Kyocera Upgrades Consumer Phone
Staff -- TWICE, 7/9/2001
SAN DIEGO— Kyocera's new consumer-tier 2135 trimode CDMA phone, which will replace the current 2000 trimode, is expected to be available in the fall through carriers, the company said.
The 4.55-ounce device will feature improved ergonomics, better battery life, and enhanced SMS features without a change in weight or size, a spokesman said. Like its predecessor, it's expected to retail for less than $150.
To improve ergonomics, the company designed the handset to be easier to hold, and its navigation key has been reshaped into an oval from a cross. SMS improvements include the ability to manually save incoming messages rather than have them autosaved, potentially freeing up storage memory. Consumers can also use preformatted messages when replying to messages or forwarding messages, not just when originating messages. The device also uses a more advanced form of T9's predictive-text dictionary, which remembers words added through multiple taps of dialing keys.
Like its predecessor, it supports two-way SMS, features WAP microbrowser, offers consumer-changeable faceplates, and nonsynchronizable contact list that includes name, address, and phone numbers.
Talk time is extended to 4 hours from 3.75, and standby time goes to 6.25 days from 5.5 days.
