The once questionable smart-phone market received additional validation last week as Sprint PCS announced it would market Kyocera Corp.’s QCP-6035 handset beginning later this month. The news follows the carrier’s plan to introduce Samsung’s SPH-I300 smart phone later this summer, and the lead of Verizon Wireless, which began selling the Kyocera handset earlier this year.
The Kyocera QCP-6035 is a Palm OS powered, dual-band handset, featuring a slimmed down Palm display with touch-screen capabilities and stylus-based navigation. The phone has an on-screen virtual keypad plus a fold-down traditional keypad. The handset also features two input methods-the basic Graffiti power writing software and an on-screen keyboard.
“The Sprint PCS Phone QCP-6035 by Kyocera combines an Internet-ready, feature-rich phone with the functionality of Palm OS applications to allow real-time access to information, increasing the opportunity for enhanced professional and personal productivity,” said Sprint PCS president Charles Levine.
The Samsung SPH-I300 smart phone is similar to the QCP-6035 in that it is also powered by Palm’s v3.5 operating system, but includes a 256-color display in a smaller package minus the fold-down traditional keypad.
Sprint said the QCP-6035 is the first device it has sold supporting multiple browser options, including HTML, and is packaged with a built-in version of Eudora for e-mail and Palm OS v3.5 software supporting Palm’s Web clipping applications.
While some have questioned the market acceptance of smart phones, and their high-end price tags, Verizon Wireless said the Kyocera handsets have been flying off the shelves at $500 per unit with a service contract. Sprint said it will sell the QCP-6035 for $500 to consumers and $400 to companies participating in its Nationwide Volume Program. Sprint PCS has not released a price for the Samsung handset.
Sprint PCS’ bevy of Palm-powered handsets follows through on the carrier’s previously announced alliance with Palm. That agreement called for the companies to market and sell wireless solutions for handhelds using the Palm OS platform and offer a co-branded version of the MyPalm portal, which includes Palm wireless PIM services, access to personal and corporate e-mail, e-commerce purchase options and access to personally relevant information.
Sprint PCS also introduced two kits allowing wireless Web connection for Palm personal digital assistants. The Sprint PCS Wireless Web connection Kit for Palm Handhelds is designed to enable Palm III and Palm V users to gain wireless access to the Internet using a dedicated cable connected to a Sprint PCS phone. The kits are available for Motorola, Samsung and Sanyo handsets, and come with a compact disc containing a software to upgrade Palm PDAs for Palm OS 3.5 and the MyPalm portal.
The Sprint PCS Wireless Web Adapter Kit for Palm Handhelds contains a universal adapter designed to work with most Sprint PCS Internet-ready phones for either a Palm III or Palm V. The kit works the same as the connection kit, except the adapter is designed for a standard wireless Web connection cable. Sprint PCS said the adapter kit was ideal for customers who are already using wireless Web connections for data sessions on their laptops and also want to wirelessly connect their Palm handhelds.
“Fostering a synergy and shared momentum between the growing Palm OS development community and the Sprint PCS Application Developer’s Program will deliver more solutions to further enhance the experience of our customers,” said Carl Yankowski, chief executive officer of Palm.
