May 2018

Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (TOKYO:6503) announced that its Graphic Operation Terminal GOT2000 Series, a type of human-machine-interface (HMI), would add a Rugged Model on May 30 to enable workers to monitor, operate and adjust machines that operate under extreme conditions, including very high temperatures, extra-bright lighting, strong vibrations or shock, and high water pressure. [See Mitsubishi press release]

Honeywell introduces future-proof Dolphin CT40 Android mobile computer with industrial-grade scanning
Honeywell continued fleshing out its line of enterprise-oriented Dolphin mobile computers with the introduction of the Dolphin CT40 on May 23, 2018. The new Android 7.1.1-based, Qualcomm Snapdragon 600-powered Dolphin CT40 was designed to be a one-stop device for retail store associates and other mobile workers that can handle everything from order picking at a distribution center to in-store merchandising to home delivery and more. [See description, analysis and specs of the Honeywell Dolphin CT40] -- Posted Wednesday, May 23, 2018

Added: Unitech PA730 5-inch rugged Android computer
The Unitech PA730 is an excellent solution for applications where consumer smartphones in a case just won't do. Sporting a super-sharp and very bright 5-inch screen with capacitive multi-touch, high resolution cameras, and excellent connectivity, the (Verizon-certified) Unitech PA730 also comes with battery hot-swapping, industrial-grade scanning, and ruggedness far beyond anything a consumer device can offer. [See description, analysis and specs of the Unitech PA730] -- Posted Tuesday, May 22, 2018

Added: Xplore Technologies M60 rugged Android handheld
Answering their customers' request for smaller rugged devices, Xplore Technologies released their new Xplore M60 handheld computer. Powered by an octa-core Snap Dragon 625 processor and running Android Version 8 "Oreo" on a retina class 6-inch screen, the 13-ounce M60 is IP68 sealed, runs up to 22 hours on a charge, has dual cameras (5/13mp), USB Type C, and offers an industrial-grade 2D scanner. Starting at US$999. [See RuggedPCReview.com's description, analysis and specs of the Xplore M60] -- Posted Friday, May 18, 2018

Juniper Systems Celebrates 25 Years of Business
Juniper Systems’ 150+ employees celebrated the company's 25th anniversary by enjoying a night filled with company memories, good food, all kinds of entertainment, and loads of laughter. CEO DeVon Labrum addressed the company by reflecting on the earliest product successes, the current exceptional growth, and all the individuals who made the past 25 years a success. [See Juniper Systems Celebrates 25 Years of Business] -- Posted Friday, May 18, 2018

Xplore unveils the M60, its first rugged, ultra-mobile Android handheld computer
Xplore Technologies Corp. announced today that it is introducing a 6" handheld computer to its expanding rugged mobility portfolio: the Xplore M60. This Qualcomm Octa-Core powered and Android 8.0 Oreo ultra-mobile device will be available in two enterprise-ready configurations when it starts shipping in June 2018 — with and without a built-in barcode scanner (base U.S. MSRP $1199 and $999). [See Xplore press release] -- Posted Tuesday, May 15, 2018

Panasonic: Technology buyers favor spreading the co
According to a study by Panasonic (Mobile Computing as a Service), technology buyers are in favor of spreading the cost of equipping their mobile workforces with notebooks, tablets and handheld devices, the latest research reveals. 78% of UK technology buyers said they would be interested in a subscription-based solution to equip mobile workforces. Currently buyers say their top considerations when purchasing mobile devices for their workforce are cost (72%) and life expectancy of the product (54%). Yet the majority of buyers still expect to replace their mobile workforces' devices every 2-3 years. Buyers said an "As a Service" approach for mobile hardware, as opposed to paying out in advance with a large, one-off capital expenditure, would help them to purchase up to date technology more quickly (54%), manage costs better (49%) and free up budget to purchase more accessories (34%). [See Panasonic media release] -- Posted Saturday, May 12, 2018

First-in-Market xKeyPad application by MobileDemand expands Windows tablet mobile workforce capability
MobileDemand, a leading rugged tablet provider, has introduced xKeyPad, a patent-pending software utility to complement the company's Family of Tablets, Microsoft Surface Bundles, or any tablet running Windows 10. xKeyPad is a productivity tool used to enter numbers faster with a persistent numeric keypad, also offering optional barcode scanning that utilizes the integrated camera to scan 25 different types of barcodes. The app enables data collection on a single device in a mobile environment, without the need for add-on keyboards, expensive integrated barcode scanner options, or separate handheld scanner. [See MobileDemand press release and RuggedPCReview's assessment of xKeyPad] -- Posted Thursday, May 10, 2018

Updated: Full review of ARBOR Gladius GT-500 and GT-500-V
ARBOR has updated their popular rugged 5-inch GT-500 Android handheld computer from Android 5.1 to Android 7.0 "Nougat." Android 7.0 improves device performance and operation in many ways, including optimized management of background processes, faster system updates, notifications overhaul, split-screen operation, power management. ARBOR also launched a special Verizon-approved version, the Gladius GT-500-V, which includes additional improvements. [See updated full review of ARBOR GT-500 and GT-500-V] -- Posted Monday, May 7, 2018

Added: Trimble TSC7 Controller
Trimble Trimble describes the Windows 10-based TSC7 Controller as a new field solution for land and civil construction surveyors, and that the TSC7, combined with specialized software, defines the next generation of data collection and computing for mobile workers. To accomplish that, Trimble took a 7-inch tablet and merged it with a large handle that includes both a small QWERTY keypad as well as a separate numeric keypad and function keys. Interesting solution! [See description, analysis and specs of the Trimble TSC7] -- Posted Monday, May 7, 2018

VDC: Rugged tablet market to reach $840 million by 2021
According to VDC, the competitive environment for the global rugged tablet market is the most dynamic it has been in years and is expected to reach $840 million by 2021. Overall, Windows remains the dominant operating system for rugged tablets; however, traction for Android has been growing rapidly due to the rising costs of supporting legacy Windows platforms. While the use cases for tablets with smaller displays are not yet mainstream, VDC expects these deployments to hold the greatest upside potential for vendors to explore. [See VDC report outline] -- Posted Friday, May 4, 2018

IDC: 334 million smartphones shipped Q1 2018
According to preliminary data from the International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker, smartphone vendors shipped a total of 334.3 million units during the first quarter of 2018 (1Q18), resulting in a 2.9% decline when compared to the 344.4 million units shipped in the first quarter of 2017. Samsung was on top with 78.2 million, Apple second with 52.2 million, and then the Chinese trio of Huawei, Xiaomi and OPPO. For comparison, back in 2010, it was 55 million phones, with the ranking Nokia, RIM, Apple, HTC and Motorola. [See IDC release] -- Posted Wednesday, May 2, 2018

Durabook Americas expands executive team to fuel continued growth
Durabook Americas, Inc., the North American subsidiary of Twinhead International Corporation, announced today that due to increased demand for its DURABOOK product line and an aggressive growth strategy, the company has expanded its executive ranks. Former President, Tom Wang will now serve as Chief Operating Officer, and industry veteran, Joe Guest, will take the helm as the company's new President. Mr. Guest will focus on expanding the team's sales force, and building customer-driven rugged computing solutions for the military, law enforcement, field service and other markets with highly mobile workforces operating in demanding environments. [See Durabook Americas press release] -- Posted Tuesday, May 1, 2018