Casio G'zOne Boulder Phone, Orange (Verizon Wireless) Review

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(More customer reviews)Verizon broke Casio's phone, but has finally fixed it. A free upgrade to software version 09 or later fixes both the terrible sound quality and the dismal battery life that made this phone infamous. This phone is now much more like its predecessor, the Gzone Type S, but with a better camera
To confirm you have the new software, go to the "Settings & Tools" menu, then "9. Phone Info", then "SW/HW Version", then "Software Version". The last 3 digits should be M09 (or later). You can also check the outside of the box to see if it already has this version--look at the last barcode on the Proof of Purchase sticker.
If you have a Boulder with obsolete software, you must go to a Verizon store (or a very good reseller) and have them perform the upgrade. The upgrade is too big to be distributed over the air. The Boulder I received in December 2008 arrived with the M09 firmware.
This is Verizon's third rugged Gzone phone. They're bigger than most cellphones, but you can actually take it with you in the rain, skiing, hiking, or rafting. Compared to the preceding "Type S" model, this phone is significantly lighter--it feels less sturdy, but in reality the plastic case is probably almost as strong as the Type S metal case. The Boulder also lacks the antenna loop on top that made it easy to attach to a backpack or belt loop.
Based on a week of use, the Boulder's plastic case is much easier to scratch than its predecessors--it's not nearly as fragile as an iPod, but not as indestructible as an all-terrain phone like this should be.
This is a great phone if you don't want to pay Verizon $15+/month to watch video or browse the web. I like the sturdy waterproof design that I can take with me, instead of having to give white-glove treatment to a typical fragile phone. (My last phone, from Motorola, died after getting four feet from a hot tub, even without any water touching it.)
My Boulder battery lasted for four days of moderate use, with EVDO turned off. (To learn how to do this, check out the Howard Forums.) With the software update, this is a good rugged phone for folks who don't want a fragile gadget.

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Built to military specifications to survive extreme shock, water and dust environments, the Casio G'zOne Boulder for Verizon is ideal for highly-mobile and active users who want access to Verizon's always-on Push to Talk service. This rough and tough clamshell phone also includes an electronic compass and flashlight--perfect for your outdoor treks. And when you want a break from it all, you can listen to your favorite tunes with the multi-format digital audio player--compatible with downloads from Verizon's V CAST Music and Rhapsody services. Other features include a 1.3-megapixel camera/camcorder, A-GPS location capabilities (with access to VZ Navigator's turn-by-turn directions), MicroSD memory expansion (to 8 GB), Bluetooth connectivity for both communication headsets and stereo music streaming, and up to 3.6 hours of talk time.
Verizon's Push to Talk service leverages EV-DO Rev. A technology, which provides customers with fast two-way communication with one person or a group of people. In addition to the simplicity of one number, national coast-to-coast coverage and no hidden charges or fees, this service also offers Presence Information, which shows you who is "on" and available to receive a Push to Talk call.
Verizon Service Options With support for the EV-DO high-speed data standard, you'll enjoy fast access to the Internet and Verizon's multimedia services (additional charges applicable), with average download speeds ranging from 400 to 700 Kbps and peak rates up to 2 Mbps. (Learn more about where EV-DO coverage is offered.) The V Cast Music service enables you to download songs instantly to your phone, or purchase music through your PC and transfer the files to your phone. If purchased from your phone, you'll receive two copies of the song: a Windows Media Audio Pro Plus format at 64Kbps stereo is sent to your phone, and a Windows Media Audio 9 format at 160Kbps stereo is sent to your account in the V CAST Music online store for downloading to your PC. V Cast Music offers nearly 2 million songs, with more being added all the time.
In addition to the V Cast Music service, this phone is also compatible with Verizon's V CAST Music with Rhapsody, which enables you to access this exclusive digital music service for RealNetworks and for MTV Networks. V CAST Music with Rhapsody delivers unlimited monthly access to music on up to three Rhapsody-compatible mobile phones and players and online on multiple PCs and Web browsers. In addition, customers who purchase music over-the-air are able to download the master copy of the songs or albums to their PCs free of digital rights management (DRM) software that restricts how and where music can be played.
The V Cast Video service enables you to stream or download video clips to your phone from a variety of news, entertainment, sports, and weather channels, including CNN, ABC News, E!, CBS Sports, The Weather Channel, and VH1.
Verizon's Mobile eMail gives you access to your Windows Live Hotmail, Yahoo Mail and AOL accounts so you can read, write, and reply. Access your address book, receive e-mail alerts and more, right on your Verizon Wireless phone. Getting on the Internet is easy using Verizon's Mobile Web 2.0 package, which allows you to read and send e-mails, exchange instant messages and view your favorite web content on your phone. Verizon's Get It Now wireless download service is also fully compatible with this phone. This pay-per-download service features application downloads, games and productivity tools. You can also personalize your handset with ringtone downloads using the Get It Now service.
With this GPS-enabled phone, you'll be able to access Verizon's VZ Navigator service (additional charges applicable) for voice-prompted turn-by-turn directions, heads-up alerts, local search of nearly 14 million points of interest in the US (such as landmarks, restaurants and ATMs), and detailed color maps.
This phone is also compatible with Verizon's Field Force Manager service, a powerful Web-based application combined with a handset application that provides visibility and control for all of your mobile workers. It's a turnkey wireless-solutions package that's breaking new ground in resource tracking and management. It is composed of three solution modules:
Location and Tracking uses rich, detailed mapping to show the location and location history of field workers; provides location information when users clock in and out; shows where they are when they accept and complete jobs; creates an audit trail to validate job information for customers; and generates turn-by-turn driving directions.
Electronic Timecard gives employees an automated way to capture their time, and gives employers the ability to export this information into many current payroll systems for processing.
Job Dispatch provides an automated way to manage customer service requests, dispatch field personnel, and track job progress through completion.


Phone FeaturesThe G'zOne Boulder's clamshell design features a protective bed of silicon rubber and surrounded on the outside by a sturdy frame of reinforced plastic coated with polyurethane. With unique screws, keypads and side keypads, water-resistant fitters and O-ring combinations, the G'zOne Boulder is able to withstand blowing rant and high humidity and can even stay underwater up to 30 minutes (at a depth of 1 meter with the ports closed).
The outside of the clamshell has a round, 1.2-inch monochrome screen that displays current time, signal strength, and battery life, and it can also switch to an electronic compass readout. The exterior of the face also includes the camera lens and flash. The internal LCD measures 2 inches (diagonally) and has a 240 x 320-pixel resolution with support for a 65K color depth. The phonebook can store up to 500 contact entries, each with multiple fields for phone numbers and email addresses. It supports caller groups and ringer/picture ID. The phone's internal memory can be expanded via MicroSD/MicroSDHC media up to 8 GB in size
This phone provides Bluetooth wireless connectivity (version 1.2), and includes profiles for mono and stereo headset, handsfree, dial-up networking, object push, file transfer, and basic print. With the A2DP Bluetooth profile, you can stream your music to a pair of compatible Bluetooth stereo headphones. You can connect your laptop (either via Bluetooth or wired USB) and enjoy dial-up networking--surf the Internet, send email, and access files from a server.
The digital audio player is compatible with MP3, WMA and unprotected AAC/AAC+ formats, and you can synchronize music from your PC as well as create and manage playlists right on the phone. The 1.3-megapixel camera has four resolution settings (1280 x 960, 640 x 480, 320 x 240, and 160 x 120 pixels), and it has a 3x digital zoom. You can also capture video clips at 176 x 144 pixels at up to 30 seconds in length.
Other features include:
Tools: Alarm Clock, Calculator, Calendar, Stop Watch, Countdown Timer, World Clock, Electronic Compass
Speakerphone with dedicated Speakerphone Key
Advanced speech recognition with dedicated Voice Dial Key
72-chord polyphonic and real-music ringtones; vibrating alert
Messaging: SMS/EMS, MMS, mobile IM
T9 predictive text messaging
USB 2.0 connectivity
Voice memo recording
Bluetooth version 2.0 with the following profiles: A2DP (stereo music streaming), AVRC (remote control), HFP (hands-free car kits), HSP (communication headsets), DUN (dial-up networking), OPP (object push for business cards, calendar items, and pictures), PAN (personal area networking), PBA (transfer contacts)
Hearing Aid Compatibility = M4/T4
TTY compatible

Vital Statistics The G'zOne Boulder weighs 3.9 ounces and measures 3.93 x 2.01 x 0.9 inches. Its 800 mAh lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 214 minutes (3.6 hours) of talk time, and up to 63 hours of standby time. It runs on the 800/1900 CDMA frequencies as well as the 1xEV-DO rA data network.
Military Standards Testing The G'zOne Type-S passed all of the following tests, performed in accordance with Military Standards 810F, with all ports (battery, headset and charging) on the phone closed:
The Water Resistance test was performed in accordance with Method 506.4, Procedure I. The G'zOne Type-S was subjected to this test with the handset open and closed, but with ports closed for 30 minutes on the front of the unit and then 30 minutes on the back of the unit. The test was designed to simulate rainfall of 2 inches per hour with a 40 MPH wind. Result: The G'zOne Type-S showed no visible evidence of damage or deterioration caused by testing.
The Humidity test was performed in accordance with Method 507.4. The G'zOne Type-S tested for operation after the conclusion of the tenth cycle. Each cycle was 24 hours and the entire test was performed over ten days. The temperature was cycled between 86 and 140°F with the relative humidity at 95 percent constant. Result: The G'zOne Type-S showed no visible evidence of damage or deterioration caused by testing.
The Drop test was performed in accordance with Method 516.5, Procedure IV. The G'zOne Type-S was sequentially dropped in non-operating mode, onto each face, edge and corner for a total of 26 drops from a height of 1.50 meters (4.9 feet). The drop surface was defined as two-inch-thick plywood over a steel plate over concrete. Result: The G'zOne Type-S powered on.
The Dust Resistance test was performed in accordance with Method 510.4, Procedure I. A temperature of 95°F was used for this test. Silica flour as defined by the test standard was used. Devices are given a passing grade when moving parts are not bound or blocked and if the unit powers on. Result: The G'zOne Type-S showed no visible evidence of damage or deterioration.
The Immersion test was conducted in accordance with Method 512.4, Procedure 1, with the handset immersed in water for a period of 30 minutes at a depth of 1 meter with ports closed. Result: The G'zOne successfully powered on with no visible evidence of damage or deterioration.

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