The Handheld Group announced it has upgraded its popular 7-inch Algiz RT7 rugged Android tablet to Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) and doubled RAM to 2 GB. These upgrades will also apply to the Algiz RT7 eTicket used in public transportation fare collection and ticket validation. Jerker Hellström, Handheld Group CEO, said that “Android 6.0 is a vast improvement over 5.1 for our enterprise customers, increasing data security and adding features designed specifically for mobile workforces employing Android. And the performance-enhancing RAM increase ensures our customers have the power they need for complex field tasks.” [See Handheld Group media release] -- Posted Tuesday, January 31, 2017 by chb
Case Study: Handheld Group Algiz 10X emergency response system improves efficiency for ambulance workers
Sweden is improving its emergency healthcare efforts with Paratus, a modular solution built on Handheld's Algiz 10X rugged tablet. Swedish emergency responders are using the Algiz 10X emergency response tablet to send critical status updates to hospital workers as they happen, increasing emergency healthcare efficiency and improving patient outcomes. [Read Algiz 10X emergency response system improves efficiency for ambulance workers] -- Posted Thursday, January 26, 2017 by chb
Commercial mobile tech jumps to military deployment with rugged tablets
DT Research points out that commercial-grade level tech has proved to be a boon across a wide range of civilian industries. It provides low-cost production of mobile devices, and has made mobile technology more affordable than ever. However most commercially produced mobile devices cannot withstand the physical demands of military deployment. To meet this need, a new breed of tablet has emerged; it combines the best features of commercial-grade tablets with a new form of ruggedization that meets exacting military standards. [Read more Rugged Tech Talk with DT Research] -- Posted Thursday, January 26, 2017 by chb
Rugged computing experts offer economically priced, full-featured, field-ready IP68-sealed 7-inch Android tablet
Juniper Systems has released the Cedar CT7G rugged 7-inch Android 6.0 tablet to meet customer demand for a lower cost, ruggedized Android line that would serve as a more suitable alternative to fragile consumer devices for outdoor applications. Powered by the "world mode" quad-core MTK6735 platform, the IP68-sealed tablet targets geomatics industry and geospatial technology customers, and should be interesting to anyone seeking an economy-priced rugged Android tablet. [See description, analysis and specs of the Juniper Systems Cedar CT7G] -- Posted Wednesday, January 25, 2017 by chb
Xplore Technologies expands worldwide service organization
Xplore Technologies announced that it has completed a significant expansion of its global support and service organization in line with its growing global customer base. Over the last 12 months, the company has added four new Service Depots, three new Authorized Service Providers, and more than 10 toll-free numbers to connect rugged tablet customers in every region with the Customer Care Center for technical support and warranty processing. [See Xplore media release] -- Posted Tuesday, January 24, 2017 by chb
Full review: DT Research DT301S 2-in-1 enabled rugged tablet
2-in-1 enabled rugged Windows tablets are coming on strong, combining powerful, productivity-oriented tablet hardware with matching detachable keyboards designed for real work. RuggedPCReview performed an in-depth analysis and review of the DT Research DT301S, an IP65-sealed, Intel Skylake-powered 10.1-inch tablet that can instantly provide full laptop functionality without the extra bulk and weight of a permanently attached keyboard. [See full review of the DT Research DT301S] -- Posted Thursday, January 19, 2017 by chb
Panasonic releases 2-in-1 12.5-inch Toughpad FZ-Q2
Panasonic introduced the Windows-based 12.5-inch Toughpad FZ-Q2 as both an upgrade and enhancement to its prior Toughpad FZ-Q1, as well as a re-positioning of the platform to a 2-in-1 convertible/hybrid. As a member of Panasonic's family of enterprise-grade rugged tablet computers, the upgraded Toughpad Q2 thus further bolsters its position as a "pro" tablet with a larger display, extra features, and now 2-in-1 convertible functionality. [See description, analysis and specs of the Panasonic Toughpad FZ-Q2] -- Posted Tuesday, January 17, 2017 by chb
Panasonic announced Android-based Toughpad FZ-A2
Over five years ago, Panasonic introduced their original Toughpad, the Android-based FZ-A1. The world wasn't quite ready for an iPad-sized rugged Android tablet at the time, but now it is. The new 10.1-inch full-HD, Intel Atom x5-Z8550-powered Toughpad FZ-A2 shares much with the tablet part of Panasonic's Windows-based 2-in-1 Toughbook CF-20, but in a lower-end configuration and running Android 6 Marshmallow. [See description, analysis and specs of the Panasonic Toughpad FZ-A2] -- Posted Tuesday, January 17, 2017 by chb
Full review: Juniper Systems Mesa 2 ultra-rugged Windows tablet
RuggedPCReview performed a detailed examination of Juniper Systems' Mesa 2, the company's first "full" Windows device, and found it to be a supremely competent, very configurable, Intel Bay Trail-powered 7-inch capacitive multi-touch tablet with a sharp, bright display, excellent battery life, and the kind of trust-inspiring ruggedness and sealing that means field workers won't have to baby their gear. The Mesa 2 is available in several versions, including barcode, RFID, GEO, and HazLoc. [See full review of the Juniper Systems Mesa 2] -- Posted Monday, January 16, 2017 by chb
Taking the gloves off: drop testing Surface Pro 4 cases
A lot of folks are starting to claim they're "meeting MIL-STD-810G." Problem is, that statement alone means very little as the MIL-STD-810G simply issues testing guidelines. The rugged tablet folks at MobileDemand, who do know a thing or 50 about ruggedness testing, decided to do some of their own comparison testing. Ouch. [See MobileDemand Surface Pro 4 rugged case drop test blog and video] -- Posted Friday, January 13, 2017 by chb
Xplore Technologies and CLS America partner to launch the Thorium X SatCom rugged Android tablet
Xplore Technologies has partnered with CLS America to launch the Thorium X satcom rugged tablet system. The Thorium X is built on Xplore's XSLATE D10 Android rugged tablet PC. Xplore received an initial order from CLS for 1,000 XSLATE D10 units, plus follow-on orders as needed. The giant advantage of the Thorium X is that it can communicate where there is no WiFi or cell coverage. According to Michael Kelly, VP of CLS America. “Thorium X allows people to stay connected via satellite 100% of the time, and at a fraction of the cost of satellite phones.” [See Xplore/CLS America media release and Thorium X web page] -- Posted Friday, January 13, 2017 by chb
Oregon Department of Transportation deploys DT Research purpose-built GNSS rugged tablets for construction projects
DT Research announced the successful deployment of DT391GS rugged GNSS tablets for the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT). The DT391GS tablets with Intel Bay Trail dual-core processors are used as inspector positioning tablets with the critical hardware and software needed for line and grade determination on stakeless highway construction projects. “ODOT selected the DT Research tablet as it was the only device on the market that provided dual frequency GNSS in a rugged Windows based device,” Chris Pucci, Construction Automation Surveyor at the Oregon Department of Transportation. “The tablets have been very well received by our construction inspection personnel.” [See DT Research media release] -- Posted Wednesday, January 11, 2017 by chb
Winmate announces M800 Windows Tablet PC for public safety, security, point-of-sale and vehicular applications
Winmate announced the M800BW, a compact, rugged, lightweight 8-inch Windows Tablet PC for public safety, security, point-of-sale and vehicular applications. Powered by a quad-core Intel "Braswell" Pentium N3710 chip, the M800 weighs just 2.4 pounds, offers capacitive multi-touch (including glove/rain.stylus modes), and can be mounted almost anywhere. Also available is a special expansion box that provides vehicle power, a DB9 serial port and CAN bus support. [See RuggedPCReview's description, analysis and specs of the Winmate M800] -- Posted Thursday, January 5, 2017 by chb
Wacom's new Bamboo stylus with Active ES and Microsoft Pen support getting closer
There was a long period of time when the ubiquitous Wacom pen worked on every device with a Wacom digitizer in it, without a battery at all. But that was before the emergence of capacitive multi-touch drove even Wacom to come up with an active electrostatic pen, and before Microsoft bought the other major active pen technology, n-trig, and compatibility pretty much disappeared. However, Wacom now announced it is putting the final touches on a new stylus, developed under a licensing agreement with Microsoft, that will support both their own Active ES Pen protocol and the Microsoft Pen Protocols. Now add to that the Universal Stylus Initiative (see our report) and we're at a point where, overall, things are a bit confusing and perhaps less compatible than they ought to be. [See Wacom media release] -- Posted Tuesday, January 3, 2017 by chb