Motion Computing

Last updated
Motion Computing, Inc.
Company typePrivate
IndustryTechnology
Founded2001
Headquarters Austin, Texas
OwnerXplore Technologies
Website www.xploretech.com

Motion Computing, Inc., was a developer of slate Tablet PC computers located in Austin, Texas. Motion Computing focused on vertical markets such as healthcare [1] government, [2] public safety, [3] [4] and construction. [5] [6] It was the first company to introduce Gorilla Glass, Bonded displays, built-in array microphones, and UV light-based disinfection stations for clinical environments. [7]

Contents

History

Motion Computing was founded in 2001 by a team of former Dell executives including David Altounian and Scott Eckert, who served as CEO of Motion. [8] [9] [10] [11] In 2002, it launched its first product, the Motion M1200, a tablet designed as a successor of pen slates from the 1990s. [12] The M1200 was the first slate tablet available in a 12-inch size. [13] [14] That same year, Motion raised $6.5 million in funding. Its second funding round in 2003 raised $11.2 million, and the 2004 Series C round raised $25 million. [15] [16] In 2003, Motion launched the M1300, which was the first 1 GHz tablet using Intel Centrino mobile technology. [17] [18] [19] The M1400, released in 2004, was the first 12-inch slate tablet to have a View Anywhere display. [20] [21]

Through its independent software vendor partnership program, Motion paired with companies including Active Ink and Mi-Co to advance the development of tablet PC applications. [22] In 2007, Motion released the first mobile clinical assistant (MCA), the C5, at UCSF Medical Center. [23] [24]

Through a Series D funding round in 2008, the company closed $6 million. [25] In 2009, Motion secured $5.6 million in a round of financing from eight investors. [15] That same year, Motion announced that its C5 and F5 tablets would be the first rugged tablet PCs to use Corning's Gorilla Glass. [26] [27]

In February 2011, Motion introduced ReadyDock, the first chemical-free disinfection stations using ultraviolet technology, for the C5 tablet. [28] In 2011, Motion Computing announced the Intel Atom "Oak Trail"-powered CL900 running Windows 7, a fully rugged 10" screen ultra-light Tablet PC, weighing 2.1 pounds. [29] The company then announced the CL910 tablet in July 2012 and the CL920 in October 2014. [30] [31] Motion also released the LINCWorks RDA (Remote Data Access) series. [32]

In April 2015, Xplore Technologies Corp. purchased Motion Computing Inc. for $16 million. [8] At the time, Motion was the world's second-leading provider of rugged tablet PCs. [33]

Products

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mobile computing</span> Human–computer interaction in which a computer is expected to be transported during normal usage

Mobile computing is human–computer interaction in which a computer is expected to be transported during normal usage and allow for transmission of data, which can include voice and video transmissions. Mobile computing involves mobile communication, mobile hardware, and mobile software. Communication issues include ad hoc networks and infrastructure networks as well as communication properties, protocols, data formats, and concrete technologies. Hardware includes mobile devices or device components. Mobile software deals with the characteristics and requirements of mobile applications.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tablet computer</span> Mobile computer with integrated display, circuitry and battery

A tablet computer, commonly shortened to tablet, is a mobile device, typically with a mobile operating system and touchscreen display processing circuitry, and a rechargeable battery in a single, thin and flat package. Tablets, being computers, have similar capabilities, but lack some input/output (I/O) abilities that others have. Modern tablets largely resemble modern smartphones, the only differences being that tablets are relatively larger than smartphones, with screens 7 inches (18 cm) or larger, measured diagonally, and may not support access to a cellular network. Unlike laptops, tablets usually run mobile operating systems, alongside smartphones.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ultra-mobile PC</span> Obsolete type of handheld computer

An ultra-mobile PC, or ultra-mobile personal computer (UMPC), is a miniature version of a pen computer, a class of laptop whose specifications were launched by Microsoft and Intel in Spring 2006. Sony had already made a first attempt in this direction in 2004 with its Vaio U series, which was only sold in Asia. UMPCs are generally smaller than subnotebooks, have a TFT display measuring (diagonally) about 12.7 to 17.8 centimetres, are operated like tablet PCs using a touchscreen or a stylus, and can also have a physical keyboard. There is no clear boundary between subnotebooks and ultra-mobile PCs, but UMPCs commonly have major features not found in the common clamshell laptop design, such as small keys on either side of the screen, or a slide-out keyboard.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Intel vPro</span> Umbrella marketing term by Intel

Intel vPro technology is an umbrella marketing term used by Intel for a large collection of computer hardware technologies, including VT-x, VT-d, Trusted Execution Technology (TXT), and Intel Active Management Technology (AMT). When the vPro brand was launched, it was identified primarily with AMT, thus some journalists still consider AMT to be the essence of vPro.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Smart Display</span> Touchscreen computer project by Microsoft

In computing, Smart Display was a Microsoft initiative to use a portable touchscreen LCD monitor as a thin client for PCs, connecting via Wi-Fi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mobile Internet device</span> Multimedia capable mobile device providing wireless Internet access

A mobile Internet device (MID) is a multimedia capable mobile device providing wireless Internet access. They are designed to provide entertainment, information and location-based services for personal or business use. They allow 2-way communication and real-time sharing. They have been described as filling a niche between smartphones and tablet computers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Intel Active Management Technology</span> Out-of-band management platform by Intel

Intel Active Management Technology (AMT) is hardware and firmware for remote out-of-band management of select business computers, running on the Intel Management Engine, a microprocessor subsystem not exposed to the user, intended for monitoring, maintenance, updating, and repairing systems. Out-of-band (OOB) or hardware-based management is different from software-based management and software management agents.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Personal computer</span> Computer intended for use by an individual person

A personal computer, often referred to as a PC, is a computer designed for individual use. It is typically used for tasks such as word processing, internet browsing, email, multimedia playback, and gaming. Personal computers are intended to be operated directly by an end user, rather than by a computer expert or technician. Unlike large, costly minicomputers and mainframes, time-sharing by many people at the same time is not used with personal computers. The term home computer has also been used, primarily in the late 1970s and 1980s. The advent of personal computers and the concurrent Digital Revolution have significantly affected the lives of people in all countries.

Intel Active Management Technology (AMT) is hardware-based technology built into PCs with Intel vPro technology. AMT is designed to help sys-admins remotely manage and secure PCs out-of-band when PC power is off, the operating system (OS) is unavailable (hung, crashed, corrupted, missing), software management agents are missing, or hardware (such as a hard disk drive or memory) has failed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">HP EliteBook</span> Line of high-end laptops from Hewlett-Packard

HP EliteBook is a line of business-oriented high-end laptops and previously mobile workstations made by Hewlett-Packard. The EliteBook series, which fits above the small business ProBook series, was introduced in August 2008 as a replacement of the HP Compaq high end line of business laptops. The EliteBook brand included mobile workstations until September 2013, when they were rebranded as HP ZBook. The EliteBook mainly competes against computer lineups such as Acer's TravelMate, Dell's Latitude, Lenovo's ThinkPad and Toshiba's Portégé and Tecra.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carputer</span> Automotive computer

A carputer, or car-puter, is a computer with specializations to run in a car, such as compact size, low power requirement, and some customized components. The computing hardware is typically based on standard PCs or mobile devices. They normally have standard interfaces such as Bluetooth, USB, and WiFi. The first carputer was introduced by Clarion on December 4, 1998, although on-board diagnostics have been employed since the 1980s to precisely measure the amount of fuel entering the engine as the carburetors got too complex.

The history of tablet computers and the associated special operating software is an example of pen computing technology, and thus the development of tablets has deep historical roots. The first patent for a system that recognized handwritten characters by analyzing the handwriting motion was granted in 1914. The first publicly demonstrated system using a tablet and handwriting recognition instead of a keyboard for working with a modern digital computer dates to 1956.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Microsoft Tablet PC</span> Microsofts former line of tablets

Microsoft Tablet PC is a term coined by Microsoft for tablet computers conforming to hardware specifications, devised by Microsoft and announced in 2001, for a pen-enabled personal computer, and running a licensed copy of Windows XP Tablet PC Edition operating system or a derivative thereof.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2-in-1 laptop</span> Mobile device combining laptop and tablet characteristics

A 2-in-1 laptop, also known as 2-in-1 PC, 2-in-1 tablet, laplet, tabtop, laptop tablet, or simply 2-in-1, is a portable computer that has features of both tablets and laptops.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joe Belfiore</span> American business executive

Joe Belfiore is an American business executive who has held various roles at Microsoft since August 1990, mostly in the field of user experience. A frequent speaker, Belfiore has appeared at many Microsoft conferences, often giving demos on stage and/or acting as a spokesperson for the company. In 2018, he was named the #1 Microsoft Influencer for fans to follow on Twitter. In 2004, he gave a TED Talk in-person at the TED Conference in Monterey,CA. In summer 2023 he retired from Microsoft and is now active as chair of a non-profit board.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Post-PC era</span> Market trend

The post-PC era was a market trend observed during the late 2000s and early 2010s involving a decline in the sales of personal computers (PCs) in favor of post-PC devices; which include mobile devices such as smartphones and tablet computers as well as other mobile computers such as wearable and ubiquitous ones. These devices emphasize portability and connectivity, including the use of cloud-based services, more focused "apps" to perform tasks, and the ability to synchronize information between multiple devices seamlessly.

The Getac Z710 is a rugged tablet computer. It was introduced by Getac on September 4, 2012, when it was announced as the world's first rugged 7-inch Android tablet, and later as the world’s first rugged Android tablet to offer the option for the ATEX Zone II/22 certification for use in potentially explosive atmospheres, which is essential for many oil and gas uses as well as pharmaceutical manufacturing environments.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Windows 10</span> Tenth major release of Windows NT, released in 2015

Windows 10 is a major release of Microsoft's Windows NT operating system. It is the direct successor to Windows 8.1, which was released nearly two years earlier. It was released to manufacturing on July 15, 2015, and later to retail on July 29, 2015. Windows 10 was made available for download via MSDN and TechNet, as a free upgrade for retail copies of Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 users via the Microsoft Store, and to Windows 7 users via Windows Update. Windows 10 receives new builds on an ongoing basis, which are available at no additional cost to users, in addition to additional test builds of Windows 10, which are available to Windows Insiders. Devices in enterprise environments can receive these updates at a slower pace, or use long-term support milestones that only receive critical updates, such as security patches, over their ten-year lifespan of extended support. In June 2021, Microsoft announced that support for Windows 10 editions which are not in the Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) will end on October 14, 2025.

Xplore Technologies is a publicly traded, designer, marketer and manufacturer of rugged tablets. The company was founded in 1996 and is based in Austin, Texas. In 2015, Xplore Technologies purchased assets of Motion Computing making it one of the top companies in the rugged tablet PC market. The company's products are primarily used by field service personnel, factory workers and military personnel. Xplore Technologies products are built to satisfy MIL-STD-810G and HAZLOC compliant ATEX standards, as well as Ingress Protection (IP) ratings.

Getac is a Taiwanese multinational technology company that specializes in rugged computers, mobile video systems, mechanical components, automotive parts, and aerospace fasteners. Getac was established on 5 October 1989 as a joint venture with GE Aerospace. A subsidiary of the MiTAC-Synnex Group, Getac has been listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange since 2002. Getac is one of the major suppliers of rugged computers.

References

  1. ↑ "Austin computer-maker unveils tablet for construction/health care industry". Austin Business Journal. 22 June 2010. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
  2. ↑ "Motion signs deals with government resellers". Austin Business Journal. 11 August 2003. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
  3. ↑ "Acadian Ambulance Streamlines Patient Care & Reduces O/T with Motion Computing Technology". 9-1-1 Magazine. 18 September 2013. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
  4. ↑ "Brenham (TX) Battles Heat, Crime, Mobility Challenges with Motion Rugged Tablets and In-Vehicle Solution". 9-1-1 Magazine. 4 September 2014. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
  5. ↑ Sean Portnoy (28 March 2014). "Motion Computing's R12 is a rugged 12.5-inch Windows tablet for $2,299". ZD Net. Archived from the original on December 22, 2014. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
  6. ↑ Wayne Grayson (21 April 2014). "The Motion Computing R12 is a rugged Windows tablet designed for construction". Equipment World. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
  7. 1 2 3 Nathan Eddy (February 9, 2015). "Motion Computing Debuts F5m, C5m Rugged Tablets". eWeek. Retrieved November 3, 2016.
  8. 1 2 "Two Austin companies that make tablet computers will merge". Austin Business Journal. 16 April 2015. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
  9. ↑ David H. Freedman. "The Rise of the Robotic Work Force". Inc. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
  10. ↑ Emilie Shaughnessy (13 January 2016). "The Dell Effect". Community Impact Newspaper. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
  11. ↑ "Motion CEO Scott Eckert resigns". Austin Business Journal. 7 January 2009. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
  12. ↑ "Tablet PCs: Motion Computing M1200". Pen Computing. December 2002. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
  13. ↑ "Tablet PCs: Motion Computing M1200". Pen Computing. December 2002. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
  14. ↑ Conrad H. Blickenstorfer. "Motion Computing M1400". Rugged PC Review. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
  15. 1 2 "Motion Computing secures $5.6M financing". Austin Business Journal. 31 December 2009. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
  16. ↑ "Motion gets $25M investment". Austin Business Journal. 20 December 2004. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
  17. ↑ "Motion Computing Announces First 1 GHz Tablet PC Powered By Intel Centrino Mobile Technology". Motion Computing. 2 June 2003. Archived from the original on 10 October 2003. Retrieved 5 November 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  18. ↑ Michael Gros (22 August 2003). "New-And-Improved Tablet PCs Generate Buzz In The Market". CRN. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
  19. ↑ Charlotte Dunlap (24 June 2003). "Motion Computing M1300 Tablet PC review". CNet. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
  20. ↑ "Motion Computing M1400". PC Mag. 7 April 2004. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
  21. ↑ Conrad H. Blickenstorfer. "Motion Computing M1400". Rugged PC Review. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
  22. ↑ "Motion Computing, Active Ink Software Partner to Reduce Paper Forms". Wireless News. 3 August 2004. Retrieved 5 November 2016.[ dead link ]
  23. ↑ Tiffany Boggs (20 February 2007). "Motion Computing Unveils the C5 Mobile Clinical Assistant Tablet PC". Tablet PC Review. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
  24. ↑ Charles McLellan (16 March 2007). "Motion Computing C5: the first Mobile Clinical Assistant". ZDNet. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
  25. ↑ "Motion Computing collects $6M from VCs". Austin Business Journal. 23 December 2008. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
  26. ↑ "Gorilla Glass -- lighter and tougher display protection". Rugged PC Review. 7 October 2009. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
  27. ↑ Xavier Lanier (6 October 2009). "Motion Computing C5 and F5 Get Gorilla Glass'". Gotta Be Mobile. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
  28. ↑ "ReadyDock:UV - Chemical-Free disinfection for the Motion C5". Mobile Health Computing. 17 February 2011. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
  29. ↑ "Motion Computing CL900". PC Magazine. 2 September 2011. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
  30. ↑ Sean Buckley (10 July 2012). "Motion Computing announces CL910 tablet for enterprise, promises Windows 8 upgrades". Engadget. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
  31. ↑ Conrad H. Blickenstorfer (November 2014). "Motion Computing CL920 tablet computer". Rugged PC Review. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
  32. ↑ "Motion Computing: Making mobility work". Urgent Communications. 1 May 2014. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
  33. ↑ Donny Jackson (17 April 2016). "Xplore Technologies buys assets of Motion Computing after foreclosure". Urgent Comm. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
  34. ↑ Brian Westover (March 25, 2014). "Take Motion Computing's Rugged R12 Tablet Anywhere". PC Mag. Retrieved November 3, 2016.
  35. ↑ Sean Portnoy (March 28, 2014). "Motion Computing's R12 is a rugged 12.5-inch Windows tablet for $2,299". ZDNet. Archived from the original on December 22, 2014. Retrieved November 3, 2016.
  36. ↑ Conrad H. Blickenstorfer (November 2014). "Motion Computing CL920 tablet computer". Rugged PC Review. Retrieved November 3, 2016.
  37. ↑ Conrad H. Blickenstorfer. "Motion F5te Tablet PC". Rugged PC Review. Retrieved November 3, 2016.
  38. ↑ "Motion Enhances Suite of Mobile Solutions for Utility, Launches Next Generation of Rugged Tablet at DistribuTECH". Tablet PC2. January 2013. Retrieved November 3, 2016.
  39. ↑ Chris Davies (May 19, 2010). "Motion F5v and C5v rugged tablets get Core i5 and i7". Slash Gear. Retrieved November 3, 2016.
  40. ↑ Sasha Muller (January 14, 2011). "Motion Computing F5v review". Alphr. Retrieved November 3, 2016.
  41. ↑ Conrad H. Blickenstorfer. "Motion Computing J3500". Rugged PC Review. Retrieved November 3, 2016.
  42. ↑ Charles McLellan (June 24, 2010). "Motion Computing J3500". ZDNet. Archived from the original on January 28, 2015. Retrieved November 3, 2016.
  43. ↑ Matthew Elliott (October 17, 2011). "Motion Computing CL900 Review: A Tablet PC for the Enterprise". Tablet PC Review. Retrieved November 3, 2016.
  44. ↑ "Motion Computing CL900". PC Mag. September 2, 2011. Retrieved November 3, 2016.
  45. ↑ Charles McLellan (March 16, 2009). "Motion Computing J3400". ZDNet. Archived from the original on November 4, 2016. Retrieved November 3, 2016.
  46. ↑ Tiffany Boggs (March 11, 2008). "Motion Computing F5 Tablet PC Review". Tablet PC Review. Retrieved November 3, 2016.
  47. ↑ "Motion Computing LE1700 Tablet PC". PC Mag. March 26, 2007. Retrieved November 3, 2016.
  48. ↑ Conrad H. Blickenstorfer. "Motion Computing LE1700". Rugged PC Review. Retrieved November 3, 2016.
  49. ↑ Conrad H. Blickenstorfer. "The Motion C5 MCA platform". Rugged PC Review. Retrieved November 3, 2016.
  50. ↑ Miriam Jones (July 31, 2006). "Products". Government Technology. Retrieved November 3, 2016.
  51. ↑ Ryan Block (July 7, 2005). "Motion Computing's new LS800 8.4-inch Tablet PC". Engadget. Retrieved November 3, 2016.
  52. ↑ "Motion LE1600". CNET. Retrieved November 3, 2016.
  53. ↑ "Motion Computing LE1600". PC Mag. May 19, 2005. Retrieved November 3, 2016.
  54. ↑ Brian Nadel (July 20, 2004). "Motion M1400 Tablet PC review". CNet. Retrieved November 3, 2016.
  55. ↑ Konstantinos Karagiannis (July 1, 2003). "A Centrino Tablet in Motion". PC Mag. Retrieved November 3, 2016.
  56. ↑ "Motion Computing M1300". Engadget. Retrieved November 3, 2016.
  57. ↑ Bruce Brown (April 8, 2003). "Motion M1200 Tablet PC". PC Mag. Retrieved November 3, 2016.
  58. ↑ Brian Nadel (November 5, 2002). "Motion Computing M1200 Tablet PC review". CNet. Retrieved November 3, 2016.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.