September 2013

In defense of Microsoft Surface
A few days ago Microsoft introduced their second generation Surface tablets, hoping for a kinder reception. Problem is, industry expert Daniel W. Rasmus says, that the biggest issue with the original Surface tablet was not the hardware, nor was it really the software, because Windows 8 went well beyond Surface. The real issue with Windows Surface was expectations, misguided expectations that Microsoft continues to foster through its advertising. [Read more] -- Posted Thursday, September 26, 2013 by chb

Microsoft introduces second gen Surface tablets
Microsoft announced two new Surface models, the Surface 2 and the Surface Pro 2. The Surface 2 replaces the Surface RT, has a 1.7Ghz Tegra 4 processor, a full 1080p screen, dual cameras (5mp rear, 3.5mp front), a redesigned kickstand, and will start at US$449. The Surface Pro 2 comes with a 1.6Ghz Haswell Core i5-4200u chip, HD Graphics 4400, and improved battery life (8-10 hours). It will start at US$899. -- Posted Monday, September 23, 2013 by chb

Acadian Ambulance streamlines patient care and reduces overtime with mobile technology from Motion Computing
Motion Computing announced that Acadian Ambulance, one of the largest private ambulance services in the US, is deploying Motion F5t Rugged Tablet PCs across their fleet for mobile dispatch and electronic patient care recording. The Motion technology works seamlessly with Sansio HealthEMS software and Acadian’s back-office systems to optimize EMT and paramedic field work. [See Motion press release] -- Posted Monday, September 16, 2013 by chb

Motion expands In-Vehicle Computing Solution for North Americam soars through crash testing
Motion Computing expanded their In-Vehicle Computing Solution (view explanatory video) for North America today with a series of updates to the original offering, including Motion Preferred Installers in Canada, a 3 year standard limited warranty, additional customized mounting kits and positive crash test results. [See Motion press release] -- Posted Monday, September 16, 2013 by chb

Updated Handheld Algiz 7 rugged Windows tablet benchmarked
In August, the Handheld Group announced a technology update to their Algiz 7 rugged tablet computer. Handheld replaced the single-core Intel Atom Z530 of the original Algiz 7 with the much newer dual-core Atom N2600, enhanced data security, doubled the size of both RAM and onboard storage, upgraded the camera, added antenna diversity, and made Gobi 3000 available. We've now had a chance to benchmark the new version, and the results are most impressive. [See description, analysis, specs and benchmark results of the Handheld Algiz 7] -- Posted Monday, September 16, 2013 by chb

IDC forecasts tablet shipments to top total PC shipments in the fourth quarter of 2013
IDC's Worldwide Quarterly Smart Connected Device Tracker expects tablet shipments to surpass total PC shipments (desktop plus portable PCs) in the fourth quarter of 2013 (4Q13). PCs shipments are still expected to be greater than tablet shipments for the full year, but IDC forecasts tablet shipments will surpass total PC shipments on an annual basis by the end of 2015. Smartphones will continue to ship in high volumes, surpassing 1.4 billion units in 2015 and accounting for 69% of all smart connected device shipments worldwide. -- Posted Wednesday, September 11, 2013 by chb

Reebok Spartan World Championships gets rugged and announces Xplore Technologies' RangerX as the official tablet
Xplore Technologies and Spartan Race, a major obstacle racing company, have announced that the Xplore RangerX will be the official tablet of the 2013 Reebok Spartan Race World Championships taking place in Killington, Vermont on Sept. 21 and 22. Spartan athletes will be able to quickly check their results in real-time on the rugged 10.2-inch Android tablets at the event, improving the race experience. In addition, the RangerX will be used on the course to assist the race staff with production and logistics. [See Xplore press release] -- Posted Wednesday, September 11, 2013 by chb

AMREL releases next generation of its rugged 12.1-inch tablet
AMREL also revealed the next generation of its larger 12.1-inch rugged tablet platform. The new ROCKY DK10 looks unchanged from its DR8 predecessor, but, like the new DR10, provides greatly increased performance and utility thanks to a switch from an older Core 2 Duo to a low-voltage Intel Core i7 processor, twice the RAM, faster hard disks and optional SSDs, faster WiFi and WWAN, a brighter screen, and enhanced sealing and ruggedness. [See description, analysis and specs of the AMREL Rocky DK10] -- Posted Thursday, September 5, 2013 by chb

AMREL releases next generation of its rugged 8.4-inch tablet
AMREL revealed the next generation of its 8.4-inch rugged tablet platform. The new 4.2-pound ROCKY DR10 retains the look and feel of its DR8 predecessor, but provides greatly increased performance and utility thanks to a switch from an older Core 2 Duo to a low-voltage Intel Core i7 processor, twice the RAM, faster hard disks and optional SSDs, faster WiFi and WWAN, a brighter screen, and enhanced sealing and ruggedness. [See description, analysis and specs of the AMREL Rocky DR10] -- Posted Thursday, September 5, 2013 by chb

Panasonic introduces 20-inch Toughpad with 4K resolution
At the IFA consumer electronics show in Berlin, Germany, Panasonic unveiled the business-rugged (2.5-foot drop) Windows 8.1 Toughpad 4K UT-MB5, a 20-inch IPS tablet with 3840 x 2560 pixel "4K" resolution. The Toughpad 4k is designed for sales, marketing and media professionals as part of a new Ultra-High Definition Toughpad range. The 5.2-pound, half-inch thick tablet is powered by an Intel Core i5, has nVidia discrete graphics, USB 3.0, 256GB SSD, 720p vidcam, SD Card, Smart Card, and a cradle for LAN and HDMI. The tablet offers an optional Panasonic Electronic Touch Pen for sketching, annotation or handwriting that uses IR to read pixels and communicates with the tablet via Bluetooth. Starting price is around US$5,200, and the Toughpad 4k is expected to be available late 2013. [See Panasonic Toughpad 4k press release] -- Posted Thursday, September 5, 2013 by chb

Acer selects N-trig DuoSense for Aspire R7-572 convertible notebook
N-trig, which makes the DuoSense integrated active pen and multi-touch technology, announced that its technology has been implemented in the new/"refreshed" Acer Aspire R7-572, a 15.6-inch convertible notebook with a hinge reminiscent of some of IBM's P-Series Thinkpads from the mid-1990s. [See N-trig press release] -- Posted Monday, September 2, 2013 by chb