Winmate announced a rugged handeld computer that runs Android 2.3, Windows CE 6.0, or Windows Mobile 6.5 on a 720MHz Texas Instruments OMAP3530 processor. The S430T includes a 4.3-inch screen with capacitive touch and 800 x 480 pixel resolution, 512MB of RAM and 512MB of flash storage, a five megapixel camera, and IP67 dust and water protection, according to the company.

The third handheld to be announced by Winmate in as many months — the previous two were November's similarly named E430T and October's R03TACH-RTS1 — the new S430T (pictured) exemplifies two recent trends in handheld computing. One of these trends, which most will welcome, is the move from resistive touchscreens to capacitive touch.

The other trend, which Microsoft ought to be worried about, is the ability to run Google's Android operating system (here, version 2.3.4). Until recently, Windows CE 6.0 and Windows Mobile 6.5 dominated the rugged handheld market, but Redmond's grip on this would seem to be slipping.

According to Winmate, the S430T runs any of the above-named operating systems on a 720MHz Texas Instruments OMAP3530 processor. The handheld includes 512MB of RAM, 512MB of flash storage, and a microSD expansion slot, the company adds.

Most devices in the handheld market still include 3.5-inch screens with relatively skimpy 320 x 240 pixel resolution. The S430T, on the other hand, offers a 4.3-inch work area, a resolution of 800 x 480 pixels, and a 270-nit brightness rating.

Alphanumeric input has to be performed via a software keyboard, but the handheld has ten hardware keys as well (with functions such as power, home, menu, escape, return, and volume up/down), Winmate says.

Winmate's S430T

Despite its relatively prominent screen, the S430T still meets the stringent IP67 standards for sealing against water and dust, according to Winmate. The device is also said to comply with MIL-STD-810F specs that, among other things, mandate the device's survival following a four-foot drop onto concrete.

Winmate says the S430T has a five megapixel autofocus camera as well as a U-blox GPS receiver. Wireless networking (802/11b/g/n) and Bluetooth 2.1 are also on board, while an optional 3.5G cellular module supports HSPA/UMTS/GPRS/WCDMA/GSM wide area connectivity, the company adds.

Other options include a 1D/2D barcode scanner or an RFID reader (125KHz or 13.56MHz). There is only room for one of these at a time, though, since they snap onto the top of the S430T, according to Winmate's data sheet.

The S430 packs a 5000mAh battery that can provide up to 8.6 hours of "low use case" operation, with backlighting on ten percent of the time, says Winmate. The bottom of the handheld offers a Mini-USB port, a DC input jack, and a nine-pin serial port, the company adds.

Specifications listed by Winmate for the S430T include:

• Processor — TI OMAP3530 clocked at 720MHz
• Memory — 512MB of RAM and 512MB of flash storage
• Display — 4.3-inch capacitive touchscreen with 800 x 480 pixel resolution
• Camera — 5 megapixel with autofocus and LED flash
• Keys — 10 keys for home, menu, power, etc.
• Expansion — microSD slot; docking connector
• Networking:
  • WLAN — 802.11b/g/n
  • PAN — Bluetooth 2.1
• Other wireless interfaces:
  • GPS receiver
  • cellular modem (optional)
  • RFID reader (optional)
  • 1D/2D barcode scanner (optional)
• Other I/O:
  • Mini-USB port
  • RS232 port (DB9 connector)
• Battery — 5000mAh battery lasts up to 8.6 hours
• Operating range — -4 to 140 deg. F
• Dimensions — 7.1 x 3.9 x 1.5 inches
• Weight — 16 ounces

Further information

Winmate did not cite pricing for the S430T, nor does it appear to have yet posted a product page for the device. However, you'll find further details and a link to a PDF-formatted data sheet on the Rugged PC Review website.

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.