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Sonim posts

Sonim's XP2 strong-arms its way through the FCC

by Chris Ziegler posted Oct 2nd 2009 @ 11:52PM

No one's going to mistake this for a fashion phone, but we're thinking that's just fine with Sonim, the company well-known for its ultra-rugged XP3 that's just passed a new XP2 model through the FCC's barrage of testing. Dubbed "Spirit," the XP2 appears to be Sonim's first phone with 3G on board -- though the tiny display will probably make it useful more for tethering than anything else -- and that insane-looking octagonal shell has us believing that they're going to be able to make some truly wild claims about its survivability. UMTS while spot-welding the phone in 30 feet of water? Probably not, but if any phone could do it, we suspect it'd be this bad boy. No word on pricing, availability, or even an announcement, but we'll keep you updated.

Oh, by the way: August 24, 2009

by Chris Ziegler posted Aug 25th 2009 @ 12:37AM

Here's some of the other stuff that happened in the wide world of mobile for Monday, August 24th, 2009:

Sony Ericsson is taking its Java runtime downmarket, committing to roll it out to what it's billing the "entry 3G segment." On a completely unrelated note, is it just us, or was the mini-golf game that came on the T610 one of mankind's greatest entertainment achievements of all time?
It appears that parts of Europe will be receiving a tweaked version of the Samsung B7320, creatively rechristened the B7330. Differences are mainly cosmetic with one critically important material change: the screen's now up to 320 x 320 resolution from the original model's QVGA. German site AreaMobile is quoting a local release in October, but other than that, it's anyone's guess. [Via the::unwired]
A whole bunch of new 850MHz 3G spectrum is now online in AT&T's San Francisco and New York City networks. 850 does a better job of penetrating buildings than 1900, and if there's one thing the Big Apple has plenty of, it's buildings -- so we'll see if this improves the dropped call situation at all.
If you have a curious tendency to drop your phone into kiddie pools, throw it at brick walls, and engage in lengthy heart-to-hearts from Antarctica's Base Esperanza, you'll be delighted to know that Sonim's ultra-rugged XP3.20 is now shipping in the US unlocked for $399. [Via Gearlog]

Sonim's ultra-beefy XP3.20 coming to the US this summer

by Chris Ziegler posted May 6th 2009 @ 1:33AM

The launch date for a US version of Sonim's mighty XP3 toughphone has been a bit of a moving target for a while now, but it looks like we might finally have a firm date. According to Sonim's CEO, the XP3.20 -- a tweaked version of the original XP3 that features better talk time, better survivability, and 850MHz GSM for North American use -- will be launching this summer on rural US carriers, even conveniently coming packaged in a crush- and water-resistant box that you'll want to keep for... you know, things you want to keep dry and uncrushed. It likely won't be cheap, but if you're looking for something that meets the mega-rugged IP67 standard -- as opposed to the IP57 seal usually displayed by these kinds of phones -- this is your ticket to ride. No guarantees, but it might be available in an unlocked version, too, so start saving your dirty, wet, partially destroyed dollar bills.

Land Rover S1 -- the phone, not the SUV -- hits the FCC

by Chris Ziegler posted Apr 11th 2009 @ 10:14AM

Sonim promised us Land Rover-branded handsets in 2009, and it looks like they aren't poised to disappoint. The S1 model recently hit the FCC, and to call it "rugged-looking" would be an understatement of epic proportions; we reckon this thing could probably be run over by a whole fleet of Land Rovers, in fact (though we wouldn't recommend trying such a stunt on a piece purchased with your own cash). Considering Sonim's kinda known for the whole rugged thing, that really shouldn't come as any surprise -- what might come as a surprise, though, are the price and launch date since we still don't have those. Stay tuned for that noise, and in the meantime, go hop some rocks in your $80,000 all-wheel drive luxo-yacht, aight?

Land Rover taking on harsh mobile terrain next year

by Chris Ziegler posted Dec 3rd 2008 @ 4:01PM

Hummer chose Modeabs to help dilute its brand, but Land Rover's looking to inject a little more street cred into its unnecessary foray into the mobile world by hooking up with Sonim, purveyors of the badass XP series. Hoping to "compliment the lifestyle of the outdoor adventurer," Sonim will offer the Land Rover S1 and S2 G4 models by the middle of 2009, with a third model following on later in the year. All told, the unlikely twosome hope to market the phone to carriers and directly to consumers in some 40 countries around the globe. The models feature Bluetooth, water resistance, and can be dropped from a height of 1.6 meters onto concrete -- which, let's be honest, is more abuse than that $70,000 Range Rover of yours is ever going to see, unless you count potholes in Hamptons tarmac.

[Via Phone Scoop]

Sonim's ultra-rugged XP3 headed to US in March, looking for trouble

by Darren Murph posted Oct 11th 2008 @ 7:08PM

When you're completely waterproof, able to function in temperatures ranging from -4 to 140°F and withstand body slams from six feet above the concrete, you pretty much roll however you please. Thankfully, Sonim's bringing its latest ultra-rugged handset, the XP3, into the United States in March, meaning that you can finally abuse your handset without feeling all guilty afterwards. Specs wise, the US version of the GSM phone will pack quad-band EDGE support, GPS, Bluetooth, "flashlight mode," a glare-resistant 160 x 128-resolution display, an Opera Mini web browser, 3-megapixel camera and a 3-year no-questions-asked guarantee. Sadly, we've no price to share, but we don't suspect all that rigidity will come cheap.

Sonim LM801 isn't a Sonim at all, XP1 still in the mix

by Chris Ziegler posted Sep 2nd 2008 @ 6:52PM

It's still a rugged little bastard -- and yes, it still has a laser pointer -- but there's one thing the LM801 cellphone is not: a Sonim. The CEO of Sonim, maker of the purposefully overbuilt XP1, wrote in on our LM801 piece to let us know that they don't actually have any association with Condurro, the company advertising it. If anything, the LM801 is actually a direct competitor for Sonim's wares -- and at £149.99 (about $270) at retail, it's bringing the heat. Assuming it actually lives up to its tough look, anyway.

Sonim's rugged LM801 phone will probably outlast you

by Chris Ziegler posted Aug 31st 2008 @ 9:50AM

Sonim has chosen IFA this week to show off its latest hardcore G'zOne killer, the in-your-face, take-no-prisoners LM801 candybar. Highlights of the rugged set include an integrated flashlight, laser pointer (for those times when you're stranded in the Rockies and you need to blind you some bears, we figure), magnetic compass, barometer / altimeter, FM radio, and thermometer, all bundled neatly into a yellow shell that repels all the water and dust you can toss at it. Most carriers aren't terribly talented at offering a rugged lineup, so we can think of a few who'd be well-served to investigate adding something like this into the mix -- and seriously, what's with no other phone having a laser pointer?