For the rock ’em, sock ’em, beat ’em up cell phone types, Verizon Wireless launched a new rugged handset on Thursday called the Casio G’zOne Brigade.
Much like the G’zOne Boulder and Rock, the Brigade is MIL-STD-810F-certified, so it’s water-resistant and can withstand shock, dust, vibration, humidity, and other elements. Unlike the other two, the Boulder is the first rugged device in the States to have a full QWERTY keyboard, which is housed in a horizontal clamshell design.
The messaging-centric device also has a text-to-speech function to read back your e-mails and text messages to you and includes a full HTML Web browser and document viewer.
The handset also features push-to-talk capabilities, stereo Bluetooth, GPS, and a 3.2-megapixel camera, and supports a number of Verizon services, including VZ Navigator and V Cast Music and Video. The Casio G’zOne Brigade is available now, online and in Verizon stores, for $249.99 with a two-year contract and after a $50 mail-in rebate.