(Click here for a larger view of the i-mate 810-F)
General Dynamics's Sectera Edge
(Click image for further information) |
Windows phones that meet MIL-STD-810F standards for resistance to water, dust, shock, and vibration already exist, one famous example being the General Dynamics
Sectera Edge (right) that was
mooted as a replacement for President Obama's BlackBerry. However, i-Mate's 810-F, touted for "adventurers looking for a phone to match their lifestyle," promises to be the first such device that mere civilians can afford.
i-Mate claims the 810-F is "impervious to almost anything," thanks to a waterproof rubber casing and exposted metal hex screws that "lock in the factory seal." The device may be submerged in water, subjected to extreme shock, and operates in temperatures from -10 to 60 deg. C (14 to 140 deg. F), the company says.
Though it didn't detail any associated fine print, i-Mate announced that the 810-F comes with a lifetime replacement warranty. In addition, the device is said to include a "Secure IQ" service that allows owners to remotely lock the phone or zap data, in case of loss or theft.
Aside from its ruggedness, the 810-F has mainstream features, sporting a 320 x 240 touchscreen display, a QWERTY keyboard, a 624MHz Marvell processor, and the Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional operating system. Connectivity includes HDSPA (high speed downlink packet access) cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth, and GPS. Also cited are a two megapixel camera, accelerometer, and an unexplained "digital compass" feature.
According to i-mate, the 810-F comes with 128MB of RAM and 2.2GB of flash storage. Other details, such as the device's size and weight, were not released, but will likely be available after the phone's promised "unveiling" at next week's Mobile World Congress (MWC).
Jim Morrison, CEO of i-mate, said "We designed the 810-F to meet the needs of those people who work in the office during the day, but want to go surfing after work. Or, a contractor working in the tough environment of a building site who also goes fishing on the weekend."
Further informationi-mate did not release pricing information for the 810-F but said the phone will be available from "all leading mobile retailers over the coming weeks." The device will be displayed at the MWC, scheduled for Feb. 16 to Feb. 19, at the i-mate stand, hall 1, #1D34, according to the company.
Meanwhile, though few details have been made public, President Obama has apparently been able to keep his BlackBerry. For more information, see yesterday's blog entry by Joe Wilcox of our sister publication
eWEEK.com,
here.
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