December 2012

The RAMPAGE 6, based on Juniper System's indomitable Mesa rugged notepad, is for those who want a virtually indestructible handheld/tablet, but one that runs Android instead of Windows. SDG Systems did the conversion and is the exclusive distributor of the unique device as well. The RAMPAGE 6 has a satisfyingly large 5.7-inch touch screen that reduces squinting and offers lots of real estate for complex apps. It is also super-solid, offers good performance and battery life, good ergonomics and ease of use, while still weighing less than 2.5 pounds even with scanner and two batteries. [See full review of the SDG Systems RAMPAGE 6]

Sprint adds ultra-rugged Sonim XP Strike phone
Sprint announced availability of the Sonim XP STRIKE, the most rugged Sprint Direct Connect device to-date. Sprint says that since its launch in fall 2011 launch, Sprint Direct Connect has grown to triple the square miles of coverage compared to the old Nextel National Network. Sonim XP STRIKE is the first device from Sonim in Sprint’s product portfolio. It is available for $129.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate, through direct ship sales channels, including Sprint Stores, Business Sales, Telesales (1-800-SPRINT1) and Web Sales (www.sprint.com). [See Sonim XP STRIKE page] -- Posted Saturday, December 22, 2012

TouchStar Group newsletter and redesigned site
For the latest version of the TouchStar Group's InTouch newsletter, check here. Also check the totally redesigned TouchStarGroup.com site that exemplifies “Mobility” through its changing colorful imagery that instantly transports viewers through the four primary industries served by TouchStar: Field Services, Consumer Goods, Oil & Gas, and Transportation. -- Posted Friday, December 21, 2012

MobileDemand announces partnership, publishes article on why rugged technology is the way to go
MobileDemand announced a reseller partnership agreement with Atlas RFID Solutions where Atlas will be a reseller of MobileDemand products including the xTablet T7200, xTablet C1200 and the xTablet T1200, the world’s first rugged tablet PC running Microsoft Windows 8. The company also published an article entitled "Why Rugged Technology is the Way to Go. [See press release Atlas RFID partnership] -- Posted Friday, December 21, 2012

Intermec study: Most businesses not adequately equipped to handle holiday returns
According to a study conducted by Intermec, nearly two-thirds of businesses surveyed in North America and Europe recognize that the post-holiday period represents the most challenging time of the year due to the high numbers of returns. Yet despite this, more than half of distribution center managers admit they don’t have the appropriate processes and tools in place to determine if returned goods should be discarded, returned to vendor or moved quickly back into inventory. -- Posted Friday, December 21, 2012

Swedish national biathlon team chooses ultra-rugged mobile computers from Handheld
Handheld Group, a supplier of rugged mobile computers and smartphones, has signed a sponsorship agreement with the Swedish national biathlon team. The team and its coaches will use Handheld's Algiz 7 ultra-rugged tablet PC (see our review) for timing and other services to the athletes during practice and competitions. [See press release] -- Posted Friday, December 14, 2012

Stealth launches WPC-525F rugged, fanless waterproof PC
The new fanless 5-pound Stealth WPC-525F is an Intel Atom D525-powered rugged industrial PC that is completely water-tight and designed to be immune to liquids, chemicals, dust and dirt, and meeting IP67/NEMA 6 environmental specs. Designed without cooling fans the rugged aluminum chassis acts as a heat sink to dissipate internal heat and provide noise free operation. The durable small form PC operates from a wide range of DC input power (6 - 36VDC) making it suitable for mobile and transportation based applications. [See Stealth WPC-5252F page] -- Posted Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Brother RuggedJet mobile printers
Brother just reminded us that their RuggedJet mobile printers have a US$50 instant discount until the end of the year. The new RuggedJet printers print 2" to 4" documents and labels at up to 5 ips. They can handle 6-foot drops and carry IP54 sealing. There are WiFi and Bluetooth versions, optional magnetic card readers, and they weigh well under two pounds. [See Brother RuggedJet mobile printers] -- Posted Wednesday, December 12, 2012

AMREL adds ROCKY U12Ci convertible tablet
AMREL, a rugged computer supplier, announced the launch of ROCKY U12Ci, a lightweight convertible tablet/laptop with a 12.1-inch with Intel 3rd gen Core processors, and extensive configuration and customization potential including swappable I/O modules (RS232 serial, GPS, a second AF camera, a Smart Card Reader as well as other features). AMREL also offers numerous specialized custom solutions as well as heavy-duty vehicle docking station. [See Rocky U12Ci page at AMREL] -- Posted Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Getac's V100 and V200 fully-rugged convertible tablets get Intel 3rd gen Core processor technology
Getac announced the introduction of the next generation of its V100 and V200 fully rugged convertible tablets. Both models can now be configured with third-generation Intel Core processors (either the 2.6 GHz Core i5-3320M or the 2.9 GHz Core i7-3520M) with vPro technology. In Getac's testing, the new V100 and V200 are 251% and 177% faster than the predecessor models, respectively. Graphic performance, in particular, is significantly improved. -- Posted Wednesday, December 12, 2012

MultiTouch Ltd introduces Hybrid Tracking for large interactive displays
Multi-touch is increasingly used everywhere, including large interactive displays. Up to now, the problem was that the infrared sensor technology used by many of those displays are easily impacted by external light sources. MultiTouch Ltd. is now addressing that with its new Hybrid Tracking technology that works by capturing the shadows from external infrared light and combining that information with the reflections that are recognized by the infrared sensors through the LCD display. [See an impressive YouTube demo of Hybrid Tracking] -- Posted Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Full review: Motion CL910 tablet
With its durable business-class 10-inch CL900 tablet, introduced almost two years ago, tablet pioner Motion clearly presented the shape and functionality of things to come. The CL910 is an updated, faster version of the original CL900, and we've had a chance to test it for several month. What we found is a quick, handy and eminently functional Windows 7 tablet that should appeal to mobile professionals in numerous markets. [See full review of the Motion CL910] -- Posted Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Samwell to show new RUGGEDBOOK 310 at CES in Las Vegas
Samwell announced that it will show and demonstrate their new Rugged Tablet PC 310 at the 2013 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas (January 8 through 11, 2013) at their booth No. 35505 in South Hall 4. The 310 is an OMAP4460-powered 7-inch Android 4.0.4 tablet with a choice of capacitive or resistive touch display, significant ruggedness, and an expansion bay that allows configuration for various deployments. [See description and specs of the Samwell RUGGEDBOOK 310] -- Posted Monday, December 10, 2012

DAP to exhibit at Promat 2013
DAP Technologies announced it will exhibit and demonstrate its newest tablet computers -- including the M9700 and MT1010 -- designed for the supply chain at the 2013 Promat show that takes place January 21-24, 2013 at McCormick Place South in Chicago. Register online for free admission to the show and educational conference. -- Posted Monday, December 10, 2012

Another one loses independence: Honeywell buys Intermec
Intermec announced a definitive agreement under which Honeywell International will acquire Intermec for $10.00 per share in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $600 million, net of cash and debt acquired. "We are pleased that Honeywell recognizes and values the capabilities as well as the strategic potential of our business," said Allen J. Lauer, Intermec Chairman and Interim CEO. "Our Board conducted a thoughtful and comprehensive strategic review of Intermec's business with the goal of determining the best possible overall outcome for our stakeholders." Note: Honeywell already acquired Metrologic in 2008 and LXE in 2011. [See Intermec press release and today's Dilbert] -- Posted Monday, December 10, 2012

Xplore lands U.S. military contract for over 900 rugged tablets
Xplore Technologies announced that it received a multi-million dollar purchase order for the U.S. military. The PO is for over 900 of the Xplore’s iX104C5M rugged Windows tablets (see our assessment of the iX104C5). Delivery of the products is expected to occur over the next several months. "We expect this order to be the first in a series of purchase orders for the U.S. military involving the delivery of several thousand devices, improving our footprint in the military space," stated Mark Holleran, Xplore's President and Chief Operating Officer. [See press release] -- Posted Friday, December 7, 2012

Gammatech to supply T7Q rugged tablet computers to Victory Police Motorcycles
Victory Motorcycles, an offshot of Polaris Industries which makes ATVs and snowmobiles, also makes police motorcycles. Now Gammatech announced that it will begin supplying its rugged T7Q tablet computer to Victory Police Motorcycles for inclusion in its line of police/law enforcement bikes. The compact, lightweight unit has a 7-inch screen, integrated 5-mp camera, plenty of I/O options, and fits perfectly in the bike's top box, from where it can be easily removed. Victory says that the small and handy size of the tablet will induce more motorcycle officers use computers (only about 20% currently do). -- Posted Thursday, December 6, 2012

Datalogic introduces small data capture/communication handheld for retail and warehousing
Datalogic introduced the Lynx PDA, a small and light data capture handheld for use in retail and light outdoor duty. The Lynx runs Windows Embedded Handheld 6.5 on a 806MHz Marvell PXA310 processor, comes with a choice of a numeric or QWERTY keyboard, laser scanner or 1D/2D CMOS imager, 3MP AF camera with flash, A-GPS and full voice/data communication. [See description, analysis and specs of the Datalogic Lynx] -- Posted Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Getac unveils updated B300 rugged notebook computer with significantly improved performance
Getac announced the 4th generation of its popular rugged B300 notebook computer. This latest version gains substantial performance improvements thanks to a switch to Intel 3rd generation Core processors that boost overall speed up to 67% and almost double graphics performance. There's more onboard storage, too, and wireless connectivity has been upgraded to the latest standards (including 4G LTE). The operating temperature range is now even wider (-20 to 140° Fahrenheit!), and battery life can reach 15 hours with just the standard power pack. [See description, analysis and specs of the 2013 Getac B300] -- Posted Tuesday, December 4, 2012

More "Cedar Trail" powered industrial PCs: HABEY BIS-6636
And yet another Intel Atom-based tough industrial embedded PC: HABEY USA introduced the fanless BIS-6636 developed around the latest Intel Atom N2800 and D2550 processors. The BIS-6636 offers continual connectivity with a host of I/O options including six USB ports, up to six COM ports and two Gigabit Ethernet ports. For wireless, the system has a SIM socket for 3G/4G connectivity or WiFi via Mini-PCIe. The integrated PowerVR GPU can hardware encode/decode HD Video in real time. Display outputs include VGA and DVI-D for up to 1920 x 1200 and an internal 18-bit LVDS at up to 1366 x 768 resolution. Storage includes a 2.5-inch SATA drive bay and optional mSATA support via an internal mini-PCIe slot. [See HABEY BIS-6636 product page] -- Posted Monday, December 3, 2012