Enterprise mobile hardware roundup: Nov. 28 - Dec. 20, 2005

- Gary Thayer, Editor

Dec. 19, 2005 -- (MobileVillage) -- Here is roundup to-date of noteworthy new or updated hardware for mobile business users.

American Power Conversion has released the Universal Plug Adapter, which lets users charge their mobile electronics while traveling internationally. According to APC, the Universal Plug Adapter accepts every major plug type worldwide, except the 16 Amp BS546 plug used in India. The 2.5-ounce adapter separates and reconfigures to plug into a receptacle. It also includes a ground defeat that allows the user to plug into a receptacle that incorporates safety shutters in its design.

The new APC Universal Plug Adapter is currently available in North America for US $20. The adapter will be available in Europe by the end of this year. For more information, see apc.com.

Mobile Edge announced it has added a "Wireless Security Shield" accessories pocket into its newest laptop carrying cases. The Wireless Security Shield technology was first developed by NASA to help block out electromagnetic waves and radio frequencies to prevent any malfunctioning of their equipment. According to Mobile Edge, the conductive fibers woven into the material will reduce up to 99 percent of radio frequencies and electromagnetic waves. A side benefit of Wireless Security Shield is that it will also keep incoming calls from reaching cell phones placed within it, should users forget to turn off their phones during meetings. For more information, see mobileedge.com.

O'Neil Product Development has introduced a new product in its line of portable printers. The PrintPAD 7900 combines O'Neil's 4" thermal printer, called the 4t, with an integrated cradle for Hand Held Products' Dolphin 7900 mobile computer. O'Neil's PrintPAD houses the portable terminal in an "unbreakable" polyethylene blow molded case. The PrintPAD 7900 can print up to 2,240 -- 6" receipts on a single battery charge with automated power saving sleep and wake-up modes, and prints 80 column condensed font receipts on lined or linerless paper with 4/1 Flash/RAM memory, graphics, and international font capabilities. For more information, see oneilprinters.com.

Motorola has updated its TETRA (Terrestrial Trunked Radio) wireless base station for the government, public safety and industrial markets. The new base station is offered in two versions, a small two-carrier station, MTS2, as well as a four-carrier station, MTS4, that can be expanded to eight carriers. There are options for indoor and a variety of outdoor installation configurations. In addition to currently supported UHF frequencies, the base station will also cover frequency bands for newer TETRA markets in Russia, North Africa and China as well as Europe.

Motorola says it has reduced the base station's power consumption by up to 33 per cent, helping to lower costs in site rental, installation, operation and maintenance. The new versions also have added "drop & insert" E1 interfaces for more cost efficient, flexible connections to the switching center. The use of two lines of connection between the base station and the central switching equipment also offers potential benefits: 1) it allows more stations to be added to a network ring, reducing the length of connections between base stations which, in turn, reduces line rental costs; and 2) the use of two lines provides a redundant connection in case one fails, ensuring always-on connectivity, according to Motorola.

The new Motorola base stations are available to order now and will be available for shipment to customers in 2006.

Recent Related Stories:

Enterprise mobile software roundup: week of Nov. 7 - 18, 2005

Back to MobileVillage News Page