StarTAC

The StarTAC is a series of clamshell-style cellular mobile phones developed and marketed by Motorola beginning in 1996¹. The first notable flip phone, the original StarTAC model was uniquely at the time the size of a pager and weighed in its lightest configuration, making it the smallest and lightest cell phone up to that point. Officially, Motorola marketed the StarTACs as "wearable". The StarTAC's groundbreaking design was a development from Motorola's MicroTAC, a semi-clamshell design first launched in 1989. Whereas the MicroTAC's flip folded down from below the keypad, the StarTAC folded up from above the display. While often cited as the world's first clamshell/flip cell phone, NEC of Japan had already developed and released such a cell phone as early as 1991¹. Nevertheless, the StarTAC is considered the first example of a luxurious or fashionable cell phone. The earliest StarTAC models were made for analog AMPS networks while later digital GSM models were made for various markets, and the first CdmaOne and TDMA models were released in 1999¹. The StarTAC was followed by the Motorola 'Vader' V series which reduced the size further, and later succeeded by the Motorola V60 as the company's flagship offering. Beginning in 2000, new StarTACs were sold rebadged under the Timeport and Talkabout names and with minor cosmetic differences.

The StarTAC is a series of clamshell-style cellular mobile phones developed and marketed by Motorola beginning in 1996. The first notable flip phone, the original StarTAC model was uniquely at the time the size of a pager and weighed in its lightest configuration, making it the smallest and lightest cell phone up to that point. Officially, Motorola marketed the StarTACs as "wearable". The StarTAC's groundbreaking design was a development from Motorola's MicroTAC, a semi-clamshell design first launched in 1989. Whereas the MicroTAC's flip folded down from below the keypad, the StarTAC folded up from above the display. While often cited as the world's first clamshell/flip cell phone, NEC of Japan had already developed and released such a cell phone as early as 1991. Nevertheless, the StarTAC is considered the first example of a luxurious or fashionable cell phone. The earliest StarTAC models were made for analog AMPS networks while later digital GSM models were made for various markets, and the first CdmaOne and TDMA models were released in 1999. The StarTAC was followed by the Motorola 'Vader' V series which reduced the size further, and later succeeded by the Motorola V60 as the company's flagship offering. Beginning in 2000, new StarTACs were sold rebadged under the Timeport and Talkabout names and with minor cosmetic differences. ==Models== ===Analog=== Most first generation analog StarTACs feature LED displays as per Motorola tradition. ====StarTAC 3000==== StarTAC 3000 is the base model released in 1996, which lacks the side volume controls, the smart button, and the contacts for an auxiliary battery. Also the only StarTAC model with a segmented LED display, as opposed to dot matrix LED displays found on other models. ====StarTAC 6000 and 6500==== Announced on September 30, 1996, StarTAC 6000e is a mid-tier model. It has a single-line alphanumeric LED display and adds a Smart Button. This model weighs , slightly more than the base model StarTAC 3000. The StarTAC 6500 is identical to the 6000e, but includes vibration (branded as VibraCall). The StarTAC 6000c is an update released in 1997¹ to include lower-cost one line LCD. ====StarTAC 8500 and 8600==== Motorola StarTAC 8500 is the original model launched in 1996. Included two line LED display. The StarTAC 8600 was the first StarTAC to feature an answering machine a voice recorder (with a recording capacity of 4 minutes). Caller ID functionality is also added (where carrier supported). These also have gold or platinum accents in terms of design. The 8600 became available on May 28, 1997. ====StarTAC 130 and X==== The StarTAC 130 was announced at the 1998¹ CeBIT fair and was released as a GSM 900 phone. It weighs , with Motorola calling it the smallest and lightest GSM phone. The elimination of the full-sized (1FF) SIM card in favour of the mini SIM (2FF) helped reduce the length and thickness to be closer to that of the analog StarTACs. The 130 is the only GSM StarTAC along with the M6088 to use the mini-SIM. The cosmetically identical StarTAC X and Xe was sold in Asian and Australasian markets. On the used market there are many 130 models that are sold as dual-band, operating on GSM 900 and 1800. These can be identified by the boot screen which will say "Motorola Dual Band". However, these are not genuine Motorola releases but are instead modified phones using a 130 housing, and the internals of a StarTAC M6088. The M6088 is an almost identical model to the 130. The phones differed slightly with the M6088 having a different silver housing, a fixed antenna and no rear contact points for accessories. However, both models use the same software and button layout. The internal PCB, keypad and LCD are interchangeable between the housings. With the exception of being dual-band and not working with rear-clip on accessories, the phones appear identical. The 130 was popular with car manufacturers who were offering car phones and hands-free phones in their models. As such, models of the 130 can be found with automotive logos such as BMW, Mercedes and Jaguar. These would also often contain boot screens with their respective logos. These were otherwise identical in terms of hardware. The Motorola M6088 was released circa 2001¹ (without the StarTAC name) as a dual band GSM 900 and 1800 model based on the 130/X. ====StarTAC D==== The StarTAC D was announced at CeBIT 1999 and is a GSM 900 model based on the StarTAC 85. It allowed users to make mobile payments. The rear slot usually reserved for a full-sized (1FF) SIM card would instead take an EMV debit card or credit card. This was possible as both 1FF SIM cards and debit/credit cards met the same ISO/IEC 7810 specifications. The phone accepted a mini SIM (2FF) card behind the battery for mobile cellular connectivity. The StarTAC D was the world's first dual-sim mobile phone. The StarTAC D was released following a partnership between Barclaycard and Cellnet in the UK, and also France Telecom and Cartes Bancaires in France. A user could reload their debit card by inserting it into the phone and entering the withdrawal amount followed by a PIN code to load cash onto their card. In France, goods and services could be purchased by inserting the card into the slot and contacting the retailer. The price then appears on the screen and a password is entered to complete the transaction. Motorola eventually partnered with Giesecke & Devrient in Germany to offer similar services with their Geldkarte product. ==Legacy== In 2005, PC World named the StarTAC as the 6th Greatest Gadget of the Past 50 Years (out of a list of fifty). In South Korea, the StarTAC series achieved "cult" status. It propelled the domestic company Samsung Electronics to develop their own clamshell phone, which was released in 1998, and Samsung would eventually become the main manufacturer of flip phones other than Motorola at the start of the 21st century. The Motorola RAZR V3 is considered to be a spiritual successor. ===Modern day use and customization=== Due to the popularity of the StarTAC, it has gained a cult following by enthusiasts and vintage mobile phone collectors. Despite its age, many models can still be used to this day in regions where cellular providers still operate a compatible network. For the most part, this is limited to GSM models operating on the 2G network (and often these units will first need to be unlocked). Early models that used the analog AMPS network, and later digital models that used TDMA, are now obsolete due to the shutdown of these networks worldwide. CDMA models are still usable in countries where cdmaOne continues to operate, but this network has also recently become obsolete in the US. With many older cell providers now defunct, GSM StarTACs can be network unlocked using dedicated hardware such as a RoEMMI Box or a Motorola Emmi Clip. These devices are able to reprogram the EEPROM and set the SIM lock flag. In October 2010, a French firm named Lekki, which refurbished iconic vintage products from the 1990s, released a line of refurbished StarTACs in new colourful bodies for €220 each. ==See also== Motorola MicroTAC – predecessor Star Trek Communicator (1964) – design precursor Grillo telephone (1965) – design precursor Motorola V phone – further miniaturized flip phone Samsung A100 and Samsung 800 – another early flip phone Mobile Phone Museum ==References==

Text derived from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1369886481 under CC BY-SA 4.0; modifications have been made.