August 2021

What happened in rugged computing 10 years ago: September 2011
In September 2011, Socket Mobile shipped its 50,000th SoMo 650 handheld computer, the Handheld Group have its rugged Algiz XRW a touch screen, GE introduced the Wolverine III rugged panel PC, GammaTech the S15C2 semi-rugged laptop, and Microsoft previewed Windows 8. Qualcomm was working with Microsoft to have their Snapdragon CPUs power the first gen of Windows 8 PCs, the Trimble Nomad got an IP68 rating, Wacom introduced the "Inkling" pen to bridge the gap between paper sketching and digital drawing. Lowe's shocked the industry by buying 42,000 iPhones instead of rugged handhelds, just after United Airlines deployed 11,000 iPads. We reviewed the Getac X500, LXE was pushing its 2.2-pound Marathon Field Computer, Psion's Workabout Pro earned Apriva certification, and HP killed Palm's webOS devices. [See RuggedPCReview September 2011 archives] -- Posted Tuesday, August 31, 2021

Review: Winmate R10IB3S-GST2 10.4-inch GS Series Panel PC
Panel PCs are workhorses — many are mounted into panels in factories, serving as the human touch interface to programs and machines. Winmate's 10.4-inch R10IB3S-GST2 Panel PC combines sleek modern design and all-glass capacitive multi-touch with the uncompromising ruggedness and quality. Its screen is both big enough to run Windows 10 applications, but also small enough to serve as a compact, dedicated HMI panel. A cost-effective durable fanless system designed for reliable, maintenance-free 24/7/365 operation. [See review of the Winmate R10IB3S-GST2 10.4-inch GS Series Panel PC] -- Posted Tuesday, August 31, 2021

"Thermal switches" dynamically moderate heat of electronic devices
Interesting article from Purdue University: Modern devices that use lithium ion batteries, like smartphones and electric cars, seem pretty robust. But try to use one in extreme heat or cold, and you'll see how susceptible they are to malfunctions and low performance due to temperature. Purdue University engineers have developed a solution: a "thermal switch" made up of compressible graphene foam, that dynamically adjusts to temperatures both inside and outside the device to maintain consistent thermal management. [read "Thermal switches" dynamically moderate heat of electronic devices] -- Posted Tuesday, August 31, 2021

Intel winding down RealSense camera business
For several years we've been seeing increasingly interesting applications based on a special type of depth-sensing camera modules that combined infrared, LiDAR and stereoscopic technologies for authentication, modeling, measuring, robotics and all sorts of future-oriented applications. Now, according to an article in CRN, Intel is winding down the RealSense camera business. -- Posted Monday, August 30, 2021

OnLogic details global growth, unveils plans for new high tech facility in Vermont
To accommodate their continued growth, global industrial computer hardware manufacturer and Internet of Things solution provider, OnLogic, has unveiled plans to build a new 125,000 square foot global headquarters in South Burlington's Technology Park. The company has outgrown their current 36,000 square foot high tech facility in Meadowlands Park, which was previously expanded in 2014. [See OnLogic media release -- Posted Monday, August 30, 2021

Zebra Technologies to acquire Antuit.ai
Zebra Technologies, an innovator at the front line of business with solutions and partners that deliver a performance edge, today announced it intends to acquire antuit.ai, a provider of artificial intelligence (AI)-powered Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solutions specific to forecasting and merchandising for the retail and CPG industries. [See Zebra media release] -- Posted Monday, August 30, 2021

Handheld introduces new wearable RS60 Ring Scanner for logistics efficiency
Handheld Group, a leading manufacturer of rugged mobile computers, today introduced the RS60 Ring Scanner, a comfortable hands-free scanning solution for use in warehouses, retail, distribution and other situations requiring highly mobile scanning. This device is the second in the newly introduced wearable line from Handheld following the SP500X ScanPrinter which was released earlier this month. [See Handheld media release] -- Posted Thursday, August 26, 2021

Durabook rugged computers provide oil and gas field workers protected mobile solutions
Durabook, the global rugged mobile solutions brand owned by Twinhead International Corporation, offers a range of rugged computers for field workers in the oil and gas industry, where they are considered essential tools. Durabook rugged computers are up to the task for applications such as asset management, field data analysis, running diagnostics, and ensuring on-site safety in challenging environments with poor air quality, humidity, explosive atmosphere, salt and fog, and high temperatures. [See Durabook media release] -- Posted Thursday, August 26, 2021

Review: Emdoor EM-I16H 10-inch rugged tablet OEM platform
Not everyone knows that most computer companies don't actually make their computers anymore. Someone else does. It's become a complex system of designing, marketing, rebranding, contract manufacturers and original equipment manufacturers. RuggedPCReview examined one of the 10-inch tablet platforms by Emdoor Information, one of China's emerging rugged computer original equipment designers and manufacturers. You may well see, or have seen, this platform under well-known names. [See full review of the Emdoor EM-I16H rugged tablet OEM platform] -- Posted Monday, August 23, 2021

The Iris Xe Graphics mystery
Sometimes things hidden in fine print can mean the difference between your computer being fast or sluggish. That's what we discovered when we tried to find out why the integrated Intel Iris Xe Graphics, which are part of the Intel 11th generation Core processors, were listed as "optional" in a recent press release. A clear answer was amazingly difficult to come by, and that's because there isn't a clear answer anywhere. It comes down to reading the fine print in an Intel processor spec sheet. Few customers do that, and yet it can make the difference between a fast computer and one not so fast. [Read The Intel Iris Xe Graphics mystery"] -- Posted Sunday, August 22, 2021

HID Global acquires Omni-ID to extend its RFID leadership
HID Global, a worldwide leader in trusted identity solutions, today announced that it has acquired Omni-ID, a leading manufacturer of RFID tags and industrial IoT hardware devices for passive and active tagging, tracking, monitoring and alerting applications. The acquisition extends HID's market leadership in RFID technology and strengthens its presence in India and China. [See HID Global media release] -- Posted Wednesday, August 18, 2021

Handheld unveils unique wearable SP500X ScanPrinter for logistics efficiency
Handheld Group, a leading manufacturer of rugged mobile computers, today introduced the SP500X ScanPrinter, a wearable device that brings revolutionary technology and efficiency to logistics operations. With this device, Handheld is also launching a new segment to its lineup of rugged computers: rugged wearables. More wearable devices will be added soon. [See Handheld media release -- Posted Wednesday, August 18, 2021

Omdia: Global smartphone market Q2 2021
-- Posted Thursday, August 12, 2021

Review: Panasonic Toughbook 55 Mk2 semi-rugged laptop
The competition is heating up in the semi-rugged laptop arena. Panasonic released the Toughbook 55 Mk2, an upgraded version of its 14-inch enterprise laptop designed to hold up under trying conditions. Performance and functionality upgrades are substantial: a switch from 8th to 11th generation Intel Core processors and ancillary electronics, the addition of a Thunderbolt 4 port, the availability of an optional scanner xPAK module, to mention just a few. RuggedPCReview ran the upgraded 55 through its paces and we're impressed. [See review of the Panasonic Toughbook 55 Mk2] -- Posted Tuesday, August 10, 2021

Panasonic updates award winning semi-rugged TOUGHBOOK 55 laptop
Panasonic System Solutions Company of North America, announced enhancements to the TOUGHBOOK® 55 laptop to provide mobile workers with added flexibility, functionality and performance in the most demanding and unpredictable environments. With an innovative modular design, the device features three expansion areas, as well as user-replaceable memory, storage and keyboards. These features will allow workers across manufacturing, transportation, logistics, field services, utilities, public safety and other fields, as well as federal and other government agencies to customize the device based on their needs. [See Panasonic media release] -- Posted Tuesday, August 10, 2021

Honeywell reports Q2 2021 financial results
Honeywell reported Q2 2021 sales of US$8.808 billion, up 18% from US$7.477 billion Q2 2020. The Safety and Productivity Solutions segment (Honeywell AIDC) had Q2 2021 sales of US$2.083 billion, up 35% from US$1.539 billion Q2 2021. Safety and Productivity Solutions segment profit was US$292 million versus US$213 million Q3 2020. [See Honeywell Q2 2021 financials] -- Posted Friday, August 6, 2021

Motorola Solutions reports Q2 2021 financial results
Motorola Solutions reported sales of US$1.971 billion for Q2, 2021, up 22% from US$1.618 billion a year ago. GAAP operating earnings for Q2 2021 was US$370 million, up 70% from US$218 million for Q2 2020. For Q3 2021, Motorola Solutions expects revenue growth of approximately 10% compared with the third quarter of 2020. "Our Q2 results were outstanding, highlighted by strong double-digit growth in both segments," said Greg Brown, chairman and CEO, Motorola Solutions. "The continued strong demand for our mission-critical technologies is driving our increased expectations for the full year.” [See Motorola Solutions press release] -- Posted Thursday, August 5, 2021

Trimble reports Q2 2021 financial results
Trimble reported sales of US$945.2 million for Q2, 2021, up from US$733.6 million a year ago. GAAP operating income for Q2 2021 was US$144.8 million, up from US$97.6 million for Q2 2020. "Our second quarter results exceeded expectations," said Rob Painter, Trimble's president and chief executive officer. "Growth in total revenue, annualized recurring revenue, and adjusted EBITDA reflect increasing end market strength and execution of our Connect and Scale 2025 strategy." [See Trimble press release] -- Posted Thursday, August 5, 2021

Full review: Getac K120
The Getac K120 is a fully rugged Windows 10 based tablet computer with a 12.5-inch display. The K120 can be used as a tablet or, in conjunction with a keyboard dock that offers additional functionality, as a laptop computer. The K120 is available with several Intel "Tiger Lake" 11th gen processor options and offers superior performance. The K120 is Thunderbolt 4 enabled for very fast data transfer, down-stream charging, driving two additional displays, as well as numerous USB peripherals. [See full review of the Getac K120] -- Posted Tuesday, August 3, 2021

Zebra reports Q2 2021 financial results
Zebra Technologies reported sales of US$1,377 million for Q2, 2021, up from US$956 million a year ago. Operating income for Q2 2021 was US$247 million, up from US$119 million for Q2 2020. “Our exceptional second quarter performance was driven by continued broad-based demand for our solutions and excellent operational execution. Despite ongoing industry-wide supply chain challenges, our team met customers’ mission critical needs, while delivering record sales and profitability that exceeded our outlook,” said Anders Gustafsson, chief executive officer of Zebra Technologies. [See Zebra Q2 2021 financials] -- Posted Tuesday, August 3, 2021

Professionals turn to Juniper Systems as an industry leader for rugged data collectors and world-class service
If one has been a valuable, leading manufacturer in an industry for almost three decades, that's something to be proud of. Juniper Systems of Logan, Utah, is one such company, and here at RuggedPCReview we've been reporting on and reviewing their nearly indestructible rugged data collection handhelds and tablets for more than half of their history. And so we couldn't agree more with the company's self-assessment in a new blog post. [Read Professionals turn to Juniper Systems as an industry leader for rugged data collectors and world-class service] -- Posted Monday, August 2, 2021

DT Research announces unique 6-inch Windows® 10 ultra rugged tablet with Walkie-Talkie communication
DT Research, a leading designer and manufacturer of purpose-built computing solutions for vertical markets, today announced the DT361AM and DT361AD, 6-inch military-spec rugged handheld tablets that run the Microsoft® Windows® 10 operating system and contain walkie-talkie communication and night vision capabilities. These highly robust, yet compact tablets weighing only one pound are purpose-built for mission-critical environments and designed to secure to a tactical vest for easy access. [See DT Research media release] -- Posted Monday, August 2, 2021