Invulnerable, Waterproof PDA 232
You've probably been wishing for a large, armored, waterproof, 15-hour-battery-life, rubberized PDA, haven't you? Well, look no further.
An adequate bootstrap is a contradiction in terms.
Preferably (Score:5, Interesting)
I suppose the ruggedized PDA referenced in the article is expandable for wireless networks, but it really should have built in 802.11x and Bluetooth and appears to be a sort of ruggedized iPaq. I expect it will not be a big seller and the big purchasers of this device in the article will be those folks in the GPS and GIS fields who need this sort of device, but for approx $1600 US, I would expect built in GPS as well.
Re:Preferably (Score:4, Interesting)
And for $1.6k, I would expect that I could whip it at a wall and catch it, without any damage whatsoever. That way if I was running and it fell out of my pocket, I wouldn't trigger a reset, or cause my HD to break from jarring... and with this new one if it landed in a puddle, I'd be whistling about it (scared, but sure), unlike that guy on the commercial who checked his notebook.
Re:Preferably (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Preferably (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Preferably (Score:2)
Re:Preferably (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Preferably (Score:2, Informative)
A buddy of mine swears by it (technically he has the Japanese version).
Re:Preferably (Score:2)
I know the quality of some of their other products have slipped in the last few years.
Re:Preferably (Score:5, Informative)
First up is the Flipstart [flipstartpc.com] by one of Paul Allen's spin-off companies. I haven't seen any physical models around at all, but it looks interesting - a full XP PC based around a Transmeta chip, with a very nice (on paper) 1024 x 600 screen, and an innovative external LCD display for notifications and MP3 controls. I'd really like this to see the light of day.
Second up is the OQO [oqo.com], which has been in vapour for a while, but hardware has been previewed at recent tech shows. Spec-wise it's similar to the Flipstart, being powered by a Transmeta, but has an innovative slide down keyboard arrangement.
Both look pretty interesting and will probably suit your needs to a degree, although as a first generation tablet PC user, I can say that the Transmeta chip isn't up to running a lot of apps at the same time that require a lot of horsepower. That's not to say it can't run apps, it just takes a while to fire up. Once it's running - say Photoshop - it's fine.
On a sidenote, I used a GSM card in my tablet for a while and it was awesome. Coupled with a Bluetooth card and the TC1000's built-in Wifi, it made the tablet incredibly versatile. I doubt that I'd move back to a standard laptop for size/weight/battery life reasons, so my next consideration is probably going to be a more powerful tablet, probably a TC1100. Although for ruggedised PC fans, HP are about to release the TC3000 [globalspec.com].
Re:Preferably (Score:5, Funny)
Sure... (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Preferably (Score:2)
GPS usage (Score:3, Informative)
The recon has really exceeded our expectations, conditions in the field can be brutal, tem
Almost all you need - GSM/CDMA, BT, and 802.11 (Score:2, Informative)
http://www.intermec.com/
dope! (Score:5, Funny)
Re:dope! (Score:5, Funny)
Re:dope! (Score:2, Funny)
Re:dope! (Score:3, Informative)
not quite (Score:4, Funny)
Nope, I'm waiting for the small You've probably been wishing for a large, armored, waterproof, 15-hour-battery-life, rubberized PDA...with lasers!
Lasers? (Score:5, Funny)
Cheers! (and good like finding that small PDA)
Mostly sharks (Score:3, Funny)
Zing! (Score:5, Funny)
Seeing as how it's been Slashdotted... I guess I won't.
Re:Zing! (Score:4, Funny)
Standard List /. jokes (Score:2)
2. Imagine a Beowulf cluster of these (I'm surprised this joke didn't pop up already)
3. But does it run linux...
4. [Your Joke Here]
Re:Standard List /. jokes (Score:2, Funny)
Armour (Score:5, Funny)
I don't need one, do you? (Score:5, Interesting)
I mean, yes, it sounds nice. The spec's aren't bad. For those too lazy to look, the most interesting general point was:
"Specification wise, there are two flavours of the Recon available, the first running a 200MHz Intel XScale processor with 64MB of internal non-volatile Flash storage, the second an upgraded 400MHz version with 128MB of storage available"
Right, not bad, but Waterproof? I very rarely come across more water than that which comes out of my tap, and even then I don't put anything electric under it! Who, exactly, is the target audience? Or is just one of those "Cool" things?
Re:I don't need one, do you? (Score:5, Insightful)
I'd say people like the military, ship crewmen, and maybe the USGS. Limited, perhaps, but very useful for people who don't work in the friendliest of enviornments.
Re:I don't need one, do you? (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:I don't need one, do you? (Score:5, Insightful)
Although not everyone does that, but the target audience would be people in jobs like that tend to be working in conditions potentially very hazarous to electronic devices.
Re:I don't need one, do you? (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:I don't need one, do you? (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:I don't need one, do you? (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:I don't need one, do you? (Score:3, Informative)
Re:I don't need one, do you? (Score:5, Insightful)
Besides which, can you surf pr0n on it? Somehow, a waterproof case would be nice for that, too...
Re:I don't need one, do you? (Score:2, Informative)
Maybe underwater welders would like it too, or that guy who sits at the top of those big building cranes. Finally he can play Tetris without worrying about dropping it!
That and every geek who has a child... go ahead sweetie, you can slobber o
GIS! (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:I don't need one, do you? (Score:5, Funny)
I know a mild-mannered reporter for a major metropolitan newspaper who could really use an invulnerable PDA. His PDAs keep getting wrecked by speeding bullets, powerful locomotives, death rays, kryptonite-powered robots, atomic blasts, crushing ocean depths, and the occasional flight through the fiery core of the sun.
Re:I don't need one, do you? (Score:2)
Perhaps Superman knew something we don't in this day and age. Instead of firing your gun at someone, just throw it!
Give it a try...
Re:I don't need one, do you? (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:I don't need one, do you? (Score:2, Funny)
Re:I don't need one, do you? (Score:2)
Re:I don't need one, do you? (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:I don't need one, do you? (Score:3, Funny)
you know, you could go OUT sometimes.
or just have a bath for starters.
(yes i'm trying to be funny, I've already irc'd with my phone from the shower once I put the phone in a plastic bag)
Re:I don't need one, do you? (Score:5, Informative)
The control panel for the security system was, believe it or not, some kind of Palm device, complete with Graffiti area. It was in a metal box with a locking metal lid which would normally be closed, but was open for maintenence or something when I was there. Although it was sheltered, I'm sure some moisture and temprature extremes do get in there.
So, people do use handhelds in places you wouldn't expect, including some odd "embedded" uses.
Re:I don't need one, do you? (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:I don't need one, do you? (Score:2)
One thing I've discovered through my research for a device I'm considering building is that LCDs come in "regular" and "extended temperature" versions. The regular ones fade out when the temp drops below 32F. The extended temp ones have a special fluid that can go down to 0F before thi
Re:I don't need one, do you? (Score:3, Insightful)
My 6 Year Old Needs One! (Score:2)
My 6 year old left his HP PDA out in the rain last week. Luckily, I managed to dry it out and get it working.
This looks like just the thing for him!
(It's an older PDA I got at a garage sale for $20. He love's that thing, especially the voice recorder)
In a word: Yes (Score:2)
In my case, I'm supplying a major law enforcement agency with an application running on PDAs. Those guys fall down hills, drop from helicopters, crawl through the mud, dive for cover, and generally beat the living hell out of whatever they're carrying. Nothing less than this would survive. Currently we're using the Panasonic Toughbook 01 [panasonic.com]. Amazingly tough device. I think it's even cheaper than
Funny enough, yes (Score:3, Informative)
Until 2 weeks ago, I used to work at a forestry consultancy in central British Columbia, Canada. I haven't had the chance to see the site yet(slashdotted), but from your little quote I see that it was about the TDS Recon. My previous employer has a few of these for field work. They use the TDS Recon with small application for timber cruising. This replaces a very error-prone system of little field cards with cryptic scribblings on them, and cuts labour involved in half.
Pouring rain to -20C middle of winter
PDA's == brains (Score:5, Funny)
Large - no pillow big enough for me
Armored - just like my skull
Waterproof - except my ears sometimes
15 hour battery - I admit it, I don't get much better battery life without a charge.
I always describe my PDA as "my second brain" - becoming more true everyday..
Awesome description (Score:5, Funny)
Ohhh yeah baby...
(Now if PDA stood for Personal Device of Affection, there might be something there.)
Re:Awesome description (Score:2)
Send this man to jail or Neverland Ranch.
Awesome description (corrected) (Score:2)
Ohhh yeah baby...
(Now if PDA stood for Personal Device of Affection, there might be something there.)
Slashdottted text (Score:3, Informative)
TDS Recon
Computer hardware is becoming faster, lighter and more advanced with every passing day, but it's not really getting tougher. In fact, should we drop our newly purchased, cutting edge equipment, the look of resignation and horror on our faces tells us that we expect it to be broken. Of course, we try not to deliberately put ourselves in situations that could damage our prized equipment, but for some people this is a daily hazard that can't be avoided.
To this end, TDS has stepped forward with the Recon, the industry's very first rugged Pocket PC which it claims will meet not just consumer requirements, but even military specifications for durability.
Now, straight out the box, it's not difficult to see that this is one heavily reinforced machine. The top and bottom of the device has been moulded with thick rubber caps to absorb impact, the yellow body is made from a specially stiffened plastic, it features a deeply sunken screen with reinforced glass, and all the seals are watertight.
As you would expect, these modifications do add to the size of the Recon, and at 165 x 95 x 45mm (WxHxD) and 490g it is much larger than a standard Pocket PC. Having said that, the device feels comfortable in hand and not overly weighty for its bulk. It's not going to fit smoothly into anyone's inside jacket pocket, but the Recon was designed for overalls not suits anyway.
Specification wise, there are two flavours of the Recon available, the first running a 200MHz Intel XScale processor with 64MB of internal non-volatile Flash storage, the second an upgraded 400MHz version with 128MB of storage available. We got to test the latter, meatier variant, but note that beyond these primary differences both machines are exactly the same. Each comprises two CompactFlash slots, a 3.5in colour TFT display that runs at the standard Pocket PC resolution of 240 x 320. The screen is viewable in direct sunlight which is obviously a necessity with a device like this. Power comes from a huge 3800mAh battery in a rechargeable boot module with serial, USB and power connectors on the bottom and a massive battery life of up to 15 hours. And both devices run the latest version of Windows Mobile 2003. On top of this, our review model also came with an optional AA rechargeable battery module, which can be bought for just under 65.
So, just what can this machine handle? Well, the answer is just about everything. To list the full array of certifications and specifications is truly mind numbing, but highlights include the ability to operate in temperatures anywhere between -30 to 60 degrees C, and altitudes of 15,000 feet. To withstand 26 consecutive drops from over four feet, and total immersion in up to one metre of water for up to 30 minutes.
You'd be scared of dropping any other PDA, but the Recon shrugs off such abuse.
Now, being a hardware tester, these are not the usual kind of standards I have to test out, and a full lab of high tech equipment isn't really going to help me put this little tough nut through its paces. But using a little ingenuity, from stuffing it into freezers and putting thermometers on heated plates then sitting the Recon on them, from popping it in a sink full of water to quite simply dropping it a lot, I was able to get through just about all of them. And the Recon passed with flying colours, all the while playing the supplied Mozart's Symphony Number 9 out of its sharp little speakers. I wasn't able to check the altitude claim, but if anyone gets up the side of Mount Kilimanjaro and finds that the Recon claps out, please feel free to tell me about it.
Re:Slashdottted text - MIRROR (Score:5, Informative)
Be nice to it (as if).. I have a few small images, and the text of both pages of the article along with the specs..
Oh, no... (Score:5, Funny)
I think we're about to find out what kind of lawyers are over at general mills [generalmills.com].
Not EMP shielded... (Score:3, Funny)
Just when you thoughts... (Score:3, Funny)
Erg! Slashdotted already?? (Score:4, Funny)
Great for ... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Great for ... (Score:2)
...or are you just happy to see me.
price? (Score:4, Insightful)
I can get a (almost top of the line) palm Tungsten T3 off store.palmone.com for 400 bucks.
Thats 1/4 the cost of this "rugged" pda.
Considering my past 2 palms have lasted about a year before they start to "fall appart"...
Palms are dispolsable right?
If yes, Screw the 1600 and i'll just upgrade once per year.
-Grump
Re:price? (Score:2)
Re:price? (Score:2)
Re:price? (Score:2)
Lets have a real all in one (Score:2, Insightful)
* Great battery life.
* REAL digital camera with 10x optical zoom and 4 megapixel or more resolution plus fully manual controls.
* Built-in mobile phones.
* Inbuilt TV tuner and radio.
* Runs off 4-8 AAA batteries.
* Real audio and video in.
* An OS with plenty of loadable software.
* Wifi.
Then I could be rid of my laptop, mobile phone, digital camera, and maybe my tele....And several thousand dollars. Oh and if anything did go wrong I could groan for weeks while I missed all of those
Re:Lets have a real all in one (Score:2)
Ruggedized handhelds? (Score:5, Interesting)
Those can already take more than enough punishment. Actually, I've yet to see a thouroughly broken one, even through field use.
Really too pricy? (Score:3, Insightful)
I've heard of businesses buying iPaqs for all their staff & then buying 20% more to account for failures. It doesn't take long to make up the price difference if you lose a weeks (or more) worth of data because your iPaq gets a little wet.
This is aimed at people where the data is important, not the unit cost.
Manufacturer's Website (Score:5, Informative)
Priced at UKP 1,243, it is a bit of a specialty item.
Anm
only vaguely water resistant (Score:2, Interesting)
30 mins? at one meter?
yeah *thats* ruggedised. NOT.
Re:only vaguely water resistant (Score:3, Funny)
So the question then becomes, are dryers hotter than 60C?
If so, this just might be the PDA for someone who lives with one of those people who just has to wash everything they see.
Re:only vaguely water resistant (Score:2)
That's Windows Security for you. 30 minutes at 1 meter. How appropriate. :-)
Re:only vaguely water resistant (Score:2)
Much cheaper alternative (Score:4, Interesting)
Heh.. (Score:2)
Give me a break Michael, you can at least write a little bit so we don't have to read the article ourselves!
hmm (Score:4, Funny)
Invulnerable (Score:2)
With the added bonus that you could get them to display different
camoflague patterns, depending upon the terrain.
What a waste... (Score:2, Funny)
"Invulnerable" and "Outlook" are not words I would associate with each other however...
There's another one here (Score:2)
Time for a new server. (Score:2, Funny)
Have seen one... (Score:2, Informative)
I think these are being marketed to industrial users who need a very stury handheld. They are a lot heavier and bulkier than an Ipaq. You wouldn't be carrying one of these around in your shirt pocket.
IMHO, you would be better off buying a standard Ipaq, with a ruggedized sleeve if you'd like. You could break 2 or 3 Ipaqs and still be money ahead of someone who bought the Reco
Yes but... (Score:2)
Completes the Set (Score:2)
* Nokia 6250 Phone
* Pentax Optio 33WR Camera
* Garmin Etrex Summit GPS
Pity I just got a new Ipaq 5550 anyway.
I already have one. (Score:2)
Google Cache & Google Pix (Score:3, Informative)
Google's Cache [216.239.41.104]
Google Images [google.com]
waterproof not completely necessary (Score:3, Interesting)
Where have I heard this before? (Score:3, Funny)
It was called the Titanic.
~UP
Perfect accessory for my Hummer! (Score:2, Funny)
Are you kidding? It'll go perfectly with my Hummer!
If only it came in olive green, and had a gun turret on back...
invulnerability? (Score:2)
What about liquid nitrogen/"Hasta la vista, baby" test?
Re:invulnerability? (Score:2)
For such a price... (Score:2)
Just to 15000 feet? (Score:2)
I've used my digital camera (which is sort of a computer and has a compact flash card) at 16000 feet. No problems.
Nice Idea -- Flawed Execution (Score:2)
If you look at a professional Motorola radio or a military radio handset connector you'll see the connectors are sealed with surface contacts and a locking mechanism. Any opening with depth and sliding contacts is going to get full of gunk and the pins
Invulnerable? (Score:2)
Re:My experience... (Score:5, Insightful)
Oh, and somethign that is purely meant as PDA shouldn't be costing you $400 either. It is a bit different if you want a portable 'do everything' machine, but in that case $400 is not gonna cut it.
Ah well, a PDA is not for everyone, but I had a lot of fun seeing my dad pickup one of my old Palms and using it as his agenda/addressbook/notepad now. He has sworn with paper stuff for the last 60 or so years, but the fact that he could sync that little bit of info he always wants to take with him with his computer was what changed his mind.
If you don't rely on the actual PIM functionality of such a device, then you are not looking for a PDA but for a pocket sized PC.. and you will be hard pressed to justify the money such a thing will cost unless you have a very good application in mind already.
Yeah, PDAs can run all kinds of software, and I use mine often for reading slashdot for example, but that is simply not their primary purpose, and I have yet to find any bit of software for it other then the PIC software that I really couldn't do without.
Re:well..... (Score:3, Informative)
Re:well..... (Score:2)
Come on, you were thinking it!"
Only cos I was low on karma.