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| Screen | Digital: LCD AMPS: Segment LED, Alphanumeric LED |
|---|---|
| Networks | AMPS, CDMA, TDMA, GSM |
| Physical size | 94 mm×55 mm×19 mm (130) |
| Weight | 94 g |
The Motorola StarTAC was a clamshell mobile phone manufactured by Motorola. It was released on January 3, 1996 and is noted for being the first clamshell mobile phone.[1] The StarTAC is the successor of the MicroTAC, a semi-clamshell design that had been launched in 1989.[2] Whereas the MicroTAC's shell folded down from below the keypad, the StarTAC folded up from above the LED / LCD display screen. In 2005, PC World put StarTAC at #6 in The 50 Greatest Gadgets of the Past 50 Years.[1]
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StarTAC was unveiled in North America on January 3, 1996.[3] Then the smallest cell phone available, this AMPS phone was an immediate success. Successor TDMA and CDMA StarTACs were equally popular. GSM models were available in North America through Powertel, VoiceStream and other early GSM carriers. StarTACs remained popular until the early 2000s, appearing in many Hollywood movies of the period such as 8mm starring Nicolas Cage. Many MicroTAC owners switched to this particular model due to its compact size and light weight.
During its initial launch, magazine ads for the phone would include an actual size cardboard rendition that could be pulled from the page to demonstrate the diminutive nature of the device.
The sleek Motorola StarTac mobile phone was introduced at the price of $1,000— at a time when many mobile phone makers started giving away their products in return for user subscription fees.
Some key features of the Motorola StarTAC were:
The StarTAC name was revived in 2004 for a new model designed for the South Korean market. It had:
In addition, a version with an 18k gold directional keypad, and brightwork was released as StarTAC 2004 SE.
Analog Phones
Digital Phones
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   | The 50 Greatest Gadgets of the Past 50 Years - The 50 Greatest Gadgets of the Past 50 Years - PC World |
| | Motorola StarTAC Cellular Phone - IEEC - Motorola StarTAC Cellular Phone |
| | Motorola introduces ultra lite 5.9 ounce cellular telephone - MicroTac Ultra Lite Telephone - Motorola introduces ultra lite 5.9 ounce cellular telephone | Mobile Phone News | Find Articles at BNET |
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