Motorola 'Defies' The Norm With Rugged Android SmartphoneMotorola 'Defies' The Norm With Rugged Android Smartphone

Motorola Defy

Motorola is taking the interesting tactic of debuting the Defy on Monday's premiere of The Oprah Winfrey Show. Thankfully, the company shared some details ahead of its TV launch.

The Defy is a thin, candybar-style phone, and based on the images supplied by Motorola, doesn't appear to be overly blocky and industrial looking (as some rugged devices are wont to do). The Defy is a semi-rugged smartphone that has a scratch-resistant display, and protects against both water and dust contamination.

The Defy, which will be available exclusively to T-Mobile customers in time for the holidays, has a 3.7-inch WVGA display, a 5-megapixel camera with flash and auto-focus, a kickstand, and Motorola's CrystalTalk Plus technology to reduce ambient noise.

The Defy is another phone to join the ranks of devices with DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) capabilities. DLNA lets users stream, store and share content with compatible devices around the home such as HDTVs, game consoles and PCs.

Motorola said the Defy will come with its Motoblur software, along with the standard Gmail, Google Maps, YouTube, Google Search and other applications.

Motorola didn't say which version of Android it would be running when the Defy launches, but gave us a pretty big clue. The Defy will be pre-loaded with Adobe's Flash Lite software. If the Defy were to ship with Android 2.2, it would be pre-loaded with Adobe Flash Player Mobile 10.1, not Flash Lite. This means the Defy will likely ship with Android 2.1.

"Defy is designed to handle everything that life throws your way," said Bill Ogle chief marketing officer, Motorola Mobility in a prepared statement. "With all the features consumers expect in a smartphone, Defy packs Web browsing, entertainment and messaging capabilities as well as an exterior design that can withstand the stresses of everyday life."

Pricing and availability were not announced by Motorola nor T-Mobile. Motorola also failed to mention a number of other features of the device. Does it have Bluetooth, 3G, Wi-Fi, and so on. We'll know more closer to launch.