Android Gets Rugged
A first look at the Motorola MC67 and TC55 and the Intermec CN51
In November of 2012, I sat in a meeting room in Chicago with some of the brightest minds from the leading companies in the bar code, data collection, and field mobility industries. The event was an executive summit organized by the market leader in rugged mobile computing and the purpose was largely on discussing where the future of operating systems for the traditional enterprise mobile space was headed.
At this moment in time two things were clear, Apple’s iOS products were making huge roads into businesses of all sizes and Microsoft’s legacy mobile operating systems were at a crossroads. The wild card was whether Enterprise and large mid-market companies would ever embrace Android.
Because of the closed nature of Apple’s ecosystem, the debate centered on whether the future of “our traditional devices and customers” would be better served by Microsoft or Google. As the debate raged, the room became divided into two camps. The Microsoft camp was believed that Microsoft owned the Enterprise and forthcoming version of Windows Embedded and the new Windows Phone would lead to a stable, secure mobile O.S. that would continue to be the choice of risk averse business people. The Google camp argued that the advanced user experience, the slicker, lower cost hardware options and the openness of the platform would be the preferred platform across most users, including our traditional “rugged” customers.
Same old debate, right? The interesting part was the demographics. Picking a dividing point of roughly 40 years old, the Microsoft camp was almost entirely north of 40 and the Android crowd south of 40. At that moment I knew to put my money on Android.
Now, a year and a half later, we are finally starting to see the traditional rugged mobile companies finally releasing products with Android. Intermec has released an updated version of the CN50, the CN51 and Motorola is now shipping the MC67 the same type of upgrade to the MC65. Both products have the look and feel of traditional mobile computers with the expected set of scanning, keyboard and accessory options. Both are available with Windows or Android operation system and both boast significant faster processors, more wireless connectivity options and expanded memory. Motorola also has released the TC55, its first “Touch Computer”. The TC55 is an Android phone capable of banging with the big boys and the first potentially “game changing” product in years.
MC67 and CN51
Overall, both the MC67 and CN51 offer the technological upgrades required to run Android but very little in the way of form factor or design to separate them from previous generations of rugged devices. Which one is better? Hard to tell. The MC67 is more rugged, the CN51 more ergonomic. In a bake off both have distinctive advantages and disadvantages. Per usual in the rugged world, it is all about suitability to task. The technical specifications on the CN51 and the MC67 are readily available, so I will spare you the discussion of speeds and feeds. There are a few subtle changes that deserve to be mentioned.
While, the MC67 is physically identical to the MC65 (you literally cannot tell the difference without turning it on) it is more durable with a better drop spec, IP rating and temperature range. Motorola added cellular voice and data capability and the device is certified on Verizon and AT&T (no Sprint) and is a separate build for each carrier. The only really interesting feature of the MC67 is the ability to run Android on the device. However, if cellular is a requirement, the Android based MC67 only supports HSPA+ (AT&T) at this time.
Intermec’s CN51 is also a “next generation” version of an older device; however, it appears more thought was put into the redesign. The CN51 is physically much different from the CN50. It is lighter and longer due to the larger 4.0 inch display. The most noticeable change is the lack of a bezel around the display making it look much sleeker than its older brother. The CN51 supports the three major U.S. cell carriers and allows switching via software in the field.
TC55
Motorola’s TC55 (spec sheet) is a totally different breed of cat. Newly designed from the ground up, it is a re-envisioning of what a rugged mobile computer can be.
The first thing you notice is that the TC55 looks like a cell phone; a pretty cool looking cell phone at that. While definitely thicker and heavier than a consumer device, it is comparable in bulk to a Galaxy phone in a Defender Series Otter Box.
While the TC55 does a good job looking like a consumer smart phone it is actually a highly rugged and feature rich device. Bar code scanning is done via a 1D linear imager or if 2D is required the 8MP camera is bundled with proprietary software to allow the TC55 to be viable in scan intensive applications. The 4.3 display is optimized for viewing in bright sunlight and works when wet or when the operator is wearing gloves. The battery is hot swappable and is optimized to provide up to 12 hours of continual use. With a 4′ drop spec and IP67 sealing, The TC55 is reasonably rugged but for the faint of heart, Motorola provides 2 years of “Service from the Start” protection included in the purchase price. Prices vary based on configuration and quantity, but the TC55 prices out competitively when compared to an iPhone with protective case and bar code sled while providing a one piece solution.
So, of course everyone wants the TC55, right? Surprisingly, no. Over the past several months, we have shown the TC55, CN51 and more recently, the MC67 to a variety of new prospects and current customers ready to upgrade. A surprising number of companies felt more comfortable with the traditional rugged form factor, physical keyboard (especially in the Route Sales applications), and maximum drop spec. Companies that were looking to install a mobile application for the first time chose the TC55 at a higher rate than legacy users but still had a strong predilection for the traditional form factor.
