From smartphones to smartwatches, the options for mobile devices today seem endless. But back in 2004, the options were much more limited. One popular device during that time was the NEC N930, a feature phone released by NEC in Q4 of 2004. Let's take a closer look at this classic device.
Compact and Lightweight Design
Weighing only 72 grams and measuring 11.9mm in thickness, the NEC N930 was a lightweight and compact phone. It was designed for easy portability, making it convenient for users to carry it around wherever they went. The body dimensions of the phone were 85.5 x 54 x 11.9 mm (3.37 x 2.13 x 0.47 in) and it featured a mini-SIM slot.
TFT Touchscreen and Handwriting Recognition
One of the standout features of the N930 was its TFT touchscreen display with 65K colors. This allowed users to interact with the phone using their fingers rather than physical buttons. Additionally, the phone had handwriting recognition capabilities, allowing users to write directly on the screen and have their handwriting converted into text. This was a unique feature at the time and made the N930 stand out among other feature phones.
Storage and Camera
With 2MB of internal storage and no memory card slot, the N930 wasn't meant for storing large amounts of data. However, it did have a VGA rear camera with LED flash and the ability to capture videos. The phone also had a phonebook with a capacity for 20 dialed, 20 received, and 20 missed calls.
Messaging and Organizing Options
The N930 may not have had all the bells and whistles of today's smartphones but it still offered basic features for communication and organization. Users could send SMS, EMS, and MMS messages, as well as access WAP 2.0/xHTML for browsing the internet. The phone also had an organizer feature for keeping track of important dates and tasks.
Battery Life and Other Misc Features
Although the battery life of the N930 may seem minimal with only up to 100 hours of standby time and up to 2 hours of talk time, it was still a decent amount for a feature phone at the time. The phone also had downloadable polyphonic ringtones for customization, Bluetooth 1.1 for wireless connectivity, and games for entertainment.
Final Thoughts
The NEC N930 may seem outdated now, but it was a highly sought-after device in 2004. Its compact design, touchscreen display, and handwriting recognition were all ahead of its time. Though it may not have all the features we are accustomed to now, it serves as a reminder of how far mobile technology has come in just a few short years.
