1. LATITUDE 12 RUGGED TABLET
Do you need a tablet that can survive a tumble down the hill into a brook while you’re hiking? Or how about one that’s built for the knocks and grime of the assembly line? The new Dell Latitude 12 tablet has the word “rugged” in its name because it’s certified to meet the MIL-STD-810 standards for military applications. It can withstand extreme temperatures with a fourth-generation QuadCool fan-based thermal management system with passive and active cooling. The 11.6" multi touch screen is readable in direct sunlight and is responsive even when the user is wearing thick gloves. To protect against advanced malware, Dell Data Protection and encryption is available from the factory, so IT admins can enable centralized, remote management of encryption policies to meet compliance regulations. You can build a complete system by adding the IP-65-rated, full-size keyboard cover, with customizable backlight and kickstand, and an extended IO module that will give you two additional USB 3.0 ports and an Ethernet connection. A desk dock also is available. Check out the full specs of the three Latitude 12 Rugged tablets at www.dell.com.
2. MOTOROLA MOTO X PURE
The latest customizable Motorola smartphone, Moto X, will be the Pure version in the U.S. and the Style in Europe. It has an impressive design: a 5.7" Quad HD (1,440 pixels 5 2,560 pixels) display, a 1.8GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 processor, Android 5.1.1, and a 21-megapixel rear camera. For the back panel, there are 18 different inlays to choose from, which include genuine Saffiano leather; real wood, including bamboo, walnut, or cherry; or silicone. The front camera is five megapixels, and video is HD 1080p at 30 frames per second or Slow Motion at 120 frames per second. The Pure is available with 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB of internal memory. It has 3GB of RAM and a Micro SD Card slot for up to 128GB more. It measures 3" 5 6" and weighs 6.3 oz. It’s reasonably priced at $399. Both the Pure and the Style will launch this month. www.motorola.com
3. ONEPLUS 2
Like the Moto X Pure, the OnePlus 2 is a phablet-size (5.5") smartphone with available custom back panels at a mid-range price of $329 for the basic (16GB) and $389 for premium (64GB). With a magnesium alloy and stainless steel body, the OnePlus 2 has a curved back with the option of sandstone, Kevlar, or real-wood finishes. The Gorilla Glass 4 screen is an LCD with a 1,920 5 1,080 pixel HD display. It has a Qualcomm 1.8GHz Snapdragon 810 processor, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of memory, but no Micro SD card slot. It weighs 6.2 oz. and measures approximately 3" 5 6". The front camera is five megapixels, and the rear is 16 megapixels with dual flash. There’s a laser fingerprint scanner as well as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1, and GPS capabilities. The international version is expected in North America, China, Europe, and India. www.oneplustwophone.com
4. SATECHI BT CORTANA BUTTON
This is a pocket-size remote control for activating the Cortana search function on your Windows 10 devices. It uses a wireless Bluetooth connection, and you can carry it in your pocket, attach it to your steering wheel for quick access to your phone, or just stick it to your desk (it comes with a mount for your steering wheel and a 3M adhesive patch). At first glance, the Cortana button seems redundant. Saying “Hey, Cortana” opens the search function, so why use an external button? It saves your battery, which is drained when you otherwise have the “Hey, Cortana” cue actively listening. The button is $23. www.satechi.net
September 2015
