January 2015
Microsoft reports promising smartphone and tablet financials
While it doesn't have a direct impact on rugged mobile computing markets, it's interesting to monitor the fortunes of Microsoft's smartphones and Surface tablets, as their success or failure can has an impact on rugged markets that have remained with Microsoft software more than mobile consumer markets. As is, Microsoft reported that for their quarter ending December 31, 2014, they had phone hardware revenue of $2.3 billion, with 10.5 million Lumia units sold driven by growth in affordable smartphones (i.e. low-end ones, not the ones with the super-high res cameras), and that they had Surface revenue of $1.1 billion, up 24%, driven by Surface Pro 3 and accessories. [See Microsoft release] -- Posted Tuesday, January 27, 2015 by chb
Xplore scores another US$2 million order for ultra-rugged tablet
Xplore Technologies announced it has secured a $2 million dollar order for its XC6 DMSR ultra-rugged Windows tablets from a company providing infrastructure services to utility and telecommunication companies. This newest order expands on a relationship with the company that began in 2008. [See Xplore press release] -- Posted Monday, January 19, 2015 by chb
Panasonic introduces robust enterprise-class 7-inch Windows mobile POS tablet with full EMV reader capabilities
Panasonic took the occasion of the 104th annual National Retail Federation Big Show to launch the Toughpad FZ-R1 with integrated EMV reader, billed by the company as the industry's first 7-inch all-in-one mobile POS tablet running Windows 8.1 for retail environments. The Intel Bay Trail N2807-powered tablet also includes MSR, a capacitive ATM-style pad, NFC, and enterprise-class security and management capabilities. [See description, analysts and specs of the Panasonic Toughpad FZ-R1] -- Posted Tuesday, January 13, 2015 by chb
Winmate's M101 rugged tablet now available with Android
Winmate announced that as of January 2015, their popular thin-and-light M101 rugged tablet computer platform will also be available in an Android version. The Android 4.2-based M101M4 tablet shares the design, dimensions and 10.1-inch display with the initial Microsoft Windows-based M101B/H, but not the internal electronics which are optimized for Android. [See description, analysis and specs of the Winmate M101M4 rugged Android tablet] -- Posted Thursday, January 8, 2015 by chb
DigitTimes: Rising demand for enterprise tablets
DigiTimes reports an increase in enterprise-oriented tablets as large consumer smartphones and market saturation are slowing consumer tablet demand. Digitizes does not see a surge in demand for enterprise tablet, but a stable shipping performance. [See DigiTimes] -- Posted Thursday, January 8, 2015 by chb
Full review: Ultra-rugged and now Intel Haswell-based Winmate IH83 tablet PC retains classic look and legacy support
The boxy, no-nonsense Winmate IH83 provides full Windows functionality in a classic ultra-rugged tablet form factor. Powered by an Intel "Haswell" processor, this latest version of Winmate's classic ultra-rugged provides four to five times the performance of earlier versions, and it does so without the need of a fan. It gets up to 7 hours of battery life, feels nearly indestructible and overall offers a significantly updated version of Winmate's tough, non-nonsense workhorse tablet platform that's now technologically state-of-the without losing its legacy support, simplicity, and straightforward design. [See full review of the Winmate IH83 Ultra-Rugged Tablet PC] -- Posted Thursday, January 1, 2015 by chb