November 2015

Strategy Analytics: Windows gaining on tablets
Strategy Analytics projects that Windows will gain significant market share in tablets as enterprise tablet adoption and the demand for a premium OS on tablets grows. Strategy Analytics sees Windows tablet market share grow from the current 10% to 18% by 2019, mostly at the cost of Android which will fall from 68% to 58%, with iOS share staying at around 23%. [See Strategy Analytics media release] -- Posted Sunday, November 29, 2015

Job opportunities
Datalogic is looking for a channel account manager for the southeast area. See here. -- Posted Friday, November 27, 2015

Winmate introduces 24-inch military and marine panel PCs
Winmate introduced their 24-inch series of panel PCs for military and marine deployments. Designed to reliably operate in the most challenging environments, the Intel Haswell-based panels may handle fast real-time positioning, rapid-response logistics, gauge reading, automation control, complex navigation, etc. Numerous configuration options are available. [See Winmate military and marine panel lineup] -- Posted Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Windows 10 adoption
Research firm Gartner predicts that Windows 10 will become the most widely installed version of Windows ever. Gartner predicts that half of enterprises will have started Windows 10 deployments by January 2017. Our take: Given the fact that Windows 10 is free, at least initially, to many users, the quick adoption does not surprise. And in our experience so far, Windows 10 is a considerable step forward from Windows 8.x. In vertical and industrial markets, however, the a big challenge will be which of the numerous versions of Windows 10 to use, as well as understanding the implications of Microsoft's new Universal Application platform. And that's before the nagging issue of bringing mouse-era legacy software into an increasingly mobile world. -- Posted Tuesday, November 24, 2015

ARBOR Technology introduces Intel Braswell-Based Qseven modules
ARBOR Technology introduced the EmQ-i2200 Qseven module. Available with dual- and quad-core Intel "Braswell" processors (Braswell followed Bay Trail), the 70 x 70 mm modules can support up to three HD displays or two 4k displays, being capable of streaming 4K video in real time. Suitable for a whole range of fanless and rugged embedded computer designs, EmQ-i2200 modules provide native USB 3.0, UART, SDIO, I2C and LPC bus, as well as three PCIe lanes. [See ARBOR media release]
-- Posted Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Will the Apple iPad Pro herald an era of "pro" use of tablets?
A look by RuggedPCReview's Editor-in-Chief Conrad Blickenstorfer at the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, what the extra size means for productivity, split-screen use, what to make of the Apple Pencil, and what impact the new big iPad might have on the future of tablets. [read more] -- Posted Friday, November 20, 2015

iOS and Android command 97.8% of all smartphone sales
Gartner reports that worldwide smartphone unit sales were 352 million for Q3/2015, up from 305 million Q3/2014. Samsung sold the most smartphones with 84 million, followed by Apple with 46 million and Huawei with 27 million. In terms of operating platforms, Android and iOS commanded 97.8% market share, with Microsoft fading from 3% to 1.7%. [See Gartner media release] -- Posted Thursday, November 19, 2015

Unitech announces the Android-based 7-inch TB120 tablet
Unitech announced the Android-based 7-inch IP65-sealed TB120 rugged tablet designed specifically for heavy-duty data entry. The TB120 weighs just 1.6 pounds, has an integrated 37-key numeric and function keypad, and can be equipped with industrial-grade 1D or 1D/2D barcode readers or an MSR reader. [See description, analysis and specs of the Unitech TB120] -- Posted Thursday, November 19, 2015

RAM Mounts reveals new and improved website
RAM Mounts, the company that makes our preferred mounting solutions, has totally rebuilt its entire website and the result is extremely impressive. While we've seen a number of less than optimal website makeovers during the last year (usually on Wordpress), RAM's new site is terrific. [See new RAM Mounts site] -- Posted Thursday, November 19, 2015

Handheld Group reveals ultra-rugged Algiz RT7 Android tablet
Handheld Group announced the launch of its new Android tablet, the ultra-rugged Algiz RT7. Based on Android 5.1.1 (Lollipop) and a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, the 1.44 pound Algiz RT7 has a 7-inch WSVGA capacitive multi-touch display, excellent onboard connectivity, and impressive ruggedness. [See description, analysis and specs of the Handheld Algiz RT7] -- Posted Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Advantech acquires B+B SmartWorx, targeting IoT applications and expansion in the industrial connectivity market
Advantech announced that it will acquire Ottawa, Illinois based B+B SmartWorx in a deal worth about US$100 million. Founded in 1981, B+B SmartWorx provides intelligent M2M and IoT connectivity solutions for wireless and wired networks, making it an ideal addition to Advantech's Industrial Connectivity product portfolio and big step to increase Advantech's global market share by leveraging B+B SmartWorx’ branding and sales channels in the U.S., Europe, and the Middle East. [See Advantech media release] -- Posted Tuesday, November 17, 2015

MobileDemand brings apps to rugged Tablet PCs
MobileDemand introduced xSalesMap, the first app created by MobileDemand as part of a new strategy to offer not only devices but also productivity tools so an enterprise can choose the right tablet for the job. In its "public" mode, the app shows the top 1,000 public and 250 private companies in the US in color-coded pin locations. A private mode provides access to a company's customer database. This way, as an example, a sales and marketing team may use their CRM database to display color-coded pins for leads, customers, and prospects that make up the sales funnel. The Windows 10 app can be downloaded free from the Windows store. [MobileDemand xSalesMap app blog entry] -- Posted Tuesday, November 17, 2015

IoT picking up steam
Gartner forecasts that 6.4 billion connected things will be in use worldwide in 2016, up 30% from 2015, and will reach 20.8 billion by 2020. In 2016, 5.5 million new things will get connected every day. Gartner estimates that the IoT will support total services spending of $235 billion in 2016, up 22% from 2015. Aside from connected cars, consumer uses will continue to account for the greatest number of connected things, while enterprise will account for the largest spending. [See Gartner media release] -- Posted Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Xplore reports their fiscal Q2/2016 financials
Xplore Technologies reported Q2 financials for its fiscal year 2016. Revenue was US$28,853,000 compared to US$7,522,000 for discal Q2/2015, an increase of 284%. Xplore reported a net income of US$403,000 compared to a net loss of US$1,163,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2014. The large revenue increases resulted from revenue associated with the Motion acquisition as well as an increase in revenue from Xplore’s historical product line. Xplore chairman and CEO Philip Sassower said "we are very pleased that Xplore was able to generate a bottom line profit in the second quarter as our integration efforts with respect to the Motion Acquisition are proceeding ahead of schedule." [See Xplore media release] -- Posted Friday, November 13, 2015

Review: ARBOR IEC-3300 rugged, fanless Bay Box PC
Signage and information systems are increasingly common in trucks, buses, trains and numerous other types of vehicles. Implementation of such projects requires compact, reliable, standards-based and reasonably priced industrial PCs. ARBOR Technology's Intel Bay Trail-powered IEC-3300 fits the bill. [See our review of the ARBOR Technology IEC-3300] -- Posted Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Zebra presents Q3/2015 financials
Zebra reported net sales for the three months ended October 3, 2015, of $916.3 million, compared with $303.3 million for the third quarter of 2014. The GAAP net loss for the third quarter was $29.0 million, compared with GAAP net income of $14.9 million for the third quarter of 2014. Non-GAAP net income was $72.4 million, compared with $41.6 million for the third quarter of 2014. Anders Gustafsson, CEO of Zebra, said “with the proliferation of connected devices and the expanding mobile workforce, organizations are increasingly choosing our technology to expand their competitive advantage and enable the smart, connected enterprise.” [See Zebra Q3/2015 financials] -- Posted Wednesday, November 11, 2015

JLT brings VERSO+ 10 rugged computer to logistics market
JLT Mobile Computers announced that it has enhanced its VERSO+ 10 rugged computer solution (see our review of the VERSO+ 10) with a new cradle optimized for the logistics markets including warehousing and transportation. Already a proven and popular computing platform for very challenging environments, the VERSO+ 10 rugged computer brings its exceptional computing power and compact, rugged form factor to logistics applications such as forklifts, picking trolleys and small truck cabins thanks to a new logistics cradle, specially optimized for indoor or in-cab use. [See JLT Mobile media release] -- Posted Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Xplore announces XSlate D10 rugged Android tablet
Xplore Technologies announced the XSlate D10, a much more powerful version of its compact, lightweight, and well-connected rugged Android tablet platform. The new 10.1-inch XSlate D10 runs Android 5.1 (Lollipop) on an Intel Bay Trail E3845 chip and replaces Xplore's older RangerX. The IP65-sealed XSlate D10, which starts at US$1,649, can handle 5-foot drops, offers broad expansion options (including NFC, HDMI-in, 1D/2D scanning, 4G LTE), and benefits from Android 5.1's enterprise-oriented security and device management features. [See description, analysis and specs of the Xplore XSlate D10] -- Posted Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Panasonic announces fully detachable rugged 2-in-1 Toughbook 20 as replacement of Toughbook 19 convertible
Panasonic announced the Toughbook 20, a 2-in-1 device that the company calls the world's first fully rugged detachable laptop. Powered by an Intel Core M "Skylake-Y" m5-6Y57 processor, the IP65-sealed Toughbook has a 1920 x 1200 pixel 10.1-inch glove-capable 800-nits procap display. The tablet part weighs 2.1 pounds, the (100%-scale) keyboard part, which can accommodate a second battery, another 1.8 pounds. The Toughbook 20 starts at US$3,099, will be available February 2016, and replaces the Toughbook CF19 convertible. [See description, analysis and specs of the Panasonic Toughbook 20] -- Posted Monday, November 9, 2015

Get to know DeVon Labrum, Juniper Systems' new CEO
Juniper Systems is now being captained by DeVon Labrum as CEO, who previously served as their Vice President of Sales & Marketing for the past several years. Labrum is an 18-year veteran at Juniper Systems, having started as an account manager for Juniper's yield management products and then progressing through the ranks in various sales and marketing positions. [Read interview with DeVon Labrum] -- Posted Friday, November 6, 2015

Digitimes Research forecasts Q4 2015 tablet shipments
According to Digitimes, 58.7 million tablets will ship globally in Q4 2015, decreasing 22.6% from Q4 2014. This breaks down to 14 million iPads, 24.5 million non-iPads and 20.2 million white-box units. Of 38.5 million non-white-box tablets, 30.3% will be 7-inch, 18.3% 7.9-inch, 5.3% 8.x-inch, 26.2% 9.x-inch, 10.6% 10.x-inch and 9.2% 11-inch and above. Android, iOS and Windows models will respectively take up 56.8%, 36.4% and 6.9% of the shipments. -- Posted Wednesday, November 4, 2015

The difference between C1D2 vs C1Z2 compliance
Xplore discussed the difference between C1D2 and C1Z2 compliance in a recent blog post. C1D2 means Class 1 Division 2 means a device is safe to use in a location where flammable gases may exist. Most international Hazardous Location compliance standards, however, use a classification system with three zones instead of two divisions, and the US is now recognizing that system, too. [See Xplore's explanation of C1D2 vs. C1Z2 in rugged tablets -- Posted Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Winmate releases rugged FM08 modular vehicle-mount PC
Winmate introduced the Winmate FM08 modular vehicle-mount PC. A rugged, fanless design based on Intel Bay Trail processor technology, the IP65-sealed Winmate FM08 has a sunlight-readable 8.0-inch GFG resistive touch screen, a wide 10 to 60 Volt power input range, and a field-replaceable front panel. [See FM08 product page and RuggedPCReview's description, analysis and specs of the Winmate FM08 -- Posted Monday, November 2, 2015

What happened in rugged computing 5 years ago: Nov. 2010
In November 2010, the Symbian Foundation shut down its website after Nokia took over further development. Clear Channel France deployed more than 800 Psion Ikôn PDAs, and Welch Allyn chose the GD-Itronix Tadpole Topaz for a medical monitoring system. Advantech passed Kontron to become world's #2 IPC maker, Getac E100 rugged tablets were used in a UK streetlighting contract, Motion's F5 was selected by Swiss Air Rescue Service, and we did a full review of the 10th generation DRS ARMOR X10gx. Xplore reported revenue of US$4.3 for the quarter, and LXE had a very strong US$35.6 million quarter. Trimble introduced the updated Nomad 900 and 2T launched the HANDGEAR. Gartner stated that "the iPad has the potential to be hugely disruptive to the business models and markets of many enterprises" while Juniper Research predicted that "the number of annual shipments for tablet devices will reach 81 million by 2015" (it's more like 230 million). -- Posted Sunday, November 1, 2015