June 2021

Zebra offers broadest portfolio of U.S. Dept. of Defense STIG validated rugged devices
Zebra Technologies Corporation, an innovator at the front line of business with solutions and partners that deliver a performance edge, today announced that it has received STIG validation from the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA). This validation allows U.S. military agencies to purchase and deploy 28 different Zebra Android™ 10-based mobile devices on U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) network systems, all of which are now listed on the Department of Defense Information Network's (DoDIN) Approved Products List. [See Zebra media release] -- Posted Wednesday, June 23, 2021 by chb

Sharp selects Zebra Technologies to develop and Supply Android-powered mobile computers
Zebra Technologies Corporation, an innovator at the front line of business with solutions and partners that deliver a performance edge, today announced it has signed a product development and supply agreement with Sharp Marketing Japan Corporation. Under this exclusive agreement, Sharp has selected Zebra Technologies to develop and supply an Android™-powered RZ-H271 handheld mobile computer for Sharp's use in the retail segment in Japan. [See Zebra media release] -- Posted Tuesday, June 22, 2021 by chb

Mio launches MioWORK A500s Android device series for professionals
MiTAC Digital Technology Corporation (MDT), a subsidiary of MiTAC Holdings Corporation (MHC, TWSE: 3706), today announces the global release of its new MioWORK™ A500s series 5-inch handheld Android™ 10.0 devices for enterprises. The rugged A500s series models replace the A500 series released in 2018 and complement the already available 7-inch F740s tablets and the larger 10.1-inch L1000 series tablets. [See MiTAC release -- Posted Monday, June 21, 2021 by chb

T-Mobile upgrades Connecting Heroes: Adds preemption, rugged devices, and new plans with 5G phones for first responders
T-Mobile, America's 5G leader, announced important new upgrades to the company's groundbreaking Connecting Heroes program, a 10-year commitment to provide free service and 5G access to first responder agencies — all public and non-profit state and local fire, 911, police and EMS departments — saving them up to $7 billion. T-Mobile also announced it will offer its first set of rugged devices — including the new MG90 5G rugged router from Sierra Wireless available now, and two new Cat phones: Cat S62 and a rugged Cat flip phone — available first at T-Mobile this summer. [See T-Mobile media release] -- Posted Monday, June 21, 2021 by chb

Review: Kyocera DuraXE Epic rugged flip phone
There was a time when almost all phones were flip phones. They were small and handy. Flip them open and they perfectly fit in your hand. Then the iPhone happened, and nothing was ever the same. But it can be. Flip phones still exist. And with the new DuraXE Epic, Kyocera offers a rugged one — military-grade and FirstNet Ready. [See review of the Kyocera DuraXE Epic rugged flip phone -- Posted Wednesday, June 16, 2021 by chb

Handheld Group: Update on the rugged supply chain issues
In a new article in its Rugged Informer blog, the Handheld Group provides an update on a critical issue, the status of the rugged computer supply chain in these times of a global shortage of semiconductors and containers. There's good news (production is ramping up again) and not so good news (container shipping is still a problem). [See Handheld Group: Update on the rugged supply chain issues] -- Posted Tuesday, June 8, 2021 by chb