
ASIA S Korea :
Pantech announced plans for the launch of two new models, the IM-8600
5 mega-pixel camera phone and the IM-8700 F2F (‘face-to-face’)
telephony handset, in Korea. The launch is part of Pantech’s
strategy to reinforce its status as the technology leader in the mobile
communications sector, in Korea and globally.
Above : IM-8600
phone, with 5 mega-pixel photographic technology, hailed as the first
‘real’ camera phone due to dramatically enhanced quality
of images for users
The IM-8600 is
a rotating clamshell 5 mega-pixel camera phone with revolutionary
Meca Shutter camera technology from Pantech, which controls the amount
of light used during the photographic process, allowing users to avail
of a far sharper, more defined quality of picture.
The
IM-8700 ( left ) F2F telephony handset is a major step forward, in
making real time, high quality video communication by phone a reality.
It features an exceptional 10 frames per second (fps) imaging speed,
with a sizeable 2.2 inch screen, allowing users to have a faster,
more interactive communications experience with other callers, without
any interruption of the conversation.
Sung-Kyu Lee,
President & CEO, Pantech Co., Ltd., said: “Handset users
in Korea are consistently demanding, in the quality of features and
design that they want in their phones. In purely technological terms,
the phones represent a new era in the type of high resolution camera
phone and face to face video telephony that we can offer to consumers”.
“These new
phones will strengthen our presence in the premium handset market,
in Korea and globally. The new applications we develop for camera
phones and F2F telephony handsets will ultimately be rolled out to
mobile phone users across all of our regional markets,” said
Mr. Lee.
Along with the
radical Meca Shutter functionality, the IM-8600 phone provides picture
quality akin to a digital camera and has a 2.0 inch QVGA TFT LCD,
auto focus and close-up functions which enhance the resolution of
the captured images for users.
In addition, the
30 fps imaging speed allows the users to record clear, high quality
moving pictures, which can be appreciated on the big screen. The compressed
video on demand (VOD) functionality allows users to benefit from a
higher image definition when they enjoy moving pictures, at a more
affordable price. Although it contains an extraordinary array of features,
the IM-8600 is noticeably smaller than other 5 mega-pixel handsets.
The IM-8700 incorporates
a 2.2 inch 260K QVGA TFT Main LCD, to facilitate the quality of the
video interaction between callers. The handset also includes a fun,
easy to use Auto Rotary Telephony function that recognizes the user’s
location. When calls are received, the 2 mega-pixel camera or earpiece
automatically faces towards the user for convenience.
Both the IM-8600
and the IM-8700 will be marketed in Korea under Pantech’s SKY
brand. A final unique selling point of interest is that the two phones
are silver nano finished for antibacterial purposes, for the well
being of the users.
Pantech has underlined
its status as a leader in the global mobile communications sector
with the introduction of a range of new, cutting edge handsets in
recent months. The company is committed to the ongoing regeneration
of its product range in order to consolidate its leadership across
a range of key global markets.
IM-8600
features include:
l Rotating clamshell,
IMT-2000
l 99 x 48.5 x
26.4mm, 132.09g (with Standard battery)
l Talk time 180.3
min/Standby 200 hours (with Standard battery)
l 5 Mega Pixel
camera with internal flash
l Auto focus &
close up function with half stop shutter & Meca Shutter
l 2.0" QVGA
260K Color TFT LCD
l VOD/MOD(Live
screen, music video, jukebox, karaoke, TV), MP3 player
l SPAM SMS filtering,
Moneta(mobile banking) services
IM-8700
features include:
l Slider type
phone, F2F telephony function
l 111 x 50 x 25.2mm,
146 g
l Talk time 156
min/Standby 218 hours
l 2Mega Pixel
Camera with internal flash
l Live screen,
music video, jukebox, karaoke, movie & TV
l IrDA for phone
book, animation, melody, images, etc
l VOD/MOD(Live
screen, music video, jukebox, karaoke, TV), MP3 player
l SPAM SMS filtering,
Moneta(mobile banking) services
Pricing & availability:
The IM-8600 and
the IM-8700 handsets will retail at approximately USD700 and USD600
respectively and will be launched in Korea this month.