Motorola launches ruggedised enterprise-friendly 7in ET1 Android tablet

Motorola Solutions, the business arm of the firm, has launched an Android-based tablet designed to provide enterprise users with a familiar user interface together with enhanced security and manageability features.

The ruggedised ET1 is a 7in enterprise tablet that features specifications to rival the latest high-end consumer-focused devices on the market. The Corning Gorilla Glass display comes with a 1024x600 resolution along with capacitive multi-touch input and an ambient light sensor, features that are becoming standard on tablets.

A dual-core 1GHz processor together with 1GB of RAM powers the tablet. Other key hardware features include a USB 2.0 docking connector, a USB 2.0 Host connector, HDMI output as well as an 8-megapixel rear camera and front-facing camera.

Peripherals such as inventory or payment processing scanners can be added and the ET1 features WLAN 802.11a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.1 and GPS connectivity.

Recognising the need to provide all-day productivity, Motorola will include a 4620 mAh Li-Ion battery that can be swapped out.

The 630g tablet is also capable of surviving multiple drops, temperature of between -20°C to 70°C and up to 4G of vibration.

Motorola has preloaded the Android 2.3.4 operating system, which the firm claims is optimised with a number of features that make it more suitable for enterprise use.

Enterprise applications pre-loaded onto the device include assisted shopping/product comparison tools, manager dashboards, mobile POS and item location tools. Although these specifically target the retail industries, additional tools are expected to be made available.

The ET1 also supports multi-user log on – so employees can access their own workspace and applications. Data stored on the 8GB Flash memory and removable microSD card is encrypted to ensure that confidential data is kept safe.

In the event that the tablet is lost or stolen, devices can be remotely accessed, wiped clean and shut down using Motorola's Mobility Services Platform (MSP).

Meanwhile, Motorola has introduced a web-based application framework allowing IT departments to developed applications and deploy them to a variety of devices including Android and Windows Mobile handsets.

Motorola RhoElements is based on the HTML5/advanced JavaScript/CSS frameworks, which aim to reduce the time it takes to develop enterprise applications, ease management and lower support costs.

The first version of RhoElements is available to download now and supports the ET1 as well as Motorola mobile devices running Windows Embedded Handheld 6.5, Windows Embedded CE 5 and 6 and Windows Embedded Compact 7.

Motorola aims to start shipping the ET1 in the fourth quarter and told V3 that prices will range form £640 to £1,025, depending on the quantity purchased.