October 2012

Google followed up on its first (and quite well-received) Nexus 7 tablet with the Nexus 10 that differentiates itself with a 2,560 x 1600 pixel 10-inch screen with Gorilla glass protection. The Nexus 10 is powered by a dual core A15 processor, runs Android 4.2, has 2GB of RAM and 16 or 32GB of storage. There are 1.9mp and 5mp cameras, microUSB and microHDMI, WiFi, Bluetooth, NFC, and a 9-hour battery. The 16GB version is US$399, the 32GB model US$499, available November 13. [See Google Nexus 10 page]

Microsoft Office RT 2013 final version available
Only two days after introducing Windows RT that includes a preview version of Home & Student Office 2013, the final version became available as a free 586MB download via the Windows legacy Control Panel>Windows Update. -- Posted Sunday, October 28, 2012 by chb

Windows RT: how suitable is it for vertical markets?
Though as of this writing, October 27, 2012, Windows 8 and RT were just officially unveiled a couple of days ago, reams have already been written on Windows 8 and, to a much lesser extent, Windows RT. We got our Surface RT tablet on October 26 with the intent on reporting on the Surface hardware and RT software in some detail. However, our emphasis will be on their suitability for vertical and industrial markets. For a first impression of Windows RT, and some very interesting findings, read on... -- Posted Saturday, October 27, 2012 by chb

What will Microsoft's Surface RT tablets mean?
What will the arrival of Microsoft's Surface RT tablets mean to the vertical and industrial market? Will there be rugged tablets running Windows RT? Or will the ever-important leverage factor dictate that most enterprise and industrial tablets remain x86-based and compatible with legacy Windows? [read more] -- Posted Tuesday, October 16, 2012 by chb

Microsoft Surface with Windows RT tablet available for order with October 26 delivery
Microsoft announced more details on its Surface tablets, and offered "special limited quantity pre-order" of the Surface with Windows RT tablet, with delivery by October 26, 2012. Pricing for the Surface RT: US$499 32GB w/o touch cover, US$599 32GB with touch cover, and US$699 64GB with touch cover. Different color touch covers or a "type" cover are available at extra cost. Tablet specs: 10.8 x 6.8 x 0.37 inches, 1.5 pounds, Nvidia Tegra T30 processor, 2GB RAM, 32 or 64GB storage, 802.11a/b/g/n WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0, dual 720p cameras, 10.6-inch display (1366 x 768), 5-pount multi-touch, USB 2.0, microSDHX. We ordered ours and will report in detail asap. [See Windows Surface RT page and Comparison Surface Windows RT vs Surface Windows 8 Pro -- Posted Tuesday, October 16, 2012 by chb

Sony halts Tablet S sales for not meeting splash proof spec
According to TechHive, Sony has stopped sales of its Android-based 9.4-inch Xperia Tablet S because the tablet "may not meet the splash proof specification." Sony is now offering a free inspection program (see here) and cautions "to protect your product, please be sure not to use your Xperia Tablet S where water may splash onto it." -- Posted Friday, October 12, 2012 by chb

Handheld Group announces high-res, Atom N2800-powered 10-inch rugged Windows tablet
Handheld Group announced the launch of the Algiz 10X rugged tablet PC. The Intel Atom N2800-powered Algiz 10X runs Windows 7 on a 16:9 aspect ratio wide-format 1366 x 768 pixel sunlight readable display. The IP65-sealed unit has a resistive digitizer for unambiguous operation in any environmental conditions, comes standard with 4GB of DDR3 RAM, 64GB SSD, u-blox GPS, 5mp camera, Bluetooth 4.0, and optional Gobi 3000 carrier-independent mobile broadband. [See description and specs of the Handheld Algiz 10X] -- Posted Tuesday, October 9, 2012 by chb

Panasonic issues case study on successful tablet implementation for auto insurer
Panasonic published a new case study highlighting auto/home/life insurer Amica's successful deployment of Toughbook 19 convertible tablets, which have increased auto appraiser efficiency and overall customer satisfaction. [See Panasonic case study Amica deploys toughbook 19s to auto appraisers to improve efficiencies and enhance customers’ satisfaction]. -- Posted Monday, October 8, 2012 by chb

Added: the new TabletKiosk eo a7400 Windows tablet
Many business applications require a small and handy tablet that runs Windows but still offers the capacitive multi-touch interface the public now almost takes for granted. And that's what TabletKiosk offers with their new eo A7400 7-inch tablet. It's based on the 1.6GHz Intel Atom N2600, offers up to 128GB of SSD, weighs under two pounds, and can accommodate optional 3.5G and a mag stripe reader. And there's also optional dual input that combines procap and a Wacom digitizer. [See analysis and specs of the TabletKiosk eo A7400] -- Posted Thursday, October 4, 2012 by chb

GammaTech releases second-gen Mobile Clinical Assistant tablet
GammaTech announced the Durabook T10L2, a ruggedized tablet loosely fashioned after Intel's mobile clinical assistant reference design of a few years ago. This is GammaTech's second gen MCA, and it shows in a number of improvements such as a more ergonomic design, a multi-touch display, and a switch to the dual-core Intel Atom D525 processor platform. Being designed for indoor clinical environments, the Durabook tablet is not only tough and rugged, but also easy to clean and disinfect. [See description and specs of the GammaTech Durabook T10L2] -- Posted Tuesday, October 2, 2012 by chb