Eurotech's Zypad WL1500 is an upgrade to the similar WL1000 (2006) and WL1100 (2009), but now has a faster scanner and new connectivity options. Designed to keep both of a user's hands free, the wrist-mounted computer includes an accelerometer and, it's said, can automatically enter standby when hung down alongside the body.

Eurotech's Zypad WL1500
(Click to enlarge)

We couldn't find a claim as to weight, but the earlier WL1100 weighed approximately ten ounces, so the WL1500 shouldn't require its operator to be a body builder either. As before, the computer has a 3.5-inch touchscreen with 320 x 240 pixel resolution, but its upper surface now includes 12 backlit keys including a numeric keypad, according to Eurotech.

New, also, is a processor upgrade: from the 400MHz Marvell PXA270 CPU featured before to an 806MHz PXA320. In addition, the WL1500 is now available with a GSM or CDMA cellular radio module, according to Eurotech.

As before, the wrist-mounted device includes Bluetooth or ZigBee (one of the two must be specified when ordering), 802.11b/g wireless networking, and a GPS receiver. It is also available with a factory-installed 1D/2D barcode scanner, or can work with an external scanner previously sold for the earlier Zypad devices, says Eurotech.

According to Eurotech, the Zypad WL1500 has 128MB of RAM, 128MB of flash storage, USB host and device ports, and a microSD expansion slot. Its hot-swappable battery is good for eight hours of operation, the company says.

Specifications listed by Eurotech for the Zypad WL1500 include:

• Processor -- Marvell PXA320 clocked at 806MHz
  
• Memory -- 128MB of RAM and 128MB of flash storage
  
• Display -- 3.5-inch touchscreen display with 320 x 240 resolution
  
• Keys -- 12 backlit keys
  
• Wireless:
  • 802.11b/g
    
  • Bluetooth 1.2(optional)
    
  • GSM or CDMA cellular module
  • GPS
    
  • ZigBee (optional)
  • 1D/2D barcode scanner (optional)
• Other I/O:
  • USB 1.1 host and device ports
    
  • Stereo headphone jack
  • microphone
  • mono speaker
• Battery type/life -- battery pack provides more than eight hours of operation
  
• Operating temperature -- -20 to 50 deg. C (-4 to 122 deg. F)
  
• Dimensions -- n/s
  
• Weight -- n/s
• Operating system -- Windows CE 6.0

Further information

Eurotech did not cite pricing for the Zypad WL1500 but said it will be available during the second quarter of this year. More information may be found on the WL1500 product page.

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