Bird D680: A Feature Phone That Never Made It
Bird, a Chinese mobile phone manufacturer, had high hopes for their D680 model. Announced in the first quarter of 2006, this feature phone was set to be launched with a compact design and basic features suitable for everyday use. However, the release was ultimately cancelled and the D680 remains an elusive device.
The Specs That Could Have Been
With its slim body and lightweight of only 75g, the D680 promised to be a convenient device to carry around. Its dimensions of 88 x 42 x 21mm made it small enough to easily fit in your pocket or purse. The device was equipped with a Mini-SIM card slot and had a second external CSTN display with 65K colors and a resolution of 96x64 pixels.
The main display was a TFT screen with 65K colors and a resolution of 128 x 160 pixels. This may seem low compared to today's standards, but back in 2006, it was a standard resolution for feature phones. The D680 also had a 1.3 MP rear camera, which was considered to be a decent camera for its time. Unfortunately, there was no front-facing camera for taking selfies, as this trend had not yet taken off.
When it came to storage, the D680 lacked a microSD card slot, so users were limited to the 2 MB of space available for MMS messages and 200 SMS messages. The phonebook could hold up to 300 contacts with 5 fields each, and there was also a photo call feature. Users could keep track of their call history with 20 records for dialed, received, and missed calls.
No Frills, Just Basics
The D680 may have been lacking in some features, such as Bluetooth, WLAN, and a 3.5mm headphone jack, but it still had the essentials for communication. Users could send SMS, EMS, and MMS messages, as well as access the internet through WAP 1.2.1. The device also offered 2 embedded games, with the option to download more if desired. It did not have Java support, but it made up for it with a built-in MP3/MIDI player for music lovers. Other useful features included a calculator, world time, currency converter, predictive text input, and voice memo capabilities.
Battery Life and Other Details
The D680 ran on a removable Li-Ion battery, but details on its capacity and talk time are unknown since the phone was never officially released. It also did not have any sensors, like most feature phones back then. As for design, it did not have any specific color options and instead came in a simple black color.
The End of the D680
Unfortunately, the D680 never saw the light of day, and the reasons for its cancellation remain unknown. Perhaps it was due to the emergence of more advanced smartphones or changes in the market demand. Whatever the reason may have been, the D680 will forever be known as a feature phone that never made it to the market. It serves as a reminder of how technology continues to evolve, and devices that were once considered cutting-edge can quickly become obsolete.
Until this day, the Bird D680 remains a mystery, but it is a testament to the ever-changing landscape of the mobile phone industry. Who knows, maybe one day it will resurface as a collectible item for tech enthusiasts.
