Samsung unveils rugged Xcover 2 smartphone

Samsung has added yet another device to its ever-growing arsenal of Android smartphones, with the rugged Xcover 2 the latest device from the South Korean firm.

The firm said the Xcover 2, running Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, is designed for use by those working in extreme conditions as it's has water resistance of one metre for up to 30 minutes, an IP67 rating, and is also dust and sand proof.

There's also a lock cover for the battery and a strap holders so it can be securely fastened to a belt or other item, Samsung said.

Another interesting feature is that it includes enhanced GPS capabilities so it can track your location more accurately - by a factor of around 20 percent. This could be important for remote field workers, or lone workers, so they can be found if anything should happen.

The flash for the camera is also said to be bright enough to double as a torch, Samsung said.

Other specifications include a 5MP camera, a 4in screen, a 1GHz dual-core processor and Bluetooth 4.0 technology.

No details on pricing or availability were announced, though.

The device is the latest rugged device on the market after Sony unveiled its Xperia Z device which boasts waterproof and dust proof capabilities.

By offering tough, rugged devices, the likes of Sony and Samsung are hoping to meet the demands of workers in more demanding environments that want to use smartphones as part of their everyday roles.