Pocket PC Thoughts - Daily News, Views, Rants and Raves

"i-mate, the global specialist in Microsoft Windows Mobile devices and software, today launched the i-mate 810-F, the world’s first complete lifestyle mobile with a lifetime warranty. Designed to meet military specifications, the 810-F combines high-end mobile technology and incredible durability in a single sleek package. Whether you work in the great outdoors or in an office, on the road or on a building site, or you just simply want a tough take-anywhere mobile, the 810-F offers everything you need for work and play. The phone comprises waterproof rubber casing and exposed metal screws to lock in the factory seal, making it impervious to almost anything. A full QWERTY keyboard, and impact resistant touch screen, means you don’t miss a thing while you are out and about... The 810-F is designed around the stringent MIL-STD-810F series of standards. These standards are issued by the U.S. military’s Developmental Test Command, a body whose role is to ensure equipment can withstand the rigours of the most extreme environments. This means the i-mate 810-F can cope with pressure, heat, water, humidity and even extreme shock without missing a beat. The 810-F is equally happy at a chilly -10°C or sweltering 60°C, and can be fully submerged in water."

Amid all the hustle and bustle at MWC, i-mate silently unveiled the 810-F, and if the company's claims are anything to go by, it's one device you probably won't mind leaving in your jeans pocket and throwing into the washing machine. The Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional device packs a Marvell PXA310 (624MHz) processor, 128MB RAM, 256MB ROM, 2GB NAND RAM, quad-band GSM/EDGE and tri-band UMTS/HSDPA connectivity, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, aGPS, a 2.0-megapixel camera, an accelerometer, a 2.46", 320 x 240 (QVGA) touch screen, and fortunately, none of the ugliness that was the JAQ.

More pictures after the break.

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"The Enterprise Mobility business from Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT) today announced the MC75, the latest addition to its portfolio of Enterprise Digital Assistants (EDA), developed for mobile enterprises that require connectivity around the world. The MC75 EDA will help organizations increase worker productivity and efficiency, reduce operational costs and errors, and enhance customer service by delivering simultaneous voice, data, GPS navigation, and camera-based document capture. "At U-Haul, we aim to deliver the convenience that our customers demand, at the low cost that they expect,” said Sam Shoen, chief of staff, U-Haul International, Inc. “With the MC75, Motorola has brought a product to market that will continue to transform the way our organization serves the public and will positively affect almost every retail and logistical aspect of our operations. A technology investment at this level could not have been considered without Motorola’s reputation standing behind it." The MC75 combines high-speed access to voice and data with support for 3G networks based on the HSDPA and CDMA-EVDO (Rev A) standards for wireless communication. Equipped with 802.11a/b/g, a crisp color VGA display and a 2 megapixel digital auto-focus color camera, the new rugged EDA delivers the industry’s first mobile computer compatible with multiple 3G WAN network standards that captures high quality pictures, documents and signatures, as well as 1D and 2D bar codes. This unprecedented combination of real-time local and wide-area wireless communications coupled with advanced data capture capabilities enables businesses to improve workforce automation, reduce data errors, and enable productivity wherever work needs to get done."



Apple and Samsung weren't the only ones who unveiled 3G-capable devices yesterday. Motorola quietly introduced one of their own - the MC75. Designed for enterprises, this rugged handheld runs Windows Mobile 6 Professional and packs a PXA270 624MHz processor, 128MB RAM, 256MB ROM, a 3.5" VGA touch screen, HSDPA connectivity, 802.11a/b/g Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.0, IrDA, A-GPS, a 2.0-megapixel camera, a barcode scanner, and a microSD slot. Phew, that's a mouthful, and far from everything this device has. Hit the product page for more.

"Getac PS535E is a rugged Windows Mobile Pocket PC with built-in GPS and bluetooth. It also just made it through FCC which means you can expect to see it in the hands of military personnel pretty soon. PS535 is fully rugged, with MIL-STD 810F and IP54 compliance and vibration & drop-shock resistant. It runs on Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 Premium, has a transflective 3.5″ TFT LCD which is visible under direct sunlight, embedded high sensitivity GPS receiver, and even embedded 802.11 b/g and Bluetooth. Other features include the powerful 2400mAh Li-Ion battery, SD card reader, integrated mic and speaker and a mini USB port. As far as standard software you got the Word Mobile, Excel Mobile, PowerPoint Mobile, Internet Explorer Mobile, Outlook, and Windows Media Player 10."



Finally a rugged unit that doesn't look like a Halo accessory. Unfortunately, the Getac PS535E appears destined for those who drive Hummers without the leather seats instead of us weekend warrior types. One interesting suggestion in the comments section of the linked Navigadget post is to use this as a backup GPS on a boat. For that matter, I could see lots of outdoor uses for a good quality GPS with some extras. If this were available to consumers at a reasonable cost, what would you do with one?