Panasonic's ToughPad Android tablets are built to take punishment
By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla
Aside from competing in specs and pricing, many gadgets have differentiated themselves by catering to the action market with tough, water-resistant and temperature resistant features.
There have been ruggedized versions of devices, but for the most part, they’ve been in the realm of corporate markets or heavy industry. Most are expensive and can be big and bulky. This is changing quickly and now active consumers can get a variety of sturdy gadgets without paying top dollar.
The market for active gadgets is also getting bigger as users are desiring tougher devices that can be submerged in water, used in dusty condition and in sub-zero temperatures.
Let’s check out a few of these tough gadgets for active users.
Designed for enterprise, Panasonic is extending it’s extreme ToughBook line of notebooks to include an industrial strength tablet called the ToughPad tablets.
The ToughPad includes 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 tablets, which will be in 10-inch and 7-inch sized, 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 ToughPad 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. Other features to be offered on the ToughPad include satellite-based GPS, full-shift battery life, professional-grade accessories and optional embedded 3G/4G mobile broadband connectivity which is better than most competing products.
Motorola DEFY Android Smartphone
As far as Android smartphones go, the Motorola DEFY is one of the smallest ones we’ve seen in the market. But it is also one of the best built.
Exclusive to Telus for free on a three-year contract or $379 outright, the DEFY’s 3.7″ inch screen is made from Corning’s scratchproof and impact resistant Gorilla Glass.
The DEFY is also swathed in protective polycarbonate and rubber that seals-in all the important ports, such as the headphone jack and the micro USB charging port.
Motorola has dunked the DEFY in various fishbowls and fancy vases just to show how waterproof it is. This co
What is remarkable about the Motorola DEFY is that it doesn’t look like your typical bulky and overbuilt tough smartphone. It is almost dainty, until you realize how well put together it is.
It is dust proof, water and scratch resistant. Not bad for a small phone with huge battery life and an above average 800MHz processor running Android 2.2. It is likely that the Motorola Defy will get the Ice Cream Sandwich update this year.
Toshiba CAMILEO BW10 HD Video Recorder
The handheld HD video recorder segment has seen a lot of innovation of late. The cameras now shoot 1080p HD video, are smaller, and have better battery life.
There’s also emerging interest in affordable HD cameras that can be used to capture extreme sports, and are waterproof and durable.
The CAMILEO BW10 from Toshiba ($139.99) is a pocket-sized camcorder that features a rubberized coating that makes it suitable for recording video underwater. It is designed to go to depths of up to 6.5 feet.
The CAMILEO records full HD 1080p videos, and can also shoot 5 MP digital stills. These are premium specs for a pocket-sized and lightweight camera that can also deliver quality video you’d expect from a much more expensive camera.
The camera packs a 2″ LCD and weighs 3.5 ounces, making it extremely portable. Users can strap it on to a GorillaPod to attach to bikes or other vehicles.
The CAMILEO BW10 has a miniHDMI port, and can upload video directly to YouTube when connected to a PC which is convenient specially for travelers who want to share their videos while on the road.
Immortal Glasses definitely need to be on this list! They’re the best gadget for active sports because you don’t need to use your hands to film things, and your neck automatically steadies your head so you get smooth footage. Check them out!