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Re-activateWe've been waiting for Casio GʼzOne Brigade since December. Like other rugged phones from Casio and Samsung, the Brigade ($250 from Verizon after rebates and two-year contract), has a military spec case that's shock and water-resistant.
But this is the first such phone we've seen built for texting. Cracking open the Brigade's sideways-clamshell case reveals a keyboard that's handy for texting, e-mailing and anything else that requires text input. You also find a 2.9-in., 400 X 240 display that supports up to 65,000 colors.
Other phone features include a full Web browser and the ability to view Office docs, including PowerPoint and PDFs. It also has a Text-to-Speech function, which allows users to listen to their text messages, multimedia messages and e-mails.
The 3.2 megapixel camera has auto-focus, an LED flash that doubles as a flashlight, and a "tool" Casio claims reduces blur caused by shaky hands or a moving subject. The Brigade also supports push to talk and has a built-in voice recorder.
But it's a handful. Measuring 4.4-in. x 2.2 in. x 0.9 in. and weighing 6 oz., the Brigade is heavier than most conventional phones.
—Mike Gikas
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