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Mobile Technology

Cat launches rugged B100 smartphone

By Ben Coxworth
January 07, 2014
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Don't try this with your unprotected iPhone
The Cat B100 is dustproof
The Cat B100 can operate in temperatures down to -25ºC
The Cat B100 can operate in temperatures up to 55°C
The B100's noise-cancelling mic
The B100 offers a talk time of up to 10 hours
Don't try this with your unprotected iPhone
View gallery - 6 images

You're a rough, tough [insert manly occupational title here], so what are ya doing using a delicate smartphone designed for latte-sippin' yuppies? If your answer is "Good question," then you might be interested in the new B100 phone from Cat ... and yes, that's as in "Caterpillar."

Some of the phone's rugged features include dust-proofing, drop-proofing to 1.8 meters (almost 6 ft), waterproofing to one meter (3 ft) for 30 minutes, and the ability to operate in temperatures ranging from -25ºC to 55°C (-13°F to 131°F) – although that wouldn't be sufficient for some places in the US that are currently experiencing the Polar Vortex! By contrast, the iPhone 5 is rated at 0°C to 35°C (32°F to 95°F).

Its physical number pad is designed so it can be operated by gloved fingers, plus the phone features a noise-canceling microphone. This means that people on the other end of the line will be able to make out what the caller is saying (and vice-versa), over top of the background chain saws/engines/howitzers or whatnot.

The B100 offers a talk time of up to 10 hours

You can see all of the specs on the product page, but some of the basics include ...

  • Platform: MTK NUCLEUS (version 2.1)
  • Processor: Media Tek MT6276W
  • ROM Flash: 128 MB (expandable with MicroSD card)
  • RAM: 64 MB
  • Camera: 3 MP
  • Display: 2.2-inch QVGA 240X320 TFT
  • Battery: 1,150 mAh removable lithium-ion
  • Talk time: Up to 10 hours

So yeah, it's not exactly going to out-spec your neighbor's Galaxy, but it might give it a wedgie in the schoolyard.
It will be available in Europe immediately, priced at €120 (about US$160). It should be coming to other markets later in the first half of the year, although there is currently no word on price. If it seems like your kind of thing, you might also be interested in the Runbo X3.

Source: Cat via Pocket-lint

View gallery - 6 images

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Mobile TechnologyRuggedWaterproofCES 2014
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Ben Coxworth
Based out of Edmonton, Canada, Ben Coxworth has been writing for New Atlas since 2009 and is presently Managing Editor for North America. An experienced freelance writer, he previously obtained an English BA from the University of Saskatchewan, then spent over 20 years working in various markets as a television reporter, producer and news videographer. Ben is particularly interested in scientific innovation, human-powered transportation, and the marine environment.
5 comments
digi_owl
One thing they could have done was to include WIFI so that it could be used as a mobile hotspot, thus making better use of the UMTS support.
The Skud
Hooray! A toilet-proof phone for the klutzes in the family. Most of the really high-end features and specs are not that important, except for 'bragging rights' in the bistro crowd anyway. The sooner it hits Cat show lots the better.
Mariano Dupont
Smartphone? This phone seems from a decade ago.
bf_308
Not even dual SIM? No PMR? JCB have had a similar device out for some time but with the above 2 options I have 2 of them......obviously to talk to the other user on PMR Simple, washes clean under the tap with an old toothbrush or fingernail brush. Left one in a sink full of water for 8hrs.........no problem. Come on CAT, you slipped up here I think
randomray
Finally a phone designed for the real world instead of another sissy phone. I can hear the techies but it doesn't do all these useless things I should be able to do in my head.
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