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        Motorola revs a VoIP-oriented Windows handheld

        Jonathan Angel | Date: Dec 7, 2010 | Comments: 1


        Motorola announced an upgraded, Windows Mobile-based handheld computer targeting the retail, healthcare, and hospitality industries. The MC55A0 offers "push-to-talk" IP telephony, a 3.5-inch VGA display, 802.11a/b/g wireless networking, and four different scanning options, the company says.

        Motorola's enterprise-focused Solutions division is loyal to Windows, and will soon become a separate company from Android-oriented smartphone maker Motorola Mobility. Its new MC55A0 handheld joins other models such as the MC65, MC959B, and ES400 that were announced earlier this year.

        Unlike the above models, the MC55A0 does not include cellular telephony. Instead, it's essentially an updated version of the MC5590 Motorola announced in March 2009, targeting VoIP applications.


        Motorola's MC55A0 is also available as the healthcare-oriented MC55A0-HC (right)
        (Click to enlarge)

        Motorola says devices like the MC55A0 are ideal for indoor spaces, where cellular coverage may be poor but where wireless networking "dial tone" is readily available. The cost-effective technology allows colleagues to reach each other privately, without resorting to an intrusive overhead paging system, and -- with the aid of TEAM (total enterprise access and mobility -- can also provide one-button conference calling, the company adds.

        For backward compatibility with accessories, the MC55A0 retains the same dimensions as the MC5590. Again, too, it's offered with either a 26-key numeric keypad, for smartphone-like operation, or a 44-key alphanumeric keyboard in QWERTY, AZERTY (French), or QWERTZ (German and Central European) layouts.

        The MC55A0 is now said to be tougher than before, however. Instead of being rated to withstand four-foot drops to concrete and up to 250 1.6-foot tumbles, it's now said to tolerate six-foot drops and up to 1000 tumbles. Further, the device's resistance to liquids and dust has been upgraded from an IP54 rating to an IP64 rating.

        More important to the end user, the MC55A0 is also more powerful. The processor is now an 806MHz Marvell PXA320 instead of the former 520MHz PXA270, while memory and flash storage have both been doubled to 256MB and 1GB, respectively. The microSD slot now accepts up to 32GB, Motorola adds.

        Still with a 3.5-inch resistive touchscreen display, the MC55A0 now offers VGA resolution, while the handheld's camera has moved from two megapixels to a more contemporary 3.2, according to Motorola. Meanwhile, it's said, purchasers can select one of four different scanners:

        • The SE960 1D scanner, with improved performance over the SE950 that was offered on the MC5590
        • The SE4500-SR 1D/2D scanner
        • The SE4500-DL 1D/2D scanner, with drivers license support
        • The SE4500-HD ID/2D scanner, with DPM (direct part mark) support
        The MC55A9 includes 802.11a/b/g wireless networking and Bluetooth, the latter upgraded to version 2.1. Other new features relative to the MC5590 are a backup battery, an accelerometer, and a vibrate alert function, says Motorola.

        According to Motorola, the MC55A0 runs Windows Mobile 6.5 (the MC5590 came with Windows Mobile 6.1). Confusingly, though, no mention is made of the technologically similar Windows Embedded Handheld operating system or the Motorola Enterprise User Interface (MEUI), both of which were touted as key ingredients in future Motorola handhelds when the ES400 was announced in June.

        Girish Rishi, Motorola Solutions corporate vice president and general manager of mobile computing, stated, "Delivering new levels of business efficiency and enhanced customer service, the Wi-Fi-enabled MC55A0 series also eliminates the common challenges associated with in-building cellular coverage for real-time access to business-critical information, while leveraging the field-proven rugged form factor and accessories of the MC55."

        Features and specifications cited by Motorola for the MC55A0 include:

        • Processor -- Marvell PXA320 clocked at 806MHz
        • Memory -- 256MB of RAM and 1GB of flash storage
        • Display -- 3.5-inch VGA touchscreen display
        • Camera -- 3.2 megapixel
        • Barcode scanners (optional):
          • SE960 1D scanner
          • SE4500-SR 1D/2D scanner
          • SE4500-DL 1D/2D scanner, with drivers license support
          • SE4500-HD ID/2D scanner, with DPM (direct part mark) support
        • Keypad options -- Numeric keypad, or alphanumeric keypad with QWERTY, AZERTY, or QWERTZ layouts
        • Expansion:
          • connector for optional cradle
          • microSD slot accepts up to 32GB
        • Wireless:
          • WLAN -- 802.11a/b/g
          • PAN -- Bluetooth 2.1
        • Other I/O -- USB
        • Batteries -- lithium-ion, 2400mAh (standard) and 3600mAh (optional)
        • Environmental specifications:
          • Operating temperature -- 14 to 122 deg. F (-10 to 50 deg. C)
          • Drop resistance -- 6 ft. drop to concrete, 1000 41.6-foot tumbles
          • Dust/liquid sealing -- meets IP64 standard
        • Dimensions -- 5.78 x 3.03 x 1.06 inches (147 x 77 x 27mm)
        • Weight, with standard battery -- 11.1 ounces (31g)
        Further information

        Motorola did not release pricing or availability information for the MC55A0, but said the device will be available both in grey and (as the MC55A0-HC) in a healthcare-oriented, blue-and-white version. More information may be found on the company's website, here.


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