Specifications

Competitive differentiators
Whether you are comparing the ES400 to a
consumer-style device or to other EDAs, you will
discover seven different categories of competitive
differentiators: device design — from the internal
components to the display and keyboard, usability,
durability, manageability, serviceability, security and
total cost of ownership (TCO).
Device design —
inside and outside
The ES400 proves that looks can be deceiving.
This compact mobile computer offers many
differentiators, from the physical design of the
device itself to the technology inside.
Advanced ergonomics
Motorola’s Industrial Design team conducted
multiple human factor studies to ensure ease-of-use
for the complex feature set that is packed into this
small form factor.
2 TECHNICAL BRIEF: The competitive advantages of the Motorola ES400
The keypad
Enterprise workers require a keypad to enter the
volume of data collected throughout the business
day. Design objectives for the ES400 keypad
included providing the easiest possible data entry
for workers of any age and hand size, for both one
and two-handed operation.
Heuristic analyses enabled the development of a
superior keying experience that maximizes data
entry speed, accuracy, ease and intuitiveness — and
the test was benchmarked against major consumer
devices. Design factors included:
• Key size: A ‘no-bezel’ design enabled the widest
possible keypad design, allowing the largest
possible keys for the device size.
• Key shape/surface contouring: Each key is
shaped appropriately for its place in the keypad.
A pillow-style topology provides a ‘peak point’
on each key for a high quality tactile keying
experience.
ES400 Keypad Differentiators
• Key size: Elimination of the bezel
around the keypad enables widest
possible keys for device size
• Pillow-top contour: In combination
with a ‘peak point’ on each key,
keys are uniquely shaped for their
position in the keypad.
• Key placement: All keys placed
to minimize ‘travel’ and provide an
intuitive keying experience.
• Special keys: Function, tab and
other keys were added to increase
ease of use.
• Activation force: Balanced
activation force is light enough to
ensure easy data entry, yet easily
prevent accidental key activation.
• Optical navigation pad: Selected
for its size and flexibility, this
navigation mechanism can be
utilized in a mouse mode for
easy web browsing or for ‘4-way’
navigation (up, down, right and
left), allowing users to easily move
through email or fields on a form.
ES400 Display Differentiators
• PenTile display: Delivers twice
the brightness at half the power.
Special algorithms sharpen edges
and fonts, making text, icons and
menus crisper and easier to read —
indoors and outdoors.
• Full screen utilization: Unlike
other devices with the same size
or larger screens, 100 percent of
the 3 inch screen is available for
application display — from edge to
edge, top to bottom.
• Integrated light sensor: The
display senses the available light
and automatically and smoothly
adjusts backlighting without user
intervention, delivering power
savings as well as a consistent
viewing experience — even as
users move from inside a building
or car out into direct sunlight.
Figure 1: A keypad and display for easier-than-ever data entry and viewing