3 unveils twin-camera 3G phone
Published: 17 Jul 2003 07:51 BST
Japanese handset maker NEC has teamed with UK mobile-operator 3 to launch a new third generation (3G) handset featuring two built-in cameras.
NEC's e808Y, the firm's third 3G phone to hit the UK market, has two separate cameras -- which can both capture video clips and conduct video calls and take still pictures -- the companies said in a statement.
In addition to the twin lenses, the new PDA-like handset features a full Qwerty keyboard and an email program that allows users to access email over 3's recently-launched 3G network.
NEC's e808Y also comes with 64MB of internal memory and a 46 x 57mm screen which supports up to 65,536 colours. The firm said the screen enhancement gives the handset a 40 percent boost in viewing area compared with previous NEC models.
Beyond these features, the handset supports common frills as such polyphonic ringtones, Java games and USB (Universal Serial Bus) connectivity.
Hong Kong conglomerate Hutchison Whampoa, a major shareholder of 3, has already launched 3G services in countries like Italy, Austria Sweden and Australia. The group also looks set to kick start its 3G operations in Hong Kong next month after several rounds of delay.
As the rollout of 3G continues to take centre stage around the world, gadget makers are now refining their mobile devices to take advantage of the network's multimedia potential.
According to various media reports, NEC had earlier unveiled a prototype phone which is capable of receiving digital television broadcasts. The experimental handset boasts of a portable antenna to receive broadcast signals and a built-in UHF (Ultra High Frequency) tuner.
More recently, another Japanese electronics giant -- Fujitsu -- said it has developed an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) screen for handhelds which is good enough to receive high-definition digital broadcasting.
The new device has triple the number of pixels compared to existing PDA screens, giving it a 60 to 70 percent boost in resolution, Nikkei Business News reported.
The display employs a technology that quickly changes the colour of backlights between red, blue and green, while existing LCD screens consist of individual dots in one of the three colours, said the report.
The firm said in the report that it plans to commercialise the new LCD screen in a few years' time, and is eyeing annual sales of 200,000 to 300,000 units.
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