rugged

Rugged phones have been around forever, but melding extreme survivability into a true Android smartphone that's not laughably large or looks like an off-road tire is a challenge. Samsung feels it has created a tough device that has beaten the odds.

The $99.99 Samsung Rugby Smart certainly has a rough and tumble name. The company claims it's built to meet both the U.S. military Mil-spec 810f and the IP67 international standards for ruggedness. In a nutshell, that means the phone should be able to withstand submersion in 3 feet of water for 30 minutes, plus prolonged exposure to blowing dust, driving rain, extreme temperatures, and the odd drop onto hard surfaces. … Read more

For those who work or play in places delicate smartphones fear to tread, Kyocera's new DuraPlus rugged handset is for you.

Designed to meet the U.S. military's brutal 810G survivability guidelines, Kyocera claims the candybar-style DuraPlus can withstand exposure to dust storms, shocks and vibrations, drenching rains, plus extreme swings of temperature. The phone is even billed to take a dunk in 3 feet deep water for up to 30 minutes. … Read more

LAS VEGAS--If you don't know what a Thunderbolt drive is, and most importantly, how vulnerable your data can be, IoSafe wants to sear that in your mind.

Following its tradition of the last three CES shows, (and as I predicted prior to CES 2012), the maker of disaster-proof hard drives pulled off a spectacular show this year to unveil its Rugged Portable Thunderbolt drive. This time the demo came with a little twist.

The new drive itself is very similar to the previous USB 3.0 Rugged Portable that was introduced at last year's demo--and shot with shotguns. … Read more

I've long been a believer in cases to protect cell phones. Too bad I didn't practice what I preach.

I picked up a Galaxy Nexus at the end of December. Within a week, it leapt from my shirt pocket to a Linoleum floor by way of a porcelain sink edge. The result: the shiny new flagship Android now has a display with two shatter points and a spiderweb of cracks.

Happily, everything else about the phone still works, and the cracks are thin enough that the display is still easily used. Sometimes letters are malformed when I'm reading books, and sometimes the rough patches are distracting to the touch on the edges.

But it's definitely a problem that's impossible to ignore. … Read more

If Indiana Jones were a photographer and needed a camera case, the Cam Crate would be it.

Whether you're braving sandstorms in the Gobi desert, wading through the crocodile-infested Amazon, or negotiating the dense jungles of Sumatra, this rugged case promises to protect your shooter. It's waterproof, mudproof, crushproof, and even shockproof.

Able to fit most dSLRs, the camera case by product designer Matthew Geyster has a quick-access latch that allows users to quickly open and close the container and features a soft, padded interior. It's made from a hardy composite material and comes with a lifetime warranty, as well as a carry strap. … Read more

The way I see it, the demographic of buyers for the Kyocera DuraCore is rather slim.

Rugged, it absolutely is, but it's also rather plain. It has a thick, sturdy build, a good, grippy surface, and is the third phone to ride on Sprint's new Direct Connect network. However, if you're looking for a durable device with a camera, a microSD card slot, and even more ruggedness, the Kyocera DuraMax will be more your speed. If it's a basic, durable phone you want for just making calls, stick with the more affordable DuraCore.

Watch the video, … Read more

Panasonic has some good news for the kinds of people who worry about using their tablets in the rain, dropping them on a concrete floor, or using them outdoors in the desert.

The company announced yesterday that it plans to sell two models of rugged Android tablets under the Toughpad brand name starting in 2012. The 10-inch, $1,299 Toughpad A1 will arrive first, in the spring, and the 7-inch Toughpad B1 later in the year.

Panasonic isn't aiming the Toughpads at the average consumer, but rather to various business users such as utility crews on the road, military … Read more

They're tough, they've got rock-hard bodies, and they can communicate. We're talking about the Kyocera DuraCore and DuraMax phones, of course, the first two in Sprint's lineup to use push-to-talk over 3G CDMA.… Read more

Be it the nature of your job, your harsh living conditions, a love of sports, or downright klutziness, there's a clear need for tough phones that can take a licking.

We periodically round up the most notable of the bunch. This time, the crop of tough phones includes the Samsung Convoy 2, which is also a push-to-talk baddie with a handy flash light (pictured) and a few extra comforts. Check out our full list of rugged phones here.