Latest G'zOne Phone Takes a Lickin', Laughs

Last year's ruggedized G'zOne Type-V flip phone on Verizon Wireless was certainly tough as nails—I think it actually liked being dunked in water—but with its odd plastic bumper and dull gray shell, it wasn't much to look at. Now comes the Type-S, a revamped version of the G'zOne that dumps the ungainly bumper while adding Bluetooth and a sleeker blue body.

The G'zOne Type-S (available now from Verizon for $150 with service) is as rugged as ever; according to the specs, the phone was designed according to military specs for water resistance, humidity, drops and dust. I haven't had a chance to test the new model, but the reviewers at CNET said they dunked, kicked and tossed the new phone—and yes, it kept on ticking.

Feature-wise, the Type-S lacks the original G'zOne's 3G connectivity—that means no streaming video or music—and the built-in camera's resolution has been knocked down to VGA (from 1.3-megapixels on the Type-V). That said, the new phone adds support for wireless Bluetooth headsets, and it comes with Verizon's VZ Navigator service in case you get lost in the woods.

Related:
Verizon Wireless G'zOne Type-S review [CNET.com]