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Honeywell Dolphin CT60
Honeywell launches first new device to run on their "Mobility Edge Platform" that promises support for four generations of Android
(by Conrad H. Blickenstorfer)
Honeywell unveiled the Dolphin CT60 on October 17, 2017, just over two years after the launch of the predecessor CT50. The CT60 is a modern, versatile and very tough mobile computer to help streamline operations and maximize worker efficiencies in transport and logistics, field service, direct store delivery, and warehouse environments.
In contrast to Honeywell's Dolphin 70e and 75e that were conceived as more durable, more ruggeds version of consumer smartphones, the CT60 places more emphasis on the handheld computer side. This is both a productivity tool as well as an industrial-grade scanner.
 The Dolphin CT60's 3.3 x 6.3 inch footprint is roughly that of an Apple iPhone 8 Plus in a protective case. The CT60 was designed to be far more durable than consumer devices and that adds weight, but at just over 12 ounces the CT60 won't weigh you down.
Despite the big-screen smartphone footprint, the CT60 display measures "only" 4.7 inches diagonally, like that of the basic iPhone 8.
The display features 1280 x 720 pixel resolution, or 312 (dpi dots per inch). That's a bit less than premium consumer phones, but sharper than anything available on a desktop or notebook, and also a good deal more than the retina iPads.
The CT60 uses capacitive multi-touch that auto-switches between finger and glove modes and is also treated so as to dispel water droplets.
Impressive technology
Ever since the Dolphin 75e was introduced in 2015, Honeywell has been focusing on what the company calls "next-generation workforce solutions." That refers to adoption of state-of-the-art hardware and software technology as the foundation of products and solutions to come.
The new CT60 clearly demonstrates Honeywell's determination to push the envelope. Processing power comes from a competent, brawny 2.2GHz octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 660. There's 3GB or 4GB of LPDDR3 RAM and 32GB of Flash storage. If more is needed, there's a micro SDHC card slot.
WiFi is of the speedy 802.11ac variety, Bluetooth is at Version 4.0, and there's a 13-megapixel camera that can also record 4K video with image stabilization. And the CT60 has no fewer than six sensors (light, proximity, magnetometer, gyro, accelerometer, pressure).
It's Android only now
On the OS side the CT60 comes with Android 7.1.1 "Nougat." Easing longtime Android customer fears that the OS version on their device will quickly become obsolete, Honeywell's "Mobility Edge Platform" promises support for four generations of Android — Nougat through Q.
Another thing that's changed is that this latest Honeywell handheld is only available with Android. Several earlier Honeywell handhelds offered a choice between Android and mobile versions of Windows. But with Microsoft stopping further development of Windows 10 Mobile, it didn't make much sense to offer an abandoned OS in a new product.
Multiple input modes
Honeywell emphasizes the multiple input mode capabilities of the CT60, those presumably being speech, stylus, and touch. And that's on top of NFC communication and 1D/2D scanning, so that this new Dolphin handheld cannot only scan, but also record voice notes, capture digital signatures and allow image annotations.
On the wireless communications side WWAN, the CT60 includes virtually all varieties of 3G and 4G LTE mobile broadband. Voice over IP is supported, as well as Push-To-Talk. There's also integrated GNSS (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and Beidu).
Tough and rugged
Designed as a handy, modern mobile computer that's rugged enough for the toughest work environments, the CT60 carries IP67 sealing, which means it's completely dust and waterproof, including full immersion. It can also survive 5-foot drops to concrete, operate in extreme temperatures, and exceed the toughest tumble tests. Obviously, this mobile computer can go where no consumer device can.
Attractive investment
With the Dolphin CT60, Honeywell offers a productivity device that combines the speed, elegance and advanced communication and display technologies virtually everyone expects from a handheld today, with the industrial-grade data collection features needed in the field and on the job, and also with enough toughness to make it last.
Add to that the Mobility Edge Platform's promise to support future Android versions (on top of other productivity enhancements), and the CT60 looks like a very attractive investment.
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 Specifications Honeywell Dolphin CT60
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Added/updated
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Added 10/2017
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Form-factor
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Handheld mobile computer
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CPU
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2.2GHz octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 660
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OS
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Android 7.1.1 "Nougat" through Android Q
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RAM/ROM
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3GB/4GB DDR4/32GB Flash
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Card slots
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User-accessible 1 x microSDXC/SDHC/SDIO up to 512GB
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Display type
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Outdoor-readable, optically bonded TFT, oleophobic fingerprint rejection
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Display size/res
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4.7-inch/1280 x 720 pixel (312 ppi)
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Digitizer/pens
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Capacitive multi-touch with auto-switch glove/finger mode and water droplet rejection
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Keyboard/keys
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onscreen
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Navigation
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Speech, touch, stylus, gestures
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Housing
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Unknown
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Operating Temp
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-4° to 122°F (-20° to 50°C)
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Sealing
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IP67
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Shock
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Multiple 5-foot drops
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Tumble
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Exceeds 1,000 1.0 meter tumbles per IEC 60068-2-32
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ESD
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±15KV air and ±8KV contact
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Size (WxHxD)
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3.2 x 6.3 x 0.75 inches (83 x 160 x 19 mm)
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Weight
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12.4 oz. (350g) with battery pack
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Power
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Standard 3.6V, 4,040 mAH, 14.54 watt-hour Li-Ion with integrated fuel gauge ("12+ hours")
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Interface
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Custom I/O connector
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Scanner
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Honeywell N6600 1D/2D Slim Imager Engine
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Sensors
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Accelerometer, ambient light, proximity, gyroscope, magnetometer, pressure
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Camera
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13.0 mega pixel, 4K video, image stabilization
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Wireless
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802.11a/b/g/n/ac WiFi, Bluetooth v5.0, NFC, GNSS (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, Beidu), VoIP, PTT, 3G UMTS/HSPA+, GSM/GPRS/EDGE, 4G LTE
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List price
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inquire
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Web
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Dolphin CT60 product page
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Spec sheet
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Dolphin CT60 brochure (PDF)
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Honeywell Dolphin CT60
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