| Symbol debuts rugged Windows Mobile PDA/phone |
Jan. 05, 2006
  Symbol Technologies will unveil on Friday a rugged handheld that combines mobile phone, PDA, scanning, and imaging capabilities. The MC70 "Enterprise Digital Assistant" runs Windows Mobile 5.0, boasts a 3.5-inch QVGA color touch-screen and either QWERTY or numeric keypads, and is hardened to withstand shock, tumble, and moisture, according to the company.
(Click here for larger view of QWERTY version, keypad version)
Symbol says it is targeting the multifunction MC70 at mobile workers in demanding environments, for example field workers reading meters, repairing equipment, and delivering packages, or hospital workers checking lab results and medication orders.
To increase its utility in such applications, the device integrates both a 1D laser barcode scanner and a 2D 640 x 480 pixel image scanner, each having a range of four to 40 inches. Additionally, the device supports push-to-talk capabilities (assuming they are supported by the required local or wide-area wireless network), a feature long supported by some of Symbol's data collection handhelds.
The company lists the following key features and specifications of the MC70 Enterprise Digital Assistant: - Processor -- 624 MHz Intel XScale PXA270
- Memory -- 64MB RAM, 128MB Flash
- Display -- 3.5-inch transflective, 65K-color, 240 x 320 pixel (QVGA) TFT LCD, with resistive touchpanel and LED backlight
- Keypad options:
- 26 button numeric keypad
- 44 button QWERTY keypad
- Wireless communications:
- Quad-band eGPRS/GSM (850, 900, 1800, and 1900 MHz)
- 802.11a/b/g tri-mode WiFi, supporting up to 54 Mbps
- Bluetooth Class II, v 1.2
- Input/output ports:
- Ethernet
- USB 1.1 host/client
- RS-232 serial port
- Audio -- Built-in speaker (transducer) and microphone; jacks for external mic in, stereo audio out
- Expansion -- User-accessible SDIO card slot, with protective cover
- Data capture options:
- 1D laser scanner -- resolves 0.005 in. miniminum element width
- 2D imager -- 640 x 480 pixels resolution, gray scale
- Battery -- Rechargeable Lithium Ion, 1900 mAh, with 3800 mAh option
- Dimensions -- 6 x 3 x 1.5 inches (153 x 76 x 27 mm)
- Weight -- 12 oz (336 gm) with WAN; 11.2 oz (314 gm) without
- Environmental:
- Operating temperature -- 14 to 155 degrees F (10 to 68 degrees C)
- Humidity -- 95% non-condensing
- Sealed to IP54 specifications
- Drop specification -- 4 ft. drop to concrete, 6 drops per side over operating temperature range; 5 ft. drop to concrete, 2 drops per side at 73 degrees F (23 degrees C)
- Operating system -- Windows Mobile 5.0 Premium or Phone Edition (Phone Edition is included in models having GSM/GPRS)
 Available options include fixed and mobile docking cradles, a trigger handle (pictured here), a belt clip, a magnetic stripe reader, and more.
Price and availability
The MC70 will be available starting January 11th, with priced from $2195 to $2845 depending on configuration. Models appear to be available in numerous models with/without GSM/GPRS, with/without WiFi, and with a choice of numeric or QWERTY keypads.
Related stories:
(Click here for further information)
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