Panasonic recently announced what it is calling the first "Enterprise Ready" tablet geared towards commercial and government users looking to take their tablet with them into the field. This will be the first Android device offered by the company bearing the Toughbook name, a brand known for its durability and business focused features:
- A 10.1" 1024x786 matte-finish display that is "daylight viewable"
- An (included) "Active Stylus" for capturing signatures
- Security embedded at the "hardware level"
- "Full shift" battery life
- GPS capability
- Wifi with optional embedded 3G/4G connectivity
- Durable construction consistent with other Toughbook-brand device
One of the press shots shows the tablet running a version of Android 2.x, but no operating system was officially announced. Processor, RAM, and storage aren't known yet, but as this is an enterprise-class device and not a consumer model, don't expect this thing to set any benchmark records. Panasonic's Toughbook line is known for their durability and business-friendly features, not bleeding edge tech. Still, it's exciting to see Android move into the business sector, and it's a good sign that our little green robot is starting to grow up. Pricing and Availability are not yet available.
The press picture showing this running Android 2.x is located after the break.
Source: BusinessWire; via Crunchgear
PANASONIC TOUGHBOOK TO ADDRESS MARKET VOID BY DELIVERING ENTERPRISE-GRADE ANDROID TABLET
Device to include enterprise-scale security, functionality and durability for government and commercial mobility
Secaucus, NJ, June 16, 2011 – Panasonic Solutions Company, provider of collaboration, information-sharing and decision-support solutions for government and commercial enterprises, today announced its plans to deliver an enterprise-grade Android™ tablet to the market in the fourth quarter of this year. The new Toughbook® tablet will address a current gap by delivering a product designed with security, functionality and real-world reliability in mind. By delivering this purpose-built business solution, the new Toughbook tablet will appeal to a wide variety of users, including mission critical government personnel, highly mobile field forces, SMB’s looking for a competitive edge, security conscious IT managers and bottom-line focused CFOs.
“Enterprise customers are very interested in the tablet market, but have been frustrated by the lack of appropriate solutions,” said Rance Poehler, president, Panasonic Solutions Company. “The vast majority of tablet devices—regardless of the OS—are engineered for consumers and don’t offer appropriate levels of security and durability or the functionality needed for business use. Like all Toughbook products, our Toughbook tablet will be designed and constructed with the mission-critical mobile user in mind.”
From a functionality standpoint, the Toughbook tablet will avoid the typical glossy screens—found on current tablet offerings—that are all but unreadable in outdoor environments. The Toughbook tablet will include a high brightness, daylight viewable screen so that mobile workers, in markets like field service, home healthcare and public safety, can easily see critical data and operate the device regardless of lighting conditions. The new tablet will also include an active stylus, allowing mobile workers in sales, customer service and mobile point-of-sale environments to capture signatures on the device’s 10.1” XGA multi-touch display.
Enterprise-class mobile computing requires a heightened level of device security that is not currently available in today’s tablet market. To address this need, the new Toughbook tablet is being designed with security embedded at the hardware level.
The Toughbook brand is widely known for its reliability and durability, even in extreme operating environments. The new Toughbook tablet will be no exception, offering durability, and ingress protection consistent with its other fully-rugged devices.
Other features to be offered on the Toughbook tablet include satellite-based GPS, full-shift battery life, professional-grade accessories and optional embedded 3G/4G mobile broadband connectivity.
Combined with mobile broadband connectivity, the Android-based Toughbook tablet will offer quick access to applications and data that could significantly improve a field worker’s ability to make critical decisions that enhance customer service, improve response times and deliver results.
The device is being shown at Panasonic’s InfoComm booth (3829) in Orlando, FL. InfoComm runs through Friday, June 17.
Follow the Toughbook® Brand
The Panasonic Toughbook brand can be followed on various social media channels, including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Flickr and Toughbloggers.com.
About Panasonic Solutions Company
Panasonic Solutions Company empowers people whose jobs depend on reliable technology. The company delivers collaboration, information-sharing and decision-support solutions for customers in government, healthcare, education and a wide variety of commercial enterprises. Products and services within the company’s portfolio include Panasonic Toughbook mobile computing solutions, projectors, professional displays (including both plasma and LCD), and HD and 3D video acquisition and production solutions. As a result of its commitment to R&D, manufacturing and quality control, Panasonic is known for the reliability and longevity of its products. Panasonic Solutions Company is a Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America, which is the principal North American subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation (NYSE: PC).
All brand and company/product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of the respective companies. All specifications are subject to change without notice. Information on Panasonic Solutions Company’s full line of products can be obtained by calling 877-803-8492 or at www.panasonic.com/business-
