New Windows Mobile-Powered Pocket PC Debuts as North America's First
UMTS/HSPDA-Enabled Wireless PDA
ATLANTA, Nov. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Cingular Wireless business customers
are now on the wireless fast track with today's introduction of the first
UMTS/HSDPA-enabled PDA in North America -- the Cingular 8525 Pocket PC.
The Cingular 8525 gives customers access to a variety of corporate data
and applications -- and personal e-mail and a wide range of entertainment
capabilities -- at wireless broadband speeds on a popular form factor.
Adding to the power of the Cingular 8525 is its operating system --
Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 with Direct Push Technology -- which allows
users to retrieve their information in the familiar environment found on
most desktop computers.
"The Cingular 8525 Pocket PC breaks new ground in wireless broadband
connectivity in North America," said Kent Mathy, president Cingular
Wireless' B2B organization, the Business Markets Group. "Not only is the
Cingular 8525 the first UMTS/HSDPA-enabled PDA to launch on the continent,
it is the only PDA or Smartphone on the American market today to give users
wireless 3G capabilities both in the U.S. and in dozens of countries
abroad. That translates into a tremendous advantage for the business
customer in this global economy."
"Windows Mobile is about helping people navigate through work and life
on the go in the same way they do at the office or at home," said Pieter
Knook, senior vice president, Mobile and Embedded Devices Division,
Microsoft Corp. "On Cingular's HSDPA network, the 8525 will empower people
to use the key features of our platform simultaneously, like talking on the
phone while at the same time downloading and reviewing documents, surfing
the web or using one of thousands of applications available today."
Global Standard
Cingular's UMTS/HSDPA-enabled BroadbandConnect service is based on the
global standard and natural 3G evolutionary path for GSM providers.
BroadbandConnect is currently available in the U.S. in 134 markets (with
populations of more than 100,000 surrounding more than 50 major
metropolitan cities. The company said it will continue to expand coverage
to additional markets in and around major metropolitan cities in the coming
months. Internationally, there are currently 142 UMTS networks in 61
countries and 72 HSDPA networks.
BroadbandConnect provides average downlink data speeds between
400-700Kbps (kilobits per second) with bursts to more than a Mbps (megabit
per second) and uplink speeds to 384Kbps. When traveling outside the
BroadbandConnect coverage area, the Cingular 8525 seamlessly enables
service on Cingular's EDGE (Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution)
network, available in more than 13,000 cities and towns and in areas along
more than 40,000 miles of highways.
Windows Mobile 5.0 Powered
Adding to the Cingular 8525's power is support of the Microsoft Windows
Mobile 5.0 operating system. This gives Cingular 8525 users access to
mobile versions of many of the familiar Microsoft features found on their
desktops, such as mobile versions of Windows Media Player, Internet
Explorer and Outlook. Users can easily move through the Windows Mobile 5.0
environment thanks the Cingular 8525's multiple device navigation
capabilities -- a new scroll-wheel feature, four-way navigation button and
touch-screen stylus.
Additionally, the Cingular 8525 includes the Messaging and Security
Feature Pack for Windows Mobile 5.0, providing users with the benefit of
Direct Push Technology. This means that e-mail, calendar, tasks and
contacts are always-up-to-date making it very easy for users to stay on top
of their jobs and connected to the people they care about. The feature pack
also provides advanced security features, including remote device wipe,
remotely enforced IT policy and S/MIME support.
Complete Tool
Built by a leading manufacturer of Windows Mobile devices, HTC, the
Cingular 8525 represents one of the most complete wireless communications
tools available today. In addition to connectivity to Cingular's
UMTS/HSDPA- based BroadbandConnect service, the Cingular 8525 provides
users with seamless access to integrated Wi-Fi (802.11 b and g), Bluetooth
2.0, and infrared.
The Cingular 8525 Pocket PC is the perfect wireless device for the
power business user both during work-time and downtime. Corporate users can
have their company e-mail pushed to their Pocket PC in real-time with
Microsoft Direct Push or Good Mobile Messaging wireless e-mail solutions.
Thanks to the combination of BroadbandConnect and Windows Mobile 5.0, they
can quickly open and edit large Word and Excel documents and view
PowerPoint, PDF and photo attachments. People can also get their personal
e-mail pushed to the device using the popular Cingular Xpress Mail service.
The Cingular 8525's QWERTY, backlit "slider" keyboard makes creating or
replying to a message an easy experience.
Supercharged Access
Beyond e-mail, the Cingular 8525 will allow companies to extend even
more of their business processes into a mobile environment. The
supercharged, 3G- based Pocket PC will give customers fast access to dozens
of industry-specific applications, including those in the areas of field
service, sales, financial services, government, real estate and healthcare,
as well as several security- focused solutions. The Cingular 8525, with its
Wi-Fi capabilities, will provide those in healthcare and pharmaceutical
sales with a particular advantage because they can continue to have access
to mission critical information in hospitals and medical clinics that have
deployed wireless local area networks for their on-campus communications.
In addition, the Cingular 8525 will debut with the company's first
generally available, location-based solution -- TeleNav GPS Navigator(TM)
from TeleNav, Inc. With TeleNav GPS Navigator, Cingular 8525 users now can
get turn-by-turn voice and on-screen directions directly on their device
for use when driving or walking.*
Thanks to the Cingular 8525's UMTS/HSDPA backbone, Cingular business
and consumer users have the ability to perform voice and data functions
simultaneously when using the device. For example, Cingular customers can
use the device as a wireless broadband modem tethered to their PC to
download e- mail or other information, or surf the Web and simultaneously
make or receive a mobile phone call. No other 3G wireless provider in the
U.S. can provide that capability.
The Cingular 8525's value extends beyond work activities. During a
break in the day or after business hours, users can relax by listening to
their favorite music on Windows Media Player 10 Mobile using wired or
Bluetooth- enabled stereo headsets, or enjoy video clips courtesy of
MobiTV. The Cingular 8525 also comes equipped with a 2-megapixel digital
camera and video recorder for sharper photos and video.** With an optional
1GB Micro-SD card, customers can store about 250 songs, more than 1,000
games or over 2,000 standard resolution photos.
Pricing and Availability
The Cingular 8525 Pocket PC will be available exclusively from Cingular
for as low as $399.99 beginning Thursday, November 16, in Cingular retail
stores nationwide, select national retailers, http://www.cingular.com, and
through Cingular's B2B direct sales team. For more information, please go
to http://www.cingular.com/8525.
About Cingular Wireless
Cingular Wireless is the largest wireless carrier in the United States,
serving 58.7 million customers. Cingular, a joint venture between AT&T Inc.
(NYSE: T) and BellSouth Corporation (NYSE: BLS), has the largest digital
voice and data network in the nation -- the ALLOVER(TM) network -- and the
largest mobile-to-mobile community of any national wireless carrier.
Cingular is a leader in third generation wireless technology. Its 3G
network is the first widely available service in the world to use HSDPA
(High Speed Downlink Packet Access) technology. Cingular is the only U.S.
wireless carrier to offer Rollover(r), the wireless plan that lets
customers keep their unused monthly minutes. Details of the company are
available at http://www.cingular.com/. Get Cingular Wireless press releases
emailed to you automatically. Sign up at http://cingular.mediaroom.com/.
* Requires separately purchased Bluetooth GPS receiver and subscription
to TeleNav GPS Navigator service
** Non-camera version -- the Cingular 8500 -- available.
The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the
trademarks of their respective owners.
SOURCE Cingular Wireless
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Related links:
http://www.cingular.com
http://www.cingular.com/8525
CONTACT:
John Kampfe of Cingular Wireless,
+1-973-637-9387, wireless, +1-908-432-3473
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