Ericsson HS210 - Screen Phone
MAR-30-2000

A Phone of a Special Kind:
The First True Wireless Screen Phone For Easy Home Use
Planned for availability at the end of 2000, the Ericsson HS210 Screen Phone allows a user to browse the Internet, send e-mails and make telephone calls wirelessly.

At the recent CeBIT 2000 Show, Ericsson displayed its first generation wireless screen phone which embodies Bluetooth transmission technology in an intuitive, easy to use format.

Running on the Linux operating system, the Screen Phone has a color touch screen for launching functions including an internal address book and note pad. It is assumed that the HS210 will be equipped to run on a battery as well as being plugged into an AC outlet, thus making the device truly wireless and cordless.

Ericsson unveiled the world's first portable, wireless Screen Phone HS210 at the recent CeBIT 2000 Show in Hannover, Germany to a wide chorus of rave reviews.

Employing Bluetooth wireless transmission technology and an imbedded Linux operating system, the Screen Phone allows the user to browse the Internet, send e-mails, and make phone calls simultaneously from any location either within the home or a place of business without relying on a standard modem, cable modem or DSL connection.

The device has a color touch screen with a virtual keyboard, which allows the user to launch a full range of supporting applications including an embedded address book, note pad, and message center. The device also includes an internal answering machine. The HS210 Screen Phone kit comprises both the user screen interface unit (i.e., the screen phone), along with a small base station that transmits the 2.4 GHz Bluetooth radio waves from a wall socket to the phone device.

Bluetooth provides up to 720 Kbps data transfer within a normal omni-directional range of 30-to-40 feet, including through interior walls of structures. As noted previously, commands and device features can be activated through either the virtual keyboard - with the touch of a finger - or by using a specially designed pen stylus.

It is assumed that the HS210 will be equipped to run on a battery as well as being plugged into an AC outlet, thus making the device truly wireless and cordless.

Ericsson has indicated that the Screen Phone will be available for purchase toward the end of 2000 in selected markets in North America, and in Europe in early 2001. No pricing has been set.