DT Research announced two handheld POS (point of service) computers targeting mobile order-taking, ticket scanning, and payment processing. The WebDT 410 and 415 offer 3.5-inch screens, integrated MSRs (magnetic stripe readers) and RFID readers, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, plus optional 1D/2D barcode scanning, the company says.

Joining the existing WebDT 430 in the DT Research product line, the WebDT 410 and 415 are positioned as focusing squarely on “quick customer service.” Apparently in order to enhance security and keep costs down, the computers eschew GPS, cellular capability, and expansion slots. However, says the company, they include RFID readers and MSRs as standard features.

Basically identical, the WebDT 410 and 415 (right) both have 3.5-inch screens, available with resolutions of either 320 x 240 or 640 x 480 pixels. The 415, however, adds an Intermec 1D/2D barcode scanner, DT Research says. In addition to their touchscreens, the devices have four programmable buttons, while the 415 includes an additional two buttons for triggering scans, according to the company.

According to DT Research, the devices are available with either Windows CE or Windows Mobile, running their operating systems on Samsung’s 533MHz S3C2440, with 128MB of RAM and 128MB of flash storage.

As we’ve indicated, neither handheld has expansion slots, so it apparently isn’t possible to add memory. However, the WebDT 410 and 415 can readily offload data to backend systems via USB, Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi, says DT Research.

Meanwhile, the 3800mAh lithium-ion battery found in the handhelds can reportedly power the WebDT 410 and WebDT 415 for up to eight hours. Thanks to a backup battery, a fully charged replacement may be swapped in without loss of data, the company adds.

Unlike the earlier WebDT 430, the 410 and 415 do not include microphones, but they do offer monaural speakers. In addition, the IP54-rated handhelds include a “vibrating alert function,” said to be useful, for example, for alerting waiters when an order is ready.

Features and specifications listed by DT Research for the WebDT 410 and 415 include:

• Processor — Samsung S3C2440 clocked at 533MHz
  
• Memory — 128MB of RAM and 128MB of flash storage
  
• Display — 3.5-inch display, with 320 x 240 or 640 x 480 resolution
• Wireless:
  • WLAN — 802.11b/g
    
  • PAN — Bluetooth 2.0
    
  • RFID
    
  • IrDA (optional)
    
  • 1D/2D barcode scanner
• Other I/O:
  • Magnetic stripe reader
  • Headphone jack
    
  • 1 x USB 1.1 device port, “for ActiveSync only”
    
  • Interface for charging cradle
    
• Battery type/life — 3800mAh battery works for up to eight hours; hot-swappable
  
• Dimensions — 5.5 x 3.1 x 1.2 inches (140 x 81.8 x 31mm)
  
• Weight — 0.6 pounds (280g)

Further information

According to DT Research, the WebDT 410 and 415 are available now, though pricing was not disclosed. Further information may be found on the company’s website, here and here.

• POS handhelds scan credit cards
• Microsoft launches new OS for retailers
  
• Rugged tablet PC sports twelve-inch display
  
• Security-conscious handheld deletes radio options
  
• Rugged handheld has barcode reader
  
• Handheld works week on one charge
  
• Rugged handheld offers SPI expansion
  
• Data-collection handheld gets GPS
  
• Scanning handheld gains GSM telephony
  
• Wireless data-collection handheld runs Windows CE 5.0
  
• Barcode scanning handheld makes voice calls, too
  
• Barcode scanning PDA has VGA display
  
• Barcode scanner offers VoIP option
  
• Camera-equipped barcode scanner runs Windows CE
  
• Rugged barcode scanner runs Windows CE 5.0
  
• Rugged handheld scans barcodes from 50 feet
  
• VoIP phone includes barcode scanner
  
• PDA reads barcode, resists drops
  
• Data collection handheld does RFID, WLAN, WAN
  
• Pistol-grip data collector runs Windows Mobile
  
• Wireless headless warehouse handheld runs Windows CE
  
• Scanning handheld resists drops, shocks