Motorola unveils Windows Mobile-powered MC55 Enterprise Digital Assistant

Motorola has announced its latest Enterprise Digital Assistant, the MC55, calling it a small, rugged device for mobile and field workers.

The Windows Mobile 6.1-powered handheld offers EDGE and GPRS connectivity, Bluetooth, GPS and a camera, among others.

According to Motorola, it is "the smallest and lightest Motorola rugged EDA with a 3.5-inch display, the MC55 packs the power of a cell phone, two-way radio, bar code scanner, digital camera and mobile computer — all into a single device".

How tough is this model is a question Microsoft relishes to answer: It comes "with IP54 sealing and the ability to survive 4 ft./1.2 m drop to concrete".

It also has multi-mode data capture function for 1D/2D bar code scanning and its camera has decode capability.

It comes in two models: the MC5590 with wireless LAN and Bluetooth, and the MC5574 EDA with wireless WAN, wireless LAN and Bluetooth.

Specifications:

• Memory: 128MB SDRAM/256MB Flash
• Operating system : Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.1
• Processor XScale PXA270 520 MHz processor
• Audio options: Bluetooth, Speaker , Microphone
• Display resolution: 3.5 in. QVGA (320x240) Touch Panel
• Weight MC5590: 11.1 oz./315g (with rechargeable 2400 mAh Lithium Ion battery); MC5574: 11.8 oz./336 g (with rechargeable 2400 mAh Lithium Ion battery)

Obvious downside? No 3G/HSDPA.