We were happy to see the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S5 and Sony Xperia Z series start adding the IP67 certified water and dust resistance to their smartphones, but the BARTEC PIXAVI Impact X adds IECEx and ATEX certifications, which means the device is explosion proof and rated to be used in hazardous areas!  Designed to be both a full functioning Android smartphone and handled hazardous duty – the Impact X is just at home handling making a call to Mom in the morning or go through a mine explosion in the afternoon.

This lightweight aluminum chassis is very rugged and suited for workers in the oil and gas, petrochemical, mining and manufacturing industries.  It features HD video streaming, high-end imaging and has what they consider double battery (3,000mAh) capacity, IECEx, ATEX and IP68 certified and runs Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean.  It has a 4.6-inch IPS LCD display with only a 800 x 480 resolution – certainly nothing spectacular.  Some of its special features include Flipscape One-handed Videography, anti-smudge recess for the camera glass, dedicated camera button, glove compatible touch screen, moisture immune touch screen, the ability to see the display outdoors where most work is done and ergonomic grip and a hand strap.

Flipscape is something I would like to see incorporated on all high-end smartphones – it has a second camera that is rotated 90-degrees so when you take a video with one hand, holding the phone vertical, you still get the larger landscape shot, not that usual narrow video – what a great idea.  The Impact X also ships with the Sipido telepresence App that allows the user to stream live HD video to any location – allowing you to video conference while out in the field or in the middle of a job.

While it is fitted with all of the latest Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, 3G and HSPA+, Skype, Compass, GPS, and more – there are no internal specifications of this Norwegian built device as far as processor or memory goes.  It measures 150 x 65 x 12mm and weighs in at 200 grams.  It will probably cost $1000 – $1200 and availability was not given at this time.

tech.onliner.by