Motorola spawns Linux phone triplets, partners with Yahoo!

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Jul. 26, 2005

[Updated 1PM] -- Motorola has announced three Linux/Java phones, which it says "further [demonstrate] Motorola's commitment to driving Linux-for-mobile innovation across the company's device spectrum." The A728, A732, and A910 target mobile professionals. Additionally, Motorola will partner with Yahoo! on mobile phone and iRadio product content.

A728

The A728 appears to be a cost-optimized version of the company's earlier A760i and A768i (which in turn are tri-band versions of the dual-band A760 and A768, respectively). Like those devices, the A728 is a tri-band 900/1800/1900 GSM phone certified as conforming to the European Union's Radio and Tecommunications Terminal Equipment (R&TTE) Directive. Unlike the A760i and A768i, however, it lacks Bluetooth, and has only a WAP2 browser. It has been available in China since Q2, 2005, Motorola says.

The A728 closely resembles the A760 and A768
(Click each image to enlarge)
Basic features of the A728 include handwriting recognition, PIM and POP3 email software, MMS client, WAP2 browser, SyncML support, voice dialing, hands-free connections, a built-in dictionary, and Yahoo! instant messenger software. The A728 also offers an integrated MP3 player, MP3 ringtone support, MPEG video capture and playback, hands-free speakerphone, user-independent voice dialing requiring no pre-recording, and a J2ME (Java 2 Micro Edition) runtime that supports games and other user downloads (8MB of user storage)

A732

(Click to enlarge)

The A732 is a tri-band phone with several features aimed at heavy text message users. It is expected to ship in Q3, 2005.

The A732 features a slide-out keypad that doubles as a finger-driven input pad that recognizes Chinese or Roman characters. The pad uses a predictive text engine said to learn each user's writing style, and also supports basic gesture commands for editing and switching between languages, Motorola says. The A732 also includes speech-to-text and text-to-speech software aimed at text-messaging applications.

Other features of the A732 include Bluetooth, a VGA (640 x 480) camera, MPEG4 recording and playback, MMS client, optional TransFlash removable storage, MP3 playback and ringtones, IM software, downloadable themes and icons, and synchronization software.

A910

The A910 appears to be a new high-end Motorola Linux phone. It includes built-in WiFi, along with UMA (Unlicensed Mobile Access) features aimed at providing seamless access to GSM and GPRS features over WLAN, on supported carrier networks. "VoWiFi" is cheaper and works better indoors, according to research firm ABI, which expects the technology to proliferate in mobile phones.

The A910 has a button-driven interface and 1.3MP camera
(Click each image to enlarge)
Other features include:

Motorola's button-based "Chameleon" user interface
MotoSync secure OTA (over-the-air) synchronization of email, calendar, and contact information, which are stored in Berkeley DB files. MotoSync first debuted MotoSync in September, 2004, in the Linux-based A760
Integrated Bluetooth radio that works with Motorola's Bluetooth headsets, including the Oakley RazrWire sunglasses (pictured at right) recently used by Lance's Discovery Channel team in the Tour de France
1.3MP camera with Flash, multimedia slideshow software, and 3GPP streaming
Predictive text messaging application
Multitasking

Yahoo deal

Motorola will partner with Yahoo! on devices for mobile operators and consumers that are "optimized for direct access" to Yahoo! products and services, the companies say. Such products are expected to reach consumers in major markets in 2006. The deal includes Motorola's forthcoming iRadio product line, set to launch in 2006.

Motorola's president of mobile devices, Ron Garriques, said, "By aligning with Yahoo!, we're able to expand our offerings to customers. And, by optimizing these products for our leading Linux and Java software platform, we're making it easier for operators to maximize revenue."

Motorola's VP of mid-tier and Iconic Products, Tracey Koziol, said, "Today's mobile professionals want freedom: from wires, from their desks, and from boring handsets. Our newest additions, the A910, A732, and A728, combine style, power, and productivity to fit your personal and work styles."

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