September 2016

A good thing to peruse: Microsoft's support lifecycle for embedded systems
When it comes to operating systems, the end of what Microsoft calls mainstream and extended support doesn't necessarily mean people will stop using them. One in ten PC users is still on Windows XP, and nearly half are still on Windows 7. It's a bit different in industrial and enterprise applications where service and support can be big issues. So on the handheld systems side of things, mainstream for Windows Embedded CE 6.0 ended 4/9/2013 and extended support will end 4/10/2018. And for Windows Embedded Handheld 6.5 mainstream support ended 1/13/2015, and extended support will end 1/14/2020. [See detailed list of Microsoft's embedded systems support lifecycles] -- Posted Friday, September 30, 2016

DURABOOK rugged computers improve railroad industry productivity
GammaTech Computer Corporation reports that the company offers the railroad industry a complete DURABOOK line of rugged computing solutions to improve productivity, including inspections; maintenance and repair; crew management; safety and regulatory compliance; RFID locomotive and yard resource tracking; mapping; computer-aided dispatch; cargo and inventory management, and more. Built to MIL-STD-810G guidelines for drop, shock, spill, and dust protection, with many models having an IP65 rating, GammaTech's line includes the R11 fully rugged tablet, the SA14 and S15AB rugged notebooks, and the R8300 fully rugged notebook.[See GammaTech USA media release] -- Posted Thursday, September 29, 2016

Full review: Handheld Nautiz X2 rugged mobile Android device
The global demand for smartphone-like handhelds with industrial durability and data collection capabilities is on the rise. These devices look and work like modern smartphones, but are far more durable and won't break on the job. RuggedPCReview tested the Handheld Group's Nautiz X2, and found it to be a practical solution for anyone who needs contemporary Android smartphone functionality at work and in the field. With a footprint roughly the same as that of the iPhone 7 Plus, the attractively styled Nautiz X2 remains manageable in size and weight, and is rugged enough to be used in any environment. [See full review of the Handheld Group Nautiz X2] -- Posted Wednesday, September 28, 2016

Universal Stylus Initiative releases Specification 1.0
The Universal Stylus Initiative (USI) has announced the availability of the USI 1.0 Stylus and Device Specification that provides independent hardware vendors (IHVs) and OEMs for the first time an industry standard, non-proprietary, active stylus protocol. This will enable a new generation of active styluses that allow a consistent, customizable and interoperable experience across make, model and form-factor. The USI 1.0 Specification also enables new usages for active styluses, such as multiple styluses operating simultaneously on a single device. The USI spec can be implemented on a wide range of touch-enabled devices, including phones, tablets, computing and entertainment platforms. [See USI media release and RuggedPCReview's What led to the Universal Stylus Initiative] -- Posted Monday, September 26, 2016

Genilink awards mobile computing contract to Janam
Janam Technologies announced that its XT2 Rugged Touch Computer beat 12 competitive devices from eight mobile computing companies to win a multi-year supply agreement with GENILINK, a subsidiary of SGS, the world’s leading automotive inspection, certification and testing company. GENILINK will deploy more than 3,000 XT2 rugged mobile computers from Janam to improve its vehicle inspection processes. Playing a critical role in road safety and environmental protection, the company sought a rugged mobile solution that could provide maximum uptime, reliability and accuracy. [See Janam media release] -- Posted Monday, September 26, 2016

A couple of days at Dell Rugged in Austin, Texas
Dell is best known as one of the world's top-three PC vendors, shipping tens of millions every year. What is less well known is that Dell also makes rugged laptops, convertibles and tablets, those being the Latitude 12 Rugged Extreme and Latitude 14 Rugged Extreme, the Latitude 14 Rugged, and the Latitude 12 Rugged Tablet. RuggedPCReview had the chance to visit Dell's testing grounds, Global Command Center, and the Dell Rugged labs. [See illustrated report on Dell Rugged] -- Posted Monday, September 26, 2016

SquareTrade Labs breakability test on iPhone 7
SquareTrade, which sells electronics protection plans, performed their "breakability" test on the new iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus. The iPhones passed the dunk test (1 meter for up to 30 minutes) but did "suffer some audio muffling afterward." In the tumble test, the iPhone 7 had scuffed corners and a camera lens crack, the 7 Plus just a small crack. The iPhone 7 bent at 170 pounds of pressure, the iPhone 7 Plus at 180. Both iPhones shattered on their first facedown drop and were unusable after three drops. [See SquareTrade iPhone 7 & 7 Plus Breakability test result] -- Posted Wednesday, September 21, 2016

Handheld updates ultra-rugged Algiz 10X tablet with full-HD procap screen, concurrent GPS
The Handheld Group announced it has upgraded its 10.1-inch Algiz 10X ultra-rugged tablet computer from a 1366 x 768 pixel resistive touch screen to a 1920 x 1080 pixel 10-point capacitive multi-touch screen with optional active capacitive pen. Handheld also upgraded the positioning system of the Algiz 10X from a u-blox NEO-6T to a u-blox NEO-M8N with concurrent GPS and GLONASS support. The upgraded version uses Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB (64-bit). [See Handheld media release and Algiz 10X product page] -- Posted Tuesday, September 20, 2016

Full review: Janam XT2 ultra-rugged touch computer
There's an increasing global demand for smartphone-style handhelds with industrial durability and extensive data collection technology. These are devices that look and work like modern smartphones, but won't break in the field and on the job. RuggedPCReview tested Janam's XT2, a super-tough, IP67-sealed handheld with an excellent 5-inch multi-touch display, integrated GPS, NFC/RFID reading, industrial grade scanning, and optional mag stripe reading and mobile broadband. We reviewed the Android version of the Janam XT2, but the impressive device is also available with Windows 10 IoT Mobile Enterprise. [See full review of the Janam XT2] -- Posted Tuesday, September 20, 2016

DT Research launches DT395 rugged tablets with lower TCO than consumer devices
DT Research announced two new DT395 Series 8.9-inch tablet that the company says can have a lower total cost of ownership than consumer-grade tablets over the lifetime of the product. Powered by a quad-core Intel "Cherry Trail" Atom x5-8300 processor, the capacitive multi-touch tablets offer full 1920 x 1200 HD resolution, IP65 sealing, numerous integrated options, and run Windows 10 IoT Enterprise. [See DT Research media release and RuggedPCReview description, analysis and specs of the DT395GS and DT395CR] -- Posted Monday, September 19, 2016

JLT Mobile Computers boosts performance of its VERSO10+
JLT Mobile Computers announced that it has upgraded its VERSO+ 10 rugged mobile vehicle computer’s processor to the quad-core Intel "Bay Trail" E3845. The newer and much more powerful processor enhances the performance of the VERSO+ 10 computer (see RuggedPCReview's report on the VERSO+10) by approximately 2.5x compared to the Atom D2550 processor used in older models. Note that JLT also offers an Intel Haswell-powered high-performance option for the VERSO+10; this new E3845-based version boosts the power of the low-end model. [See JLT media release] -- Posted Wednesday, September 14, 2016

Analysis: GammaTech's updated DURABOOK R11 with keyboard
In July, GammaTech announced it was now making available a special keyboard to go with its thin, lightweight DURABOOK R11 rugged tablet. That way, the R11 could work not only as a tablet, but also as a laptop, making it a more complete high-performance mobile computing solution. The resulting combination can be used for any mobile application subject to constant movement, bumpy rides, or use in damp or dusty areas, and where real-time information and updating is crucial. RuggedPCReview has now had the chance to examine GammaTech's solution. [See GammaTech DURABOOK R11 + keyboard] -- Posted Tuesday, September 13, 2016

GammaTech's rugged DURABOOK SA14 notebook gets comprehensive tech updates
GammaTech announced that it has made some significant updates to its popular multi-use DURABOOK SA14 14-inch rugged notebook computer. Updates include a choice from four Intel 6th generation Skylake turbo processors featuring Intel HD Graphics 520; greater system memory; enhanced wireless/communications capability; added interface options; the inclusion of Microsoft Windows 10 operating system; and a longer warranty period. [See GammaTech DURABOOK SA14 product page] -- Posted Thursday, September 8, 2016

Janam Launches XT2 with Microsoft Windows 10
Janam Technologies LLC announced that Microsoft’s Windows 10 IoT Mobile Enterprise operating system is now available on its 5-inch XT2 rugged touch computers. Windows 10 IoT Mobile Enterprise, which is the replacement for Windows Mobile and Windows Embedded Handheld, provides maximum security, reliability and performance, and enables interoperability between the XT2 and IoT devices, independent of operating system protocols and platforms. Janam CEO Harry B. Lerner said "We’re thrilled to be among the first companies in our industry to bring Microsoft’s latest mobile operating system to customers who require it." [See Janam media release] -- Posted Thursday, September 8, 2016

Getac's successful transformation into a solutions provider
DigiTimes published an in-depth article on how Getac analyzed its business back in 2008, transformed its business focus to value-added niche market products while continuing to enhance its core technologies and capabilities, leading the company to its current position as a top three global rugged computer brand. [See "Beyond PC parts supplier: Getac Technology enabling business transformation to bring the maximum values of solutions and services"] -- Posted Tuesday, September 6, 2016

IDC: Basic wearables soar, smart ones not so much
IDC reports that shipments of wearable devices reached 22.5 million in the second quarter of 2016, growing 26% year-over-year as new wearable uses (including enterprise productivity potential) slowly emerge. However, while basic wearables (mostly fitness trackers) surged ahead, smart wearables declined. Fitbit stayed in first place with 5.7 million shipped, but Apple tanked from 3.6 million down to just 1.6 million. [See IDC media release] -- Posted Tuesday, September 6, 2016

Intel introduces Kaby Lake, the 7th generation of Core processors
In August, Intel officially introduced the first few of its 7th generation Core processors, codenamed "Kaby Lake." That comes at a time where the news about PCs generally isn't very good, where Microsoft has a very hard time convincing users to switch to Windows 10, and where it's becoming increasingly more difficult for vertical market hardware manufacturers to keep up with Intel's rapid-fire release of new generations of high-end processors. [read full RuggedPCReview blog article] -- Posted Tuesday, September 6, 2016

Rugged PC maker Getac Technology reports on-year growth in August revenues
According to DigiTimes, Getac Technology reported revenues of US$56.2 million for August 2016, increasing 16.6% from a year earlier. Accumulated 2016 revenues through August totaled US$381 million, increasing 5% from a year earlier. Getac posted revenues of US$570 million for all of 2015. -- Posted Monday, September 5, 2016

Wacom releases reflective electrostatic Bamboo Omni pen
Projected capacitive multi-touch is terrific, unless you want to write, do art or do anything else that requires a precise pen. Wacom is now addressing this issue with their new 5.6-inch long Bamboo Omni pen with a super-fine 1.9mm tip. It uses Reflective Electro Static (RES) technology that does not need a Bluetooth connection, but does have a rechargeable battery. The pen is supposed to work with most iPads, the iPhone 6, and most Android devices without pairing. Available November 016 for US$49.95. [See Wacom Bamboo Omni] -- Posted Thursday, September 1, 2016