April 2021

Advantech introduces new AIM-75S industrial tablet
Advantech, a global leader of advanced IoT intelligence systems and embedded platforms, is pleased to announce the launch of its state-of-the-art industrial tablet AIM-75S this May 2021. The ideal tablet for industrial users and rugged environments — the outdoors, extreme weather conditions, etc. — AIM-75S features Android 10, the most up-to-date and widely available operating system by Android with plenty of prepared application programming interfaces and enhanced security. Advantech's latest industrial tablet is also Google Mobile Services-certified, passing seven test suites with two million test items to guarantee compatibility, as well as the best user experience and access to over a million Google applications. [See Advantech media release] -- Posted Thursday, April 29, 2021

Getac debuts ultra-versatile K120, fully rugged, IP66-rated, field-force tablet
Getac Technology Corporation, a leading producer of rugged computing hardware and integrated solutions, today announced the release of its next-generation K120 Windows® 10 tablet. A landmark in handheld, fully rugged computers, the K120 gives field force and manufacturing workers in a myriad of industries the state-of-the-art performance, unsurpassed multitasking capacity, diverse connectivity options, and ability to go anywhere and do anything under any conditions, typically offered, if at all, only in bulky full-size ruggedized laptops. [See Getac media release] -- Posted Wednesday, April 28, 2021

Cincoze sunlight-readable industrial panel PCs — Building more comfortable and convenient smart cities
Cincoze believes that to realize a more convenient, beautiful, and comfortable life for all, the promotion of smart cities is a crucial part of construction projects actively promoted by governments across the globe. At the heart of smart cities is the integration of AIoT technologies. Combining human-machine interfaces (HMIs), sensors, embedded computers, networks, and AI data analysis, these technologies provide the tools to assess public infrastructure needs, thereby improving the quality of life and safety of all citizens. [See Cincoze media release] -- Posted Wednesday, April 28, 2021

Intel reports first-quarter 2021 financial results
Intel reported Q1 2021 revenue of US$19.7 billion with net income of US$3.4 billion. That compares to Q1 2020 revenue of 19.8 billion and net income of US$5.7 billion. Intel's Client Computing Group (CCG), which primarily consists of the company's PC processor and related component sales, brought in the largest revenue share (53.8%) of all business units. [See Intel financials] -- Posted Friday, April 23, 2021

Juniper Systems: Top 5 features of a rugged tablet
Juniper Systems Get Rugged blog is one of the best in the business. The concentration, of course, is on Juniper's various rugged handhelds and tablets, but also in connection with general and specific issues relating to rugged computers. The latest installment is entitled "Top 5 features of a rugged tablet, and it's very good advice indeed. [Read Top 5 features of a rugged tablet] -- Posted Friday, April 23, 2021

MobileDemand launches first-of-its-kind rugged cases for Microsoft Surface tablets with integrated barcode scanner and MSR options
MobileDemand, provider of rugged tablets and mobile computing solutions for enterprise productivity, today announced the launch of the first-to-market rugged cases with integrated barcode scanner and magnetic stripe card reader (MSR), designed exclusively for Microsoft® Surface Pro and Go tablets. Available integrated options include barcode scanner, MSR, or combination of a barcode scanner and MSR, all for the Surface Pro and Go. The rugged, all-in-one solutions are certified by the Microsoft Designed for Surface® (DfS) program, ensuring the cases and integrated modules are reliable, high quality, fully functional and engineered to Microsoft requirements and regulatory guidelines for Surface. [See MobileDemand media release] -- Posted Friday, April 23, 2021

Honeywell Q1 2021 financials
Honeywell reported Q1 2021 net sales of US$8.454 billion, compared to US8.463 billion for Q1 2020. Q1 2021 income was US$1.448 billion, compared to US$1.606 billion in Q1 2020. Safety and Productivity Solutions sales (which includes Honeywell AIDC that makes handheld computers and scanners for Q1 2021 were up 47% to US$2.118 billion on an organic basis driven by double-digit Warehouse and Workflow Solutions, personal protective equipment, and Productivity Solutions and Services growth. Honeywell expects full-year organic sales growth to be in the range of 3% to 5% [See Honeywel Q1 2021 financials] -- Posted Friday, April 23, 2021

Daichi Kato appointed head of Panasonic Mobile Solutions Business Division Europe
Panasonic has appointed Daichi Kato as its Head of Mobile Solutions Business Division Europe. He aims to build on Panasonic TOUGHBOOK's 25 year record as the leading European rugged mobile computing manufacturer with an increased focus on product innovation and operational excellence informed by an ever closer understanding of customer needs. [See Panasonic media release] -- Posted Wednesday, April 21, 2021

Datalogic P2X-Series: Pushing power to the edge
Datalogic, a global leader in the automatic data capture and factory automation markets, is pleased to announce the P2X-Series, the ultimate smart camera with the unparalleled performance and flexibility of the most innovative vision system. Although very technically capable, the P2X is easily setup and operated. The heavyweight specifications packed into the industrial-grade camera housing will let operators tackle the most demanding of application requirements. The small form factor and large field of view make it the ideal camera on robot guidance applications. [See Datalogic media release] -- Posted Monday, April 19, 2021

Winmate: Take safety to the next level with an ATEX and Class I certified rugged device
The oil & gas industry is one of the most dangerous and challenging work environments. Because the conditions are risky for both personnel and equipment, reliable and accurate monitoring is crucial to maintaining safe operations. Winmate offers explosion-proof panel computers for remote data collection, process visualization, and control. Safe technologies help to improve the productivity, safety, and efficiency of oil refineries. Effectively control processes to lower operation costs and gain more profit. Winmate's computing solutions are deployed in refining and petrochemical applications and have helped many companies improve productivity, safety, and efficiency. [Read Winmate newsletter on ATEX and Class 1 intrinsic safety] -- Posted Monday, April 19, 2021

KYOCERA launches rugged, reliable, FirstNet Ready DuraXE Epic with AT&T
Kyocera International Inc., a leader in rugged mobile solutions, launched the military-grade and FirstNet Ready™ DuraXE Epic on the AT&T 4G LTE network today. A compact flip phone built for reliability in harsh conditions, Kyocera's new ultra-rugged device is certified military standard 810H to withstand drops (up to 5 feet onto concrete) and water immersion (IP68 up to 6 ft for 30 min) making it ideal for the public safety, construction and hospitality industries, as well as seniors and anyone looking for a durable, easy-to-use device. It's also certified Non-incendive Class I Div 2 for protection in hazardous environments, and can be disinfected using alcohol (70% solution) or cleaning wipes. An affordable option, especially for enterprise, DuraXE Epic is available for $269.99 MSRP. [See Kyocera media release] -- Posted Sunday, April 18, 2021

MobileDemand expands distribution with SYNNEX Corporation to offer full product portfolio
MobileDemand, a trend-setting provider of rugged tablets and mobile computing solutions for enterprise productivity, today announced an expanded agreement with SYNNEX Corporation®, a leading provider of distribution, systems design and integration services for the technology industry. Through this strategic collaboration, MobileDemand's full portfolio of rugged mobile productivity solutions will reach a much broader enterprise audience through the consultative expertise and distribution channel SYNNEX provides. The rugged productivity devices provide SYNNEX resellers an innovative option to meet customer demand for modern mobile computing functionality in warehousing, retail, manufacturing, restaurant, public service, healthcare and more. [See MobileDemand media release] -- Posted Thursday, April 15, 2021

Avalue launches CAXA0 medical-grade semi-rugged Tablet PC
Avalue Technology Inc., a global industrial PC solution provider, announced their latest semi-rugged tablet PC, CAXA0. Featuring a reinforced frame, watertight seals, and hardened glass, the CAXA0 tablet has extensive applications across industries such as retail, manufacturing, transportation and logistics. Built around an efficient Intel Celeron N3350 CPU and a bright, clear 10.1-inch LCD, the CAXA0 offers an impressive range of features, making it suitable for almost any application. The CAXA0 also carries EN60601-1-2 certification for medical and healthcare deployments. The CAXA0 is available with either Windows 10 or Android, further broadening its appeal. [See Avalue media release] -- Posted Wednesday, April 14, 2021

Rugged PC Blog: Intel Generations
With the rapid succession of Intel Core processor generations it’s difficult to keep track of what’s available, what it can do for you, and what really matters when selecting the most suitable processor for your systems. RuggedPCReview revisits the processor line that powers most high-end and performance-oriented rugged computers, touches upon issues, and offers recommendations. [Read Intel Generations] -- Posted Wednesday, April 14, 2021

Review Unitech HT730 rugged Android keypad handheld
There are scanning-intensive data capture applications where it's good to have a touchscreen and a keypad, just the right scan engine for the job, good ergonomics, and enough hot-swappable battery power to make it not just through one shift, but several. Unitech's new HT730 keypad is such a device, running Android 10 on a Snapdragon 720G chip, and it's available with two different keypads, three different scanners, and an optional gun grip. [See description, analysis and specs of the Unitech HT730] -- Posted Monday, April 12, 2021

Zebra Technologies provides rugged tablets to Angel Robotics for wearable robots
Zebra Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ: ZBRA), an innovator at the front line of business with solutions and partners that deliver a performance edge, today announced it provided Angel Robotics its ET51 enterprise tablet for the controller of wearable robots. The tablet also processes data to help analyze the wearer's health condition. [See Zebra media release] -- Posted Monday, April 12, 2021

Mobile phones more hygienic with antimicrobial screen protectors
The screen protector market has seen a huge surge in demand recent years as more people realize the dangers posed by harmful microbes on high touch surfaces. The Chinese company Guangzhou Ehang Electronics has launched a new range of mobile phone accessories with Addmaster Biomaster antimicrobial protection to help reduce the risk of contamination. [See Ehang/Polygiene media release] -- Posted Thursday, April 8, 2021

Zebra Technologies and Discount Tire unveil first tire inspection mobile computing solution
Zebra Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ: ZBRA), an innovator at the front line of business with solutions and partners that deliver a performance edge, today announced that Discount Tire, the world's largest independent retailer of tires and wheels, has deployed the industry's first tire tread depth reading mobile computing solution across its nearly 1,100 stores nationwide. PartnerConnect Premier Independent Software Vendor (ISV) Anyline and Premier Solutions Partner Accucode co-developed the solution featuring Zebra's Android™-based TC75x mobile computer, a new laser-based tire tread depth reader accessory, and Anyline's Tire DOT Scanner software enabling Discount Tire technicians to more efficiently and safely perform tire checks. [See Zebra media release] -- Posted Thursday, April 8, 2021

What happened in rugged computing ten years ago? April 2011
In April of 2011, Datalogic announced it had returned to profit. Amrel released the ROCKY DB6, the smallest rugged full-Windows handheld. Psion was ready to ship their new EP10 rugged PDA. We did a full review of the Getac V200 convertible notebook. We reported how Panasonic Toughbooks helped free trapped Chilean miners. The Handheld Group won a massive contract for rugged PDAs. We predicted that the mobile computing industry stands to benefit from massive cameraphone sales. Gartner predicted global smartphone sales of 1.1 billion by 2015 (it was 1.4 billion) and that Android smartphone share would be 50% by 2015, but then stay there (it's now 85%). We reviewed the Trimble Ranger 3 and the Handheld Group's Nautiz X3. Stealth.com Inc. released the LPC-670, their most powerful industrial mini-PC yet. [See RuggedPCReview news April 2011] -- Posted Monday, April 5, 2021