Wednesday September 27 1:05 PM ET

Motorola Unveils Next-Generation Phones

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CHICAGO (Reuters) - Imagine a world where wrist watches also function as telephones and mobile phones have built-in cameras that can be used as video-conferencing tools.

That kind of future may be a few years away, but Motorola Inc., the world's second-largest mobile phone maker, unveiled next-generation mobile phones that bring it one step closer at the Personal Communications Industry Association conference this week in Chicago.

As part of its Bluetooth product series, Motorola introduced its Timeport 270 phone at the conference, its first Bluetooth-capable mobile phone. Bluetooth is a new short-distance wireless technology that eliminates the need for cables between electronic devices, including personal computers, mobile phones, headsets, handheld computers and printers.

The new phones, to be made available in December, would allow consumers to access the Internet on their portable computers up to 30 feet (9 meters) away from their mobile phones without having to find a physical data connection.

The Timeport 270 also features a large graphical display and a hands-free speakerphone that can be used from as far as about 10 feet (3 meters) away. The battery life for the phone is four hours of talk time, or 9 days of stand-by time.

Robert Garriques, corporate vice president and general manager for Motorola, told reporters on Wednesday that the phones will initially be made for CDMA networks and offered to consumers through wireless service providers, such as Sprint PCS Group and Verizon Communications.

CDMA is one of three kinds of wireless network standards that exist in the United States.

Motorola expects the phones to retail for $300 to $400, Garriques said. They may also be packaged with Motorola's Bluetooth PC cards, and Smart Module accessory, both of which are needed in order to establish a connection between Bluetooth phones and computers.

Motorola also introduced two other phones at the conference that merge the functionalities of a mobile phone into a short-messaging device.

The company said the V100, which has a stylish look, is targeted toward fashion-conscious consumers, while the Accompli 009, which comes with a color display, e-mail capability, Internet access and a programmable operating system, is meant to serve as a remote office for professionals.

The V100 is expected to be available in Europe in October and in the United States during the first quarter of 2001. The Accompli 009 is expected to hit the European market in the fourth quarter and the U.S. in the first quarter of 2001.

-- (hmm@hmm.hmm), September 27, 2000

Answers

As I gently place my mouth to my watch and whisper "Oh HURRY up and beam me up dammit". "scotty, r u there?"

-- consumer (shh@aol.com), September 27, 2000.

hmm,

This guy had one a long time ago.

-- Peg (too@much.spam), September 28, 2000.