Motorola Reinvents the Wireless Phone as Digital Personal Companion
First two Java(TM) technology-enabled handsets in North America
SCHAUMBURG, Ill., April 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Motorola (NYSE: MOT - news) today announced a new generation of wireless handsets that bring computing power to the palm of your hand and combine many of the capabilities of a handheld computer, two-way radio, interactive pager, and Internet-ready mobile phone in a single device. Users can easily and repeatedly customize these Java technology-enabled wireless handsets to meet their individual needs by downloading and running applications. These personal companion devices will be available through iDEN® network operators in certain markets beginning this month.
Two new handset models, the Motorola i85s and i50sx, provide a convenient way for users to manage their personal and professional lives and are the first wireless phones in North America to incorporate Java(TM) 2 Platform, Micro Edition (J2ME(TM)), a software environment from Sun Microsystems. With these new handsets a user can schedule a meeting in the phone's datebook, submit an expense report to the office remotely, use two-way messaging to stay in touch with family members, play a Sega game during downtime, and much more. Users can also place and receive phone calls or use the handset's two-way radio capabilities, which offer instant communication with one or hundreds of individuals at the touch of a button. These models commenced shipment last month.
These new models were designed to offer an unprecedented level of personalization to meet a wide variety of preferences. Users can easily change the Motorola i85s handset's settings to adapt to different environments, such as the home, office and the car, which can be accessed through the phone's voice recognition feature. For example, when in a meeting, the user can set a style that will activate the phone's VibraCall® alert, filter for important calls and change the size of the display text.
Both handsets have sufficient flash memory to store several applications, which can be repeatedly updated to meet the users' changing needs. The handsets will come with several applications pre-installed, including productivity tools and the Sega game, Borkov.(1) The offline capabilities of J2ME technology enable users to run applications even when disconnected from the network.
``These handsets are all-in-one personal companions, allowing users to stay in touch with people and information to better manage their lives,'' said Bill Werner, corporate vice president of Motorola and general manager of the company's iDEN Subscriber Group. ``For the first time, users will be able to customize their phones with applications to meet their individual needs, while offering the flexibility to change the applications as their needs change.''
Motorola i85s and i50sx handsets
This new product family will include several J2ME technology-enabled models. The first models in this new product category are the Motorola i85s and the i50sx handsets. These models will be available beginning this month through iDEN network operators including Nextel Communications, Southern LINC, and Pacific Wireless Technologies in the United States. TELUS Mobility in Canada will offer the i85s handset in the coming months. Pricing and availability will be determined by each service provider.
The Motorola i85s handset is designed for the mobile business professional who needs to stay connected with people and information to communicate more effectively, increase productivity and save time. For users who want to express their individuality, the Motorola i50sx handset will feature interchangeable faceplates in a variety of colors. Both handsets support powerful new features including voice dialing, a voice recorder for taking verbal notes and customizable menus.(2)
``J2ME technology-enabled devices, like the Motorola i85s and i50sx handsets, promise to revolutionize the way people communicate and simplify their busy lives by combining existing technologies -- a digital wireless phone, two-way radio, alphanumeric pager, and Internet microbrowser -- with the computing power of Java technology in a single, palm-size device,'' said Mark Driver, research director for Gartner Group.
The Motorola i85s and i50sx handsets are the world's first wireless handsets with Mobile Information Device Profile (MIDP) certification from Sun Microsystems, and Motorola is one of the first handset manufacturers in the world that is CLDC (Connected Limited Device Configuration) compliant. This certification allows J2ME technology-enabled iDEN handsets to carry Sun's Java technology logo.
``Sun salutes Motorola in the milestone development of the world's first J2ME handset that supports the MIDP to ship commercially,'' said George Paolini, vice president, technology advocacy and marketing, Sun Microsystems. ``With Java technology integrated into the innovative design of the i85s and i50sx handsets, mobile users will be able to enjoy new, exciting downloadable services.''
Software Update Site
Motorola will be introducing iDEN Update ( www.motorola.com/idenupdate ), a website that will allow users to personalize their J2ME technology-enabled iDEN handsets with applications. Users will be able to quickly and easily update their iDEN handsets with applications such as notepad, calculators and games.
Accessories
Both the Motorola i85s and i50sx handsets will support a variety of optional accessories, including a foldable keyboard for messaging and convenient data entry, a hands-free car kit, several headsets, chargers, and holders. Interchangeable faceplates in a variety of colors will be available for the i50sx model.
Alliances
Motorola has been working with a number of solution providers to develop J2ME applications for the handset platform. Previously, Motorola announced alliances with Sega, Bonita and HiddenMind, among others.
Customer Care Website
To further its commitment to total customer satisfaction, Motorola announced today the introduction of the iDEN online customer support center at www.motorola.com/iden/support . This web site offers numerous services to support the needs of the users, authorized dealers and service providers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In addition, the website enables users access to new product training, frequently asked questions, the latest software downloads, and much more. In addition, it allows users to submit and track repair service online.
Developer Support Program
Motorola's new iDEN handsets can run certified applications developed by J2ME software developers. To facilitate the development of compelling applications, Motorola's iDEN Subscriber Group has established a comprehensive developer support program that provides developers with virtually everything they need to develop, deploy and commercialize their J2ME applications for iDEN handsets, including development tools, technical support, marketing, and distribution. For more information or to obtain a free CD-ROM, visit www.motorola.com/idendev.3 .
About Motorola
Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT - news) is a global leader in providing integrated communications and embedded electronic solutions. Sales in 2000 were $37.6 billion. For more information visit www.motorola.com . For further information on iDEN handsets, visit www.motorola.com/iden .
(1) Pre-installed applications vary by service provider. Additional
applications may be downloaded from iDEN Update at
www.motorola.com/idenupdate .
(2) Certain features are optional and may be purchased for an additional
charge.
(3) Due to export regulations, Motorola can only ship to certain
countries. A shipping charge will be added to orders outside the
United States. Please see www.motorola.com/idendev for further
details.
MOTOROLA, the Stylized M Logo and all other trademarks indicated as such herein are trademarks of Motorola, Inc. (R) Reg. U.S. Pat. & Tm. Off. Java and all other Java-based marks are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the U.S. and other countries. All other product or service names are the property of their respective owners.
SOURCE: Motorola, Inc.
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FF/edig newsletter 6/27/00-
Wireless Industry Explosion
The next revolution in the information-based economy is the development and deployment of new wireless products that communicate with the Internet-giving users updated, personally-selected information-and communicate with each other-creating constantly shifting personal area networks. We continue to upgrade and modify MicroOS so that the technologies we have developed will work in a wireless environment with standard and emerging communications protocols such as Bluetooth, WAP (Wireless Access Protocol), CDMA2000 (Code Division Multiple Access), TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access), GSM (Global Standard for Mobile Communications), iDEN (Integrated Digital Enhanced Network), HSCSD (High-Speed Circuit-Switched Data), and the 3G ("Third Generation") wireless platform.
