'New year' rings in plethora of innovative cellular products

Mobile Phone News,  Jan 17, 1994  

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Releasing new, improved phones seems to be the trend among cellular portable phone manufacturers, with several new models debuting recently from Nokia, Motorola, JVC and Muratec. Additionally, cellular accessories manufacturers are unveiling products such as Alexander Batteries New Generation Smart Charger.

Largo, Fla.-based Nokia Mobile Phones unveiled a digital portable cellular phone, the Nokia 2120. Weighing merely 8.3 ounces, the Nokia 2120 dual-mode phone employs both time division multiple access (TDMA) digital and advanced mobile phone system (AMPS) analog technology. The Nokia 2120 features a LCD display, used for number readout, names and prompts as well as continuous battery and signal strength indicators. In addition, a description of the phone's features can be used to guide users through phone operation. The phone supports high-speed cellular fax and data transmission via the Nokia PC Card--a PCMCIA modem--and the Nokia Cellular Data Card.

Marking its debut into the U.S. cellular phone market, Elmwood Park, N.J.-based JVC Company of America introduced two new analog cellular phone models, the TN-J10 and the TN-J7. Weighing about 8.8 ounces each, the phones' design is based on the size and shape of the human hand and head.

The phones' standard battery supports 45 minutes of talk-time with eight hours stand-by and the long-life battery offers 145 minutes of talk-time and 24 hours stand-by. Each model features speed dialing, auto redial and a noise canceling microphone to reduce background noise. The TN-J10 offers call-screening, silent ringer and a theft alarm.

...First-Time Cellular Portable Users Marks Target of Muratec's New CT-100

Plano, Texas-based Muratec is targeting the first-time portable phone buyer with its new CT-100, a portable cellular phone weighing 9.6 ounces and retailing for $499. For user convenience, the CT-100 offers a retractable antenna and a confirmation tone that indicates when the portable is in service and when a user's call is in progress. Call length can be monitored with a last-call timer function, and a timer monitors accumulated call duration. In addition, the CT-100 can be set to block long-distance calls. The CT-100 is supported by Muratec's one-year warranty program and toll-free customer support line. When a phone needs to be repaired, Muratec will send Federal Express Overnight to pick up the phone to make repairs.

Motorola debuted several new products at the recent 1994 Winter CES, including its new Micro Digital Lite, a dual-mode TDMA cellular telephone. Weighing in at 7.9 ounces, the phone is slated for commercial availability in March. Included in the Micro Digital Lite package is Motorola's VibraCall feature, which offers consumers the ability to receive calls via vibrations, not rings. With the standard battery, the phone provides as much as one hour of talk-time or eight hours of standby time.

Mason City, Iowa-based Alexander Batteries recently unveiled its New Generation Smart Charger, which can provide charge currents of as much as 4 Amps (35 watt limit) and can charge 4.0 to 15.0 volt nickel cadmium batteries. In addition, it is available with nickel metal hydride charging capabilities.

   Typical Nokia 2120 Talktimes

Digital mode  Battery pack options (standby time)   Analog mode
180 min.    Extended-life 1500 mAh Ni-MH (32.7 hours)  100 min.
130 min.    Extended-life 1100 mAh Ni-CD (24.0 hours)   75 min.
60 min.     Slim 500 mAh Ni-MH battery (10.9 hours)     35 min.
45 min.     Slim 400 mAh Ni-CD battery (8.7 hours)      30 min.

COPYRIGHT 1994 Access Intelligence, LLC
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning