AT&T To Launch Samsung Rugby III Dec. 14 Pre-Orders Start Tomorrow

So, ignore the picture there as that’s of the original Samsung Rugby flip-phone. I’ve said it before and I’ve said it again, and I don’t think it’s ever going to change, but why do companies put out press releases and NOT include any pictures of these upcoming devices?! It makes no sense to me at all, it’s just stupid I think. Why announce something and then not include a picture of the actual product you are announcing?! I’ve searched for the past 10 minutes trying to find a picture of the Rugby III and it’s not even on the Samsung site and not the AT&T site either. I know Verizon has a special press section with just pictures to go along with the PR, I don’t see anything like that at AT&T though. Anyway, enough rambling from me, the Samsung Rugby III is going to be a flip-phone and it’s going to be rugged being dust, humidity, shock and for the most part waterproof as well.

Beginning Dec. 14, AT&T* customers looking for a tough phone that stands up to the elements will have one more choice with the Samsung Rugby® III for $99.99 with a two-year agreement.  With a two-year Enhanced PTT contract, organizations can pick up the device for free.  This rugged flip phone is the fifth generation device in the Rugby series from Samsung and is compatible with AT&T’s Enhanced Push to Talk (PTT) service, which enables business users to communicate faster, to larger talk groups, and across more types of handsets than ever before.

On Nov. 30, business customers with an AT&T account will be able to pre-order the Rugby III through their AT&T account lead or through their Premier online account: www.wireless.att.com/business.

The Rugby III features a 2.4-inch QVGA display, a 3 megapixel camera and includes a dedicated PTT button on the phone for easy access.  It is built to military specifications (810G specifications) and is waterproof, dust proof and shock resistant.**  It also offers one-touch access to GPS Navigation through AT&T Navigator.***  In addition, the Rugby III supports a variety of mobile resource management applications from AT&T. These apps can help businesses and organizations increase visibility into their field operations, monitor the location and activities of their employees and improve responsiveness and productivity.  From the campsite to the jobsite, the Rugby III fulfills all the instant communication needs with the physical strength to handle whatever life throws at it.

“Fifth in our line of rugged devices from Samsung, the Rugby III joins the Samsung Galaxy Rugby Pro™ in AT&T’s current portfolio,” said Jeff Bradley, senior vice president- Devices and Developer Services, AT&T.  “Since it launches with Enhanced PTT, the Rugby III helps make communicating even easier than before so businesses can operate more efficiently and effectively.”

Key features of AT&T Enhanced PTT include:

• Larger contact lists and talk groups than competitive PTT solutions
• Ability to combine PTT services and mobile applications, with help from AT&T’s team of mobility consulting and integration experts
• Supervisory override and talk group scanning, features that were previously available only for two-way radio users
• Sub-second call setup

Organizations interested in AT&T Enhanced PTT can choose from two different rate plans:

• $5 per month when added to existing AT&T voice and data plans, starting Dec. 6.
• $30 per month for a PTT-only rate plan (no voice or non-PTT data included).

Both plans include unlimited PTT, and data used by the Enhanced PTT application will not count against the customer’s monthly data totals or incur pay-per-use charges.

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

** Meets US Mil-STD 810G for Dust, Humidity, Rain, and Shock. Waterproof against incidental exposure to water when all ports are tightly closed. NOT designed or intended for in water use. Submersible up to 1 meter for up to 30 minutes. Waterproof based on IP67 rating.

*** Subscription required.