Juniper's ultra-rugged data collection keypad handheld switches to Android and gets a number of tech upgrades in the process
(by Conrad H. Blickenstorfer)

On March 15, 2019, Juniper Systems of Logan, Utah, introduced the Allegro 3 rugged handheld computer as a follow-up (and eventual replacement) of the company's longtime workhorse, the Allegro 2. The Allegro 3, the company says, "improves upon the successful rugged mobile computer formula employed by Juniper Systems with a faster processor, upgraded memory capacity, 4G LTE capability, and Android 7.1." The big thing, of course, is that the Allegro is now on Android.

Let's tackle this right upfront. The Allegro didn't need change. Unlike a lot of gear out there that benefits from major change or replacement, the Allegro was right just the way it was. For many customers it was and is the perfect data collection tool. Tough, rugged, reliable.

However, the operating system software that Allegros always ran on — first Microsoft Windows Mobile and then Windows Embedded Handheld — is going away and there is no replacement from Microsoft. As a result, the industry is migrating to Android, the immensely popular operating system that the vast majority of all smartphones run on.

"If it's not broken, don't fix it," said Juniper Systems CEO DeVon Labrum. So Juniper left the Allegro's concept and design alone but switched to Android. And, in the process, upgraded this and that. So below are the Cliffs Notes of what stays the same and what is new in the Allegro 3:

Juniper Systems Allegro generations

Model	Allegro 3	Allegro 2	Allegro
Introduced	2019	2014	2009
OS	Android 7.1 ASOP	WEH 6.5.3	Mobile Classic 6.1
Processor	Freescale i.MX6	Freescale i.MX53	Marvell PXA270
Clock speed	1.2GHz	1.0GHz	624MHz
RAM/ROM	2GB/16GB	512MB/8GB	128MB/1/2GB
Expansion	micro SD/SDHC	micro SD/SDHC	PC Card + micro SD/SDHC
Display	4.2"/640 x 480 pixel	4.2"/640 x 480 pixel	3.8"/320 x 240 pixel
Digitizer	Projected capacitive	Projected capacitive	Resistive
Battery	43.2 watt-hour Li-Ion	38.7 watt-hour Li-Ion	14.4 watt-hour NiMH
Battery Life	up to 20 hrs.	up to 20 hrs.	8-10 hrs.
Keypad	64-key QWERTY + numeric	64-key QWERTY + numeric	63-key Alpha + numeric
Keypad backlight	Yes	Yes	No
Size (inches)	5.4 x 10.2 x 1.6	5.4 x 10.2 x 1.6	5.25 x 10.0 x 1.5
Weight (lb.)	2.0	2.0	1.8
Sealing	IP68	IP68	IP67
Temp. range	-22° to 140°	-22° to 140°	-22° to 130°
Camera	5mp rear (opt.)	5mp rear (opt.)	not available
Audio	Speaker + mic.	Speaker + mic.	not available
Compass	Yes	Yes	No
Accelerometer	Yes	Yes	No
USB	Full-size + micro	Full-size + micro	Full-size + mini
Bluetooth	4.2 Class 1.5 (100+ ft)	2.1 Class 1.5 (100+ ft)	2.0 Class 1 (65 ft)
WiFi	802.11b/g/n	802.11b/g/n	(via card)
WWAN	4G LTE	3.75G, HSPA+/UMTS	not available
GNSS/GPS	GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, QZSS, SBAS	GPS, GLONASS, SBAS	via pod option

And here's some commentary on what's changed and why it matters:

• The move to Android — Would it have been nice if Microsoft hadn't given up on its mobile operating systems that powered most handhelds for so many years? Yes, that would have made things a lot easier for business where Microsoft remains dominant on the desktop and corporate IT infrastructure. On the plus side, due to Android's 80+ percent marketshare in mobile devices, almost everyone is already familiar with Android, and there is abundant Android programming and migration support.

• What is Android 7.1 AOSP? — Android version 7, codenamed "Nougat," is recent enough to be around and supported for a long time. AOSP stands for "Android Open Source Project." It is standard Android and is led by Google itself, but the AOSP version does not come with social media-oriented Google apps such as Chrome, YouTube, GMail, Maps, Photos or the Play Store. Those are not necessary in a data collection tool such as the Allegro and would only clutter up the device.

• Faster processor — The Allegro 3 has a new and faster ARM-based processor in the 1.2GHz i.MX6. It's made by Freescale Semiconductor that was spun off from Motorola and is now part of NXP. Juniper used an earlier i.MX processor in the Allegro 2, probably because even at the Allegro 2's launch the handwriting was already on the wall and Juniper wanted to be ready for a migration to Android.

• More memory — Compare to the Allegro 2, mass storage has doubled in the Allegro 3, and RAM quadrupled. And, as before, storage can be expanded via micro SD card.

• More powerful battery — The Allegro 2 had a big battery, and the one in the new model is more powerful yet, with capacity up by 12%. Estimated battery life on a charge remains at 20 hours.

• Updated wireless — Connectivity has been upgraded. Bluetooth went from version 2.1 to version 4.2. More importantly, the "GEO CELL" version of the new Allegro 3 uses 4G LTE instead of the 3.75G GSM modem in the Allegro 2.

• Expanded satellite support — Allegro 3 GEO models still include a uBlox M8 positioning module, but it now supports the European Galileo and the Chinese BeiDou satellite navigation systems as well. Being able to use more satellite makes for quicker and more accurate positioning.

• The only design change we can detect is the color of the numeric and navigation keys. Those were black symbols on white keys on the Allegro 2, but have now been changed to white symbols on black keys.