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News
Issue #2002 - 09
(March 2002)
(Updated Mar.
6, 2002)
DEVICES and
DEVICE OPERATING SYSTEMS
SonyEricsson and RIM Introduce
Multimedia Smartphone and Voice-enabled Handheld
SonyEricsson
Sony Ericsson
unveiled On March 5, 2002 the T68i mobile phone and the CommuniCam
MCA-20 digital camera accessory. With the camera snapped on to the
phone, it is easy to take pictures and send them as an MMS-message to
another phone, e-mail them to a PC, or store them in the phone’s
extensive photo album. Sony Ericsson confirms its leadership in mobile
imaging, and shipments of both products will begin immediately in
Europe and Asia.
The new T68i builds on the success of
the T68, which has achieved global success since its launch last year.
The T68i has a new look, it is the first MMS phone to hit the market,
and the focus is on imaging. Many keep pictures of friends, family and
pets in their wallet. Many store digital images on their computers.
The T68i can replace both, since images can be saved in the phone’s
photo album. The imaging possibilities of the T68i are further
enhanced by inbuilt Bluetooth wireless technology, which makes it
possible to transfer images to another phone, but also to connect
wirelessly to headsets, PCs, or other Bluetooth-equipped peripherals.
Naturally, it is also possible to download color images, cartoons, and
icons from the Internet or other sources to the phone.
The new CommuniCam MCA-20 is a small
digital mobile camera accessory, which is easy to use and easy to
carry. Connected to the T68i it can be used to take full VGA
resolution pictures that are sent from the phone as part of an
MMS-message or as an e-mail. Pictures taken with the CommuniCam can
also be used as background pictures on the display of the T68i, or
stored in the camera or the phone. The camera can store up to 200
pictures, depending on size. The display of the T68i acts as a
viewfinder for the camera. The camera can store 14 full VGA pictures
or up to 200 pictures in QQQVGA format.
When meeting a person and entering
their phone number into the T68i, it is fast and easy to snap on the
CommuniCam MCA-20, take a picture and add it to their contact
information. Next time that person calls, the picture will appear on
the screen. Ordinary mobile phones show the number of the person who
is calling you. The T68i can show a color picture of that person
instead.
With MMS, multimedia messaging, a huge
variety of content can be added to messages – quality images,
animations, formatted text and recorded sound clips. For speed and
comfort, a GPRS mobile phone, like the T68i, is an ideal Multimedia
messaging tool. More MMS-capable phones will follow from Sony Ericsson
during the year, and in 2003, MMS will be integrated across the
product portfolio. Multimedia messaging, combined with imaging
capabilities, provides fun-to-use applications for consumers, while at
the same time these generate revenue for the operators. Coinciding
with the launch of MMS services by operators, one of the main
commercial services available will be to provide for easy download and
sharing of the latest pictures and sounds.
The T68i and CommuniCam MCA20 will
start shipping immediately.
RIM (March 4, 2002)
Comdex - Chicago, IL
- Research In Motion Limited (RIM) (Nasdaq: RIMM; TSE: RIM) today
introduced the first wireless handheld ready to support GSM/GPRS
networks in North America. The new Java-based handheld, named the
BlackBerry 5810™, allows corporate customers to manage their
important information and communications from a single integrated
device. The BlackBerry 5810 integrates the award-winning features of
the secure BlackBerry™ wireless email solution with the convenience
of a built-in phone. This breakthrough in wireless convergence
delivers email, phone, SMS, browser, and organizer features in a
single, sleek handheld that is “Always On, Always Connected®”.
The BlackBerry 5810 also incorporates Java 2 Micro Edition (J2ME) as
its core operating system, providing a secure and open platform for
customers, carriers, and developers.
In the United States, both AT&T
Wireless and VoiceStream, a T-Mobile subsidiary, are now accepting
orders for the BlackBerry 5810. In Canada, RIM and Rogers AT&T
Wireless recently announced an agreement for the BlackBerry 5810
(product launch timing will be announced at a later date). In Europe,
RIM began selling the BlackBerry 5820 (a similar handheld that
operates on different frequencies for European GSM/GPRS networks)
through BT Cellnet in the UK last year; and also announced working
relationships with other leading European carriers including Digifone,
Telecom Italia Group, Telfort Mobiel, T-Mobile and Viag Interkom.
For more information: http://www.sonyericsson.com
http://www.rim.net
Mobileinfo Comments & Advisory: Multimedia
smartphones from SonyEricsson introduce a feature that is certainly
attractive but adoption will depend on the cost of phones and service.
It will face a slow adoption in the first two years. We hope
SonyEricsson has realistic expectations. As far as RIM's new 5810 is
concerned, the uptake should be much faster but among the professional
crowd - one less device. We done, RIM!
Note: This news release may contain
forward-looking statements. Readers should take appropriate caution in
developing plans utilizing these products, services and technology
architectures. All trademarks used in this summary are
the property of their respective owners.
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