QSI says its new Qterm G56 and G58 will be available with Windows CE 6.0 in 2010, but didn't state what operating system the devices run currently. Either way, the company says, the handhelds are compatible with the Qlarity object-based programming language, which includes a Windows-based IDE (integrated design environment). With Windows CE, customers will also be able to use Microsoft's Visual Studio and related technologies such as Win32, MFC, Visual C#, and Visual Basic, according to QSI.

It's said the G56 and G58 use "200MHz ARM 9" processors manufactured by Atmel, which we take to be a reference to the ATM91SAM9260. Both devices currently have 16MB of RAM, and 256MB of flash storage, according to QSI spec sheets, but we'd expect a RAM upgrade to be in the works for the promised Windows CE configurations.

QSI's Qterm G56 (left) and G58 (right)

As the photos above suggest, the G56 and G58 look -- and are -- very similar. However, the G56 is designed to be used in "tethered" applications where external power (from 8V to 32VDC) is available, and does not run on batteries. The G58, on the other hand, has an internal lithium-polymer battery pack that's said to power the handheld for more than ten hours.

Both devices have 3.5-inch touchscreen displays with a resolution of 320 x 240 pixels, membrane keypads with optional lighting, plus LED status/alarm indicators. Speakers and .WAV audio decoding capabilities are optional, according to QSI. The handhelds withstand shocks of up to 40G (11ms duration) and 1.5-meter drops onto concrete, the company adds.

Finally, the G56 includes two serial ports, one RS232/422/485 and one RS232. Optionally, the second serial port may be replaced with a 10/100 Ethernet port, according to the company.

The G58, on the other hand, does not offer wired Ethernet, but does include 802.11b/g wireless networking. A RS232/422/485 serial port is optional, QSI says.

Features and specifications listed by QSI for the Qterm G56 and G58 include the following:

• Processor -- Atmel ARM9 CPU clocked at 200MHz (likely the ATM91SAM9260)
• Memory -- 16MB of RAM and 256MB of flash storage
• Display -- 3.5-inch touchscreen with 320 x 240 pixel resolution
• Keyboard -- 24- or 40-key membrane keyboard with optional lighting
• Networking:
  • G56 -- 10/100 Ethernet (optional)
  • G58 -- 802.11b/g wireless (standard
• Other I/O:
  • G56:
    • 1 x RS232/422/485
    • 1 x RS232 (second serial port not available with Ethernet
    • USB 2.0 port
    G58:
    • 1 x RS232/422/485 (optional)
    • USB 2.0 port
• Battery (G58 only) -- Lithium-polymer; more than 10 hours operation
• Dimensions:
  • G56 -- 9.21 x 5.07 x 1.69 inches (234 x 129 x 43mm)
  • G58 -- 9.21 x 5.07 x 1.96 inches (234 x 129 x 50mm)
• Weight:
  • G56 -- 1.12 pounds (510g)
  • G58 -- 1.46 pounds (665g)

Further information

QSI did not release pricing or availability information for the Qterm G56 or G58, except to say that Windows CE will be offered in 2010. Further information may be found on the company's website, here and here.

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