Motorola Solutions unveils new tablet for business

The next time you shop at a retailer, and need to ask the sales representative for information on a product, he might invite you to look at a new tablet.

Schaumburg-based Motorola Solutions today will launch such a tablet that straps onto the hand, called the Enterprise Tablet, or ET1.

The Android-based, ruggedize device can pull up price quotes, comparison shop on features, and allow the company to track each sales person online.

It also will surf for a product, in case you can't find it in the store, and allow you to buy it in seconds with a quick swipe of your credit card.

“It makes the whole shopping experience easier the moment you walk into the store,” said Eduardo Conrado, Motorola Solutions chief marketing officer.

While other tablets from Motorola Mobility, Apple and others cater to the consumer market, this tablet is for businesses and is priced at about $1,000 each.

The ET1 went into development more than a year ago, and those in various professions provided input.

The ET1 can withstand being dropped on a hard-surface floor and has durable Gorilla Glass in its 7-inch color display. The device also features an optional, integrated bar code scanner, magnetic stripe reader for credit cards, a long-lasting battery and rechargeable battery pack for quick replacement, front and rear cameras, among others.

And it's just not for the retail sector, those in hospitals, hotels, restaurants, resorts and other businesses can customize the device as well, Conrado said.

In fact, the front can be customized with the company's brand and colors, he said.

“Customers will see that and can immediately go to that sales rep to ask questions,” Conrado said.

The tablet also can scan a customer's smartphone and pull data from inside the phone, which could lead to coupons or e-tickets. The Wi-Fi-enabled device is password protected and can allow information to be shared between employees or protected, depending on their level of responsibility or access rights.

“At the end, it makes it easier to shop and check out,” Conrado said.