Official Press Release: Audiovox SMT5600 On AT&T Wireless

[Mike Temporale]

<i>"Today at the Windows® XP Experience More event, Microsoft Corp. and Audiovox Communications Corp., a majority-owned subsidiary of Audiovox Corp., and AT&amp;T Wireless introduced the smallest Microsoft® Windows Mobile™-based Smartphone in North America — the Audiovox SMT5600. The Audiovox SMT5600 includes the Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition software for Smartphones and is the first Windows-Mobile-based Smartphone featuring Windows Media® Player 10 Mobile, providing a rich new media experience that enables the seamless transfer of media from a PC running Windows XP. AT&amp;T Wireless is offering the Audiovox SMT5600 starting today for $199.99 (U.S.) after rebates with a two-year voice and data service contract."</i><a href="http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/images/Temporale-20041012-SMT5600AWSFromRightFront.jpg"><img src="http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/images/Temporale-20041012-SMT5600AWSFromRightFrontSmall.jpg" alt="User submitted image" title="User submitted image"/></a><a href="http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/images/Temporale-20041012-SMT5600FromRightBack.jpg"><img src="http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/images/Temporale-20041012-SMT5600FromRightBackSmall.jpg" alt="User submitted image" title="User submitted image"/></a><i>Click on the above images for a higher resolution version</i>Yes, you read that right, Windows Media Player 10 is included along with all the other amazing features of the SMT5600, for the low price of $199.99. 8O Anyone interested in changing their vote in <a href="http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=6450&amp;highlight=">yesterdays new device poll</a> now?Read on for the full press release. :D <!> LOS ANGELES — Oct. 12, 2004 — Today at the Windows® XP Experience More event, Microsoft Corp. and Audiovox Communications Corp., a majority-owned subsidiary of Audiovox Corp., and AT&amp;T Wireless introduced the smallest Microsoft® Windows Mobile™-based Smartphone in North America — the Audiovox SMT5600. The Audiovox SMT5600 includes the Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition software for Smartphones and is the first Windows-Mobile-based Smartphone featuring Windows Media® Player 10 Mobile, providing a rich new media experience that enables the seamless transfer of media from a PC running Windows XP. AT&amp;T Wireless is offering the Audiovox SMT5600 starting today for $199.99 (U.S.) after rebates with a two-year voice and data service contract.Powered by the Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition software, the new Audiovox SMT5600 will allow AT&amp;T Wireless customers to take the familiarity of Microsoft Office and Outlook® features with them while on the move. With the latest in personal information management (PIM) functionality, such as over-the-air access to Outlook Calendar, Inbox, and Contacts, phone users can easily transfer their most important information to their mobile phone. In addition, AT&amp;T Wireless customers will be able to receive access to corporate e-mail on the Audiovox SMT5600 through Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 and third-party middleware providers. “The Audiovox SMT5600 with Windows Mobile software provides a dynamic solution for consumers who need to remain connected — from the busy mobile professional to parents who are constantly juggling hectic schedules. This is a device that can match any consumer’s needs,” said Philip Christopher, president and CEO of Audiovox Communications. “With the introduction of the Audiovox SMT5600, we have once again shown the power of innovative hardware combined with powerful and flexible software.”“We expect the compact design and advanced capabilities of the new Audiovox SMT5600 to prove extremely popular with mobile professional and businesses looking for access to critical business and personal information such as e-mail, instant messaging, text messaging and corporate applications,” said Abhi Ingle, vice president of business data solutions at AT&amp;T Wireless. “Today’s busy professionals are demanding more from their devices and are looking for the right combination of connectivity and entertainment functionality,” said Suzan DelBene, corporate vice president of marketing for the Mobile and Embedded Devices Division at Microsoft. “The new Audiovox SMT5600 delivers a great mobile phone experience, combining the dynamic Windows Mobile software with a small, innovative handset.”In addition to its productivity-focused features, the Audiovox SMT5600 also provides users with a rich mobile multimedia experience through the following features:<ul><li>Advanced and unprecedented out-of-the-box multimedia features. The new Windows Media Player 10 Mobile provides leading-edge audio and video playback experiences with support for secure content, album art, playlists and more. Also, with the AT&amp;T Wireless mMode™ Music Store, customers can discover, browse, listen to and purchase digital music tracks from a library of approximately 750,000 songs — all right from the handset. Built in cooperation with Loudeye Corp. and Microsoft, the mobile music store is seamlessly integrated with the PC, so digital music tracks are downloaded to users’ Windows-based PCs and billed automatically to their monthly AT&amp;T Wireless statement or credit card.<li> First Windows Mobile-based smartphone with integrated camera in the United States. The Audiovox SMT5600 features the CMOS VGA digital camera with low-light capabilities, 4x digital zoom and camcorder functionality.<li> Seamless communications. The Audiovox SMT5600 includes pocket versions of Microsoft Outlook, Internet Explorer and MSN® Messenger, as well as speakerphone and conference calling functionalities.<li> Versatile mobility. The Audiovox SMT5600 is enabled for Bluetooth® and infrared support, and is a tri-band (GSM 850/1800/1900) phone, which makes it a truly global phone.</ul>With Windows Media Player 10 Mobile, SMT5600 users can automatically sync media content easily with a Windows XP PC, transfer album art or playlists, and take advantage of new digital music scenarios powered by Windows Media Digital Rights Management 10. These scenarios include the transfer of purchased music from services such as MSN Music, Musicmatch, MusicNow and Wal-Mart Music Downloads, along with the ability to transfer subscription content from services such as Napster. The SMT5600 also is the first mobile phone to be certified under the PlaysForSure logo program, establishing that it is compatible with the widest variety of online services. And, weighing just 3.6 ounces, the SMT5600 proves that big things can come in small packages. More information is available at <a href="http://www.attwireless.com/smartphone">http://www.attwireless.com/smartphone</a>.

[Kris Kumar]

The URL at the tail end of the press release can prove useful.

http://www.attwireless.com/smartphone


Windows Media Player 10 8O This one definitely steals the thunder from the T-Mobile SDA Music Edition.

Since I am planning on buying the MPx220 or the SP3i, I guess I will be at the mercy of the carrier/manufacturer for the WM 10 update. :-(

[Mike Temporale]

Since I am planning on buying the MPx220 or the SP3i, I guess I will be at the mercy of the carrier/manufacturer for the WM 10 update. :-(

It's my understanding that WM 10 is not available as an update. It either comes on your phone, or it doesn't. There will be no downloads, patches, or updates for it. That's just my understanding. I could be wrong.

[Mr.Phil]

From my understanding, Media Player 10 comes as part of WM2003 Second Edition. If an upgrade to WM2003SE will be offered for your phone (and trust me, its well worth it :D ) you should get Media player 10 with it.

[Kris Kumar]

I feel that Microsoft would force the carriers/manufacturers to release the WM 10 update. (much to the carrier's dislike).

Reason: WM 10 has the latest DRM technology, which I feel Microsoft needs for the success of MSN Music and its online music business strategy. My 2 cents.

I see this update similar to the MSN Messenger update that was released for mobile devices when MSN updated its authentication mechanism.

[encece]

From my understanding, Media Player 10 comes as part of WM2003 Second Edition. If an upgrade to WM2003SE will be offered for your phone (and trust me, its well worth it :D ) you should get Media player 10 with it.
Not 100% correct as the current C500 with SE does not include it. So probably SE devices this point forward.

[Beowulf]

WMP 10 is a big asset to this phone. Its my understanding that the mpx220 has 2003 SE but only has WMP 9?

[possmann]

ok - I am slowly getting hooked - big thing is the WMP10 and that the SDA may not have that...

So where can I find out more technical details about this phone? I can't seem to find that on the ATT web site...

And does anyone know what T-mo USA is running for GSM? is it also 850 or 800?

[encece]

TMobile = 1900 as far as I know but they probably share 850 in some areas in California and the South.

Goto PDA phones on the ATT site.

[nikjones]

I have a C500, how do I find out if I have MWP10 - there is no "About" option.

What is the advantage of v.10 over v.9? I use my phone as an MP3 player in my car and frankly can't think of anything that I want it to do as an MP3 player that it doesn't already do.

Nik

[Bushrod]

I was able to add it to my cart with a 1 year plan at $199.99 and no rebates.

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[cmorris]

I have a C500, how do I find out if I have MWP10 - there is no "About" option.

What is the advantage of v.10 over v.9? I use my phone as an MP3 player in my car and frankly can't think of anything that I want it to do as an MP3 player that it doesn't already do.

You probably have WMP9 since WMP10 Mobile was just released today.

You can read about improvements here: http://www.winsupersite.com/reviews/wmp10_mobile.asp

In short:
Album Art support
Media library
Better desktop integration
Latest DRM support

[aristoBrat]

ok - I am slowly getting hooked - big thing is the WMP10 and that the SDA may not have that...
I'd be surprised if T-Mobile released the SDA Music without WMP10, esp since they probably get a % of the money you'll spend downloading music from your phone. :D

[jfreiman]

I just ordered mine (delivery on Thursday).

I got it for $149.99 after rebate, a 1-year (voice) plan and 1-year 'unlimited' internet.

San Francisco, Bay Area - if that makes any difference.

[me]

Still unhappy that most smartphones in the USA seem to come out on ATTW or its partner Cingular, while my carrier, T-Mobile USA is at this point very weak in that regard.

[aristoBrat]

Still unhappy that most smartphones in the USA seem to come out on ATTW or its partner Cingular, while my carrier, T-Mobile USA is at this point very weak in that regard.
Me too, although until last week, AT&T was the only US GSM carrier to have a Smartphone. Now they have 2 (three when the MPx220 offically goes on sale for them), and Cingular got its first one.

Hopefully after T-Mobile is done blitzing their new 7100t BlackBerry they'll release the two 5600-like Smartphones that they're selling in Germany -- the SDA and SDA Music...

[jfreiman]

I just ordered mine (delivery on Thursday).

I got it for $149.99 after rebate, a 1-year (voice) plan and 1-year 'unlimited' internet.

San Francisco, Bay Area - if that makes any difference.

Now my order is saying that it's shipping on or before Monday! :(

I guess I've waited this long, I can wait a little longer.

[possmann]

yeah - I'm gonna wait a bit for T-Mo USA to do something before I jump on this. I just have a hunch that they are going to do something in the next quarter - at least before May... Rather wait until then and save a couple hundred bucks seeing I'm already T-Mo customer.

[aristoBrat]

Rather wait until then and save a couple hundred bucks seeing I'm already T-Mo customer.
Same here... Save the money, and have a branded phone where everything is guaranteed to work (i.e. no weird MMS issues, etc).

[me]

Rather wait until then and save a couple hundred bucks seeing I'm already T-Mo customer.
Same here... Save the money, and have a branded phone where everything is guaranteed to work (i.e. no weird MMS issues, etc).

Also a big price difference, if your contract has run out like mine. For contract renewal one can get the same discounted price as a new customer.

Also, the T-Mo warranty replacement program is good, and of course that wouldn't work with a phone that isn't official for their system.

Of course one could get the discounted price by switching to ATT. I don't think it would be a good idea to switch carriers just to get a particular phone though. Of course, if one does research and finds that one would just as well switch to ATT anyhow, that's a different story.

I'm ready to get a new phone, with Bluetooth, and am getting tired of waiting for T-Mo to offer a smartphone. Thinking of just getting the v600, while still using my PPC for a PDA. Well--I'll wait a little longer. It seems that many new convergent phone/PDA devices will be coming out in the next year. The problem is--as far as we know today, none seem to be coming out on T-Mobile USA. Perhaps if they start losing business as a result, T-Mo might change their mind about smartphones.

[jfreiman]

...
Of course one could get the discounted price by switching to ATT. I don't think it would be a good idea to switch carriers just to get a particular phone though. Of course, if one does research and finds that one would just as well switch to ATT anyhow, that's a different story.
...


Or if you are a Cingular user, you can change to ATT, get the discount and in a few months after ATT is absorbed into Cingular your back full circle. This way you can have your cake AND eat it too.

Also, I've checked out the pricing for T-Mobile, Cingular and ATT and all seem similar so what is the big difference? They are all GSM and in the (San Francisco) Bay Area, they share the same network.

[aristoBrat]

The problem is--as far as we know today, none seem to be coming out on T-Mobile USA. Perhaps if they start losing business as a result, T-Mo might change their mind about smartphones.
Then again, they just pulled the BlackBerry 7100t out of nowhere, and it's selling like hotcakes. ( If you've never seen it, check out http://www.blackberry.com/blackberry7100/ )

I'm going to give them a little bit longer. Then again, the only other GSM service I can switch to is SunCom, so there's not much I can do other than pay a lot more for another carriers phone. :D

[choo_choo]

yeah - I'm gonna wait a bit for T-Mo USA to do something before I jump on this. I just have a hunch that they are going to do something in the next quarter - at least before May... Rather wait until then and save a couple hundred bucks seeing I'm already T-Mo customer.

Since T-mobile Germany is shipping the SDA, which is the same phone as the Audiovox SMT5600, it's probably a good bet that it will appear stateside with T-Mobile USA later this year.

[possmann]

This year you say? Wow... I'm not that optimistic - I'm gonna go out on a limb and say by May they will have it here for us to purchase. Sigh - T-Mo has NEVER been bleeding edge release when it comes to the US (ok - except for the blackberry) but historically, their phones ain't all that great - certainly not to what they are in the EU. It's like tow totally different companies...

I'm stopping before I go on another rant.

[jfreiman]

I just ordered mine (delivery on Thursday).

I got it for $149.99 after rebate, a 1-year (voice) plan and 1-year 'unlimited' internet.

San Francisco, Bay Area - if that makes any difference.

Now my order is saying that it's shipping on or before Monday! :(

I guess I've waited this long, I can wait a little longer.

Well, it came in today and so far it's a really nice phone - almost more than I expected.

The ONE thing that's giving me a little trouble is the signal strength at my home - Cingular is strong, the ATT seems to come and go. :(

[aristoBrat]

I guess you'll have no problems after their merger then? ;)

[jfreiman]

I guess you'll have no problems after their merger then? ;)

Cross your fingers for me.