019

Full review: Estone Technology MDK-100 rugged hard handle tablet
Estone Technology is a Toledo, Ohio based provider of OEM/ODM solutions focussing on tablet and Panel PC products. Estone offers about a dozen different tablet platforms of various sizes, some targeted at medical markets, others as general purpose rugged tablets for various industrial and vertical markets. RuggedPCReview.com examined the Estone MDK-1000 rugged 10-inch Windows hard handle tablet with special emphasis on flexibility and suitability for OEM customers, resellers, and turnkey solutions providers. [See full review of the Estone Technology MDK-100] -- Posted Tuesday, July 23, 2019

RuggON's new rugged Android tablet: first impressions
After Apple put the capacitive tablet form factor on the map with the launch of the iPad in 2010, rugged computing equipment manufacturers were quick to launch rugged Android tablets. They initially didn't catch on as expected. In the meantime, Android's commanding smartphone marketshare has renewed interest in rugged Android tablets, and here are our impressions of RuggON's newly launched SOL PA501. [See description, analysis and specs of the RuggON PA501 rugged Android tablet] -- Posted Saturday, July 20, 2019

Why use rugged PCs at the edge?
MarketWatch reports the global edge computing market will double to $21 billion in 2023, meaning the growth of IoT will push the edge farther than ever before. As businesses realize what they can do and efficiencies gained using the cloud, the need for connected technology in more remote and challenging locations is also increasing. Logic Supply presents a detailed look at why one should use rugged computers in this new frontier of edge computing that is anything but friendly to a computer’s sensitive internal components and require considerable ruggedization to thrive in harsh environments. [See Why use rugged PCs at the edge?] -- Posted Saturday, July 20, 2019

RuggON presents a fully rugged tablet with Android 9 and octa-core processor
RuggON Corporation, a leader in the design and manufacture of rugged computers, is proud to introduce its latest Android rugged tablet — the SOL PA501. Powered by an octa-core processor running Android 9 Pie, the GMS (Google Mobile Service) certified SOL PA501 is a masterpiece designed for field service, fire and rescue, and EMS professionals. The tablet features impressive performance and communication capabilities with endurable battery life to deliver unheard of performance for mobile workforces. [See RuggON media release] -- Posted Friday, July 19, 2019

Janam introduces new "Android Enterprise Recommended" rugged touch computer
Janam Technologies LLC, a leading provider of rugged mobile computers that capture data and communicate wirelessly, today introduced the industry's most rugged touch computer with a 5-inch display and Google's "Android Enterprise Recommended" (AER) certification. As part of the AER program, Janam's XT200 runs feature-rich Android 8 (Oreo), can be upgraded to Android 9 (Pie) and supports five years of software security patches. The XT200 is built to thrive in the most demanding retail, direct store delivery and field service environments. From inventory tracking to point of sale to proof of delivery, Janam's new XT200 streamlines operations, delivers optimal efficiency and elevates the customer experience. [See Janam media release] -- Posted Thursday, July 18, 2019

Zebra introduces Android ultra-rugged tablet with superior flexibility and durability
Zebra Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ: ZBRA), an innovator at the edge of the enterprise with solutions and partners that enable businesses to gain a performance edge, today introduced its new high-performance L10 Android ultra-rugged tablet. It is part of Zebra's extensive portfolio of government and enterprise tablets as well as purpose-built mobile computers for the rigors of challenging warehouse, manufacturing, construction and field operations environments. [See Zebra media release] -- Posted Thursday, July 18, 2019

Motorola Solutions acquires WatchGuard, Inc., leader in mobile video for public safety
Motorola Solutions, Inc. today announced it has acquired WatchGuard, Inc.., a U.S. leader in mobile video solutions. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. WatchGuard designs and manufactures in-car video systems, body-worn cameras, evidence management systems and software. Its solutions enable law enforcement users to capture, manage, store and share high-quality video evidence. The company manufactures its products at its Texas headquarters. [See Motorola Solutions media release] -- Posted Monday, July 15, 2019

What happened in rugged computing 10 years ago: July 2009
In July 2009, Intermec reported lower sales and a net loss for their Q2, but won a DOD Auto ID contract, introduced new printers, and equipped 7,500 Hermes couriers with CN3 handhelds. GammaTech released the Durabook D14RM, Data Ltd the DLI 8500, and Unitech the PA600HF rugged PDA. We benchmarked the Atom N270 vs the Z530 (both slow), predicted LED backlights to take over, reviewed the Datalogic R Series vehicle computers, the Winmate I880 rugged tablet, the Getac 9213 business-rugged laptop, and added Psion's entire line of vehicle-mounts. Motion put the superb Hydis AFFS+ screens in their C5/F5 tablets, Western Digital launched the first 2.5-inch terabyte drive, and we analyzed who actually makes rugged computers in an increasingly global marketplace. [See RuggedPCReview archive July 2009] -- Posted Monday, July 15, 2019

Zebra blog: Ask the expert: What is a Nit? And what is it not?
If you’ve ever shopped for a rugged tablet, laptop or even a regular TV before, you’ve probably seen the term “nit” in some variation (nits, Nit, Nits, NIT, NITS, NITs, etc.) on a product webpage or spec sheet. But do you know what it means? Not everyone does. And so Zebra's blog team asked rugged mobility expert Kyp Walls to help the set the record straight on this confusing, but commonly used term, in their latest installment of “Ask the Expert.” [Read Zebra blog: Ask the expert: What is a Nit? And what is it not?] -- Posted Monday, July 15, 2019

DURABOOK expands 11 Inch rugged tablet line with R11L
Durabook Americas, Inc., the North American subsidiary of Twinhead International Corporation, today announced an expansion of its 11-inch rugged tablet portfolio. The brand currently offers the ultra-rugged U11, which meets the needs of workers in the most extreme environment, like those found in the military and public safety, as well as the higher performance R11, which features 8th Generation Intel® Core processors, ideal for complex computing and graphics needs often found in markets like oil and gas, and field service. [See Durabook Americas media release] -- Posted Wednesday, July 10, 2019

JLT Mobile Computers selected for two new ICTSI terminals in Papua New Guinea
JLT Mobile, leading supplier of reliable computers for demanding environments, has strengthened its long-standing relationship with global port operator ICTSI (International Container Terminal Services, Inc.) with the deployment of its VERSO 12 computers at the operator's new container terminals in Papua New Guinea. ICTSI is one of the top five major maritime port operators in the world with 32 terminals in 19 countries. [See JLT Mobile media release] -- Posted Tuesday, July 9, 2019

Purolator selects Zebra Technologies and ShipTrack to enhance digital experience for customers
Zebra Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ: ZBRA), an innovator at the edge of the enterprise with solutions and partners that enable businesses to gain a performance edge, announced Purolator will use its mobile devices for drivers, retail and hub operations and ShipTrack's software for track and trace, dispatch and hub management operations. The technology will be supported by a customized Solution as a Service model developed by Zebra, ShipTrack and PiiComm, which incorporates enterprise mobile devices and software to improve delivery time, increase operational efficiency and deliver an even better customer experience. [See Zebra media release] -- Posted Tuesday, July 9, 2019

New usage-based service plans for Trimble Catalyst enable geospatial organizations to access precise positioning on demand
Trimble (NASDAQ: TRMB) announced today its Trimble® Catalyst software-defined Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver for Android phones and tablets is now available with a usage-based service plan — Trimble Catalyst On Demand. The new service plan is focused on satisfying the requirements of a growing number of industries and organizations who recognize the benefits of using high-accuracy GNSS technology in the field, but need a more flexible payment model. [See Trimble media release] -- Posted Tuesday, July 9, 2019

Full review: Handheld Group Nautiz X6 rugged Android phablet
Users love big screens and the look and feel and power of a modern smartphone. But they don't want to baby their device and stick it in a case. With the Handheld Group's tough and rugged Nautiz X6, customers don't have to. We reviewed the 6-inch, 13.4-ounce, Android 8-based and Snapdragon 626 octa-core powered Nautiz6 in detail and found much to like. It's a smooth, elegant and very functional IP67-sealed device with a USB-C port, powerful externally accessible battery, uBlox GNSS, card slot, and available Honeywell imager via expansion port. [See full review of the Handheld Group Nautiz X6] -- Posted Monday, July 8, 2019

RuggON alludes to new Octa-Core Tablet Platform
RuggON, a leader in the design and manufacturing of ruggedized computing products, is teasing about an upcoming world debut of an octa-core tablet platform. As is, RuggON's existing rugged tablets are dual and quad core Wintel designs, and through 8th gen Kaby Lake R, there have not been any mobile octa-core chips. There are, however, two mobile Intel 9th generation octa-core processors. And there are any number of octa-core designs on the Android side of things. To find out more RuggON suggests contacting them directly (info@ruggon.com). -- Posted Monday, July 8, 2019

Frontier Precision helps customers start GIS programs using Juniper rugged gear
Business partnerships are essential in helping move the rugged handheld, data collection, and GIS solutions industries forward. Together Juniper Systems and Frontier Precision offer customers across various industries the tools and support they need to complete their jobs. Frontier is currently featuring promotions that make it easy for any organization new to GIS, or ones looking to expand current GIS operations, get started faster and with the support that they need. It’s important that the customer feel comfortable with the equipment they are purchasing. [See Juniper Systems media release] -- Posted Wednesday, July 3, 2019