September 2011

PDF version of Getac X500 review now available
A summary 2-page PDF version of our comprehensive review of the Getac X500 fully rugged notebook computer is now available for viewing and download. [See PDF version of Getac X500 review] -- Posted Wednesday, September 28, 2011

BSQUARE's DragonBoard for Android now available
Interested in testing the waters in Android hardware and software development? BSQUARE now offers their DragonBoard, a full Android development platform based on Qualcomm's Snapdragon processor that allows the exploring, testing and developing required to get products to market faster and with less risk. [See BSQUARE DragonBoard page]. -- Posted Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Intermec releases latest version of Skynax comprehensive mobility management system
Intermec announced its newest version of Skynax - a comprehensive mobility management system for mobile data exchange, integrated application and device management, support and security. Skynax integrates business data between mobile applications and host systems in real-time, providing mobile workers with complete, up-to-date information. [See Intermec press release and Skynax product page]
-- Posted Tuesday, September 27, 2011

The Handheld Group's Algiz XRW rugged netbook now comes with a touch screen
Handheld Group announced that its Algiz XRW rugged notebook is now available with a touchscreen. RuggedPCReview.com recently conducted a full review of the Algiz XRW, and found it to be just what a large number of users have been looking for: a tough and heavily ruggedized high-performance netbook (see full review of the Algiz XRW). The addition of a touch screen makes the device even more versatile and easy to use. -- Posted Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Trimble adds vehicle dock for its Yuma tablet
Trimble announced the availability of a Vehicle Docking Station for its Yuma rugged tablet computer. Compatible with RAM Mount components, can be installed in virtually any vehicle. When mounted, the Yuma tablet can automatically connect to its peripheral devices, including an optional external GPS antenna. With its quick release, the Vehicle Docking Station allows users to easily remove the Yuma tablet computer and carry it in the field. The docking station is connected to the vehicle's electrical system, enabling the tablet's batteries to charge while the vehicle is running. [See press release] -- Posted Saturday, September 24, 2011

LXE releases video demonstrating their Marathon Field Computer
LXE, which is now part of Honeywell, released an informational video about their Intel Atom-powered 2.2 lbs. Marathon Field Computer that shows how the device can be used to optimize tasks performed throughout a field service worker's day, leading to higher productivity and increased ROI. The Marathon uses an "open book" form factor that adds a full keyboard below the 7-inch WVGA 800 x 480 pixel touchscreen. -- Posted Saturday, September 24, 2011

Avalue releases Intel 2nd Gen Core-powered EPIC board
System integrators seeking maximum performance in compact-size boards note that Avalue is releasing a new EPIC module (an industrial Single Board Computer standard that fits in size between PC/104-Plus and EBX) powered by 2nd Gen Intel Core i5-2510E or Core i7-2710QE processors and the Intel QM67 Express chipset. The extra speed makes the new module ideal for a range of applications including medical instruments, POS/kiosks, digital signage, surveillance, automation controllers and military systems. [See Avalue EPI-QM67 product page] -- Posted Friday, September 23, 2011

Marvell's single-chip 2G/3G/4G LTE world modem
Marvell announced the PXA1801 single-chip LTE world modem that combines 3GPP R9 Cat 4 FDD-LTE and TDD-LTE with R8 DC-HSPA+ for both WB-CDMA and TD-SCDMA standards and EDGE. This makes the PXA1801 the industry's first single chip 2G/3G/4G modem for smartphones, tablets, laptops and other mobile devices. [See Marvell release] -- Posted Friday, September 16, 2011

Mobile Demand on minimizing downtime and productivity loss
In their Ruggedized Computing Blog, Mobile Demand discusses the pros and cons of spending extra for ruggedized equipment versus consumer grade gear, and presents four arguments in favor of the former. [See Mobile Demand on minimizing downtime and productivity loss] -- Posted Friday, September 16, 2011

Xata Turnpike now runs on Intermec handhelds
Xata Corporation, a leader in fleet optimization software, today announced that three additional Intermec devices (the CS40, the CN70, and the CN4) are now available for use with Xata Turnpike, an economical fleet management and optimization technology that delivers 360-degree, real-time information. [See Xata press release]
-- Posted Thursday, September 15, 2011

Krasdale Foods selects Janam rugged mobile computers
Janam Technologies announced that Krasdale Foods, one of the largest privately held grocery wholesalers in the New York Metro area, has selected Janam's XG100 rugged gun-shaped Windows CE/Mobile based mobile computer for its customer order placement and direct store delivery (DSD) systems. [See press release] -- Posted Thursday, September 15, 2011

GE releases Wolverine III rugged panel computer
GE Intelligent Platforms announced the Wolverine III Rugged Flat Panel Computer with a 15-inch antiglare, scratch-resistant touchscreen that is readable in direct sunlight. Designed specifically for deployment in harsh, hazardous (Hazloc) applications such as oil and gas exploration and drilling where salt, spray, dust, shock, vibration and extremes of temperature provide the most challenging environments for computers, the IP65-rated 22-lbs. Wolverine III uses a Core 2 Duo-powered COM Express module and carrier board designed specifically by GE for the platform. [See GE Wolverine platform and GE Wolverine III spec sheet] -- Posted Wednesday, September 14, 2011

GammaTech introduces semi-rugged S15C2 with nVidia Optimus
GammaTech announced the S15C2 semi-rugged notebook computer, a next gen version of the GammaTech S15C that RuggedPCReview.com analyzed in detail in May of 2011 (see here). The new model includes nVidia Optimus technology that switches automatically between the unit's Intel integrated graphics controller and high performance nVidia discrete graphics. -- Posted Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Microsoft previews Windows 8 at BUILD conference
At its developer-focused BUILD conference in LA, Microsoft did a preview of the next major release of Windows, code-named Windows 8. Windows 8 is supposed to have "the best of Windows 7, only better," support ARM chips, and will be compatible with "the devices and programs you use today on Windows 7, without compromise." Microsoft says Windows 8 will enable new ultrathin PCs and tablets that "turn on instantly, run all day on a single charge and stay connected to the Internet." Windows 8 will have a "Metro" interface that is built for touch, but works just as well with mouse and keyboard. Metro-style apps will be full-screen and communicate with one another. There will be a Windows Store for apps. -- Posted Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Singletouch Mobile now available on tablets
Singletouch Corporation, whose software toolset gives industrial contractors control of their business, introduced a tablet-based deployment of its Singletouch Mobile that extends the functionality of the platform into remote worksites that lack internet connection. [Read Singletouch press release] -- Posted Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Psion's Workabout Pro earns Apriva certification for secure government communications
Psion and Apriva, a leading provider of end-to-end wireless transaction and secure mobile communications solutions, announced that the Psion Workabout Pro 3 and Workabout Pro-g have earned Apriva's compatibility certification. Running on Windows Mobile 6.1, the Workabout Pro 3 and Workabout Pro-g have completed Apriva's integration and testing with its secure mobile communications products deployed to government and public agencies around the world. -- Posted Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Atmel's maXTouch/mXT1386 touch system used in the Samsung Windows Developer Preview PC.
Atmel announced that its Atmel maXTouch mXT1386 is the first touch controller to enable touch performance with Microsoft's touch-centric Metro interface in the previewed Windows 8. The mXT1386 controller is used in the Samsung Windows Developer Preview PC. Leveraging Atmel's proven maXTouch technology, the mXT1386 is the first device in Atmel's maXTouch family that will support Windows 8 for touchscreens in a variety of sizes. [See press release and Atmel mXT1386 product page] -- Posted Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Qualcomm Gobi and Snapdragon to power upcoming Win 8 hardware
Qualcomm announced that it is collaborating with Microsoft to enable Qualcomm's Snapdragon family of mobile processors to power the first generation of Windows 8-based PCs. In addition, Qualcomm's Gobi mobile Internet connectivity solutions will provide Windows 8-based PCs with wireless 3G/4G connectivity to deliver an always-connected experience. [See Qualcomm powers Windows 8] -- Posted Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Harris introduces rugged Falcon III RF-7800N-CP mobile computing platform
Harris Corporation, an international communications and information technology company, introduced the new Falcon III RF-7800N-CP Mobile Computing Platform (MCP). The MCP is a powerful, ruggedized server designed to host, process and deliver mission-critical communications and multimedia applications when needed in the field. [See Harris Falcon III product brochure] -- Posted Monday, September 12, 2011

Trimble Nomad 900 now IP68 rated
Trimble announced that its Nomad 900 handheld computer has received an IP68 rating (up from IP67), which is the highest rating for protection against dust and moisture. In addition, five new languages options have been added. IP68 means the device is completely dustproof and also protected against continuous immersion (but under conditions defined by the manufacturer). We're not surprised; we tested the almost identical Nomad 800 four years ago and took it scuba diving! [See RuggedPCReview video of Nomad on scuba] -- Posted Monday, September 12, 2011

Lowe's to deploy 42,000 iPhones to staff
According to Bloomberg, home improvement chain Lowe's is outfitting their employees with 42,000 Apple iPhone 4s to answer customer questions and ring up purchases in an effort to catch up with larger rival Home Depot that issued thousands of Motorola Solutions handhelds to its employees in 2010 to let them spend more time helping customers. The iPhone deployment is another indication that consumer smartphones are increasingly winning large contracts that used to go to more ruggedized vertical market devices. -- Posted Thursday, September 8, 2011

Full review: Getac X500
With the X500, Getac became the first major rugged manufacturer to introduce a fully rugged notebook computer with a sunlight-viewable (1,000 nits) wide-format 16:9 aspect ratio 15.6-inch resistive multi touch display. With a 2.66GHz Intel Core i7-620M processor and Nvidia discrete graphics, the X500 provides excellent performance. An optional PCI or PCIe expansion unit that fits under the computer provides almost unlimited expansion. [Read full review of the Getac X500] -- Posted Wednesday, September 7, 2011

AIS Power over Ethernet touch screen Panel PCs
American Industrial Systems (AIS) ran a press release on its Power over Ethernet (PoE) Touchscreen Display Panel PC’s, available in 7" and 10.1" sizes. PoE describes a system to safely transfer electrical power, along with data, to remote devices over standard category 5 cable in an Ethernet network. It does not require modification of existing Ethernet cabling infrastructure, so deployment is simplified. The wall mount touch screen terminals offer a cost effective solution by bringing power and data transfer via a standard twisted-pair Ethernet cabling in a network for faster time to market, ideal for building automation, interactive scheduling systems in hotels, government & hospitals. -- Posted Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Habey USA introduces fanless embedded signage system
Habey USA, a manufacturer of industrial chassis and embedded computers, announced its new BIS-6564 for digital signage applications, combining Habey's ICEFIN case design and an embedded MITX-6564 board to bring a fanless, high performance embedded system. Equipped with a dual core 1.8GHz Intel Atom D525 CPU and dual heat pipes, the fanless NVidia BIS-6564 provides fast ION 2 GPU graphics performance including full 1080p broadcast with resolution up to 2560x1600 via HDMI, has two mini-PCI express expansion slots, can handle Blue-ray playback, and has a 14-122 degrees Fahrenheit operating temperature range. [See Habey BIS-6564 data sheet] -- Posted Saturday, September 3, 2011

Wacom introduces "Inkling" pen
Wacom introduced Inkling, a digital sketch pen that captures a digital representation of things sketched with its ballpoint tip on any sketchbook or standard piece of paper. Designed for rough concepting and creative brainstorming, Inkling bridges the gap between paper sketching and digital drawing by giving users at the front end of the creative process a way to rough-out ideas with real ink on paper and capture their concepts digitally so that they can be later refined on their computer. [See Wacom's Inkling page] -- Posted Thursday, September 1, 2011