Neonode zForce optical touch screen in new Sony readers!
Neonode and Sony announced that Neonode's zForce touch screen technology that uses a grid of infrared beams to determine the location of your finger is used in Sony's new line of Readers. The new Sonys. including the new US$179 Reader Pocket Edition, US$229 Reader Touch Edition and, in the US, the US$299 wireless Reader Daily Edition. Sony calls zForce a "new, first-to-market technology [that] enhances ease of use and increases reading clarity" though Neonode itself had used zForce in its earlier N1 and N2 phones. zForce supports touch and high res pen input, multi-touch, gestures like zooming, offers superior picture quality since there is no overlay, and also reduces power consumption. [See Neonode press release and Sony press release] -- Posted Wednesday, September 1, 2010 by chb

Android soon to be in Marvell-powered Rydeen navigation device
Android is apparently also coming to navigation devices. Marvell announced that the upcoming (November 2010) Rydeeen GCOM701, powered by the Marvell ARMADA 166 application processor, will use Android, have a 7-inch 800 x 480 pixel touchscreen, WiFi, GPS, Bluetooth, camera, and 6-hour battery life. While the GCOM701 will primarily be a navigation device with four million POIs, it is also suitable for Web surfing, reading eBooks and viewing images and video. [see Marvell press releasee] -- Posted Tuesday, August 31, 2010 by chb

Learning about Android on tablets for US$169
Experts expect tens of millions of tablets will sell over the next couple of years, and their OS of choice may well be Android. Yet, despite all the tablet announcements, we really haven't seen much. Enter the Augen GenTouch78, a US$169 tablet running Android 2.1. It's available at, of all places, KMart. No, it's not an iPad competitor, it's really stylus and not touch, and it's not very polished. But it provides an inexpensive look at the potential of Android on tablets (and it's better than any Pocket PC ever was). RuggedPCReview.com took a detailed look at the Augen GenTouch, including inside. [See full review of the Augen GenTouch78 Android tablet] -- Posted Sunday, August 29, 2010 by chb

iSuppli: Apple will dominate tablet market through 2012
According to a report by iSuppli Market Research, Apple is expected to dominate the tablet market at least through 2012. In 2010, the iPad accounts for 74% of all tablet shipments, with the remainder older-style Tablet PCs and competing ablets. In 2011, even with the advent of competition, the iPad is expected to maintain 70% of the market. In 2012, the iPad's share is still expected to be over 60%. iSuppli also says that it took iPhone competitors about three years to come up with truly competitive products. [See iSuppli release] -- Posted Thursday, August 26, 2010 by chb

Samsung uses Corning Gorilla Glass to protect their Galaxy S smartphone
Smartphone users sick of fearing the screen of their fragile phone to break at the drop of a hat will welcome a trend now being pioneered by Samsung: the 4-inch super AMOLED display of the new Samsung Galaxy S will be protected by Corning Gorilla Glass (see our blog entry on Gorilla Glass), an environmentally friendly alkali-aluminosilicate thin sheet glass that is both extremely scratch resistant and durable. -- Posted Wednesday, August 25, 2010 by chb

Full review: Handheld Algiz 7
The advent of Intel's Atom processors a couple of years ago made possible a new generation of smaller, lighter and less expensive "netbook" computers that provide adequate performance and functionality for a wide range of applications. Likewise, we're now seeing a new generation of smaller, lighter tablet computers that use similarly targeted technology for vertical market applications. The Algiz 7 by the Handheld Group is such a product--lighter, handier and smaller than full-size tablets. RuggedPCReview.com presents a detailed assessment of the Algiz 7, its features and performance, and its suitability for tough outdoors jobs. [See full review of the Handheld Group Algiz 7] -- Posted Wednesday, August 25, 2010 by chb

Surveying software on DAP Kinysis tablets
The American Surveyer reports on a "New Tool for Highway Surveyors and Engineers Available on Rugged Tablet Computer". What they're talking about is Highway Surveyors’ ReGen software available on DAP Technologies’ rugged Kinysis tablet computer. ReGen is a data collection, survey management, and data optimization tool with a Google Maps interface; the Kinysis is a handy, rugged tablet computer, available in versions with or without integrated keyboard, running Windows Embedded Standard -- Posted Tuesday, August 24, 2010 by chb

Australian aged care home chooses Motion C5v tablets
Aiming to be entirely paperless within two years, Australian healthcare organization Jacaranda Village is taking delivery of the Motion Computing C5v Mobile Clinical Assistant (MCA) as it commits itself to mobility solutions. Using i-Care software, electronic medication charts, and the device's wireless functionality, means, according to Jacaranda Village’s chief executive Sue Bowditch, "our staff can spend more time with the residents and still get their work done.” [See Motion press release] -- Posted Tuesday, August 24, 2010 by chb

New Intel Atoms, and how Oracle is helping Microsoft
So Intel adds a couple of new Atom chips to its growing and rather confusing roster of low-end chips. What do the new D425 and D525 mean for you? And Oracle's suing Google over Android! What's up with that? [read more...] -- Posted Thursday, August 19, 2010 by chb

BSQUARE doing well
Mobile computing pioneers may remember BSQUARE as an early Windows CE software developer as a mobile and embedded systems house. While not too many companies from that era are still around, BSQUARE is, and is doing well. They just reported record earnings of US$26.9 million for Q2 of 2010, and scored a record net income of US$4 million. BSQUARE CEO Brian Crowley reported "a great job of driving sales growth of both Microsoft Embedded and Windows Mobile licenses" and a general "continued momentum in Microsoft Windows Mobile license sales." [See BSQUARE press release] -- Posted Wednesday, August 18, 2010 by chb

Intel releases two Atom chips with DDR3 SODIMM support
Intel has added two more processors to its growing family of Atom processor products. The single-core Atom D425 and the dual-core Atom D525 both run at 1.8GHz, representing a small step up from the existing 1.6GHz D410 and D510. Thermal Design Power remains at 10 and 13 watts, and the stated quantity prices of US$42 and US$63 is also the same as that of the earlier chips (which, however, enjoy "embedded" status). There is a difference, however: the two new chips support DDR3 SODIMM, and Intel is promoting them for home and small business network storage devices. [See Intel release on Atom D425 and D525] -- Posted Tuesday, August 17, 2010 by chb

Assessment of potential iPad competitors
With the Apple iPad having such a huge lead in the tablet market, how will the compeition react? That's what CNET's Erica Ogg discusses in her insightful article "The clock is ticking for iPad competitors". -- Posted Tuesday, August 17, 2010 by chb

LXE announces Atom/Windows 7 Marathon field computer
LXE announced an interesting new machine. The LXE Marathon field computer picks up the "open book" design that combines a display and a keyboard in a very compact tablet. The Marathon weighs just over two pounds, has a 7-inch outdoor-viewable touchscreen, runs Windows 7 on an Intel Atom processor, and includes a high-res camera, a fingerprint reader that doubles as a mouse, and also offers a wealth of bolt-on accessories such as a mag stripe reader, 2D imager and extended battery for up to 8 and 12-hour operation. The device, which measures about 8 x 7.6 inches, includes Gobi WWAN, 802.11a/b/g/n WiFi and Bluetooth, and is sealed to IP 65 specs. [See LXE press release] -- Posted Friday, August 13, 2010 by chb

Android contemplations
Off the cuff, the way we see it is that Android has a better than even chance of becoming the OS of choice for tablets and other mobile devices. Android is really nothing more than another Linux distribution, but one backed and sort of run by Google. Microsoft, of course, will make the usual argument of leverage and security and integration into other Microsoft products, but the fact is that Linux itself can be at least as secure as anything Microsoft makes. Just look at the Mac OS which is also Unix-based, and Unix is the basis of Linux. [read more...] -- Posted Thursday, August 12, 2010 by chb

Foxconn annualized revenues over US$70 billion
According to Digitimes, Foxconn's July 2010 revenues were US$6.2 billion, which translates into over US$70 billion on an annualized basis. Foxconn, a Taiwanese electronics contract manufacturer and part of Hoi Han Precision Industries, makes products for Apple, HP, Dell, Nokia, Sony, Nintendo, Microsoft, etc. Foxconn has had some bad press recently (employee suicides), and the phenomenal growth raises a question: how much longer will US companies actually be able to build anything themselves? Will that manufacturing knowledge simply get lost and the efforts to avoid higher US salaries turn out to have been short-sighted in the long run? -- Posted Wednesday, August 11, 2010 by chb

Full review: Advantech PPC-157T panel PC
There are numerous industrial and control applications that require rugged panel PCs. RuggedPCReview.com tested the Advantech PPC-157T, a versatile industrial panel computer from an experienced Taiwanese embedded and industrial systems manufacturer. The 15-inch panel offers good performance with a 2.16GHz Core 2 Duo processor, comes with your choice of touchscreen (resistive, capacitive or WAV), and offers excellent onboard connectivity, including extensive legacy support. [See review of the Advantech PPC-157T panel PC] -- Posted Monday, August 9, 2010 by chb

Motion and Bluebeam host seminar for construction professionals
Design and construction professionals looking for new ways to cut costs during closeout will have a unique learning opportunity next week. Bluebeam Software, the developer of PDF solutions for the architecture, engineering and construction industry, and Motion Computing are teaming up to present a case study webinar titled, "Take PDF Punchlists Mobile with Tablet PCs." For more information or to register visit: www.motioncomputing.com/promotions/webinars.asp -- Posted Monday, August 9, 2010 by chb

Why I may not use an iPhone much longer
Yes I know, provocative title. But I didn't choose it to add to the anti-iPhone chorus and litany championed by legacy publications like PC World. And I also didn't choose it to tell you about the latest HTC Awesome or Droid Maxximus that outdoes the iPhone in this spec or that. I didn't even choose it because I have become a convert to Android, though as a professional reviewer I am certainly interested in that latest and apparently finally successful mobile Linux implementation. [read more...] -- Posted Monday, August 9, 2010 by chb

Port to WebOS, get a million
The Palm PDK Hot Apps Program offers developers $1 million in cash or HP Products for applications developed using the Palm webOS Plug-in Development Kit (PDK), and rewards developers of the most-installed free and highest-revenue paid applications. The count begins July 15, 2010 and will last until September 30, 2010. [See PDK Hot Apps Program] -- Posted Thursday, August 5, 2010 by chb

Rugged HD vidcam with G-sensor and GPS contest!
Oregon Scientific has long been known for supercool, yet affordable electronic gadgets. They're doing it again with a rugged, all-terrain, waterproof (to 65 feet), shock-resistant HD video camera that can record 1080P video onto microSD cards up to 32GB. The Oregon Scientific ATC9K camera comes with numerous mounting options and can be attached to a helmet, handlebars, surfboard, snowboard, etc., can measure G-force during acceleration, deceleration and hang time, and there's even an optional GPS module to record location, speed and distance using Google Maps or Google Earth. You can even share video of your outdoor adventures on the ATC9K’s Facebook page for a chance to win a grand prize package worth $750! [See Oregon Scientific ATC9K camera Facebook contest] -- Posted Tuesday, August 3, 2010 by chb

Dr. Tim on the HTC Droid Incredible
After many years as a Windows Mobile champion and somewhat vocal critic of the iPhone, Dr. Tim has become enchanted with Android. "Tthe HTC Droid Incredible is no exaggeration," says Dr. Tim. "It’s a keeper as it naturally cuddles in the cup of your hand insinuating itself like a heat-seeking puppy looking for a new master. I have fallen hopelessly in love with it under its enchanting spell. I guess I have to say it was love at first sight. [Read Dr. Tim's full assessment of the HTC Droid Incredible] -- Posted Tuesday, August 3, 2010 by chb

Electric vehicle designer incorporates iPad
Why design an expensive custom onboard information system when an iPad can do? That's the approach avant-garde electric vehicle manufacturer T3 Motion takes by incorporating the iPad into its sleek GT3 as " the central information hub in the vehicle for everything from travel planning and GPS to audio, video and games." -- Posted Tuesday, August 3, 2010 by chb

General Dynamics Itronix introduces Android-based GD300 wearable computer
General Dynamics Itronix announced the GD300, a small wearable computer that combines rugged computing, GPS and data communication into one device specifically designed to provide access to tactical networks and enhance situational awareness. Interestingly, the GD300, which has a 3.5-inch 800 x 480 pixel touch display, runs the Android OS, making it probably the first ruggedized device from a major provider to use Android instead of Windows CE/Mobile. [See description and specs of the General Dynamics Itronix GD300] -- Posted Tuesday, August 3, 2010 by chb

Webinar: The New Motion J3500 Overview
On August 10, 2010, Motion Computing offers a free webinar explaining the features and benefits of the new Motion J3500 tablet computer. RuggedPCReview.com recently reviewed the Motion J3500 (see here) and came away more than impressed with the new machine's speed and amazingly useful dual-touch technology that combines iPad-style capacitive touch with the precision of a Wacom electromagnetic digitizer. Those in the market for a J3500 note: attend the webinar and get US$500 off a new Motion J3500! [Register] -- Posted Thursday, July 29, 2010 by chb

Netbooks hitting brick wall?
Our friends at Hot Hardware reviewed the new Asus Eee PC 1201PN that uses NVIDIA Ion-2 discrete graphics on top of the Atom N450's own graphics. The results are disappointing. Probably hampered by the rock bottom prices that do not leave room for profit or innovation, netbooks, apart from growing larger, have barely progressed over the past two years. They're still slow and limited, and that's a bad thing in the iPad era with its ever increasing customer expectations. While netbooks already having grown larger and heavier (and often more expensive), but without delivering much in terms of features and performance, they're in increasing competition with much more powerful low-cost regular notebooks that simply offer a lot more. [See Hot Hardware's review of the Asus Eee PC 1201PN] -- Posted Thursday, July 29, 2010 by chb

Synaptics ClearPad 7200 Series
Synaptics announced its ClearPad 7200 Series technology geared towards OEMs designing a wide range of multi-touch (up to 10 simultaneous touches) products such as clamshell notebooks, slates/tablets, and "fourth screen" devices like digital photo frames and electronics readers. Designed to support glass-based screens up to 10.1", the ClearPad 7200 Series uses a multi-ASIC based architecture and supports both I2C and USB interface.
-- Posted Tuesday, July 27, 2010 by chb

Full review: Fujitsu's tiny UH900 mini-notebook
What is a big full-size notebook is much too big, and even a handy netbook is still too large, but you do need full Windows 7 functionality and a high-res screen? Then you should look at the Fujitsu UH900 mini-notebook. The little 1-pound marvel, powered by a 1.6GHz Intel Atom Z530 chip, sports incredible 1280 x 800 pixel resolution on its jewel-like 5.6-inch display, offers multi-touch, has a full-function keyboard and a speedy 62GB solid state disk, onboard Garmin Mobile PC GPS, and good connectivity, both wired and wireless. And even the price is not out of line. So how well does it all work? [Read full review of the Fujitsu Lifebook UH900] -- Posted Tuesday, July 27, 2010 by chb

Microsoft licenses ARM architecture
ARM and Microsoft announced that they have signed a new licensing agreement for the ARM architecture. The agreement extends the collaborative relationship between the two companies. Since 1997 Microsoft and ARM have worked together on software and devices across the embedded, consumer and mobile spaces, enabling many companies to deliver user experiences on a broad portfolio of ARM-based products. [See press release] -- Posted Friday, July 23, 2010 by chb

Juniper introduces the Mesa Rugged Notepad
If the new Mesa Rugged Notepad by Juniper Systems looks large, it's because it is. Aiming to offer the best of Tablet PCs and a rugged handhelds (but none of the drawbacks), the Marvell PXA320-powered Mesa runs Windows Mobile 6.5.3 on its exceptionally large 5.7-inch VGA display. Larger size means larger battery, too, and the Mesa runs up to 16 hours on a charge. Add to that exceptional ruggedness and IP67 sealing, and you have an interesting option for any number of outdoor jobs that require a bit of extra screen real estate. [See description and specs of the Juniper Systems Mesa Rugged Notepad] -- Posted Wednesday, July 21, 2010 by chb

Infoworld: iOS 4 decisively beats Android 2.2
In a comprehensive feature entitled "Mobile deathmatch: Apple iOS 4 vs. Android 2.2", Infoworld concluded that "iOS 4 beats Android OS 2.2 in almost every category." iOS earned an overall 8.0 "very good" score whereas Android 2.2 received only a 6.1 rating and "fair" score. -- Posted Wednesday, July 21, 2010 by chb

iPad on the Road -- Part IV
And yet another trip with the iPad. This time a 10-day product review trip to the Honduran island of Roatan. I took along all my dive gear, as well as a boatload of underwater cameras, both of the still and video variety, so luggage space was at a premium... [read more] -- Posted Wednesday, July 21, 2010 by chb

PC World removes iPhone 4 from Top-10 chart
Legacy tech pub PC World has removed the iPhone 4 from its Top 10 Cell Phones chart, accusing the best-selling Apple product of "faulty hardware." [See PC World's announcement] -- Posted Wednesday, July 21, 2010 by chb

Socket introduces low-cost barcode scanners for iPad, iPhone, Ipod touch
Socket Mobile announced its new line of wireless barcode scanners designed specifically to work with the Apple iPad, iPhone and iPod touch. The Socket Bluetooth Cordless Hand Scanner (CHS) Series 7, starting at US$395, is a lightweight, pocket-sized barcode scanner with a range of up to 330 feet designed for healthcare, hospitality, retail and field service. -- Posted Tuesday, July 20, 2010 by chb

HP files "PalmPad" trademark application
Hewlett Packard has supposedly filed a trademark application for the term "PalmPad." There have, of course, been PalmPads before. The GRiD PalmPADs of the late 1980s and early 1990s were early tablet computers, and though GRiD was taken over by AST Research, which was then bought by Samsung, there is some lineage: Geoff Hawkins, who later launched Palm, was the driving force behind GRID's tablets. -- Posted Tuesday, July 20, 2010 by chb

Amazon ebook sales pass hardcover
Amazon is now selling more ebooks than hardcover books, and the company also claims that sales of the repriced (US$189) Kindle are booming. Hardcovers, of course, are only a fraction of paperback book sales, and Amazon customers are likely more willing to adopt new technologies. -- Posted Tuesday, July 20, 2010 by chb

Graffiti now available for free on Android!
Talk about adding insult to injury. Access Co, the folks who bought PalmSource way back when, but never really did anything with it, are now offering the original Graffiti as a free download from the Android app store. -- Posted Saturday, July 17, 2010 by chb

In-State sees slow adoption of 4G wireless
In-Stat predicts that almost 70% of all mobile devices will be WWAN-enabled by 2014. However, the transition to 4G wireless technology will be slow, with just 3.6% of WWAN-enabled devices using it by 2014. And despite the early 4G lead of WiMAX, the rivaling LTE technology will have over 60% marketshare in 4G-enabled device by 2014. -- Posted Thursday, July 15, 2010 by chb

Anoto survey shows paper-based forms still widely used
Swedish Anoto firmly believes that paper isn't dead by a long shot, and that paper forms will be with us for some time to come. However, that doesn't mean Anoto is resisting progress. Au contraire; Anoto's unique digital pen technology represents one of the fastest and most reliable ways of converting handwritten text into a digital format. In essence, the pen knows the form you're using, records whatever is written, then downloads it into a computer. This way you have both print and digital copy. -- Posted Wednesday, July 14, 2010 by chb

Sony lowers prices of its book readers
Call it the iPad syndrome: After significant price cuts for the Amazon Kindle and the Barnes & Noble Nook, Sony, too, lowered the prices of its Reader hardware. The low-end Reader Pocket Edition is now available for just $149.99, the Touch Edition is $169.99, and the Daily Edition now runs $299.99. While lower prices always help (see video game consoles), price alone won't rescue Sony, B&N and even the Kindle. Without buzz and must-have functionality, readers are just generic hardware. -- Posted Monday, July 12, 2010 by chb

Garmin beats back another invalid patent
Garmin announced it has beaten back another invalid asserted by a non-practicing patent holding company. "We are pleased with this judgment – it reaffirms our belief that courts are willing to take decisive action against bad patents when presented with solid evidence of their invalidity. Companies like Garmin, that employ innovators, manufacture products, and sell goods in the market, should not be forced to settle lawsuits that assert patents that never should have issued from the Patent Office," said Andrew Etkind, Garmin’s Vice President and General Counsel. -- Posted Saturday, July 10, 2010 by chb

Neonode scores licence agreement
Swedish optical touchscreen technology company Neonode announced it has signed a technology license agreement with one of the leading e-publishing companies in China in partnership with one of the largest ODM companies in Taiwan. The zForce license includes Neonode’s patented touch screen technology supporting high resolution finger navigation with gestures and sweeps. Though the company's smartphone efforts failed (see our detailed 2007 review of the Neonode N2), Neonode's optical touch technology fremains promising. -- Posted Saturday, July 10, 2010 by chb

Monthly iPad orders over 2 million units
According to Digitimes Research, monthly iPad orders to Taiwan makers surpassed two million units for July, and volumes are expected to be as high or higher in the future. -- Posted Friday, July 9, 2010 by chb

Rapid growth predicted for tablets
According to an article in the Wall Street Journal and several other news sources, Barclay Capital predicted tablet unit sales of 15 million this year and almost 30 million in 2011, and that those sales will impact the netbook market. Barclay also suggested that strong tablet sales will benefit Google with its Android OS, companies that offer ARM-based processors, potentially HP with its newly acquired WebOS software technology, and, of course, Apple. Microsoft, on the other hand, may suffer a weakening of its long-held dominance in OS software, and Dell also may find the tablet market difficult. [See WSJ article] -- Posted Thursday, July 8, 2010 by chb

Borders opens eBook store, hopes for 17% market share
Borders announced the launch of the Borders branded eBook store using the Kobo eBook service, as well as the introduction of the Kobo eReader and Aluratek Libre eReader. Borders' goal is to secure a 17 percent share of the eBook market by July 2011. -- Posted Wednesday, July 7, 2010 by chb

Android facing challenges
It's like the historic Apple versus Microsoft wars all over again, only this time it's Apple's iOS versus Google's Android. Once again it's Apple's proprietary hardware and software challenged by a copycat OS available to any hardware vendor who wants to use it. Google's involvement, of course, means Android can count on considerable resources, but there are inherent problems to the Android "open system" approach. Read this excellent article by Tim Bajarin of Creative Strategies on The Trials and Tribulations of Team Android. -- Posted Tuesday, July 6, 2010 by chb

Palm Pre+ and Pixi+ free on new HP Wireless Central site
Now that Hewlett Packard's acquisition of Palm is final, HP wasted no time in pushing WebOS-based Palm phones on its new HP Wireless Central site. Better yet, you can get a Palm Pre Plus or a Palm Pixi Plus for free (after instant discount) with a new 2-year AT&T, Verizon or Sprint account. Given the high monthly phone bills for two years, of course, means the term "free" is a bit misleading, but it still shows that HP is determined to move inventory. -- Posted Tuesday, July 6, 2010 by chb

Intel's Classmate PC design to be sold as Toshiba CM1 in Japan
Intel's rugged convertible Intel Atom-based Classmate PC reference design, which we reported on back in April, will be jointly sold in Japan as the Toshiba branded CM1 by Intel and Toshiba. The Classmate platform offers up to 8.5 hours battery life, a user interface optimized for eReading applications, water-resistant keyboard, touchpad, improved ruggedness with drop test from desk height, bump and scratch resistance, and an optional anti-microbial keyboard. Toshiba and Intel plan on promoting the CM1 to elementary and junior high schools. -- Posted Friday, July 2, 2010 by chb

HP completes Palm acquisition
On July 1st, 2010, Hewlett Packard completed its aquisition of Palm Inc., at a price of US$5.70 per share. HP says the acquisition gives it "significant headway into one of technology’s fastest-growth segments with Palm’s innovative webOS platform and family of smartphones, plus a rich portfolio of intellectual property" that will "enhance HP’s ability to participate more aggressively in the highly profitable, $100 billion smartphone and connected mobile device markets." HP stated that the WebOS will be used to deliver also "other mobility products" including "future slate PCs and netbooks." [See HP press release on Palm acquisition] -- Posted Friday, July 2, 2010 by chb

Symbian-Guru.com disgusted, closes down
It's like deja-vue all over again. Psion once seemed like the heir apparent to Microsoft's bumbling Windows CE efforts, but they fumbled things badly and imploded (with the exception of Psion-Teklogix that sells industrial handhelds). At least the promising Symbian OS seemed to go places, but it, too, is approaching irrelevance as Nokia just can't get its act together in the smartphone market. How bad are things? So bad that Symbian-Guru.com, tireless Symbian and Nokia cheerleaders, is so disgusted with Nokia/Symbian that they are shutting down. [See Symbian-Guru.com Is Over] -- Posted Thursday, July 1, 2010 by chb

Kin, we barely knew you
Microsoft takes another one on the chin as the company quietly folded the Kin team into the Windows Phone 7 team. There won't be a release of the peculiar phone in Europe, though Verizon continues to sell the Kins at reduced prices. -- Posted Thursday, July 1, 2010 by chb

Cisco introduces Android-based Cius tablet
Cisco unveiled the Android-based Cisco Cius tablet, calling it a "virtual desktop integration" device. The Cius has a 7-inch touch display, weighs 1.15 pounds, has a front-mounted 720p HD video camera, a rear-facing 5mp camera, WiFi, Bluetooth, 3G, and runs 8 hours on a charge. The Cius can be used in conjunction with an alarmingly retro-looking base station with a big phone handset, and is said to become generally available Q1 of 2011. [See Cisco's Cius page] -- Posted Wednesday, June 30, 2010 by chb

Apple sells 1.7 million iPhones in 3 days
Apple said it has sold 1.7 million iPhone 4 smartphones during the new phone’s first three days of availability, even with some consumers being unable to get a phone due to a lack of supply. This makes the iPhone 4 launch Apple's most successful product launch ever. [Read Apple press release] -- Posted Tuesday, June 29, 2010 by chb

Summary for you: Apple iOS 4
Apple's latest version of the iPhone OS, iOS 4, adds a number of handy new features that should appeal to almost everyone. David MacNeill describes all new features and recommends the upgrade to anyone with an iPhone 3/3GS or second gen iPod touch. [Read Apple iOS 4 on iPhone 3GS] -- Posted Tuesday, June 29, 2010 by chb

Road & Track makes video accessible from print mags via bar codes
Everyone's trying to find the future of publishing, and one of our favorite car magazines, Road & Track, has come up with an interesting variant: The print mag will feature bar codes with stories that, when scanned with a smartphone via the Microsoft Tag Reader, run video accompanying the story on the smartphone. The reader is available for free for all major smartphone platforms. -- Posted Friday, June 25, 2010 by chb

AIS releases inexpensive Windows CE touch panel PC
American Industrial Systems Inc. (AIS) introduced a small, rugged 5.7-inch industrial Windows CE 5.0-based touchscreen computer intended for use as an IP64-sealed operator panel PC and graphic operator interface terminal. The VGA display features a bright 400 nits backlight and a resistive digitizer. Pricing for VARs starts at an exceptionally low US$399. [See description and specs of the AIS PM570M] -- Posted Friday, June 25, 2010 by chb

Psion creates website for "classic" Psion handhelds
Remember the old Psions that seemed like a decade ahead of their time? We do, too. Now Psion has set up a special section on their Ingenuity Working site dedicated to classic Psion devices. Check it out here! -- Posted Thursday, June 24, 2010 by chb

Full review: Motion's new J3500 tablet with capacitive dual touch
Motion Computing has introduced the rugged Motion J3500 tablet, a sleek, slender full-featured, full-power tablet computer featuring an approximately 40% overall performance increase compared to the predecessor model courtesy of an ultra low voltage Intel Core i7 processor that incurs no penalty in battery life. The new machine also offers Motion's new capacitive dual touch, automatically combining capacitive touch and a Wacom digitizer. Add Gobi2000, a high res camera, more memory and larger disks, and you have a very impressive tablet. [Read full review of the Motion Computing J3500] -- Posted Tuesday, June 22, 2010 by chb

News Corp. buys e-reading platform designer Skiff
Now that the iPad has shown that the public likes tablets, everyone's trying even harder to find the future of publishing. News Corp., the US$32 billion global media company, has bought Skiff, LLC, which has designed an e-reading platform for tablets, ebooks, smartphones and such. Skiff, of course, drew most attention for its proposed Skiff eReader, a wondrous slate with a 1200 x 1600 pixel 11.5-inch e-Paper touch display sitting on a flexible steel substrate. The reader, which isn't available yet, apparently isn't part of the sale. -- Posted Monday, June 21, 2010 by chb

Motorola introduces ES400 Enterprise Digital Assistant
The Enterprise Mobility Solutions division of Motorola introduced the ES400 Enterprise Digital Assistant. Fitting somewhere between a consumer smartphone and a ruggedized handheld, the ES400 is aimed squarely at enterprise users in field sales/service, retail, healthcare, etc. The ES400 runs Windows Mobile 6.5 with a custom front end, has WiFi, GPS, a 3.2mp camera that can also scan, and 3.5G WWAN for both the GSM and the CDMA side. With the iPhone having redefined expectations, the question is whether this sort of category-busting convergent device is what users want. [Read more...] -- Posted Friday, June 18, 2010 by chb

RuggedPCReview at the Handheld Group Business Partner Conference, Stockholm, Sweden, June 2-4, 2010
The Handheld Group had its annual Business Partner Conference June 2 through 4th, 2010, at the Elite Hotel Marina Tower in Stockholm, Sweden. The conference provided a venue to socialize with business partners and inform them on products, outlook and opportunities. RuggedPCReview.com was there, and here is our report. [read more...] -- Posted Friday, June 18, 2010 by chb

Waterproof case for the Amazon Kindle
For those who want to take their Kindle near or in water, M-Edge Accessories now offers the Kindle Guardian case. It's a nicely designed polycarbonate affair that comes in black, blue or red, runs US$79.99, and uses anti-reflective film to cut down on glare. Unfortunately, max depth is 1 meter, or just over three feet. So no Kindle reading during lengthy deco stops. [See Guardian Case for Amazon Kindle] -- Posted Thursday, June 17, 2010 by chb

iPad on the Road -- Part III
Right on the heels of my last European trip, the iPad accompanied me on a very different kind of journey, a five-day dive trip to the California Channel Islands. That meant eight hours on the road each way to and from Santa Barbara, and the three days on the good ship Conception, an 80-foot dive vessel. [read more...]
-- Posted Thursday, June 17, 2010 by chb

Netbook market still booming
According to DisplaySearch, the total revenue for netbooks for Q1/2010 was US$3.51 billion, up by 56% from Q1/2009. DisplaySearch also said that In Q1 2010, Apple shipped almost 700K iPads into the channel, and in the first two months of Q2’10, the company sold more than two million iPads. -- Posted Wednesday, June 16, 2010 by chb

HP completes purchase of Phoenix's Linux-based quick-boot OS
Phoenix Technologies has sold its HyperSpace, HyperCore and Phoenix Flip instant-on technology to HP for US$12 million. Phoenix had developed the Linux-based system for people who were tired of waiting for Windows to boot. Instead, HyperCore allowed almost instant start-up and access to browsing and other core functions, while also running Windows. Phoenix apparently wasn't able to get traction with it, but HP, with aspirations in the emerging tablet market, may be able to build on the technology. [See Phoenix release] -- Posted Wednesday, June 16, 2010 by chb

Altek releases 3.5G phone with 14mp CCD camera
Taiwanese Altek Corporation announced the launch of the Leo, a combination of 14-megapixel camera with a true 1/2.3-inch CCD imager (virtually all cameras in phones use CMOS imagers) with a 3.5G (HSDPA) smartphone based on the Android OS. The Leo has WiFi, a 480 x 800 pixel optically treated 3.2-inch multi-touch LCD, Xenon flash, LED illuminator, a 3X optical zoom that starts at 36mm equivalent, and can do 720p HD video with H.264 compression. According to Altek, the camera uses their own "Sunny 9" processor. Available later this year, products like the Altek Leo will face one big question: do consumers want a full-function camera in their phone, or will they continue to uses separate devices. [Read Altek press release and description] -- Posted Wednesday, June 16, 2010 by chb

Apple unveils iPhone 4
As expected, at WWDC10 in San Francisco, Apple CEO Steve Jobs unveiled the iPhone 4. It's a very handsome stainless steel/glass affair barely more than a third of an inch thick. Its display has four times the resolution of the iPhone 3GS (640 x 960 vs 320 x 480), the main camera is now 5-megapixel, there's a front-facing VGA second camera for video conferencing (via WiFi only for now), there's HD video recording, the same speedy Apple A4 processor as in the iPad, and a LED flash. The addition of a 3-axis gyro adds to the iPhone 4's awareness of motion and direction, and the battery is good for 7 hours of 3G talk, 6 hours of 3G browsing, 10 hours of WiFi browsing, 10 hours of video. The 16GB model will cost US$199, the 32GB version US$299. Pre-ordering will start June 15. Oh, and Apple now calls the iPhone OS iOS, and no word on relief from AT&T's monopoly or on their latest rate plan atrocities. [See iPhone 3 vs 4 comparison] -- Posted Monday, June 7, 2010 by chb

Wall Street Journal interviews Steve Jobs on the iPad
The Wall Street Journal ran an interesting article in the form of a Q&A session between the Journal's Walt Mossberg and Kara Swisher, and Steve Jobs. In it, Jobs talks about his approach to tablets, how it relates to Microsoft's, and how the tablet actually began before the iPhone. [Read article at the WSJ] -- Posted Monday, June 7, 2010 by chb

2010 Computex Taiwan: Tablet deja-vue all over again
In late 2001 I walked around Computex in Taipei and there were dozens of tablets. Later, I had meetings with all the major Taiwanese OEMs, and they all showed me tablets. That, of course, was all fueled by Microsoft's 2001/2002 Tablet PC initiative that turned out less successful than it could have been. Now, at Computex 2010, it's deja-vue all over again. Tablets galore, from everyone. Then as now, most are hedge-your-bets concepts and nowhere near ready for prime time. That's because no one has a crystal ball. The Apple iPad is a big hit. Else, no one knows if the challenge will come from Microsoft, from the Android camp, or not at all. -- Posted Monday, June 7, 2010 by chb

iPad on the Road - Part II
Back from a 3-1/2-day intercontinental trip that included a 17-hour trip to and a 22-hour trip back from Stockholm, Sweden. I checked what I'd usually consider a carry-on (the airlines don't charge for a checked bag on international routes, yet) and simply took along a shoulder bag just large enough for my MacBook Pro, a camera, the usual assortment of cables and chargers, and my iPad. How did that go? [...more] -- Posted Monday, June 7, 2010 by chb

iPad on the road - Part I
The editor takes his iPad 3G on the road, all the way to Sweden. So can the iPad replace the MacBook that came along as a backup? Can it handle full-blown presentations? Be ready for email and browsing whenever and wherever? Find out. [...more] -- Posted Tuesday, June 1, 2010 by chb

Microsoft announces Windows Embedded Compact 7
During a keynote address at Computex Taipei, Microsoft announced Windows Embedded Compact 7. It's just a "public community technology preview" for now, but this will be the next version of Windows CE (now called Windows Embedded CE), designed to allow OEMs to create specialized devices. Microsoft stressed a major update to Internet Explorer, support for Adobe Flash 10.1 and seamless integration with Windows 7. The emphasis clearly seems to be on full integration into the massive existing Microsoft infrastructure. [See Windows Embedded Compact 7 page] -- Posted Tuesday, June 1, 2010 by chb

Fedora 13 released
A few years ago, Red Hat seemed poised to make a sizable dent into the desktop and mobile OS market with its then ubiquitous Red Hat Linux distribution (which we extensively tested on Tablet PC convertibles). In a knee-jerk reaction, Red Hat then decided to drop the free red Hat Linux and go after the much more profitable enterprise market instead. As a result, other free Linux distros took over and Linux missed a huge chance. Not all is lost, though. The Red Hat distro essentially continued as the Fedora Project, and Fedora 13 has just become available. [See The Fedora Project] -- Posted Monday, May 31, 2010 by chb

4G -- ready for prime time?
Sprint is now advertising 4G wireless, with significantly faster download and upload speed. but given that AT&T and Verizon still argue who has better 3G coverage and speed, can we assume that 4G is ready for prime time? We're taking a look at 4G technologies and how it may all play out. [See 4G -- ready for prime time?] -- Posted Friday, May 28, 2010 by chb

IDC forecasts 7.6 million tablets shipped worldwide in 2010
According to IDC, the market for media tablets, fostered by Apple's iPad, will be driven by the device's attributes as a content consumption platform and the compelling applications and services that will be created to take advantage of them. IDC forecasts that worldwide tablet shipments will grow from 7.6 million units in 2010 to more than 46 million units in 2014. In comparison, IDC expects almost 400 million portable PCs will be shipped in 2014. [See IDC release] -- Posted Tuesday, May 25, 2010 by chb

RAM Mount for the Apple iPad
The Apple iPad transcends conventional computing boundaries and classifications. While it is not a rugged or vertical market device, many will use an iPad in addition to their current mobile computing gear, and in quite a few cases, iPads will replace older technology. That's probably why RAM-Mounts has introduced RAM Mounts for the Apple iPad, a series of mounting products designed to mount and take the iPad anywhere. We took a look at RAM's new iPad cradle and mounting solutions for you. [See RAM Mount for iPad] -- Posted Monday, May 24, 2010 by chb

Panasonic upgrades Toughbook 19 to Core i5 and Gobi 2000
Though Panasonic's Toughbook 19 didn't become the Toughbook 20 (as the recently upgraded Toughbook 30 became the 31), the enhancements to Pana's venerable notebook convertible might well have justified a new number designation as well. A switch from an Intel Core 2 Duo SU9300 to a Core i5-540UM brings major performance improvements at no penalty to battery life, there's now optional Gobi 1000 and WiMAX, a camera, the backlight is LED now, and you can get dual touch input. Ruggedness is substantially improved as well, with IP65 sealing (IP54 before) and an incredible 6-foot drop-spec (up from 3-foot). And the starting price is down, too, to US$3,399. -- Posted Monday, May 24, 2010 by chb

Full review: DLI 8400 rugged ultra-mobile tablet
The DLI 8400 is a rugged ultra-mobile tablet with an integrated keyboard suitable for a wide variety of field service, mobile payment, first responder, fleet management and similar applications. Measuring about 10 x 8 x 2 inches and weighing a bit over three pounds, the Atom Z530-powered DLI 8400 with its 7-inch WSVGA touchscreen and integrated magcard reader is significantly smaller and lighter than full-size rugged tablets but it is still large enough to serve as a full-function computer. In a detailed analysis, RuggedPCReview.com found the DLI 8400 a very competent and highly configurable ultra-mobile tablet that can run Windows 7 or several other operating systems. [See detailed review of the DLI 8400] -- Posted Thursday, May 20, 2010 by chb

Motion brings Intel Core i5/i7power to enhanced Motion F5v tablet
Motion Computing released a major update to its rugged Motion F5 tablet. The new Motion F5v gets a substantial performance boost by switching to Intel Core i5/i7 processors. In RuggedPCReview's benchmark testing, the new Motion F5v has roughly 2.2x performance compared to the 2009 Core 2 Duo machine while improving on battery life. The new F5v also benefits from additional enhancements such as onboard USB, dual cameras, larger hard disk, Gobi 2000, and standard Corning "Gorilla glass" for a nearly unbreakable display. [Read detailed review and benchmarks of the new Motion F5v tablet] -- Posted Wednesday, May 19, 2010 by chb

Panasonic unveils impressive Toughbook 31
Panasonic announced the Toughbook 31, a fully rugged notebook computer for tough jobs in the field, in vehicles, and in any situation where a standard notebook would quickly fail. The Panasonic Toughbook 31 replaces the Toughbook 30 with a variety of technology updates and enhancements that brings the platform technologically up-to-date without obsoleting existing customers' investment in Toughbook 30 docks and peripherals. Standard voltage Intel Core i3 and Core i5 processors provide high performance while still yielding exceptional battery life, LED backlighting makes for an even brighter 1,100 nits display, touch is now standard, optional Gobi 2000 supports 4G wireless, and the new model is more rugged than ever. [See detailed description and specs of the Panasonic Toughbook 31] -- Posted Wednesday, May 12, 2010 by chb

Microsoft frees Office Mobile 2010 for WinMo
Microsoft today went live with the 2010 edition of their cash cow Office and has added Office Mobile apps for Windows Mobile users at no cost. From the press release:

"Effective today, Office Mobile 2010 will be available for free via Windows® Phone Marketplace for all Windows Mobile 6.5 phones with a previous version of Office Mobile. People using Office Mobile 2010 can perform lightweight editing of Office documents and take notes on the go. With Office Mobile, people can work with Office documents stored on their phone, attached to an e-mail, and can browse, edit, and update documents stored on a Microsoft SharePoint 2010 site."
LINK: Microsoft Office Mobile 2010

-- Posted Wednesday, May 12, 2010 by dtm

iPad available in nine more countries on May 28
Apple announced that iPad will be available in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, Switzerland and the UK on Friday, May 28. Customers can pre-order all iPad models from Apple's online store in all nine countries beginning on Monday, May 10. In the US, Apple has already sold over one million iPads and customers have downloaded over 12 million apps from the App Store, as well as over 1.5 million ebooks from the new iBookstore. -- Posted Monday, May 10, 2010 by chb

IDC: Smartphone sales, marketshare way up in Q1 2010
According to IDC, the worldwide converged mobile device (smartphone) market grew 56.7% year-over-year in first quarter of 2010, shipping a total of 54.7 million units. That's 18.8% of all mobile phones shipped. As far as Q1 shipping market share goes, Nokia is first with 39.3%, then RIM with 19.4%, apple closing in fast with 16.1%, then HTC with 4.8%, Moto with 4.2%, and the rest (presumably all the Japanese, Taiwanese, Korean and other Asian companies?) with 16.3%. These days, few phones are totally "dumb," so the exact definition of "smartphone" probably has a big impact on the numbers. -- Posted Monday, May 10, 2010 by chb

Windows XP on an iPad? I declare!
What you're seeing in the picture to the right is lots of folks' worst nightmare: Windows XP on an iPad. The real thing and fully functional. How is this possible? With a VNC client (I use VNC Viewer). The iPad is not really running Windows XP, of course; it's just running a piece of software that lets you view, control and use Macs, Linux boxes and, yes, PCs. [more ... -- Posted Saturday, May 8, 2010 by chb

"Moorestown" — Intel's new Z6xx Atom platform and how it fits in
On May 4th, Intel introduced the next generation of its initial family of Z5xx Atom processor. Codenamed "Moorestown," the Z6xx family, together with a new I/O controller and signal processing chip are meant to make Intel competitive in the booming smartphone and internet access device market. On paper at least, the new processor family looks very good and may yet help Intel establish itself in the device market (which, interestingly, they abandoned when they sold the XSCALE application processor business to Marvell a couple of years ago). But before we go into details of Moorestown, let's backtrack and see how Intel's whole Atom venture began and developed. [more ...] -- Posted Thursday, May 6, 2010 by chb

Bill Gates still believes in pen computing but iPad, not so much
In a wide-ranging interview just broadcast on FBN, Bill Gates commented on the state of Microsoft's tablet projects after the demise of the Courier project:

“Microsoft has a lot of different tablet projects that we're pursuing. We think that work with the pen that Microsoft pioneered will become a mainstream for students. It can give you a device that you can not only read, but also create documents at the same time.”

Though he praised Apple's success overall in the interview, he delivered a not-so-subtle jab at the iPad's lack of a stylus back in February, basically calling it a "nice reader" but that's about it:

"You know, I'm a big believer in touch and digital reading, but I still think that some mixture of voice, the pen and a real keyboard -- in other words a netbook -- will be the mainstream on that."
LINK TO: Interview at GuruFocus.com

-- Posted Tuesday, May 4, 2010 by dtm

Publishing and the iPad
As a former print publisher, I spent some time comparing different approaches to magazine publishing on the iPad. Given the amount of hype about the iPad being the savior of publishing, I am surprised there is not an iMagazine app or some such. I mean, Apple could take the lead here yet again, creating the iTunes of the magazine world. [more ...] -- Posted Tuesday, May 4, 2010 by chb

Jon Stewart's monolog on Apple
The April 28, 2010 Daily Show had anchor Jon Stewart dedicate an entire eight minute monolog on Apple's rather strong reaction to the next gen iPhone episode. Very funny. See it here. -- Posted Monday, May 3, 2010 by chb

Opinions on HP's acquisition of Palm
Now that Palm's been sold to HP, everyone has an opinion on the company, how things developed, and how it'll all play out. PCWorld presented A Brief History of Palm, InformationWeek an Analysis Of HP-Palm Acquisition, and many others weighed in as well, generally with much better pieces than the often clueless hype on tablets and their history. -- Posted Monday, May 3, 2010 by chb

Socket Mobile -- salvation in barcode scanners?
Socket Mobile's Q1 2010 financials (see PDF) show both bad news and good news. The bad news is that it's tough for a company that specialized on add-on cards (modems, WiFi, BT, ports) to survive when that functionality is now usually built into products. So that market is mostly going away. The good news is that Socket managed to eke out increased sales of its barcode scanners and its SoMo business-class handheld computers are a respectable business. Problem there, of course, is that Windows Mobile, which powers the SoMo, has been losing ground. Socket's new BT scanners, however, work with the iPad and similar products, and may become the basis for state-of-the-art 2D barcode scanning solutions. -- Posted Wednesday, April 28, 2010 by chb

HP buys Palm
Three weeks after Pen Computing conjectured, "Here's an idea, though: what about using Palm's WebOS as the basis for HP's upcoming iPad competitor? It'll never fly with Windows 7 on it, but with Palm's WebOS....?", HP announced it will acquire Palm for US$1.2 billion. Now this sounds like good news for Palm, but then again, HP is also the company that squandered away the iPAQ brand when it bought Compaq. It seems unlikely that even HP will be able to make much of a dent in the smartphone market with Palm phones, but, again, possibly using webOS for small iPad competitor tablets, that's a different story altogether. -- Posted Wednesday, April 28, 2010 by chb

Will Cisco buy Palm to build an enterprise tablet?
Steve Cheney of Silicon Alley Insider has posted an intriguing article suggesting that Cisco should buy struggling Palm in order to use Palm's WebOS as the basis for an enterprise tablet offering IP telephony, video, WebEx & mobile collaboration. The company has previously indicated interest in building such a device but, according to Cheney, "They don't have a web-centric, mobile optimized platform OS." He makes a convincing case for such an acquisition.
READ: Cisco Should Buy Palm To Make An iPad For The Enterprise

-- Posted Wednesday, April 28, 2010 by dtm

AT&T posts info on iPad 3G data plans
AT&T has posted a PDF fact sheet on their data plans for the iPad WiFi + 3G models hitting the stores on Friday April 30. Pricing has not changed but we were surprised by the auto-renew "feature" that forces you to remember to cancel or pay for another month. While full-time 3G data users will like this, travelers who only intend to activate their plan on an ad hoc basis may not. We were under the impression that the plan would be month-to-month with auto-cancel if not explicitly renewed by the user.
DOWNLOAD: AT&T iPad 3g Fact Sheet (PDF)

-- Posted Wednesday, April 28, 2010 by dtm

Original Newton Notes author Dave MacNeill reviews the iPad
Dave MacNeill, author of the original Newton Notes, is back among the writing after a three-year stint pursuing his interests in music. Dave got himself a 64GB iPad and wrote what may well be the ultimate initial iPad review. "There is one good thing about being a little late to the party: you will always be more sober than everyone else," says Dave as he contemplates Apple's latest contribution to changing the world as we know it. [Read Dave McNeill's full review of the Apple iPad WiFi 64GB] -- Posted Monday, April 26, 2010 by chb

Inteil unveils new rugged convertible Classmate PC
Building on their prior clamshell and convertible classmate PC designs, Intel unveiled their latest convertible Classmate PC reference design. Featuring the 1.66GHz Intel Atom N450 and a 10.1-inch LCD touch monitor with palm rejection, the latest version has more memory and storage, up to 8.5 hours battery life, a user interface optimized for eReading applications, water-resistant keyboard, touchpad, improved ruggedness with drop test from desk height, bump and scratch resistance, and an optional anti-microbial keyboard. For wireless, there are 3G, GPS and WiMAX options. According to Intel, more than 300 vendors are developing applications, peripherals and services optimized for Intel-powered classmate PCs as a part of the Intel Learning Series. See Classmate PC products from Equus Computer Systems, M&A Technology, MDG, and CTL.
-- Posted Monday, April 26, 2010 by chb

Microsoft releases free Touch Pack for Windows 7
Microsoft has made available for free download the Microsoft Touch Pack for Windows 7, a collection of six simple applications optimized for Windows 7 Touch. There are three games (Blackboard, Garden Pond, Rebound), as well as Surface Globe (maps), Surface Collage (playing with pictures) and Surface Lagoon (cool screen saver). See download page for Microsoft Touch Pack for Windows 7. -- Posted Thursday, April 22, 2010 by chb

Stating the obvious
"...if Microsoft and its partners hinder these new tablets with a full-blown OS and the standard world of ad-hoc Windows applications and utilities bought from non-homogenous sources, Apple and the iPad will win." (PC Mag columnist Lance Ulanoff in What Microsoft Can Learn from the Apple iPad) -- Posted Thursday, April 22, 2010 by chb

Socket 2D BT scanner to work with Apple iPad
Socket Mobile announced Apple iPad compatibility for the Socket Bluetooth Cordless Hand Scanner (CHS) 7X and its antimicrobial equivalent, the CHS 7XRx. Both can combine with the iPad into lightweight, portable, state-of-the-art 2D barcode scanning solutions that fit a diverse set of application requirements in a range of industries including healthcare, hospitality and retail. See the Socket scanners and a demonstration video with the iPad. -- Posted Thursday, April 22, 2010 by chb

Conference ConCepts announced Netbook Summit
Conference ConCepts announced Netbook Summit, a new Silicon Valley conference and exhibit dedicated to the ongoing revolution in low-cost mobile computing, which will take place May 24-25 at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport. The event will also cover emerging categories like tablets and how they will impact both the market and end users. The Consumer Electronics Association recently reported that 12% of US households own netbooks and 42% plan to buy them, which would indicate over 50 million units in the US alone. Among the speakers is Ben Thacker, formerly of Itronix. Our take: the challenge will be to provide decent performance (including HD playback!) while retaining form factor, weight, battery life and price, and without cannibalizing standard notebooks. -- Posted Thursday, April 22, 2010 by chb

Hypercom introduces secure payment solution for iPhone
Hypercom unveiled a SmartPayments Mobile payment solutions for merchants with Apple iPhones who need simple, flexible and secure card-present processing capabilities. SThe system features a durable slider case with an encrypted, PCI, PA-DSS certified high security card reader that fully protects the iPhone from scratches and other damage and lets merchants avoid the high cost of "card not present" transaction fees in application-only solutions. [See Smartpayments Mobile for iPhone] -- Posted Tuesday, April 20, 2010 by chb

Sharp introduces Japanese market Netwalker PC-T1 tablet
Those who follow the Japanese domestic electronics market know that it is full of fascinating products and gadgets that we never get to see stateside. With its Freescale processor and customized Ubuntu Linux platform, the 5.9 x 3.54 x 0.8 inch Sharp Netwalker PC-T1 again represents an alternate approach to technology. The little Netwalker has a 5-inch touch display, only the older 802.11b/g WiFi standard, and neither a camera nor WWAN capabilities. [See description and specs of the Sharp Netwalker PC-T1] -- Posted Tuesday, April 20, 2010 by chb

What if....
What if we came into the possession of a piece of technology that we were quite obviously not supposed to have? Would we take advantage of the situation and report on it? No, we would not. This is not what journalists are supposed to do. It breaks an unwritten code of ethics and a covenant of trust we have with the industry. -- Posted Tuesday, April 20, 2010 by chb

Synaptics Gesture Suite now on Linux
Synaptics announced the extension of its Synaptics Gesture Suite to Linux. This release extends the Synaptics Gesture Suite, which includes multi-finger gestures, OEMs that offer Linux-based solutions. Supported Linux distros include Fedora, Millos Linpus, Red Flag, SuSE, Ubuntu, and Xandros. Supported gestures include two-finger scrolling, PinchZoom, TwistRotate, PivotRotate, three-finger flick and press, Momentum, and ChiralScrolling. Bundled with Synaptics' enhanced driver interface, SGS-L is provided free of charge to Synaptics OEM/ODM partners when ordered with Synaptics TouchPad and ClickPad products. [See Synaptics Gesture Suite Linux for TouchPads] -- Posted Monday, April 19, 2010 by chb

Pocket PC turns 10 - coulda/shoulda been a contender
It was ten years ago today that Microsoft introduced the Pocket PC to great fanfare at New York's Grand Central Station. The announcement rang in the first serious implementations of Windows CE-based PDAs, with much stricter hardware requirements than the prior multi-architecture "Palm-Size PC," mostly thanks to the landmark Compaq iPAQ, courtesy of, yes, HTC. See Pen Computing's April 19, 2000 reporting on the new Pocket PC] -- Posted Monday, April 19, 2010 by chb

iPad 3G to ship by May 7th
Those who passed on the WiFi-only iPad have to wait a little longer. Originally slated to be available by the end of April, the shipping date listed in the Apple online store is now May 7th. -- Posted Monday, April 19, 2010 by chb

Things look dire for Palm
It's pretty much clear that Palm is now desperately looking for a buyer. But the financial community seems to have doubts that they'll find one. Palm's primary problem is that they're just too small. The WebOS may be find and good, but it's clearly falling between the cracks against the iPhone and Android. Sprint isn't doing Palm any favors either (they never even replied to our requests for review units of the Pre and Pixi). We'd still love to see a webpad with the WebOS on it, but that may never come to pass. -- Posted Monday, April 19, 2010 by chb

Otterbox honored for their business ethics
At a time where trust has become a precious and often abused commodity, it's good to hear that OtterBox, the folks who make those great protective cases for handheld technology, was honored by the Northern Colorado and Greater Wyoming Better Business Bureau with the Torch Award for Business Ethics that recognizes businesses for their outstanding commitment to practices that benefit their customers, suppliers, shareholders, employees and the surrounding community. Way to go, Otterbox!! -- Posted Saturday, April 17, 2010 by chb

TI adds new DaVinci ARM-based HD video processor
With more and more demand for devices incorporating full HD 1080p H.264 video playback and decoding capabilities, Texas Instruments added to its range of DM36x DaVinci portable encoding solutions with the new TMS320DM368 video processor. The DM368 is well suited for many video-based applications, including HD video cameras, real-timeDVRs, HD video communications systems, digital signage and presumably adding HD video to mobile devices. [see DM368 resource page] -- Posted Friday, April 16, 2010 by chb

5 million Electronic Paper Displays sold in 2009, mostly Kindles
According to DisplaySearch, the market for EDPs (electronic paper displays) exploded in 2009, with about 5 million units sold, compared to not even a quarter that in 2008. The increase was primarily due to the Amazon Kindle, which Display Search says had a 66% market share in 2009, i.e. almost 3.5 million Kindles sold last year, almost all of them the 6-inch version. With the advent of the Apple iPad, the new battle front will be the 9.7-inch devices. -- Posted Tuesday, April 13, 2010 by chb

RipCode enables clientless Flash video on the iPad
RipCode, Inc. announced the TransAct Transcoder V6 that can transparently intercept Adobe Flash-based file or live video requests and convert them to a container, video codec, and audio codec accepted by the iPad without the need for any pre-transcoding or device-based client. Since HTML5 is not yet widely adopted. RipCode's Transactional Transcoding platform enables an alternate and immediate solution to this issue, opening up video content to users without requiring the content hoster to move to HTML5 or pre-transcode entire video libraries from Flash to an iPad-accepted container format. [See full release] -- Posted Tuesday, April 13, 2010 by chb

Palm buyout rumors getting stronger
With Apple's announcement of multitasking in the next version of the iPhone/iPad OS, already-struggling Palm lost perhaps its last compelling market advantage. As a result, there are acquisition rumors galore, with cnet offering an interesting look at who might be interested in buying Palm (see cnet's Who would benefit most by buying Palm?). Frankly, it's not entirely clear who might benefit from Palm's valiant efforts that simply lack market traction. Here's an idea, though: what about using Palm's WebOS as the basis for HP's upcoming iPad competitor? It'll never fly with Windows 7 on it, but with Palm's WebOS....? -- Posted Friday, April 9, 2010 by chb

Gartner: young users drive touch screen demand
Commenting on the checkered record of pen and touch devices over the past two decades, market research firm Gartner says the adoption of touch-enabled devices will likely be slow in business and enterprise. However, young users, who rarely deal with legacy issues, will drive the demand for touch-enabled devices, with half of all PCs purchased in 2015 for those under 15 expected to be touch devices. Likewise, over half, and possibly as many as 75%, of US school districts will be specifying touch and/or pen input within the next five years. [See Gartner release on touchscreens] -- Posted Friday, April 9, 2010 by chb

iPhone OS 4.0 announced
At an Apple iPhone event, Steve Jobs said Apple has sold 450,000 iPads, a million iPad apps were downloaded in the first 24 hours, over 600k iBooks in the first few days. iPhone has 64% mobile browser share, over 50 million sold. Jobs presented a preview of iPhone OS 4 that includes multi-tasking (only 3GS and up), folders, unified mailbox and encrypted mail, iBooks for iPhone, game center, and a mixed blessing in iAd mobile advertising. iPhone OS 4 will be available this summer for the iPhone, in the Fall for the iPad. -- Posted Thursday, April 8, 2010 by chb

Microsoft moves Windows Mobile into the Windows Embedded business
Microsoft announced, mostly via a blog entry, a reorganization that makes handheld terminals and ruggedized devices part of the Windows Embedded Business. The company claimed the move will provide them with closer connection between the Windows Embedded CE and Windows Mobile product line that had been under Microsoft's Mobile Communications Business. Basically, this separates Windows Mobile, mostly a nice user interface sitting on top of Windows CE, from the consumer side of things that now concentrates on the upcoming Windows Phone 7. As David Wurster, senior product manager at Microsoft’s Windows Embedded Business, outlines, "with the transition of support to WEB, Microsoft gives the handheld terminal and ruggedized device products a holistic roadmap across both platforms and into the future." [See Microsoft blog entry] -- Posted Wednesday, April 7, 2010 by chb

Initial iPad feedback positive
Most initial feedback on the iPad has been very positive. Many stated it was indeed a new class of device, that battery life was excellent, the device quick and responsive, and the software very cool and innovative. There were also a few complaints. Some felt the display was a fingerprint magnet, some complained about weak WiFi and others about an iffy USB connection that resulted in lengthy charging and syncing. One particularly negative fellow at a former glory pub from the PC era has already demanded a recall. -- Posted Monday, April 5, 2010 by chb

Full review: Juniper Systems TK6000
The TK6000, introduced by Juniper Systems in the fall of 2009, represents another ultra-rugged, no-nonsense handheld computer from the Logan, Utah based company that specializes in field computing solutions for rugged applications such as land survey, natural resources, industrial, agriculture and the like. Initially designed for a Juniper Systems business partner (Carlson Surveyor), the ultra-rugged TK6000 is a product as much as a mobile platform for OEM solution providers. We had a TK6000 in the RuggedPCReview lab for a couple of months and here's our full report and review. [See full review of the Juniper Systems TK6000] -- Posted Monday, April 5, 2010 by chb

Finally: decent HD video on Atom boxes thanks to Broadcom card
The dirty little secret of millions of Atom N270-based netbooks (and pretty much all other Atom-based systems) is that they really cannot run HD video. If you try it, you get choppy video that creeps along at frame rates of no more than 10 frames per second max even with just 720p video, let alone 1080p. It's a huge disappointment for anyone who thought a "netbook" would surely be able to handle today's high definition media formats, and certainly an annoyance for many customers of vertical market Atom boxes as well. Well, third party to the rescue. [...more] -- Posted Sunday, April 4, 2010 by chb

WiFi iPad available as of April 3, 2010
Well, the WiFi-only version of the Apple iPad is now available in stores. Those who are holding out for the 3G version will have to wait a few more weeks. The media hype about the iPad is absolutely tremendous, with major newspapers proclaiming the start of the iPad era, articles like "Why the iPad changes everything" and so on. It'll simmer down or there will be a backlash, or not. No one knows. Pen Computing will provide a detailed discussion of the platform as soon as we get our 3G iPad. -- Posted Saturday, April 3, 2010 by chb

Audi adds character recognition to 2011 A8 Quattro
Much to the bafflement of automotive journalists everywhere who had never seen such magic, Audi's new megabuck 2011 A8 Quattro will have handwriting recognition in its new Multi Media Interface. For now, the recognizer, which is really a (non-unistroke) character recognizer, is used to enter navigation system data. Maybe Audi should license Graffiti. [See YouTube video on Audi's MMI recognition interface] -- Posted Friday, April 2, 2010 by chb

Gunze USA features multi-touch at 2010 SID
Everyone wants multi-touch, but not everyone is enamored with expensive projected capacitive touch screens that you can't operate with a stylus or with gloves. That's why Gunze USA partnered with Stantum to offer unlimited multi-touch on its resistive touch panels. The panels are immune to EMI, allow stylus input (needed for handwriting recognition), and work flawlessly with gloves. Solutions will be shown at 2010 SID Display Wee, May 25-27, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. -- Posted Thursday, April 1, 2010 by chb

Will industrial tablets benefit from the iPad?
On April 3rd, the Apple iPad tablet will be available in Apple stores. According to various reports, almost 300,000 iPads have been ordered before the device even became available. The hype is enormous, with experts falling all over themselves proclaiming why the iPad will succeed or fail. [... read more] -- Posted Wednesday, March 31, 2010 by chb

CIC announces new version of its e-siganture server
Communication Intelligence Corporation, once known to the pen computing community as the leading handwriting recognition supplier, is now heavily into electronic signature solutions for business process automation in the financial industry and into biometric signature verification. CIC just announced their SignatureOne Ceremony Server 2.0 with added functionality that extends CIC's competitive advantage for SaaS applications. Also check out the various informative CIC white papers on electronic signatures. -- Posted Wednesday, March 31, 2010 by chb

Datalogic announces Power³ system platform
While we're still digesting the various implications of the "Open Source Mobility" business model launched by Psion Teklogix a few weeks ago (see Psion's OSM press release), Datalogic Mobile announced their new Power³ System Platform. Power³ included C³ (capture, compute, communicate), F³ (form, feel, function), and D³ (develop, deploy, direct). The new platform, whose first product probably is the just-released Datalogic Elf, is described on Datalogic's website. It includes such interesting things as a parallel computing architecture that combine a PCA chip with a Cortex-M3 processor. -- Posted Tuesday, March 30, 2010 by chb

Group Mobile adds rugged NEXCOM tablets
Group Mobile, a Phoenix, Ariz. based online reseller of rugged computers has added NEXCOM's MRC 2100 and MRC 2300 rugged tablet PCs to its product offerings. NEXCOM is a Taiwanese technology firm that first introduced the tablets in 2008, and has been adding to the lineup ever since. The latest model, the rugged MRC 2300 tablet PC, is based on Intel's new Atom processor, the 1.6GHz N450. [See description and specs of the NEXCOM MRC 2300] -- Posted Wednesday, March 24, 2010 by chb

Palm Pre and Pixi now available from AT&T as well
Palm announced that the Palm Pre Plus and Palm Pixi Plus phones will be available on the AT&T 3G network for $149.99 and $49.99, respectively, with a two-year service agreement and after a $100 mail-in rebate. -- Posted Tuesday, March 23, 2010 by chb

Dr. Tim on the Motorola Droid
Our Dr. Tim takes a detailed look at the Motorola Droid. Not too terribly fond of the iPhone, the Doctor doesn't beat around the bush: "I would certainly rather have a Droid than an iPhone. Yes, there are some things I would like to see improved, but I think the collaboration of Verizon, Google, and Motorola is a winning combination that will benefit the consumer. What a powerhouse." [Read Dr. Tim's review of the Droid] -- Posted Saturday, March 20, 2010 by chb

Apple's unbecoming lawsuit against HTC
We love Apple, but their recent lawsuit against HTC over infringing on 20 Apple patents is a bit lame and embarrassing, though probably par for the course in an era where everyone sues everyone else over pretty much everything. As is, anyone familiar with the mobile industry knows that HTC, the OEM for such landmark devices as the Compaq iPAQ and the Treo 650 as well as the original Pocket PC Phone, has been a power and innovator behind the scenes for well over a decade (see HTC history). -- Posted Friday, March 19, 2010 by chb

InfoWorld: How Microsoft tried and failed to rule mobile
InfoWorld published an interesting and informative article/slidehow on Microsoft's involvement in mobile computing over the years, and author Josh Fruhlinger is spot-on. [See InfoWorld's How Microsoft tried and failed to rule mobile] -- Posted Friday, March 19, 2010 by chb

Added: Unitech HT680
Addressing a need for a small and handy (i.e. pocktable) data collection terminal rugged enough to be used almost anywhere, Unitech introduced the HT680 mobile computer. The HT680 weighs just 11 ounces, has a 2.7-inch QVGA touch display, includes Bluetooth and comes in four versions with permutations of 1D laser scanner or 2D imager, with or without WiFi. WWAN is optionally available, and the device can handle a 6-foot drop. [See description and specs of the Unitech HT680] -- Posted Friday, March 19, 2010 by chb

Full review: Logic Instrument FieldBook
In a phenomenon that caught the computer industry by surprise, consumers have been buying tens of millions of "netbooks." They did that because netbooks are smaller, lighter, handier and less expensive than full-size notebooks. We're starting to see a similar trend in the mobile rugged computing industry with the introduction of smaller, lighter and handier tablet computers that weigh three pounds or less, yet provide performance that's more than adequate for many jobs. RuggedPCReview.com has just completed a full review of the Logic Instrument FieldBook. [See full review of the Logic Instrument FieldBook] -- Posted Wednesday, March 17, 2010 by chb

Ocular's new Crystal Touch website
Ocular, which makes the Crystal Touch line of projected capacitive touch screens that are well suited for harsh environment multi-touch applications, has unveiled an attractive and informative new website at OcularLCD.com. Also check out their See White Paper on capacitive touch screen technology] -- Posted Wednesday, March 17, 2010 by chb

Team Garmin versions of the Edge 500 and nüvi
Garmin announced new limited-edition color schemes for the aerodynamic Edge 500 and nüvi navigation devices, unveiling argyle designs inspired by the iconic orange and blue patterns of professional cycling’s Team Garmin-Transitions. The argyle Edge 500 and a new neutral Edge 500 in black and white will be launched at the Tour of California, included in unique team promotions and also made available at many local cycling specialty retailers. -- Posted Wednesday, March 17, 2010 by chb

Another move towards digital content
The board of the Audit Bureau of Circulations modified its definition of a digital magazine in the U.S. and Canada to accommodate new reading devices such as the Apple iPad. The new standards state that a replica digital edition must include a print edition's full editorial content and advertising, but it no longer needs to be presented in a layout identical to the print version. Replica digital editions will continue to be included in a magazine's circulation guarantee, or rate base. -- Posted Tuesday, March 16, 2010 by chb

Xplore introduces Clean Room version of its rugged iX104C4 tablet
Xplore Technologies, struggling to survive and become profitable in a tough economy, has been staying in the news with a succession of special-purpose version of its flagship iX104C4 rugged tablet computer. The latest one is a special "Clean Room" model for use in environments designed to avoid any sort of contamination in the manufacturing process (such as chip making or the pharmaceutical industry). 500 of the tightly sealed iX104C4CR computers are currently being used in clean room settings. [See Xplore iX104C4 Clean Room brochure] -- Posted Wednesday, March 10, 2010 by chb

What will the impact of the Apple iPad be?
In a couple of days, people can start ordering the Apple iPad. Its success or failure will undoubtedly have an impact on mobile computing for years to come. And everyone wonders whether the iPad will indeed fill the niche between smartphone and full notebook or desktop, or whether Apple made the right decision by scaling up the iPhone rather than scaling down a notebook. [Read "Will the iPad replace my iPhone?]" -- Posted Wednesday, March 10, 2010 by chb

Chuck Thacker wins Turing Award
Chuck Thacker received the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) A. M. Turing Award for "for his pioneering design and realization of the Alto, the first modern personal computer, and the prototype for networked personal computers" which includes a US$250,000 cash prize. Thacker, whose work directly involved many of the essential technologies we take for granted today, was also instrumental in the development of tablet computer concepts and technologies. [See ACM release] -- Posted Wednesday, March 10, 2010 by chb

Palm announces webOS Plug-in Development Kit beta
Palm announced that a public beta version of the Palm webOS Plug-in Development Kit (PDK) is now available at the Palm Developer Center. -- Posted Tuesday, March 9, 2010 by chb

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