Pantech has announced the introduction of the IM-U100 handset, which is designed to provide users with a "world class" Portable Multimedia Player (PMP) phone, incorporating MP3 player, camera and movie functions. The IM-U100 phone includes a 2.6 inch wide TFT LCD screen, which is two times larger than the screens on other multimedia handset models in Korea and among the largest of its type in the mobile handset sector globally.

The new handset also features an aspect ratio - the ratio of the width of the LCD display screen to the height - of 15:9, considerably in advance of the 4:3 screen ratios of other mobile phones. In practice, this means that - along with high quality loud speaker and visual sound systems - users can avail of a similar picture experience to that found at the movies.

The large LCD screen shows users of the handset all menus in one screen without having to scroll down. Coupled with a 2.0 mega-pixel CMOS camera with panorama capability, the large screen is optimized for taking images and video clips.

Without having to open the slide, the Analog Mode Dial in the back of the IM-U100 allows direct access for users to camera, MP3 player and movie applications at the touch of a fingertip. Users of the IM-U100 can also save large volumes of data via the external T-Flash memory. In addition, the model also has a multitasking function, meaning mobile users can use the Internet or play games while listening to music.

The 2 mega-pixel camera also includes auto focus and PictBridge functionality, so that pictures can be printed without being connected to a computer.

IM-U100 Features: 

• 2.6 inch wide QVGA TFT LCD with 15:9 aspect ratio
• Analog mode dial
• MP3 player
• 2 mega-pixel embedded CMOS Camera with Panorama & PictBridge Functionality
• PMP functionality
• 64 polyphonic melody 
• T-Flash memory support/Full multitasking functionality 
• MSM 6500 chipset
• 2.4 Mbps/CDMA 1X EV-DO
• Loud stereo speaker & MOD (music-on-demand) / VOD (video-on-demand)
• Nano silver coating
• IrDA

The IM-U100 handset will be priced at approximately USD550 and will be launched in Korea later this month. See more photos at next page

via akihabaranews