Caterpillar, Yes That CAT, Announces New Rugged Android Phone

Caterpillar, the world’s largest manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, has just ventured into the world of smartphones and Android today with the announcement of the CAT B10 rugged smartphone. Obviously, this is not a smartphone that is going to appeal to the average consumer, but it will definitely warrant a look from those that take their device into hostile environments.

The CAT B10, as you may have guessed, is resistant to scratches, dust and water. It’s also capable of being submerged underwater up to one meter deep for as long as 30 minutes.

Those features will appeal to those who take their phone into the elements.

As with most rugged devices, the other specifications aren’t exactly mind-blowing.

The CAT B10 rocks a 3.2” display, a 5MP rear-facing camera, a 800MHz single-core processor, a front-facing camera and Android 2.3.5 Gingerbread for an operating system. Oh, and guess what?

It may just get the upgrade to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich down the road.

As for a release date, the CAT B10 will be available globally at some point during the month of May and it will come with a $500 price tag. That price, of course, is off-contract so there will be no need to sign the dotted line for a carrier.

Now, this is certainly a device worth looking at if your job puts you into rough environments. A construction worker comes to mind.

However, it might also appeal to some consumers and specifically, those who love to do outdoor activities like hunting, where the weather came come into play.

Non-rugged smartphones are durable, but they don’t even come close to this and so this phone could make a perfect companion on those outdoorsy trips.

Via: UberGizmo