December 2012

Full review: Android-based ultra-rugged SDG Systems RAMPAGE 6 with large 5.7-inch display
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] -- Posted Thursday, December 27, 2012 by chb

Digitimes: Tablets to pass notebooks in 2015
Digitimes published a new global mobile device shipment forecast that's pretty interesting. All in all, mobile device shipments are pretty much on a straight increase from about 100 million in 2007 to about 420 million in 2015. However, notebook shipments leveled off at about 200 million in 2010 and no further growth is projected. Tablets, however started at virtually zero in 2009 and will increase at a high growth rate until they pass notebook shipments in 2015. -- Posted Friday, December 14, 2012 by chb

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 by chb

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 by chb

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 by chb

Microsoft Surface RT gets expanded retail distribution
Microsoft announced plans to make Microsoft Surface available at additional retailers as soon as mid-December. "Our plan has been to expand the retail presence for Surface after the first of the year. Based on interest from retailers, we are giving them the option to carry Surface with Windows RT even earlier," said Steve Schueler, corporate vice president, Microsoft Retail Sales and Marketing. [See Microsoft press release] -- Posted Wednesday, December 12, 2012 by chb

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 by chb

News Corp to shut down "The Daily" tablet newspaper
CNN Money reports that News Corp is shutting down its "The Daily" tabled-based publication. Launched with an initial US$30 million investment, 100 staffers, and a US$26 million annual running cost, The Daily turned out to be financially unfeasible despite a claimed over 100,000 paying subs. [See CNN's article] -- Posted Monday, December 3, 2012 by chb