{POS SYSTEMS}

HP "Primes" the SMB

HP (Palo Alto, CA) has unveiled its new all-in-one for SMB POS, entitled HP Engage One Prime. In sleek design, the Engage One Prime, described as "budget friendly," has 14" projected-capacitive touchscreen (1920x1080, 16:9 resolution) that flips between store associates and customers (with optional 5.5" customer-facing display). It measures 13.1 in. (W) x 10.2 in. (D) x 5 in. (H), weighs 7.9 lbs., runs Android 8.1 O/S, and has Qualcomm Octa-Core Snapdragon CPU at 1.8 GHz, 2-GB Memory, 16-GB Storage (for Engage One Prime) or Qualcomm Octa-Core Snapdragon CPU at 2.2 GHz, 4-GB Memory, 32-GB Storage (for Engage One Prime Plus).

A suitable line-up of features includes cable management, camera-based scanner, MSR, NFC, USB-C x 1, USB-A x 2, Bluetooth 4.2, 802.11 Wi-Fi, and rating of IP-52. Interestingly, with the debut of Engage One Prime, HP has partnered with payment pioneer PayPal (San Jose, CA). A bundle may hold software and peripherals for POS; chip, tap, and swipe payment reader by PayPal; and HP Warranty. A select number of ISVs in POS will work with HP.

"To effectively compete in today's market, small and medium-sized retailers and hospitality operators need more than a cash register and a storefront, they want solutions that enable them to improve customer experiences in their retail and hospitality environments," expressed Aaron Weiss, VP and GM for Retail Solutions at HP. "HP Engage One Prime is built to meet the needs of smaller retailers, and our collaboration with industry leading payment processor PayPal delivers an end-to-end solution that's versatile, reliable, and secure." It joins the Engage One and Engage Go in HP's new retail portfolio for POS.

HP Engage One Prime POS Terminal

{LABEL PRINTERS}

Bixolon: Big on Barcode

Bixolon America (Gardena, CA) has furthered its efforts in label printing with the entrance of its industrial thermal XT5 Series. First to market is the 4" Model XT5-40 with print speed of 14 in./356 mm per second at resolution of 203 dpi for text, graphics, and one- and two-dimensional barcodes. It features durable aluminum body and anti-adhesive metal case, space-saving double-folding door, tool-less maintenance, 3.5" full-color TFT LCD with intuitive User Interface, built-in Bluetooth 4 and 802.11 Wi-Fi, and USB, Parallel, Serial, and Ethernet I/O's. It measures 10.6 in. (W) x 19.3 in. (D) x 12.8 in. (H) and weighs 30.8 lbs.

Bixolon's XT5 Series has compatibility with market-leading programming languages, including SLCS, BPL-Z, BPL-E, and BPL-D. In addition, it supports label design software such as Bixolon's Label Artist, Label Artist Mobile (for iOS and Android) and BarTender by Seagull Scientific (Bellevue, WA). A "Smart Connection" facilitates set-up with Wi-Fi, and its "Twin Function" enables transfer of printer settings and data (templates, images, and fonts) via USB Storage. An auto-cutter, peeler, rewinder, and peeler/rewinder are optional. (A web-based remote profile manager, or "XPM," will soon be introduced by Bixolon.)

"Bixolon is striving to continuously extend its label printer line-up," proclaimed Paul Kim, GM of Bixolon America. "The XT5 Series is designed for heavy-duty label printing for the logistics, manufacturing, and warehousing industry due to its robust design, high-quality performance, easy maintenance, and flexible technical support and service." Also from Bixolon America in this Series: Model XT5-43 at resolution of 300 dpi and Model XT5-46 at resolution of 600 dpi.

Bixolon's XT5-40 Industrial Label Printer

{MOBILE COMPUTERS}

Janam Wields XG200

Janam Technologies (Woodbury, NY) has offered its new rugged mobile computer, dubbed the XG200. In gun format, measuring 8 in. (L) x 3.1 in. (W) x 6.9 in. (H), weighing 1.3 lbs., the XG200 features 4.3" capacitive touchscreen (480x800, WVGA, Gorilla Glass 3), 24-key numeric or 51-key alphanumeric keypad, and 3.6-V 6300-mAh rechargeable Li-Ion battery. As performance, it has Qualcomm Quad-Core Snapdragon CPU at 1.2 GHz, 2-GB/16-GB Memory, and Android 7.

As data collection, the XG200 furnishes choice of two scanners—two-dimensional Honeywell N6603ER or near/far Honeywell EX25. As communications, there's Bluetooth 4.1 and 802.11 Wi-Fi. As ruggedness, there's rating of IP-65, MIL-STD-810G for vibration, humidity, and extreme temperatures, and 5-Ft./1.5-m drop resistance (with two-year warranty). Another benefit: Google Mobile Services (e.g., Google Play, Google Maps, Chrome).

"Several years ago, Janam revived the most sought-after ergonomic feature in the rugged, gun-shaped mobile computing market: the battery elegantly hidden within the handle for optimized handling and weight distribution," reflected Harry Lerner, CEO of Janam Technologies. "It is thrilling to build upon our successful, patented version of this feature and offer it once again in a rugged mobile computer that makes no compromise in terms of features and specifications. With battery capacity that is 57% greater than other devices in its class, the XG200 unleashes the power to boost mobile worker productivity substantially, ultimately increasing profitability for businesses."

Janam's Model XG200 Android Mobile Computer

{RECEIPT PRINTERS}

A Winning Combo at Brother

Brother Mobile Solutions (Westminster, CO) has rolled out its new mobile thermal receipt and label printer with the "winning combination" of dual Wi-Fi/Bluetooth, and listed as RuggedJet 4250WBL (RJ4250WBL). In dimensions of 6 in. (W) x 6.3 in. (H) x 2.7 in. (D), weighing 1.9 lbs., the 4" RuggedJet 4250WBL has maximum print speed of 5 in./127 mm per second at 203 dpi. Overall, as connectivity, it offers Bluetooth 4.2 (Classic/LE/MFi), 802.11 Wi-Fi, NFC, USB 2.0, Serial RS-232, and iOS and Android Software Development Kits (SDK).

As features, the RuggedJet 4250WBL furnishes up-and-down tear bars, top-and-side access cover release for accessibility in tight spaces, locking roll holders for accurate repeatable print margins, an active docking station, four-button operation, and visible LCD. With standard 256-MB RAM and 64-MB ROM, the RuggedJet 4250WBL has ZPL/CPCL Emulations and 14 Bitmap and 4 Outline Fonts. A cloud-based Mobile Deploy App is included at no cost with the Brother RJ4200 Series.

As durability, with reinforced parts and rubber housing, RuggedJet 4250WBL carries an IP-54 rating and 6.8-ft./2-m drop protection. A rechargeable 3000-mAh Li-Ion battery doubles capacity in half the size, according to Brother Mobile Solutions, with indicator of real-time battery life status. "A true game changer," commented Raul Palacios, Senior Product Manager at Brother Mobile Solutions, of the RuggedJet 4250WBL, "whether inside or outside the four walls." A two-year Premier Limited Warranty from Brother.

Model RuggedJet 4250WBL Thermal Printer by Brother

{RUGGED TABLETS}

Unitech Casts the TB85

Unitech America (Cypress, CA) has presented its new rugged tablet with the Android 8 O/S (and Google Mobile Services/GMS), entitled Model TB85. As performance, the TB85 has Qualcomm Octa-Core CPU at 2.2 GHz, 4-GB RAM, and 332-GB Flash. It employs spring-loaded "pogo pins" (in all, 14) for peripherals and customization. In dimensions of 9.5 in. (L) x 5.9 in. (W) x 0.7 in. (D), and weight of 1.3 lbs., the TB85 has 8" color capacitive touchscreen (1280x800) with Gorilla Glass 3.

Additional features include five-megapixel front and thirteen-megapixel rear cameras, rechargeable 8200-mAh Li-Ion battery, and eight function keys (two programmable). As communications, TB85 has Bluetooth 4.1, 802.11 Wi-Fi, NFC, and LTE. In terms of ruggedness, the TB85 carries an IP-67 rating and 4-ft./1.2-m drop protection. A warranty of one year is extended by Unitech America.

"The TB85 is powerfully fast--it looks and feels like the latest Samsung or Apple tablet, but it's so much more," exclaimed Brian Silence, Director of Business Development for Unitech America. "It's on the most up-to-date O/S out there. I really love the modular design--you can attach different modules to suit your work requirements, like an RFID reader or scanner." As starting MSRP, there's $1,200.

Unitech's New TB85 Tablet, With Android 8 and GMS

{PAYMENT TERMINALS}

At the Equinox: Luxe 3300a

Equinox Payments (Phoenix, AZ) has unwrapped its new countertop payment terminal, designated Luxe 3300a. An upgrade of the company's Apollo All-in-One, handling MSR, EMV, and NFC, the Luxe 3300a employs point-to-point encryption for certification to PCI 5.x, thereby meeting security requirements to April 2026. It can run in stand-alone configuration or semi-integrated with Application Programming Interface (API) to the POS.

Weighing 1.1 lbs., in dimensions of 8 in. (L) x 3.4 in. (W) x 3.2 in. (H), the Luxe 3300a carries 3.5" resistive full-color touchscreen for signature capture, 2.25" thermal receipt printer, and oversized PIN Pad. A rich black casing updates design. Significantly, it includes capacity for EMV for the lodging segment--in addition to retail and restaurants--through the company's software, Voyager. Also, Equinox Payments noted that resellers may adjust parameters and settings based on the needs of their merchants.

"Addition of a robust countertop device rounds out our Luxe terminal line that emphasizes security, ease of use, and design as key differentiators," emphasized Rob Hayhow, VP at Equinox Payments. Also offered by Equinox, with the same kernel as the Luxe 3300a: an integrated solution, the Luxe 8500i, and mobile solution, the Luxe 6200m. Equinox Payments is owned by NBS Payment Solutions, based in Toronto.

Luxe 3300a Payment Terminal by Equinox