January 2017

The Handheld Group announced it has upgraded its popular 7-inch Algiz RT7 rugged Android tablet to Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) and doubled RAM to 2 GB. These upgrades will also apply to the Algiz RT7 eTicket used in public transportation fare collection and ticket validation. Jerker Hellström, Handheld Group CEO, said that “Android 6.0 is a vast improvement over 5.1 for our enterprise customers, increasing data security and adding features designed specifically for mobile workforces employing Android. And the performance-enhancing RAM increase ensures our customers have the power they need for complex field tasks.” [See Handheld Group media release]

Juniper launches economically priced dual-SIM, IP68 rugged 4.7-inch Android handheld
Juniper Systems has launched the Cedar CT5 rugged smartphone as a more powerful and technologically more advanced successor to its earlier CT4. The 4.7-inch Gorilla Glass 3-protected 8-ounce handheld runs Android 6.0 "Marshmallow" on a 2GHz Octa-core ARM Cortex A54 processor, has dual cameras (5 and 13mp), FCC-approved 2G/3G/4G LTE, 32GB Flash, microSD, PTT button, dedicated GPS, IP68 ingress protection, and a powerful 16 whr battery. [See description, analysis and specs of the Juniper Systems Cedar CT5 rugged handheld.] -- Posted Monday, January 30, 2017

Case Study: Handheld Group Algiz 10X emergency response system improves efficiency for ambulance workers
Sweden is improving its emergency healthcare efforts with Paratus, a modular solution built on Handheld's Algiz 10X rugged tablet. Swedish emergency responders are using the Algiz 10X emergency response tablet to send critical status updates to hospital workers as they happen, increasing emergency healthcare efficiency and improving patient outcomes. [Read Algiz 10X emergency response system improves efficiency for ambulance workers] -- Posted Thursday, January 26, 2017

Rugged computing experts offer economically priced, full-featured, field-ready IP68-sealed 7-inch Android tablet
Juniper Systems has released the Cedar CT7G rugged 7-inch Android 6.0 tablet to meet customer demand for a lower cost, ruggedized Android line that would serve as a more suitable alternative to fragile consumer devices for outdoor applications. Powered by the "world mode" quad-core MTK6735 platform, the IP68-sealed tablet targets geomatics industry and geospatial technology customers, and should be interesting to anyone seeking an economy-priced rugged Android tablet. [See description, analysis and specs of the Juniper Systems Cedar CT7G] -- Posted Wednesday, January 25, 2017

Xplore Technologies expands worldwide service organization
Xplore Technologies announced that it has completed a significant expansion of its global support and service organization in line with its growing global customer base. Over the last 12 months, the company has added four new Service Depots, three new Authorized Service Providers, and more than 10 toll-free numbers to connect rugged tablet customers in every region with the Customer Care Center for technical support and warranty processing. [See Xplore media release] -- Posted Tuesday, January 24, 2017

Full review: DT Research DT301S 2-in-1 enabled rugged tablet
2-in-1 enabled rugged Windows tablets are coming on strong, combining powerful, productivity-oriented tablet hardware with matching detachable keyboards designed for real work. RuggedPCReview performed an in-depth analysis and review of the DT Research DT301S, an IP65-sealed, Intel Skylake-powered 10.1-inch tablet that can instantly provide full laptop functionality without the extra bulk and weight of a permanently attached keyboard. [See full review of the DT Research DT301S] -- Posted Thursday, January 19, 2017

Panasonic announced Android-based Toughpad FZ-A2
Over five years ago, Panasonic introduced their original Toughpad, the Android-based FZ-A1. The world wasn't quite ready for an iPad-sized rugged Android tablet at the time, but now it is. The new 10.1-inch full-HD, Intel Atom x5-Z8550-powered Toughpad FZ-A2 shares much with the tablet part of Panasonic's Windows-based 2-in-1 Toughbook CF-20, but in a lower-end configuration and running Android 6 Marshmallow. [See description, analysis and specs of the Panasonic Toughpad FZ-A2] -- Posted Tuesday, January 17, 2017

Full review: Juniper Systems Mesa 2 ultra-rugged Windows tablet
RuggedPCReview performed a detailed examination of Juniper Systems' Mesa 2, the company's first "full" Windows device, and found it to be a supremely competent, very configurable, Intel Bay Trail-powered 7-inch capacitive multi-touch tablet with a sharp, bright display, excellent battery life, and the kind of trust-inspiring ruggedness and sealing that means field workers won't have to baby their gear. The Mesa 2 is available in several versions, including barcode, RFID, GEO, and HazLoc. [See full review of the Juniper Systems Mesa 2] -- Posted Monday, January 16, 2017

Panasonic releases 2-in-1 12.5-inch Toughpad FZ-Q2
Panasonic introduced the Windows-based 12.5-inch Toughpad FZ-Q2 as both an upgrade and enhancement to its prior Toughpad FZ-Q1, as well as a re-positioning of the platform to a 2-in-1 convertible/hybrid. As a member of Panasonic's family of enterprise-grade rugged tablet computers, the upgraded Toughpad Q2 thus further bolsters its position as a "pro" tablet with a larger display, extra features, and now 2-in-1 convertible functionality. [See description, analysis and specs of the Panasonic Toughpad FZ-Q2] -- Posted Sunday, January 15, 2017

Oregon Department of Transportation deploys DT Research purpose-built GNSS rugged tablets for construction projects
DT Research announced the successful deployment of DT391GS rugged GNSS tablets for the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT). The DT391GS tablets with Intel Bay Trail dual-core processors are used as inspector positioning tablets with the critical hardware and software needed for line and grade determination on stakeless highway construction projects. “ODOT selected the DT Research tablet as it was the only device on the market that provided dual frequency GNSS in a rugged Windows based device,” Chris Pucci, Construction Automation Surveyor at the Oregon Department of Transportation. “The tablets have been very well received by our construction inspection personnel.” [See DT Research media release] -- Posted Wednesday, January 11, 2017

Winmate announces M800 Windows Tablet PC for public safety, security, point-of-sale and vehicular applications
Winmate announced the M800BW, a compact, rugged, lightweight 8-inch Windows Tablet PC for public safety, security, point-of-sale and vehicular applications. Powered by a quad-core Intel "Braswell" Pentium N3710 chip, the M800 weighs just 2.4 pounds, offers capacitive multi-touch (including glove/rain.stylus modes), and can be mounted almost anywhere. Also available is a special expansion box that provides vehicle power, a DB9 serial port and CAN bus support. [See RuggedPCReview's description, analysis and specs of the Winmate M800] -- Posted Thursday, January 5, 2017

Wacom's new Bamboo stylus with Active ES and Microsoft Pen support getting closer
There was a long period of time when the ubiquitous Wacom pen worked on every device with a Wacom digitizer in it, without a battery at all. But that was before the emergence of capacitive multi-touch drove even Wacom to come up with an active electrostatic pen, and before Microsoft bought the other major active pen technology, n-trig, and compatibility pretty much disappeared. However, Wacom now announced it is putting the final touches on a new stylus, developed under a licensing agreement with Microsoft, that will support both their own Active ES Pen protocol and the Microsoft Pen Protocols. Now add to that the Universal Stylus Initiative (see our report) and we're at a point where, overall, things are a bit confusing and perhaps less compatible than they ought to be. [See Wacom media release] -- Posted Tuesday, January 3, 2017

U.S. Army orders thousands of Getac S410 semi-rugged notebooks for medical tracking system
The Army Medical Communications for Combat Casualty Care (MC4) product management team has placed an order for 3,750 Getac S410 semi-rugged notebooks. The notebooks will be used to help digitally capture medical treatment data in operational environments, enhance continuity of care, and enable a comprehensive lifelong electronic health record for Service members. MC4 selected the S410 semi-rugged notebooks as an integral part of its overall MC4 System for two reasons; its high performance and configurable feature set; and the long-standing relationship Getac has established as a trusted advisor to the organization. [See media release and RuggedPCReview's report on the Getac S410] -- Posted Tuesday, January 3, 2017