Cat S60 is world's first thermal-imaging smartphone

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Ideal for building pros, DIY enthusiasts and anyone who wants to take thermies.

We've seen a number of manufacturers enhance the ruggedness of their smartphones at MWC 2016, but the folks at Cat are doing much more than adding a bit of water resistance.

The firm's new flagship S60 is described as the world's most waterproof smartphone, as well as the first to feature a built-in thermal camera. Powered by an FLIR sensor, the S60's thermal imaging tech can measure surface temperatures at a distance of up to 100 feet and won't be deterred by smoke or mist.

Why would you need such functionality? Well, Cat reckons the S60 is ideal for "building professionals, utility workers, outdoor sports enthusiasts, and emergency first responders to name but a few."

The Android Marshmallow-powered device is waterproof at depths of up to five meters for an hour, it's also dustproof and though we've yet to test these claims, we're told it can withstand being dropped onto concrete from a height of up to 1.8 metres.

Ideal for road warriors? Perhaps, but availability is only tentatively scheduled for "later this year" and at $599 the Cat S60 won't be particularly cheap. Check out the above video walkthrough before you pore through the specification below, and let us know, what would you do with a phone that carries a thermal sensor?

Cat S60 key features:

  • Strengthened Die Cast Frame
  • Drop proof to 1.8m, MIL Spec 810G
  • Super bright display (typical 540 nits), Gorilla Glass 4
  • 4.7in HD capacitive multi-touch with auto wet finger & glove support
  • Optimised battery performance (3800mAh)
  • High quality audio experience (>105dB)
  • Underwater 13MP main camera with dual flash, 5MP front-facing camera
  • 4G LTE
  • Snapdragon 617 octa-core processor
  • 32GB ROM, 3GB RAM
  • Google Android Marshmallow
  • Dedicated FLIR thermal camera app with MSX technology; still image, panorama, and video capture; changeable heat palettes; temperature spot meter; and min, max, and average temperature data

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HEXUS Forums :: 5 Comments

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Posted by Ttaskmaster - Tue 23 Feb 2016 13:05
let us know, what would you do with a phone that carries a thermal sensor?

Take amusing photos of my anatomy… pretend to be the Predator… That's about it, really.
As a utility worker myself and thus within their intended market, my first thought is that it needs to be waterproof to a greater depth, ITX rated and able to withstand the very harsh environment inside a sewer… I'd guess it really, really isn't.

My second thought is that it's massively expensive and Procurement would never shell out for me to have one.
Posted by Otherhand - Tue 23 Feb 2016 19:28
Why would you need such functionality? Well, Cat reckons the S60 is ideal for “building professionals, utility workers, outdoor sports enthusiasts, and emergency first responders to name but a few.”

Caterpillar, 2017: “Nobody could have been more surprised than us to find that the phone sold chiefly to sexual predators - a lucrative but often overlooked demographic.”
Posted by zyz - Tue 23 Feb 2016 20:30
Not bad specs considering its meant as a tough phone
Posted by Rob_B - Tue 23 Feb 2016 22:18
I like it, pointless for me and my usage but since when did that stop anyone!? If be interested to go around my house and find where the air leaks are.
Posted by Racksmirh - Wed 24 Feb 2016 21:06
I can't think of a reason why I would need one, but I do so want one!