Samsung SPH-i300 explained

Samsung SPH-i300
Manufacturer:Samsung Electronics
Carrier:Sprint
Available:2001
Screen:160 × 240 px, 256 color
Os:Palm OS 3.5
Input:Graffiti, touchscreen
Memory:8 MB[1]
Networks:CDMA 800/1900 / AMPS 800
Connectivity:DE-9 Serial port via cradle, infrared (IrDA)
Battery:Li-ion
Size:4.9 by 2.28 by 0.82 inches
Weight:6oz
Form:candybar
Successor:Samsung SPH-i330

The Samsung SPH-i300 was an early Palm OS-based PDA and smartphone manufactured by Samsung, released around August 2001 and marketed in the United States for use on Sprint's mobile phone network.[2] It was the first "PDA phone" (as devices that combined phone and PDA functions were then called) in the US with a color screen.

The CDMA phone has a candybar-style design.It operates like a standard color Palm OS device, but several hard (external) and software buttons launch the 'phone' application, which manages calls.

The phone shipped with a charging cradle with a DE-9 serial port, extra battery, and a case.

Applications

Installed applications included ones carried over from existing Palm handheld non-phone devices:Graffiti, Memo Pad, Date Book, Scheduler, Calculator, To Do List, Alarm/Clock, Address Book, Expense Manager, and Palm Desktop Software. ZIO PalmGolf was another application.

In addition, applications to support voice and data communications were included: Blazer, Mail, Messages, Phone, Speed Dial, Voice Dial, and Voice Memo.

History and reception

The SPH-i300 was the first Palm-OS-based smartphone from Samsung, and cost $499. The phone was not compatible with Sprint's 3G network and its maximum connection speed of 14.4 kbit/s made browsing slow, but browsing "the real web" in 2001 was an advance on the WAP browsers on other mobile phones. It competed with another Palm OS phone, the Kyocera QCP-6035.

Follow-up SPH-i330 model

Samsung followed up the SPH-i300 with the SPH-i330 in 2003, also on Sprint. The SPH-i330 has a more rounded body and PC connectivity over USB rather than a serial port, but has the same screen, Palm OS version, and general feature set as the SPH-i300.[3]

Footnotes

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Samsung Seeks the Perfect Combo PDA/Phone . Bruce . Brown . Marge . Brown . 2001-11-02 . . 2010-04-25.
  2. Web site: CNN.com - Sci-Tech - Review: Samsung puts Palm, phone in one package - May 7, 2001 . 2023-07-18 . edition.cnn.com.
  3. Web site: Samsung SPH-i330 Review . M. Wiley . 2003-03-21 . IGN Gear . . 2010-04-25.
  4. Web site: Samsung SPH-I300 (Sprint) Smartphone reviews . David Carnoy . 2001-10-21 . CNET reviews . . 2010-04-25.
  5. Web site: Samsung SPH-I300 (Sprint) specs and Smartphone specifications . CNET Reviews . . 2010-04-25.