(Click here for a larger image of the Trimble Nomad)

Trimble's "new" handhelds are in fact revamps of the company's Nomad (above), announced in July 2007 and updated with cameras and barcode scanners in November of the same year. The Nomad already featured a VGA-resolution display, a Marvell PXA320 running at a snappy 806MHz, and a GPS receiver based on the SiRF starIII chipset. The new "X" versions add integrated quad-band GSM GRPS/EDGE cellular modems, said to provide connectivity of up to 1Mbps on GSM networks.

According to Trimble, the "X" models also include 2GB of flash storage, upped from the 1GB or 512MB complement found on earlier devices in the series. In addition to GSM/EDGE, the "800X" includes 802.11b/g wireless networking and Bluetooth. Meanwhile, the "800XC" adds a two megapixel camera, while the "800XE" has both the camera and a 1D barcode scanner, the company says.

Rob Davis, director of sales and marketing for Trimble division Tripod Data Systems, says "the addition of WWAN functionality and integrated data transmission to our Nomad line was the next logical step in providing superior field-to-office connectivity that can increase our customers' productivity."

Features and specifications listed by Trimble for the Nomad 800X series include the following:

• Processor -- Marvell PXA320 clocked at 806MHz
  
• Display -- 640 x 480 touchscreen display (size unspecified)
  
• Memory -- 128MB of RAM and 2GB of flash storage
  
• Camera -- Two megapixel (800XC and 800XE only)
  
• Wireless:
  • WAN -- Quad-band GSM GPRS/EDGE cellular modem (frequencies not listed, and may vary by market
    
  • WLAN -- 802/11b.g
    
  • PAN -- Bluetooth
• Other I/O:
  • 1 x USB host
    
  • 1 x USB client
    
  • 1 x RS232
    
  • Heaphone jack
• Expansion:
  • SDIO slot
    
  • CompactFlash slot (800X only)
• Battery type/life -- 5200mAh lithium-ion battery; provides up to 15 hours of "active use"
  
• Dimensions -- 6.92 x 3.92 in x 1.96 inches (176 cm x 100 x 50mm)
  
• Weight -- 21 ounces (596g) including battery

Trimble says the integrated cellular modem in the 800X series cannot be retro-fitted to previous Nomad 800 models. The new 800x versions are said to be available now, priced from approximately $2,500 to $3,050.

More information may be found on Trimble's website, here.

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