Durable Androids for use in sub-Saharan Africa

I'm putting together a pilot study of wireless biosensors in Uganda
and plan to transmit the data via an Android phone. Can anyone
recommend the most durable Android with the best battery life? I'm
not worried about the quality of the user interface/input factors,
aesthetics, etc.

Thanks!
Jessica

jessica,

http://www.sdgsystems.com has ruggedized droids that are in the $1.5k
price range. the motorola defy ($400, see
http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/18/motorola-defy-review) is also
somewhat ruggedized.

battery life really depends on what you do on the phone (driven by
brightness of screen and how often you use wifi and 3g). most people
use solar or extra batteries to solve that problem.

yaw

··· On Thu, Feb 17, 2011 at 12:21, Jessica wrote: > I'm putting together a pilot study of wireless biosensors in Uganda > and plan to transmit the data via an Android phone. Can anyone > recommend the most durable Android with the best battery life? I'm > not worried about the quality of the user interface/input factors, > aesthetics, etc. > > Thanks! > Jessica >

Hi Jessica,

I'm not sure about battery life and haven't tested the phone myself,
but if you're asking for durable have a look at the Motorola Defy.

Bert

··· On Thu, Feb 17, 2011 at 10:21 PM, Jessica wrote: > I'm putting together a pilot study of wireless biosensors in Uganda > and plan to transmit the data via an Android phone. Can anyone > recommend the most durable Android with the best battery life? I'm > not worried about the quality of the user interface/input factors, > aesthetics, etc. > > Thanks! > Jessica >

Jessica,

Even though we haven't used it at scale we just ordered a large batch of the
mytouch 3g slides.

The mytouch (htc magic) has been one of the most field tested phones by ODK
I believe. This basically adds a slightly bigger screen and keyboard.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16875502052&cm_re=mytouch_3g_slide-_-75-502-052-_-Product

If you call around you should be able to get them at discount at about $300
a pop.

Thanks,

Matt

··· On Thu, Feb 17, 2011 at 3:41 PM, Yaw Anokwa wrote:

jessica,

http://www.sdgsystems.com has ruggedized droids that are in the $1.5k
price range. the motorola defy ($400, see
http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/18/motorola-defy-review) is also
somewhat ruggedized.

battery life really depends on what you do on the phone (driven by
brightness of screen and how often you use wifi and 3g). most people
use solar or extra batteries to solve that problem.

yaw

On Thu, Feb 17, 2011 at 12:21, Jessica j_haberer@yahoo.com wrote:

I'm putting together a pilot study of wireless biosensors in Uganda
and plan to transmit the data via an Android phone. Can anyone
recommend the most durable Android with the best battery life? I'm
not worried about the quality of the user interface/input factors,
aesthetics, etc.

Thanks!
Jessica

hi,

I agree with Yaw. battery life depends on what you do with it, and how
many applications are you running.

I'm working with a G1 precisely in Uganda and I've noticed the weather
(external temperature) affects as well to battery life. Same phone in
Berlin was lasting about 8-10 hours longer than here in Kampala. if
you can't charge them at night, extra batteries are always a good
solution..

pau.

··· 2011/2/17 Yaw Anokwa : > jessica, > > http://www.sdgsystems.com has ruggedized droids that are in the $1.5k > price range. the motorola defy ($400, see > http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/18/motorola-defy-review) is also > somewhat ruggedized. > > battery life really depends on what you do on the phone (driven by > brightness of screen and how often you use wifi and 3g). most people > use solar or extra batteries to solve that problem. > > yaw > > On Thu, Feb 17, 2011 at 12:21, Jessica wrote: >> I'm putting together a pilot study of wireless biosensors in Uganda >> and plan to transmit the data via an Android phone. Can anyone >> recommend the most durable Android with the best battery life? I'm >> not worried about the quality of the user interface/input factors, >> aesthetics, etc. >> >> Thanks! >> Jessica >> >