Smartphone maker I-mate has unveiled a Windows Mobile handset with a difference. Designed to meet military specifications for ruggedness, the device is backed by a lifetime warranty.

Available "within weeks", according to the firm, the I-mate 810-F is named for the MIL-STD-810F standard issued by the US military's Developmental Test Command, around which the handset is designed.

Consequently, the 810-F can withstand extremes of temperature, pressure humidity and shock, and can even survive full submersion in water.

"Until now, users have had to choose between a compact phone that incorporates the latest features, or one that was big, bulky and very expensive that could cope with the rigours of a harsh working environment and survive use during adventurous outdoor pursuits," said I-mate chief executive Jim Morrison.

The company is so confident in the ruggedness of the 810-F that it is offering a lifetime warranty covering the unit, subject to conditions.

The 810-F is a Qwerty handset that vaguely resembles a BlackBerry. It runs Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional, and is a quad-band phone with 3G/HSDPA capability, built-in GPS, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

It also carries a decent specification for mobile applications, with a 624MHz processor, 2.2GB of built-in storage and 128Mb of memory, and supports I-mate's Secure i-Q service. This lets users remotely lock the handset or wipe personal information should it be lost or stolen.

The company will be demonstrating the 810-F at the Mobile World Congress show in Barcelona next week. Pricing has yet to be announced.