Introducing the Philips 968: A Revolutionary Device for Its Time
In July 2005, the technology market saw the release of a new and innovative device – the Philips 968. This stylish and versatile device was the brainchild of leading electronic brand, Philips. Packed with impressive features and powered by Linux, the Philips 968 was ahead of its time and gained popularity amongst consumers.
The Birth of Philips 968 and its Specifications
The Philips 968 entered the market with its mesmerizing 128g, 25mm thickness design. It boasted a 40MB storage capacity and an additional SD card slot, making it suitable for storing essential files and documents on the go.
With GSM technology and support for GSM 900, 1800, and 1900 2G bands, the Philips 968 allowed users to stay connected anywhere in the world. It also featured a Class 10 GPRS, providing high-speed data transfers. Though the device did not support Edge, its impressive features made up for it.
Debut and Discontinued Status
In the initial announcement of the device, which occurred in July 2005, it was evident that the Philips 968 had the potential to make waves in the market. Unfortunately, due to unknown reasons, the production of the device was discontinued after its launch. This decision left many disappointed users who were looking forward to getting their hands on this revolutionary device.
The Features that Left Users in Awe
The Philips 968 received great recognition for its unique features, including the TFT resistive touchscreen with 256K colors and a 240 x 320 pixel resolution. The screen could swivel and rotate 90 degrees, providing users with the convenience of using the device in landscape or portrait mode. Moreover, the device also introduced users to handwriting recognition, making it easier for them to take notes or input text.
The Philips 968 also featured exciting additional features such as screensavers and wallpapers, downloadable logos, and even a lunar calendar. Additionally, its built-in MP3/AAC+/MP4 player, voice memo, predictive text input, and organizer made it a popular choice amongst music lovers and individuals who needed to stay organized on the go.
The Camera and Sound Features that Stood Out
The device came with a single 1.3-megapixel camera with LED flash, allowing users to capture precious moments wherever they went. The camera also recorded videos, taking the photography experience to the next level.
When it comes to sound, the Philips 968 impressed users with its loudspeaker and vibration, which could be customized with downloadable polyphonic or MP3 ringtones. However, the device did not have a 3.5mm jack, but considering its impressive features, this was more than acceptable.
Battery Life and Other Key Details
The Philips 968 ran on a removable Li-Ion 1450 mAh battery, providing users with up to 240 hours of standby time and approximately four hours of talk time. It was available in two stunning colors – titanium tempo and black bass.
The Legacy of Philips 968
The discontinuation of the Philips 968 may have disappointed users at the time, but its impressive features and specifications still make it a remarkable device in the history of technology. It paved the way for future devices to include similar features and set the standard for what a versatile and innovative device should offer its users.
If you were lucky enough to own the Philips 968, you were undoubtedly one of the fortunate few to experience its advanced features. Today, it remains a fond memory for many and a testimony to Philips' dedication to providing high-quality electronic products.
Philips 968 Full Specifications
Network
Technology
GSM
2G bands
GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900
GPRS
Class 10
EDGE
No
Launch
Announced
2005, July
Status
Discontinued
Body
Dimensions
95 x 48.7 x 25 mm, 115 cc (3.74 x 1.92 x 0.98 in)
Weight
128 g (4.52 oz)
SIM
Mini-SIM
Display
Type
TFT resistive touchscreen, 256K colors
Size
Resolution
240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio
Other
Swivel and rotate 90 deg
Handwriting recognition
Screensavers and wallpapers
Downloadable logos
Platform
OS
Linux
Memory
Card slot
SD
Internal
40MB
Main Camera
Single
1.3 MP
Features
LED flash
Video
Yes
Selfie camera
Other
No
Sound
Loudspeaker
Yes
Alert types
Vibration; Downloadable polyphonic, MP3 ringtones
3.5mm jack
No
Comms
WLAN
No
Bluetooth
No
Positioning
No
Radio
No
USB
Proprietary
Features
Sensors
Browser
WAP 2.0/xHTML
Other
MP3/AAC+/MP4 player
Predictive text input
Organizer
Lunar calendar
Voice memo