Nov/Dec 2004

The "wow" factor comes very much to the fore in HHP's latest handheld terminal, the Dolphin 7900, which is being promoted by the company as "PDA-like". The designers have certainly made an effective job of differentiating the unit from typical "four-square" industrial handhelds, even though it retains features such as a relatively large keyboard under its colour screen.

Under the skin, the 7900 features an Intel Xscale 400 MHz processor, and runs Microsoft Windows Mobile 2003 for Pocket PCs (Second Edition). Connectivity features include what is being called Wireless Full Area Networking (WFAN), with GSM/GPRS, 802.11b and Bluetooth wireless capability.

The 7900 also features the company's own Adaptus imaging technology, which enables it to read 1D and 2D symbologies (including PDF417). It can also handle OCR (optical character recognition) and capture digital images and signatures.

It is powered by a 7.4V, 14.8 watt high-capacity lithium-ion battery, which is said to ensure that it can meet the demands of a full work-shift, even in long wireless and barcode read-intensive applications.