May 2023

Motorola Solutions enhances rescue missions across vast New Zealand terrains
Surf Lifesaving New Zealand Search and Rescue is increasing safety and efficiency for its inter-agency training exercises with rugged and reliable communications from Motorola Solutions. On a recent training exercise amidst towering peaks, waterfalls and narrow fiordlands reaching as high as 1,000 metres in New Zealand’s Milford Sound, Motorola Solutions’ MOTOTRBO SLR 1000 Repeater and rugged, dependable DP4000e and MOTOTRBO R7 two-way radios provided extended and interoperable coverage for all participating agencies. [See Motorola Solutions media release] -- Posted Thursday, May 25, 2023

Full review: Dell Latitude 7230 Rugged Extreme Tablet
Fully rugged Windows-based tablet computers are increasingly used in the field and on the job, wherever consumer-grade electronics just aren't durable and reliable enough. RuggedPCReview performed a complete analysis of Dell's 12-inch Latitude 7230. Compared to its predecessor, it is a completely new design that's technologically up-to-date and a good step forward. Using Intel 12th gen "Alder Lake" processors, the 2.8 lbs 7230 convinced with a very bright display, excellent performance and connectivity, and the kind of functionality and expansion eco-system needed in the field. [See full review of the Dell Latitude 7230 Rugged Extreme Tablet] -- Posted Tuesday, May 23, 2023

Teguar: Industrial computers with Windows 11
Over the past year and a half, Windows 11 has been kind of sneaking up on the world's PCs, and, according to statcounter, now has about a 23% market share (Windows 10 is still at 72%). But how is Windows 11 doing with industrial computers? Are any available with Microsoft's latest OS? There are. Teguar recently compiled a list of two dozen different panel PCs, All-in-Ones, Kiosk computers, medical computers, stainless panels, and rugged tablets in their lineup. [See Teguar's Industrial Computers with Windows 11 lineup] -- Posted Monday, May 22, 2023

Estone offers E-Lynx device management software for remote IoT devices
OEM/ODM provider Estone Technology posted an interesting blog entry on managing and synchronizing the very rapidly growing number of remote IoT devices via their customizable device management platform. The article delves into the nature, impact and advantages of over-the-air IoT communications. [See Estone offers E-Lynx device management software for remote IoT devices] -- Posted Friday, May 19, 2023

Winmate industrial rugged PCs at Computex Taipei 2023
Winmate Inc., a rugged computing and IoT embedded solutions provider, will showcase the latest innovations of industrial rugged PCs technology at the Computex Taipei 2023 booth #K1209a, Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center, Hall1 – 1F, Taipei, Taiwan on 30 May to 2 June 2023. Explore how Winmate's industrial rugged PCs and Industrial IoT solutions fits your needs and discover our moves toward industrial automation and successful applications. -- Posted Friday, May 19, 2023

Hytera releases ruggedized push-to-talk smartphone
Hytera Communications (SZSE: 002583), a leading global provider of professional communications technologies and solutions, has recently released its latest Push-to-talk over Cellular (PoC) radio model PNC460 XRugged Smart Device. With open API, rugged hardware, and intuitive Push-to-talk (PTT), PNC460 holds great potential and possibilities to unleash team productivity in business and industrial scenarios. [See Hytera media release] -- Posted Thursday, May 18, 2023

Panasonic: STAR Ambulance -- transitioning to rugged
In a new case study, Panasonic reports how Statewide Transfer Ambulance & Rescue (STAR), which provides ambulance transport, over the past few years switched to digitized EMS charts to streamline operational processes. The consumer-grade tablets initially used, however, presented durability and functionality issues. When seeking out new devices, STAR looked at Panasonic Connect’s rugged device family and chose to deploy the TOUGHBOOK G2. [See STAR Ambulance: Transitioning to Rugged] -- Posted Thursday, May 18, 2023

Durabook trademarks Coolfinity for its proprietary fanless cooling design of rugged laptops and tablets
Durabook, an innovator in purpose-built, rugged computing solutions, today announced Coolfinity™ as a trademark of its proprietary integrated passive cooling design for its rugged laptops and tablets. Durabook is the only rugged device manufacturer to offer full-featured, high-performance devices with a fanless thermal solution, equipped with the latest Microsoft Windows 11 Pro operating system, allowing the platform to operate with unprecedented reliability and levels of safety in handling powerful Intel® Core™ processors. [See Durabook media release] -- Posted Wednesday, May 17, 2023

Juniper Systems, Inc. celebrates its 30th anniversary
Juniper Systems is excited to be celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2023. 30 years of serving our partners and customers with the best rugged data collection devices, agriculture research equipment, and world-class customer service. We appreciate our many partners and those that help us accomplish our goal each day of bringing a hassle-free and personalized data collection experience to mobile workers around the world. [See Juniper Systems media release] -- Posted Tuesday, May 16, 2023

Seize the skies with Winmate UAV ground control stations
Winmate Inc., a leading developer of rugged tablet and handheld computers, releases the brand new mobile control station for robotic, drone, and remote-control vehicles. Based on Winmate's best selling rugged tablets S101TG and S101M9, the portable ground controller is durable and suitable for field applications in various applications, such as agriculture, public safety, search and rescue, environmental monitoring, defense surveillance, and many more. [See Winmate media release] -- Posted Monday, May 15, 2023

Ubiqconn Technology announces listing on Taipei Exchange
Ubiqconn Technology, a pioneer in the rugged computer ODM and private-label industrial PC industries, announced today that effective May 3, 2023, it is listed on the Taipei Exchange. Ubiqconn's RuggON brand of rugged computers is sold throughout the Americas. "We have been successfully listed on the Taipei Exchange," said Leo Chien, Ubiqconn Technology Chairman of the Board of Directors." This listing represents our company's next growth stage and builds on our history of transparency with our customers and stakeholders. [See Ubiqconn media release] -- Posted Tuesday, May 9, 2023

DT Research 8-inch rugged tactical tablet with high-power processing and Windows® 11 IoT Enterprise
DT Research, the leading designer and manufacturer of purpose-built computing solutions for vertical markets, today announced the new DT381RP 8-inch rugged tactical tablet with Intel® 13th Generation CoreTM i5 or i7 10-core processors for advanced performance for demanding applications. The combination of screen size, weight, and power, make this rugged tablet ideal for mobility while working in the field whether in a battlefield, in-vehicle application, or construction site. [See DT Research media release] -- Posted Tuesday, May 9, 2023

FULL REVIEW: MobileDemand xTablet T1185
10-inch displays are the sweet spot for many tablet applications -- not too small for work on the job, not too big and heavy to use on the go all day long. With their rugged xTablet T1185, tablet PC pioneer MobileDemand offers a compelling rugged tablet option that nicely balances value and performance. It's for anyone who needs Windows on tough jobs, even those that require high-level sealing, high resolution, GPS, and industrial-grade scanning. [See full review of the MobileDemand xTablet T1185] -- Posted Monday, May 8, 2023

Trimble introduces RTX positioning solution for commercial package delivery applications via drones
Trimble (NASDAQ: TRMB) announced today the Trimble PX-1 RTX™ solution for accurate and robust positioning and heading for commercial drone delivery applications. The Trimble PX-1 RTX allows drone integration companies to add precise positioning capabilities so operators can more efficiently plan and execute takeoff, navigation and landing tasks as drone delivery advances to take on more challenging operations. [See Trimble media release] -- Posted Monday, May 8, 2023

Trimble reports Q1 2023 financial results
Trimble reported sales of US$915.4 million for Q1, 2023, down from US$993.7 million for Q1, 2022. GAAP operating income for Q1 2023 was US$137 million, down from US$156.9 million for Q1 2022. "Record annualized recurring revenue of $1.65 billion and record gross margin of 64.2 percent in the first quarter demonstrates the quality of our Connect and Scale strategy," said Rob Painter, Trimble's president and chief executive officer. "Our first quarter total revenue and profitability exceeded expectations that we communicated to shareholders in February." [See Trimble media release] -- Posted Friday, May 5, 2023

Motorola Solutions Q1 2023 financials
Motorola Solutions reported sales of $2.171 billion for Q1 of 2023, compared to $1.892 billion Q1 2022. GAP operating earnings for Q1 2023 were $399 million, versus $239 million same quarter a year ago. "Q1 was an exceptional quarter, highlighted by double-digit revenue growth across both segments and all three technologies”, said Greg Brown, chairman and CEO of Motorola Solutions. "Record first-quarter sales, orders and ending backlog positions us very well for continued growth. As a result, we’re raising our revenue and earnings guidance for the full year." [See Motorola Solutions press release] -- Posted Friday, May 5, 2023

Cincoze releases the high-performance & compact embedded computer DX-1200 for industrial automation
Rugged embedded computer brand Cincoze launched the DX-1200 embedded computer, the latest addition to its Rugged Computing - DIAMOND product line. Featuring a compact and high-performance design, the DX-1200 supports the latest 12th gen Intel Alder Lake-S processors, has a rich selection of native I/O, and supports flexible modular expansion to meet the requirements of a wide range of applications. The DX-1200 inherits the same rugged features that underscore the DIAMOND product line, such as wide temperature and voltage support, and vibration and shock resistance. [See Cincoze media release] -- Posted Thursday, May 4, 2023

Zebra Technologies announces first-quarter 2023 results
Zebra Technologies announced results for Q1 ended April 1, 2023. GAAP net sales were US$1,405 million in Q1 of 2023 compared to US$1,432 million in Q1 of 2022. Net income for Q1 of 2023 was US$150 million, compared to net income of $205 million for Q1 of 2022. "Our team executed well in a challenging environment, delivering first quarter sales and earnings results above the midpoint of our outlook," said Bill Burns, Chief Executive Officer of Zebra Technologies. [See Zebra First-Quarter 2023 Results] -- Posted Thursday, May 4, 2023

NextNav vertical location technology with floor level accuracy now available on ultra-rugged Kyocera DuraXV Extreme+
Kyocera International Inc., a leader in rugged mobile solutions, announced today the integration of NextNav Pinnacle vertical location technology into Kyocera's DuraXV Extreme+ feature phone. Simple and easy to use, DuraXV Extreme+ is designed for those working in harsh environments, such as industrial or construction sites, and is now available in Verizon stores and via Verizon Frontline for public safety and first responders nationwide. [See Kyocera media release] -- Posted Monday, May 1, 2023

What happened in rugged computing 10 years ago: May 2013
In May 2013, IDC predicted that tablets would surpass portable PC shipments in 2013, and most tablets would have displays smaller than 8 inches. We reviewed the tiny Advantech SOM-7565 COM Express Mini board, the formidable Xplore iX104C5-M2, the VT Miltope RPDA-1, the Dell Latitude E6430 ATG, and the DT Research DT315CT. We added the rugged tablet, laptop and handheld comparison tools to the site. Advantech's AIMB-501 industrial motherboard was the fastest device we ever tested with a 1,782 score in PassMark 6. Juniper celebrated its 20th anniversary and launched its Get Rugged blog. Getac aimed for 30% rugged systems market share within 3-5 years. Motorola introduced the freezer-rated Psion Omnii XT15f. The Microsoft Windows 8.1 preview became available. [See May 2013 archive] -- Posted Monday, May 1, 2023