Handheld.

(Click here for a larger view of the Handheld Nautiz X5handheld)

Running Windows Mobile Professional 6.1, the Nautiz X5 appears to be as tough as its many competitors, since it's 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 most rugged handhelds, the X5 incorporates a three megapixel autofocus camera, with LED flash, and a speedy 806MHz Marvell PXA320 processor, says Handheld.

The Nautiz X5 is also relatively unusual in that it includes a GPS receiver, based in this case on the SiRF starIII chipset. More typical are the device's 1D barcode scanner, which "reads all common barcodes," and its optional 2D imager.

The X5'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 X5 sports a 3.5-inch touchscreen display with 640 x 480 resolution. The device ships as standard with a numeric keypad, as shown at the top of our story, but a QWERTY keypad is also available, the company says.

The PXA320P processor is combined with 256MB of RAM, 512MB of flash storage, and a microSD slot for memory expansion. Meanwhile, the X5 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 X5'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 X5 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 or QWERTY option
  
• 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
• 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 Europe, the Nautiz X5 is sampling now, though pricing was not released. More information on the device may be found on the company's website, here.

The Nautiz is being shown this week at the CeBit show in Hannover, Germany. Handheld is located in Hall 7, Stand D10.

Note that Handheld -- which does business as Handheld U.S. and Handheld Europe -- 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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