Motion’s latest tablet PC may not be as slim as the Viliv X70 Windows 7 Slate, but the Motion CL900 is a whole lot more resilient. The ruggedized slate has a 10.1-inch 1376 x 768 display with Gorilla Glass and meets military specs for dust, drop, sand and temperature; it also supports both finger and stylus input, has Intel’s latest 1.5GHz Oak Trail Atom CPU, and can be outfitted with Gobi 3000 broadband.
There’s also WiFI a/g/n, Bluetooth 3.0, GPS, and a battery good for up to eight hours of use. RAM is 2GB and there’s a choice of 30GB or 62GB SSD along with dual cameras. Motion also offer a range of accessories, including a docking station – complete with a pen holder, ethernet and a USB hub – and a card-reader (that makes the CL900 look a little like a microwave).
Perhaps most impressive of all is the price, which will kick off at under $1,000 when the CL900 goes on sale in Q2 2011. That may not make it the cheapest tablet around, but this is a full Windows 7 machine designed for mobile pros after all.
Press Release:
Motion Announces its First Ultra-Light, Rugged Tablet PC with Versatile Flexibility
The new Motion CL900 offers dual touch and stylus input, a rugged design and robust connectivity for on-the-go collaboration
AUSTIN, Texas and LAS VEGAS – January 5, 2011 – Motion®, a leading global provider of tablet PCs and supporting mobility solutions, announced today from the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), its first small form factor, rugged tablet PC designed for productivity and business integration. The Motion® CL900 is a robust tablet with a flexible feature set that enables access to and utilization of data while mobile. Motion will be showcasing the tablet PC at the Hilton Las Vegas (LVCC), Suite #377, offering media and analysts the option to take video, preview and experience the tablet throughout CES. The CL900 is expected to be available early in the second quarter of 2011.
Architected for Versatility
The new Motion CL900 is built based on customer demand for a mobile and integrated device that offers the capabilities to support mobile workflows. Architected for future expansion, the CL900 will feature a peripheral module that will enable simple device expansion. Tightly secured and integrated into the device, the peripheral module will incorporate key documentation tools without compromising durability. Peripheral modules will be released later in 2011.
Connected, Light and Rugged
The rugged F5v Tablet PC and C5v MCA now feature the Intel® Core™ i7 or Core™ i5 vPro™ technology, enabling a significant improvement in performance and battery life over previous solutions. Additionally, incorporating Intel Core vPro technology will enable Motion customers to experience:
Up to eight hours of battery life for all-day, uninterrupted productivity
Lightweight and rugged design that offers the protection of the MIL-STD-810G specification (four foot drop test) at only 2.1 pounds and less than 16mm thick
IP-52 rated exterior to protect against dust, moisture and other elements
Optional integrated Gobi™ 3000 mobile broadband with GPS, 802.11 a/b/g/n WLAN, Bluetooth® 3.0, and a wireless SIM port for advanced communications
Display with Corning® Gorilla® Glass display for added durability and scratch resistance and incorporated DuPont Vertak™ to improve visibility in various lighting conditions
Built for Business Integration
The CL900 was designed to integrate seamlessly into business environments. Running Microsoft® Windows® 7 and powered by the upcoming Intel® Atom™ processor currently codenamed “Oak Trail”, the CL900 balances power, performance and battery life. Additionally, IT serviceability and enterprise support options help ensure uptime and reduce IT resource drain. Business benefits include:
The ability to run existing applications, lowering the cost of deployment
The performance needed to simultaneously run multiple enterprise applications
Bright display that offers the convenience of both touch and stylus input
30GB or 62GB solid state drive (SSD), and up to 2GB of RAM
The new Intel Atom processor is specifically designed for tablet PCs and mobile workflows that require a balance of productivity and battery life. An enhanced version of the Atom line of processors, “Oak Trail” will offer the responsiveness, security and manageability required for mobile users in business environments.
“Motion’s latest tablet is a perfect example of the power and productivity available in enterprise-based mobility solutions,” said René Torres, director of marketing, Netbook and Tablet Group, Intel. “With the power and performance of our upcoming ‘Oak Trail’ Intel Atom processor, along with the mobility and durability of the CL900, Motion is delivering an ideal productivity tool for workers on the move.”
Versatile and Configurable
Additionally, the unique design of the CL900 offers multiple optional features and connectivity ports to improve functionality for a variety of different uses. Documentation and expansion features include:
Front and rear-facing cameras to support documentation, video conferencing and collaboration
A full complement of ports, including USB, SD Card, audio and video to simplify the use of industry standard peripheral solutions
A unique countertop docking station that optimizes the CL900 for touch input and adds a simple and easy way to integrate peripherals
A variety of cases and straps to accommodate multiple usage patterns
Powerful and Affordable
With a planned starting MSRP of less than U.S. $1000 the CL900 offers a competitive entry price point to other tablet PCs with a unique, rugged design that supports a lower total cost of ownership over non-rugged devices. The CL900 will be available to ship early in the second quarter of 2011 while the optional peripheral module will be available later in the first half of the year. For more information on the CL900 or to register for product updates, please visit the CL900 Product Page.
You can tell from the design that there’s something different about Fujifilm’s FinePix XP30 and XP20 digital cameras, and happily it’s not just an aesthetic flourish. The new range is waterproof to up to five meters, resilient to drops of up to 1.5m, and freezeproof to -10 degrees centigrade. It’s also dust and sandproof, and if you opt for the XP30 then you get a GPS chip to geotag your photos.
Up front is a 14.2-megapixel sensor with CCD-shift image stabilization, a 5x optical zoom, fact detection and automatic panorama functionality. On the back is a 2.7-inch LCD display. The XP30 and XP20 are capable of shooting 720p HD video at 30fps.
Fujifilm’s Photobook Assist function creates travelogs of your journey, piecing together shots based on GPS location and even showing place names. The FinePix XP30 with GPS will ship in February for $239.95, while the FinePix XP20 without GPS will arrive in March for $199.95.
Press Release:
FinePix XP30 with GPS — a world’s first for outdoor compacts January 5, 2011
Fujifilm has raised the bar in the competitive outdoor compact camera sector by introducing the FinePix XP30; the world’s first water, shock, dust and freeze proof model featuring built-in GPS functionality.*1
*1 Researched by Fujifilm at 5th of January
Continuing in the tradition set by the XP10 that it replaces, the FinePix XP30 offers a competitively-priced entry into the sector with a specification that will ensure outdoor-loving photographers or adventure sports enthusiasts are well catered for. In addition to GPS and its rugged build quality, the camera also features 14.2 megapixel resolution with an impressive 5 times wide zoom with optical image stabilization to shoot sharp image quality in any condition. With a FinePix XP30 in their rucksack, outdoor photographers will be able take their pictures to new heights without the steep price tag!
Pin-point your location, anywhere in the world
An increasing number of compact cameras feature GPS tagging, but only the FinePix XP30 features this type of functionality in a rugged, outdoor model. What’s more, the GPS features on the camera won’t only tell you where you are in the world; it offers additional functions that are essential for outdoor shooting and will make you wonder how you ever managed without them.
Locations can be displayed either as longitude and latitude or by place name. The FinePix XP30 has an embedded list featuring around half a million places of interest across the globe. When a shot is taken, the image is tagged with location information, enabling you to quickly find shots of a place you’ve visited. Should users then want to create a photobook of a specific location they can do so using the Photobook Assist function where you can tag images then turn the pages of the book on the camera’s rear LCD.
But that’s not all. If you visit a location that you want to return to but can’t remember which way to go, the Photo Navigation mode is invaluable. Simply find a shot of the location and the FinePix XP30 will not only tell you how far it is from your current spot, it’ll show you the direction you need to travel to get there.
For those who want to re-trace their steps and map a route of their travels, the Route Logging function is sure to appeal. The FinePix XP30 stores location data every 10 minutes*2 and, once the images are downloaded to a PC through MyFinePix Studio (bundled image viewing software), a map of the route, along with the pictures you took along the way is created using Google Maps.
*2 Anytime On or Only Power On must be selected for data to be logged.
The FinePix XP30 is ready for anything you can throw it. Thanks to the ‘4 way Protection’ system, you’ll be able to keep taking pictures long after conventional cameras have been packed away. With a riveted front panel and rounded body shape featuring a smart two-tone design, the XP30 is:
Waterproof to 5 metres, making it perfect for underwater photography, for taking pictures in heavy rain or snow, or simply for running it under the tap when it gets dirty
Shockproof up to 1.5 metres, so it’ll handle being dropped or knocked around in a trucksack
Dust / Sandproof, meaning you can take it to the beach without having to worry about the sand clogging it up
Freezeproof to ?10°C, perfect for skiing, snowboarding or any other sub-zero activities
Quality optics deliver perfect pictures
Sporting a Fujinon 5x wide optical zoom covering 28 – 140 mm (35 mm equivalent), the FinePix XP30 is well equipped to deliver high quality images. In addition to the fine optical quality, the XP30 features Fuji’s advanced Optical Image Stabilisation system to help combat camera shake. Pictures can be taken and still be blur-free, making it ideal for underwater and night-time shooting.
A wide range of functions for every shot you take
As well as offering all the benefits of an outdoor camera, the FinePix XP30 is also a great picture-taking machine in its own right. It boasts a full range of flash overrides, face detection for perfect portraits and a healthy selection of subject-based scene modes, which includes Motion Panorama which automatically stitches up to three shots to create panoramic picture. There’s even a number of in-camera retouching functions including crop, rotate and red-eye removal.
Outdoor photographers wanting to shoot video aren’t neglected either; the FinePix XP30 offers HD movie capture of 720p at 30 frames per second or conventional 640 x 480 pixel definition.
Don’t want GPS? No problem
While the FinePix XP30 with its GPS features is a great camera for photographers who like to travel outdoor, Fujifilm recognises that not every user requires GPS functionality. For this reason, a second model — the FinePix XP20 — has been introduced, which offers a virtually identical specification, without GPS.
Fujifilm FinePix XP30 / XP20 key features:
14.2 megapixel resolution
GPS functionality*3
5x wide optical zoom covering 28 – 140 mm (35 mm equivalent)
CCD shift image stabilisation
2.7 inch rear LCD with 230,000 pixels
Waterproof to five metres
Shockproof up to 1.5 metres
Freezeproof to ?10°C
Dust / Sandproof
Motion Panorama mode
Available in Black, Silver, Orange, Blue, Green and White*4
*3 Not available on XP20
*4 White color is not available on XP20
Swann Security has unveiled its waterproof, ruggedized SportsCam ahead of CES 2011, a compact still and video camera capable of withstanding up to 65-feet submersion as well as the sort of shocks, knocks and bumps you might experience when snowboarding, pig wrestling or falling out of trees. The SportsCam captures 640 x 480 video or stills to its removable microSD card, with a 16GB card good for up to 5hrs of video.
You’ll need to recharge before you run out of space, in fact, since the rechargeable Li-Ion battery is good for up to 2.5hrs of filming. It recharges via USB.
If anything, it’s the accessory bundle which is more impressive than the camera itself. Swann throw in Velcro straps, clips, belts, sports-clips, a waterproof “pin clip & case clip” and a multi-bracket, among other things, so if you can’t find a way of mounting the SportsCam then you’re frankly not trying. It’ll be priced at $99 when it drops in February 2011.
Press Release:
Swann Security Unleashes SportsCam™ Waterproof Mini Video Camera
Waterproof camera and DVR combo lets adrenaline junkies capture their most extreme moments
Santa Fe Springs, Calif. – (January 3, 2011) – Swann Security, the global leader in security monitoring solutions, proudly debuts the SportsCam™ Waterproof Mini Video Camera. Making its debut at the 2011 International CES, this mini camera / DVR combo is housed in a rugged waterproof case and comes with a myriad of mounting options so outdoor enthusiasts can live & relive their most extreme moments.
At the core of SportsCam™ is a color camera that can record 640 x 480 high resolution video or crystal clear still images. The device stores recordings on a removable MicroSD card (up to 16GB), so users can easily swap out cards while on the go. A 16GB MicroSD card will capture approximately 5 hours of video. SportsCam™ is powered by a Lithium-ion battery that recharges via USB and gives the user 2.5 hours of life per charge.
Not only is the SportsCam’s™ case shockproof, but it’s also waterproof up to 65’. Included with the device are a number of mounting options that make it an ideal solution for a variety of sports and outdoor applications. With no dials, gauges knobs or any preferences to configure, users simply turn it on, strap it on and hit record.
Included SportsCam accessories:
Velcro™ straps x 3
Double-clipper
Cord, arm & head straps
Pouch
Sport-clip
Multi-clip
Waterproof pin clip & case clip
Multi-bracket
Velcro™ for bracket
Mounting screws x 2
Silicon case
Swann’s SportsCam™ will be unveiled at CES 2011 at Swann’s booth #8660 in Central Hall. SportsCam™ has a MSRP of $99 and will be available for purchase in February through Swann’s network of retailers.
If you were looking for Sprint’s first fully submersible handset to sell for under $100 on contract… well, you’ve finally found it. What you’re looking at here is the Sanyo Taho, a beefed-up clamshell that offers the usual suite of environmental resistance claims that come with mil-spec 810G compliance: water, dust, shock, and extreme temperature. It packs a 2 megapixel camera, microSD expansion up to 32GB, EV-DO, GPS, Bluetooth, 256MB of internal memory, and a 2-inch QVGA display; a Defy, it’s not, but it looks like it should keep you entertained just about as well as any other dumbphone. It’s available today for $99.99 on a two-year deal after a $50 mail-in rebate — follow the break for the press release.
The Android landscape’s certainly getting crowded, isn’t it? We can still vividly remember the days when the T-Mobile G1 was the only game in town, and now here we are — just two years later — flush with options covering virtually every market segment from the ultra-high end to the ultra-low and everything in between. One niche market that’s usually underserved, though, is the beat-the-crap-out-of-your-phone market. You know who you are: you work hard, you play hard, or you’ve just got an incurable case of butterfingers — but whatever the case, you need a phone that you aren’t breaking, bricking, melting, freezing, or otherwise destroying every few weeks.
It’s not that rugged phones haven’t existed, of course. Far from it: Nextel and Motorola practically invented (and thrived off of) the concept, and options like AT&T’s Samsung Rugby and Verizon’s Casio G’zOne series have been available for some time. By and large, though, it’s been a field devoid of smartphones — and these days, that’s just not going to cut it. The kinds of people that need a phone that can take a few knocks don’t necessarily want to buy them at the expense of power or capability anymore. On that note, Motorola’s new Android-powered Defy for T-Mobile USA (and other carriers abroad) is one of the few to take a shot at elegantly combining environmental resistance with a no-compromise smartphone experience, featuring Blur atop Android 2.1 with a 5 megapixel autofocus cam, LED flash, 800MHz TI OMAP3610 core, and a 3.7-inch 854 x 480 display. In other words, on paper, it’s no slouch — but can it hang? Let’s find out.
We’re spoiled for choice when it comes to external hard drives, and given a large number of people base their decision primarily on price-per-gigabyte, a manufacturer has to offer something compelling if they want to stand out from the crowd. Iomega’s latest eGo drive offers both 1TB and USB 3.0, complete with a semi-ruggedized chassis. Check out the full SlashGear review after the cut.
There’s not much to say about the eGo’s design that you can’t see in the photos. The 1TB eGo is available in black, silver or the eye-catching red of our review unit, while drive protection is a combination of the rubbery cross and Iomega Drop Guard for locking the drive-heads down should it fall. That red brace looks distinctive but does add bulk.
Ports are limited to a single USB 3.0 – backward compatible with USB 2.0 – and Iomega include a double-headed cable should just one port not supply enough power. There’s no AC adapter option. Iomega supply the drive formatted for PCs, so OS X users will have to reformat first.
In fact, the drive as a whole feels PC-centric. Plug in the eGo 1TB and a virtual CD drive is loaded, offering the 256-bit encryption software. The annoyance factor of that will depend on whether you leave auto-run turned on in Windows, since there’s no apparent way to delete it; it’s also worth remembering that, while the software works, it’s PC-only and so you won’t be able to access it on a Mac. Oddly, while the virtual CD seems intended to ensure the Iomega software is never deleted, the company doesn’t bundle their Iomega Protection Suite on there. Instead, you have to download that separately; you get a single license, and it’s also PC-only.
In use, the drive was fast though fell short of the rates we observed from the Seagate FreeAgent GoFlex 1.5TB we reviewed back in September. Over USB 3.0, the Iomega managed around 81.6 MB/s average read rates and 72.1 MB/s average write rates. With no FireWire option – unlike the modular Seagate – it’s not best suited to Mac users, but at $159.99 RRP (with street prices more like $128) it’s a reasonable option for PC owners on the move. Still, we wish Iomega would sort out their software situation, and opt for either downloads or virtual drives rather than both.
Gorilla Glass is tough stuff, but if you want more evidence than just a press release then how about someone shooting a Samsung Galaxy Tab at around a meter-range with a CO2 powered air pistol? The shot – carried out by one Gorilla-confident YouTuber metafonic – is certainly sufficient to smash regular glass, but three steel pellets fail to produce even a scratch on the Galaxy Tab’s display.
Not only that, the 7-inch tablet seems functionally unharmed after its impromptu firing range session, with reportedly no issues with the touchscreen doing what it should. Of course, we don’t advocate shooting at your tablet with any sort of weapon – Gorilla Glass equipped or otherwise – but it’s good to know that the odd drop won’t scupper the slippery Samsung slate.
T-Mobile’s Motorola DEFY has dropped with a bump onto the SlashGear test bench, but we’re not too concerned: after all, this particular smartphone is one of the few ruggedized Android handsets around. You wouldn’t necessarily know it to look at it, however, since Motorola has managed to avoid the over-rubberized look so many rugged devices suffer from. Still, we thought we should get the main challenges out of the way first, so check out the wet entrance the DEFY makes after the cut.
The spec list is reasonable, too. A 3.7-inch WVGA capacitive (Gorilla glass) touchscreen, 5-megapixel camera and the usual WiFi/Bluetooth/GPS, along with 3G/UMTS. No HSPA+ like the myTouch 4G, however, and no front-facing camera for video calls. It also runs Android 2.1, rather than Android 2.2 Froyo, though you do at least get the newest MOTOBLUR-inspired interface for social networking integration.
In the hand, it’s a solid phone with a little extra heft from the ruggedization. Still, it’s also reasonably slim, and the two-tone rear panel is distinctive. The 2GB of ROM is useful, too, and Motorola throw in a 2GB microSD card as well, though the 800MHz TI OMAP3610 may potentially fall a little short of the second-gen Qualcomm chips we’ve seen in some recent HTC Android phones.
The Motorola DEFY is available to order from T-Mobile this week, priced at $99.99 with a new, two-year agreement. We’ll have the full SlashGear review very soon.
T-Mobile USA has confirmed that the rugged Motorola DEFY will arrive on its network from November 3 2010. Priced at just $99.99 with a new, two-year agreement, the DEFY has a 3.7-inch capacitive touchscreen, 5-megapixel camera and runs Android 2.1 with the company’s latest MOTOBLUR enhancements.
Meanwhile T-Mobile has already confirmed that the DEFY will bring WiFi calling with it when it hits their network, routing voice calls over WiFi instead of the cellular network for better coverage and audio quality. The smartphone also has Flash Lite and an LED flash, and is waterproof/dustproof.
T-Mobile USA’s tweet pretty much says it all — the Defy is nigh — and you’ll be able to pick Motorola’s ruggedized handset come November 3rd for a penny under $100 on-contract. It’s not the fastest handset on the block, saddled as it is with both Blur and Android 2.1, but there’s nothing quite like a handset that you can stab with a pen or dunk in the drink while it’s still turned on.
