Zoom Technologies to Launch New Series of Rugged Android Phones in Q4

Zoom Technologies, a leading Chinese manufacturer of electronics and mobile phones, is releasing a new series of rugged Android phones. This new series will be the world’s first IP-68 protection rated 3G Android smartphones. Keeping to this standard will protect the phones in complete water submersion for 30 minutes at 1.5 meters, dust, vibration, and shock from being dropped from normal working heights.
Besides having a 3.5-inch HVGA (480 x 320) capacitive screen in common, the devices are a mixed bag of specs running on either Froyo or Gingerbread, a 5 or 3MP camera, and different Qualcomm chipsets. What’s cool about these devices is that they look quite stylish. All three devices look exactly like what I would expect an extreme device to look like. When compared to the DEFY+, not only do they look more fun, they look like they can take more abuse as well.
I like the looks of these a lot. I picture one sitting next to a pile bungee cords or rock climbing gear ready to take some abuse (might be a good picture in a magazine ad for them). Anyone dig how these look for a rugged device?
Let us know what you think in the comments. The full press release after the break.

Zoom Technologies Inc. ZOOM -8.68% , a leading China based manufacturer of mobile phones and related electronic products, today unveiled a new series of 3G “ZOOM” branded stylish, yet rugged, smart phones. Based on Zoom’s license of 3G technology from Qualcomm, the new handsets incorporate the latest design in ruggedizing up to the IP-68 standard that protects the internal circuitry from mishaps including complete water submersion at 1.5 meters for 30 minutes, dust intrusion, vibration and shock from dropping at normal working heights. Apart from current rugged phones in the market today which are often housed in a thick rubber casing, the Zoom devices flaunt a sleek, stylish, colorful and sporting exterior. The new “STS” Series smartphones will incorporate the popular Android OS, providing an open platform for the endless supply of apps available online today. Three new models: Camper Q1, Camper Q2 and Surfer Q3, are targeted for release in the fourth quarter of 2011. The launching of these new “ZOOM” branded devices will be a cornerstone for the Company, offering the newest generation of rugged phones, attractive in both appearance and price to the world markets, including China, Asia, Europe and the United States.
A photo accompanying this release is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=10139
Going after the active generation user who craves a reliable handset in all environments and demands a smartphone for personalization, Zoom’s design solution brings to the consumer an enjoyable, care-free device, stuffed with functionalities in a sexy package. ZOOM’s Camper Q1, Camper Q2, and Surfer Q3 will be the world’s first IP-68 rated 3G Android smart mobile phones. They are complete with dual SIM card slots, WCDMA+GSM, operating on either Android 2.2 (Froyo) or 2.3 (Gingerbread) with full multi-media capabilities. All three handsets will be equipped with a 3.5 inch HVGA capacitive touch screen, with built-in WIFI, Bluetooth, GPS and e-Compass, torch light, FM radio and a 32GB memory card slot. Camper Q2 and Surfer Q3 will include a 5 Megapixel camera with video capture while Camper Q1 will have a 3 Megapixel camera with video capture. Camper Q2 is run on the Qualcomm MSM7227T platform with an 800MHz CPU, while Camper Q1 and Surfer Q3 are equipped with the MTK6573 chipset.