Casio has released their latest rugged cell phone for Verizon Wireless. Known as the Casio G’zOne Rock, the clamshell phone meets mil-spec 810F compliance for high shock, vibration, water, dust, and extreme temperatures. The phone also features touch-sensitive music controls, thermometer, compass, pedometer, a 2MP digicam with Flash, Stereo Bluetooth, GPS, and EV-DO REV A support. Verizon’s Casio G’zOne Rock is available for $199.99 on a two year contract after a $50 mail in rebate. [Engadget Mobile]
Casio has unveiled a new industrial PDA for the mass market in the form of the IT-800 RGC-35. The phone features a 3.7-inch VGA display with a low-reflection touch panel, which is capable of offering power-saving performance and superior visibility both indoors and outdoors. The handset delivers a high speed 3G wireless WAN (HSDPA) capability as standard feature. What makes the Casio IT-800 RGC-35 more interesting is that it supports IP54-rated dust/splash proof and can withstand being dropped on concrete from a height of 1.5 meters. The Casio IT-800 RGC-35 will be available at the end of January next year onwards. More
Thuraya Telecommunications Company has launched the world’s toughest satellite phone namely the Thuraya XT. This rugged handset meets the world telecom IP54/IK03 standards for water, dust and shock resistance. The phone also comes with a glare-resistant display, a built-in GPS navigation system, a user-friendly menu and supports 12 languages. Not to mention, its battery provides up to 6 hours of talk time, or up to 80 hours of standby-time. Sadly, there no word on pricing and availability yet. [Press Release via MobileWhack]
DoCoMo has announced that they will release the SH-08A Solar Hybrid phone in September 2009. This solar-powered phone is also rugged enough to be waterproof. Its body is resistant to water sprays from all directions and submergible to depths up to one meter. The DoCoMo SH-08A can be recharged with sunlight as well as electricity. Even if the battery has completely lost its charge, just 10 minutes of solar recharging via a solar panel on the phone’s body provides approximately one minute of talk time. The phone comes with an 8-megapixel CCD camera that takes excellent photographs in low light environment. The DoCoMo SH-08A Solar Hybrid Phone will be exhibited at the DoCoMo booth at Wireless Japan 2009. [DoCoMo]
Artist Jonathan Schipper has joined with artist Amelia Biewald to create the EXOvault metal case for iPhone that will provide a full protection for the handset. Designed in Brooklyn, New York, you can purchase the cases from the Exovault website. The aluminum and brass models retail for $95, or you can choose the titanium model for $300. More
Nokia just announced the spanking new Nokia 3720 classic, an IP-54 certified mobile phone designed to resist water, dust and shock. The Nokia 3720 classic is encased in durable materials and is entirely sealed to protect the inner electronics. Available in grey or yellow, the Nokia 3720 classic also comes with a battery cover that is locked with a screw, making for worry-free usage in wet, dusty or muddy environments. Other features include a LED flashlight, a 2.2-inch QVGA display, a 2-megapixel camera, a 20MB internal memory, a microSD card slot and a 2.5mm headphone jack. Measuring 115mm x 47mm x 15.3mm and weighing 94-grams, the handset will retail for approximately €125 ($174) before subsidies or taxes. More
