October 2010

ARBOR Technology releases two rugged tablets
ARBOR Technology released the Gladius 720 and 820 rugged tablet computers. Both share a rugged, compact and fanless 9.5 x 7.4 inch design based on the Intel Atom Z520PT processor and a 32GB solid state disk. Both have extensive data collection features (RFID, 1D/2D scanner, magstripe reader, camera and optional GPS) as well as enough ruggedness for their intended vehicle deployment. The Gladius G0720 has a 7-inch touch display and a full thumb-stype QWERTY display, whereas the Gladius G0820 offers a larger 8.4-inch display for primary tablet operation. [Read description and review of the ARBOR Gladius G0720 and Gladius G0820] -- Posted Tuesday, October 26, 2010 by chb

Flood of "netbook" tablets?
From what it looks now, we may soon be seeing a flood of Windows 7-based tablets that seem little more than netbooks without keyboards: Atom processor, 10.1-inch display, 1GB RAM, 160GB drive, etc. Many such devices will have a projected capacitive multi-touch display, but in our experience, Windows 7 needs a lot more punch than an Atom chip to provide an acceptable multi-touch experience. Example of one such device: the Fluid Computer Systems Fluid Stream and Fluid Motion tablets. -- Posted Monday, October 25, 2010 by chb

Verizon Samsung Galaxy Tab: high price, expensive data plans
On November 11, Verizon will start selling the new Samsung 3G Galaxy Tab tablet with its small 7-inch display and 16GB of memory for US$600, just $30 less than a 16GB iPad with its much larger 9.7-inch display. The Samsung tablet, however, has a rear-facing 3.2mp camera and a front-facing 1.3mp camera. Interestingly, the Galaxy Tab will run Android 2.2, an OS Google said was not optimized for tablets, and one that rival LG deemed not reliable enough for their own upcoming tablet. Verizon will not require a contract, but will offer metered data usage starting at US$20/month for 1GB. Defending their user-unfriendly metered data plans, Verizon said, "The data plan pricing for the tablets are reflective of how people use these multi-purpose devices, and because they are 3G and Wi-Fi enabled, customers have a choice in how, when and where they use them." -- Posted Friday, October 22, 2010 by chb

Stream TV's eLocity A7 mobile tablet can be preordered at more retail outlets
Stream TV Networks announced that following strong preorder sales on Amazon.com, five additional retailers will be taking preorders for the eLocity A7 seven-inch Tegra 2 mobile tablet running Android 2.2 Froyo. Sears.com, Newegg.com, PCMall.com, Walmart.com and MicroCenter.com will begin processing orders today and all preorder units will be fulfilled beginning November 22, 2010. -- Posted Friday, October 22, 2010 by chb

MobileDemand expands public sector offerings
MobileDemand, a leading provider of rugged Tablet PCs for mission-critical computing, announced that MobileFrame will deploy its leading public sector mobility solutions on MobileDemand’s ultra-mobile, rugged mini tablet computers. As a strategic partner in MobileDemand’s recent launch of its Public Sector Services Group and Application Development Partner Program, MobileFrame has developed and deployed its field-ready mobile applications for federal, state and local governments on the MobileDemand xTablet T7000 Tablet PC. -- Posted Tuesday, October 19, 2010 by chb

Initial Windows 7-based media slates found wanting
We've been saying it for 17 years now: Windows wasn't designed for pens and tablets, and even less so for touch. The folks at gottabemobile.com found the same when they reviewed one of the first available Windows-based iPad competitors, the Tega v2/ [See GottaBeMobile's assessment of the Tega v2 slate] -- Posted Monday, October 18, 2010 by chb

Gartner predicts meteoric rise in tablet sales
Gartner predicts media tablet sales will to reach 19.5 million units this year (2010) and almost triple to 54.8 million in 2011, then shoot up to 103.4 million in 2012, and 154.2 million in 2013. [See Gartner press release] -- Posted Sunday, October 17, 2010 by chb

Review: Advantech UTC-520 interactive touch computer
Ruggedized panels are replacing older manually operated or mechanical information displays in many public and corporate places. RuggedPCReview.com is taking a detailed look at Advantech's UTC-520 "ubiquitous touch computer" designed for such applications. The UTC-520 has a 21.5-inch touch screen with 1366 x 768 native resolution, and is powered by a 1.66GHz dual-core Atom D510 processor. No fan needed, dual RJ45 jacks, and the device can run Win XP/XPE, Wind 7, or Embedded Standard 7. [See review of the Advantech UTC-520 interactive touch computer] -- Posted Tuesday, October 12, 2010 by chb

Dell Streak now in India
The little Android-based Dell Streak, which by all reports could use some sympathetic publicity, is now available in India while our reviewers here at Pen Computing are still waiting to get Dell's attention. Our archivist recalls that we had similar problems to get Dell to send us an Axim... -- Posted Tuesday, October 5, 2010 by chb