Wanted: Rugged S60 Smartphone
As you likely already know (if you’ve been watching Driving with the Guru), I’ve been playing with the Casio G’zOne Boulder, from Verizon, lately. This featurephone offers EV-DO, a 1.3 megapixel camera, Bluetooth, and a microSD card slot. Pretty standard from a U.S. carrier, but with one MAJOR distinction – the Boulder is ruggedized.
What does ‘ruggedized’ mean? It means it’s capable of handling the elements better than other phones. According to the documentation available at the G’zOne site, it withstands quite a bit. You can read the full review of the handset’s various features at MobileBurn, but I wanted to highlight the rugged factor here on Symbian-Guru. Below is the video showing the Casio G’zOne Boulder being submerged in water, and also being suspended (sort of) in Jell-O.
As our S60-powered smartphones are supposed to be with us all the time, to help us create content wherever we go, and really function as portable multimedia computers, it’s only logical to expect them to withstand quite a bit of beating, no? To date, the only S60 handset that I’m aware of that’s able to withstand any sort of abuse is the Nokia 5500, which you can see going for a swim below.
Unfortunately, the 5500 was a one-off from the Finnish giant, and a limited one at that, with only a tri-band GSM (900/1800/1900MHz) radio and not much else. The 5500 was also the first S60 to support the accelerometer, which is quickly becoming standard, at least in the Nseries product range.
So why hasn’t Nokia followed up with it? With largely successful applications such as SportsTacker, and helpful features such as built-in GPS and the awesome video recording features, why haven’t we seen a ruggedized handset with the features of the venerable N95? With most of Nokia’s newer handsets resulting in a ‘ho-hum’ response from current N95 users, why not give us a real reason to upgrade?
As you know, my firm belief is that technology should enrich and enable your real life, so why not make it able to withstand real life, as well? Imagine if you could confidently take your S60-powered smartphone to the lake, the beach, or anywhere else you wanted to, for that matter, without needing to worry about a zip-loc baggy or anything?
Also, as a side benefit, the odds of a ruggedized phone being available in camouflage makes it even better! What’s your thoughts? Would you like to have a ruggedized S60, capable of being fully immersed in water, or better yet, suspended in Jell-O? If so, what form factor would you prefer? Clamshell, slider, or candybar?
ruggedized s60. Thats actually a genuine upgrade to think of. You go to water park, take out your ruggedized n 82 and shoot! Wow. Thats a real kick in a..!
I would love to own my n 82 forever if only it was ruggedized. Form factor. My post would have made it obvious by now. Candybar for me any day. Just love everything at my disposal!
Yes, I often have been afraid for my devices when trying to take pictures at places where my phone could get dirty.
Having a device with the top specs that’s ruggedized would definitely be a plus.
The form factor I guess would have to be either a clamshell or candybar. Less moving parts and less likely to break.
Certainly the way forward.
I would defiantly upgrade if they had a rugged device. Where I work its always dusty and at home, I could be doing yard work, or under a car. And not worry about if I took my n95 off my belt. Please Nokia!