“Military grade” Linux PDA gains WiFi, Bluetooth
“Tripod Data System (TDS) has updated its Recon series of rugged handheld computers. The new Recon-X series PDAs feature twice as much Flash memory (up to 256 MB) as the original, along with optional built-in Bluetooth and 802.11g WiFi. A Linux-based version will begin beta testing next week, and ship in July or early August.
TDS’s rugged PDAs come standard with Microsoft operating systems, but are available with Linux through distributor SDG Systems. SDG was originally contracted to port Linux to TDS’s rugged PDAs by 10East, a vertical market vendor serving the railroad industry.
Mike Wilson, of 10East, explains, “10East has provided ongoing funding to SDG Systems for the Linux porting of this product line, just so we could provide the very best handheld technology to our rail market. We are not interested in business outside of the rail market, so we have worked out an arrangement with Todd Blumer and TDS that enables Todd’s company to service all other market segments.”
Blumer says SDG is currently readying a beta Linux implementation for the Recon-X series PDAs. Blumer said, “We expect to release the product with beta software in about a week, with a shipping release by the end of July or early August. The pricing will be the same as for the Recon X-Series with Windows Mobile.” “ More at linuxdevices.com
