April 2017

The third generation Handheld Algiz 10X addresses the needs of anyone who's been looking for a tough, rugged Windows 10 tablet for demanding work even under extreme environmental conditions, and one with a bright, sharp display large enough to comfortably work on. RuggedPCReview examined this latest version of the Algiz 10X that now comes with full-HD resolution, glove and rain-capable capacitive multi-touch, concurrent GNSS, an optional active stylus, the LTSB version of Windows 10, and a fresh and modern new look. [See full review of the Handheld Algiz 10X]

Law enforcement agencies adopting DURABOOK rugged laptops and tablets
GammaTech announced it ended 2016 with broad sales to Law Enforcement customers across the country. The DURABOOK R11 tablet, SA14 semi-rugged laptop, and R8300 fully rugged laptop were purchased by Police and Sheriff departments in Missouri, Connecticut, Georgia, Texas, California, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Arizona, and Washington. Customers include the Denver PD, DeKalb Country Marshall's Office, Sweetwater PD, South San Francisco PD, Branson PD, Clallam County Sheriff, Chino Valley Police, Falls Township PD, Liberty County Sheriff and Pecos County Sheriff. [See GammaTech media release] -- Posted Wednesday, April 26, 2017 by chb

Xplore expands price and performance range of the XSLATE R12 rugged tablet series
Xplore Technologies announced that it has added two additional CPU options to its XSLATE R12 rugged 12.5-inch Windows tablet. In addition to the Intel Core i7-7500U and Core i5-6200U processors initially available, Xplore has now added the Core i7-7600U at the high end and the Celeron 3865U at the low end. This gives the R12 series a wider performance range as well as a wider price range. The Celeron-powered tablet starts at US$2299 while the Intel Core i7 vPro version starts at $3299. When RuggedPCReview tested a Core i7-7500U version of the R12, it clocked the overall fastest PassMark benchmark numbers we had ever seen on a rugged mobile device. The i7-7600U powered new version should be faster yet. [See Xplore media release and RuggedPCReview report on the Xplore XSLATE R12] -- Posted Wednesday, April 26, 2017 by chb

RuggON announces versatile Intel Skylake-powered 12.1-inch rugged in-vehicle terminal
RuggON announced that it is expanding its ruggVMC line of vehicle-mount computers with the new VX-601. Built around a superbright 12.1-inch with either resistive or capacitive touch, the Intel Core i5-6300U powered vehicle-mount runs wither Windows 7 Embedded or Windows 10 Iot and offers an unusually broad array of wired and wireless connectivity. A very wide input power range, ignition sense, remote wake, and integrated backup battery power good for 1.5 hours make the VX-601 suitable for a very wide range of vehicle and field deployments. [See RuggON media release and RuggedPCReview's description, analysis and specs of the RuggON VX-601] -- Posted Tuesday, April 25, 2017 by chb

DT Research rugged tablet awarded C1D2 certification for safe operation in potentially hazardous environments
DT Research announced that its DT301 rugged tablet has been tested and Class 1 Division 2 Certified to operate safely in hazardous areas where flammable gases, vapors or liquids may be present within sufficient quantities to be explosive or ignitable. The C1D2 certification is recognized as the most widely accepted non-incendive standard in North America for products used in hazardous environments. "As a company specializing in purpose-built solutions for vertical markets, we strive to adhere to the highest standards required in a broad set of industries," said Daw Tsai Sc.D., president of DT Research. "We are proud to add the C1D2 certification to the robust features of the DT301 rugged tablet, making it a viable solution in many more environments." [See DT Research media release and RuggedPCReview analysis of the DT301] -- Posted Tuesday, April 25, 2017 by chb

Tablet EX Gear offers ingenious tablet chest packs
Tablets are great and increasingly used in the field, but you can't just stick them in a pocket like a smartphone. Realizing that, the crafty folks at Tablet EX Gear are offering a variety of tablet chest packs designed not only to easily stow away a tablet, but also providing space for whatever gear and peripherals you want to take with, and to make using the tablet easier. Very clever. Almost everyone working with a tablet in the field needs this. [See the Tablet EX Gear site] -- Posted Tuesday, April 25, 2017 by chb

Juniper Systems releases the Mesa 2 Rugged Tablet with Android OS
Juniper Systems, provider of ultra-rugged field data collection solutions, recently announced the release of its latest product, the Mesa 2 Rugged Tablet running Android 5.1. This handheld aims to provide a solution for those seeking a versatility of Android, without sacrificing the durability and precision the Mesa 2 is known for. [See Juniper Systems media release] -- Posted Tuesday, April 25, 2017 by chb

Mobile Demand and Phantom Controls SAM present the next generation fire truck
Operating fire trucks used to be a very manual thing. But MobileDemand and the folks at Phantom Controls proved that you can teach old dogs new tricks. They retrofitted an old St. Louis fire truck with their SAM (Scene Apparatus Manager) automated fire pump system to open and close valves, set the pressure for the pressure governor, select intakes for water supply, and alert the crew if there are any problems. It allows the truck operator to focus on the crew, their safety, and instantly set or reallocate pressure where and how it's needed. The truck itself has a panel PC, the operator uses a MobileDemand xTablet T8650 rugged tablet PC with Phantom Controls SAM software. The system will be demonstrated at FDIC 2017, April 24-29 in Indianapolis. For a great video on how it works, see this Facebook video (184,000 views as of 4/24!!!). -- Posted Monday, April 24, 2017 by chb

Xplore secures $2.2 million order from new division at major global telecommunicationsprovider
Xplore Technologies announced that one of the nation’s largest telecommunications service providers has chosen to replace the standard laptops and Toughbooks previously used by its Digital Electronics Group (DEG) with Xplore XSLATE B10 Fully Rugged Tablet PCs. The initial order from DEG is valued at $2.2 million, with additional follow-on orders from the telco’s DEG, as well as other business units, anticipated as part of the customer’s multi-year commitment to standardize its field teams on Xplore rugged tablets. [See Xplore media release] -- Posted Thursday, April 13, 2017 by chb

L-com launches new line of premium armored M12 cable assemblies
When rugged gear must be connected out there in the field, waterproof screw-on or bayonet M12-style connectors are often used instead of standard I/O ports. But what about the cable itself? Is it strong enough? To make sure it is, L-com Global Connectivity, a manufacturer of wired and wireless connectivity products, has released a new line of armored M12 cable assemblies for use with industrial Ethernet, test equipment, I/O connectivity, sensors and actuators, and industrial control and factory automation. The inner cable jacket is resistant to oil, UV sun rays, weld splatter and is rated for 600V. Stainless steel armor protects the cable from damage and features 1,500 PSI of crush resistance. [See L-com media release] -- Posted Thursday, April 13, 2017 by chb

Getac financials and outlook
According to the Taipei Times, Getac chairman James Hwang told an investors’ conference that he expects Getac’s 2017 revenue to increase by 5-10% from 2016's NT$20.4 billion (US$666.5 million), driven by the mechanical components and rugged computer systems. In 2016, 47% of revenue, US$313 million, came from rugged systems, and Hwang said revenue from rugged systems could surge by a double-digit percentage 2017 on increasing orders from existing clients and Windows 10 conversion demand. [See article] -- Posted Friday, April 7, 2017 by chb

Xplore now ships rugged XSLATE D10 tablet with Android 6.0.1
Xplore Technologies announced its flagship Android rugged tablet, the 10.1-inch XSLATE D10, is now available with the upgraded Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow operating system. With Android 6.0.1, battery life improves over 10%, lasting beyond full shifts, and up to 22 hours with an optional second battery. Marshmallow also brings several enhancements to the Android for Work and Voice Assist APIs, each may yield greater worker efficiency and application responsiveness. [See Xplore media release] -- Posted Tuesday, April 4, 2017 by chb