Our smart gadgets are great, that’s for sure, but they break all too easily. In the end, if you’re going to use a tablet or smartphone outside of a soft, cushioned room; you’ll need to wrap it in a case or a cover and definitely never ever drop the thing. It’s like wrapping your brand new BMW in a load of bubble-wrap just do nobody scratches it or dents the thing.
So, if you want to use a tablet out in the “real world” then you’d be wise to get a “tough” one. Now Panasonic (remember them?) have introduced the ToughPad FZ-A2 – an Android 10.1 tablet which can be used in showrooms, workshops, as a point-of-sale device or out on the road. It’s slim (16.4mm) and runs Android 6.0 Marshmallow with Android for Work baked in. It’s powered by a 2.4GHz quad-core CPU and has 4GB of RAM with 32GB storage to ensure that it’s quick to use.
That 10.1″ screen has a 1920×1200 resolution and is “highly visible” outside. You also get GPS, USB outputs, a HDMI output and a microSD card slot. There’s also the option of adding 4G or a barcode reader if you need it.
The battery is removable and will see you through a 9-hour shift. As you can see, it’s rebust enough to deal with whatever you can throw at it – it can be dropped from 120cm and is water and dust resistant. Head to www.toughbook.eu to get details or to buy one. The Toughpad FZ-A2 will be available from July 2016 at a starting price of £939. Panasonic also do other tough Android and Windows tablets.
Stunning makeover for Panasonic’s Toughpad, a Fully Rugged Android™ 10.1-inch tablet
Unrivalled durability, flexible business customisation options and high performance
BRACKNELL, UK. 8TH JUNE 2016
Panasonic today introduced its latest fully rugged 10.1 inch Android tablet to Europe’s leading automotive industry representatives gathered to discuss the changing industry landscape and new technologies at the Panasonic Automotive Innovation Summit in Barcelona. With its fully rugged durability, flexible business customisation options and top performance, the Panasonic Toughpad FZ-A2 tablet is an ideal mobile device for automotive workshop receptions and showrooms. In addition, the device is equally suited for professionals working in the retail and hospitality industry for point of sale and order taking and for mobile workers needing fast access to documentation in the field.
Powerful, rugged and user friendly
The Panasonic Toughpad FZ-A2 fully rugged tablet, succeeding the FZ-A1, is lightweight (880g) and slim (16.4mm) with a fanless design and runs the latest Android 6.0 Marshmallow operating system with Enterprise Security from Android for Work. It is equipped with the latest, more powerful Intel® Atom™ x5-Z8550 Quad Core processor (2 MB cache, 1.44GHz up to 2.4GHz) with 4GB RAM and a 32GB eMMC.
Viewing clarity inside or out
The 10.1 inch outside viewable display (1920×1200), with high visibility (800cd/m2), has been designed for easy use and clarity of vision both outside and indoors. The 10-point capacitive touchscreen display can be used by hand, gloved hand or with the capacitive stylus pen for accurate annotation or signature collection even in the rain.
Rich business functionality
The Panasonic Toughpad FZ-A2 tablet also comes with a rich set of customisable business interfaces and wireless connectivity options to tailor the device to exact business requirements. Alongside a full range of business features (1xUSB 3.0 Type A, 1xUSB 3.1 Type C OTG, 1xHDMI and 1xMicro SD, GPS), optional smartcard reader, 2D barcode reader and 4G can be specified. The USB 3.1 Type C OTG port for reversible connection comes with transmission speeds of up to 5Gbps, power charging (up to 5V 900mA – USB PD is not supported) and USB On The Go functionality for easily copying and transferring files from one Android device to another.
The Toughpad FZ-A2 is optimised for connectivity whatever the location and includes the latest WLAN 802.11ac Intel® Dual Band® Wireless-AC 8260 technology for the fastest data transfer and Bluetooth® v4.2 class 1.
Easy to manage
For increased manageability, the device includes Google Android for Work allowing separate work and personal profiles to be included on the device. It provides IT administrators with flexibility and enterprise security whilst ensuring users have private access to their own personal applications and data. Google Android for Work also includes a range of built-in productivity tools for everyday tasks such as email, contacts and calendar.
“This latest addition to our wide range of Android Toughpad tablets from 4.7 inch to 10.1 inch underlines our commitment to offer businesses easy to manage and easy to use mobile devices that can be customised to specifically meet the needs of their IT systems and workforces. The Toughpad FZ-A2 tablet, with its flexible functionality and range of connectivity options, is perfectly suited for use in automotive workshop receptions or in the busy hospitality and retail sectors,’ said Jan Kaempfer, General Manager of Marketing for Panasonic Computer Product Solutions.
Battery to last
The Panasonic Toughpad FZ-A2 tablet has a user-removable battery with a nine hour working life to match the needs of the work shift with an optional hot swappable battery capability for when around the clock usage is required.
Cameras and fast communications
For users needing live video conference capabilities or to capture photographic images of documentation in the field, the FZ-A2 is equipped with Full HD front web and 8MP rear camera with flash. It also comes equipped with built-in directional array microphones ideal for communication, video conferencing and voice recognition software.
Work tough
Built for use on the move and for the rigors of business, The Toughpad FZ-A2 is fully ruggedised with magnesium alloy, is drop tested to 1.2m*, comes with an IP65 ingress protection rating for resistance to dust and water and will operate effectively in temperatures ranging from -10 to +50°C*.
At launch, the device will come with a rich ecosystem of peripherals from desktop cradle to 4 bay battery charger, most sharing compatibility with the rugged Panasonic Toughbook CF-20 notebook with detachable tablet.
The device will also have the option of two vehicle docks – a slimline and expanded version depending on the device configuration. These lightweight and compact docks, with a VESA 75mm mounting pattern and pinch latch mechanism for quick release, are designed and manufactured by Panasonic’s own Global Docking Solutions business. Available in Keyed Alike and Keyed to Differ versions to match ease of use or security priorities, the docks will include 2 USB 2.0, 1 LAN, 1 DC in ports and optional Dual Antenna Pass Through.
Availability and pricing
The Toughpad FZ-A2 will be available from July 2016 at a starting price of £939 + tax. For further information, visit: www.toughbook.eu
