Navy NAVFAC public works selects DT Research's DT311H rugged tablet
DT Research, which specializes in the development of information appliances for vertical markets, announced the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) has selected the Intel Broadwell-powered 11.6-inch and IP65-sealed DT311H rugged tablet to support and streamline their operations and provide a reliable computing tool for staff located in ship yards, warehouses, and other locations. -- Posted Wednesday, January 27, 2016 by chb
UK utility deploys 500 Panasonic Toughpad tablets for field workforce
Northumbrian Water, which operates in the north-east of England, has rolled out 500 Panasonic Toughpad FZ-G1 tablets to its field workers. The rugged devices are the single mobile tool used by NWL’s field force to provide real-time access to all its major systems. They are used to receive work schedules, locate sites through GIS applications, carryout risk assessments and report activity. Photos of sites or incidents can be taken using the tablet's camera and attached and sent directly to the system. Users can also access their office email and the internet, ensuring they have access to all the important systems when out working. [See NWL deploys 500 Toughpad tablets] -- Posted Wednesday, January 27, 2016 by chb
Avalue unveils reasonably priced 10.1-inch semi-rugged tablet
Avalue Technology — which is a global embedded solution provider and an associate member of the Intel Internet of Things Solutions Alliance — introduced their new 10.1-inch semi-rugged Intel Bay Trail-powered RiTab-10T1 for warehousing, retail, hospitality and mPOS applications. Avalue says the tablet can run either Windows or Android, is "reasonably priced," and comes standard with USB 2.0, micro SD card, micro HDMI, micro SIM card, WLAN, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC and a 5MP rear camera. [See Avalue news release] -- Posted Monday, January 25, 2016 by chb
Review: ultra-rugged Broadwell-powered RuggON Rextorm PX-501 with dual-mode input and excellent hi-res display
RuggON is a relatively new Taiwanese manufacturer of rugged tablets and vehicle-mounts with a growing lineup of impressive hardened mobile computing products. RuggedPCReview has had a chance to examine the company's flagship tablet, the Intel Broadwell-powered Rextorm PX-501, in detail and found a compelling modern tablet solution with dual-mode input and a terrific, super-bright 10.1-inch 1920 x 1200 display. [See full review of the RuggON Rextorm PX-501] -- Posted Thursday, January 21, 2016 by chb
Xplore Technologies takes top spot in America’s rugged tablet market share for second quarter in a row
Xplore Technologies announced it has secured the number one market share in rugged tablets in the Americas for the second quarter in a row, according to VDC Research. Reported in the 'Enterprise & Government Mobility Hardware Report on Rugged Mobile Quarterly Shipments', Xplore recorded significant Q3 2015 market leadership growth, growing from 28.3 percent to 37.1 percent market share. In addition to strong growth in the Americas, Xplore also grew its markets share in APAC to almost 11 percent. [See Xplore media release] -- Posted Wednesday, January 20, 2016 by chb
Trimble Kenai — positioning experts deliver a sensible, state-of-the art 10-inch class tablet suitable for almost any job
While Trimble is best known for its GPS products and expertise, the company integrates all sorts of positioning technologies (GPS, laser, optical and inertial) with application software, wireless communications, and services to provide complete commercial solutions. With the Intel Bay Trail-powered Kenai, Trimble adds a rugged, versatile 10-inch class Windows 10 tablet with full 1920 x 1200 resolution and finger, stylus and glove capable capacitive touch. [See description, analysis and specs of the Trimble Kenai] -- Posted Tuesday, January 19, 2016 by chb
Juniper releases fully rugged IP68-rated 7" Windows 10 tablet
Juniper Systems introduced the Mesa 2, the company's first ever handheld device to run full Windows. The Intel Bay Trail-powered Mesa 2 has a 1280 x 800 pixel 7-inch glove- and wet-capable capacitive multi-touch display with Dragontrail protective glass, runs Windows 10, and weighs just 1.5 pounds. Available with battery life up to 15 hours, the Mesa 2 is the only rugged Windows tablet with an IP68 rating, meaning it's totally waterproof. Juniper offers special GEO, barcode and RFID reader versions. [See media release and RuggedPCReview's description, analysis and specs of the Juniper Mesa 2] -- Posted Monday, January 18, 2016 by chb
Panasonic Toughbook continues sponsorship with NASCAR's Hendrick Motorsports, now with Kasey Kahne's #5
Panasonic announced that Panasonic Toughbook will become a primary sponsor of the No. 5 Chevrolet SS team of driver Kasey Kahne in 2016, continuing its nearly decade-long relationship with 11-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champions Hendrick Motorsports. [See Panasonic press release] -- Posted Saturday, January 16, 2016 by chb
AMREL releases rugged, sunlight-readable keyboard tablet
AMREL introduced the Rocky DT10 fully rugged tablet with built-in keyboard. The DT10 seems to be a substantially more powerful version of the company's existing Intel Atom-based Rocky DT6. In addition to Intel Core i7 processing power, the new Rocky DT10 also benefits from a brighter, optically-bonded display with higher resolution, as well as beefed-up tech specs in other areas. [See description, analysis and specs of the AMREL Rocky DT10] -- Posted Saturday, January 9, 2016 by chb
Intel saw weak mobile solution shipments in 2015
According to DigiTimes, despite an aggressive subsidy strategy, Intel saw weak mobile solution shipments in 2015. Apparently, an attempt to phase out Bay Trail and move to its more expensive Cherry Trail successor that had some startup issues didn't help matters. For 2016, DigiTimes reports, Intel will continue to push its entry-level Cherry Trail SoFIA SoC as its main product for the smartphone and tablet markets. -- Posted Friday, January 8, 2016 by chb
Handheld Group's January 2016 newsletter
Handheld Group's latest newsletter highlights the Algiz 10X. The rugged tablet that saved countless worker hours for coal miners (see case study) and provided powerful all-day data collection for storm researchers (see case study) is now available with even better specs — and a lower price. Handheld also reports on Swiss motorcyclist Mike Biedermann who's traveling the world with his bike and an Algiz 7 rugged tablet. Biedermann is using the Algiz 7 for daily navigation tasks and to post trip updates on his blog (see here). [See Handheld Group January newsletter] -- Posted Wednesday, January 6, 2016 by chb
Panasonic launches affordable, semi-rugged 12.5-inch Toughpad FZ-Q1 Windows tablet 
Panasonic introduced the 12.5-inch Toughpad FZ-Q1 as the newest member of its Toughpad family of enterprise-grade rugged tablet computers. The FZ-Q1 addresses the emerging demand for larger-screen tablets, and it does so in a cleanly designed, versatile package that's reasonably priced. We also like the availability of two distinctly different performance levels, and the thought Panasonic put into creating a product that's tough enough for use away from the office, but not weighed down by the price and weight of a fully rugged design. [See description, analysis and specs of the Panasonic Toughpad FZ-Q1] -- Posted Tuesday, January 5, 2016 by chb