Tue Feb 27, 2007 6:39PM EST
See Comments (6)
Say what you will about the RAZR and KRZR's sometimes unresponsive keypads, but the company behind those phones, Motorola, has been an innovator in handset design ever since it launched the StarTAC back in 1996. It seems like the flip-open clamshell design—of which the StarTAC was the first example—has been around forever, but it's actually only been a decade (which in tech terms is several lifetimes).
Now, despite the plus-ça-change-plus-c'est-la-même-chose nature of Web 2.0 and all that, a decade is a little soon for a late-90's retro revival, but it looks like Motorola has released an updated version of the iconic mobile phone in Korea called the MS900. As Engadget points out, the phone doesn't have some basic "aughts"-worthy features like a camera phone and an external LCD, but it does have a bleeding-edge electronic dictionary, built-in GPS, and e-book capability (whatever that means).
To be honest, the design doesn't look that different from any other clamshell phone (it should be wider, at least, to have real StarTAC design echoes). But I like that Motorola is taking a page from the auto industry book: The iconic Mustang comes and goes with all kinds of new designs, for example. (Some Mustangs have been great, others true duds, design-wise). Which I guess means we'll be seeing new takes on the RAZR, Q, StarTAC, and other iconic phones for years to come.
How about you? What classic phones would you like to see brought back, all souped-up and revamped for 2007?
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i like to see a phone that worked when you want it .an some sort of boster that will work with a phone not aginst it.when they get that right it will be a good day.
That phone most certainly could take a beating and still work. But it was ugly. Just like the new one.
I have a Motorola Star Tac #ST7868W with a desk top charger/speaker phone. In a move my power supply cord got lost and I don't know the correct voltage and polarity to plug into it. Does anyone by chance know the correct one. Motorola tech support is useless! Thanks, Rod
Rod I have the answer to your question. The power supply output is 9VDC and 800mA positive is the out side and neg is the inside. Sanyo used to make an adaptor that charged the phone and a spare battery (mod#OH-41073DT). The reason I know the answer I gave you is corect is because my 81 year old mother still uses a Star Tac #ST7868W, that I handed down to her and I worked for Motorola for 10 years. I hop this helps Rod take care and stick with Motorola. Sincerely Tim K
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1 Posted by pardy6969 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:59PM EDT Report Abuse
I Loved My Startac Phone Hope Motorola Brings It Back I Thought It Was A Dependable And Durable Phone. I Droped My Startac Once From A Height Of About 14ft To The Pavement. The Battery Broke Away From The Rest Of The Phone I Thought I Had Killed It But I Picked The Phone And The Battery Put Them Back Together The Phone Still Worked. I Was Impressed. Need To Make The Phone A Bit More Secure In The Holster Though. Beam Me Up Scotty Hope They Bring It Back!!! Kirk Out.