Exploring the Features of the MP300: A Classic Bird Release That Never Was
Bird, a well-known brand in the world of mobile devices, had announced the launch of its newest feature phone, the MP300, back in 2005. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, the release was later cancelled. Despite this, the MP300 remains an interesting device to explore, especially for those interested in vintage gadgets.
The Design and Network of the MP300
The MP300 weighed only 100g and had a thickness of 19.5mm, making it a compact and lightweight device. It was designed with simplicity in mind, sporting a classic candy bar shape with a small 120 x 160 pixel TFT display. The device was available in two colors: silver and black.
In terms of network, the MP300 was a 2G GSM phone that supported the frequencies of 900, 1800, and 1900. It also had GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) of Class 10, which allowed users to access basic internet services such as email and mobile browsing.
The Operating System and Memory of the MP300
The MP300 ran on a feature phone operating system, which at that time, was a standard choice for many manufacturers. This meant that users could only make calls, send messages, and play simple games on the device. Compared to modern smartphones, the MP300's 128MB storage seemed minuscule, and sadly, there was no option for expandable storage using a memory card.
The Camera and Sound of the MP300
The MP300 featured a single VGA camera, which was decent for capturing images at that time. However, it did not have the capability to record videos. On the other hand, it did have a loudspeaker and downloadable polyphonic ringtones for sound options. It also had a 3.5mm jack, which allowed users to plug in their headphones for hands-free calling.
Other Interesting Features
Some additional features of the MP300 included a basic messaging system with support for SMS, EMS, and MMS, as well as a WAP 2.0/xHTML browser for mobile internet browsing. The device also came with two embedded games, and users could download more to their liking. It even had a Java platform, allowing users to install compatible apps and games. Other useful features included an MP3 player, predictive text input, a calculator, and a voice memo recorder.
Battery Life and Availability
The MP300 was powered by a removable Li-Ion battery, which had a standby time of 72 hours and a talk time of up to 3 hours. However, due to its unfortunate cancellation, the MP300 was never released, making it a rare and collectible item for vintage gadget enthusiasts.
Final Thoughts
Although the MP300 never made it to the market, exploring its features gives us a glimpse into the past and how mobile devices have evolved over the years. The Bird brand may have moved on, but this classic feature phone will always be remembered as a device that almost made it to the hands of consumers. Who knows, perhaps one day, it may make a comeback in a modern and updated form.
Bird MP300 Full Specifications
Network
Technology
GSM
2G bands
GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900
GPRS
Class 10
EDGE
No
Launch
Announced
2005, Q3
Status
Cancelled
Body
Dimensions
108 x 44 x 19.5 mm (4.25 x 1.73 x 0.77 in)
Weight
100 g (3.53 oz)
SIM
Mini-SIM
Display
Type
TFT, 65K colors
Size
Resolution
120 x 160 pixels, 4:3 ratio
Other
Wallpaper, animated screensaver
Memory
Card slot
No
Phonebook
300 x 5 fields, Photo call
Call records
20 dialed, 20 received, 20 missed calls
Internal
128MB
Main Camera
Single
VGA
Video
No
Selfie camera
Other
No
Sound
Loudspeaker
Yes
Alert types
Vibration; Downloadable polyphonic ringtones
3.5mm jack
No
Comms
WLAN
No
Bluetooth
No
Positioning
No
Radio
No
USB
Proprietary
Features
Sensors
Messaging
SMS, EMS, MMS
Browser
WAP 2.0/xHTML
Games
2 embedded + download
Java
Yes
Other
MP3/Midi Player
Predictive text input
Calculator
Voice memo