The Innovative Design of the TWIG Discovery by Benefon
Introduction
Back in 2006, the mobile phone world was dominated by feature phones, and one device that stood out was the TWIG Discovery by Benefon. The TWIG Discovery offered more than just a way to make phone calls and send text messages, it had unique features that made it a popular choice among consumers. In this article, we will explore the key specifications and features of this groundbreaking device.
The Benefon Brand
Benefon is a Finnish telecommunication company that was established in 1988. The company focused on producing durable and innovative mobile phones, specializing in the navigation and outdoor communication market. One of their most iconic devices was the TWIG Discovery, which was released in 2006.
The Release of TWIG Discovery
The TWIG Discovery was released in June 2006, at a time when new technologies and features were starting to appear in the mobile phone industry. However, the device still maintained its simplicity and practicality, making it a go-to for those who wanted a reliable and functional phone.
The Anatomy of TWIG Discovery
One of the striking features of the TWIG Discovery was its design. It had a thickness of 24mm and a weight of 128g, making it portable and easy to carry around. The phone’s dimensions were 116 x 51 x 24 mm, with a Mini-SIM slot, catering to the standard in that era.
The Display and Memory
The TWIG Discovery featured a TFT display with 256K colors, a novelty in the feature phone landscape. It had a 2.0-inch screen, with a resolution of 176 x 220 pixels, providing a decent visual experience for its users. It also had a memory card slot for miniSD cards, allowing users to store music, photos, and other data.
Innovative Features
One of the top-selling features of the TWIG Discovery was its built-in personal navigation system. This feature was uncommon in phones back then, making it a unique selling point for the device. Additionally, it had a browser that supported WAP 2.0/xHTML, allowing users to browse the internet on their phone.
The Multimedia Experience
The TWIG Discovery gave its users multiple options for entertainment. It featured five exciting games that people enjoyed, such as Diamond, Bubble, Tic Tac, Poker, and Pushbox. It also had a good sounding polyphonic ringtone, providing audible notifications to its users.
Weighing the Pros and Cons
The TWIG Discovery had a few drawbacks as well. One of the most significant limitations was its lack of a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm jack, making it challenging to use in public places or with headphones. Additionally, it did not support Wi-Fi, which limited its connectivity options.
Conclusion
Despite its limitations, the TWIG Discovery brought a new trend to the feature phone market, giving people more than just a basic device. Benefon did an excellent job of incorporating innovative features into an easy-to-use and practical mobile phone. Even though it has been discontinued, the TWIG Discovery will always be remembered as a groundbreaking device in the history of mobile phones.
Benefon TWIG Discovery Full Specifications
Network
Technology
GSM
2G bands
GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900 , GSM 850 / 1800 / 1900 - US version
GPRS
Class 10
EDGE
No
Launch
Announced
2006, June
Status
Discontinued
Body
Dimensions
116 x 51 x 24 mm (4.57 x 2.01 x 0.94 in)
Weight
128 g (4.52 oz)
SIM
Mini-SIM
Display
Type
TFT, 256K colors
Size
2.0 inches, 31.2 x 41.2 mm, 12.6 cm2 (~21.3% screen-to-body ratio)
Resolution
176 x 220 pixels (~141 ppi density)
Memory
Card slot
miniSD
Phonebook
Yes
Call records
40 dialed, 40 received, 40 missed calls
Camera
Other
No
Sound
Loudspeaker
No
Alert types
Vibration; Polyphonic ringtones
3.5mm jack
No
Comms
WLAN
No
Bluetooth
Yes
Positioning
GPS
Radio
No
USB
Proprietary
Features
Sensors
Messaging
SMS, MMS, Email
Browser
WAP 2.0/xHTML
Games
5 - Diamond, Bubble, Tic Tac, Poker, Pushbox
Java
No
Other
Personal navigation system
Organizer
Predictive text input