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