Casio Computer announced an Android 2.2-based Point-of-Sale (POS) terminal built around a 533MHz dual-core ARM Cortex-A9 processor. The VX-100 business support terminal offers a 10.4-inch, 800 x 600 touchscreen, a secondary 2 x 20 subdisplay, a thermal printer, a sales management application, and the ability to be remotely controlled via email.

Although Casio makes no such claims here, its new VX-100 is the first Android-based Point-of-Sale (POS) terminal we know of. (Viewat recently announced a Windows CE-based EFT-POS VPOS53 handheld PoS reader that was said to be open to Linux- or Android development, however.)

The VX-100 is a desktop device that comes with Casio's sales management application, as well as optional customer relationship management and  reservation management software. The device is designed for retail stores, restaurants, and offices, and works as both a standalone or networked system, according to Casio.

Casio VX-100
(Click to enlarge)

The device is essentially a 10-inch Android tablet combined with a 2 x 20 monochrome subdisplay for customers, and a thermal printer designed for printing receipts. A cash drawer is said to be optional.

Like most 10-inch Android tablets, the system runs on a dual-core ARM Cortex-A9 processor. The unnamed system on chip (SoC), however, is clocked to just 533MHz and runs a heavily modified version of Android 2.2 dedicated to POS duty.

The 10.4-inch color screen is said to offer 800 x 600 pixel resolution, but there's no mention of whether it uses capacitive technology. The screen features IPX2 splash resistance and is said to be compliant with the IEC60529 standard, says Casio.

Both the touchscreen and subdisplay can be folded flat (see image above) or tilt up (below). In addition, the subdisplay is equipped with a swivel for both customer and clerk views, says the company.

VX-100 with touchscreen and subdisplay tilted up, and optional cash drawer deployed below

The device is further equipped with 512MB of RAM, 2GB of internal storage, and an SDHC card slot, says Casio. A 10/100 Ethernet port is available, along with a USB 2.0 host port and three RS-232C ports, says the company. Additional I/O is said to include a magnetic card reader interface and two "drawer ports."

The VX-100 measures 15.5 x 9.3 x 9.0 inches (395 x 237 x 229mm) and weighs 11 pounds (5 kilograms), says Casio. The device runs on 120~240VAC power and offers a nickel metal hydride rechargeable battery for memory backup.

The VX-100 offer a pre-installed sales management application, said to provide calculations by product, time, and clerk. Additional applications are optional, including a customer relationship management app that enables purchase analysis by frequency and amount, as well as preferred customer identification and automatic discount delivery.

A reservation management application is available that interacts with the customer and sales apps, says the company. In addition, the VX-100 can receive and execute instructions sent via email. This feature lets users remotely check sales data from a separate location, says the company.

Casio dipped into the Android market with its ruggedized Casio G'zOne Commando smartphone earlier this year. The company has long offered Linux-based devices such as the Casiopea DT-5100 PDA, and in September of this year, it signed a Linux-related patent agreement with Microsoft.

Availability

The VX-100 terminal will begin shipping in December, says Casio, which did not list pricing. More information may be found in the Casio VX-100 announcement, and should eventually appear on Casio's PoS product page.

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