Cingular Makes the Audiovox SMT 5600 Official

[Mike Temporale]

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/050504/sfw055.html?.v=8

Last week we got word that the SMT5600 had resurfaced on the Cingular network, but even with all of you looking for it, we just could not find it. The one thing that bothered me the most since that announcement was the lack of a press release. I have checked the Cingular press site everyday since, and there is still no mention of it. Finally, the press release has been found! It was issued at 9:00am EST this morning. There is no mention of when the phone will be in stores, but it does confirm the $199.99 price, and the features have not changed. From Bluetooth, to Windows Media Player, to Tri-Band, to embedded camera, it's all the same. It appears the only difference will be the branding on the phone. You can now expect the Audiovox to sport the cool Cingular logo. Here's a short clip from the press release.

"Cingular Wireless, the largest wireless carrier in the United States, and UTStarcom Personal Communications Division (formerly Audiovox Communications Corp.), a division of UTStarcom, Inc., today announced the availability of the Audiovox SMT 5600 Smartphone to all Cingular Wireless customers. ..."The Audiovox SMT 5600 continues to be widely popular and we are happy that Cingular Wireless' customers will now have access to this state-of-the-art, award-winning handset," said Philip Christopher, president, UTStarcom Personal Communications Division."

[Mike Temporale]

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/050504/sfw055.html?.v=8

Last week we got word that the SMT5600 had resurfaced on the Cingular network, but even with all of you looking for it, we just could not find it. The one thing that bothered me the most since that announcement was the lack of a press release. I have checked the Cingular press site everyday since, and there is still no mention of it. Finally, the press release has been found! It was issued at 9:00am EST this morning. There is no mention of when the phone will be in stores, but it does confirm the $199.99 price, and the features have not changed. From Bluetooth, to Windows Media Player, to Tri-Band, to embedded camera, it's all the same. It appears the only difference will be the branding on the phone. You can now expect the Audiovox to sport the cool Cingular logo. Here's a short clip from the press release.

"Cingular Wireless, the largest wireless carrier in the United States, and UTStarcom Personal Communications Division (formerly Audiovox Communications Corp.), a division of UTStarcom, Inc., today announced the availability of the Audiovox SMT 5600 Smartphone to all Cingular Wireless customers. ..."The Audiovox SMT 5600 continues to be widely popular and we are happy that Cingular Wireless' customers will now have access to this state-of-the-art, award-winning handset," said Philip Christopher, president, UTStarcom Personal Communications Division."

[Jerry Raia]

This is almost too late. Especially if the phone can't be upgraded to the upcoming new version of Windows Mobile. Does anyone know if it can be?

[Mike Temporale]

Originally Posted by Jerry Raia

This is almost too late. Especially if the phone can't be upgraded to the upcoming new version of Windows Mobile. Does anyone know if it can be?

Technically, any Smartphone can be upgrade. The question is, will they release the upgrade? And my guess is no.

As for being too late, I don't think so. Magneto is expected to be released soon, but I don't expect to see any phones running it for a number of months yet. Last year WM 2003SE was released in March and we didn't see any phones until the fall. :?

[Jerry Raia]

Originally Posted by Mike Temporale

Technically, any Smartphone can be upgrade. The question is, will they release the upgrade? And my guess is no.

As for being too late, I don't think so. Magneto is expected to be released soon, but I don't expect to see any phones running it for a number of months yet. Last year WM 2003SE was released in March and we didn't see any phones until the fall. :?

I remember there were some Pocket PC's that couldn't upgrade because they didn't have enough flash ROM to go from 2002 to 2003. For a few months I might hold out instead of buying 2 new phones.....

Ok who am I kidding? Curse them for making me buy all these phones!
:crazyeyes:

[David McNamee]

Originally Posted by Mike Temporale

Last year WM 2003SE was released in March and we didn't see any phones until the fall. :?

And the the North American carriers didn't exactly trip over each other racing to get the phones out, did they?

[Ed Hansberry]

[possmann]

well that is the icing on thye cake to switch to Cing from Tmo. I don't see anythingcoming from Tmo in the next several months so it's off to Cing I go.

I agree about the upgrade and magneto comment - it's going to be at least a year before we see any new hardware (here in the US) that has magneto on it so I know I can live that long with this fine little device - finally - sigh...

[Mike Temporale]

Originally Posted by possmann

I know I can live that long with this fine little device - finally - sigh...

It's been a long wait for you. I hope you'll find that it was worth it.

[Jerry Raia]

I just bought one at a Corporate Cingular store in Thousand Oaks CA. They told me hey had 4 left. The devil made me do it I tell ya!!!

What a nice phone this is. Excuse me while I do a dance on my MPx220.
:grinning devil:

[Mike Temporale]

Originally Posted by Jerry Raia

I just bought one at a Corporate Cingular store in Thousand Oaks CA. They told me hey had 4 left. The devil made me do it I tell ya!!!

What a nice phone this is. Excuse me while I do a dance on my MPx220.
:grinning devil:

Wow Jerry! This is unexpected. As much as you hated the MPx220, I didn't see you running out and buying anything else. I'm a little shocked and surprised. 8) :wink: