Sonim Technologies Blog

NFC Technology: Transforming Security Operations with Intelligent Working

Sanjay Jhawar, Sonim's VP of Marketing and Business Development, was featured in Info4Security this month...

NFC technology is not just for mobile payments -- it's transforming workforce management in the security and facilities industries where workers desperately need a device that is not only rugged and reliable, but also intelligent.  The XP1301 CORE NFC is our answer to this growing need. 

What is Intelligent Working? 

Sonim's ultra-rugged phones are built for hazardous working environments; this does not mean that they are just "tough and dumb." As Sanjay says:

"Any technology that makes operations fitter, leaner and faster - by aiding productivity, reducing costs and making workers safer and more efficient - is definitely good for business." 

We have worked with partners around the globe to ensure that our phones are outfitted with applications to streamline data exchanges between workers to maximize workforce efficiency and this is what we call -- Intelligent Working.

To read more about Sanjay's thoughts on NFC technology, please enjoy this article in Info4Security HERE. 

DROP FOR A CAUSE

FACT: It took a 75 foot drop from a crane (strapped to a dead turkey), a dunk tank and a fire truck weighing 56000 pounds for Bluegrass Cellular to destroy the XP3400 ARMOR -- click here! 

To test the toughness of the Sonim XP3400 ARMOR , Bluegrass and their local fire station dropped what we call Turkey Armors from a crane and played BOMBS AWAY!  Strapped with the ARMOR and ready to go, the Turkey took a serious drop with the phone, and they (turkey and phone) proved to be tougher than expected.  40 feet, the phone doesn't break.  60 feet, the phone still doesn't break. 75 feet, the freakin' phone still worked even when submerged in water! 

The phone finally met its death when the firefighters couldn't lift the turkey any higher and drove over it with a fire truck -- CRUNCH.

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, Bluegrass matched the toughness of our phone with a cash donation to Salvation Army. 

*Bluegrass Cellular is an independent carrier in Kentucky, and they are committed to providing premier wireless service to rural Kentucky.  Please check out their website here. 

 

Let's Take it to the EXTREME: 22 Hours 29 Minutes

Breaking News: Sonim Wins PC Magazine's Extreme Performance Award

What is a PC Magazine Extreme Performance Award? 

Every year, PC Magazine picks the cream of the gadget crop and conducts "re-producible, Labs-based benchmark tests."  As PC Magazine says, the awards are about "pushing boundaries" and "represent[ing] the leading edge of Performance."  The XP3300 Force won the Extreme Performance Award for 'Best Continuous Talk Time'; it also should be noted that the XP3300 was the only cell phone awarded an Extreme Performance Award. No smart phones, no flip phones, just our phone.  So, it seems that PC Magazine agrees that we are the only phone worthy enough to be called Extreme. 

PCMag reviewer Alex Colon’s says the Force’s bottom line is: “Toughest phone available. Longest talk time we’ve ever seen. Industry-leading three-year comprehensive warranty.”  He got it right on the mark.  We apologize for being Extremely redundant, but we’d like to Extremely emphasize the ever in “Longest talk time we’ve ever seen.”  We’re the first in PC Magazine’s history to have achieved such an Extreme, outrageous, unbelievable battery life which explains why we won this Extreme Performance Award.

PC Magazine also reviewed tons of cameras, laptops, and desktops to find who else was at our level of Extreme Performance.  There were so many awesome gadgets to drool over (have your holiday wish list ready?), but we were especially into the Canon EOS 7D, recipient of ‘Fastest Shot-to-Shot Time.’  It’s true; this camera is pretty Bad Ass.  We’ve gotten to test the 7D for ourselves in the office, and here's one from our backyard.  

We'd like to leave you with some Extreme things you could do while talking on your Sonim for 22 hours and 29 minutes.

• Drive half-way across across the United States (except states with cell phone laws)
• Watch the fastest Ironman to date, Andreas Raelert, do the entire race 3 times. He did it in 7 hours/41 minutes *remember this tough guy on our blog?
• Have a Harry Potter Movie Marathon, 17 hours/30 min and really piss off whomever you are watching with.
• Fly from Sonim's headquarters in San Mateo, CA to our office in Bangalore, India. 

You got any more? Also, how many times did we say Extreme? ;)

Enjoy PC Magazine's full article HERE.

 

 

 

 

 

CTIA ROUNDUP

Last week, we took a trip down to sunny San Diego to showcase our new phones at the CTIA Enterprise and Applications Show.  CTIA brings together leading innovators in mobile technology and provides an opportunity for the industry to come together and show off their latest and greatest.  

People from all corners of the wireless industry stopped by out booth to see just how rugged our phones are and test our new workforce management applications.  We anticipated that some onlookers would question the ultra ruggedness of our phones, so we brought down a 6 foot clear tube from our corporate headquarters to help us prove that our phones are not just water proof, but also water submersible. (IP-68!)  The San Diego Union Tribune came by and caught our very own, Swathy and Chris, submerging the phone. 

Engadget's Brad Molen stopped by, and we happily gave him an introduction to the our phones.  Thanks to all who came by and visited us at CTIA; we really appreciate your support.  If you weren't able to attend the show, no worries, you can check out all the phones we showed off here. 

October Phonefest: Introducing Stateside Ultra Ruggedness

Heads Up! We’re dropping FOUR new ultra rugged phones onto the American market today and rolling out a portfolio of Workforce Management applications for remote workers.

These tough mobile devices will keep you connected with your coworkers from wherever you are—and still looking tough. Or, in a worse case scenario, they’ll keep you from getting seriously hurt on the job.

Ultra Rugged meets CDMA - XP3400 ARMOR

• Meet our first stateside CDMA phone.  This phone is ready for battle in the workfield and keeps working even when you cannot.

Swipe Your Work Away - XP1301 CORE NFC

• Swipe your phone to prove you're at the right place, at the right time, and that your work is done. Rugged Meets Ultra Rugged - XP3300 FORCE It's a phone that never dies, so your boss can always call you… and you can call them to say: Job's Done!

Drop it Like it's Hot -XP3340 SENTINEL

• You've fallen and can't get up? Use your new Sonim phone—no more excuses ;)

Sonim’s ultra rugged phones give you the power to stay safe, communicate with team members in real time, and report back your home office. Workforce Management is now TRULY RUGGED and we are happy to provide you with the critical tools you need to do your job well, no matter what environment you are in.

To learn more, please visit www.sonimtech.com or email us at newproducts@sonimtech.com

What's Your PLAN?

Disasters are an everyday occurrence, and so it is our duty, as members of the wireless industry, to provide our users with emergency alertness and preparedness.  Built in Safety is critical for mobile phones, and we're always interested in learning more about how to protect our users. 

This year, the Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) proposed and adopted PLAN, the Personalized Localized Alerting Network, a system which collaborates with wireless carriers to provide provide people with geographically-targeted ‘text-like’ messages alerting them of imminent threats to safety in their area.  While carriers will voluntarily participate with PLAN in 2012, Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint have have already announced their willingness to integrate this system with their mobile solutions.  Check out this story: FCC, NYC Announce Personal Localized Alerting Network 

PLAN provides a unique opportunity for the telecommunications industry to collaborate with the government to provide user safety.  PLAN states that their alerts “shall not be based on upon any single technology or platform, but shall be designed to provide alerts to the largest portion of the affected population feasible and improve the ability of remote areas to receive alerts.”  No matter where users you are or what type of device you have, you will have the option to carry a PLAN enabled phone.  This service is free of charge, and enabled devices will receive government emergency alerts through their carrier networks based on their exact location.  

Sending messages at lightening speed is critical to preparing for and reacting to catastrophes.  For detailed instructions on how to protect and prepare your families, check out FEMA's directions listed here.

Sonim Proves You've Done Your Job

 

One stormy, ominous night, during the very early hours of the morning, an office building is broken into.  The next morning, 15 laptops are missing.  After the initial shock, the bickering and recriminations begin. 

You are the operations manager at General Security Company and while having a tranquil breakfast with your family, your mobile rings.  You listen to a frantic and enraged client describe the loss of her employees' valuables and goes on to place blame:

"It was Door 16; where was your guard?? Didn't he see this?  Was he inside asleep or reading the paper because he didn't want to patrol in the rain?"

Your role at General Security Company is to ensure that your security guards are doing their job and six months ago, this would have been your worst nightmare.  Endless paperwork, angry client conference calls, fights with insurance companies -- the turmoil would have never ended.  

Now, dealing with this frenzied call isn't a problem.  Logging into the security system from the breakfast table on your iPad, you can immediately see that Mike was on duty, as he is a very diligent and experienced guard.  You also see that Mike used his phone to scan the contact-less tag on the outside of Door 16 at 3:20 AM.  He passed by the location again at 5:00 am, just as scheduled, and at that point, reported the incident by entering a message into the phone.  So in response to the angry client, you say: 

"Despite the torrential downpour, the security guard that was on duty, Mike, did his job. The system shows that the break-in had to have happened between 3:20 and 5:00 AM. Since the alarm didn't go off, there is a good chance that it was an inside job.  We already have informed the police." 

You hang up the phone feeling extremely relieved and you think to yourself: Thanks, Sonim, for avoiding a very bad day! 

Meet the XP1301 CORE NFC.  The World’s Most Rugged Near Field Communications Phone, made especially for security guards, cleaning crews and home visit healthcare workers because these workers need to be able to prove they did their job, in rain or shine.  Learn more about this cool new product in NFC World Review, click here. 

 

Tough Mudder vs. Sonim's Ultra Rugged Employee

Does this guy look tough to you? --->

Tuan Nguyen, Sonim's Director of Financial Planning and Analysis, will be participating in NorCal's Tough Mudder this Saturday.  Tough Mudder goes beyond being tough in the mud and requires extreme endurance, a commitment to comraderie and perhaps a mild case of insanity.

Tough Mudders work in teams to complete a 10-12 mile run over treacherous terrain that includes 20-25 military-inspired obstacles.  The key is not only to cross the finish line, but also to ensure your team member or 'Muddy Buddies' cross with you, broken limbed or not.  As a cross-fit enthusiast and personal trainer, Tuan is confident that he'll tough out the mud, sweat, and barbed wire but the question is - will his Muddy Buddies?  

Since we love ultra rugged individuals who put our phones to the test, Tuan will be equipped with our XP3300 Force   that has GPS tracking provided by ActSoft.   This way, we can track Tuan as he clambers up slippery slopes, swims in ice cold water, and even run through 'electroshock therapy' -- sprinting through live wires that carry 10,000 volt shock!  To check out this weekend's course in detail, click here.

According to the Tough Mudder staff, this race separates itself from marathons because: 

"Marathon running is simply boring. And the only thing more boring than doing a marathon is watching a marathon. Road-running may give you a healthy set of lungs, but will leave you with as much upper body strength as Keira Knightley. At Tough Mudder, we want to test your all-around mettle..."

Good luck to Tuan, we hope you make it back in one piece and everyone, stay tuned for photos of the event and Tuan's renowned Keira Knightley biceps. :)

Guinness World Record for Highest Mobile Phone Drop

We broke the World Record.  The Guinness World Record.

Now the World’s Toughest Phone, the ultra rugged XP3300 Force took the fall—all 25m/83 ft to the pavement  (higher than a 10 story building)– and survived.  We broke the record in Epe, Netherlands, where Guinness World Record judges witnessed the extreme drop and tested the phone afterwards.   After Lucia Sinigagliesi, Adjudications Manager Guinness Word Records, successfully received a call on the phone, the XP3300 Force officially became the one and only, World’s Toughest Phone. 

We beat the previous Highest Mobile Phone Drop World Record of a measly 3.5 meters by a long shot.  We’re proud of the quality of our ultra rugged phones and establishing the Guinness World Record for Highest Mobile Phone Drop assures remote and tough workers that their Sonim phones can withstand daily knocks, drops, and tumbles. 

Check out the video down below as well some exciting coverage on this incredible feat. 

PC Magazine   

Ubergizmo  

Phone Arena

To explore more Guinness World Records click here. 

Why Built in Safety Matters

Fighting fires is dangerous; fighting explosions is deadly.  Unexpected disasters can happen anywhere, at any time.  

This summer in England, the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Services were called to a street with several small fires.  Thankfully, they were able to save all the occupants but seconds after everyone was safely evacuated, a horrific explosion tore through the row of houses, leaving some of the houses completely demolished and others severely damaged. Amazingly, only one firefighter had minor injuries, and everyone walked away from this potentially, very lethal disaster.  Check out the frightening video photo here ---- see video.

A senior manager for West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Services said: “If the house had exploded only seconds earlier, there is no doubt in my mind that it would have killed or seriously injured the occupants and the firefighters who were risking their lives to rescue them.”

Incidents like these emphasize exactly why we engineer our phones to be ultra-rugged with built in safety applications to ensure that firefighters (or any worker who operates in dangerous environments) are safe and efficient.  Cheers to the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Services for doing their job: Saving Lives.

Click here for full story.