11-06-2006, 06:01 AM
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Executive Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 29,160
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Cingular Releases the 8525 with Blazing UMTS/HSDPA
Cingular has officially announced the 8525, which is a re-branded HTC Hermes. Full press release below, along with some official high-resolution images.
[click image above for full-resolution image]
ATLANTA, NOV. 6, 2006 � 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 Navigator� 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, www.cingular.com, and through Cingular�s B2B direct sales team. For more information, please go to www.cingular.com/8525.
[click image above for full-resolution image]
[click image above for full-resolution image]
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11-06-2006, 06:59 AM
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Oracle
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 899
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Oh wow, after all the waiting (and the insane activity on HoFo Cingular PDA threads), PPC Thoughts got the scoop on the official announcement 
This is great, I'll be looking to buy it Nov 16!
Edit: Assuming $399 is with a new 2-yr activation, does anyone know the 2-yr upgrade price, and unsubsidized price? Will Cingular offer any additional discounts (via MIR?) as a launch promotion? Will 3rd-party resellers also get the 8525 right away and be able to sell it cheaper than Cingular?
Will any 8525 subsidy require adding a Cingular PDA/Data Connect service ($40-45/month for unlimited usage) to your voice plan? Or can you stick with a MEdia Net bundle (ie. MEdia Max unlimited data as low as $20/month)?
If you do want to tether the 8525 to your laptop once in awhile, would you need to add the more expensive Laptop Connect service ($60/month for unlimited usage) to your voice plan? Or can you stick with PDA/Data Connect service?
P.S. The http://www.cingular.com/8525 link is not working yet... (The previous 8525 page on Cingular Business Center is also not working anymore.)
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11-06-2006, 03:20 PM
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Pupil
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 19
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Upgrade via amazon...
When you purchase Cingulair phones through amazon, it looks like they give you the option to designate yourself as an existing customer. It seems like you get any "new customer" benefits by agreeing to extend your current contract for an additional 2 years.
I'm not sure if the 8525 is there yet.
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11-06-2006, 03:36 PM
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Neophyte
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 4
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by beq
Edit: Assuming $399 is with a new 2-yr activation, does anyone know the 2-yr upgrade price, and unsubsidized price? Will Cingular offer any additional discounts (via MIR?) as a launch promotion? Will 3rd-party resellers also get the 8525 right away and be able to sell it cheaper than Cingular?
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I still think they are extremely overpriced, I mean doesn't sprint offer the same speed for way much less price? correct me if I am wrong
***long quote trimmed down by moderator JD***
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11-06-2006, 05:11 PM
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Executive Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 29,160
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by beq
Oh wow, after all the waiting (and the insane activity on HoFo Cingular PDA threads), PPC Thoughts got the scoop on the official announcement |
What can I say, sometimes we get it right. ;-) [it helps having a wonderful person at Microsoft who thinks of us when Cingular does not]
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11-06-2006, 06:17 PM
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Philosopher
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 533
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So it comes with GPS software, but no integrated GPS antenna, correct? Does it determine position via cell towers, or does it assume you'll supply a gps reciever?
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11-06-2006, 07:23 PM
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Oracle
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 899
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The TeleNav GPS Navigator is an extra $10/month (for unlimited use) service that you would need to add to your Cingular plan. You do need a separate GPS receiver as the 8525 has no built-in GPS (nor "Assisted GPS" functionality as with some CDMA phones).
For the subscription cost, they will transmit the moving maps that you need from their central server (they update their maps regularly). So you won't have to bother with storing and updating your own maps. You would also need a Cingular data service (GPRS/EDGE/UMTS/HSDPA) for the data transfers.
P.S. The two major map suppliers are TeleNav and Navteq (who supply the maps to everyone like TomTom, Garmin, Google Maps, etc).
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11-06-2006, 08:02 PM
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Pontificator
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,466
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Too late for me, I ordered an HTC Excalibur. The TyTN/8525 looks extremely lust worthy on paper, but the otherwise bulky design and side-sliding keyboard is turn-off for me. If only more ODMs offered Excalibure and Moto Q like form factors running WM PPC phone edition. :cry:
Off-topic: Does anyone else find it completely bizarre that Cingular forces handset vendors like Palm and Nokia to remove WiFi radios from their products, ala Treo 750 and Nokia E62, and yet they offer in house products with WiFi? This makes no sense to me, unless they've found a way to somehow cripple their WiFi so in cannot be utilized for VOIP.
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11-06-2006, 08:12 PM
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Neophyte
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 4
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Foo Fighter
If only more ODMs offered Excalibure and Moto Q like form factors running WM PPC phone edition. :cry:
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I hear you, this on CDMA plus faster Processor would be a perfect device for me
http://i.expansys.com/i/b/b139977.jpg
***embedded image converted to link by mod JD. please don't embed huge images, just give people an URL to click on, thanks.***
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11-06-2006, 11:29 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 60
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$399 isn't that bad. I was gonna purchase the JasJam (which is the exact same thing except no front camera) off of ebay for about $850... half price is woth giving up the camera. hopefully I can get by with the medianet and not be forced to switching to the pda data package.
but i'm heading overseas for the holidays so i'll probably trade the 8525 in for a JasJam in Dubai.
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