Motion Computing J3400 Supplementary Manual
SPECIAL REVIEW
Rugged
PC
review.com
combed writing. The Microsoft keyboard can be
resized, but not enough for my taste. There are
better third-party alternatives.
resized, but not enough for my taste. There are
better third-party alternatives.
Motion’s QuickNav utility adds a handy numeric
input pad along the right side of the display. Quick-
Nav lets you switch from the keypad to the standard
horizontal keyboard to an ergonomically designed,
rounded layout (see middle screen in the image)
that works well with the pen, but that I would like to
be able to resize and relocate. As is, you can't change
its size or location.
Nav lets you switch from the keypad to the standard
horizontal keyboard to an ergonomically designed,
rounded layout (see middle screen in the image)
that works well with the pen, but that I would like to
be able to resize and relocate. As is, you can't change
its size or location.
The bottom screen capture shows WordPad with
handwriting recognition. While handwriting recog-
nition was intended to be an integral part in the
original pen computers of the early 1990s, the
challenge of making recognition work in real world
situations proved daunting. Recognition, however, is
still there and it actually works better than ever if
you learn how to use it and give it a chance.
nition was intended to be an integral part in the
original pen computers of the early 1990s, the
challenge of making recognition work in real world
situations proved daunting. Recognition, however, is
still there and it actually works better than ever if
you learn how to use it and give it a chance.
Unfortunately, Microsoft’s recognizer no longer
lets you freely write all over the screen as was the
case with the initial Tablet PC Edition (and most
recognizers prior to that). Instead, you need to write
into the input panel. Ink goes on smoothly and
without jaggies, but it lags behind just enough to be
noticeable. This should not be an issue in this day
and age, and I suspect it has to do with the serial
interface between the Wacom digitizer and the
computer. If it is indeed a Wacom problem, I wish
Wacom would fix that. Overall, most Windows
software is simply not optimized for handwriting
recognition, but recognition itself works very well
on the J3400. And that includes punctuation and
editing.
case with the initial Tablet PC Edition (and most
recognizers prior to that). Instead, you need to write
into the input panel. Ink goes on smoothly and
without jaggies, but it lags behind just enough to be
noticeable. This should not be an issue in this day
and age, and I suspect it has to do with the serial
interface between the Wacom digitizer and the
computer. If it is indeed a Wacom problem, I wish
Wacom would fix that. Overall, most Windows
software is simply not optimized for handwriting
recognition, but recognition itself works very well
on the J3400. And that includes punctuation and
editing.
QuickNav also includes an image capture feature
that can also do time and GPS stamps if the J3400
has the GPS. A GPS Locator feature snatches GPS
information that you can then easily include into
documents such as surveying notes or anything else
that uses GPS tracking.
has the GPS. A GPS Locator feature snatches GPS
information that you can then easily include into
documents such as surveying notes or anything else
that uses GPS tracking.
QuickNav keys can be customized any which way
you want. It's a neat utility that’d be even better if
you could resize the keys/keypad and if there’d be
floating notations of what a key does (there are
enough to make it hard to remember everything).
you could resize the keys/keypad and if there’d be
floating notations of what a key does (there are
enough to make it hard to remember everything).
Integrated documentation camera
Since many of the J3400’s intended applications
could benefit from comprehensive, integrated
documentation, Motion added a built-in camera
that can snap pictures as large as 1600 x 1200 pixel.
The lens is embedded in the bottom of the unit, so it
is clearly meant to record pictures and situations as
opposed to enabling video conferencing. Like most
such cameras, this one isn't very fast or able to
generate high quality pictures, but according to
Motion, the camera assembly they chose offers the
best combination of performance, integration and
durability that is available today. While the camera's
autofocus is slow, it works well enough for docu-
mentation purposes, has good macro capabilities,
and includes a fairly bright 3-LED illuminator for
shooting in lowlight conditions.
could benefit from comprehensive, integrated
documentation, Motion added a built-in camera
that can snap pictures as large as 1600 x 1200 pixel.
The lens is embedded in the bottom of the unit, so it
is clearly meant to record pictures and situations as
opposed to enabling video conferencing. Like most
such cameras, this one isn't very fast or able to
generate high quality pictures, but according to
Motion, the camera assembly they chose offers the
best combination of performance, integration and
durability that is available today. While the camera's
autofocus is slow, it works well enough for docu-
mentation purposes, has good macro capabilities,
and includes a fairly bright 3-LED illuminator for
shooting in lowlight conditions.
The J3400 comes with an interesting “Picture
Snapper” interface that is embedded in the Quick-
Nav utility and has the ability to add time/date
stamping and geotagging information to images.
The picture to the right shows the Picture Snapper
in a potential application: Assume that one of the
pressure hoses on the Caterpillar bulldozer mechan-
ics shown in the background were leaking and the
Nav utility and has the ability to add time/date
stamping and geotagging information to images.
The picture to the right shows the Picture Snapper
in a potential application: Assume that one of the
pressure hoses on the Caterpillar bulldozer mechan-
ics shown in the background were leaking and the
condition needed to be documented for mainte-
nance or repair. An inspector could then use the
J3400 to take a close-up of the problem and the
system would automatically add a date and time
stamp as well as full GPS data. Talk about compre-
hensive documentation! The potential for this kind
of documentation via integration of onboard func-
tionality is tremendous.
nance or repair. An inspector could then use the
J3400 to take a close-up of the problem and the
system would automatically add a date and time
stamp as well as full GPS data. Talk about compre-
hensive documentation! The potential for this kind
of documentation via integration of onboard func-
tionality is tremendous.
Motion has traditionally been ahead of the curve
in the adoption of new technology. Given that there
are now high quality, very inexpensive 720p and
1080p HD vidcam engines that can also do 5-8
megapixel stills, we may soon see those engines
included into professional quality computing equip-
ment. Imagine being able to capture HD video with
a tablet and attach that to documentation as well.
are now high quality, very inexpensive 720p and
1080p HD vidcam engines that can also do 5-8
megapixel stills, we may soon see those engines
included into professional quality computing equip-
ment. Imagine being able to capture HD video with
a tablet and attach that to documentation as well.
Interface and connectivity
Unlike ultra-rugged slate computers that often have
almost no onboard connectivity due to sealing
issues, Motion has always offered plenty of interface
ports on its machines. Despite its increased environ-
mental sealing, Motion didn’t make many conces-
sions with the J3400. There are two USB 2.0 ports,
audio in/out jacks, an external video port as well as
a DVI-D custom connector for digital output, an RJ-
45 jack for the integrated 10/100/1000 gigabit LAN,
and a docking connector. There are two speakers as
well as Motion’s terrific multi-directional array
microphone design that intelligently switches
between two of its three microphones depending on
screen orientation. Compared to the LE1700, IR has
been dropped, and there is no DVI-D port (you get
one in the optional FlexDock) or Motion accessory
port. Below you can see the left and right side of the
J3400.
almost no onboard connectivity due to sealing
issues, Motion has always offered plenty of interface
ports on its machines. Despite its increased environ-
mental sealing, Motion didn’t make many conces-
sions with the J3400. There are two USB 2.0 ports,
audio in/out jacks, an external video port as well as
a DVI-D custom connector for digital output, an RJ-
45 jack for the integrated 10/100/1000 gigabit LAN,
and a docking connector. There are two speakers as
well as Motion’s terrific multi-directional array
microphone design that intelligently switches
between two of its three microphones depending on
screen orientation. Compared to the LE1700, IR has
been dropped, and there is no DVI-D port (you get
one in the optional FlexDock) or Motion accessory
port. Below you can see the left and right side of the
J3400.
While the LE1700 had a standard Type I/II PC
Card slot and an SD Card slot, the J3400 has a single
Express Card 34 slot and an optional Smart Card
slot. With space at a premium and both USB and
Express Card SD adapters, Motion decided to forego
a separate SD slot. A SIM card slot can be found
under one of the batteries. It can be used for option-
al mobile broadband service.
Express Card 34 slot and an optional Smart Card
slot. With space at a premium and both USB and
Express Card SD adapters, Motion decided to forego
a separate SD slot. A SIM card slot can be found
under one of the batteries. It can be used for option-
al mobile broadband service.
For communications, there is Intel WiFi Link and
Bluetooth 2.1. Optionally available is Mobile Broad-
band powered by Gobi. Gobi (Global Mobile Inter-
net technology) is a Qualcomm wireless technology
that supports the various wireless networking
technologies around the world, so users can select
whatever carrier is available to them.
band powered by Gobi. Gobi (Global Mobile Inter-
net technology) is a Qualcomm wireless technology
that supports the various wireless networking
technologies around the world, so users can select
whatever carrier is available to them.
.
Security
As more computing devices are being used in an
increasing variety of settings and applications,
security is becoming a major issue. To that extent,
Motion equipped their new machine with a variety
of security measures, both hardware and software.
increasing variety of settings and applications,
security is becoming a major issue. To that extent,
Motion equipped their new machine with a variety
of security measures, both hardware and software.
Unobtrusively integrated into the right side of
the slate is an AuthenTec AES2550 fingerprint
sensor. This is a small and speedy sensor that is
scratch and impact resistant and will last over 10
million rubs.
sensor. This is a small and speedy sensor that is
scratch and impact resistant and will last over 10
million rubs.
Like most new machines, the J3400 comes with a
Trusted Platform Module (TPM) module 1.2 and the
accompanying software. Optionally available is
ComputraceComplete, a tracking service from
Absolute Software that allows for remote deletion of
a stolen system’s hard drive as well as tracking down
the device. Softex OmniPass software is used for a
multi-tiered access and security system that in-
cludes a master password as well as virtual business
cards, Smart Card, fingerprint authentication and a
variety of subsidiary access levels.
accompanying software. Optionally available is
ComputraceComplete, a tracking service from
Absolute Software that allows for remote deletion of
a stolen system’s hard drive as well as tracking down
the device. Softex OmniPass software is used for a
multi-tiered access and security system that in-
cludes a master password as well as virtual business
cards, Smart Card, fingerprint authentication and a
variety of subsidiary access levels.
The “Security” panel in the Motion Dashboard
allows quick access to authentication, password,
and encryption applications.
and encryption applications.
Finally, there is a hardware lock slot and you can
disable Bluetooth and the wireless LAN on startup.
What it amounts to is that the Motion J3400
allows pretty much any desired level of security.
Ruggedness
A degree of ruggedness is rapidly becoming a pri-
mary requirement in computers that are being used
in the field. Customers are getting tired of high
mary requirement in computers that are being used
in the field. Customers are getting tired of high
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