Tablets are in, but there are tasks where an integrated keyboard comes in handy. That's what DAP Technologies created the fully-rugged DAP M9020 tablet for. Powered by an Intel Atom N2600, the M9020 runs Windows 7 on a 7-inch WSVGA resistive touch display. The M9020 supports Bluetooth v4.0, dual-band 802.11a/b/g/n WiFi, Gobi 5000 4G LTE, u-blox 6 GPS, micro SD card expansion, dual cameras, RFID, and a 1D/2D barcode scanner. The tablet can survive multiple 6-foot drops and carries IP67 sealing. [See full review of the DAP M9020 rugged tablet] -- Posted Monday, January 27, 2014
DRS ARMOR gone
Sorry for being late on reporting this, but it seems that DRS Tactical Systems pulled the plug on all DRS ARMOR tablets. Early summer last year we had been told all ARMOR products were current, but an October inquiry went unanswered. We just now came across an October 18, 2013 release by DRS Technologies, informing that all ARMOR products were End of Life (see release). Once known as WalkAbout Computer, tablet pioneers and makers of the rugged Hammerhead computers, the company had been sold to DRS Technologies in 2005, and DRS then to Italian Finmeccanica in 2008. As is, DRS Technologies still sells a variety of military rugged computers, but the last of the WalkAbout DNA seems gone now. -- Posted Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Original Microsoft Surface Pro blow-out
Microsoft seems to be clearing out inventory of the original Surface Pro tablets. Those on Microsoft's mailing list received offers for US$300 off the the Surface Pro. That brings the price of a 128GB Surface Pro down to US$599 (w/o the keyboard, though). That's not bad for an Intel 3rd gen Core I5-powered tablet with a full 10.6-inch 1920 x 1080 pixel screen, both capacitive touch and an active pen, dual cameras, etc. The Surface Pro 2, of course, is that much better with a Haswell chip and all sorts of improvements, but the equivalent model starts at US$999. [See Surface Pro offer] -- Posted Friday, January 17, 2014
Panasonic announces future product expansion with Microsoft Windows Embedded 8 Handheld at NRF2014 EXPO
Today at the 2014 2014 National Retain Federation industry show, Panasonic announced that it’s working closely with Microsoft to deliver future enterprise-class mobile devices based on the Windows Embedded 8 Handheld platform. The collaboration will enable Panasonic to expand its rugged mobile computing portfolio with innovative new handheld devices bringing Windows Phone 8 technologies to enterprise customers. -- Posted Monday, January 13, 2014
Datalogic to preview the next-gen Memor X3 handheld
Datalogic announced that at the 2014 National Retain Federation show, which takes place January 12-15, 2014 in New York City, the company will debut the Memor X3, the next generation of its very small and handy mobile handheld computer. The Memor X3 will be faster, have twice the storage, longer battery life, a larger screen, and numerous other improvements. -- Posted Saturday, January 11, 2014
N-trig pen technology used in new Sony VAIO Flip 11
N-trig reports that its active pen and touch technology has been implemented in a new device announced by Sony at the 2013 CES conference in Las Vegas. The new Sony VAIO Flip 11 is an 11-inch/2.82-lb convertible that will have the same hinge design as the others in the Flip series, allowing users to effortlessly convert the device from a traditional laptop into a tablet. The device will go on sale in February, starting at $799. -- Posted Wednesday, January 8, 2014
Android leads OS U.S. sales, as LG and Nokia see resurgence
Daddi Brand Communications reports that in the 3 months ending November 2013, Android maintained its lead of smartphone sales in the U.S., capturing 50.3% of the smartphone market. iOS follows with 43.1% of smartphone sales, an increase month on month, however, down 9.9% versus the same period a year ago. Windows Phone, the third largest OS in the U.S, was at nearly 5%, up 2.1% points from the previous year. As with the previous period, Verizon maintained its lead as the top smartphone carrier, with just under a third of sales (31.7%). AT&T, in second, had 28.3%, passing Sprint as the third largest carrier with 13.3% of sales. -- Posted Monday, January 6, 2014