Introducing the Motorola T190: A Feature Phone Ahead of its Time
The year was 2002, and the mobile phone market was booming. While many companies were busy creating the latest and greatest smartphones, Motorola decided to take a different approach by releasing a feature phone that would revolutionize the industry - the T190.
The Motorola T190 was released in September 2002 and quickly made headlines for its sleek design and innovative features. Today, we take a closer look at this iconic device and how it paved the way for modern feature phones.
Design and Specifications
The Motorola T190 weighed just 99g and had a thickness of 16mm, making it one of the lightest and slimmest phones on the market at that time. It may not seem like much compared to modern smartphones, but back then, it was a game-changer.
One of the most notable features of the T190 was its monochrome graphic display, which measured 98 x 64 pixels and had five lines. This may seem underwhelming now, but it was considered top-of-the-line technology back then. In addition to the display, the phone also had screensavers, another feature that was unheard of at the time.
Memory and Features
Unlike modern smartphones, the Motorola T190 had limited storage and no expandable memory options. It had a phonebook capacity of 100, and call records were restricted to 10 dialed, 10 received, and 10 missed calls. However, the phone did have predictive text input, a feature that proved to be useful when sending text messages on its WAP 1.1 browser.
The T190 also featured three pre-installed games, making it a hit with people of all ages. It supported 16 languages and had an additional 11 for predictive text input, making it accessible to people from various cultures and backgrounds.
Network and Battery Life
The Motorola T190 was a GSM phone, meaning it could operate on both the 900 and 1800 bands. However, it did not support GPRS or EDGE, which may have been a downside for some. It also did not have any connectivity options such as Bluetooth, WLAN, or radio.
One of the most impressive features of the T190 was its battery life. The phone came with a removable NiMH 550 mAh battery that had a stand-by time of up to 120 hours and could last up to 5 hours of talk time. This was considered exceptional at the time, as many phones could barely stay charged for a whole day.
The Legacy of the Motorola T190
After its release, the T190 became a popular choice among consumers worldwide. Its sleek design and advanced features set the standard for what feature phones should be and pushed other companies to innovate and improve. It may have been discontinued, but its impact can still be seen in modern feature phones today.
In conclusion, the Motorola T190 may have been released almost two decades ago, but it remains an iconic device that paved the way for future innovations in the mobile phone industry. It will always hold a special place in the hearts of those who were lucky enough to own one.
Motorola T190 Full Specifications
Network
Technology
GSM
2G bands
GSM 900 / 1800
GPRS
No
EDGE
No
Launch
Announced
2002, September
Status
Discontinued
Body
Dimensions
106 x 40 x 16 mm, 66 cc (4.17 x 1.57 x 0.63 in)
Weight
99 g (3.49 oz)
SIM
Mini-SIM
Display
Type
Monochrome graphic
Size
Resolution
98 x 64 pixels, 5 lines,, 3:2 ratio
Other
Screensavers
Memory
Card slot
No
Phonebook
100
Call records
10 dialed, 10 received, 10 missed calls
Camera
Other
No
Sound
Loudspeaker
No
Alert types
Vibration; Monophonic ringtones, composer
3.5mm jack
No
Comms
WLAN
No
Bluetooth
No
Positioning
No
Radio
No
USB
Features
Sensors
Messaging
SMS
Browser
WAP 1.1
Clock
Yes
Alarm
No
Games
3
Languages
16 + 11
Java
No
Other
Predictive text input
Voice note
Voice activation
Organizer