September 2018

With the fully-rugged TC72 and the mobile broadband-equipped but otherwise largely identical TC77, Zebra has launched an intelligent upgrade to its well-received TC70X/TC75X Series of ultra-rugged enterprise handhelds. It's an upgrade that not only enhances hardware performance, communication and performance, but also addresses OS software with the latest version of Android, and an expanded array of workforce productivity, security, management and connectivity enhancements. [See description, analysis and specs of the Zebra TC72/TC77]

Zebra TC52/TC57 rugged Android handhelds: first look
The job of enterprise handhelds is to be tools for jobs in retail, manufacturing, transportation, logistics and more. They should be as familiar and easy to use as smartphones, but be much tougher and more easily integrated into enterprise IT infrastructures. With Windows Mobile gone, providers of enterprise handhelds can finally fully concentrate on Android, and that's what Zebra's new TC52 and its mobile broadband-capable TC57 sibling are all about. [See description, analysis and specs of the Zebra TC52/TC57] -- Posted Thursday, September 27, 2018 by chb

Zebra Technologies unveils next evolution of enterprise mobile touch computing solutions
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 unveiled the next generation of enterprise-class handheld mobile touch computers designed to help retail, manufacturing and transportation and logistics companies empower their front-line workers to deliver a superior level of customer service and satisfaction. These new models add to Zebra's industry-leading portfolio of Android-based, enterprise-class mobility solutions available to customers and to Zebra's PartnerConnect community. [See Zebra media release] -- Posted Thursday, September 27, 2018 by chb

Panasonic remains leading rugged notebook in Europe
Panasonic has extended its position as Europe’s leading rugged notebook manufacturer for the 17th consecutive year, according to the latest market analysis from VDC Research. Its Panasonic TOUGHBOOK range maintained a leading share of the European rugged notebook market with a 57% revenue share of sales in 2017. The Panasonic Toughpad tablet range also continued to lead the European rugged tablet market with a 56% revenue share of sales. The company has now aggressively set its sights on the rugged handheld market with the launch of innovative new products for the fast growing retail, manufacturing, transportation and logistics sectors. -- Posted Thursday, September 27, 2018 by chb

Aurora Plastics improves workforce productivity with Janam RFID solution
Janam Technologies LLC, a leading provider of rugged mobile computers that scan barcodes and communicate wirelessly, announced today that Aurora Plastics, a leader in thermoplastic compounds, is using the XM2-RFID rugged mobile computer to identify and track railcars within its railyard. The recovery of the US housing market and a rise in construction have fueled increased demand for PVC building materials. With its focus on innovation and a commitment to consistently delivering highest-quality products and exceptional customer service, Aurora Plastics needed to improve processes for unloading more than 100 million pounds of PVC resin annually from railcars at its Streetsboro, Ohio facility. [See Janam media release] -- Posted Wednesday, September 26, 2018 by chb

AMobile earns International Design Excellence Award 2018 from IDSA
AMobile Intelligent Corp., a joint venture by MediaTek, Arbor, and Konka Group, an expert in industrial mobile computers, has achieved its design pinnacle by receiving the International Design Excellence Award (IDEA) 2018 organized by The Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA). The awarded product, Mobile Inspection Assistant G60, has won Red Dot, Good Design, Computex d&i, Taiwan Excellence, China Industrial IoT, and IDEA Award, which proves AMobile's capabilities of R&D and Innovations, as well as leading the industry to fulfill market applications and demands. [See AMobile media release] -- Posted Wednesday, September 26, 2018 by chb

Zebra introduces updated Personal Shopper device
You're in a store and can't find something, or you want to do a price check, see if there's a coupon, talk to a manager, have a question, pick up an order, check the running total of your items, or whatever. What do you do? Try to find someone to help you? Whip out your smartphone and see if you have the store app that might help? Zebra Technologies thinks there is a better way. Their PS20 Personal Shopper. [See description, analysis and specs of the Zebra PS20 Personal Shopper] -- Posted Tuesday, September 25, 2018 by chb

First look: Janam XG200
Rugged handhelds computers with integrated industrial-grade scanning are big business. While they are handhelds, they are as completely different from consumer phones as it gets. Tough, rugged, ergonomic, functional, dedicated to their target applications. For many that includes physical keypads. Janam's newly introduced XG200 is such as device. RuggedPCReview.com took a first look at the XG200. [See description, analysis and specs of the Janam XG200] -- Posted Friday, September 14, 2018 by chb

Janam boosts workforce productivity with new Android-based rugged mobile computer
Janam Technologies LLC, a leading provider of rugged mobile computers that scan barcodes and communicate wirelessly, today introduced its newest and most technologically advanced addition to its XG series of gun-shaped, rugged mobile computers. The XG200 features industry-leading design, delivers superior barcode scanning technology and enables peak performance in the most demanding work environments. [See Janam press release] -- Posted Thursday, September 13, 2018 by chb

Honeywell mobile computers validated for Google-led Android Enterprise Recommended program
Honeywell (NYSE: HON) today announced that three of its rugged mobile computers used by distribution center, logistics, delivery and retail workers have been validated for the Google-led Android Enterprise Recommended program, which helps businesses select the right devices to meet their needs. Inclusion in the program demonstrates that Honeywell's mobile computers meet strict technical specifications and extended lifecycle support requirements. Devices in the program provide customers with easy enrollment options, timely software and security updates, business-ready hardware features and support for multiple versions of the Android operating system. [See Honeywell media release] -- Posted Thursday, September 6, 2018 by chb