Compal's Smartphone Coming to America

A Smartphone under development by Taiwan's Compal Electronics has received approval from the U.S. Federal Communications Commission, paving the way for sales in the United States.

The phone runs Microsoft's Windows-Powered Smartphone 2002 software and has been shown as a prototype for some time by the Taiwan electronics manufacturer. With the FCC approval, which was granted last week and is required for all radio devices, questions still remain about which carrier will sell the device, when will it go on sale, and how much it will cost.

The device will work with GSM networks and is designed to be used with a GSM 1900 network in the United States, but it also includes support for the international GSM 800 and 1800 systems, as well as GPRS high-speed data communication, according to documentation published by the FCC.

GSM operators in the United States include AT&T Wireless Services, Cingular Wireless, and T-Mobile USA. All three of the companies said later Monday they are still evaluating their Smartphone product choices, and wouldn't comment on specific plans for the Compal phone.

Getting Connected

The Compal phone also features a Mini USB socket on the bottom of the device that allows it to be connected to a personal computer. In addition, there is an IrDA infrared port for synchronizing the phone's e-mail, address book, and organizer functions.

Messaging features include conventional e-mail, SMS, and MSN Messenger, and the phone supports T9 text input. The media player is compatible with Windows Media and MP3 files and there is a slot for a Secure Digital memory card.

Further details of the handset were not included in the FCC documentation. Earlier in the year, however, Microsoft said the phone would weigh 4.2 ounces and measure 4.8 by 2. by .8 inches.

Tom Krazit of the IDG News Service contributed to this report.