The predecessor Dolphin CN75, for example, introduced just last year as a replacement for the venerable CN70 that began life as an Intermec design back in 2011, still was a hedge-the-bets product available in a Windows version (because you can't just ditch Microsoft while Microsoft still makes up its mind) and an Android version (because Android was kind of coming on very strong).

The CN80 can be ordered either with a 23-key numeric or 40-key alphanumeric keypad, both backlit and offering programmable and shiftable keys to add functionality and access function keys. Talk about having your cake (a modern Android handheld) and eat it too (with those keypads).

The CN80's touch implementation is particularly impressive. Honeywell not only addressed one of the iffier aspects of capacitive touch — its use in the rain and with gloves on — but did so with auto-detection and switching between mutual and self-capacitance modes for water rejection and use with many off-the-shelf gloves. Kudos!

For scanning, the CN80 uses the N6603R area imager with Honeywell's Adaptus 6.0 technology or the Honeywell EX20 near/far imager, depending on the intended type of application. There is also an integrated 13-megapixel auto-focus digital camera option with flash. No fewer than six different sensors allow for a wealth of advanced applications, indicating that this is, truly, not your father's handheld.

On the wireless side, the CN80 has integrated Class 1.5 Bluetooth Version 5.0 and dual band 802.11a/b/g/n/ac WiFi. Optional integrated mobile broadband supports virtually all wireless standards and major carriers, with super-fast CAT13 LTE downlink speed, FDD-LTE, TDD-LTE, dual nano-SIMs and extensive legacy support. For positioning functionality, the CN80 supports simultaneous GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and Beidou, which means it has far more satellites at its disposal. The removable and rechargeable Li-Ion battery packs a hefty 22.3 watt-hours.

The display measures 4.2 inches diagonally — perhaps a tad small for optimal touch functionality — and offers 854 x 480- pixel resolution, making for a nicely crisp image with 233 pixels per inch. Under the hood sits a state-of-the-art octa-core 2.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 processor. With no more need to also support Windows Mobile, Honeywell had far better processor options than before.

It goes without saying that the Dolphin CN80 is a very rugged device. We're talking an 8-foot drop spec, IP67 sealing, a wide -4 to 122 degree Fahrenheit operating temperature range, and the ability tho handle more one-meter tumbles than any device will ever encounter.

With that latter issue resolved, Honeywell has now shown that the days of holding back are over. The Dolphin CN80 seems uniquely well positioned to help with the transition from legacy Microsoft-based devices and systems to the burgeoning Android economy. -- Conrad H. Blickenstorfer, June 2018

See the Honeywell Dolphin CN80 page