Panasonic has announced an August launch date for its latest rugged tablet, the Toughbook A3.
The new device runs on Android 9 Pie and has a 10.1-inch screen size. It comes with 4GB RAM and 64GB internal storage, running on the Qualcomm Snapdragon octa-core 660 chipset.
It has an 8MP rear camera and a 5MP front camera, and has different touch modes depending on weather conditions. One of these modes is a water touch mode, in which the screen can distinguish between water droplets and fingerprints.
In comparison to its predecessor, the A2, the device has built-in NFC and can operate from -20?c to 50?c. It can be dropped onto concrete from 1.5, and is IP^x and IPx5 certified for dust and water resistance respectively.
It has a battery life of nine hours, or 15.5 hours with optional large batteries. Its batteries are coverless and have a hot swap functionality, enabling them to be easily swapped on the go without losing device power.
It also comes with three customisable gadget port options that allow for optional smartcard reader, barcode reader or additional USB 2.0 slot.
Like all Panasonic Business handhelds, it comes bundled with Complete Android Services and Security (COMPASS), Panasonic’s suite of enterprise management tools. COMPASS includes security updates and configuration.
The A3 also comes bundled with Panasonic’s new app development platform, OMNIA.
Panasonic is targeting the A3 at various industries, including automotive, logistics, enterprises and healthcare. “The TOUGHBOOK A3 is ready-made for mobile workers in warehouses and using forklifts, field service agents
and automotive workers needing devices for diagnostics, data management and operational controls and emergency services personnel requiring a secure and effective mobile computing solution,” said Panasonic’s general manager of marketing for Mobile Solutions Business DivisionJan Kaempfer. It will be available from £1,182 without tax.
Panasonic claims to have taken a 41 per cent market shared of the B2B rugged tablet space, citing research from VDC.
The Japanese manufacturer’s main UK distribution partners are Tech Data and Centerprise.
