The FCC has mercifully approved a new rugged G'zOne model from Casio named "Boulder," bearing a dual-band CDMA radio with EV-DO. If we had to wager a guess, we'd have to say the flip is likely the c711 we heard about a few days back, meaning that it'll be one of the very first devices to support Verizon's new EV-DO Rev. A-based push-to-talk service -- which as we learned, is most definitely not QChat. Little else is known about the device from the FCC filing, but we imagine we'll be hearing about it straight from Big Red in the not-too-distant future.

[Via Phone Scoop]

Remember how we said Verizon was prepping a next-gen PTT launch right behind Sprint? It's still on, and we're starting to get a trickle of intel on at least two devices that'll spearhead the festivities. The first is going to be -- yep, you guess it -- a Motorola, the V750 flip to be exact. The other is going to be the next episode in Casio's G'zOne series of niche-but-popular outdoorsy handsets, which will be known as the c711. Both feature EV-DO (including tethering capability), GPS, Bluetooth, cameras, media capability, and a fat ton of onboard memory, while the G'zOne adds a compass and "rugged styling," which we think is code for "it's not as tough as it looks." We're not sure whether these are still on track for a May launch, but that V750 we saw sure looked ready for prime time, didn't it?

Verizon's Casio-sourced G'zOne Type-S ruggedized clamshell is now available in black and silver, a color combo seemingly befitting the phone's sporty image. This particular version happens to be among the G'zOnes that support push-to-talk, too, so if you can overlook the VGA cam or you just really need a phone that can tolerate absolutely every shred of abuse you can throw at it, well, here you go. Grab it now for a shade under $80 on contract after rebates.

[Thanks, Brian A.]

Well lookie here, LG just announced a followup to its LH2300 Touch Web phone. This one's for the twisty-fold clamshell fans -- a design which makes it look positively Japanese superphone-like. In fact, we're pretty sure it's just the Casio W53CA with LG branding and new Hello UI for Korean consumption. Interesting given that Korea certainly isn't lacking in mega-spec'd phones. Anyway, given the Exilim underpinnings it's no surprise to find a 5.1 megapixel CMOS sensor, 28-mm lens, color correction, 9-point auto focus, and built-in anti-shake technology bunged into the backside. The LCD measures 2.8-inches (down from the LH2300's 3-inch LCD) yet still manages the same 800 x 480 pixel resolution for DMB television and landscape or portrait web browsing. Inside the little 18.9-mm thin handset you'll find 4GB NAND / 1GB SDRAM and microSD expansion for all your snaps and VGA / 30fps video. Coming to a 3G, CDMA network near you in April... just long as you live in South Korea or Japan.

Yes, friends, the time has come once again for Japan's carriers to upheave their still-fresh lineups and replace them with even fresher ones. Here we take a look at KDDI au's just-announced Spring '08 collection, including a model with an e-ink display and another with a 3 inch OLED. Wowza! Note that not all of these handsets are new -- some are carryovers from the carrier's Winter '07 collection, so we won't be covering those here. Read on.

We've caught boatloads of noise detailing Verizon's pipeline for the remainder of the year (and possibly into early '08), but exact launch dates have been harder to come by. Granted, the carriers often don't know these until the last minute anyway -- network test failures and supply problems being what they are -- but Boy Genius Report has scored a spreadsheet that should at least start to give us a rough idea of what we can expect for the next few months. The Samsung i760 finally (and we do mean finally) launches on October 19, followed by the Juke two days later on the 21st. The first of November sees the BlackBerry Pearl 8130, LG VX5400, and Palm Treo 755p (probably right about the same time Alltel gets it), with the LG Venus coming just a short few days later on the 4th. The 15th sees two new shades for the G'zOne Type-S -- black and "burgundy / gold" -- alongside the Samsung u900 "FlipShot." The ultra-cool LG Voyager and G'zOne "Type-Sptt" (possibly just a Type-S without the cam) slide in on November 18, with two new VX8550 shades dropping on the 21st. Whew! Now, the real question: how many of these dates are actually gonna hold?

OK, Friday's caketaker for silliest name in a leading handset has been awarded to Verizon and Casio for the teen racer-esque named G'zOne Type-S; after all, this isn't a car, it's a mobile phone. The second in the G'zOne line from Verizon, the new and improved Type-S (aside from being much, much, faster from 0 - 60, we hear) also brings an internal antenna -- this is key to a nice looking set in our humble opinion -- Bluetooth, a VGA cam, and VZ Navigator, but sadly lacks the rumored expandable memory. The G'zOne can stand up to some pretty extreme "Military-grade" punishment and is tested as such with repeated drops from five feet, humidity tests, submerged in water, and even dust testing. This rugged fella drops in Verizon stores today (unless your local store started selling them way, way early, which we'd been hearing) and can be had for $149 after $50 rebate on a 2-year term.

There have been intermittent reports of Verizon stores covertly selling these things for literally weeks now, so the dropping of confidentiality on the Casio G'zOne Type-S' FCC documents is more of a formality than anything else -- but be that as it may, the phone still hasn't managed to launch officially yet, so we figure this is still a notable event. The popular rumor is that we'll see it start to grace store shelves and websites in a more official capacity starting June 1, just a few short days away -- but considering the number of retail success stories we've already heard, but we'd recommend strolling down to your local Verizon hut now if you really want one of these waterproof wonders. Oh, and the camera resolution controversy? Solved -- it's merely VGA.

[Via Phone Scoop]

We'd be shocked at the rate KDDI churns out new models, but let's be honest -- its domestic competitors manage to stay pretty much in lockstep, and they're all bested by the Keepin' It Real Fake machine that is mainland China. As we might expect from a massive launch on a Japanese carrier, the so-called "Collection 2007 Summer" (that's the "Summer 2007 Collection" for those not accustomed to reading phrases backwards) holds a handful of gems, including some VGA displays and 5 megapixel cams. Let's hop to it, shall we?

It seems anticipation is running pretty high for this one, so we thought it was in everyone's best interest to rush out additional deets just as quickly as they fell into our hands. We hear now that the G'zOne Type-S will lack VCAST; not necessarily a big deal for a large portion of its target demo, but more devastatingly, it lacks EV-DO data entirely. Rumors also now point to a lack of expandable memory, rendering any on-board media support of rather limited use in our books. On the plus side, though, it appears VZ Navigator is in the cards, as is Bluetooth and a healthy 2 megapixel cam. But why, Casio, hast thou forsaken us speedy data? Heck, "Type-S" even sounds fast.

[Thanks, anonymous tipster]

Update: It seems the camera may be nothing more than a pedestrian VGA unit, despite a tip that we'd be seeing a full 2 megapixels. Eh, whatever. At least it's waterproof, right? [Thanks, everyone]

Is it just us, or does the Type-S variant of Verizon's G'zOne line of rugged handsets look decidedly less... well, rugged than its Type-V sibling? No matter; as long as it can actually stand up to the abuse it's designed to take, we're all for prettier handsets. Little is officially known about what the Type-S will bring us -- and it appears that little has changed since it first made its cameo a few months back -- though we now have a peep at the screen and keypad here, both of which appear to be standard fare. That in itself is impressive, considering that the unit should be waterproof; now just throw in Bluetooth and a decent cam and we're sold.

[Via phoneArena]

Owners of Casio's G'zOne series of ruggedized handsets seem to be, by and large, pretty enthralled with their performance. Pretty, they're not -- but when it comes to cellphones you can toss in the pool without turning them into paperweights, beggars can't be choosers. It turns out that the original model released on Verizon probably won't be the last, either, with a picture surfacing of a new model being referred to as the "Type S." Besides seemingly improving by leaps and bounds in the looks department, the Type S should add Bluetooth and expandable memory (in the battery compartment to maintain water resistance), bringing some media capabilities to an otherwise all-work-and-no-play clamshell. No word on a release, but something tells us the G'zOnes out in the field should have no problem lasting long enough for this one to come out.

[Thanks, anonymous tipster]

Ultra rugged or delicate, glossy white -- that is the question. Verizon has gone ahead and launched a couple of its more hotly anticipated handsets this week, the over-engineered G'zOne Type-V clamshell from Casio and the white variant of the LG VX8500 Chocolate slider. While neither phone is going to go easy on the wallet, the G'zOne is the budget buster of the two with a hefty $300 price tag (and not a rebate in sight, mind you). Then again, with water resistance top center on the list of the Casio's features, the phone might just pay for itself the first time it makes it through the wash.

[Thanks, reemusk]

We have all cringed a bit when our cellphone has dropped out of our pocket or out of our waist holster to hit the cold concrete below and leave our perfect device with scratches, dents, a cracked display, or just simply broken. Well Verizon Wireless customers can rest a little easier with the introduction of the latest device to their ever expanding lineup, the Casio G'zOne (aka the LG CanU 502). And it's not like this phone is all show and no go either, folks, This phone is military spec water and shock resistant, and hooks you up with a 2.0 megapixel camera with video, speakerphone, supports VZ Navigator, Get It Now, and Vcast Video. Roc a fella says the device will be priced as follows: $420 full retail, $350 one year, and $300 for a two year. A little pricey for the rugged, but look for this device to in retail channels on October 23rd.

Say you're on the board of a global corporation based in Japan. Sure, you're just another suit from 9 to 5, but on the weekends it's a different story -- you do some deep-sea diving, downhill skiing... heck, maybe the occasional BASE jump. Where are you supposed to find a phone tough enough to keep ticking (while you're wrestling crocodiles, that is) without getting you fired in the boardroom with some wacky, "extreme" color scheme? Believe it or not, Casio's got your number. The G'zOne E03CA takes a cue from the W42CA's book, offering a QVGA internal and 100 x 100 display, microSD slot, EV-DO radio, and 2-megapixel cam in a beefy, water resistant package. That's where the similarity ends, though: unlike the wild W42CA, the laid-back E03CA looks more fit for the inside of a suit coat pocket than a snowboarding jacket. Businessfolk with a tendency to destroy phones can look for the latest G'zOne to drop this December on KDDI's au network in Japan.

[Via I4U News]