| Manufacturer | Samsung Electronics |
|---|---|
| Availability by region | Summer of 2003 - August 2005 |
| Predecessor | Samsung SPH-i330 |
| Successor | Samsung SPH-i550 (cancelled) |
| Compatible networks | CDMA |
| Form factor | Clamshell |
| Dimensions | 3.4×2.1×1 in |
| Weight | 130 g (4.6 oz) |
| Operating system | Palm OS 4.1 |
| CPU | Dragonball 66MHz |
| Memory | 16MB |
| Battery | Li-ion |
| Display | 160 X 240px |
| Connectivity | USB, Infrared (IrDA) |
| Data inputs | Graffiti,telephone keypad |
TheSamsung SPH-i500 was aPalm OS-basedsmartphone manufactured bySamsung Electronics. It was previewed at CommunicAsia 2002 in June and launched later that year.[1] It was later discontinued in August 2005.It was marketed in theUnited States for use onSprint's mobile phone network.
The CDMA phone has aclamshell-style design, with the 160×240 pixel color display on the top half, and theGraffiti area andtelephone keypad on the bottom half. It operates like a standard colorPalm OS device, but several hard (external) and software-imbedded buttons launch the 'phone' application, which manages calls.Once a call is connected, it is possible to switch back to another application. Despite the Graffiti interface, the device could not send text messages, though it could receive them.
The phone shipped with an extra battery and extra stylus. The supplied power cable could be used as a travel charger or to plug into the included cradle, which could charge the phone and an extra battery simultaneously. Despite two batteries, the phone needed to be plugged in regularly. Swapping charged batteries would eventually result in a phone reset---a complete loss of user data.
Applications include theHandspringBlazermicrobrowser and Voice Memo, but excludePalm OS Note Pad. Shortly after the i500 was discontinued, Handspring discontinued proxyservice for the Blazer browser. Sprint provided a free install ofNovarra's nweb browser as a replacement. This browser was functionalon the i500 until its proxy was taken down in 2008.
Installed applications included ones carried over from existing Palm handheld non-phone devices:
| Address |
| Calc |
| DateBook |
| Graffiti |
| Expense |
| Memo Pad |
| Preferences |
| Security |
| To Do |
| Welcome |
In addition, applications to support voice and data communications were included:
| Blazer (web browser) |
| Messages |
| Phone |
| Speed Dial |
| Voice Dial |
| Voice Memo |
| Voicemail |
Note that the Voicemail application was not a distinct executable, but rather aliased directly to the Voicemail category in the Messages application.
The SPH-i500 is the last Palm-OS-based smartphone to use a clamshell design and employ Graffiti input. It is the only clamshell to use the upper block for the display, and the lower for input. Its successors use a brick form phone and a keypad for input.
Samsung developed a follow-on Palm OS smartphone with multimedia features, theSPH-i550, butSprint canceled it.
CNET gave it 4/5, praising it as a good integration of Palm PDA and phone, but criticised its price and lack of expansion slot.[2] PCMag gave it 4/5, a rating of "excellent", also praising it as a phone that unites PDA and phone with few compromises.[3] It was also well-reviewed by Mobile Tech Review.[4]
