Posts Tagged ‘Rugged’
Written by Louis Ramirez on 09 January 2012
Let’s face it – Apple notebooks aren’t cheap, so when it comes to protection, you want more than just a plastic sleeve with a funky design. Enter the Blackbox Bamboo Case for the MacBook Pro and iPad. These cases will have your MacBook running with the very best rugged laptops.
Handcrafted from solid bamboo, the cases were made to protect your Apple kit at all costs giving it hardshell protection from falls, scratches, and dents. Each case is also treated with a water-resistant finish to guard your laptop from rain or the accidental splash of coffee. Design-wise, the cases fit snugly around your MacBook/iPad and each case features a laser-cut leather strap and wool-felt liner. The cases do add a little bulk to your device, and a small portion of your device remains exposed (the portion surrounding the leather carry strap), but with prices starting at $99, it’s a small grievance for what could be a life-saving shield for your MacBook or iPad.
Blackbox Case Official Website
[via Gigaom: Blackbox bamboo MacBook Air case is beautiful and takes a beating]
Tags: Apple, bamboo, Blackbox Bamboo Case, Blackbox Bamboo Case for iPad, Blackbox Bamboo Case for MacBook Air, iPad, laptops, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, Rugged
Posted in Computing, Gadget, Personal Electronics, Sustainable | No Comments »
Written by Peter Suciu on 19 December 2011
There are plenty of rugged point and shoot digital cameras on the market, and these can survive in very harsh environments, but what if you need to bring along your digital SLR camera? These tend to need a little more protection. Fortunately a new Kickstarter project is working on the Cam Crate, a hardened case that will protect just about any full sized DSLR along with its lens.
The case is made out of a hard, molded plastic, while the inside features soft foam to ensure that the camera can survive those bumps in the roads and even a toss or two. The container features a water seal and latch, and reportedly floats. The Cam Crate is still in the development stage but it could be ideal for adventure travelers and those who want to bring their SLR into the wilds. Video after the jump
Tags: Cam Crate, camera case, KickStarter, Rugged
Posted in concept, Equipment, Outdoors, Personal Electronics | No Comments »
Written by Enid Burns on 23 November 2011
The U.K. will get a limited edition of the Android-based Motorola Defy+ with a rugged shell from construction and demolition company JCB. The added layer, or armor, on the phone will keep your phone protected, regardless of your extreme activities. If it takes a fall, you won’t have to worry so much. The built-in case improves the phone’s shock resistance capabilities.
In addition to the armor, the limited edition phone will come bundled with apps such as Therodolite, Spirit Level, Torch, Decibel Reader and B&Q store locator. The Motorola Defy+ with JCB features is an exclusive, limited edition phone available December 6 exclusively from Clove in the U.K.
[via Ubergizmo: Motorola Defy+ gets JCB treatment, becomes even more rugged]
Tags: Android, Defy, JCB, Motorola, Rugged
Posted in Gadget, Mobile Phone | No Comments »
Written by Peter Suciu on 10 November 2011
There is another competitor in the rugged, wearable HD video camera market as the Swann FreeStyle HD has arrived. This camera, which features detachable LCD viewer and 3X digital zoom, can be enclosed in a sturdy case (included) that is waterproof to 65-feet. The Swann FreeStyle HD lives up the name and can capture 1080p HD video (1920×1080) at 30fps with stereo audio. In still camera mode it can shoot 8MP in both single-shot and rapid fire.
As with other rugged outdoor cameras it can be worn on the body, mounted on a bike, or on a helmet for skiing, skateboarding or just about any other outdoor activity. It comes with a variety of interchangeable mounts and brackets, while a remote control allows the wearer/user to operate the camera even when it is out of arms’ reach. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Camera, HD video, LCD, Rugged, Swann FreeStyle HD
Posted in Gadget, Personal Electronics | No Comments »
Written by Les Shu on 12 September 2011
When one thinks of table computing, Apple’s iPad or one of the many Android-based varieties come to mind. Heck, maybe even a BlackBerry PlayBook or a now-defunct HP TouchPad. But try to think of a rugged tablet, and you may be hard-pressed to come up with any. In truth, rugged portable computers have been around for a long time, but they aren’t exactly the chic portables that you currently see billboard ads for. Take Glacier Computer’s new T507K, for example.
Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Android, apple ipad, glacier computer, netbook, Rugged, tablet computer, Windows 7, windows xp
Posted in Computing, Outdoors, Personal Electronics | No Comments »
Written by Enid Burns on 19 August 2011
Some mobile phones are built with more ruggedized features than others, but phone manufacturers often focus on drop and impact yet ignore some main culprits threatening a phone’s integrity: moisture, dirt and screen integrity. These are the main targets for the newly unveiled Motorola DEFY+, an Android-based phone that stands up to environment.
The DEFY+ runs Android 2.3 (Gingerbread), Google’s latest version of the mobile operating system. The new operating system is optimized to work smarter, faster, and offers better battery life so you can go longer without plugging in.
The features we like are the water resistant, dust proof and scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla Glass properties of the phone. We’ve tested Corning’s Gorilla Glass, and compared to the display glass used on most phones, this new glass stands up to threats such as keys, rocks and other sharp objects. It takes quite a bit of pressure before the glass shows any signs of distress. So you can put this in your pocket and not worry if the phone’s display dances with other gear you have stored alongside it. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Android, Android 2.3, Corning, dustproof, Gingerbread, Google, Gorilla Glass, Motorola, Rugged, ruggedized, water resistant
Posted in Mobile Phone | No Comments »
Written by Les Shu on 08 July 2011
Sony Ericsson Xperia Active
It’s a given that cell phones tend not to play well with the Earth’s elements, but whether it’s summer at the beach or a bike ride down a muddy trail, Sony Ericsson’s good-looking Xperia Active smartphone is designed to take a beating.
Rugged cell phones aren’t new, and the Xperia Active also isn’t the first rugged Android-based smartphone, either (Motorola and Casio have them). But the Xperia Active targets those with a fitness-focused lifestyle. Besides being water- and dust-resistant, the Xperia Active is ANT+ compliant for use with other compatible products such as exercise equipment and pulse monitors. Other sporty features include a Gear Kit that comes with an arm case, wrist strap, and headphones with ear straps; fitness-related apps; GPS, barometer, and compass functionality; and a screen that’s usable even when your fingers are wet.
Beneath its ruggedness is a full-featured Android smartphone that runs Android 2.3 (Gingerbread). It’s powered by a 1-gigahertz processor and features a 3-inch, 320×480 display with what Sony Ericsson calls the Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA Engine. You can shoot videos in high definition, and you can download apps as you would with any Android phone. It’s slightly on the thick side, but what you sacrifice in size you get in protection (it is lighter than an iPhone 4, however, which is good news for those who don’t like being bogged down by stuff).
No pricing or market announcements have been made, yet, and there’s a chance it could never make it onto our shores. If it does, look for it in the third quarter of this year.
SONY ERICSSON XPERIA ACTIVE
Tags: Android, Rugged, smartphone, sony ericsson
Posted in Gadget, Gym, Mobile Phone, Outdoors, Personal Electronics | No Comments »
Written by Enid Burns on 19 May 2011
GPS is popular in the car, but it really likes the outdoors. The new Montana, a GPS handheld from Garmin, gives you a ruggedized device with touchscreen functionality. The Montana goes far beyond the state it was named after. It supports a wide range of Garmin cartography with its dual orientation and screen layout options. It has a barometric altimeter for elevation profiling and the ability to profile the route ahead using a worldwide elevation model. The device has a 3-axis compass that provides a heading while standing still, on the move or even when the Montana isn’t held level.
The ruggedized device has a 4-inch touchscreen and a 5-megapixel autofocus camera. Several features make the Montana useful for more than just directions. Two battery options keep your device powered during remote, outdoor adventures. The rechargeable, lithium ion battery pack is said to last up to 16 hours. You can substitute three AA batteries for an additional six hours of battery life when you can’t plug in your handheld.
The Montana supports geocaching GPX files for downloading geocaches and details straight to the unit. It stores key information including location, terrain, difficulty, hints and descriptions.
Official Garmin website
Tags: Camera, Garmin, geocache, GPS, Montana, Rugged, ruggedized, touchscreen
Posted in Gadget, Outdoors | No Comments »
Written by Peter Suciu on 24 February 2010
There are plenty of smart looking handsets, but there are times when a stylish smartphone isn’t a smart move. 
If you’re travels take you to the rough part of town or on rugged treks, consider the new Sonim XP2 Spirit handset, which is now available to our friends in Europe. It can handle a drop on concrete from up to two meters, and can endure temperature shifts from -20C to +55C, and this handset can even get wet and wild to boot.
This week Sonim announced a new partnership with Nimbuzz, an award-winning next generation mobile messaging service, which would see the Nimbuzz Java client pre-installed on the XP2 Spirit handsets. This gives users access to IM and chat client that aggregates multiple social networks into one contact list. The phone further features an in-phone app store, plus an MP3 player and still/video camera making this a communication and entertainment device for your mobile adventures!
Tags: Mobile Phone, Nimbuzz, Rugged, Sonim XP2 Spirit
Posted in Mobile Phone, Travel | No Comments »
