Winmate announced a rugged handheld computer that includes a 3.7-inch, VGA-resolution touchscreen and a 600MHz Texas Instruments (TI) OMAP3530 processor. The R03TACH-RTS1 has 256MB of RAM and 512MB of flash storage, a built-in GPS receiver and wireless networking, a three megapixel camera, plus options that include a cellular modem and an RFID reader, according to the company.

Winmate's new R03TACH-RTS1, whose name doesn't exactly roll trippingly off the tongue, joins the countless other handheld computers that are the biggest market these days for Microsoft's Windows CE 6.0 operating system. It's a little different from most, though, in that its TI OMAP3530 processor is also said by Winmate to run Android 2.2 or Linux 2.6 — we're guessing that an implementation of either is up to the customer, however.

Where a 320 x 240 pixel touchscreen is still typical in this market, Winmate's 'RTS1 has a 3.7-inch, portrait-oriented panel with a resolution of 640 x 480 pixels. Below that, there's a keyboard that's available either in a numeric layout (below left) or a version featuring an enlarged four-way controller (below right).

Keyboard choices for Winmate's R03TACH-RTS1
(Click to enlarge)

Built for ruggedness, the 'RTS1 measures 7 x 3.9 x 1.5 inches and weighs a relatively hefty one pound. But, it meets the stringent IP67 and MIL-STD810F standards for resistance to liquids, dust, drops, and vibration, Winmate hastens to add.

The OMAP3530, conservatively clocked at 600MHz, is equipped with 256MB of RAM and 512MB of flash storage, the latter augmentable via an microSD slot. The latter appears to be on top of the 'RTS1, along with a Micro-USB port and an RS-232 port (DB9).

According to Winmate, the 'RTS1 also has a three megapixel camera (with autofocus and LED flash), 802.11b/g/n wireless networking, Bluetooth 2.1, and even a GPS receiver (SiRF starIII-based). Options, meanwhile, are said to include a cellular modem (HSPA/UMTS/GPRS/WCDMA/GSM), a 13.56MHz RFID reader, and a 1D/2D barcode scanner.

Winmate's R03TACH-RTS1

As pictured above, the RFID reader and barcode scanner are snap-on modules that add to the 'RTS1's size and weight, though Winmate didn't say by how much. The cellular modem is internal, however, and supported by an integral SIM slot.

The 'RTS1 includes a 5200mAh battery that provides up to 8.6 hours of operation, says Winmate. Operating range starts down at -4 deg. F and extends up to 140 deg. F, much more than any human using the device would be expected to tolerate.

Specifications listed by Winmate for the R03TACH-RTS1 include:

• Processor — TI OMAP3530 clocked at 600MHz
• Memory — 256MB of RAM and 512MB of flash storage
• Display — 3.5-inch resistive touchscreen with 640 x 480 pixel resolution
• Camera - 3 megapixel with autofocus and LED flash
• Keys — choice of numeric keypad or enlarged four-way controller
• Expansion — microSD slot; docking connector
• Networking:
  • WLAN — 802.11b/g/n with Cisco security extensions
  • PAN — Bluetooth 2.1
• Other wireless interfaces:
  • GPS receiver
  • cellular modem (optional)
  • RFID reader (optional)
  • 1D/2D barcode scanner (optional)
• Other I/O:
  • Micro-USB port
  • RS-232 port (DB9 connector)
• Battery — 5200mAh battery lasts up to 8.6 hours
• Operating range — -4 to 140 deg. F
• Dimensions — 7 x 3.9 x 1.5 inches
• Weight — 1 pound

Further information

Winmate did not cite pricing for the R03TACH-RTS1, but the device appears to be on sale now. More information may be found on the R03TACH-RTS1 product page.

For further details and images, see an article on the R03TACH-RTS1 by Rugged PC Review.

Jonathan Angel can be reached at [email protected] and followed at www.twitter.com/gadgetsense.

This article was originally published on LinuxDevices.com and has been donated to the open source community by QuinStreet Inc. Please visit LinuxToday.com for up-to-date news and articles about Linux and open source.