White Paper: Bluetooth Barcode Scanners
What are they?
Barcode scanners come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and connection types. In the past, most businesses would utilize a corded barcode scanner that would connect to a PC computer via a USB, Serial, or PS/2 Keyboard Wedge interface. Now, with the world migrating towards a mobile, or cordless, platform, Bluetooth is becoming more prevalent in the data capture industry. Bluetooth is a short-range wireless communication standard that interconnects electronic devices. Similarly, Bluetooth Barcode Scanners are offered in a handheld cordless form factor, and communicate to their respective base/cradle or directly to a mobile device, such as a smartphone or tablet, via Bluetooth. After a huge demand from small and medium-sized business owners to incorporate iPads, iPhones, Galaxy Tabs, and other smartphone or tablet devices into their workforce management workflow, Honeywell invested extensive time and resources into building barcode scanners that are equipped with Bluetooth technology in order to pair them with consumer mobile devices. Now, business owners have the ability to manage inventory or track assets at the tip of their hands by pairing a Bluetooth barcode scanner with their smartphone or tablet.
Star’s New Mobile SM-L200 Printer
‘Always Leading-Always Innovating’ in cutting-edge technology, Star is proud to announce its SM-L200 two-inch Bluetooth low energy portable printer for the mobile point of sale industry. The SM-L200 supports BLE technology for all iOS mobile devices such as the Apple iPad, iPhone and iPod touch. Its compact and lightweight design make this two-inch portable printer perfect for a wide range of applications from queue busting in retail and hospitality to home delivery 58mm wide invoicing.
The SM-L200 is the first portable printer currently on the market which offers the ability to connect any Apple, iOS BLE compatible device without having to pair to it. With no limitation on the number of devices connected, BLE is the perfect solution for BYOD (bring your own device) environments that does not require any certification or prior authorization from your iOS operating system. In addition to the BLE feature for iOS, the SM-L200 is Bluetooth (3.0/ 4.0) compatible with all operating systems (Windows, Android, and iOS).
Star’s WebPRNT Browser Now Available on the iTunes App Store and Google Play
Star has released its WebPRNT Browser to extend Star’s WebPRNT technology for web based receipt printing to customers using Star’s portable and desktop receipt printers in a mobile environment using Bluetooth connectivity.
Star’s WebPRNT Browser allows you to print receipts or data from a web browser-based application running on a mobile device to a Star Bluetooth printer wirelessly. To begin, configure Star’s WebPRNT Browser to open the desired web-based application which supports WebPRNT and print to the desired Bluetooth printer. Once configured, the user simply pairs their mobile device to a Star Bluetooth printer, opens the application on Star’s WebPRNT Browser and prints from the application. Easy to set up for both application developers and end users, Star’s WebPRNT Browser combines the utility of WebPRNT’s webbased receipt printing technology with the simplicity of Bluetooth connectivity.
CognitiveTPG Debuts Bluetooth Enabled A799II and DLXi for Mobile Printing
CognitiveTPG is expanding its line of mobile printing options with the entrance of its industry proven POS Receipt printers and Barcode Label printers enabled with Bluetooth connectivity.
Integrating the Bluetooth technology into the A799II POS and DLXi Label printers allows customers to connect to a Bluetooth enabled host such as a tablet, smart phone or mobile computer. The A799II and DLXi Bluetooth enabled printers pair with Windows and Android platforms, and iOS coming soon.
Datalogic’s New QuickScan QBT2400 and QM2400 Entry Level Cordless 2D Area Imagers
Datalogic is proud to announce the availability of the QuickScan QBT2400 and QM2400 cordless imagers the latest additions to the popular QuickScan 2D imager line of general purpose handheld scanners.
The popularity of 2D bar codes has spread across all market segments of the data capture industry. As a result, imaging technology usage is steadily growing and is projected to continue this upward trend. Datalogic’s QuickScan imager family offers more affordable pricing and high performance scanning through the use of area imaging technology. These imagers offer high speed and accuracy while reading 1D codes, various 2D codes and stacked codes such as the PDF417 code. Wireless mobility helps the operator roam at the point-of-sale (POS). Uses include shelf replenishment, inventory, price checking, the reading of mobile phone displays and loyalty cards. The presence of the patented Datalogic ‘Green Spot’ technology ensures good-read feedback in any environment.
APG Releases BluePRO Bluetooth Interface for Cash Drawers
APG has officially announced the release of their new BluePRO Bluetooth interface for cash drawers. Now available for purchase, the BluePRO Bluetooth interface will enable cash drawer control via Bluetooth communication and allows retailers to wirelessly synchronize and create a one to one relationship between the cash drawer and tablet.
The BluePRO interface plugs into most printer-driven cash drawers so it can pair with a tablet via Bluetooth connection. The range of this communication is purposely limited by the BluPRO device so that retailers can be assured of having only attended cash transactions. Operating System and device agnostic, the Bluetooth interface allows retailers flexibility with devices. APG will provide the necessary software development kit for integration on the Android and iOS platforms, with a Windows solution coming soon.
TSL Offers New Accessory Option for the 1128 Bluetooth UHF RFID Reader
TSL has announced a new wrist mount and belt holster accessory for the 1128 Bluetooth UHF RFID Reader, facilitating fast, accurate and cost-effective tracking of products, assets and data in such applications as retail, logistics, warehousing and distribution.
The 1128 Bluetooth UHF RFID Reader is designed to communicate wirelessly with a variety of Bluetooth-enabled mobile devices, including enterprise handhelds, consumer phones, touchscreen MP3 players, tablets and PCs. Using the new MC40 Wrist Mount and carrying the 1128 Bluetooth UHF RFID Reader in the Belt Holster, data can be captured and transmitted completely hands-free via automatic RFID scanning.
Star’s New SM-T400i Mobile Receipt Printer Compatible with iOS
Star Micronics has announced the debut of its SM-T400i and SM-T404i to their “i” Series of printers. As the widest format portable Bluetooth printer in Star’s “i” Series, the SM-T400i and SM-T404i are rugged four inch (112mm) portable Bluetooth receipt printers with a wide 104mm printable area, ideal for data filled service reports, delivery notes or law enforcement citations. With an added magnetic stripe reader (MSR), the SMT401i adds even more functionality and value to the SM-T400i model.
Apple MFi certified, the SM-T400i and SM-T404i portable receipt printers are approved for use with the iPod Touch, iPhone and iPad. With operating system support for iOS, Android and Windows, the SM-T400i and SM-T404i also boast a configurable Eco-Friendly Auto Power Down mode. As an added convenience, the SMT404i offers a MSR which adds even more functionality to the base model SM-T400i. Dust protected and splashproof resistant (IP54 Certified), the SM-T400i and SM-T404i are welcomed options for any environment.
The Star SM-S220i – New Portable Bluetooth Printer Compatible with iOS Devices
Star Micronics has announced the latest advancement in its portable printer line, the SM-S220i Bluetooth printer compatible with the Apple iOS devices.
The SM-S220i portable receipt printer is Star’s first printer approved by Apple, Inc. The SM-S220i printer, unlike most printers, can pair via Bluetooth with the iPod touch, iPhone and iPad. The SM-S220i printer has made it easier than ever to print from the Apple iOS devices that have become ubiquitous in the Point of Sale and Payment industries.
Not only can Star’s SM-S220i printer pair with iOS devices but it also supports the Bluetooth SPP protocol, meaning it can pair with devices running most other common operating systems as well. As one of the first printers available with both of these Bluetooth technologies in one device, the SM-S220i will make it easier for resellers to offer a simple hardware solution to merchants that is compatible with all of the popular mobile platforms.
Enphase Energy Uses the Socket 7Xi Scanner with Apple iPhone for Solar Panel Installation and Tracking Solution
Socket announced that Enphase Energy — a manufacturer of microinverter technology for the solar industry with more than 44,000 installations around the world — has incorporated the Socket Bluetooth Cordless Hand Scanner 7Xi barcode scanner into its ArrayGun mobile solution for solar panel installation. Enphase is demonstrating the solution this week at Solar Power International 2012 in Orlando, FL.
Enphase microinverters are semiconductor-based solar panel components that provide remote monitoring of energy harvesting performance through the Enlighten web-based platform. In order for technicians to view performance, diagnose issues or pinpoint maintenance needs on a module-by-module basis, the serial number and location of each microinverter must be recorded during solar panel installation. The new ArrayGun installer toolkit solution enables installers to quickly and accurately scan and connect large numbers of microinverters using the CHS 7Xi and an iPhone or iPod touch running the Enphase Installer Toolkit app.
