Dec 06/Jan 07

We don't know about you, but we think Datalogic's latest handheld computer, the Memor, looks teasingly like a slightly bulky mobile phone. It's not, but its shape does sum up the company's objective of offering one-handed operation on scanning operations. The low weight - just 210g including battery - also supports this aim.

It's actually a Windows Mobile 5.0-powered computer, complete with a 20-key keyboard and 2.2in 240 by 320 pixel (quarter-VGA) touch screen. The microprocessor is Intel's XScale unit running at 200MHz, backed by 128MB of system flash memory and 64MB of RAM. There is also a use-accessible SD card slot.

Underlining its real purpose, the unit has a laser scanning engine capable of handling a variety of barcodes including EAN/UPC, Code 39, 2/5 Codes, Plessey, Codabar, Code 128, EAN128, MSI, Code 93, Code 11 barcodes.

Options for communication include Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless networking. Dust and water sealing meets IP54 standard, and the unit has been drop-tested to 1.2 metres.

 

Datalogic itself describes the keyboard layout as "phone-like", and says this is intended to make the unit intuitive to use. The model is being pitched as an entry-level data collection device, suitable for applications such as warehouse management, inventory, picking, shipping and receiving. Software for standard terminal emulation connectivity is preinstalled.