Gadgets and Gizmos

Motorola unveils VoIP enabled barcode scanner

Motorola has unveiled CA50, a voice over Internet protocol (VoIP)-enabled wireless scanner, which is aimed at retail, healthcare and hospitality service workers to enhance customer service.

The CA50 is the first device of its kind, allowing users to scan barcodes as well as have access to voice telephony and walkie-talkie style Push To Talk communications. The devices link to a central web server within a particular environment.

Motorola said that the CA50 VoIP-enabled barcode scanner, aimed at retail, hospitality and healthcare settings, could help improve productivity and customer service while reducing operational expenses. CA50 VoIP was demonstrated this week at the National Retail Federation’s annual Big Show event.

The CA50 can also be protected by Motorola’s innovative Service from the Start Advance Exchange maintenance program. This multi-year agreement helps protect product uptime with next-business-day device replacement.

The service includes comprehensive coverage at no additional cost, which extends normal wear and tear coverage to include internal and external components damaged through accidental breakage. This virtually eliminates customers’ unforeseen repair expenses.

The CA50 is expected to be available globally in the first quarter of 2008. Pricing and availability information for the CA50 was not released.

Features listed by Motorola for the CA50 include:

Processor Marvell PXA270 clocked at 312MHz
Memory 64MB RAM and 32MB flash
Display 5-line monochrome display with LED backlighting
Networking 802.11a/b/g wireless networking
Other I/O 1 x USB 1.1
1D barcode scanner supporting UPC/EAN, Code 128, UCC, EAN128, RSS, Code 39, Code 93, I 2 of 5, Discrete 2 of 5, Codabar, and MSI
Expansion none cited
Battery type 920 mAH lithium-ion
Dimensions 4.4 x 1.8 x 1 inches (11 x 5 x 3cm)
Weight 3.7 ounces (105g)