Toshiba TS705

Year: 2006
Prototype level: Cancelled
Codename: N/A

Overview

The Toshiba TS705 was a UMTS handset announced in 2006 as part of Toshiba’s attempt to establish a stronger presence in the European mobile-phone market. It was aimed particularly at business users, combining 3G video calling, push email and modem functionality with USB and Bluetooth connectivity. Its most distinctive feature was the unusual rotating 1.3-megapixel camera, which could be turned towards the user for video calls without requiring a second front-facing camera. 

The TS705 had a 1.8-inch 176 × 220 TFT display, GSM/GPRS and UMTS connectivity, 10 MB of internal storage and a microSD slot, while weighing around 95 grams. Toshiba originally planned a European launch in late 2006, and the phone was repeatedly presented as an upcoming product. However, the launch was delayed and the TS705 ultimately never reached the market in the form originally planned. 

For the collection, the TS705 is an interesting example of a phone that came surprisingly close to release. Toshiba had publicly demonstrated the finished-looking hardware and was discussing its European launch, yet the project disappeared before becoming a commercial product. Its rotating camera also gives the prototype a distinctive design that sets it apart from most contemporary 3G phones.