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Rugged
Casio EX-G1: the world's slimmest shock-resistant digital camera
By Darren Quick
19:45 November 19, 2009 PST
Casio’s G-Shock line of shock-resistant watches have been adorning the wrists of outdoorsy types since the release of the first G-Shock branded watch in 1983. The company extended the rugged specifications of the G-Shock line to mobile phones with the release of the G’zOne durable, water-resistant mobile phone in 2000, and has now further extended the brand to compact digital cameras with the release of the EX-G1 shock-resistant, waterproof, dustproof digital camera – the first in the company’s new EXILIM G line. Read More
Getac's resistive-type multi-touch technology works with or without gloves
By Darren Quick
02:34 October 9, 2009 PDT
Anyone who has tried to use a multi-touch touchscreen with anything other than their bare skin will know that it’s just not possible, no matter how hard you press. That’s because the capacitance technology used for the bulk of multi-touch devices doesn’t detect pressure, but measures the changes in electrical resistance caused by contact with a conductor – in this case, the human body. That might be annoying in cold climates, but is an even bigger problem in situations that require the wearing of protective gloves. Getac’s line of rugged Tablet PCs will be the first commercially-available rugged computers to solve this problem by offering a multi-touch screen that works with or without gloves. Read More
AMREL announce the HC-2 military computer
By Mick Webb
18:03 August 17, 2009 PDT
Recent developments in battlefield technology have demonstrated the increasing need for soldiers on the ground to be able to relay large amounts of information, using highly portable and flexible equipment. To this effect American Reliance (AMREL) has announced their latest compact computer platform, the HC-2, featuring a Windows XP interface and 128GB solid state drive. Read More
Solara Field Tracker 2100 - handheld GPS with text messaging
By Gizmag Team
00:19 July 18, 2009 PDT
The USD$880 Solara Field Tracker 2100 is a handheld GPS with text messaging – no voice, no video, no apps, just text. This may not seem a particularly enticing value proposition, particularly when you consider the USD$30 a month subscription fee, but wait … there's more! As it operates over the Iridium satellite network, which offers truly global coverage, it means you can stay in touch even if you're trekking the Himalayas, or the Silk road or Antarctica. Throw in extreme ruggedness, automatic position reporting and a two-way Emergency Alert notification system and it's a very compelling proposition if you're an adventurer who enjoys getting well off the beaten track. Read More
SimpleTOUGH portable USB drive withstands 10 foot drop
By Darren Quick
21:09 July 16, 2009 PDT
It seems ‘rugged’ is the new black when it comes to external hard drives. Following the acquisition of SimpleTech, Hitachi has released a rugged portable USB drive under that brand - the SimpleTOUGH. The new drives are designed to endure some serious punishment with a rubberized body that's engineered to withstand a 9.8 foot (3 m) drop and take the pressure of a one-ton truck. The units also include an integrated, flexible, foldaway USB cable so the forgetful among us won’t get caught short. Read More
Pentax announces tough new compact - the Optio W80
By Paul Ridden
07:03 June 30, 2009 PDT
Whether you're the rugged outdoor type or just accident prone, Pentax is aiming to make your life a little easier with the release of the Optio W80 compact digital camera. The Optio W80 is dustproof, waterproof to 16 feet, has an operational temperature range starting at a chilly -10 degrees Celsius and can withstand a drop from 3.3 feet. Read More
Wetsuit not supplied: Stealth WPC-500F waterproof PC
By Paul Ridden
01:16 June 25, 2009 PDT
It's absolutely vital for all life on the planet yet it can kill a computer with relative ease. Water, moisture, fluid, liquid - whichever way you look at it computers and wet stuff are not on friendly terms. Stealth Computers begs to differ however, and has recently announced the release of a completely waterproof PC. Incorporating a whole host of tough tech, the rugged new unit promises reliability and performance whatever you throw at it and whatever conditions you might find yourself in. Read More
Energizer Hard Case Tactical flashlight helps you find your car keys behind enemy lines
By Alan Brandon
19:05 May 26, 2009 PDT
Whether you need a flashlight that can withstand the rigors of the battlefield or if you’re just a bit clumsy, Energizer's second generation Hard Case Tactical rugged flashlight could be the answer. Featuring military-grade construction, the Hard Case Tactical 2AA flashlight is designed to withstand a 15 foot (4.5m) drop and immersion in water. The swiveling head allows you to position the light where you need it and the flat base accommodates hands-free operation. Read More
Toshiba Launches Dynabook SS RX2/WAJ with 512GB SSD
By Mike Hanlon
23:49 May 14, 2009 PDT
May 15, 2009 Toshiba has announced a new top-of-the-range Dynabook SS RX2/WAJ," the world's first PC with an integrated 512GB SSD (Solid State Drive). The new model is available in two versions from today at Toshiba's on-line shop for the Japanese market. The Toshiba-developed 512GB SSD employs a 2-bit-per-cell multi-level NAND flash memory to realize, the world's largest capacity SSD, with four times the density of SSD integrated into currently available products. A new controller that realizes high-speed parallel processing with the multi-level NAND flash memory boosts data access speeds by approximately 230% for read (max. 230MB per sec) and 450% for write (maximum 180MB per sec), compared with the SSD integrated into current PCs. It also boosts data access speed by approximately 300% for read and 250% for write, compared to a hard disk drive. SSDs are free of mechanical structures such as a rotating disc, and ideal for integration into mobile notebook PCs, making them more resistant to vibration and shock. Read More
Smiths Detection rolls-out handheld chemical and biological agent detectors
By Darren Quick
02:27 May 5, 2009 PDT
It may be a sad reflection of the times we live in, but there’s a growing worldwide demand for devices capable of detecting chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRNE) threats. Detecting such threats in a laboratory environment is all well and good, but to really save lives such detection needs to be carried out at the site of the threat. That means a detection device that offers lab quality results with a portable form factor - both qualities that Smiths Detection promises in its range of threat detection systems now being rolled-out worldwide. Read More
VholdR ContourHD: world first wearable camcorder shoots HD video
21:30 April 27, 2009 PDT
Action camera specialist VholdR looks to have pulled out all stops with its latest offering - the ContourHD Wearable Camcorder. Billed as the world’s first and lightest HD wearable camcorder, the ContourHD shoots widescreen, 1280x720 HD quality video at 30 frames per second, sports a new 135 degrees lens, a new internal microphone and an innovative twin laser shot alignment system, all wrapped in a self-contained, ruggedized package that weighs just 4 ounces. Read More
Glacier's W200 Wearable Computer
By Darren Quick
01:37 April 10, 2009 PDT
While laptops have ushered in the era of mobile computing, their form factor still dictates the need to use a desk, table, or at the very least, a lap. Other handheld units are easier to use on the move but would be even better if we had another appendage, given that one hand is rendered useless through the need to hold the device. The solution - wear your computer. This example for Glacier Computer - the new Ridgeline W200 wearable computer - combines the same features of a standard computer with a device that straps to the wrist to provide hands-free operation while retaining full access at all times. Read More
Sanyo HD Dual Cameras now available fully waterproofed
By Mike Hanlon
23:45 March 17, 2009 PDT
March 18, 2009 We reported last week on Sanyo's new “dual camera” range which seeks to blur the line between still and video cameras by offering simultaneous video recording and still photographs. Now you can have all that plus full waterproofing to a depth of three meters. Now this is very significant because it effectively provides a ruggedized still and video camera at a very reasonable price point. Read More
Latest Dell rugged laptop features ballistic armor
By David Greig
23:32 March 10, 2009 PDT
Designed for workplace applications which place large demands on your laptop like manufacturing, military, mining and oil and gas exploration, Dell's new rugged laptop - the Latitude E6400 XFR - boasts "ballistic armor" said to provide twice the impact strength of Magnesium alloy, plus higher drop specifications and enhanced protection against dust and water. Read More
Lenovo touts rugged capabilities of Thinkpad range
By Darren Quick
17:43 February 25, 2009 PST
With the number of ruggedized computers hitting the market you’d think that people are running around treating their laptops like last night’s leftovers. Of course that’s not the case, most people use their laptops in pretty clean, stable environments and won’t ever need the rough and ready specs of a ruggedized laptop, but there is a section of the workforce that does. Particularly in the areas of public safety, utilities, construction and the military, and it’s these markets that Lenovo have in mind with their range of eight ThinkPad laptops designated for use in field and vehicle semi-ruggedized computing environments. Read More
Panasonic Toughbooks get upgrade
By Darren Quick
02:14 February 2, 2009 PST
Pansonic’s Toughbook 30 clamshell rugged laptop and its Toughbook 19 rugged convertible tablet computer have both received upgrades that include 1,000 nit LCDs, circular polarization technology and anti-glare (AG) plus anti-reflective (AR) screen treatments to enhance screen viewability as well as improved security and remote management thanks to Intel Centrino 2 with vPro technology, expanded memory capabilities, 40% longer battery lives, larger capacity hard drives, and optional SSDs. Read More
Iomega Encrypt and BlackBelt hard drives
By Tim Hanlon
18:18 December 2, 2008 PST
In this day and age, it's not just the tinfoil hat crowd who are likely to find themselves a little paranoid about their precious data. Iomega has announced two new entries to their eGo portable range, the ultra-rugged eGo BlackBelt and the government-grade encryption packing eGo Encrypt. Read More
Wearable sniper detection to be deployed in Iraq
By Kyle Sherer
17:45 December 2, 2008 PST
A wearable sniper detection system is to be used by troops in both Iraq and Afghanistan in the US Army’s first large-scale deployment of its type. The Soldier-Wearable Acoustic Targeting System (SWATS) can pinpoint the location of snipers after a single gunshot, audibly informing soldiers of the point of origin. Read More
Lacie's LaCinema Rugged hard drive boasts HDMI output
20:33 November 17, 2008 PST
While retaining the same shock-resistant form factor as its predecessors, Lacie's latest addition to its Rugged line of portable hard disk drives is the first to sport an HDMI output for direct playback on HDTVs. Read More
GETAC's ruggedized PC incorporates anti-glare technology
By Kyle Sherer
00:32 September 12, 2008 PDT
GETAC’s ruggedized notebooks are not deterred by rain, nor sleet, nor gloom of night, (not to mention dust, debris, and shock), making them highly reliable for fieldwork. The newly enhanced V100 Notebook/Tablet PC now includes additional protection against glare from the sun - a super-bright 1200 NITS display said to offer six times the screen viewablility of competing products, without affecting battery life or affordability. Read More
Honda's all-new 2009 CRF450R Motocrosser gets fuel injection
By Loz Blain
17:29 September 8, 2008 PDT
Honda's CRF450R motocross bike has been hugely successful since its launch in 2002 - and although the bike is already recognized as the class leader, it's receiving a kitchen-sink included upgrade for 2009. Lighter, quicker, more powerful and with even tighter mass centralization for quick handling, the 2009 CRF450R also sports a Honda first - battery-free, programmable fuel injection that raises output power and control while dramatically reducing fuel consumption. Out of the box, Honda says it's two seconds faster around a supercross track than this year's bike. Read More
Panasonic improves Toughbook
By Kyle Sherer
11:28 July 17, 2008 PDT
Panasonic’s Toughbook has been given a substantial boost in capability. The desktop replacement CF-52 and field-use CF-74 have been given new Intel Centrino 2 processors, expanded graphics capabilities, 160GB of hard drive space, and 802.11 Draft N Wi-Fi connectivity. The rugged Toughbooks are resistant to shocks, spills, dust, and vibration. Read More
Sharp shows new displays for rugged industrial applications
By Darren Quick
00:10 May 23, 2008 PDT
May 23, 2008 In more news to come out of the Society for Information Display’s (SID’s) 2008 International Symposium, Seminar, and Exhibition, Sharp announced the availability of two new rugged TFT LCD panels. The 5.7-inch and 8.4-inch TFT-LCDs are VGA panel displays designed to suit a variety of applications, including point-of-purchase screens, VoIP products, medical equipment, test and measurement equipment. Read More
New high performance laptop line from 1 Beyond
By Darren Quick
19:18 April 21, 2008 PDT
April 22, 2008 Digital video editing and compositing systems provider 1 Beyond has introduced the industry’s first laptop featuring Intel quad-core desktop processors with RAID 5 protection, optimized for HD video and graphics production, as well as two new rugged laptops designed to meet the extreme demands of in-field military personnel, public safety personnel and traveling professionals. Read More
Panasonic upgrades its rugged Toughbook 19 Tablet PC
By Darren Quick
02:03 March 29, 2008 PDT
March 29, 2008 Panasonic has introduced upgrades to its Toughbook 19 rugged convertible tablet computer. The next generation Toughbook 19F convertible tablet PC joins Panasonic’s flagship Toughbook 30F clamshell notebook with its incorporation of the Core 2 Duo processor and expanded memory capabilities, (1GB SDRAM standard, upgradeable up to 4GB). The 5.1 lb Toughbook 19 also offers an optional integrated 2MP camera for use in inspection and incident documentation applications for which the convertible tablet has become widely deployed in military, government and commercial applications. Read More
rob yates
- November 26, 2009 @ 12:49 UTC
