KRS 1 Phone release

In the USA, several media outlets featured the latest news from the PC Expo, including the exciting announcement of KiShin and Rebolt Technology partnering to develop their own cellular phone. This phone was touted as surpassing all others in the market and capable of running games, which quickly caught the attention of Americans.

People were genuinely surprised that KiShin, a company known for its expertise in a different industry, was venturing into the world of cellular phones. Some viewed this move as somewhat reckless, considering the financial risks involved in exploring new industries.

Not only did various companies like Tora, Suzuki, Samster, and others in the phone industry hear the news, but some of their employees were even able to catch a glimpse of the KRS 1 phone at Rebolt Technology's booth. They reported their findings to their superiors, leading to increased caution about this upcoming competitor in the cellular phone industry.

While those who fully understood the capabilities of KRS 1 were excited about buying it when it was released, many people remained unaware of its charms. Some video game players were curious about the KiShin Rebolt Series 1 phone, but their interest in cellular phones was limited since they primarily used them for calling, texting, and receiving messages.

Nevertheless, there was still significant curiosity and interest in a phone that could run games, especially considering it was developed by KiShin. This meant that the games on the KRS 1 phone were also expected to be of high quality and worthy of attention.

People were interested in the KRS 1 due to KiShin's reputation for producing high-quality video games. However, aside from that, if the price of the KRS 1 proved to be too expensive, they wouldn't consider buying it.

Time passed, and in early July 1992, the long-awaited KRS 1 was finally released. Its advertisement aired on 'Cartoon Network,' featuring a man sitting in a public chair when the KRS phone's distinctive ringtone caught the viewers' attention.

Soon after, the KRS 1 phone became available in retail stores like Target, Kmart, and KiShin's physical outlets. People who had shown interest quickly flocked to purchase the KRS 1 because it was quite affordable compared to other options.

Tora's latest phones were expensive, priced at a minimum of $499, and the same could be said for Suzuki, which had two latest phone models, one at $499 and another at $599. On the other hand, Japanese companies like Motorola offered phones starting at $399, with some models even priced at $299, while Mitsubishi's phones were available at $299, and a few of their models were as low as $199.

Regarding the KRS, a phone developed by KiShin and Rebolt Technology, it was priced at $400. While this cost was relatively affordable compared to Tora, Suzuki, and other brands, it was still considered somewhat expensive. However, what set the KRS apart were its impressive specifications. It boasted a 650 mAh NiMH battery, surpassing other phone brands, and its signal capabilities also exceeded the competition.

Furthermore, the KRS 1 offered a range of features such as SMS text messaging, a phonebook, call history, an alarm clock, and games that attracted many potential buyers. What truly caught people's attention, however, was its captivating ringtone.

In a groundbreaking move for the cellular phone industry, the KRS 1 introduced a ringtone for incoming calls. Initially, other phone brands had relied on simple beeping or other generic sounds. The distinctive KRS 1 ringtone made a significant impact, drawing many people to KiShin's physical stores or their sections in malls to purchase their latest and first phone developed in partnership with Rebolt Technology.

Surprisingly, the details of this unique ringtone were not revealed at the PC Expo, leaving those who had attended the event and stumbled upon the KRS 1 equally astonished. In a KiShin physical store, some customers discussed their excitement, with one individual saying to their friend, "KRS 1 has games; I'm really excited to buy it," reflecting the appeal of the phone to video game enthusiasts.

His friend responded with an astonished expression, "You wanted to buy the KRS 1 just for that reason? To play games?" He looked at the man wearing a Pokémon cap in disbelief.

The man with the Pokémon cap simply replied, "Not just for games. I also wanted to buy it because I liked its ringtone as shown in the commercial."

His friend, sporting a 'Legend of Zelda' t-shirt, chuckled wryly and asked, "You were willing to spend $400 for those reasons?"

The man in the Pokémon cap shifted the conversation, asking his friend, "What about you? Why do you want to buy a KRS 1?"

His friend glanced around the store, observing the people busy browsing KiShin's video games and products. The man in the Pokémon cap noticed his friend's cautious demeanor and inquired, "What's going on? Why do you seem so concerned?"

His friend, upon hearing the man's question, replied in a hushed voice, "It's not a big deal, bro." He hesitated a bit and admitted, "The reason I'm getting the KRS 1 is to show it off and be able to text with my crush..."

The man with the Pokémon cap, upon hearing his friend's confession, chuckled and said, "Ah, classic move. There are countless cases where people buy a phone just to impress their crush and have the means to text or call them."

His friend, his face slightly reddening, patted the man's shoulder and said, "Fair enough... Let's go ahead and buy the KRS 1 phone," pointing to the section where the KRS 1 phones were being sold.

During this era, people were indeed purchasing cellular phones to showcase to their friends or impress their crushes. These phones were considered quite pricey, and texting with someone special had become a popular trend, especially among young people exploring their romantic interests.

This growing trend made cellular phones more appealing, both to the youth and to professionals who needed them for work. The fact that the KRS 1 featured a catchy ringtone alone was enough to make many people, be they youngsters or business professionals, consider switching to this phone. 

During this era, people had simpler preferences compared to the future, where even a catchy ringtone had the power to shift their perception and drive them to purchase a KRS 1, in addition to the appeal of the phone's gaming features.

Within just a few days of its market debut, the KRS 1 was already demonstrating the potential to outshine other phone brands in the cellular phone industry market. This success made phone brand companies from around the world start to feel cautious.