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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.
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.
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]
