Tough Cat B15 Android phone marks U.S. debut

Cat B15 is a rugged smartphone

LAS VEGAS--Caterpillar's Cat B15 Android smartphone is the newest entrant to the U.S.' rough and ready durable phone tussle.

I got my hands on the B15 this past March when it first appeared on the world stage at Mobile World Congress. This U.S. variant is essentially the same handset, except for the cellular support -- AWS bands 1700/2100 to complement GSM 850/1900 support.

There's no launch date yet, since Cat is actively pursuing North American partners like carriers and big-box retailers -- expect to see the B15 pop up at Best Buy for around $350 unlocked.

Hands on with Cat's rugged Android B15 (pictures)

Made by the same company that builds industrial tractors and mining equipment, Cat's B15's grippable anodized aluminum and hardened rubber body houses a 4-inch display and And... [Read more]