February 2022

Full Review: Emdoor EM-X33 rugged 13.3-inch OEM laptop
RuggedPCReview has tested, in detail, one of the fully rugged laptops by Emdoor Information, one of China's emerging rugged computer original equipment (OEM/ODM) designers and manufacturers. The all-magnesium 13.3-inch Intel 11th generation Core processor-based EM-X33 is both smaller and lighter than fully rugged laptops on the market today, while offering the same high performance and making mostly the same ruggedness claims. [See full review of the Emdoor EM-X33 rugged OEM laptop] -- Posted Monday, February 28, 2022

Dell reports record fiscal 2021 financials
Dell Technologies reported record 2021 full-year sales of US$94.2 billion, up 2% from 2020. 2021 operating income was a record US$5.1 billion, up 96% from 2020. "In the past year, our team rallied to support our customers and partners worldwide as technology played a central role in keeping our society, economy and lives moving forward," said Jeff Clarke, chief operating officer, Dell Technologies. [See Dell Technologies 2021 financial media release] -- Posted Monday, February 28, 2022

Why C1D2 certification matters
C1D2 is part of a classification system that determines the level of dangerous or explosive vapors, gas, dust, or fibers present, as well as the type of technology that is permissible and safe to use when they are present. Having a device with C1D2 certification is definitely a good thing when you operate in hazardous areas where flammable gasses, vapors or liquids may be present within sufficient quantities to be explosive or ignitable. [Read the DT Research blog on Why C1D2 certification matters] -- Posted Thursday, February 24, 2022

Nautiz X41 rugged handheld gets Android 11 and versatile new pistol grip
Handheld Group, Handheld Group, a leading manufacturer of rugged mobile computers, today announced an operating system upgrade to Android 11 for the Nautiz X41 rugged handheld. The Nautiz X41 is a compact and light-weight rugged handheld designed for efficient field data collection and communication. In addition to a touchscreen, the Nautiz X41 comes with a physical keypad which has been popular especially in the logistics, warehousing, and supply chain industries. The Nautiz X41 enterprise-focused accessories also includes a new, more versatile, pistol grip with options for UHF or long-range scanning. [See Handheld media release] -- Posted Thursday, February 24, 2022

Intel's 12th generation "Alder Lake" hybrid processors
It isn’t easy to keep up with Intel’s prolific introduction of new processors, processor types and processor generations. Or to figure out what truly matters and what’s incremental and more marketing than compelling advancement. RuggedPCReview's Editor-in-Chief Conrad Blickenstorfer takes a look at Intel's 12th generation of Core processors, code-named Alder Lake, and Intel’s first major venture into hybrid processors. Read what "hybrid" means in processors, and what "Alder Lake" will mean to rugged tablets and laptops, as well as industrial and embedded PCs. [Read Intel's 12th generation "Alder Lake" hybrid processors] -- Posted Monday, February 21, 2022

OnLogic blog: How to choose the best industrial computer
A good, helpful blog doesn't only help companies, but also their existing and prospective customers. Among our favorites is OnLogic's that's always full of interesting and educational information on embedded and industrial computer systems. Check out their recent How to Choose the Best Industrial Computer -- Posted Thursday, February 17, 2022

Iridium announces 2021 financial results
Iridium Communications Inc., the only mobile voice and data satellite communications network that spans the entire globe, reported Q4 2021 revenue of $155.9 million, up from $146.5 million for Q4 2020. For full-year 2021 Iridium reported revenue of $614.5 million, up from $583.4 million for full-year 2020. The company reported a net loss of $9.3 million for full-year 2021, versus a net loss of $56.0 million for full-year 2020. Iridium predicts total service revenue growth between 5% and 7% for full-year 2022. "Iridium had another strong year in 2021 on the back of the best subscriber growth in company history," said Matt Desch, CEO, Iridium. [See Iridium financial report] -- Posted Thursday, February 17, 2022

VIA accelerates time to market for Edge AI devices with the VIA SOM-9X35 Starter Kit
VIA Technologies, Inc. announced the VIA SOM-9X35 Starter Kit to accelerate time-to-market for retail, commercial, and industrial Edge AI devices. Featuring a flexible high-performance platform powered by the quad-core MediaTek i350 processor, the starter kit comes with a 7" LCD touch panel display, a 13MP HD camera module, and dual speakers and microphone for jumpstarting device development. Dual-band 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Bluetooth 5.0, and optional 4G provide seamless connectivity. [See VIA media release] -- Posted Thursday, February 17, 2022

DT Research rugged tablet awarded C1D2 certification for safe operation in potentially hazardous environments
DT Research, a leading designer and manufacturer of purpose-built computing solutions for vertical markets, today announced that its DT362 Rugged Handheld Tablet has been tested and Class 1 Division 2 Certified to operate safely in hazardous areas where flammable gases, vapors or liquids may be present within sufficient quantities to be explosive or ignitable. The C1D2 certification is recognized as the most widely accepted non-incendive standard in North America for products used in hazardous environments. [See DT Research media release] -- Posted Wednesday, February 16, 2022

ALGIZ RT8 ultra-rugged tablet now with Android 11 and an AER certification
Handheld Group, a leading manufacturer of rugged mobile computers, today announced a major operating system (OS) upgrade — to Android 11 — for the Algiz RT8 ultra-rugged Android tablet. The upgrade includes Android Enterprise Recommended (AER) certification which puts the Algiz RT8 on a select list of devices certified by Google to meet stringent enterprise-focused requirements. [See Handheld Group media release] -- Posted Wednesday, February 16, 2022

JLT Mobile Computers selected by leading European sourcing and services company Solar
JLT Mobile Computers, a leading developer of reliable computing solutions for demanding environments, has over a number of years supplied Solar Denmark A/S with hundreds of rugged forklift computers to enable smooth warehouse operations and reduce the risk of delayed orders. The computers' reliable hardware and superior network connectivity allows operators to track items from order right through to customer delivery. [See JLT Mobile media release] -- Posted Tuesday, February 15, 2022

Panasonic introduces TOUGHBOOK G2 with 5G option
Panasonic System Solutions Company of North America, announced availability of the TOUGHBOOK G2 with a 5G option. The rugged device will be available in the U.S. market supporting both 5G Sub6 and 5G mmWave network technologies. The 2-in-1 detachable future-proofs wireless communications capabilities for mobile workers. [See Panasonic media release] -- Posted Tuesday, February 15, 2022

Cincoze's New DI-1100 industrial embedded computer — multiple applications in smart factories
Cincoze's latest DI-1100 series of compact, high-performance and power-saving rugged embedded industrial computers with rich interface options is receiving a warm welcome in the smart factory industry. The DI-1100 Series is ideal for autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), ensuring on-time delivery of components to the production line or goods to warehouse racks, and suitable for 24/7 operation in outdoor remote monitoring systems. These diverse applications are crucial to all smart factories looking to reduce personnel, control costs, increase shipments, and implement outdoor monitoring. [See Cincoze media release] -- Posted Thursday, February 10, 2022

MilDef reports Q4 and full-year 2021 financials
MilDef Group AB reports that for Q4 2021 net sales decreased 22% to SEK 200.7 million ($21.65 million) as component shortages had a negative impact and approximately SEK 50 million have been postponed until 2022. Adjusted Q4 2021 EBITDA amounted to SEK 34.6 million ($3.73 million). For the full year 2021 net sales increased by 18% to 469.6 million ($50.65 million) and adjusted EBITDA amounted to SEK 32.2 million ($3.47 million). "We are entering 2022 with optimism and a strong order backlog which has increased by 64 percent to SEK 731.5 million ($78.9 million)," said Björn Karlsson, CEO MilDef Group. [See MilDef 2021 financials] -- Posted Thursday, February 10, 2022

Motorola Solutions reports Q4 and full-year 2021 financials
Motorola Solutions reported 2021 full-year sales of US$8.171 billion, up 10% from US$7.414 billion in 2020. 2021 operating earnings were US$1.667 billion, up 21% from 2020's US$1.383 billion, with 2021 net earnings of US$1,245 million vs. net earnings of US$949 million in 2020. For full-year 2021, Motorola Solutions expects revenue growth of approximately 7%. Motorola Solutions ended the fiscal year with a record backlog of $13.6 billion, up $1.35 billion from a year ago. [See Motorola Solutions 2021 financial media release] -- Posted Thursday, February 10, 2022

Trimble announces Q4 and full-year 2021 financials
Trimble announced revenue of $916.0 million in Q4 2021 compared to $829.7 million in Q4 2020. Net income for Q4 2021 was $115.3 million, compared to $180.7 million for Q4 2019. Full year 2021 sales were $3.659 billion compared to $3.148 billion in 2020. Net income for 2021 was $492.8 million, compared with a net income of $390.6 million in 2020. For the full year 2022, Trimble expects to report GAAP revenue between $3,950 million and $4,050 million. [See Trimble financials] -- Posted Thursday, February 10, 2022

Zebra announces Q4 and full-year 2021 financials
Zebra Technologies announced net sales of $1,467 million in Q4 2021 compared to $1,308 million in Q4 2020. Net income for Q4 2021 was $191 million, compared to $199 million for Q4 2020. Full year 2021 sales were $5.627 billion compared to $4.448 billion in 2020. Net income for 2021 was $837 million, compared with a net income of $504 million in 2020. Net sales in the Enterprise Visibility & Mobility ("EVM") segment (formerly Enterprise segment) were $1,023 million in Q4 2021 compared with $879 million in the Q4 2020. Asset Intelligence & Tracking ("AIT") segment (formerly Legacy Zebra segment) net sales were $444 million in Q4 of 2021 compared to $425 million in the prior year period. The company expects full-year 2022 net sales to increase 3% to 7% from 2021. [See Zebra Q4 and full year 2021 financials] -- Posted Thursday, February 10, 2022

Winmate highlights tablet use in telemedicine
In its January 20, 2022 newsletter, Winmate highlights the increasing use of rugged tablets in healthcare, especially with telemedicine having assumed a progressively larger role due to the Covid pandemic. The company announced their new healthcare grade compliant M101Q8-ME 10.1-inch Snapdragon SD600-powered rugged Android tablet which, like the entire lineup of Winmate's healthcare-grade mobile computers, uses housing materials enhanced with antimicrobial properties. [See M101Q8-ME Android Healthcare Rugged Tablet PC and also check out Winmate's cool Healthcare Virtual Expo] -- Posted Tuesday, February 8, 2022

Zebra Technologies Unveils New Portfolio of Easy-to-Deploy Integrated RFID Portals
Zebra Technologies Corporation, an innovator at the front line of business with solutions and partners that deliver a performance edge, today announced a new portfolio of easy-to-deploy and highly accurate Integrated RFID portals. Zebra's integrated UHF RFID portals are ideal for asset and workflow management, traceability and compliance applications in a variety of industrial and commercial environments including warehouses, pharmaceutical manufacturing plants and retail backrooms. [See Zebra media release] -- Posted Tuesday, February 8, 2022

Case study: Package sorting with the Handheld SP500X
During these pandemic times, online ordering boomed and resulted in a huge increase of package shipments. This meant a need for better ways to sort and label a huge volume of packages, and replacing costly and time-consuming tasks while reducing capital, operating and environmental costs in the process. Handheld just published a write-up on how their SP500X ScanPrinter can revolutionize logistics, and how it streamlined operations and lower costs for a major delivery company. [Read Package Sorting with the Handheld SP500X] -- Posted Thursday, February 3, 2022

New Garmin inReach Mini 2 delivers up to 30 days of global satellite communication, emergency services and enhanced location tracking
Garmin® International, Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd., announced the inReach® Mini 2, a compact satellite communication device with two-way texting and SOS capabilities. Purpose-built to support outdoor enthusiasts of all skill levels, the lightweight inReach Mini 2 communicator provides up to 30 days of battery life, as well as integrated location and situational awareness features such as TracBack navigation and Garmin Explore™ Mobile app compatibility. [See Garmin media release] -- Posted Thursday, February 3, 2022

MilDef opens subsidiary in Finland for accelerated expansion
To further strengthen MilDef's position in the Nordic market, MilDef Oy, MilDef's first subsidiary establishment in Finland, is now launched. The subsidiary will be led by Eero Valkola, a merited Colonel and previous Inspector of Signals within the Finnish Armed Forces, where he was responsible for development, training, and readiness of Army C4-systems, as part of the development of the entire Defense Forces C4-systems, as well as cyber defense. MilDef's products are sold to over 30 countries and the company currently has operations and its own subsidiaries in Sweden, Norway, the UK and the US. Finland is now being added to this map, a natural platform for MilDef's expansion through its own subsidiaries. [See MilDef media release] -- Posted Wednesday, February 2, 2022

What happened in rugged computing 10 years ago: February 2012
February 2012 was a busy month in rugged computing! DAP opened a second US office and previewed their V1010 vehicle computer. Motion expanded its presence in the UK with a new Country Manager. Xplore reported their first-ever profitable quarter, Intermec posted $850 million in revenue for the year and launched the CV41 rugged forklift computer. Juniper added a HazLoc version of its Mesa, Psion a Neo handheld with UHF RFID, and Trimble introduced a new gen of its rugged Juno GIS handhelds. Android started to make a move: Harris introduced the RF-3590 rugged Android tablet, Motorola the LEX 700 mission-critical Android handheld, and and Winmate introduced the Android-based 4.3-inch E430M handheld. AMREL received a quality award, the US Air Force selected the Getac B300 for QEB fully rugged laptop category, and Panasonic reported on its 3,500+ unit Navistar Toughbook deployment. [See full February 2012 archive] -- Posted Wednesday, February 2, 2022

New digital two-way radio from Motorola Solutions cuts through the noise for clear, reliable team communications
Motorola Solutions (NYSE:MSI) today announced the launch of the MOTOTRBO R7, a digital two-way radio with advanced audio features and a slim, rugged design to connect teams in loud, rough and dynamic environments. The MOTOTRBO R7 voice communications work on the digital mobile radio (DMR) standard and deliver sharp, clear speech for better intelligibility, with industrial-level noise cancellation, automatic feedback suppression and automatic volume adjustment based on background noise. -- Posted Tuesday, February 1, 2022

Trimble introduces mixed reality for construction layout with FieldLink MR
Trimble (NASDAQ: TRMB) announced today an innovative mixed-reality solution for construction layout with the introduction of the FieldLink MR app. Built on the powerful Trimble Connect® collaboration platform, Trimble FieldLink MR offers a completely new way to perform construction layout, enabling professionals to quickly navigate to tasks on the jobsite — getting more done in less time. The app runs on the Trimble® XR10 with HoloLens 2, a hardhat-integrated mixed-reality device. [See Trimble media release] -- Posted Tuesday, February 1, 2022