This week, Softbank Mobile presented the newest iteration of its popular Pantone phones, and these are some pretty smart smartphones. So smart, in fact, that they can double as a Geiger counter.
The Pantone 5 SoftBank 107SH, which is manufactured by Sharp, comes equipped with a with a radiation detector that can register gamma rays in the environment from 0.05 to 9.99 microsieverts an hour. It cannot, however, measure radiation in food or water. Simply by pushing a button, users will be able to measure how much radiation they are being exposed to.
According to CEO Masayoshi Son, the development of the device was incredibly challenging. It is the first module in the world to incorporate all of the necessary measuring components into a small chip. While the dosimeter is capable of detecting gamma radiation from any source, the models sold will be calibrated using cesium-137. Users will also be able to geo-tag their measurements and upload them to a map.
However, when asked whether users will be able to share this information, such as through a social network, the company responded that it is currently not possible. Son gave several reasons for this decision, including that the measurements will differ from person to person, it would be difficult to provide a uniform measurement, and the possibility of creating unnecessary concern in the public or financially damaging rumors.
The phones, which will go on sale July 25, will be equipped with Android 4.0, waterproofing, and dust resistance technology, and they will use Softbank’s recently awarded 900MHz band, “Platinum Band”.
Specs
Operating system: Android 4.0
Features: 1 SEG and Platinum Band compatible, infrared, Mobile Wallet capable
Display: 3.7-inch FWVGA (854×480)
Rear Camera: 5 megapixel
Front Camera: 3 megapixel
Memory: 1 GB
Storage: 4 GB
Wi-Fi: 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetooth: Bluetooth 3.0
Source: softbankmobile.co.jp
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