Verizon, Casio Roll Out Rugged Phone

Casio G'zOne Ravine

Verizon Wireless and Casio have launched a "high-performance tool for outdoor enthusiasts," the G'zOne Ravine phone.

Like other G'zOne phones, the Ravine is designed to be shock, water, and dust-resistant and is geared at consumers who surf, ski, hike, climb, hunt, fish, and do other rugged outdoor activities in a variety of environmental conditions, Verizon Wireless said. The device supports Push to Talk capabilities on Verizon Wireless' 3G network.

The phone's design can also withstand vibration, humidity, altitude, salt, fog, solar radiation, and high and low temperatures, and conforms to MIL-STD-810G, Verizon Wireless said. It comes with a 3.2 megapixel camera/camcorder with LED flash; text-to-speech and voice dictation for texting hands-free; Clear Talk noise cancellation for sound quality; and a voice recorder.

The Casio G'zOne Ravine also features a variety of messaging options such as text, picture, video, and voice messaging, along with mobile IM, chat, email, and web. VZ Navigator is bundled with the device so users can receive audible turn-by-turn directions.

Its Triple Sensor technology, which provides direction, acceleration, and temperature information, enables the device to be operated in seven modes outdoors.

Other outdoor-oriented features include a standard compass; a GPS which provides directions and distances to domestic and international landmarks; a walking counter that measures steps, distance, and energy consumption; a thermometer; tide information; the best times to fish; and the nearest location on the GPS.

Users can also find sunrise and sunset times, as well as the current position of the sun; sunset times for major cities; and the ratio of day to night in numbers and graphs. An Astro Calendar lets users see a graphic image of the moon's face, and get information on the moon's age and number of days until a full or new moon occurs. A Star Gazer app lets users view the stars in the sky and the names of the constellations based on the current season and time using the GPS.

The Casio G'zOne Ravine costs $149.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate and a new, two-year contract. The carrier said the device will be "coming soon" to Verizon Wireless stores and online.