Handheld Group, a manufacturer of rugged mobile computers and smartphones, has launched a new rugged handheld, the Nautiz X4.

Retailers that have rolled out RFID have traditionally used handheld readers. However, some are starting to use exit-monitoring or even whole-store illumination approaches. Smart shelves have yet to take off. The dynamics are changing, which could influence which strategy makes the most sense for a given store. Which strategy is best for you?

The acceleration of global RFID adoption by the biggest retailers should be a lesson to those still lagging in its adoption, experts told attendees at the recent "Big Show," the National Retail Federation's 103nd Annual Convention & EXPO.

By a wide margin, the top reason for retailers to implement RFID is to improve inventory accuracy.

Building on the momentum gained in 2012, smartphones are expected to account for the majority of near field communication (NFC) shipments in 2013, when all he numbers are in. Already, volumes have jump by 129 percent.

Less than 10 percent of hospitals have warmed up to RFID technology.