Shipping company UPS has started rolling out the latest version of the custom delivery computer its drivers have been using since 1991. Called the Delivery Information Acquisition Device or DIAD V, the handheld computer collects signatures, stores parcel information, and scans barcodes; this new version is supposed to significantly speed up performance and will support features like navigation or training videos in the future. At 1.3 pounds, it’s also half the weight of its predecessor and includes some new hardware, like a 3-megapixel flash camera that could be used to confirm proof of delivery or corroborate customer claims.
Smaller, faster UPS handheld computer coming to drivers today
UPS has released the latest version of its shipping computer, the Delivery Information Acquisition Device or DIAD V. The new version includes a 3-megapixel camera and upgraded memory and processing power.
UPS has released the latest version of its shipping computer, the Delivery Information Acquisition Device or DIAD V. The new version includes a 3-megapixel camera and upgraded memory and processing power.
is a senior tech and policy editor focused on online platforms and free expression. Adi has covered virtual and augmented reality, the history of computing, and more for The Verge since 2011.
The DIAD V’s full specifications are roughly comparable to a low-end smartphone, with a 1GHz processor and 1GB of internal storage (expandable to 32GB with Micro SD.) Still, given that the last update was over five years ago, that’s a big jump from the 400MHz processor and 128MB of memory on the DIAD IV. It’s also moved from the Windows CE operating system to Windows Embedded Handheld 6.5. There aren’t any big surprises in this update, like a switch to Android or even a QWERTY keyboard, but it’s a solid upgrade for one of the most ubiquitous commercial devices.
Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.
