Motorola (News - Alert), which first announced in July its design to roll out its MOTOFONE handset in time for this year’s holiday shopping season, has done just that. The wireless handset developer has debuted the MOTOFONE at an industry event in India, with additional international markets to see roll-outs in the coming few weeks, hopefully in time to carve out its portion of the technology gift market this season.

MOTOFONE, based on the firm’s new SCPL (pronounced “scalpel”), is set to prove that uncomplicated, basic functionality and style are not mutually exclusive, offering all the features desirable to most users today. The first of Motorola’s SCPL-based phones, MOTOFONE is meant to appeal to the broadest range of users, slicing through barriers created by price tiers, product and market segments, and regional preferences. With it, Motorola clearly is setting its sights on the global wireless handheld device market lead — according to a Gartner (News - Alert) report, Motorola is second to Nokia currently.

The Linux/Java-based SCPL platform is said to be replacing Motorola’s proprietary “PSK” operating system found in its popular RAZR, KRAZR, and other slim phones.

The phone is designed to eliminate many language barriers with its icon- and voice-based interface — as opposed to the traditional text-based interface — which makes it considerably easier to tailor the phone to local market needs. Motorola also says its newest handset will be considerably easier for new users to navigate — unlike many modern handsets that are outdated by the time users become comfortable with their features. Among its easy of use enhancements, the most noticeable it the phone’s large ClearVision display, which is easy to read, even outdoors.

ClearVision technology for the handset is provided by E Ink Corporation, which has developed the “changeable electronic ink display” that is as easy to read in bright sunlight as it is in dimly lit restaurants, and at nearly any angle, just like a sheet of paper. What’s more, the new display is an optimal addition for a handset being marketed to such a variety of users — it is made of lightweight plastic and consumes considerably less power than most handset displays.

In addition to its durable yet lightweight and functional design, the MOTOFONE features dual antennas for improved reception and an amazing 450 minutes — that’s 7 ½ hours — of talk time, according to Motorola, all packed into a 9mm thick shell.

“In the weeks and months to come, consumers from around the world will enjoy the benefit of the technological innovations packed into MOTOFONE,” said Ron Garriques, president, Mobile Devices, Motorola.  “Today’s global launch marks a major milestone as Motorola continues its drive to connect the next billion mobile phone users.”

Indeed, Garriques says the MOTOFONE is just the beginning, and that Motorola plans to develop SCPL-based phones in all of the popular form factors — slider, flip, candy bar, swivel, touchscreen, and QWERTY. He also says the SCPL phones will be broadband capable and compatible with both HSDPA and EV-DO Rev. A networks where they are available.

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Erik Linask is Associate Editor of INTERNET TELEPHONY. Most recently, he was Managing Editor at Global Custodian, an international securities services publication. To see more of his articles, please visit Erik Linask’s columnist page.