New Panasonic Toughpads Take a Beating, Slip in Your Pocket

BARCELONA—Panasonic is a well-established company in the rugged PC and tablet space, but information technology has not really had whatsoever smartphone offerings. Technically, it still doesn't, because the Panasonic Toughpad FZ-F1 and FZ-N1 are "handheld tablets." Just at 4.vii inches with cellular capabilities, they are decidedly in the range of a smartphone, so we might as well telephone call a rabbit a rabbit.

MWC Bug Art Both are rugged productivity and enterprise devices designed for workers in manufacturing, retail, warehouses, emergency services, and other professions where your phone is liable to take a beating. The FZ-F1 runs Windows 10 IoT Mobile Enterprise, while the N1 has Android v.1.1 Lollipop with pre-loaded Android for Work, which lets your visitor'southward IT department take a separate and secure work container.

In terms of physical appearance, both are mesomorphic, heavy, molded plastic, hardened robber, and bolted metal slates that weigh effectually ix.viii ounces. They come with all the standard bells and whistles you tin can expect from a ultra-rugged device, including immovability, IP67 waterpoofing, shockproofing, gloves usage, and bright display.

In that location are besides unique features like passive and active digitizer and pen input, which should be handy for retail and warehouse workers when taking signatures.

"With its uniquely angled rear barcode reader and approximately 50g lighter than some of its nearest 4.vii-inch competitors, the Panasonic Toughpad FZ-F1 & FZ-N1 will gear up a new benchmark in the handheld market," said Jan Kaempfer, General Managing director of Marketing for Panasonic Figurer Production Solutions. "These new devices sit alongside our already successful Panasonic Toughpad FZ-E1 and FZ-X1 five-inch handheld tablets and the specialist ATEX versions. With this growing range nosotros are bringing to the handheld market the same reputation for customer-focused pattern and engineering that nosotros accept established over many years as the leading rugged notebook and tablet provider."

The F1 and N1 take 4G LTE connectivity, extremely loud speakers, and potent dissonance cancellation. Since these are devices intended for business, they also accept NFC, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth connectivity, a microSD card slot, dual micro SIM slots, a micro USB port, and a warm swappable bombardment (the phone volition remain on for a minute while swapping). It's a strong gear up of features and we can meet the devices getting a good reception in the rugged marketplace.

Both devices should have 8 hours of bombardment life by themselves. An optional bombardment improver will give them 16 hours total. Naturally, there are a number of other accessories including a paw strap, charging cradle, Air-conditioning and DC adapters, docking station, and holster.

The Android-powered N1 will be available June in Europe, priced at €ane,715. The Windows-powered F1 volition be available later in the year (as well in Europe), priced at €1,746.

This article originally appeared on PCMag.com.