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        Rugged handheld adds smart card reader

        Jonathan Angel | Date: May 19, 2009 | Comments: 1



        Handheld U.S. has announced a rugged PDA featuring a smart card reader, a 806MHz processor, VGA-resolution touchscreen, and a three megapixel camera. The "Nautiz eTicket" includes a GSM cellular modem, a GPS receiver, 802.11b/g, Bluetooth, and a "more than all day" battery, says...


        Handheld.

        (Click here for a larger view of the Handheld Nautiz Eticket)

        Handheld's Nautiz eTicket is very similar to the Nautiz X5, announced by the company in March. Designed for ticket validation and other transactions in the transport sector, however, the new device adds a integrated smart card reader which is said to support various ISO 14443 type A/B and ISO 15693 RFID devices, including Mifare and Icode.

        Running Windows Mobile Professional 6.1, the Nautiz eTicket is said to withstand six-foot drops, operate from -20 to 55 deg. C (-4 to 131 deg. F), and to be sealed against water and dust intrusion. But unlike many rugged handhelds, the eTicket incorporates a three megapixel autofocus camera, with LED flash, and a speedy 806MHz Marvell PXA320 processor, says Handheld.

        The eTicket also includes a GPS receiver, based in this case on the SiRF starIII chipset. In addtion to the smart card reader, the handheld has a 1D barcode scanner, which "reads all common barcodes," and an optional 2D imager.

        The eTicket's wireless capabilities include a GSM modem, whose operating bands aren't specified, but which is said to be compatible with HSDPA data downloads of up to 7.2Mbps. The handheld also includes 802.11b/g wireless networking with CCX (Cisco compatible extensions) and Bluetooth 2.0, plus an integrated speaker and microphone, making it VoIP-capable, the company says.

        According to Handheld, the eTicket sports a 3.5-inch touchscreen display with 640 x 480 resolution. Unlike the earlier X5, which was available with an optional QWERTY keypad, the eTicket apparently only comes with a numeric keypad, as shown at the top of our story.

        The PXA320P processor is combined with 256MB of RAM, 512MB of flash storage, and a microSD slot for memory expansion. Meanwhile, the eTicket includes both USB host and USB client ports, a serial port, an IrDA interface -- uncommon these days -- and a headphone jack.

        Handheld says that the eTicket's 4400mAh battery, which is hot-swappable, can power the device for more than eight hours. An optional desktop cradle charges the device and provides it with a wired Ethernet port, the company adds.

        Features and specifications listed by Handheld for the Nautiz eTicket include:
        • Processor -- 806MHz Marvell PXA320
        • Memory -- 256MB of RAM and 512MB of flash storage
        • Display -- 3.5-inch touchscreen display with 640 x 480 resolution
        • Keyboard -- Numeric keypad
        • Camera -- 3 megapixel camera with autofocus and LED flash
        • Networking -- 10/100 Ethernet (via optional cradle)
        • Wireless:
          • WAN -- GSM (bands not specified), HSDPA compatible
          • LAN -- 802.11b/g
          • PAN -- Bluetooth 2.0
          • GPS
          • Smart card reader:
            • 13.56MHz standards supported -- ISO 14443A, ISO 14443B, ISO 15693
            • Smart cards supported -- ISO 14443A, ISO 14443B, ISO 15693, Mifare, Icode
        • Other I/O:
          • USB host
          • USB device port
          • Serial port
          • IrDA
          • Headphone jack
        • Expansion -- microSD slot
        • Battery type/life -- 4400mAh battery provides more than eight hours of operation
        • Operating temperature -- -20 to 55 deg. C (-4 to 131 deg. F)
        • Dimensions -- 6.3 x 3.15 x 1.4 inches (160 x 80 x 35.5mm)
        • Weight, including battery -- 14.46 ounces (410g)
        Availability

        According to Handheld U.S., the Nautiz eTicket is available now, though pricing was not released. More information on the device may be found on the company's website, here.

        Note that Handheld -- which does business as Handheld U.S. and Handheld Europe, among others -- is a subsidiary of HHCS Handheld AB of Sweden, and is not connected to the Hand Held Products firm that originated the Dolphin range of handheld computers. Hand Held Products was acquired by Honeywell in December 2007 and now uses the name of its new parent company.



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