The Telit GM 810: A Look at One of the Early Feature Phones
Released in 1999, the Telit GM 810 was one of the earliest feature phones to hit the market. Despite its age, it still holds some significance as one of the first devices to offer features beyond just voice calls and texts. So let's take a closer look at this pioneering device from Telit.
Body and Design
With a weight of 105g and thickness of 18mm, the GM 810 may seem bulky compared to today's smartphones. However, back in 1999, it was considered quite compact and lightweight. Its dimensions were 117 x 51 x 18 mm (4.61 x 2.01 x 0.71 in), making it easy to fit in the palm of your hand.
The phone featured a Mini-SIM card slot, the standard at the time, and came in four different colors. It also had a monochrome graphic display with fixed icons and dynamic font size. Other design elements included softkeys for navigation and a simple yet functional keypad.
Network and Connectivity
The Telit GM 810 operated on the GSM network and supported 2G bands of GSM 900 / 1800. However, it did not have internet connectivity options such as GPRS or EDGE. This was common for feature phones at the time, as mobile internet was not yet widely available.
Memory and Storage
One notable limitation of the GM 810 was its lack of a card slot for external storage. This meant that users had to rely solely on the phone's internal memory which did not have a specified capacity. The device also did not have a camera or any other multimedia features, further adding to its limited storage capabilities.
Features and Functions
The GM 810 offered basic features and functions such as SMS messaging, a clock, and an alarm. However, it did not have any built-in games or support for Java applications. It also did not have a loudspeaker, but it did have vibration and monophonic ringtone options.
Battery Life and Other Details
The phone was powered by a removable Li-Ion 650 mAh battery that provided a standby time of 52 hours and talk time of 4 hours. While this may seem short by today's standards, it was considered decent back in 1999.
As mentioned, the GM 810 was released in four different colors, giving users some variety in their choice of device. It also had a monochrome graphic display which was a common feature of phones at the time.
Conclusion
The Telit GM 810 may seem like a basic and outdated device by today's standards, but it played a significant role in the evolution of mobile phones. It introduced features beyond basic calling and texting, paving the way for the advanced smartphones we use today. Despite being discontinued, it remains a noteworthy device in the history of mobile technology.
