Unlike the ambitious little Elf announced by Datalogic last year, the new Falcon X3 (right) does not offer a cellular radio, nor does it include a GPS receiver. However, the device's Wi-Fi radio supports 802.11a/b/g, is compatible with Cisco's CCX security extensions, and "provides maximized coverage thanks to a unique diversity antenna system," the company says.

Designed primarily for use in warehouses and elsewhere in the supply chain, the X3 is available with an optional pistol grip and a choice of scanners with patented "green spot" aimers. The scanners can be either a high-performance laser, an auto-ranging XLR laser (depth of field from 2 to 180 inches), or a 2D imager combined with a three megapixel camera, according to Datalogic.

Datalogic says the Falcon X3 withstands 18 drops onto concrete from a height of six feet and complies with the IP64 standard for resistance to liquids and dust. Both alphanumeric and numeric keypads are offered, and a 5,000mAh battery provides operation for a full work shift, the company adds.

Featuring a 3.5-inch touchscreen with 320 x 240 pixel resolution, the Falcon X3 includes a 624MHz PXA310 processor and an ARM Cortex-M3 coprocessor, according to Datalogic. The company doesn't specify what use the handheld makes of the latter, but as ARM notes, the M3 microcontroller is commonly employed in "highly deterministic real-time applications" and is configurable to deliver up to 240 system interrupts.

The Falcon X3 is said to include 256MB of RAM, 256MB of flash storage, and a user-accessible microSD slot that accepts up to 32GB of memory. According to Datalogic, the system is offered with either Windows CE 6.0 or Windows Mobile 6.5. (Perhaps, though, it will later be upgraded to Microsoft's similar Windows Embedded Handheld 6.5, which is intended to replace these earlier operating systems in handheld applications.)

Features and specifications listed by Datalogic for the Falcon X3 include:

• Processor -- 624MHz Marvell PXA310; ARM Cortex-M3
• Memory -- 256MB of RAM and 256MB of flash storage
• Display -- 3.5-inch touchscreen with 320 x 240 pixel resolution
• Keyboard -- numeric or alphanmeric
• Imaging:
  • high performance laser (2.5 to 36 inches)
  • XLR laser (2 to 180 inches)
  • 2D imager (1.6 to 15.5 inches)
  • 5 megapixel camera
• Networking:
  • WLAN -- 802.11a/b/g
  • PAN -- Bluetooth Class 2 with EDR
• Other I/O:
  • USB 2.0 host/client
  • RS232
  • headset support
• Battery -- 5000MAh
• Dimensions:
  • 8.9 x 3.5 x 2.2 inches without pistol grip
  • 8.9 x 6.6 x 3.5 inches with grip
• Weight:
  • 22.1 ounces without pistol grip
  • 24.6 ounces with pistol grip

Further information

Datalogic did not cite pricing or availability, but the Falcon X3 appears to be available now. More information may be found on the X3 product page.

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