Smartphones are a class of mobile phones and of multi-purpose mobile computing devices. They are distinguished from feature phones by their stronger hardware capabilities and extensive mobile operating systems, which facilitate wider software, internet, and multimedia functionality, alongside core phone functions such as voice calls and text messaging. Smartphones typically include various sensors that can be leveraged by their software, such as a magnetometer, proximity sensors, barometer, gyroscope and accelerometer, and support wireless communications protocols such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and satellite navigation.
IEEE 802.20 or Mobile Broadband Wireless Access (MBWA) was a specification by the standard association of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) for mobile wireless Internet access networks. The main standard was published in 2008. MBWA is no longer being actively developed.
Kyocera Corporation is a Japanese multinational ceramics and electronics manufacturer headquartered in Kyoto, Japan. It was founded as Kyoto Ceramic Company, Limited in 1959 by Kazuo Inamori and renamed in 1982. The company has diversified its founding technology in ceramic materials through internal development as well as strategic mergers and acquisitions. It manufactures industrial ceramics, solar power generating systems, telecommunications equipment, office document imaging equipment, electronic components, semiconductor packages, cutting tools, and components for medical and dental implant systems.
Binary Runtime Environment for Wireless is an application development platform created by Qualcomm, originally for code division multiple access (CDMA) mobile phones, featuring third-party applications such as mobile games. It is offered in some feature phones but not in smartphones. Developed in 1999, as a platform for wireless applications on CDMA-based mobile phones, it debuted in September 2001.
As a software platform that can download and run small programs for playing games, sending messages, and sharing photos, the main advantage of Brew MP is that the application developers can easily port their applications among all Brew MP devices by providing a standardized set of application programming interfaces. Software for Brew MP enabled handsets can be developed in C or C++ using the freely downloadable Brew MP software development kit (SDK). The Brew runtime library is part of the wireless device on-chip firmware or operating system to allow programmers to develop applications without needing to code for system interface or understand wireless applications. Brew is described as a pseudo operating system, but not a true mobile operating system. Brew is not a virtual machine such as Java ME, but runs native code.
The Kyocera 6035 was one of the first smartphones to appear in the American market, released in January 2001.
TracFone Wireless, Inc. is a prepaid mobile virtual network operator in the United States, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands. TracFone Wireless is a subsidiary of Mexico's largest telecommunications company América Móvil, and offers products and services under several other brands. It operates as a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), holding agreements with the United States' largest wireless network operators to provide service using their networks, including Verizon Wireless, AT&T Mobility, T-Mobile US, Sprint Corporation, and U.S. Cellular. TracFone Wireless had 25.668 million subscribers in 2015.
Cricket Wireless LLC is a prepaid wireless service provider in the United States, a wholly owned subsidiary of AT&T Inc. It offers mobile voice, text, and data using parent AT&T's nationwide network. Cricket Wireless was founded in 1999 by Leap Wireless International, Inc. On July 12, 2013, AT&T Inc. agreed to acquire Cricket's parent company Leap Wireless International for $1.2 billion. The merger was approved by the Federal Communications Commission on March 13, 2014, and later that same day, Leap Wireless announced the completion of its acquisition by AT&T.
Kyocera Communications, Inc. is an American manufacturer of mobile phones for wireless service providers in the United States and Canada. Kyocera Communications, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Kyocera Corporation, which also manufactures mobile phones for the Japanese wireless market under various brands.
Helio, Inc. a current, and former, mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) using Sprint's network that offered wireless voice, messaging and data products and services to customers in the continental United States beginning on May 2, 2006. Originally a 50/50 joint venture founded in January, 2005 between South Korean wireless operator SK Telecom and American Internet services provider EarthLink, early losses caused EarthLink to stop providing additional funding in fall of 2007. SK Telecom provided the required additional funding to sustain Helio, which was re-organized as Helio LLC, and by January 2008, SK Telecom had assumed an increased ownership stake and with it, operational control of the joint venture. Although SK Telecom publicly pledged to support Helio, SK Telecom entered into talks to sell the company to rival MVNO Virgin Mobile USA. Virgin Mobile USA closed the acquisition of Helio and its 170,000 subscribers on August 22, 2008. Virgin Mobile USA exited the postpaid wireless business and retired the Helio brand on May 25, 2010.
Mobile VoIP or simply mVoIP is an extension of mobility to a Voice over IP network. Two types of communication are generally supported: cordless/DECT/PCS protocols for short range or campus communications where all base stations are linked into the same LAN, and wider area communications using 3G/4G protocols.
The Kyocera KX16, sometimes referred to as the Kyocera Candid, is the first clamshell-style camera phone from Kyocera. Features include:
The Kyocera K127, sometimes referred to as the Kyocera Marbl, is a clamshell-style phone from Kyocera. Features include:
The Virgin Mobile Slider Sonic (KX5B), is a Mobile phone made by Kyocera, and the successor to the Virgin Mobile Slider. The Slider Sonic is a music-oriented phone aimed at teens.
The Kyocera Strobe is a cellular phone from Kyocera Wireless. It was released on June 30, 2006. Service providers such as Alltel, Bluegrass Cellular, Cricket Wireless, NTelos, Verizon, U.S. Cellular, and Virgin Mobile carry this phone. The Strobe looks like a regular candy bar phone, but it flips into a hidden QWERTY keyboard. It has dual-color displays, keypad, built-in polyphonic ring tones, screen savers, caller alerts, a loop antenna, speaker phone, headset jack, and a VGA camera with flash and 5x zoom. What makes the Strobe different from other phones like it is that if you flip it open during a call, it will not hang up. Also during a task, like looking for a ringtone, if you flip it open or close you will not have to start all over.
Novarra is a mobile internet software company founded in 2000 and based in Itasca, Illinois, USA. It creates web-based services such as web internet access, portals, videos, widgets and advertising for mobile devices. Novarra provides access to the internet and other services through wireless handsets, PDAs and laptops and sells directly to operators, mobile handset manufacturers and internet brand companies. Nokia acquired Novarra in 2010. BMW acquired Novarra in 2014.
The mobile phone industry in the United States is covered in this article. Mobile phones are commonly referred to as smartphones or cell phones.
The Kyocera Zio is an Internet-enabled 3G smartphone manufactured by Kyocera, running Google's Android operating system.
The Kyocera E3100, often referred to as the Kyocera Rio, is a touch slate phone from Kyocera with MP3 music player. It was announced at the 2010 CTIA show, where it was said that the launch operator would be Cricket. Features include:
DragonLord Enterprises, Inc. is an American corporation that develops games, mobile apps, and
3D simulations. Under the name Sequoia Consulting,
it also specializes in robotics, machine learning,
and applied artificial intelligence. DragonLord created the first adventure game running on a cell phone in the world.
Kyocera Kona is a line of low cost cellular phones manufactured by Kyocera Communications, Inc. The Kona line up of phones are available on the following US Carriers: Sprint, Cricket, Virgin Mobile, and Boost Mobile. The Kyocera Kona is respective representation of the current line up of low cost and usually contract free phones available for sale in the US during the year 2013.
