Hamburg (dpa) – What have mountain-biking, rafting and building sites in common? They’re all outdoor activities where people must, or want, to telephone. Often in extreme conditions.
Take the sports. Although the number of cellphones that have emitted their last beep after an accident on the ramp or down the rapids isn’t known, a number of mobile-phone makers have targeted the extreme athletes for a new breed of products: outdoor mobiles.
“Our R310s model is waterproof, shockproof and dust-resistant – and altogether robust,” says Anja Klein, press spokeswoman for Ericsson in Dusseldorf.
The R310s is a prime example of how a sensitive gadget can be modified to take more bashes: its housing, for instance, is strengthened with rubber inserts which allow it to survive falls and collisions.
At the same time, it still rests snugly in the hand. To prevent water from getting in, silicon washers were built in. The microphone and loudspeaker are kept dry using Goretex membranes.
“The interface port for accessories on the phone’s base is covered by a rubber jacket,” says Anja Klein. The design of the antenna catches the eye: it’s in the shape of a shark fin and is practically unbreakable thanks to its rubber covering. The R310s costs almost 700 marks (around 305 dollars) with a contract.
The Ericsson R250s is even tougher: this mobile phone has additional protection in its magnesium housing. “This device is really intended for professional use,” says a spokeswoman at Ericsson, “for example, for builders, plumbers, carpenters, architects and couriers.”
Extra user-friendliness is provided by a safety mounting to make sure the phone stays where it should, a hands-free function and immediate access to the integrated phone book. In fact, with the R250s, everything can be done with one hand. It comes at an unofficial price of around 1,000 marks (440 dollars).
“Robust and invulnerable” is how the Finnish manufacturer Nokio describes its 6250 model. To ensure it is “thoroughly stable” it comes with an extra-thick protective cover to keep the dirt out, generous padding in its innards as well as a virtually waterproof housing with special membranes. In addition, says the company, all parts are designed to be especially hardwearing.
The 6250’s functions have been designed for use by company employees. An integrated WAP browser allows workers to take their instructions on the road, they can redirect repair requests or orders to the company databank and keep their customers up to date on current availability of parts. And if the member of staff happens to be an avid skier, he or she can call up up-to-the-minute snow reports on the display.
The automatic volume control is a clever touch, as is the Sound Level Meter. This last component measures the background noise in decibels and uses it to adjust the volume on the phone. Automatic word recognition enables not only language selection but can also be used to write short messages. The Nokia 6250 should be available in the shops before Christmas but there is as yet no word on prices.
People who need an outdoor mobile for professional purposes are also usually dependent on a stable and mobile computer. Itronix’s X-C 6250Pro is a portable computer designed to military standards, and as everyone knows, they are demanding. “The devices are subjected to vibration, collisions with edges and corners, sprayed with water and even treated to a good salting,” reports Daniela Prill, marketing manager at Itronix, in Lohmar near Cologne.
A laptop couldn’t really be treated worse. To make sure no data get lost under these extreme conditions, the X-C 6250Pro’s hard drive is suspended in a special gel. There is a price for such forbearance, even if the processor is a relatively slow 266 MHz GXm, and depending on the choice of accessories: 12,800 marks (5,625 dollars) for a basic model. A handheld version, the FEX2, runs under Windows CE and costs around 3,800 marks (1,670 dollars).
There’s good news for people who already have a mobile phone and would rather not upgrade to a new one. An inventor in Baden-Baden, in the southwest of Germany, has found what he believes is the key to durability. Horst Busch, who actually works as a police commissioner, was inspired by the realisation that if the cellphone isn’t sturdy, then the receptacle it’s in should be. The result is the “Handy- Safe”. (Curiously, “Handy” is the German word for a mobile phone.)
The case is made of unbreakable polypropylene and is padded with foam. The Handy-Safe can be worn on a belt or mounted on a bicycle,” says Busch. “But it doesn’t only fit a mobile phone; there’s room for a wallet and documents.”
The Handy-Safe is also indispensable at the beach. It keeps out sand and shields against the sun’s rays. And even it accidentally falls in the water, nothing happens. “My Handy-Safe floats,” Busch says. At around 50 marks (22 dollars), the price for the “freestyler” is buoyant too.
