January 9, 2008 10:10 AM PST

Haier's dual SIM card phone

by Kent German
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The Haier HG-N99 in Chinese

(Credit: Kent German/CNET Networks)

Haier's booth was way in the back of one of the halls at CES, but we wanted to swing by to see if (and when) the company would be bringing its cell phones to the United States. The PR rep wasn't exactly forthcoming, but we did get a brief tour of the models the company is hoping to bring here. The most interesting of the bunch was the HG-N99, and we can only hope that it actually arrives on our shores (Haier says it is in talks with U.S. carriers).

The Windows Mobile handset may look like your average smartphone, but it ups the ante in a big way by offering double SIM card, double standby functionality. That means you'll be able to put two SIM cards in the phone, which will enable you to use the HG-N99 for two phone numbers at the same time. No, you won't be able to place calls simultaneously, but you can receive calls to both numbers at any time. While such a concept is hardly original to the HG-N99, compatible phones are pretty rare in North America.

Other features on the GSM device include support for GPRS and EDGE, a 2-megapixel camera, Bluetooth, messaging, polyphonic ringtones, a mini-USB port, a WAP browser with Java support, and a microSD card slot.

Kent German is a senior editor for cell phone reviews at CNET. When he's not testing the newest handsets on the market, he's blogging about cell phone news for Crave. In his On Call column, he answers reader questions and gives his take on the rapidly changing mobile industry. E-mail Kent.
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Add a Comment (Log in or register) (12 Comments)
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by afacuna January 11, 2008 10:29 AM PST
Nothing new regarding the two SIM cards. In fact, since the turn of the century most European GSM carriers are able to program two phone numbers onto the same SIM card, so I don't see the need for dual cards. I've used this feature, and switching back and forth between each phone number is really easy. Plus, no matter which number you're using, you will receive calls from both.
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by Victoriar08 January 21, 2008 1:58 PM PST
I think you're confusing two things..Dual-Sim GSM Phones ARE able to receive calls on both numbers simultaneously..however, Dual-Sim CARDS are not. (Source: <a class="jive-link-external" href="http://www.dual-sim.eu/product_info.php/products_id/132" target="_newWindow">http://www.dual-sim.eu/product_info.php/products_id/132</a> )<br /><br />I think if dual-sim cards would have the feature of receiving calls on both numbers, which I think is technically impossible as phones only have one antenna, they would have been much more popular.
by Victoriar08 January 21, 2008 1:58 PM PST
I think you're confusing two things..Dual-Sim GSM Phones ARE able to receive calls on both numbers simultaneously..however, Dual-Sim CARDS are not. (Source: <a class="jive-link-external" href="http://www.dual-sim.eu/product_info.php/products_id/132" target="_newWindow">http://www.dual-sim.eu/product_info.php/products_id/132</a> )<br /><br />I think if dual-sim cards would have the feature of receiving calls on both numbers, which I think is technically impossible as phones only have one antenna, they would have been much more popular.
Reply to this comment
by TryTONY January 27, 2008 5:50 PM PST
Thank god you said, "I think if dual-sim cards would have the feature of receiving calls on both numbers, which I think is technically impossible as phones only have one antenna, they would have been much more popular." because it is quite sad if you make a comment based on your limited knowledge. Doing this does not help anyone but only spreads ignorance.<br /><br />I hope that people would put their comments to share their experience and opinion that are based from some technical knowledge and stop playing the game of Mr. or Mrs. know everything.<br /><br />My opinion is, the dual sim/dual standby is the future. It makes life much easier and much more convenient for busy people who need convergence from their personal &#38; business parts of their lives or even just the need of taking advantage of the best offers that different Cell Providers offer.<br /><br />What probably delays the popularityof this concept here in the U.S. boils down to plain economics. I don't think that it would be very lucrative to wireless providers. Imagine the sale of a single phone that could handle the functions of two cell phones.<br /><br />I am already using this kind of phone. It makes me feel good about plans of having phones with windows mobile 6 behind it. I'm a very business owner who travels a lot. It is always nice to have an equiptment that could operate an almost unlimited function, i.e. telecommunication &#38; networking.
by winstoncai June 18, 2008 8:49 PM PDT
Dual Sim Phone let you get two calls simultaneously <br />Dual SIM phone indicates that one cell phone with two SIM card slots,and you can receive two calls simultaneously(namely dual standby).People are always pesky in taking two cell phones when on business trip.Now,dual SIM phones have solved this issue,you don't have to take two cell phones beside you,unnecessary to switch between two sim cards,it is rather easy and convenient for you to receive two calls from two different countries at one time,that saves your much time and energy,more importantly,your peer never get message "Sorry,you dialed number is busy now,please try later" and get you through instantly.<br /><a class="jive-link-external" href="http://www.sourcinggate.com/Cell-Phone-Dual-Sim-Phone/c4_145/index.html" target="_newWindow">http://www.sourcinggate.com/Cell-Phone-Dual-Sim-Phone/c4_145/index.html</a>
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