Symbol Technologies has expanded its line of rugged handheld computers with the addition of a PDA form-factor device called an "enterprise digital assistant" (EDA). The MC50 is available in two versions -- one with a simple navigation keypad, and the other with a QWERTY keyboard.

Symbol says the MC50 is designed for in-facility real-time communication, data capture, and VoIP telephony, "enabling decision making at the point of activity."


Symbol MC50 QWERTY and NAV models
(Click above image for larger view)
The MC50 runs Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition for Pocket PCs, on a 520MHz Intel XScale processor. It includes built-in Wi-Fi with VoIP (voice over IP) capability, and offers several data capture options including 1D or 2D bar code scanning, or a one megapixel color camera. A user-accessible SDIO slot enables convenient storage memory and other expansion.

Key features and specifications of the MC50 EDA include:

• Processor -- 520MHz Intel XScale
  
• Memory -- 64MB RAM; 64MB Flash
  
• Display -- Transflective, 65K-color, 240 x 320 (QVGA) TFT LCD, with resistive touchpanel and LED backlight
  
• Expansion -- User accessible SDIO slot with secure cover
  
• Wireless:
  • 802.11b
    
  • Security -- WEP, TKIP, LEAP, PEAP, EAP-TLS, WPA (pre-shared key)
    
  • Voice Communication -- Integrated VoIP-ready (P2P, PBX, PTT), Wi-Fi-certified, IEEE 802.11b direct sequence wireless LAN
• Keypad Options:
  • NAV version -- 4 application keys and 5-way navigation key
    
  • QWERTY version -- 37-key
• Other input/output ports -- RS-232; USB 1.1
  
• Data Capture Options:
  • 1D Scanner
    
  • 2D Scanner
    
  • Camera -- 1144 x 880 resolution color CCD
• Environmental:
  • Operating temperature -- 0 to 50 deg. C (32 to 155 deg. F)
    
  • Drop specification -- 3 foot drop to tile over concrete, 1 drop per side
    
  • Electrostatic discharge (ESD) -- +/-8kV air discharge, +/-8kV direct discharge
• Operating System -- Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition for Pocket PCs

The MC50 is supported by a software package for managing mobile devices on the corporate network. According to Symbol, the Mobility Services Platform (MSP) is an integrated solution that provides unified enterprise-wide management of mobile devices and wireless network infrastructure.

The MC50 can be equipped with an MSP agent that will collect and monitor device performance information and then deliver status in real-time to a centralized MSP console. This feature is said to help customers better address the growing challenges associated with rolling out, managing, and maintaining enterprise mobility systems. With the MSP, enterprise operations personnel can rapidly deploy new devices, provision software upgrades and fixes with a single command, as well as perform remote user support and diagnostics, Symbol says.

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