New Kyocera smart phone gets close, but no cigar
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The 7135's predecessor was designed somewhat like a flip phone: When closed, most of its display was still visible. But when the Palm OS displayed a reminder from its calendar application, you had to open the flip to clear the reminder. The new 7135 eliminates that problem--by concealing the display altogether. Now, if a reminder sprouts up, you can't even see it without opening the phone.
The 7135, which won't be available until later this year (currently, no wireless carriers have announced support), sports Palm OS version 4.1. By using version 4.1 rather than the newer Palm OS 5.0, Kyocera has avoided having to use Intel's StrongARM processor, which is required by 5.0. The phone has 16MB of on-board RAM, a 24-bit color display, a user-replaceable battery (something Handspring's Treo doesn't have), and supports CDMA 1xRTT networks. In other words, GPRS isn't a requirement for this phone to work.
It also has an on-board media viewer/player so MP3s are no problem. Unfortunately, it doesn't come with a thumbboard. In my estimation, thumb-boards like the one on RIM's BlackBerry 957 are an absolute requirement if these hybrid devices are going to accept a medium- to high-level of user input. According to Kyocera's Rick Goetter, the company is offering a full-size collapsible keyboard similar to ThinkOutside's StowAway keyboard (which I'm using in combination with a Compaq iPaq to write this story).
The phone's tri-mode support means you'll probably never be out of touch (which can occur with single-band phones that only support GSM/GPRS). The phone supports both 1900MHz (CDMA/PCS) and 800MHz (CDMA/Cellular) networks, as well as plain old analog cellular. The company expects the phone to sell for about $499, and the expandable keyboard will be about $99 (which seems to be the going rate for such keyboards). I expect that all of these converged phone/PDAs will fall in line with something close to the Nokia 9290's form factor. When closed, the 9290 hides (and shuts down) its color display, and only a standard telephone keypad is available. But when the device is opened (like a book), it reveals a color display and a thumbboard for use as a PDA. While its size is daunting, I've yet to find a phone with a functional keyboard or keyboard add-on that doesn't take up more space. Are you considering smart phones for your enterprise? What do you look for in a PDA/phone hybrid? Bluetooth? Thumbboard? Let me know. TalkBack or e-mail me at david.berlind@cnet.com Stay focused: Sign up for Tech Update Today, the daily e-mail newsletter for those who need to know.
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