Cingular has announced the availability of the first UMTS/HSDPA enabled Windows Smartphone in North America in the form of the Cingular 8525 (we had incorrectly identified the 8525 as being out already last month but it wasn’t folks). The 8525 is a Windows Mobile 5.0 powered smartphone featuring support for the 3G UMTS/HSDPA standard.

For Cingular users, they’ll be able to access Cingular’s BroadbandConnect service which is based on UMTS/HSDPA. BroadbandConnect is currently available in 134 markets within the US. You’ll get download speeds between 400-700 Kbps and upload speeds of 384 Kbps. Not bad but still far shy of speeds within Verizon and Sprint networks.

Specs on the Cingular 8525 include:

  • Windows Mobile 5.0 OS
  • Includes Messaging and Security Feature Pack for Windows Mobile 5.0 which includes Direct Push Technology
  • Built by HTC
  • 802.11 b/g support
  • Bluetooth 2.0 support
  • Infrared support
  • QWERTY backlit slider keyboard
  • 2 megapixel digital camera
  • microSD card support

The Cingular 8525 will debut with TeleNav GPS Navigator which will provide users with turn by turn voice and on screen directions. You’ll need to purchase a separate Bluetooth GPS receiver and a subscription service to TeleNav GPS Navigator service though.

The Cingular 8525 will be available exclusively through Cingular and will be sold starting on Thursday November 16th for a price of $399.99.

Meanwhile,  two new reviews have surfaced on the net for the Cingular 8525 Windows Smartphone.

The first review is from the folks at LaptopMag here. The verdict from them is:

At $399, the 8525 is considerably more expensive than other Cingular smart phones, such as the Nokia E62 ($149 with rebate) and the Treo 600 or 8125 (both $249). Still, the faster HSDPA connection—when you’re within coverage—large keyboard and display, flexible Bluetooth profiles, and more robust software make the 8525 a top-flight PDA phone.

 

The second review is from PC Magazine here. Their verdict on the phone is as follows:

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.

[Check out the LaptopMag review]

[Check out the PC Magazine review]

 

 

Cingular 8525 Rides Wireless Speedway

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 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.

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 ALLOVERâ„¢ 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

CONTACT: John Kampfe of Cingular Wireless, +1-973-637-9387, wireless,
+1-908-432-3473

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