Helpful Considerations for Remotely Updating an Embedded System

As complexity and functionality of embedded devices increases, the need for firmware updates has risen, whether to fix bugs, close security holes, add capability, or update the look and feel of a GUI. Increasingly these embedded devices are connected to networks, which enables remote embedded system updates from a central location as needed. To accomplish […]

Custom mobile devices for industrial vertical markets

In the construction, oil and gas, transportation, military, medical, farming, or manufacturing fields – or many others – you perform very unique tasks for your job. You often use a generic commercial phone or tablet, and find the device is inadequate. Commercial off the shelf devices with an app might seem less expensive, but are […]

Custom Made Tablets: Tough from the inside out!

Custom-made tablets have the advantage of being tough from the inside out because the designs and features will have been specially manufactured for particular users, some of which involve the most demanding needs in the harshest environments. Additionally, custom-made tablets – such as custom medical tablets – must meet both brand manufacturer and end-user standards. […]

How to Customize a Tablet for Better Security

Android tablets are built on an open platform, unlike the iPad with its proprietary iOS, providing the opportunity for customization. One way that customization is possible is by enhancing security and reliability features. In fact, the security on an Android tablet can surpass the security on an iPad and other similar devices. For semi-custom and […]

Best Practices for Regulatory Compliance and Security with Rugged Tablets

The term “industrial tablet” has become a generic term for a wide variety of rugged tablets with many shared and disparate attributes to meet needs for healthcare, military, industrial, manufacturing and transportation among others. One thing they all share in common is their need to meet industry-specific regulatory compliance measures. The use of Android tablets […]

Benefits of an RTOS on Portable Handheld Devices

A real time operating system (RTOS) is used in applications where time sensitive operations are required. Typically, these applications involve the collection and analysis of sensor data, or the control of critical equipment. This contrasts with the use of general purpose operating systems. A general purpose operating system (GPOS), such as Android, Linux, or Windows, […]

Customizable Tablets

SECO USA is an award-winning industry leader of power-optimized handheld and rugged device designs offering a great alternative to custom mobile solutions with customized tablets. While commercially available tablets often lack key features or peripherals required by military, medical, and industrial markets, SECO USA’s custom tablets are built to customer specifications. Unlike commercial devices, SECO USA’s […]

Custom Design of Human-Machine Interface Electronic Devices

Interactive electronic devices require a human-machine interface (HMI) that enables communication of a user with the underlying electronic device. Many industrial, medical, and military applications include underlying electronics specialized to the application. The HMI aspect can be satisfied using an HMI front end – an embedded computer with touchscreen/display attached to a larger device that […]

Basic Considerations for Mobile Device Design

Mobile devices – devices that are easily transported and typically are handheld and powered by a battery – have unique challenges in their design to enable usability, ruggedness, and reliability. Characterized by relatively lightweight and small screen size, they span a wide range of device types and applications, including mobile phones and tablets. Mobile devices […]

Custom Android Tablets

Why consumer-grade tablets fail in industrial, medical, and military use Consumer-grade tablets fail in the field for many reasons, including the following: Insufficient ruggedness: consumer-grade tablets are often repackaged, placed within more rugged outer enclosures. While this improves the tablet’s ability to withstand hazards such as drops, impacts, and liquids, they still often fall short of […]