Janam is a New York-based rugged mobile computing vendor with worldwide distribution. The company was established in January of 2006 as a provider of purpose-built rugged handheld computing devices for mobile workers.
Janam first launched the CE-version of the XG100 in January of 2009 and then introduced a Windows Mobile version in October of that year. Like the XM Series, the XG Series brings a number of unique and innovative features to market. For example, according to Janam it is the only rugged gun shaped mobile computer with the battery in the handle. This lowers the product's center of gravity which makes the device feel light and balanced in hand. In January of 2012, Janam added the XG105 with laser-based barcode scanning instead of a CMOS imager and a number of other improvements, most notably a higher resolution 480 x 640 pixel full VGA display.
From a technical perspective, the Janam XG105 is built on traditional vertical market mobile computing hardware and software. For processing power, the XG100 relies on the 624MHz version of the competent and powerful Marvell PXA320 chip. On the software side, the XG105 comes with the developer-oriented Windows CE 6.0 that continues to have wide-ranging support.
The 3.7-inch portrait-oriented analog touchscreen display measures 3.7 inches diagonally -- about average for this class of device -- and, as stated, uses full 480 x 640 pixel VGA resolution that provides excellent sharpness and goes well with more advanced Windows CE based applications. Operation is primarily via passive stylus, and there are also function keys and a navigation diamond.
In terms of size, the XG100 measures 3.5 x 9.1 inches, with the gun-style handle making the device about 7.15 inches tall. The whole thing weighs about a pound and a half. As can be seen on the picture, the XG100 has an elaborate keypad with either 42 or 52 keys in a total of five variations, including some that have dedicated VT or 3270 terminal emulation keys (yes, those are ancient, but still very much in use out there).
While the original XG100 comes with an integrated Adaptus 752 x 480 pixel CMOS imager for reading a variety of 1D and 2D codes and symbologies, the XG105 augments the XG Series product line with laser-based barcode scanning that reads barcodes as far as 17 feet (over five meters) away. Janam says it is the first licensee to offer a rugged mobile computer with Motorola's latest SE96X Series scan engine (see Motorola's SE960 page), and that the laser scanner-equipped model is for customers who need both close-range and distance barcode scanning as well as reliable capture of barcodes that are damaged or underneath shrinkwrap.
In the ruggedness and durability department, the XG100 can handle multiple six-foot drops onto concrete, carries IP64 sealing, and has a wide operating temperature range from 14 to 122 degrees Fahrenheit. The Li-Ion battery packs 18.5 watt-hours life, which should be good enough for full-shift operation.
Janam optimized the XG105 for the needs of mobile workers in warehouses, distribution centers, loading docks and other operating venues where rugged gun-shaped mobile computers are deployed. The device is clearly designed as a workhorse based on tried-and-true, mature technology and capable of handling abuse on the job. According to Janam, the XG105's list price is "$1,000 less than competitive products."
