Motorola Inc. has introduced a lightweight, flip-top cellular phone that can be worn on a belt holster or armband. Weighing 3.1 ounces, the StarTac operates on two miniaturized batteries. When one battery’s power is depleted, the other battery automatically provides power without interrupting a conversation, Motorola said. Users can receive up to four hours of talk time and 47 hours of standby time. Other features include authentication readiness, vibration alert and a headset jack for hands-free conversations. (800) 331-6456.
Apple Computer Inc. introduced a suite of personal computer integration products that builds on the foundation provided by Newton 2.0, the recently announced operating system for the Newton platform, Apple said. The company also announced the availability and shipment of its latest version of the Newton Toolkit for the Mac operating system and the desktop integration libraries for both the Mac and Windows operating systems. Apple said its integration products expand the range of solutions for integrating the Apple MessagePad 120 and other Newton personal digital assistants with both Mac OS- and Windows-based personal computers and enterprise environments allowing users to quickly synchronize information such as calendar appointments, contact names and meeting notes. (800) 462-4396.
Kineticom Inc. of St. Louis unveiled the Time Tracker, a cellular phone accessory designed to manage cellular usage costs. The watch-sized device attaches to the top edge of the cellular phone and displays up-to-the-minute phone expenses and usages, and includes a Bill Genie feature that predicts the end-of-the-month bill based on month-to-date usage, the company said. Kineticom said the device is fully automatic, requiring no button presses in daily operation. Additional features of the timer include automatic reset on the first day of the billing month, automatic display of peak or off-peak statistics based on time of day and a visual alarm when free minutes are used up. The company said an optional lock-out feature will be available to commercial users to prevent tampering or resetting counters and settings-a useful feature for daily phone rentals. (314) 861-2571.
San Dimas, Calif.-based Magellan Systems Corp. introduced the Magellan microCom-m, a small, lightweight satellite communications telephone for global voice, fax and data communications via the Inmarsat-M satellite system. Magellan said the phone is ideal for users who are out of range of traditional telecommunications services. The phone will be marketed throughout the world and customers will have immediate access to the Inmarsat-M communications network at the time of purchase using the microCom-m’s smartcard, Magellan said. To operate the phone, Magellan said customers connect to a power source, unfold the microCom-m’s hinged antenna, orient the unit to the appropriate satellite-with the help of a built-in voice synthesizer-insert the smartcard, dial the telephone number and speak directly to their party through the unit’s handset. (909) 394-5000.
Coherent Communications Systems Inc. unveiled a voice enhancement software solution designed to improve voice quality on wireline and wireless networks. The company said Sculptured Sound differs from other voice enhancement systems because it handles the problem of widely varying signal levels across different networks with a comprehensive range of adjustment parameters to combat any given signal scenario. The product operates by automatically optimizing active speech levels using the Coherent EC-6000 echo canceler as the core hardware platform, Coherent said. Enhancement adjustments are made gradually and in real time simultaneously but independently on all active channels to ensure that the process is transparent to the end user, the company said. (703) 729-6400.
Ora Electronics has introduced Charge & Talk, a personal hands-free system for portable cellular telephones with power/charging capabilities. Ora said Charge & Talk consists of an earpiece, microphone and a power cord all in one. In addition to providing private hands-free conversations in a vehicle, the system also functions as a power/charging cord, allowing the user to operate the portable cellular phone and charge the phone’s battery, Ora said. The company said the product is easily transferable from one vehicle to another and requires no installation. (818) 772-4433.
Mitsubishi Wireless Communications Inc. of Braselton, Ga., introduced its AH-129, an 8.3-ounce portable cellular telephone that offers 105 minutes of talk time, a built-in rapid charger and fraud prevention features. The telephone’s function menu operates as an electric owner’s manual and guides the user step-by-step through all the feature operations, Mitsubishi said. The built-in rapid charger works with either the AC adaptor or optional cigarette lighter adapter to charge the battery in two hours or less. To protect consumers from cloning, the company said the AH-129 features authentication. Four function levels also restrict the use of the phone. In cellular systems that require a personal identification number prior to each call, the phone dials it automatically. Other security features include an electronic lock, programmable unlock code and a special dialing function that allows users to call 911 when the phone is locked or restricted. (706) 654-9500.
Nokia Mobile Phones introduced a cellular phone targeted at first-time cellular phone users. The Nokia 638 features a large, easy-to-read 16-character display, four one-touch function keys, abbreviated menu-driven programming instructions designed to simplify activation and automatic emergency assistance, said Nokia. The company said the phone is available with authentication software and accessories ranging from fast AC & DC chargers to installed hands-free car kits. (770) 698-8650.
