Connect with us

Mobile

Panasonic Debuts Rugged Touchpad Android Tablets

Published

on

Following Lenovo‘s lead of trying to port the Android slate experience to corporate, government, and enterprise users, Panasonic is debuting two new Android slates that bring the company’s ‘Tough’ brand to what is traditionally viewed as a consumer mobile operating system. With the Panasonic Toughpad A1, which has a 10-inch display, and the B1, which has a smaller 7-inch display, the company is bringing rugged durability to differentiate its offerings in the crowded Android tablet market that is so far competing on price alone.

According to Panasonic, in addition to the military rugged certification, these two slates will also deliver “an eco-system that includes an enterprise focused app store, peripherals, developer tools, deployment support and more.”

Enterprise-class mobile computing requires an enhanced level of device security that is not available in today’s tablet market. To address this need, the new Toughpad family is designed with security in mind. The Toughpad A1 incorporates security embedded at the hardware level and offer technologies like hardware and software encryption, enhanced VPN, dual factor authentication, trusted boot and device management. This enhanced level of device security means the Toughpad A1 will be compliant with FIPS 140-2 for Federal government use and HIPAA ready for healthcare environments.

The Toughpad™ family can be managed with a custom set of low level controls that provide IT Administrators with unprecedented power over their Android-powered devices. This level of mobile device management (MDM) is essential for successfully deploying and managing Android-powered tablets in the field. These controls allow IT managers to distribute applications in a one-to-many environment, secure devices from unauthorized use and many other granular features not found in consumer-grade Android-powered tablets.

The Toughpad A1 will arrive first in Spring 2012 followed by the 7-inch B1 later in the year. The Touchpad A1 will cost $1299 at launch and will come with a 3-year warranty. Here are the specs for the 10-inch A1 tablet:

  • Operating System: Android™ 3.2 (Honeycomb)
  • Processor: Marvell 1.2 GHz Dual-Core
  • Storage: 16GB
  • Optional Storage: MicroSD optional up to 32GB
  • RAM: 1GB LP-DDR2
  • Display: 500 nit, daylight readable, 10.1” XGA (4:3), capacitive multi-touch with anti-reflective and anti-glare treatment and built in ambient light sensor
  • Battery Life: 10 hours (serviceable battery)
  • Weight: 2.13lbs (without pen)
  • Drop Rating: 4 ft.
  • Ingress Protection: IP65
  • Temperature rating: 14F to 122F (operational)
  • Inputs: Micro-USB, microSDHC, micro HDMI
  • Camera: 5MP rear, 2MP front
  • Connectivity/Comms: 4G (LTE or WiMAX), 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Hotspot, Bluetooth v2.1 + EDR, Satellite GPS
  • Security Features: Hardware-level security, FIPS 140-X and HIPPA compliant, cable lock slot
  • Dimensions: 10.5 x 8.3 x 0.67 in.

Like Lenovo’s ThinkPad tablet, the Toughpad will also come with a digitizing stylus that will allow for signature capture and users to jot notes, draw, and capture writing.

7 Comments

7 Comments

  1. charles dehnert

    11/08/2011 at 9:27 pm

    It’s “Toughpad” not “Touchpad”

  2. Anonymous

    11/09/2011 at 11:11 am

    Does it take 3.5″ floppy disks?

    • Imi Chitterman

      02/11/2012 at 5:34 pm

      Actually, We have a cheapo from China that takes a floppy.
      We have USB floppy external, plugged in and works fine.
      It was a pretty sight.

  3. Aclown

    11/09/2011 at 6:36 pm

    If you fold them in half

  4. Goldpoacher

    11/17/2011 at 4:07 am

    I want 1

  5. Ivor Thomas

    01/09/2012 at 10:24 pm

    Price for the 7″ model? Who is going to sell these? I like…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.