FCC Clears Smartphone Model ST20L - SP3i 850Mhz Version

[Kris Kumar]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='https://gullfoss2.fcc.gov/prod/oet/cf/eas/reports/ViewExhibitReport.cfm?mode=Exhibits&RequestTimeout=500&calledFromFrame=N&application_id=259733&ss=tps&fcc_id='NM8TP'' target='_blank'>https://gullfoss2.fcc.gov/prod/oet/cf/eas/reports/ViewExhibitReport.cfm?mode=Exhibits&RequestTimeout=500&calledFromFrame=N&application_id=259733&ss=tps&fcc_id='NM8TP'</a><br /><br /></div>FCC has posted some documents that will surely cheer up the Smartphone wanna-bes in America. The <a href="https://gullfoss2.fcc.gov/prod/oet/forms/blobs/retrieve.cgi?attachment_id=487017&amp;ss=tps&amp;native_or_pdf=pdf">test report</a> and <a href="https://gullfoss2.fcc.gov/prod/oet/forms/blobs/retrieve.cgi?attachment_id=487019&amp;ss=tps&amp;native_or_pdf=pdf">SAR report</a> documents clearly shows that this SP3i look-alike, with the model name <i>ST20L,</i> operates on GSM850 and GSM1900. 8O You can tell from the <a href="https://gullfoss2.fcc.gov/prod/oet/forms/blobs/retrieve.cgi?attachment_id=487015&amp;ss=tps&amp;native_or_pdf=pdf">external photos</a> that this is the same as the HTC Typhoon available as i-mate SP3i, but now available in 850Mhz version. So if you were looking for a candybar Smartphone with a joystick, that supports the American GSM frequencies, then your search is about to end soon. <br /><br /> <img src="http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/images/Kris-SP3i-850-ST20L.jpg" alt="User submitted image" title="User submitted image"/> <br /><br />I think I am going to cancel my SP3i order and wait for the <i>ST20L</i> or the SP3i GSM850 version. :D Any guesses on when this Smartphone will be launched and by whom?

[pachi]

gsm meaning 850 mhz or 850 mhz cpu speed??

[Kris Kumar]

gsm meaning 850 mhz or 850 mhz cpu speed??

GSM carriers use the following radio frequencies for their operations:
850MHz and 1900MHz in America
900MHz and 1800MHz in Europe and Asia

The SP3i model that is known to our readers is a 900MHz/1800/MHz/1900MHz model.

But this one is a 850MHz/1800MHz/1900MHz model. It supports both the US radio frequencies. :)

[Mike Temporale]

Wow Kris, that's great news! I really hope they can do something in North America before the holiday season is over. 8)

[MS Mobiles]

If I am right the code name of this phone is "HTC Feeler", right?

[Kris Kumar]

If I am right the code name of this phone is "HTC Feeler", right?

I think you are right. I was going by the FCC Id "NM8-TP" assigned to this model, which is associated with HTC Typhoon.

[MS Mobiles]

If I am right the code name of this phone is "HTC Feeler", right?

I think you are right. I was going by the FCC Id "NM8-TP" assigned to this model, which is associated with HTC Typhoon.

:confused totally:

I am totally confused. Never mind! It's too bad that these similar (same) models don't have common names because it confuses people too and thus sales are lower :?

[Mike Temporale]

I am totally confused. Never mind! It's too bad that these similar (same) models don't have common names because it confuses people too and thus sales are lower :?

I agree. I really hate how the same phone is available under multiple names. The Typhoon should have 1 name, and that's it. Instead we are currently pushing 7 different names for the same phone. :twisted:

This phone is based on the HTC Feeler. Except this version is for the US since it has the 850 band, versus the 900 band on the model currently available in Germany and a couple other countries over there. Other than that difference, I would expect everything else is the same.

[Mike Temporale]

So this would be called the "HTC Feeler ST20L" IMHO.

[Kris Kumar]

Lets forget the code name. :lol:

I want to know who will be carrying this Smartphone and when? :drool:

[Jerry Raia]

I want to know who will be carrying this Smartphone and when? :drool:

I sure hope its Cingular and Verizon. They have a proven track record for putting out the best and then standing behind it.

:pukeface:

[ricksfiona]

Funny...

I am a T-Mobile user and have been very happy... I was visiting a friend who lives out in the country in California and he couldn't get reception with his Sprint service.... While I could.. Very cool :wink:

I figured that if I can be out in the country and get reception without the 850MHz band, then why should others? I can see 850MHz being good for AT&T/Cingular customers, but will T-Mobile be affected? Would they switch? How big are they in the States compared to AT&T/Cingular?

[brntcrsp]

I figured that if I can be out in the country and get reception without the 850MHz band, then why should others? I can see 850MHz being good for AT&T/Cingular customers, but will T-Mobile be affected? Would they switch? How big are they in the States compared to AT&T/Cingular?

t-mobile uses the 1900 band so this model will only help when a US customer needs to piggyback on the ATT/Cingular network to get any reception. t-Mobile is the 3rd largest wireless provider in the states (I believe following Verizon and Cingular/ATT although I don't have the numbers to back that up.).

[encece]

I want to know who will be carrying this Smartphone and when? :drool:

I sure hope its Cingular and Verizon. They have a proven track record for putting out the best and then standing behind it.

:pukeface:

Well, we know it's not Verizon since it's a GSM phone....Verizon's biggest downfall. But my guess is T-Mobile since Cingular is still trying to figure out Mpx200 bumps in their first Smartphone attempt and will probably rebrand the SMT5600. Just a guess.

[jkovacs]

I think this one is going to have a tough time finding a home. Its not likely T-Mobile will carry it since they don't need 850mhz and they're already getting another version, the SDA and SDA Music, which are both very simillar to this. And Cingular is has the MPx220 and would more likely add the SMT 5600 or some rebranded variant if they were to add another handset based on Windows Mobile.

Perhaps SunCom? :wink:

...Joe K.

[mar2k]

Fantastic news (especially in light of my gloomy post over the weekend).

Hopefully this will clear the way for someone to pick up the Feeler design or at the very least for the 850 GSM equipped i-Mate SP3i to be released in the US. The idea of a non-carrier branded Smartphone is pretty appealing given the fact the carriers tend to disable Bluetooth profiles etc.

[RoniXt]

Its not likely T-Mobile will carry it since they don't need 850mhz and they're already getting another version, the SDA and SDA Music, which are both very simillar to this.

Huh? T-Mobile USA's getting the SDA and SDA Music?
When did this happen?

From the Pocket PC camp, I know that so far T-Mobile hasn't brought either the MDA II, MDA III, or MDA Compact to the US market so how do you know that they'll bring in the SDA and SDA Music?

[jkovacs]

From the Pocket PC camp, I know that so far T-Mobile hasn't brought either the MDA II, MDA III, or MDA Compact to the US market so how do you know that they'll bring in the SDA and SDA Music?

Yeah, you're right, I don't know that for a fact. I didn't really word that well. :( I've just read a lot that seems to suggest it and I think it makes sense. Why go with another handset when they can extend the T-Mobile branded SDA variants to the US?

...Joe K.

[yoos]

yea, I wouldn't count on either of the sda's or sp3's to come to the US just based on FCC documents. I remember seeing previoius Mitac and HTC models with similar info/documents on the FCC site when I used to newshound with another site and those phones never came to a US carrier.

[aarcam]

yea, I wouldn't count on either of the sda's or sp3's to come to the US just based on FCC documents. I remember seeing previoius Mitac and HTC models with similar info/documents on the FCC site when I used to newshound with another site and those phones never came to a US carrier.

That is a good point, however, from my perspective just the fact that this device as an 850 mhz model will be available makes my day. I will probably have to pay pretty penny for it, but if it is what I want it is worth it. I dont want to have to buy the one smartphone available in the US market (no offense meant to anyone with the one smartphone for the US currently in their possesion) just because it is the only one.

[RoniXt]

Which carriers are you guys using?
If you don't need 850MHz, you can always order the <a href=http://www.expansys-usa.com/product.asp?code=I-MATE_SP3I>I-mate SP3i from Expansys</a> which costs less than the MPx220 from Best Buy at $475.

[AndyC]

Hi,

I was looking at the www.clubimate.com site today - it seems the 850 device will be provided by i-mate and called SP3i too. Couldn't find anything about dates for shipping though...

Andy

[gratefuled]

I hear the 5600 and C500 have Windows Media Player 10, but I heard the SP3 and SP3i only have WMP 9. If this is true, I would be very dissapointed.
Who knows, WMP 9 or 10?

[Mike Temporale]

Currently, the SMT5600 is the only device with WMP10. I don't know if Orange has released an update to bring WMP up to version 10, and I'm pretty sure that the i-mates don't have it yet either.

[stuartforrest]

I have one of these in the UK and it is excellent but it does have MP9 not 10

[AndyC]

I asked imate and they said this device (i.e. 850 MHz SP3i) will be their first smartphone to ship with WMP10. So I guess the others will get an upgrade soon.....?

[Kris Kumar]

I asked imate and they said this device (i.e. 850 MHz SP3i) will be their first smartphone to ship with WMP10. So I guess the others will get an upgrade soon.....?

Cool...thanks for sharing the info.

By any chance did they mention when the 850 version is coming out? :-)