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Next-gen Casio G'zOne makes it to the FCC, reveals LTE and NFC support
The last Casio G'zOne handheld to come our way was the Commando, a military-grade device that marked the company's first foray into Android smartphones. Now it seems there's another one in the works, at least if a recent FCC filing is any indication. The Casio C811 looks to be a successor to the aforementioned Commando, with its G'zOne branding and features like WiFi and GSM world phone capabilities. Notably, the FCC document reveals the phone has Verizon-flavored LTE plus NFC support, both of which lead us to believe it'll likely be a mid- to high-end handset. Not much else is divulged from perusing the filing, but we're sure that whatever the C811 turns out to be, it'll be just as tough and durable as the rest of Casio's G'zOne offerings.
Panasonic Toughbook 19 scores upgraded internals to match its mighty shell
If it ain't broke, don't fix it -- words Panasonic has clearly taken to heart with the Toughbook 19. It's time for the rugged, 10-inch convertible tablet to get its annual refresh and not much has changed visibly. Instead, the company gave its internals a boost with some Sandy Bridge goodness and slapped a new TransflectivePlus screen in this military-grade machine for computing in direct sunlight. Impressively, the Core i5 found inside is not of the ULV variety, it's a standard voltage 2520m powering this completely sealed, fanless design. Additionally, the Toughbook 19 now comes standard with 4GB of RAM and has a pair of SSD options for added durability. You'll be able to pick one up, and use it as a frisbee, in September starting at $3,349. While you wait, feel free to check out the PR after the break.
Sleek Audio's SA7 earphones withstand 14,000 Gs of acceleration, dent your wallet accordingly
Do you find yourself whipping about earbuds like boleadoras when you're bored? Here's a pair that can take your abuse. The long-awaited successor to Sleek Audio's famous SA6 'phones -- dubbed the SA7 -- have the same adjustable bass / treble ports and removable cords of their predecessor, but in a case machined from solid aluminum with a carbon fiber shell and titanium screws. Inside, the drivers are cushioned by shock-absorbing silicone that lets them take a 14,000 G beating, which Wikipedia tells us is roughly the same rating as a navigation chip inside an artillery round. The company told Popular Science the SA7's thin aluminum shell lets listeners hear a whole extra octave; if that tempts you, you'll only have to cough up $400 and change (plus an extra $100 for a wireless Kleer kit) for the privilege. Update: Sleek Audio pinged us to say that the SA6 is still hanging around; the SA7 is simply the new flagship. It'll be shipping at some point in 2010 -- we'll keep you posted.
GETAC's ultra-rugged V100 gets upgrades for performance, not looks
For those of you in need of a PC capable of operating in extreme conditions (anyone reading this from a mine shaft or a bunker, for instance). Getac's battle-tested and war-weary V100 convertible tablet PC has received several key upgrades, including a bump in processing power to a 1.4 GHz Intel Penryn, a front side bus increased from 533 MHz to 800 MHz, a RAM increase (bringing the total up to 4GB), and a max capacity increase from 250GB to 320GB. If that weren't enough, this bad boy now supports draft 802.11n WiFi, and lastly (but not leastly) a new UL 1604 certification (optional) ensures safe, spark-free use of the device in potentially explosive environments. Yes, that's right -- you'll soon be able to read The Onion from the shop floor at the TNT factory. No definite prices or release dates yet, but if this is up your alley you can keep an eye on your usual sources. Full PR after the break.
Kevlar handkerchief keeps your nose clean, protects against friendly fire
We find it hard to believe that we won't see one of these being used somewhere in the upcoming 007 film, but even if not, you can definitely put one to use in your everyday life -- if you can get ahold of one of the ten being made, that is. Srulirecht's DÆmdur is a Kevlar-based handkerchief which can keep your schnoz squeaky clean and (in theory, at least) keep your chest free from bullets. Granted, even the manufacturer makes clear that it takes no responsibility for "schmucks and wooden-heads who feel compelled to test the endurance or resistance of the textile in any way," but it sure beats those cotton ones you buy ten to a pack.[Via OhGizmo]
Plantronics intros "military grade" Explorer 370 Bluetooth headset
While we're guessing most of you likely won't be putting the military grade-ness of Plantronics' new Explorer 370 Bluetooth headset to the test, you'll likely still find it a little reassuring to know that it passes all the requisite specifications for water, dust and shock resistance, and boasts a new "windscreen technology" to ensure clear calls even in tough conditions. Apart from that, however, the headset appears to be a pretty standard deal, with it boasting seven hours of talk time and eight days standby on a charge, and the usual features like voice-activated dialing and last number redial. Look for this one to set you back $80 when it hits retailers in March, with the less rugged Explorer 360 also set to be available at the same time for $70.
GETAC's ultra-rugged V100 convertible tablet PC
GETAC's latest rugged laptop does something that most other units simply can't, as it conveniently converts into a tablet while maintaining that beefy stature and war-tested agility. The V100 is fresh out of FCC boot camp, and judging by the documentation, it looks like it's been cleared for civilian handling. Inside the 11.2- x 8.7- x 1.9-inch enclosure sits a 1.2GHz ULV Intel Yonah U2500 Core Duo processor, up to 2GB of RAM, Intel's 945GMS integrated graphics set, a shock-mounted SATA hard drive, gigabit Ethernet, a 56k modem, WiFi, and of course, optional 3G, Bluetooth, and GPS connectivity. You also get your choice of a 10.4-inch XGA or 12.1-inch WXGA screen, a smorgasbord of ports, Windows XP, a 1.3-megapixel webcam, and a magnesium alloy case that shouldn't have any issues with vibrations, drops, shocks, or extreme temperatures. Unfortunately, there's no details concerning price or a planned release date, but we can't imagine a battlefield-ready convertible landing without some sort of premium.[Via MobileWhack]
Rayservers Cerberus laptop touts rugged frame, thick security
While there's already a fair amount of competition in the rugged laptop realm, Rayservers is taking its uber-secure approach and blending it with military-grade toughness for its Cerberus MIL-STD-810F Crypto Toughbook. Aside from borrowing the "100-percent encrypted hard drives and privacy protected internet access" from its other models, this "Secure-Out-of-the-Box" machine also touts a sealed plastic keyboard, 80GB shock-mounted removable hard drive, magnesium alloy case (with handle), and moisture / dust resistance to boot. If these amenities sound familiar, it's because the actual hardware is a Panasonic Toughbook CF-30, but the AES 256 Encrypted Linux is all Rayservers, and you'll also find Intel's 1.66GHz L2400 processor, GMA 950 graphics set, up to 4GB of DDR2 RAM, a 13.3-inch XGA touchscreen, DVD burner, gigabit Ethernet, PCMCIA, 802.11a/b/g, FireWire, 56k modem, and a trio of USB 2.0 ports on the machine. Of course, the 8.2-pound beast demands a hefty premium for all this literal and theoretical security, as it'll reportedly cost you about $10,000 (saywha?) to weather a data-jacking invasion and mountainside fall simultaneously.
Artillery-grade Motorola i580 relased on Sprint-Nextel
Continuing on a trend of newly unveiled everything-proof devices, we present Motorola's i580 phone. This beast is made to withstand the everyday abuses a cell phone takes and pretty much everything else you could possibly subject it to. Dust, steep falls, extreme temperatures, rain, and solar radiation won't harm the iDEN-capable device released on the Sprint-Nextel network. Aside from being one of the most resilient phones available, this clunker actually has a surprising array of features for its class. You'll get a 176 x 220 pixel screen, 1.3 megapixel camera (with video capability), Bluetooth, GPS, microSD, and the modern convenience of PTT that utilizes Direct Talk for off-network usage while exploring. The actual talk time, however, is lacking; you'll only get 2.75 hours of talking in on a full charge. The built-in insurance that comes with such a rugged phone doesn't come cheap: it's available now for $229.99 when purchased with a 2-year contract. [Via Mobile Whack]
