October 2014

Say goodbye to the Nokia Lumina. It's all Microsoft from now on.
Microsoft announced that in the coming months, there will be gradual change from "Nokia" to "Microsoft" in the Nokia websites, packaging and other areas. Most importantly, the Nokia Lumina smartphone brand will become the Microsoft Lumina. Microsoft, however, will continue to sell Nokia-branded, entry-level category of phones, such as the Nokia 130. [See announcement] -- Posted Saturday, October 25, 2014

Full review: The Handheld Group's handy, multi-talented Nautiz X1 rugged Android-based mobile computer
What the Handheld Group offers with the Android-based Nautiz X1 is an ultra-compact mobile computer that also provides most of the power, features and functionality of the leading consumer smartphones, but in a package that is much tougher than any of them. Equipped with a crisp WVGA 800 x 480 pixel 4.0-inch capacitive multi-touch display, the Nautiz X1 can reliably and efficiently perform data capture and data communication tasks out there in the field. And also serve as a smartphone that won't ever break. [See full review of the Handheld Group's Nautiz X1 -- Posted Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Motorola Solutions launches rugged Symbol TC70 Android-based Touch Computer with 4.7-inch auto-sense procap display
Motorola Solutions launched the Symbol TC70 Touch Computer, a rugged Android 4.4-based handheld with a 4.7-inch 1280 x 720 pixel Gorilla Glass-protected auto-sense capacitive touch screen that offers both effortless multi-touch as well as glove touch and a precise capacitive stylus. IP67-sealed and able to handle 6-foot drops, the Symbol TC70 also offers industrial grade 1D/2D scanning, NFC, MSR, WorkForce Connect Push-To-Talk with three microphones and a very loud speaker, long battery life, as well as the company's Mx enterprise and security extensions to Android. [See Symbol TC70 product page and RuggedPCReview's description, analysis and specs of the Motorola Solutions Symbol TC70] -- Posted Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Doctor says mHealth apps useless
Health IT Outcomes quotes Australian health expert Dr. George Margelisas saying, “The health app world is still very immature, despite the plethora of apps out there," and "“There is a strong need for better education of developers and healthcare professionals on developing models of care that utilize the technology effectively.” Dr. Margelis explains that in order to create useful apps, designers must have a background in the medical field or at least some knowledge of the area they intend to design an app. [See Health IT Outcomes article] -- Posted Tuesday, October 21, 2014

GammaTech to display at IACP, Orlando, FL Oct 26-28
GammaTech Computer Corp. announced it will showcase its DURABOOK line of mobile rugged tablets, notebooks and convertible PCs during IACP 2014 — the 121st Annual International Association of Chiefs of Police Conference and Law Enforcement Education and Technology Exposition — in booth 2230. The expo will take place from October 26-28, 2014 in the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fl. GammaTech will display a variety of computing solutions with customizable features that meet the unique needs of today's public safety professionals. [See IACP Conference] -- Posted Saturday, October 18, 2014

Bsquare and Aava Mobile introduce MobileV reference design for rugged handhelds and tablets
Bsquare and Aava Mobile announced the release of MobileV, a complete hardware and software reference design for OEMs building durable and rugged class handhelds and industrial tablets. MobileV combines Microsoft Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry Pro with Aava Mobile Intel board reference designs based on the quad-core Bay Trail Z3745 chip, along with Bsquare software. MobileV is sold as a package of production-ready reference designs and licenses. The reference design shown by bSquare had a 4.7-inch 1280 x 720 multi-touch screen with pen support, with IP67 sealing, 5-foot drop spec, GPS, NFC, LTE, 5 sensors, etc. [See press release, MobileV product page, and MobileV data sheet.]
-- Posted Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Juniper System announces next gen Allegro 2 rugged handheld
Juniper Systems announced the Allegro 2, a new and significantly enhanced and optimized generation of the company's long-running line of Allegro rugged handheld computers. According to Juniper Systems, the Allegro 2 was “designed for the data-intensive,” with special attention paid to engineering and design. The new Allegro 2 has a larger, higher resolution display, uses procap, is faster, has more storage, better GPS, faster WiFi, a new keyboard, much longer battery life, and it's now IP68 sealed. [See RuggedPCReview's description, analysis and specs of the Juniper Allegro 2] -- Posted Monday, October 13, 2014

RuggedPCReview welcomes Cedar Tree Technologies as its newest industry sponsor
Cedar Tree Technologies has joined the RuggedPCReview industry sponsor family, thus helping us spread the word of the uses and benefits of ruggedized computing equipment, and generating the detailed product reviews our organization is known for. Launched by the founders of Juniper Systems, Cedar is where ultra-ruggedness and affordability meet. Cedar provides rugged handheld computers equipped with the power and versatility of Android to professionals in a wide variety of markets. Initial products include the CT7 tablet, CT4 handheld/phone, and CMP1 MiniPhone. -- Posted Wednesday, October 1, 2014