Smartphone Roundup

by Greg Gaub, July 15, 2002

Whether you want to have quick and easy access to e-mail and the Internet, or you just want to stop carrying both a Palm OS device and a mobile phone all the time, a Palm OS smartphone is wonderful tool for a lot of people and a lot of solutions. There are other solutions, of course, such as smartphones that run some version of Windows CE, and those that run on Symbian OS. But to cover ALL possible options would be much too long, and I don't want to. :P So here you have all the known current and upcoming Palm OS smartphone options, as well as the one that started it all...


Model: Qualcomm pdQ 800 and 1900
Network: 800 is CDMA digital and analog, and 1900 is CDMA digital and PCS
PalmOS: v3.0
Screen: 160 x 240, 2 bit grayscale
RAM: 2mb
Size/Weight: 6.2 in x 2.6 in x 1.4 in
Talk/Standby: 2.5 hours, 40 hours
Notable Features: first Palm and Phone in one, replaceable battery
Cost: N/A
Availability: No longer available

After the relative failure of the pdQ series, future smartphone designs strived to reduce the size and increase the functionality of the devices. Many advances have been made since the pdQ, and things just keep getting better...


Model: Kyocera QCP-6035
Network: CDMA digital PCS, CDMA digital cellular and analog
PalmOS: v3.3
Screen: 160x160 grayscale
RAM: 8mb
Size/Weight: 5.6 in x 2.5 in x 0.86 in (14.2 cm x 6.4 cm x 2.2 cm); 7.34 ounces (208 grams)
Talk/Standby: 5 hours, 180 hours
Notable Features: dedicated phone keypad, jog wheel, voice memo and voice dialing, vibrate alert, replaceable battery
Cost: unknown
Availability: All over, now


Model: Kyocera 7135
Network: CDMA digital PCS,CDMA digital cellular and analog; CDMA2000 1X technology
PalmOS: v4.1
Screen: 160x160, 16-bit Color
RAM: 16mb
Size/Weight: 3.97 in x 2.43 in x 1.17 in (100.8 mm x 61.6 mm x 29.7 mm); 6.6 ounces (186 grams)
Talk/Standby: 3.5 hours; 160 hours
Notable Features: MP3 playback, SD/MMC expansion slot, External caller ID, voice-activated dialing, Voice memos, Vibrating alert, replaceable battery
Cost: Unknown, possibly $500-ish
Availability: Q4 ("November or earlier")


Model: Samsung I300
Network: CDMA PCS 1900 MHz and analog 800 MHz
PalmOS: v3.5
Screen: 160x240, 8 bit color
RAM: 8mb
Size/Weight: 4.9 by 2.3 by 0.8 inches and weighs 6 oz
Talk/Standby: 4 hours, 100 hours
Notable Features: Graffiti area is virtual, replaceable battery
Cost: Unknown
Availability: All over, now


Model: Samsung SPH-I330 (i330)
Network: CDMA 2000 1X networks and supports gpsOne
PalmOS: Probably v3.5.2
Screen: 240x160, 16bit color
RAM: 8mb
Size/Weight: 4.9 by 2.2 by .7 inches and weigh 5.3 ounces
Talk/Standby: 4 hours, 100 hours
Notable Features: Graffiti area is virtual, replaceable battery, updated version of i300
Cost: Unknown
Availability: Unknown


Model: Samsung I500
Network: CDMA networks and supports gpsOne
PalmOS: v4.1
Screen: color
RAM: 8+?
Size/Weight: 3.4 by 2.1 by .85 inches (87 x 54 x 21.5 mm), 4.5 ounces (130 g)
Talk/Standby: Unknown
Notable Features: separated graffiti area, voice memo and voice dialing capabilities, possible expansion slot and replaceable battery
Cost: Unknown
Availability: Unknown


Model: Sprint Digital Link
Network: CDMA PCS (Sprint)
PalmOS: depends on Visor
Screen: depends on Visor
RAM: depends on Visor
Size/Weight: Unknown. Similar to VisorPhone below
Talk/Standby: 7 hours, 300 hours
Notable Features: adds integrated phone solution to any Handspring Visor
Cost: $249
Availability: Now


Model: Handspring Treo 300
Network: CDMA 2000 and other CDMA networks
PalmOS: v3.5.2H
Screen: 160x160, 12bit color
RAM: 16mb
Size/Weight:
Talk/Standby:
Notable Features: built-in keyboard, high-speed network access via CDMA 3G
Cost: Unknown
Availability: Unknown


Model: Handspring VisorPhone
Network: GSM 900/1900 MHz
PalmOS: depends on Visor
Screen: depends on Visor
RAM: depends on Visor
Size/Weight: 2.4" [6cm] X 2" [5cm] X 0.6" [1.3cm], 2.9 oz. [83g] in addition to Visor dimensions
Talk/Standby: 3 hours, 70 hours
Notable Features: adds integrated phone solution to any Handspring Visor
Cost: Free with service, $99 without
Availability: Now


Model: Handspring Treos 180/180g
Network: GSM, GPRS ready (with upgrade)
PalmOS: 3.5.2H
Screen: 160x160 pixels, 4bit grayscale
RAM: 16mb
Size/Weight: 4.2" x 2.8" x 0.82" (10.8cm x 7.1cm x 2.1cm), 5.2 oz (147 g)
Talk/Standby: 2.5 hours, 100 hours, 3-4 weeks use with wireless mode off
Notable Features: built in keyboard (except 180g which has graffiti area), speakerphone, vibrating alert and ringer switch, jog wheel.
Cost: $399 w/ service ($599 without)
Availability: Now


Model: Handspring Treo 270
Network: GSM, GPRS ready (with upgrade)
PalmOS: 3.5.2H
Screen: 160x160 pixels, 12 bit color
RAM: 16mb
Size/Weight: 4.2" x 2.8" x 0.82" (10.8cm x 7.1cm x 2.1cm), 5.4 oz (153 g)
Talk/Standby: 3 hours, 150 hours
Notable Features: built in backlit keyboard, speakerphone, vibrating alert and ringer switch, jog wheel.
Cost: $499 w/ service ($699 without)
Availability: Now


Model: GSM sleds for PalmV
Manufacturers: Ohfish V51, RealVision CarpeDiem V, UbiNetics GA100
Network: GSM
PalmOS: Depends on Palm, usually 3.5 or so
Screen: usually 160x160, 4bit grayscale
RAM: 2 to 8mb
Size/Weight: Depends on sled model, but about 12.8cm (w/antenna 15cm) by 8.5cm by 1.17cm, 4.6oz(130g)
Talk/Standby: Depends on sled model
Notable Features: Depends on sled model
Cost: Depends on sled model (GA100 is free with service, £58.75 (50.00 exc.) without)
Availability: Depends on sled model, but usually almost impossible to get in the USA. Must be imported at full price. These are not designed to be used in the US, and most use GSM 900 and 1800MHz frequencies, while most US GSM carriers use 1900MHz. These are included mainly for non US interests.

If you would like to add any comments or corrections to my article, please contact me at flux@snapbag.com


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