Cingular 8525 Press Release

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 Navigatorâ„¢ 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.

* Requires separately purchased Bluetooth GPS receiver and subscription
to TeleNav GPS Navigator service
** Non-camera version — the Cingular 8500 — available.

Cingular 8525 Reviews

CNET has a review up of the Cingular 8525 and writes, “We tested the Cingular 8525 (GSM 850/900/1800/1900; EDGE; UMTS; HSDPA) in San Francisco and call quality was excellent. Despite some very minor background hiss, we could hear our friends loud and clear, and our callers were particularly impressed with the clarity of sound and said they couldn’t tell we were using a cell phone. Better yet, activating the speakerphone didn’t have an adverse effect on the audio and volume was more than adequate. We also were able to pair the smart phone with the Logitech Mobile Traveller Bluetooth headset without any problems. … For the ultimate road warrior, the 3G-enabled Cingular 8525 provides the speed, the power, and the productivity tools to get your work done on the go.” Link.

PCMag has a review of the Cingular 8525 and writes, “If you’re a Cingular subscriber who wants to get work done, and you live in one of Cingular’s high-speed cities, nothing compares to the Cingular 8525. It’s a must-buy. Yes, Nokia’s E62 and Blackberry’s 8700g both provide good alternatives for a more e-mail-focused, one-handed experience. And the Palm Treo 700p on Sprint and Verizon is a terrific all-around phone. But none of them provide the combination of processor speed, global roaming and multiple high-speed networks you’ll get on this little powerhouse. That makes it worthy of our Editors’ Choice. … The Cingular 8525 will keep you connected to the Internet at the highest speed possible wherever you go (given the limitations of Cingular’s network), and you won’t miss a single call while you’re online.” Link.

Infosync has a review up of the Cingular 8525 and writes, “The phone is fast in every way: over the 3G network, Wi-Fi, and even the Bluetooth 2.0 connection. The Cingular 8525 comes with ample messaging capabilities, including push e-mail, and its sharp dual-orientation display makes the phone’s calendar and today screens a joy to use. Unfortunately, the buggy, if comfortable, keypad gave us headaches (we can only hope our pre-production test unit is to blame), and the typical foibles of Windows Mobile 5.0 made browsing Office documents something of a pain. That said, the 8525 ranks as one of the most impressive Windows Mobile smartphones we’ve tested.” Link.

MobileTechReview has a review up of the Cingular 8525 and concludes, “An excellent device for power users who need to do email, view and edit Word and Excel documents, view PowerPoint presentations and PDFs on the go and surf the web. Not just a business device, the Cingular 8525 and TyTN are great multimedia playmates with good support for music and video playback. Compared to their MS Smartphone counterparts they’re more easily customizable and there’s a great selection of 3rd party software to extend both business and pleasure use. As the first 3G PDA phone and smartphone announced in the US, the 8525 has special appeal to those who use the web and email heavily, assuming you’re in a 3G coverage area. The faster processor, HSDPA 3G radio, better camera and Bluetooth 2.0 make it a worthy successor to the Cingular 8125 and company, though only you can decide if the price difference is worth it. The 8125 is also a strong device and if you’re not in a 3G area and don’t crave faster CPU performance it makes a worthy alternative for the budget conscious. The Palm Treo 750v on Cingular should be announced in the next few weeks, extending Cingular’s 3G Windows Mobile Pocket PC phone offerings. Which to get? If you’re a heavy PDA user, the 8525 wins. If you prefer a one-handed phone centric device, the Treo may be worth the wait.” Link.

PDAStreet has a review of the Cingular 8525 and writes, “Sliding the 8525’s screen over to the right reveals a QWERTY keyboard underneath. The keys are large but also tightly spaced, so it may take a bit of practice to avoid mistypes. Since there’s no dedicated numeric keypad you dial using the on-screen keypad, and we did find its buttons a bit small. (The 8525 also offers voice-activated speed dialing.) … On one hand, the 8525 is chunky and it’s not cheap. On the other, it’s got just about everything you could ask for in a smartphone, save the svelte footprint and bargain price tag. True road warriors - for whom productivity trounces trendy and thin - will find much to like in the Cingular 8525.” Link.

MobileBurn has a review of the Cingular 8525 and writes, “While the Cingular 8525 is a solid performer in most regards, it fails to show any real greatness. It has a good display, a good keyboard, and great connectivity options and data rates. But it is also very bulky, quite heavy, and more than a bit cumbersome to use at times. In short, this is not what I consider to be a good mainstream consumer device. For such users I would recommend a Windows Mobile Smartphone device, or even a Pocket PC like the i-mate JAQ3, with its Q-like (though bigger and heavier) form factor. But if you are a real power user and need solid connectivity and the ability to create and edit real documents from your mobile phone, then the Cingular 8525 is probably a darn fine choice for you - even if it wouldn’t be for most people. I give it a “Recommended” rating.” Link.

Brighthand has a review of the Cingular 8525 and writes, “While it would have been nice to see some slightly flashier upgrades for the price, such as more memory, or an improved screen, the 8525 delivers in two critical areas–wireless performance and speed. The addition of 3G support is unlikely to single-handedly woo many users of the HTC Wizard, save for those to whom Internet speed is absolutely critical. But for others, it’s a distinct step up from its predecessor. Though not without fault, the 8525 is a model of what makes a good data device: solid performance, exhaustive wireless options, and a reliable design.” Link.