Tools - November 2009

By  Susan Nunziata

Got A Gorilla?

Motion Computing has added Corning Gorilla glass to its C5 Mobile Clinical Assistant and rugged F5 tablet PCs. Designed specifically for mobile devices, Corning's Gorilla glass improves screen durability and ease of cleaning without adding weight to the highly mobile tablet PCs. Both IP-54 and MIL-STD-810F rated for durability, Motion's tablets are fully rugged yet lightweight, designed for workers who compute while walking or standing. Gorilla glass remains strong over time, extending the life of the tablets while making accidental scratches and abrasions less visible and less likely to affect the user's visual experience. Price: $2,450. www.motioncomputing.com

The Gloved One

Getac's V100 rugged tablet PC features a touchscreen designed to be used while wearing gloves. The new Multi-Touch technology uses a series of single touch, dual touch, "flick," and application gestures. Users will be able to perform on-screen tasks such as move, copy, delete, zoom, and rotate by simply touching the screen and performing the task desired with their fingers. Getac's Resistive Multi-Touch technology is not based on capacitance sensitivity, which means users can perform these actions, and many others while wearing protective gloves. It's aimed at industrial and field professionals who work with dangerous chemicals or perform their job in extreme weather conditions. Price: $3725. www.getac.com

High-End Netbook

Nokia is slated to bring the Booklet netbook to market in 4Q 2009. The Windows 7-based device features built-in GPS and runs Nokia mobile services. Connectivity options include built-in 802.11b/g/n WLAN and WWAN 3G HSPA for data with hot swappable simcard. It uses an Intel Atom Z530 1.6 GHz chipset and Intel Poulsbo US15W fanless design CPU. Measuring 10.39 x  7.28 x .78 inches it weighs 44 oz. At press time, a U.S. wireless carrier for the device had not been announced. Price: $800. www.nokia.com

Windows Mobile Lineup

Microsoft Corp. announced a new line of Windows phones available worldwide, plus a portfolio of applications and support from developers. Microsoft also debuted two services: Windows Marketplace for Mobile and My Phone. Phones available in North America include: HTC Tilt 2 from AT&T, with a high-resolution, 3.6-inch widescreen display and full slide-out QWERTY keyboard, GPS , and gravity, proximity and ambient-light sensors; HTC Imagio from Verizon Wireless, with a 3.6-inch high-res touch-screen display, 5 megapixel camera, plus GPS and GSM connectivity; and the Samsung Intrepid from Sprint with a slim design and full QWERTY keyboard, plus a touch screen for added flexibility, stereo Bluetooth wireless technology, a 3.0-megapixel camera and GPS. Prices: Tilt 2: $299.99 plus two-year carrier agreement; Imagio: $269.99 plus two-year carrier agreement; Intrepid: $149.99 plus two-year carrier agreement. www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile