February 2020

JLT Mobile Computers addresses wireless connectivity challenges by signing technology alliance with NetMotion
JLT Mobile Computers, a leading supplier of reliable computers for demanding environments, today announced a technology alliance with NetMotion, a provider of dynamic Wi-Fi and cellular connection management solutions designed to improve the productivity of today's mobile workforce. The partnership will make NetMotion available to JLT's range of rugged mobile devices. [See JLT Mobile media release] -- Posted Tuesday, February 25, 2020

Getac issues case study: Remica have chosen Getac to speed up processes
Remica, founded in Spain in 1984, is a leader in heating, air conditioning, energy systems, and energy conservation. The company found that their mobile hardware was not up to the job, with frequent failures resulting in unacceptable problems and delays. Remica found its solution in the Getac T800 rugged tablet. Remica's IT director said, "Since using the Getac tablets, hardware incidents have decreased by 98% and we believe that these savings will continue to improve as we continue to purchase Getac tablets.” [See Getac case study: Remica have chosen Getac to speed up processes and Remica case study video] -- Posted Monday, February 24, 2020

MobileDemand: Forklift-mounted tablets increase productivity
MobileDemand published a case study on how Minnesota-based Japs-Olson — a privately held company that has been producing bulk direct mail and commercial print items for over 100 years — wanted to optimize the movement material throughout the plant. They found the answer in the xTablet T1600 from MobileDemand. The result was less data lost, greater productivity from the forklift operators, and less involvement of IT support. [See Forklift-mounted tablets increase productivity] -- Posted Monday, February 24, 2020

Reasons why police departments love rugged tablets
In its latest blog entry, DT Research explains why so many police departments love their rugged tablets for on-duty fieldwork. Those include touch screens large enough for easy reading and ease of use on the job; integration with mapping and other field-specific software solutions; and the kind of durability that make for reliable operation even under the harshest conditions. [See 3 Reasons Police Departments Love DT Research Rugged Tablets] -- Posted Monday, February 24, 2020

New CipherLab RK95 handles both modern and legacy applications with ease
CipherLab, a consistent innovator in Automated Identification and Data Capture (AIDC), is pleased to present the RK95 Industrial Mobile Computer, the next generation of the company's 9700 Series of handhelds for warehouse and similar applications. Smooth, reliable 24/7 operation without interruptions is made possible with the RK95 advanced mobile computing platform and its superior wireless options. Android with Google AER and GMS certification means secure efficiency in enterprise applications. [See Cipherlab media release] -- Posted Friday, February 21, 2020

Review: Conker SX80 rugged 8-inch Android tablet
Rugged tablets generally tend to be on the thick and bulky side. The folks at Conker know that and pride themselves into making available durable, yet light and slender handhelds and tablets. We took a detailed look at their Conker SX80 Android tablet — just 0.43 inches thick — and came away quite impressed. [See review of the 8-inch Conker SX80 rugged Android tablet.] -- Posted Friday, February 21, 2020

Winmate's stainless product series upgraded to SUS316/AISI316
Winmate has upgraded the casting material of its Stainless product series from SUS304/AISI304 stainless steel to SUS316/AISI316 stainless steel. While the type 304 offers the standard corrosion resistance, the 316 stainless contains a significant amount of molybdenum, resulting in vastly superior corrosion resistance to rust, chlorides and acids, giving a lifetime of durability. [See Winmate media release] -- Posted Thursday, February 20, 2020

Kingston encrypted IronKey D300 Series achieves NATO restricted level certification
Kingston Digital, Inc., the Flash memory affiliate of Kingston Technology Company, Inc., a world leader in memory products and technology solutions, today announced its IronKey D300 Encrypted USB Flash Drive series has achieved NATO Restricted Level Certification. This indicates that, after a detailed validation process, the Kingston IronKey D300, IronKey D300S and IronKey D300SM have been listed in the NATO Information Assurance Product Catalogue (NIAPC) for security products that meet NATO's nations, civil and military bodies' operational requirements. [See Kingston media release] -- Posted Wednesday, February 19, 2020

The intrinsically safe Getac UX10-EX tablet delivers powerful performance in hazardous environments
Getac has announced the launch of the new UX10-EX intrinsically safe (ATEX / IECEx Zone 2/22) fully rugged Windows tablet, delivering powerful, reliable Intel 8th generation Core processor computing performance to professionals operating in hazardous environments. Key features include a 10.1-inch Full HD glove-capable LumiBond touchscreen display with 1000 nits of brightness, offering crystal clarity in all weather conditions. MIL-STD-810G and IP65 ratings ensure operation in temperatures ranging from -6°F to 145°F and drop resistance of up to 6ft. [See Getac media release] -- Posted Friday, February 14, 2020

MontaVista launches a Linux migration program for Windows Embedded and Windows CE Users
MontaVista Software, LLC, a leader in commercial Embedded Linux® products and services, today announced that MontaVista's Carrier Grade eXpress (CGX) will include features allowing effortless migration from both Windowswing effortless migration from both Windows Embedded and Windows CE. MontaVista will also offer professional services to assist in such migration from a Windows platform to CGX. As CGX's product lifecycle is 10+ years, Windows embedded developers can now seamlessly migrate to CGX and be assured of long platform support. [See MontaVista media release] -- Posted Thursday, February 13, 2020

RuggON video: Belated Justice
RuggON, a premier manufacturer of rugged tablet computers, has published an impressive 2-minute video that shows the many ways in which law enforcement can benefit from quickly detachable advanced tablet technology with their comprehensive features and functions. [See RuggOn Belated Justice video] -- Posted Thursday, February 13, 2020

Zebra announces Q4 and full-year 2019 financials
Zebra Technologies announced net sales of $1,192 million in Q4 2019 compared to $1137 million in Q4 2018. Net income for Q4 2019 was $169 million, compared to $115 million for Q4 2018. Full year 2019 sales were $4.485 billion compared to $4.218 billion in 2018. Net income for 2019 was $544 million, compared with a net income of $421 million in 2018. Net sales in the Enterprise Visibility & Mobility ("EVM") segment (formerly Enterprise segment) were $813 million in Q4 2019 compared with $770 million in the Q4 2018. Asset Intelligence & Tracking ("AIT") segment (formerly Legacy Zebra segment) net sales were $379 million in Q4 of 2019 compared to $367 million in the prior year period. The company expects full-year 2020 net sales to increase approximately 4% to 6% from 2019. [See Zebra Q4 and full year 2019 financials] -- Posted Thursday, February 13, 2020

Motorola Solutions adds new analytics to in-car video system for law enforcement
Motorola Solutions (NYSE: MSI) today announced the immediate availability of new video security and analytics capabilities for law enforcement. Automated license plate recognition (ALPR) is now part of the WatchGuard 4RE® in-car video system. [See Motorola Solutions media release] -- Posted Thursday, February 13, 2020

My-T-Soft enters its fourth decade
My-T-Soft has been around since 1995, done business in four different decades, decades that have seen massive advancements in technology. Back in 1995 Microsoft had just ditched Pen Windows and replaced it with the optional wimpy Pen Services 2.0 in Windows 95. Handwriting recognition was still seen as the key to success for tablets and handhelds. The My-T-Soft folks knew better: it was all about the (on-screen) keyboard. So ever since, they've been selling a growing number of programmable, configurable, customizable onscreen keyboards for any platform and application. Job well done, My-T-Soft! [See My-T-Soft enters fourth decade. Welcome to the Twenties!] -- Posted Wednesday, February 12, 2020

Motorola Solutions Introduces New Avigilon H5M Outdoor Dome Camera
Motorola Solutions today announced the launch of the newest addition to its video security portfolio, the Avigilon H5M camera. The new H5M camera line will provide customers with a cost-effective solution for budget-conscious video security projects that require a small-footprint camera for outdoor use. The H5M camera can handle tough environmental conditions while offering AI-powered Unusual Motion Detection (UMD) — all backed by a five-year warranty. [See Motorola Solutions media release] -- Posted Wednesday, February 12, 2020

ARBOR 2020 product catalogs available for download
ARBOR Technology announced that its (traditionally excellent) 2020 product catalogs are available for download. There are separate catalogs for Embedded Computing, Industrial Automation, Medical Computing, and Rugged Mobile Computing. [Go to ARBOR catalog download page] -- Posted Wednesday, February 12, 2020

Long-time rugged IT supplier JLT Mobile Computers sets itself up for continued success with new brand identity
JLT Mobile Computers, a leading developer and manufacturer of reliable computers for demanding environments, is continuing its growth strategy under a new brand identity. Having significantly outperformed the competition in its serviceable markets in recent years and posting record sales of SEK 142M in 2019, the new-look JLT is setting sights on further expansion of its market share with a fresh growth strategy centering around expanded product, service, and solutions offerings, with strengthened sales channels, strong R&D and strategic partnerships. [See JLT Mobile media release] -- Posted Wednesday, February 12, 2020

Rugged computing history: My 2002 Panasonic Toughbook factory tour
In 2002, as guest of Panasonic in Japan, I wrote the Toughbook story. During my time at Matsushita in Osaka, Kobe and Tokyo, I jotted down some 10,000 words of notes and impressions. It could easily have been 50,000. The resulting feature represented just a summary, a brief look at a project gone right, one where smart people did everything right and came up with a product that met and exceeded the needs of both the customer and the company that made it. It was a prime example of how things ought to be. [Read the Panasonic Toughbook Story] -- Posted Tuesday, February 11, 2020

Winmate to showcase IoT edge computing and enterprise mobility solutions at MODEX 2020
Winmate will showcase its flexible, data-driven mobile solutions and latest IoT edge computing technologies that revolutionize warehouse and supply chain operations at MODEX 2020 from March 9-12, 2020 at Booth #4808, Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, USA. [See Winmate media release] -- Posted Tuesday, February 11, 2020

Cincoze fully supports 9th generation Intel Core and Xeon processors
Cincoze, a professional manufacturer of embedded systems, today is pleased to announce upgraded rugged embedded computers with 9th generation Intel® Core i7/i5/i3 and Xeon® E processors. Supporting between 4 to 8 cores and the latest DDR4-2666 memory, the 9th generation processors take mainstream CPU performance to a whole new level and fulfill multiple workload requirements. [See Cincoze media release] -- Posted Monday, February 10, 2020

Motorola Solutions reports full-year 2019 financials
Motorola Solutions reported 2019 full-year sales of USS$7.887 billion, up 7% from US$7.343 billion in 2018. 2019 operating earnings were US$1.581 billion, up 26% from 2018's US$1.255 billion, with 2019 net earnings of US$868 million vs. net earnings of US$966 million in 2018. For full-year 2020, Motorola Solutions expects revenue growth of approximately 4%. Motorola Solutions ended the fiscal year with a record backlog of $11.3 billion, up $659 million or 6 percent from a year ago. [See Motorola Solutions 2019 financial media release] -- Posted Thursday, February 6, 2020

RuggON SOL PA501 certified as SOTI MobiControl ready
RuggON, a leading manufacturer of rugged solutions announced that its Android 9-based and octa-core powered flagship rugged tablet SOL PA501 is now SOTI MobiControl certified. Empowered by SOTI's enterprise mobility management (EMM) technology, the next-generation tablet is ideally suited for 24/7 on-duty mobile workers, as they often need to deploy multiple devices (handhelds/tablets/laptops) during missions. [See RuggON media release] -- Posted Thursday, February 6, 2020

First look at Handheld's new Algiz RT8 rugged Android tablet
With smartphone screens getting ever bigger, 8 is the new 7 in compact tablets. It's not that 7-inch rugged tablets will go away, but for a true separation from the smartphone crowd, it's good to have a solid 8-inch offering in the lineup. That's what the Handheld Group has just done with their new Algiz RT8 rugged tablet. RuggedPCReview takes a first look. [See description, analysis and specs of the Handheld Algiz RT8 rugged Android tablet] -- Posted Wednesday, February 5, 2020

DigiTimes: 43.2 million tablets shipped Q4 2019
According to DigiTimes, Global tablet shipments totaled 43.23 million units in the fourth quarter of 2019. Apple was leading with about 30% market share, then Samsung with about 15%, Amazon third, then Huawei and Microsoft. 70% of all tablets had displays 10-inch and larger. 7-inch tablets down to under 6%, 8-inch form factor mainstream for inexpensive tablets. -- Posted Wednesday, February 5, 2020

Handheld launches the Algiz RT8, a new ultra-rugged Android tablet
Handheld Group, a leading manufacturer of rugged mobile computers, today announced the new Algiz RT8 — an ultra-rugged 8-inch Android tablet that makes field work faster and more efficient. The new Algiz RT8 ultra-rugged tablet is prepared for whatever the outside environment delivers — extreme temperatures, vibration, drops, water, and dust. Running Android 9.0 this unique 8-inch tablet allows faster and more efficient work in the field. [See Handheld Group media release] -- Posted Wednesday, February 5, 2020

BlackBerry and Trimble partner to enable advanced asset monitoring capabilities in transportation management
BlackBerry Limited (NYSE: BB; TSX: BB) announced today that the BlackBerry Radar solution now integrates with Trimble's TMW.Suite and TruckMate transportation management system (TMS) solutions. The new offering is available now for commercial carriers, dedicated fleets, private fleets, brokers and 3PLs using TMW.Suite or TruckMate software. [See Blackberry media release] -- Posted Tuesday, February 4, 2020

What happened in rugged computing 10 years ago: February 2010
In February 2010, Toshiba updated its M750 Tablet PC to the new Intel i3/i5/i7 processors. We wrote about how these new processors would affect rugged computing (see here). We reviewed Fujitsu's Lifebook T4410 with multitouch. The Pharos 565 became the first rugged handheld to use Windows Mobile 6.5. Panasonic introduced the rugged Toughbook H1 Field. Nvidia fought back against Intel's integration of graphics into its new chips with Optimus Graphics Technology. The Handheld Group introduced the Algiz 7 rugged tablet. Intermec reported lower sales and revenues. Mobile Enterprise Magazine predicted scanners would lose out to smartphones. [See full February 2010 archive] -- Posted Sunday, February 2, 2020