Mobile users in health care, the military, construction and shipping often work in harsh work environments, and they need devices that can survive extreme heat, a splash in a puddle or a fall to concrete. Whether it's a smartphone, tablet or laptop, mobile devices with rugged or semi-rugged capabilities such as rubberized edges or a screen that can handle sunlight are suitable for workers navigating these conditions. These products often conform to military specifications for durability in extreme conditions such as dust, water, salt, fog and temperature. When looking back at 2011, the Xplore Xtreme Tablet is a good example of a device that can survive high drops or be submerged in a fish tank. Rugged models are built for the bumps that military vehicles, ambulances and delivery trucks endure. Others such as Motion Computing's CL900 feature bar-code readers to scan patient bracelets and shipping IDs. Several models also offer push-to-talk capabilities, which are essential for first responders at the scene of a natural disaster or accident. Industrial models such as the Dell Latitude E6420 XFR have extra security features so that forensics investigators can collect their data with confidence. Here, eWEEK highlights some mobile devices with extra durability that made a big impact in 2011.
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Motorola Admiral Android Smartphone
This Motorola Android 2.3 phone on Sprint's network features push-to-talk features for first responders, along with scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla glass. The phone can withstand dust, shock and solar radiation.
Xplore Xtreme Tablet
Announced in May, the line of Xplore Xtreme Tablets can withstand abuse, whether it's being left in a fish tank or slammed to the ground in a warehouse or at a construction site. Ideal for the scene of an emergency or disaster, the Xtreme Tablets can survive exposure to water, ice, blood, oil and other liquids. Plus, tool-less access to SIM and microSD ports allow for first responders or soldiers in the field to make repairs to the device on the go.
Sonim XP3300 Force Phone
The XP3300 Force features its XPand NFC modular expansion pack. Near field communication (NFC) capabilities allow health care workers to identify patients, while employees in the shipping, security and transportation industries can track items. In addition, Sonim claims to have the longest talk time at 20 to 24 hours and standby time at 800 hours of any mobile phone. The XP3300 can survive a drop to concrete or submersion in water, and like the Motorola Admiral Android, it incorporates Corning Gorilla Glass.
Casio G'zOne Commando
Casio's G'zOne Commando phone comes with G'zGear software to allow workers to navigate outdoor environments, and its Triple Sensor technology can track direction, acceleration and temperature. It also features bumpers on its edges to survive drops and Microsoft's Exchange ActiveSync (EAS) encrypts data and remotely wipes information.
Panasonic Toughbook H2
Panasonic's Toughbook H2 tablet features a bar-code reader to scan medication bottles or patient bracelets in a hospital or merchandise in a storeroom. The Toughbook's TransflectivePlus reflects sunlight and acts as a backlight for outdoor workers on the 10.1-inch display.
Dell Latitude E6420 XFR
Designed for military personnel and public safety workers, the Latitude E6420 XFR has a Ballistic Armor exterior, which protects against corrosion, drops, spills and extreme temperatures. Dell Mobile Video Evidence Management allows public safety workers to capture and store mobile video at the scene of an emergency, and Mobile Digital Forensics allows police officers to store and secure forensic evidence.
Motion Computing CL900 SlateMate Tablet
Motion's CL900 tablet now incorporates SlateMate, which comprises a bar-code scanner and MagTek magnetic stripe reader. SlateMate can handle credit-card transactions in health care, retail and shipping. In addition, doctors can access patients' electronic medical records on the tablet by scanning their bracelets.
Samsung Convoy 2
Like the Motorola Admiral Android model, the Samsung Convoy 2 phone offers push-to-talk capabilities for first responders and the military. The Convoy 2 can withstand salt, fog, sand and dust. Noise-cancellation technology allows first responders to communicate with their teams without the noise on the scene.
General Dynamics Itronix GD3015
General Dynamic Itronix sees a large market for semi-rugged tablets like the GD3015. In addition to a lighter weight, semi-rugged devices are cheaper, said Doug Petteway, the company's vice president of marketing for rugged computing solutions. Emergency medical technicians can use the 3G and wireless LAN connectivity to transmit vital health data such as temperature and blood pressure to a doctor or hospital before the patient arrives. Meanwhile, shipping workers at loading docks can use RFID to scan packages.
Panasonic Toughbook 53
This semi-rugged Toughbook offers a spill-resistant keyboard and can survive 30-inch drops on six faces. The sunlight-viewable Panasonic CircuLumin touchscreen with a circular polarizer is optional. The Toughbook 53 was also the first in its line to offer 4G LTE mobile broadband.
Intermec CN70 Rugged Mobile Computer
Intermec's handheld CN70 devices are functional smartphones that resemble RIM BlackBerrys. The CN70e features a larger keypad (and additional function keys) for workers who may be wearing gloves. Hospital staff can use these mobile computers to scan patient charts and medication and capture data from electronic health records (EHRs).
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Mobile users in health care, the military, construction and shipping often work in harsh work environments, and they need devices that can survive extreme heat, a splash in a puddle or a fall to concrete. Whether it's a smartphone, tablet or laptop, mobile devices with rugged or semi-rugged capabilities such as rubberized edges or a screen that can handle sunlight are suitable for workers navigating these conditions. These products often conform to military specifications for durability in extreme conditions such as dust, water, salt, fog and temperature. When looking back at 2011, the Xplore Xtreme Tablet is a good example of a device that can survive high drops or be submerged in a fish tank. Rugged models are built for the bumps that military vehicles, ambulances and delivery trucks endure. Others such as Motion Computing's CL900 feature bar-code readers to scan patient bracelets and shipping IDs. Several models also offer push-to-talk capabilities, which are essential for first responders at the scene of a natural disaster or accident. Industrial models such as the Dell Latitude E6420 XFR have extra security features so that forensics investigators can collect their data with confidence. Here, eWEEK highlights some mobile devices with extra durability that made a big impact in 2011.