January 2009

Panasonic gave its flagship rugged notebook, the CF-30, and its compact rugged Tablet PC convertible, the CF-19, yet another technology update. Both have been switched to ultra-low voltage Centrino 2 vPro processors, have twice the standard memory (starting at 2GB now) and twice the disk capacity (160GB now). Most importantly for everyday use, all CF-19 and CF-30 models now have 1,000 nits LCDs with circular polarizers as well as anti-glare and anti-reflective treatment. The new machines promise spectacular battery life as well (up to ten hours). [See description and specs of the Panasonic Toughbook CF-19 and Toughbook CF-30]

Psion Teklogix highlights Mobile BIS software
Psion Teklogix's January 2009 newsletter praises Mobile BIS software as a breakthrough that lets the new generation of pocket-sized smart phones and handheld computers inventory a 200,000 square foot warehouse in four hours instead of four days, feed the numbers into a corporate database and email or text-message the results to mobile workers anywhere in the world in seconds. [See report on Mobile BIS software] -- Posted Thursday, January 29, 2009

101 Things To Do With A Mobile Phone In Healthcare
Steinkrug Publications Ltd have extended their Wireless Healthcare ehealth news and research service by putting the highly successful publication "101 Things To Do With A Mobile Phone In Healthcare" online and using it as a basis for a collaborative wireless ehealth development platform called theMobileHealthCrowd.com. View 101 Things To Do With A Mobile Phone In Healthcare -- Posted Thursday, January 29, 2009

Atmel announces its advanced touch-library
Atmel Corporation, an industry leader in capacitive touch sensing products, announced its advanced Touch-library that resides on the microcontroller instead of a separate chip resulting in a highly cost effective solution. See an explanation of the Atmel Touch Library. -- Posted Thursday, January 29, 2009

Datamax - O'Neil introduces PrintPADs for Intermec CN3 series
Datamax - O’Neil announced the availability of the PrintPAD CN3 and PrintPAD CN3e, which combines the company’s 4te portable 4” thermal printer with an integrated cradle for Intermec’s recently introduced CN3 and CN3e mobile handheld computers. [See Datamax - O'Neil product page for the PrintPAD CN3] -- Posted Thursday, January 29, 2009

Psion Teklogix webcast on supply chain management
In today's challenging economy, we know it's crucial to maximize profits and improve efficiency to keep a competitive edge. On February 11, Psion Teklogix and AeroScout offer a webcast entitled "Maximizing the Power of Your Supply Chain: The Next Generation of Business Automation Technology" that is taped live from the show floor at Promat2009. The session offers the opportunity to learn how to leverage the latest technology -- including wireless and Wi-Fi based asset tracking solutions -- to increase efficiencies in warehouse and supply chain operations. [Click here to register] -- Posted Wednesday, January 28, 2009

President Obama using the General Dynamics Sectéra Edge?
According to a report in The Spokesman-Review, President Obama, a devout BlackBerry smartphone fan, is using a General Dynamics Sectéra Edge for secure communication. The Sectéra Edge is what the government calls a SME-PED — a Secure Mobile Environment Portable Electronic Device and is certified by the NSA for voice communications classified up to the Top Secret level and access to email and web-sites classified at the Secret level and below. [See description and specs of the General Dynamics Sectéra Edge] -- Posted Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Datalux Tracer: Rugged all-in-one vehicle mount computer
Virginia-based Datalux makes the compact Tracer vehicle mount panel computer for use in law enforcement, EMS, fire, and other vehicular applications. The fanless Core 2 Duo powered Tracer has a daylight-viewable 12.1-inch touchscreen, excellent connectivity, and a vehicle-optimized mounting and keyboard system. [View description and specs of the Datalux Tracer] -- Posted Friday, January 23, 2009

Hyder Consulting taps XPLORE for rapid reporting
When multinational engineering company Hyder Consulting looked for cost-effective solutions to help Hyder's field teams remain competitive, the company decided to upgrade its systems. Xplore Technologies was part of this evaluation process with their ultra-rugged Tablet PCs. Read Hyder Consulting Taps XPLORE PCs For Rapid Reporting. -- Posted Friday, January 23, 2009

AMD sells its handheld unit to Qualcomm
AMD sold its graphics and multimedia technology assets, intellectual property and resources -- essentially their handheld business unit -- to Qualcomm for US$65 million. This enhances Qualcomm’s multimedia capabilities, including 2D and 3D graphics, audio/video, display, and architecture required for next-gen mobile interfaces and devices. [See AMD press release] -- Posted Friday, January 23, 2009

GD-Itronix releases high performance vehicle-rugged GD6000
General Dynamics Itronix has released its next generation vehicle-rugged notebook computer, the GD6000. Evolved from the company's GoBook VR2, the GD6000 offers full compatibility with first and second generation VR models, but superior performance thanks to a 2.56GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T9400 processor and the Mobile Intel GM45 chipset. DynaVue technology provides excellent outdoor and direct sunlight viewability. [See full review of the General Dynamics Itronix GD6000] -- Posted Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Rugged Pan-Tilt for wheeled vehicle applications
Directed Perception, a manufacturer of advanced computer-controlled control and pointing mechanisms, announced the rugged PTU-D48-DVE model pan-tilt unit designed for use in Driver Vision Enhancer Family of Systems (DVE-FOS) and Forward Activity Detection Systems (FADS) applications. [See product page for the PTU-D48 rugged positioning mount] -- Posted Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Vocollect Wireless Headset on Psion Teklogix WORKABOUT PRO
Vocollect, Inc., provider of voice systems for improving supply chain performance, announced the availability of the Vocollect SRX wireless headset on the second gen Psion Teklogix WORKABOUT PRO mobile computer. With a wireless headset option, workers have more freedom of movement, resulting in increased convenience, comfort and safety -- Posted Monday, January 19, 2009

LXE releases two rugged Windows XP vehicle-mount computers
LXE announced two rugged vehicle-mount computers. In a nod to internal research that showed an increasing number of LXE customers preferring Windows XP to Windows CE, the VX8 and VX9 bring Windows XP or XP Embedded to compact, rugged, wirelessly enabled systems with either a 10.4-inch (VX8) or 12.1-inch (VX9) touchscreen display. [See description and specs of the LXE VX8 and LXE VX9] -- Posted Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Full review: the highly configurable Winmate Rugged Tablet PC V280
In the rugged Tablet PC market, the ability to customize a product often makes or breaks a deal, and Winmate certainly has all the bases covered with its Rugged Tablet PC V280. The V280 is an extremely flexible slate computer platform with a tough magnesium-aluminum housing that can be configured with a wide variety of processors, displays and onboard connectivity so that it fits almost any application. [Read full review of the Winmate Rugged Tablet PC V280] -- Posted Tuesday, January 13, 2009

DT Research launches handheld POS device for quick customer service
DT Research announced a new line of ruggedized handheld computers specialized for Point-of-Service applications. The WebDT 400 Series has a fully integrated magnetic card reader as well as an RFID reader and barcode scanner. There are two versions of the device, one with a large 4.3-inch screen and one with a 3.5-inch full VGA screen and a 21-key numeric keypad. The hot-swappable battery lasts a full shift and the devices run Windows CE 5.0 on a 533MHz Samsung processor. Pricing starts at US$999. [See description and specs of the DT Research WebDT 400 Series ] -- Posted Monday, January 12, 2009

Psion Teklogix introduces rugged, lightweight 2-inch mobile printers
Proving that bigger is not always better, Psion Teklogix announced the lightest yet rugged two-inch, 12-ounce PRINTABOUT(2) mobile receipt and label printers. The PRINTABOUT(2) series retains all the features of larger, heavier mobile printers as part of its PTX Print line of mobile printing solutions. The rugged, compact design and extended battery life of the PRINTABOUT(2) MLP2020 label printer and the MRP2020 receipt printer make them ideal for any retail, warehousing, transportation, public safety, healthcare and field service applications. -- Posted Monday, January 12, 2009

Glacier adds Core 2 Duo power to rugged Ridgeline tablet
Glacier Computer, a designer, developer, and supplier of rugged industrial PC-compatible devices announce shipment of the Ridgeline industrial tablet computer with Core 2 Duo processors. The Ridgeline is an all-in-one rugged tablet with IP65 sealing, internal GPS, integrated GPRS, a shock-mounted hard drive, a 10.4” display, touchscreen, multiple I/O and vehicle docking station. -- Posted Monday, January 12, 2009

OQO announces Atom-powered model 2+ with OLED display
OQO, arguably the most innovative and most durable maker of tiny alternative mobile PCs, announced the new model 2+ which is powered by a 1.86GHz Intel Atom Z540 processor, an 800 x 480 pixel OLED 5-inch display, 2GB RAM, and Gobi worldwide 3G EV-DO Rev. A / HSPA capability. There's even an onboard HDMI connector. The OQO model 2+, which measures 5.5 x 3.3 x 1 inches and weighs a pound, will be available in the first half of 2009 with pricing starting at U$999. -- Posted Friday, January 9, 2009

Next SD Card standard released: up to 2 Terabyte
The SD Card Association announced the next generation SD Memory Card, the SDXC (SD eXtended Capacity), a new standard for storing data in capacities of more than 32 GB and up as well as for their host devices. The new cards will provide capacities in the future ranging up to 2 TB at read/write speeds of 300 megabytes per second. [Read PDF press release on the new SDXC standard] -- Posted Friday, January 9, 2009

Trimble adds new Nomad models
Trimble introduced the Nomad 800X Series computers, three new models of its impressive PXA320-powered outdoor rugged handheld computer that offer Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN via AT&T EDGE) functionality and integrated quad-band GSM cellular data transmission, digital photography and bar-code scanning in one device. List prices range from US$2,449 to $3,049 based on model. Except a full review from RuggedPCReview.com shortly. [See review of the original Nomad (including underwater video!)] -- Posted Friday, January 9, 2009

GETAC expects increase in military notebook shipments
Digitimes mentions a Chinese-language Commercial Times report saying that Taiwan-based maker Mitac Technology expects its military notebook shipment this year will grow 15-20% on year. -- Posted Thursday, January 8, 2009

GETAC expands in Germany, Switzerland and Austria
GETAC Inc., a specialist rugged mobile computer manufacturer with over 20 years experience, has announced plans to increase its presence in Germany, Switzerland and Austria and the appointment of Ted Hilbert as Business Development Manager. The appointment follows a number of recent key accounts wins for GETAC and on the back of several successful product launches for GETAC in 2008. These included the fully-rugged B300 notebook and V100 convertible Tablet PC, both featuring GETAC's exclusive 1200 nits Sunlight Readable Technology (SRT), the new GETAC E100, believed to be the world's lightest rugged Tablet PC and the GETAC PS535E personal data collection device. -- Posted Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Motorola unveils a rugged phone
Those who need a rugged cellphone to go along with their rugged computing equipment should look at the new Motorola Tundra VA76r, a rugged 3G clamshell device with a tough exterior that can withstand harsh environments. There's quick web access with AT&T's 3G network and you can also get AT&T Mobility's Push To Talk service. The Mototundra is built to pass Military Spec 810F testing for shock, vibration, rain, humidity, drop, blowing dust, low temperatures, and high operating/storage temperatures. US$199 with two-year contract. [See Motorola Tundra page at AT&T] -- Posted Tuesday, January 6, 2009

The amazing success of "netbooks"
These days, "netbooks" get a lot of press. You'd think a "netbook" were some sort of miraculous new device, a technological breakthrough that lets you do new and wondrous things. In fact, "netbooks" are nothing more than little notebooks. There is absolutely nothing new or exciting about them. And there is nothing that makes them earn the "netbook" name. However... [Read The amazing success of "netbooks"] -- Posted Monday, January 5, 2009

DT Research Web DT 520 rugged fixed-mount tablet
Now available: Print-style PDF of the DT Research Web DT 520 review. -- Posted Thursday, January 1, 2009