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Juniper Allegro 3

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.

Summary: Juniper Allegro 3

Juniper Systems' Allegro 3 remains what the Allegro platform has always been, a dust and waterproof and nearly indestructible data collection tool for those who like to have full QWERTY and numeric keypads on their handhelds. But it now runs Android instead of the old Windows Embedded Handheld. That move was necessary as Microsoft discontinued its mobile operating systems. With so many people familiar with Android from their phones, training should be minimal. And with Android being the dominant smartphone OS, there are ample programming and migration resources. As was the case with the Allegro 2, the Allegro 3 comes as a base, GEO (adds positioning), or GEO Cell (adds positioning and mobile broadband) model. -- Conrad Blickenstorfer, March 2019
Specifications Juniper Allegro 3
Status Added March 2019
Form-factor Rugged Android Handheld
CPU 1.2GHz NXP Freescale i.MX6 ARM Cortex A9
OS Android 7.1 AOSP
RAM/ROM 2GB RAM/16GMB Flash
Card slots 1 micro SD/SDHC, 1 x SIM
Display type High visibility "Sun-to-Shade" backlit color TFT with strengthened glass
Display size/res 4.2"/640 x 480 pixel VGA, 190 dpi
Digitizer/pens Projected capacitive touch, glove-friendly, scratch-resistant
Keyboard/keys 64-key numeric keypad with user-assignable keys with adjustable backlight
Navigation Touch, navigation keys
Housing Hardened plastic, impact-absorbing bumpers, strong chemical resistance
Operating Temp -22° to 140°F (-30°; to 60°C)
Sealing IP68
Shock MIL-STD 810G 516.6 -- Multiple 4-foot drops to concrete
Vibration MIL-STD 810G 514.6
Altitude MIL-STD 810G 500.5
Humidity MIL-STD 810G 507.5
Size (WxHxD) 5.4 x 10.2 x 1.6 inches (138 x 256 x 40 mm)
Weight 2 lbs. (908 g) w/ battery
Power 3.6V 12,000mAH 43.2 watt-hour Li-Ion ("up to 20 hrs")
Camera 5mp AF with LED illuminator and geotagging
GPS (GEO models) 72-channel u-Blox M8 (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, QZSS, SBAS)
Scanner NA
Interface 1 x USB host, 1 x USB client Micro B, 1 x RS232 DB9, 3.5mm audio jack (I/O module is customizable)
Wireless Options: Class 1.5 Bluetooth 4.2, WiFi 802.11b/g/n, 4G LTE CAT-4/3G-fallback
Certifications FCC Class B, CE, Industry Canada, EN60950/EN62368 Safety
List price Inquire
Contact www.junipersys.com
Web page Allegro 3 web page
Specs Allegro 3 data sheet
Juniper Allegro3

Juniper Systems contact
Juniper Systems
Logan, Utah, USA
Tel: 435-753-1881
Web: www.junipersys.com