Event / Awards
Innovation Awards 2013 Winners
CEATEC 2013 INNOVATION AWARDS "as selected by US Journalists"
"Torque"
- comments
Japan is often at the forefront of the mobile industry with very high standards and advanced technologies, so it's no surprise to see some interesting development in this space at CEATEC. This year, the panel voted for Kyocera's Torque as the winner of the mobile category for the CEATEC Innovation Awards. This LTE Android smartphone is already available on US network Sprint, and it is fully rugged to meet US Military Standard 810G, meaning it can withstand accidental drops, extreme temperatures, solar radiation, salt fog, humidity and even immersion in up to one meter of water (certified for up to 30 minutes). Combined with the integrated push-to-talk feature, this phone is ideal for the likes of adventurers and construction site workers.
The Torque also takes advantage of Kyocera's Smart Sonic Receiver, a vibration-based audio technology that lets you hear calls clearly through a larger area on a screen. This beats the conventional tiny earpiece that may have worse or quieter sound, plus it usually requires more precise positioning of one's ear -- a problem that is becoming more common as phones come with bigger-than-ever screen sizes. As a bonus, you can also listen to your phone without taking off your on-ear headphones or ear defenders (especially on construction sites) -- just tap one side against the phone's sounding area to pass the audio through.
Unlike many rugged phones, the Torque packs a surprisingly reasonable set of specifications. The generous 2,500mAh battery should keep the 1.2GHz dual-core Snapdragon phone running for quite some time, and the 5-megapixel camera (plus a 1.3-megapixel one on the front) comes with many features to keep the user busy. While most smartphones are joining the trend of removing expandable storage space, the Torque still offers a microSD slot that lets you add up to 32GB on top of the built-in 4GB space.
If the Torque came with a better quality 4-inch screen, it would be perfect; but taking its high-standard ruggedness, rich set of features and reasonable price into consideration, the phone is still a remarkable, thoughtful piece of kit that not many mobile manufacturers can offer.
- Exhibit Information
- Kyocera Corporation
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