Cat phones release first fully antimicrobial rugged mobile device
You’ve heard that your phone is dirtier than a toilet seat, and it’s true. A device that’s slick, usually warm, and if kept in your pocket might also be slightly moist, what could go wrong? Yeah, it’s filthy.
TL;DR – Press release, phone you can wash with soap and water that’s also got antimicrobial tech built right in.
There’re some cases for phones which address germ and bacteria gardens on your phone, but thus far unless this press release and my memory deceive me, there have not been any phones that are designed with germ fighting in mind.
Looks like it uses silver in the coating to wipe out bacteria, so if you’re in a pinch you can probably stop a werewolf with a Cat S42 H+ phone.
Should be noted these appear aimed more at health care workers, delivery drivers, or any profession where you’re going to be using your phone around, or handing it to, people.
My assumption would generally be that the glass and charging port were not silver-enhanced, but the press release tends to indicate that “Every exterior component … blended with antimicrobial silver ion technology..” so it would be interesting to see if that affects the glass feel any.
Press release follows
Introducing the Cat® S42 H+: first fully antimicrobial rugged mobile device
Advanced antimicrobial product protection sets a new standard of hygiene for the future of mobile phones
NEW YORK AND READING, UK, April 20, 2021 – Bullitt Group, the global licensee for Cat® phones, today announced the availability of the Cat S42 H+ smartphone with advanced antimicrobial product protection blended throughout. For over a decade, Cat phones have led the way in making mobile devices more resilient for the needs of heavy work and the hard knocks of everyday life. Extending that resilience further in the new normal, Cat phones is also setting a new standard in device hygiene.
The Cat S42 H+ (Hygiene Plus Innovation) is the first device of its kind with permanently enhanced antimicrobial product protection built into its body. Every exterior component of its military-grade hardware has been blended with an antimicrobial silver ion technology additive called Biomaster® during the manufacturing process, to help fight bacteria. Tested to the international ISO 22196 standard, the active antimicrobial agent is proven to inhibit bacteria cells from replicating by over 80% within 15 minutes and 99.9% within 24 hours.
Like all Cat phones, the Cat S42 H+ is a waterproof phone certified to IP68 and IP69. Not only can it be fully submerged in warm soapy water and repeatedly washed, but it has been put under extreme clean testing. It has been bleach wipe tested 3000 times, subjected to pressurized alcohol testing and used with real-world chemical mixtures such as hand sanitizers. Together, this combination of innovations sets a new standard in hygienic phone design.
Mobile phones are recognized by the WHO as a potential carrier of bacteria and virus, where every interaction could transfer harmful germs to your face or skin. Over 17,000 bacteria were found on mobile phones, according to a study published in the academic medical journal Germs in 2017. Studies have shown the mobile phone in your pocket is 10 times dirtier than a toilet seat.
“One of the reasons our phones are so dirty is the heat they produce. Warm environments are where bacteria thrive, and we all take our mobile phones everywhere with us, to all the places we live and work, constantly picking up new contaminants. We are proud to introduce this antimicrobial device to help reduce these risks and encourage a complete rethink around how personal and shared phones are used,” said Peter Cunningham, VP Product Portfolio at Bullitt Group.
From nurses to bellmen, delivery drivers, ground crew, or anyone constantly exposed to other people, this combination of easy clean phone with antimicrobial treatment can make a difference.
The Cat S42 H+ retails for $299 / €269 via www.catphones.com and via multiple retailers. It will be available to purchase at the end of April in the UK, and in the US by mid-summer.
Hygiene Plus Specifications for Cat S42 H+
- Fully waterproof and submergible – Scrub with soaps and disinfectants
- Bleach resistant – Bleach wipe test with 3000 cycles
- Chemical resistant – Alcohol abrasion test with 100 cycles, Real world chemical susceptibility, sanitiser friendly
- No case required
- Sand, dust and dirt resistant – IP68 & IP69
- Military standards, MIL-SPEC 810H temperature extreme survivability, vibration, and tumble tests
- Drop tested up to 1.8m (6ft) on to steel with multiple drops onto every side and corner
- Waterproof. Cat S42 H+ up to 1.5m for 35 minutes
Key S42 H+ Specifications
- Powerful 4,200mAh battery
- Corning® Gorilla® Glass 5
- 5.5″ HD+ 18×9 display optimised for outdoor use with a touchscreen that can be used with wet fingers or when wearing gloves
- Android™ 10 (with upgrade to 11 in Autumn 2021)
- 3GB RAM, 32GB ROM, Expandable Storage (microSD™)
- Mediatek Helio A20 MT 6761D chipset, 1.8GHz quad-core processor
- 13MP rear camera, 5MP front camera
- LTE Cat 6, VoLTE, VoWiFi
- Textured, extra grip design
- Programmable Shortcut Key useful for Push to Talk (PTT), SOS (Lone worker app), or to easily launch its torch or camera
- Bluetooth 5.0, NFC
- 3.5mm audio jack (waterproof)
- Curated apps and content catalogue
- Dual SIM – Nano SIM + microSD™
- 2-year warranty
- Android Enterprise support
- Security updates cover for 3 years
- Zero-touch support
Network bands in regions may be different, depending on the mobile operator and your location. Upload and download speeds also depend on the mobile operator.
Available storage is less due to phone software. Battery times (talk time, standby time, and more) are based on 3G and are subject to network and phone usage. Note: Specifications are subject to change without prior notice.
About Biomaster
Biomaster is a product of Addmaster.
For more information, visit: https://www.addmaster.co.uk/biomaster
About Cat devices and accessories:
The Cat® brand stands for trustworthiness, durability, reliability and quality. The Cat DNA is found in every Cat mobile phone, offered by its global mobile licensee Bullitt Group, whose exceptional manufacturing experience is harnessed to create a global-category-leading mobile range in a highly competitive and poorly differentiated market.
To find out more about Cat phones, visit www.catphones.com.
About Bullitt Group
Bullitt Group are the pioneers of rugged mobile with over a decade of ‘tough tech’ experience. Since its formation in 2009, Bullitt has consistently led the market with its innovation and won international awards for its tough mobile products. Bullitt designs, manufactures and distributes millions of mobile phones to over 50 markets worldwide.
Bullitt is the global licensee for Cat® (Caterpillar Inc.) Land Rover and Motorola for mobile phones and related peripherals. Its portfolio is constantly learning and evolving through rugged consumer research and development, using its exceptional expertise at strengthening and toughening mobile technology for the demands of extreme working conditions and hard knocks of everyday life.
Bullitt Group’s Head Office is in Reading, England with additional office locations in the United States, Taiwan, China, South Africa, Germany and Australia.
© 2021 Caterpillar. All Rights Reserved. CAT, CATERPILLAR, LET’S DO THE WORK, their respective logos, “Caterpillar Yellow,” the “Power Edge” and “Modern Hex” trade dress as well as corporate and product identity used herein, are trademarks of Caterpillar and may not be used without permission.
Bullitt Mobile Ltd, a licensee of Caterpillar Inc.
