Abstract: A telephone for mobile application affords hands-free operation when the handset is seated in a cradle and hand-held operation when removed from the cradle. The two modes are automatically sensed by a reed switch in the handset operated by a magnet in the cradle. The back of the handset, which is accessible when in the cradle, contains a back keypad and a back display, and the front of the handset contains a front keypad and a front display along with a microphone and an earpiece. When the reed switch senses hands-free mode only the back keypad and display are enabled, along with an external speaker and microphone. When hand-held mode is sensed, the front keypad, display and audio functions are enabled.

Abstract: A portable phone comprises a handset having a low power radio transmitter and a base station having a booster transmitter that is optionally coupled to the handset for better transmission. A docking cradle has a nest to receive a boat and the boat has a pocket to receive the handset. The boat is connected to the base by a cord and a connector in the boat is coupled to the handset when the handset is seated in the boat. The cradle, boat and handset are nested together for compact hands-free operation, the handset is removed from the boat for portable operation, or the handset and boat together are removed from the cradle for wire-connected hand-held operation.