Kyocera Officially Unveils Palm-Based Smartphone

Posted By: Ed Monday, November 27, 2000 12:23:24 PM

Kyocera Wireless Corp. is announcing the Kyocera QCP 6035 Smartphone that is both a Palm OS-based organizer and a CDMA digital wireless phone. This is the same device of which the advanced photos and details leaked out in October. Commercial availability of the Kyocera Smartphone is expected in the first quarter of 2001 for an as yet undisclosed price.

Operating on CDMA PCS (1900 MHz), CDMA cellular (800 MHz) and analog cellular networks, the Smartphone offers many features, including a built-in speakerphone, voice-activated dialing and a jog-dial for accessing phone settings, contact information and call history. It runs the Palm OS v3.5 with 8 MB of memory.

The Kyocera Smartphone measures approximately 5.59 in. x 2.60 in. x 0.86 in. (14.2 cm. x 6.6 cm. x 2.2 cm.) and weighs 7.35 ounces (208 grams). A user-replaceable lithium ion battery provides up to 4.5 hours of talk time and up to 110 hours of standby time in CDMA digital mode.

The Kyocera Smartphone supports HTML browsers with Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption to provide security for confidential data. It also supports Web Clipping applications and WAP browsers. All three methods use CDMA wireless data services for Web access. In addition, users can access corporate or personal e-mail accounts using the integrated Eudora e-mail application. The Smartphone also acts as a wireless modem to provide data/fax capabilities for personal computers via the charging cradle or optional serial cable.

Users can choose either the speakerphone or a headset connected to the universal earphone jack to make simultaneous use of the phone and PDA functions. The jog dial on the left side of the phone provides easy access to contacts, call history, phone settings, messages and voice memos. The Smartphone features voice-activated dialing and Speed Dial, as well as 15 audible ringer types plus a silent, vibrating alert. A SmartSound feature automatically adjusts the earpiece volume during a call based on surrounding noise levels. The Smartphone also incorporates Text Telephony (TTY) capability for hearing-impaired users.

With the keypad open, the Smartphone displays the familiar Palm applications launcher, with additional Smart Keys for the Address Book, Date Book, Memo Pad and To-Do List. The Tap 'n' Dial feature allows automatic dialing of contact numbers from the Address Book. HotSync technology allows users to synchronize information between the Smartphone and a personal computer. The Smartphone also features an infrared data port at the top of the phone for rapid beaming of information to other IR-enabled devices.

Permalink |

Article Comments

(14 comments)

The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. PalmInfocenter is not responsible for them in any way.
Please Login or register here to add your comments.

Comments Closed
This article is no longer accepting new comments.

Screen size?

I.M. Anonymous @ 11/27/2000 12:46:12 PM #

Does anyone know if the screen size on these are the same as other Palm OS pda devices? I thought I heard somewhere that they were smaller, causing some apps not work properly.

RE: Screen size?

Ed @ 11/27/2000 1:03:48 PM #

The screen resolution has not changed so this device will run all Palm apps that will run under OS 3.5. This was explicitly stated in the press release I got. However, the screen size is smaller than the III series' and is probably about the same size as the m100's. This wasn't clearly stated but I'm basing it on the fact that the width of the whole Kyocera phone (2.60 in) is just barely larger than the screen on my IIIx (2.5 in).

---
Plenipotentiary
Palm Infocenter

RE: Screen size?

I.M. Anonymous @ 11/30/2000 7:00:09 PM #

The actual screen size on the original Smartphone was notably smaller then your average Palm or Handspring device. It is hard to tell by the picture, but it looks to be larger then the original pdQ phones.

Gift Certificates/Waiting List

I.M. Anonymous @ 11/27/2000 2:51:12 PM #

Is there any way to get on a waiting list for this product?

I realize there is no price yet but is there a way also to get gift certificates before the holidays?

Thank you -

Compatible with Sony Jog Dial?

I.M. Anonymous @ 11/27/2000 4:47:33 PM #

I wonder if their jog dial implemention uses the same interface to programmers as Sony provides on their Clie devices. I would hope so, otherwise us programmers would have two competing implementations for what should be common functionality.

Why on earth not a seperate earpiece?

I.M. Anonymous @ 11/27/2000 4:54:23 PM #

Would make it possible to handle calendar while calling. Would make phone smaller.

Earpiece could be worn on a neclace.

Maybe we have to wait until bluetooth?

RE: Why on earth not a seperate earpiece?

I.M. Anonymous @ 11/29/2000 8:41:34 AM #

if you look here:
http://gullfoss2.fcc.gov/prod/oet/forms/blobs/retrieve.cgi?attachment_id=112791&native_or_pdf=pdf

you'll see better pictures of the unit (it takes awhile to load)

and here:
http://gullfoss2.fcc.gov/prod/oet/forms/blobs/retrieve.cgi?attachment_id=112798&native_or_pdf=pdf

is the users manual...you'll see that an earpiece is supported.

What a brick!!

I.M. Anonymous @ 11/28/2000 12:57:49 AM #

Disgusting

RE: What a brick!!

Ed @ 11/28/2000 7:41:29 AM #

I think the lack of a scale is throwing your perceptions of the size of this phone off. It would be great if we could get some pictures of it next to other Palms. All I can do is point out that it is actually thinner than the m100. The m100 is 3.12 inches wide while the Kyocera is 2.6 inches. That's over half an inch thinner than the smallest Palm. It's only 5.59 inches tall, just over half an inch taller than the IIIc, and weighs only an ounce and half more.

While it is true this isn't a super slim phone, it is quite comparable in size to other Palms. And it is far, far smaller than a Palm and phone held together, which is what you would have to do to get the same functionality.

---
Plenipotentiary
Palm Infocenter

RE: What a brick!!

David @ 11/28/2000 9:02:44 AM #

When you compare this to the Visor Phone the dimension are not so bad. However, the real competition these phones will be the Symbian and Stinger products coming out next year with even smaller form factors.

My problem with the product is that every Palm OS mfg is adding external expansion products to their product yet this will have none. Otherwise I think this is a pretty good idea.

Wireless cradle

I.M. Anonymous @ 11/29/2000 12:10:01 AM #

I thought you would be interested in this Palm News story:
Ohfish Communication, Inc in Taiwan will be offering the GSM wireless cradle this year in the 25th of December. Ohfish had joined Palm's exibition in Taiwan and Hong Kong. They will also be joining the Palm exibition Singapore on the 1st of December. They have the best looking wireless modem I have seen so far. Get the Full story and Comments here: http://www.ohfish.com

WAP Browser for Wireless Palms?

I.M. Anonymous @ 11/29/2000 2:43:42 PM #

I know that there are browsers for "Web Clippings" and then there are full on browsers for looking at full web pages, but is there a browser for WAP sites? It would be kinda handy, since I would assume WAP is at home with the Palm's small screen size.

Wow

Nizenco @ 12/1/2000 12:06:09 PM #

I'm strongly consider to by this device when they releas it. It's kind a big to have both my Palm Vx and my Siemens S35 in my jeans pocket.
This device is a "must have".

size

digichimp @ 12/16/2000 1:34:15 AM #

I was at palmsource and they were demo it there.
it slightly shorter than my palm viix. jog dial is not like sony's so you can program it like sony's but I bet its quite similar. The screen is small, if not smaller than the m100. :-(
The grey casing looks like the old putty color of the palm pro.
I was a lucky bloke to win one, but they are not shipping til 1st quarter (march 2001).
WAhhhhh!!!! ;-_( Plus it only works with cdma pcs, so think Sprint or Verizon in the US.
it was a hot and lusty item.