Kyocera
Communications Inc. and Bell
today announced the November 20th launch of the new Kyocera
DuraForce, an ultra-rugged, waterproof 4G LTE Android™ smartphone.
Available in Canada exclusively from Bell Mobility on the country’s
largest 4G LTE network, the Military Standard 810G- and IP68-certified
DuraForce supports Bell‘s leading Push-to-Talk
(PTT) service and enables workers and active consumers to do more
with their smartphones—on the most demanding jobsite or skiing down the
steep slopes of one of Canada’s many winter resorts.
Bell Announces Exclusive Canadian Launch of Ultra-Rugged Kyocera DuraForce 4G LTE Android Smartphone (Photo: Business Wire)
With the Kyocera DuraForce added to its phone line-up, Bell will offer
customers Canada’s largest selection of ruggedized handsets.
DuraForce is IP68-certified, meaning it is dustproof, waterproof and can
be submerged in up to 1.8 metres of water for up to 30 minutes. With a
reinforced housing and Military Standard 810G protection against dust,
shock, vibration, temperature extremes, blowing rain, low pressure/high
altitudes, solar radiation, salt fog, humidity and water immersion,
DuraForce can go more places and withstand extreme environments and
accidents. DuraForce's durability withstands toughest treatment, as
evidenced by Bear Grylls, Kyocera’s lead product tester,
adventure-survivalist and star of the new series "Running Wild with Bear
Grylls." Watch Bear putting DuraForce to the ultimate test at http://bit.ly/1wwk7D9.
With PTT from Bell, DuraForce gives customers quick and reliable
connection to an individual or group instantly with just a push of a
button. DuraForce is designed with a large, tactile side button that
makes PTT calls easy, even while wearing gloves. It comes equipped with
an extra-loud speaker and can accommodate an external PTT remote speaker
microphone accessory.
“Kyocera and Bell Mobility have teamed up to offer the Canadian market
an ultra-rugged, affordable smartphone designed to meet the demands of
extreme lifestyles," said Eric Anderson, senior vice president and
general manager of global sales and marketing at Kyocera Communications.
“DuraForce is designed for the person who works or plays in tough
environments, like those in the oil and gas industry, or anyone who
wants to take on the toughest winter sports and not worry about breaking
their phones on a major spill. DuraForce is intended to allow users the
freedom to work and play as hard as they want.”
“Bell was the first wireless operator in Canada to offer customers a
modern Push-to-talk service on a high-speed wireless network and we’re
excited to continue to lead the way with the exclusive launch of the
PTT-ready Kyocera DuraForce ultra-rugged smartphone,” said Blaik Kirby,
Chief Marketing Officer at Bell Mobility. “With the DuraForce, Bell
Mobility customers will experience all the business and consumer
benefits that high-speed 4G LTE delivers in a smartphone tough enough to
take whatever life throws at it.”
DuraForce is certified for use in hazardous work environments (Hazardous
Locations: Non-incendive, Class I, Division 2) where concentrations of
flammable gases, vapors, or mists are not normally present in an
explosive concentration but may materialize, making it an ideal
smartphone for industries such as Oil Exploration and Production,
Utilities, Chemical Production, Airport Refueling, Pharmaceutical/Paint
Industries and Natural Gas Pipeline/Production Centers.
DuraForce features the Android™ KitKat 4.4.2 operating system and a
Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 400 with 1.4GHz Quad-Core CPU. The phone’s 16GB of
ROM can be augmented via an external microSD™ card slot that supports
cards up to 32GB. It has a high-capacity 3100mAh Lithium Ion battery
that is well suited to long days on the job or on the go, along with a
4.5” 720p HD impact-resistant touchscreen that can be used while wearing
gloves1, with wet hands or when the screen is wet. The
touchscreen immediately recognizes the input method, whether by glove or
bare hand, and automatically adjusts the sensitivity level.
DuraForce is the ideal device for workers in industries such as
agriculture, construction, oil and gas, security, transportation,
hospitality, home healthcare as well as mechanics, plumbers, landscapers
and anyone who requires a smartphone that is tough enough to withstand
the roughest work situations. And consumers – whether outdoor
adventurers or those in Canada’s coldest climates will appreciate a
device that’s tough enough to overcome life’s challenges, yet sleek
enough to fit conveniently in a pocket.
The Kyocera DuraForce launches nationally with Bell Mobility on November
20th. For more information, please visit Bell.ca/DuraForce
ABOUT KYOCERA COMMUNICATIONS INC.
Kyocera Communications Inc. is the headquarters for Kyocera wireless
devices in the Americas. Designed with durability, dependability, and
long-term value as priorities, Kyocera mobile phones help people feel
comfortable with new technology and use it to connect, perform and
outsmart life's challenges. At the heart of Kyocera's products is a
belief that one size doesn't fit all and that people should do more with
phones instead of being confused by them or having to alter their
lifestyles to accommodate them. For more information, follow the company
at facebook.com/kyoceramobile or
twitter.com/kyoceramobile.
Kyocera Corporation (NYSE:KYO) (TOKYO:6971) (global.kyocera.com),
the parent and global headquarters of the Kyocera Group, was founded in
1959 as a producer of fine ceramics (also known as "advanced ceramics").
By combining these engineered materials with metals and integrating them
with other technologies, Kyocera has become a leading supplier of solar
power generating systems, mobile phones, printers, copiers, electronic
components, semiconductor packages, cutting tools and industrial
components. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014, the company's
consolidated net sales totaled 1.45 trillion yen (approx. $14.1 billion
USD).
ABOUT BELL
Bell is Canada's largest communications company, providing consumers and
business customers with wireless, TV, Internet, home phone and business
communications services. Bell Media is Canada's premier multimedia
company with leading assets in television, radio and digital media. Bell
is wholly owned by Montréal's BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE). For more
information, please visit Bell.ca.
The Bell Let's Talk initiative promotes Canadian mental health with
national awareness and anti-stigma campaigns, like the recent Clara's
Big Ride for Bell Let's Talk and Bell Let's Talk Day, and significant
Bell funding of community care and access, research and workplace
programs. To learn more, please visit Bell.ca/Let'sTalk.
1 Recognizes touch input while wearing gloves up to 3mm
thick, the material, texture and thickness of the glove as well as how
it fits your hand will impact performance. Individual results may vary.
© 2014 Kyocera. All rights reserved. Kyocera is a registered
trademark of Kyocera Corporation. Android is a trademark of Google Inc.;
use of this trademark is subject to Google
Permissions. Qualcomm and Snapdragon are trademarks of
Qualcomm Incorporated, registered in the United States and other
countries. microSD is a trademark of SD-3C, LLC in the United States and
other countries. All other marks are properties of their
respective owners.
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Copyright Business Wire 2014