Engaging with Communications

Motorola StarTAC

Released in 1997

Network = GSM 900MHz / GSM 1800MHz / D-A

Weight = 122 g

Dimensions = 95mm x 56mm x 28mm

Battery Life = 120 mins talk time and 4500 mins standby

Following on from the launch of the AMPS analogue Motorola StarTAC in 1996 (see analogue mobiles section), a version for use on digital (second generation) networks was released in 1997. One of the problems with the Motorola StarTAC however, is that most are not marked with a model number thereby making them hard to identify. One distinguishing feature though, is the layout of the keypad. This image shows three StarTACs, each with a different keypad layout. The one on the left is clearly marked as a StarTAC mr501 which was launched in 1997 for use on the Orange GSM 1800 network; the one in the centre is believed to be a StarTAC 130 which was released in 1997 for use on GSM 900 networks; and the one on the right carries the branding of American Wireless and is believed to be a StarTAC 7860 released in 1999 for the digital AMPS networks in the USA. Despite its revolutionary clamshell design and distinctive extending aerial, the StarTAC was a relatively basic featured phone. The monochrome LCD screen could display 4 lines of alphanumeric characters with additional fixed icons. The phone book could store up to 100 telephone numbers and associated names within the phone's memory and easy access to these was provided by a smart button and two scroll buttons located on the left had side of the phone (not present on the original analogue models). Single key, quick dial access was provided for the first 9 entries in the phone book. In addition, you could customise the phone through the selection of pre-loaded ring tones or opt to use the VibraCall vibrating mode. There was a call log that recorded the last 10 calls made and received, a clock which provided date and time, a range of call meters, a battery charge meter and support for sending and receiving SMS text messages. The StarTAC 7860 included a mini-browser for accessing network provided information services and offered dual support for both digital and analogue networks. It could also be attached to the serial port of a PC for synchronisation using Motorola's TrueSync software. Over 60 million StarTACs were sold during its lifetime and in 2005, PC World magazine rated the Motorola StarTAC at number 6 in a list of the 50 Greatest Gadgets of the Past 50 Years.