Dreaming of a Future for Handsets

The year 2000 was a transitional year for the mobile phone industry, according to Dataquest, a unit of Gartner Group (www.gartner.com). Worldwide mobile phone sales totaled 412.7 million units in 2000, which is a 45.5% increase compared to 1999, and Nokia still is the top dog in the market. (See Table.)

Company	Shipments	Market Share(%)
Nokia	126,369	30.6
Motorola	60,094	14.6
Ericsson	41,467	10
Siemens	26,989	6.5
Panasonic	20,639	5.2
Samsung	20,639	5
Others	115,662	28
Worldwide mobile phone sales estimates for 2000 (thousands of units)

Although the shipment numbers were encouraging throughout 2000, the rumors of tough times ahead rose to a high pitch at the beginning of 2001.

Dataquest's analysts reported that in 2000, several issues rang a warning bell:

• Global capacity caught up with demand.

• Lowered barriers to entry allowed an influx of smaller manufacturers that were able to exploit demand in some of the key markets, such as China.

• WAP failed to impress increasingly savvy mobile users, and thus what had been touted as the catalyst for the next wave of terminal sales growth, waned instead.

• Mobile carriers began to shift attention away from straightforward subscriber acquisition to a greater focus on lifetime customer loyalty.

So will these issues affect handset manufacturers in 2001? Apparently not at Wireless 2001 where optimism is key for unveiling new subscriber equipment. Manufacturers are looking toward the future, hoping the warning bell proves false.

Motorola is futuristic in its tri-mode Timeport 260, a GPRS handset that allows users to switch between data mode and voice calls, or use it as a modem to access the Internet or intranet (visit #3521 or www.motorola.com). TrueSync software allows the synchronization of data between phone, PC, PDA and other devices for efficient time management.

Motorola's extended product portfolio showcases the Accompli 008 all-in-one phone. This handset features a large touch-screen and user interface. It provides access to the Internet and full e-mail and data/fax capabilities through its GPRS/WAP function, in addition to SMS. Handwriting recognition offers users the chance to converse in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Swedish, Portuguese and Chinese.

The small, lightweight Motorola V. Series 120 with its GPRS capability, features an entertainment set including an MP3 accessory, new embedded games, screen-savers, customizable ring tones and SMS.

Nokia (visit #2822 or www.nokia.com) is focused on 3G, and the Nokia 9210 is a step in that direction. The Communicator features a high-resolution color display, high-speed mobile e-mail and multimedia capabilities such as full-color video clips. It also includes Java support and has Microsoft Office.

LG InfoComm is focused on its tri-mode TM-510 (visit #4055 or www.lgjoyphone.com). The TM-510 packs tri-mode functionality, wireless Web capability, extended battery life and a full feature set into its compact, clamshell-style frame.

The TM-510 operates with 1.9GHz PCS and 800MHz digital cellular, as well as AMPS wireless phone frequencies. It also features a second external LCD screen for viewing incoming Caller-ID information without the need to flip open the handset.

Samsung is highlighting two popular models, the SCH-T300 series and the SPH-N200 (visit #4635 or www.samsung.com).

The T300's features include dual-band, tri-mode, 2-way text messaging, voice-activated dialing, an electronic administrator, fax and data capabilities, instant Web access and voice memo.

The dual-band, dual-mode N200 from Samsung includes voice-activated dialing, has data and mini-browser capabilities, features a wide, high-resolution display and also includes an electronic administrator.

Audiovox's tri-mode CDM-9100 is a Web browsing phone that includes two soft-touch Internet navigation keys and T9 predictive test messaging (visit #3600 www.audiovox.com). The handset also features a built-in speakerphone that can be used to monitor voice-mail messages hands-free.

Kyocera Wireless (visit #3061 or www.kyocera.com) has announced the Kyocera QCP 6035 smart phone, a wireless handset that unites voice communications, text messaging, e-mail and multiple methods of Web access with the power of a Palm OS-based organizer.

The phone is a tri-mode CDMA digital wireless phone, operating on CDMA digital 1.9GHz and 800MHz and analog cellular networks. The smart phone offers many enhanced features, including a built-in speakerphone, voice-activated dialing and a convenient jog-dial for accessing phone settings, contact information and call history. With the Palm OS v3.5 and 8MB of memory, the smart phone incorporates the complete functionality of the latest Palm organizers and supports thousands of applications written for the Palm OS platform.

Perhaps the influx of next-generation handsets at Wireless 2001 will squelch any rumors of tough times ahead.

More at the Show:

Plantronic's Bluetooth headset delivers hands-free wireless convenience and allows users to communicate with other Bluetooth devices such as mobile phones, PDAs and laptops. The headset is powered by 2G chipset technology.

The battery and controls are incorporated into the headset itself in a lightweight, balanced design. Users can answer a call, hang up, adjust the volume and mute the microphone with the touch of a button.

The user receives additional information through audible tones that indicates various conditions.
Visit #4649 or www.plantronics.com

GoNeo, the Body Glove licensee for technology accessories, has unveiled the Ion collection of mobile-phone cases. Made in Italy, the line offers an alternative to traditional leather cases.

The Ion case features a special grip-enhancing texture, and the protective padded interior provides a smooth fit. The thin case, with its secure low-profile belt clip, can attach at the hip or slide into a shirt or coat pocket.
Visit #4849 or www.goneo.com

Double-Time's PowerClip for Nokia phones provides a speakerphone, a voice recorder and more power. The PC4400 series for Nokia's 5100, 6100 and 7100 series of wireless phones are compact holsters that secure the handset to a belt or briefcase. The PowerClip also has speakerphone capabilities and a 120-second digital voice recorder, plus power augmentation.
Visit #2075 or www.double-time.com

Safer use of wireless phones in vehicles is provided by Cellport System's Cellport 3000 universal hands-free system.

The system uses a universal docking station and phone-specific pocket adapter to accommodate different manufacturers and models of phones. Other features include intelligent battery charging and an external antenna connection, improving signal strength and reducing dropped calls.
Visit #3864 or www.cellport.com

Mizco International/Cellular Innovations has unveiled an FM wireless portable hands-free unit. This unit features a lightweight headset and a belt-clip transmitter that connects directly to the phone's earphone jack.
Visit # 4246 or www.mizco.com

Research in Motion (RIM) has unveiled a palm-sized wireless hand-held with integrated support for wireless e-mail, Internet, paging and organizer features. The RIM957 incorporates a large screen, 32-bit Intel 386 processor, 5MB Intel flash memory, keyboard, embedded wireless modem, integrated organizer and full support for the BlackBerry wireless e-mail solution.

RIM also features a new model of the RIM 950 wireless hand-held with 4MB memory in addition to the BlackBerry 2.0 software that supports the palm-sized RIM957 and pager-sized PIM 950.

RIM has plans for WAP support of RIM wireless hand-helds and Lotus Notes support for the BlackBerry wireless e-mail solution.
Visit #8229 or www.rim.net