During the next decade, the Net will subsume all that tickles the eardrum in your old Betsy: radios, tapes, CDs and phone services .

FORBES: Digital Rules

Whereas the original prototype had a thin, flimsy shell, the Virta 2's gone downright rugged, ditching the iPhone chrome for a more durable gunmetal frame, and there's a full compliment of sensors (compass, accelerometer, ambient light and proximity) alongside quad-band radios, WiFi, Bluetooth and a pair of cameras for your video chat testing needs.

ENGADGET: Aava Mobile reveals Virta 2 smartphone development kit, we go hands-on