Music streaming service Pandora is taking the fight to Apple, Google and Spotify with a new premium plan that brings tunes to your whole family’s ears for $14.99 per month.
Pandora’s new plan offers unlimited streaming for up to six users, and is the same price as Google, Apple and Spotify’s family offerings – though Apple Music is less generous, only letting five family members tune in at once. Sorry, grandma.
Each user has their own account, which they can use to create playlists and custom radio stations. They can also download tracks for offline listening, and there are no ads to worry about.
Wait up!
Pandora has a history of being late to the game – its premium offering only launched last year, and although generous, it didn’t offer anything music lovers couldn’t already get through its competitors’ more established services.
Its new family plan feels like another attempt to keep up with the Joneses, but its rivals are moving in different directions.
For example, Google has just launched YouTube Music – a video-focused alternative to Google Play Music. An individual YouTube Music Premium subscription costs the same as any other streaming service ($9.99 per month)
YouTube Music doesn’t yet offer family plans for multiple users, but we expect that feature will appear as Google rolls out the service more widely.
Meanwhile, Apple is reaching beyond its native environment with a new native desktop app for Windows 10. If Pandora really wants to keep up with the pack it might need to do more to differentiate itself, or be left behind.
If you work outside, or in a busy environment where accidents can occur, then having the best rugged tablet for your needs is essential. Rugged tablets are often more expensive than their non-rugged brethren, but the money you save on not having to repair or replace damaged devices will more than make up for the initial outlay.
The best rugged tablet feature reinforced screens to stop them cracking, and durable bodies that won’t break if you drop them. However, they should also maintain their slim and light designs. These rugged tablets also boast many of the features regular tablets offer, such as bright and vibrant touchscreens, huge collections of apps, and easy-to-carry designs, while also adding a layer of ruggedness that keeps them protected.
While you won’t get a rugged tablet that’s as slim and light as the iPad Air 2, it doesn’t mean you should have to lug around a chunky and unwieldy tablet either.
So, to help you find the best rugged tablet, we’ve put together this list, which gather the top shock and drop-proof tablets on the market today.
Weight: 450g | Dimensions: 203mm x 18mm x 132mm | OS: Windows 10 Pro | Screen size: 7-inch | Resolution: 1280 x 800 pixels | CPU: Intel Core m5-6Y57 vPro | RAM: 4GB | Storage: 128GB | microSD slot: Yes | Battery: approx 3,220mAh | Rear camera: 8MP | Front camera: 2MP
Very well protected
Display designed for bright conditions
Battery life isn’t the best
If you’re working outside, then the Panasonic Toughpad FZ-M1 is easily one of the best rugged tablets on the market today. This is thanks not only to its tough design that is shock resistant to to drops of up ton 180cm, but also because the display has been designed to be used outdoors in bright sunlight – so you’ll still be able to use the Panasonic Toughpad FZ-M1 no matter how bright your surroundings are. The screen supports 10-finger multi-touch, it runs on Windows 10 Pro, it’s water and dust resistant and comes with a configuration port for a variety of expansions (serial, LAN, 2D Barcode Reader, NFC).
Weight: 139g | Dimensions: 314 x 207 x 24.5 mm | OS: Windows 10 Pro | Screen size: 11.6-inch | Resolution: 1366 x 768 pixels | CPU: Intel Core i7-6600U 2.6GHz | RAM: 4GB | Storage: 128GB/256B/512GB/1TB | microSD slot: No (but can be added via expansion slot) | Battery: 2,160mAh | Rear camera: 1080P (optional) | Front camera: 8MP (optional)
Thin and light
Dual battery
Lack of ports
If you’re looking for a rugged Windows tablet that can withstand an impressive amount of punishment, then the Getac F110 is an excellent choice. Its durable body can withstand moisture, extreme temperatures and drops, without it being bulky or heavy. It is certified to MIL-STD 810G, 1P65 and MIL-STD-461F standards. The most recent version of this tablet comes with 6th generation Intel Core processors, so there’s plenty of power here, and a dual battery system means you can easily swap them out without having to pause.
Weight: 1.5kg | Dimensions: 215.15 x 287.1 x 36.4 mm | OS: Windows 10 | Screen size: 10.1-inch | Resolution: 1920 x 1200 pixels | CPU: Intel Atom Bay Trail-T Z3795 Quad Core 1.6 GHz SoC BGA | RAM: 4GB | Storage: 128GB | microSD slot: No | Battery: 4,615mAh | Rear camera: 8MP | Front camera: 2.15MP
Great business features
Good price
Not the most powerful tablet
Lack of ports
The HP ElitePad 1000 is a fantastic business laptop, and it can be configured to come in a rugged design that is IP65 and MIL-STD 810G tested. It can withstand a 6ft drop onto linoleum-covered concrete. It features an Intel Atom processor, which isn’t the most powerful CPU, but it’s still capable of handling most business applications. Biometric security keeps your important data safe, and HP also offers a range of accessories, such as docking stations and additional batteries.
Weight: 276g | Dimensions: 313.0 x 288.4 x 46.1mm | OS: Windows 10 | Screen size: 12-inch | Resolution: 2160 x 1440 | CPU: Intel Core i5-7300U processor | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 256GB | Battery: 1990mAh | Rear camera: 8MP | Front camera: 1080p
2-in-1 design
Great screen
Short battery life
The Panasonic Toughbook CF-33 is a 2-in-1 rugged device, which means it has an attachable keyboard that allow it to work as either a laptop or as a tablet. When in tablet mode, the Toughbook CF-33 is an excellent durable machine , with MIL-STD-461F, MIL-STD-810G and IP65 certification, which means it can survive shocks, drops liquids and dust. The battery life is a bit on the short side compared to other rugged tablets on this list, but you can quickly swap out the battery when you need extra time. You can also buy extended batteries that double the run time from 10 hours to 20. This is an additional cost, however.
Weight: 162g | Dimensions: 312 x 203 x 24 mm | OS: Windows 10 Pro | Screen size: 11.6-inch | Resolution: 1366 x 768 | CPU: Intel Core M-5Y71 | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 128GB | Battery: 26 whr
Very solidly built
Great value for money
Old processor
Dell is another well-known brand that produces rugged tablets. The Dell Latitude 12 is one such device, and Dell has recently updated the model with more up-to-date components, though the processor still feels a little outdated. However, you do get an excellently-built tablet that has IP65, MIL-STD-810G and IP-810G certifications (rather than merely meeting the standards in laboratory tests). Dell’s customary high build quality is evident here, and while it isn’t the most glamorous looking tablet, it does the job of withstanding harsh conditions, and accidental drops. Price-wise, the Dell Latitude 12 is also pretty competitive, and as with other Dell products, you’re able to configure the hardware to meet your specific needs and budget.
Weight: 415g | Dimensions: 127.6 x 214.7 x 9.9 mm | OS:Android 7.1.1.0 | Screen size: 8-inch | Resolution: 800 x 1280 pixels | CPU: Octa-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A53 | RAM: 3GB | Storage: 16GB | microSD slot: Yes | Battery: 4,450mAh | Rear camera: 8MP | Front camera: 5MP
Survives natural elements
Good battery life
Not the most robust rugged tablet
Small storage space
Unlike other rugged tablets on this list, the Samsung Galaxy Tab Active 2 isn’t designed for industrial-grade protection. However, what it does provide is IP67 certification for dust and water ingress, and a battery that lasts between eight to 10 hours. Plus, it supports replaceable batteries, so you can keep on working even if you’re away from a power supply, and it’s drop-tested to 1.2 metres. A decent camera and NFC technology are included, and it’s rounded off with Samsung’s customary excellent build quality. The newer Galaxy Tab Active 2 improves on a lot of the features of the first Tab Active, with more RAM, better CPU and much more.
Weight: 109g | Dimensions: 281 x 180 x 22 mm | OS: Android 6.0 | Screen size: 10.1-inch | Resolution: 1366 x 768 | CPU: Intel Bay Trail E3845 Quad Core 1.91GHz | RAM: 4GB | Storage: 64GB | Battery: up to 8 hours | Rear camera: 5MP | Front camera: 2MP
Good screen for outdoor use
Decent price
Not the fastest tablet
Battery life isn’t great
This 10.1-inch Android tablet can withstand drops up to five feet, as well as being water and dust resistant. While it’s bulkier and heavier than non-rugged tablets, it’s still portable enough to be easily carried around worksites. Its screen isn’t the highest resolution, but with a 500 Nit backlight, it is excellent for use in direct sunlight. It’s not the most powerful tablet on this list, but it’s a more affordable alternative for people who want to use an Android device outside and on the road.
Weight: 780g | Dimensions: 218 x 142 x 27 mm | OS: Android 6.0 | Screen size: 7-inch | Resolution: 1280 x 720 | CPU: Intel Atom Atom x5-Z8350 | RAM: 2GB | Storage: 32GB/64GB | Battery: 8,400mAh | Rear camera: 8MP | Front camera: 2MP
Nice design
Good display
Not the most powerful
Screen suffers in direct sunlight
The Getac Z710 is a handy rugged tablet that does pretty much everything you’d want from an Android tablet, while coming in a rugged body. Design-wise the Getac Z710 is one of the better looking rugged tablets we’ve seen, and it comes with a number of business-orientated features that make it an excellent choice for enterprise use. The 7-inch screen is crisp and responsive to touch, but it does have a habit of showing off glare in direct lights. It has been tested for drops up to six foot, and is MIL-STD-810G certified, while Corning Gorilla glass protects the screen from shattering.
Looking for a laptop that can withstand the elements? Check out our list of the best rugged laptops
We’re already seeing phones upping the ante by building rear cameras from three lenses instead of the usual two, but that’s not an innovation Apple is going to rush to follow, according to reports – it’s going to wait until the 2019 iPhone line-up to install three lenses on the back of its own devices.
That’s according to a research note from Deutsche Securities analyst Jialin Lu, via the Taiwanese Economic Daily News, via MacRumors. It’s all going to serve the iPhone’s 3D depth-sensing and augmented reality capabilities, something we know Apple has a fondness for.
Two of the sensors will capture an object from different angle, Lu says, with the differences between the two snaps used to calculate distances and apply whatever AR trickery was required. There have also been rumors that Apple is investigating a laser-based system to achieve the same effect.
Two lenses good, three lenses better
The prediction matches something we heard only last month about the iPhone 12 (or whatever Apple ends up calling it). However, this new whisper of a triple-lens camera has a bit more detail in it – this just might end up being one of those rumors that run and run.
With several months to go before the 2018 iPhones arrive, it might seem a little early to be talking about the ones launching in September of next year… but Apple will certainly have its plans laid out. The extended time frame here does mean that the company might decide to change course and stick with a dual-lens snapper after all.
We’ve also heard that the iPhone might support the Apple Pencil in 2019, so if the rumors around the iPhone XI aren’t enough to satisfy you, there’s always next year to look forward to. We’ll see if Apple drops any clues at WWDC 2018 at the start of next month.
