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Stadium WiFi and Weatherproof Tablet PCs?

Posted by Cliff on from the hardware-that-can-handle-the-abuse dept.

StadiumOutfitter asks: "I've been tasked with setting up a wireless network for an open air stadium - not just for internet access but potentially with in seat food/drink orders and even interactive game related content. That's the easy part, really. What I'd really like to find is a rugged and weatherproof handheld device (tablet or PDA style) that can do Wifi. The plan is to rent them out during gamedays for people who want to participate, but can't bring a laptop. Any suggestions?

2 of 46 comments (clear)

  1. Use a lower cost alternative by tres · · Score: 4, Interesting

    You're talking about a lot of capital investment just roaming around the park. I imagine your corp will already be putting the responsibility onto the client for return of an operational device.

    It seems that the best way to recoup costs is not to buy some ruggedized, high-cost version of something that may or may not be popular. Think about the industry as a whole; you probably can't count on any end-user device being attractive to customers for more than a year. There will always be newer and better to replace the older.

    Just bulk buy the regular version of the device for a reduced price and rent a protective jacket as an additional cost.

    This a) provides an additional revenue stream (think embroidered team logos and reselling your device for markup), and b) reaffirms to the client the idea that it is, in fact, their responsibility to return the device in good working order. Protective sleeves are easily replaceable by anyone. Rather than paying a tech lots of dollars to repair a ruggedized device, you can replace protective covers with minimal overhead.

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  2. Handspring Treo 600 by mbstone · · Score: 2, Interesting
    My Handspring Treo 600 is a pretty good device for doing what you suggest, probably any palm-phone will do. Have you thought about doing a marketing tie-in with a cellular service provider? Get the latest [brand] palmphone [at our special price][on a trial for a day at XYZ ballpark] and use it to get 2 free hot dogs and sodas delivered to your seat.



    Maybe your ballpark is already named after a cell phone company.....