Business, Entertainment Features Abound

Orlando, Fla. — Here's what suppliers expect to display at Wireless 2002.

AirPrime: The company's first CDMA 1X and 1xEV-DO PC Cards are due early in the second quarter for Microsoft-OS computing devices. The company already offers a 1X voice/data module for the Handspring Visor through Sprint PCS.

The 1X Type II card supports a maximum datarate of 153.6Kbps on the forward and reverse links. The 1xEV-DO module does data up to 2.5Mbps.

Audiovox: The company will expand its selection of CDMA 1X handsets with gpsOne to four from one. It will also show its Thera PocketPC-based wireless smartphone, which will be the first such phone available if its ships in the first quarter as previously announced.

The new CDMA 1X/gpsOne phones will expand Audiovox's selection of Brew-compatible phones to four from one. They'll ship with or without Brew, depending on carrier orders. The three models, all trimodes with microbrowser, are the:

• 3.8-ounce clamshell CDM-9500, due in July with dual LCDs. One is full-color. The suggested retail is $399.
• clamshell CDM-8500, also with dual LCDs. It adds two-way SMS and voice-activated dialing. Volume shipments begin July at a suggested $399.
• bar-style CDM-8300 features voice-activated dialing and and two-way speakerphone. Volume shipments start June at a suggested $249.

The PocketPC-based wireless smartphone is the CDMA 1X Thera, a Greek word for "opening." It's shaped like a traditional PDA and uses the new PocketPC 2002 OS. It's equipped with color touchscreen, stylus, 32MB SDRAM, 32MB of flash memory, SD card slot, voice recorder, Pocket Word, Pocket Internet Explorer and Windows Media Audio player. Voice calls can be placed through its speakerphone or through a hands-free headset.

The 5x3x0.75-inch device operates on 800/1900MHz CDMA networks but not analog networks.

Jabra: The accessories maker plans September shipments to retailers of its first Bluetooth headset and add-on module. The headset without adapter is priced at a suggested $99. The headset and phone adapter are $179.

The adapter plugs into the 2.5mm headset jack used with most phones. A module for Nokia phones is also planned for September shipment.

The one-piece over-ear headset weighs less than an ounce and features volume control, LED and audible status indicators, and an answer/end button enabling users to make and receive calls without touching the handset. The headset also works with voice-activated dialing-equipped phones.

Kyocera: The company will launch its first two CDMA 1X phones with gpsOne, launch its first voice-only 1X phone, and unveil its first clamshell phone, a 2G CDMA trimode.

The gpsOne-equipped 1X phones are the 2325 and 2345 trimodes, which share the same features but have different designs. The 4.34-ounce models (with up to 3.8 hours of digital talktime) are priced in the low-mid- to mid-price tier, the company said. Features include downloadable polyphonic ringers, five games, voice dialing, voice recorder, speakerphone, vibrating alert, contact list that synchronizes with desktop PIMs, WAP browser, two-way SMS, and predictive text input.

The 4.34-ounce voice-only 1X phone, the 1135, is positioned at the entry level, and it's intended to help carriers deliver the 1.4-2x greater voice capacity that occurs when networks are loaded with 1X handsets. It delivers up to 3.8 hours of talktime. Features include vibrating alert, two-way SMS and electronic game.

The 2G CDMA trimode, the 3.1-ounce 5135, is Kyocera's first clamshell. The mid-tier-priced phone features Web browser, vibrating alert, two-way SMS, contact directo, and three hours of digital talktime.

All feature blue backlighting.

LG: Four of five new phones are CDMA 1X models, including the company's second voice-only 1X phone and its second 1X phone with BREW. Two of the three 1X models sports gpsOne, expanding the company's 1x/gpsOne selection.

"In midyear, all new LG IX phones will have gpsOne," product testing director Curtis Wick said.

The four 1X phones are the:

• LG-VX2000, targeted for early third-quarter shipment to Verizon. The bar phone features gpsOne, speakerphone, changeable faceplate, voice dialing, one-touch voice mail, microbrowser, and games.
• LG-VX4100 clamshell equipped with BREW, gpsOne, and POP3 e-mail client—LG's second phone with POP3—due in the fourth quarter 2002 or first quarter 2003. Features include dual-LCD display, WAP browser, voice dialing/ recording, games, MIDI sound and USB support. It's targeted to Verizon.
• LG-1010, a voice-only 1X flip phone without gpsOne. April shipments to Sprint are targeted. Features include dual LCD display, caller ID ringer, caller sound ID and MIDI ringer. It's positioned between entry-level and lower-mid pricing.

LG's first voice-only 1X phone, the dual-band clamshell TP5250, is retailed at $199 by Sprint.

The new dual-band 2G CDMA 4NE1 is targeted to the teen market. It features detachable side panels and can be worn around the neck. It's targeted to ship in March to Sprint.

Motorola: Ten new models extend Java-based J2ME capability beyond iDEN-network handsets for the first time, expand Motorola's GPRS selection, include a GSM/GPRS smartphone with touchscreen, and include the industry's first Rotator phone, which features a rotating cover and circular display.

J2ME and EMS are combined in six of the models. Five of those are GPRS-equipped, and one is equipped with CDMA 1X. One also accepts add-on Bluetooth module.

The phones are the:

• V70 Rotator, a 1.9GHz GPRS model with changeable bezel and cover that can be rotated with one hand to answer or end a call. Features include voice activation, round display, blue-backlit translucent keypad, exterior caller ID, address-book synchronization with a PC, and 120 minutes of talk time. It ships May at a suggested $450.
• T720 clamshell, available as a trimode CDMA 1X or 850/1900MHz GSM/GPRS phone. Either features J2ME, EMS, large color display, PIM, POP3 e-mail access, changeable front and back covers, speakerphone, synchronization with desktop PIM contact list, and compatibility with optional snap-on MP3 player. It ships in Q3 at suggested retails of $300-$400.
• A338 triband GPRS/GSM clamshell smartphone with handwriting recognition, virtual on-screen keyboard, instant messaging, two-way SMS, WAP browser, 2MB flash memory and 270 minutes of talktime on standard battery. It weighs 4.59 ounces and ships in the third quarter at a suggested $300-$400.
• C330, equipped with GPRS and available as a trimode TDMA or 850/ 1900GSM. Targeted to young adults and the mass market, it features interchangeable front and back covers, EMS, polyphonic ring tones that users can compose, up to 300 minutes of GSM talktime. TDMA talktime unavailable. It ships in the third quater at a suggested retail less than $100.
• trio of triband GSM/GPRS phones, all with J2ME, EMS, and microbrowser. The V60i clamshell features exterior caller ID, voice dialing, exchangeable metal-color front and back covers, embedded games, composable ring tones, microbrowser, optional attachable MP3 player, and 200 minutes of talktime. It ships in the second quarter at a suggested $300-$400.

The V66i clamshell lacks exterior caller ID but adds assignable ring tones to phone book entries. It comes with four preloaded J2ME games and five embedded games, composable ring tones, voice activations, and up to 180 minutes of talktime. It ships in the second quarter in Canada at a suggested $400.

The nonclamshell T280i accepts Bluetooth and MP3 add-on modules, works with speakerphone accessory, and offers microbrowser, voice activation, and composable ring tones. It ships in the second quarter at a suggested $200-$300.

• V120T TDMA trimode, which lacks GPRS and delivers 190-350 minutes of talk time. It ships Q2 at a suggested $150-$200.

Panasonic: Its first U.S.-market GSM phone is due in December. Details were unavailable.

Samsung: All new products on display will be CDMA 1X. The PocketPC phone shown at CES won't be displayed.

Siemens: Two new GSM phones will be displayed along with high-speed EDGE base station. Details were unavailable.

Sony Ericsson: More color screens, Bluetooth-equipped and -compatible GPRS phones, a smartphone with built-in digital camera, a GPRS PC Card-size radiomodem, and a digital-camera attachment are in store.

Five new phones and the PC Card are due in the U.S. in the second and third quarters. The phones support downloadable ringtones and graphics. Three can download and display digital pictures and two Java-based models can download applications, games and video clips. Prices range from $150 to $600 or $700 for the smartphone (see March 11, p.1, for details).