Cingular to Expand Windows Mobile Product Line

[Mike Temporale]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.localtechwire.com/article.cfm?u=10320' target='_blank'>http://www.localtechwire.com/article.cfm?u=10320</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Cingular and Microsoft will be rolling out new products together in 2005 to pack more personal computer features into so-called smartphones, the companies said late Wednesday night. ..."Our No. 1 goal is to maximize the wireless experience for our customers. We must provide customers with the best quality and coverage and most comprehensive mobility solutions in the country," said Jeff Bradley, vice president of business marketing for Cingular Wireless. "By delivering devices that combine the breadth and quality of our ‘Allover’ network with Windows Mobile software, we can offer customers a great everyday mobility experience.""</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/images/Temporale-20050112-Cingular.gif" alt="User submitted image" title="User submitted image"/><br /><br />This is great news! I think it's fair to say the Microsoft is starting to make a significant impact in this market. 2004 was a great year with lots of Windows Mobile Smartphone activity, and I think in 2005 it's only going to get better. 8)

[Jerry Raia]

I wonder what Verizon and other CDMA companies are planning on doing.

[Janak Parekh]

I wonder what Verizon and other CDMA companies are planning on doing.
I think Verizon has at least two Samsung devices in the pipeline: the i730 and i640, and the i730 is very very cool.

If anything, the one to "worry" about is T-Mobile. :?

--janak

[Jerry Raia]

Verizon just seems to be going along with this kicking and screaming while Cingular appears to have some enthusiasm for it.

[possmann]

Yes - grrrr - T-Mo and their lack of significant movement on these devices HERE IN THE USA is incredibly frustrating.

They have 2 of them over in the UK/Euro area and nothing to show for here - WHY? Can someone from T-Mobile please give me a non-marketing answer as to WHY?

Well - when Cingular gets a "Music" smartphone like the i-jam or SDA music onboard then I amy seriously think about ending my 5 year relationship with T-mo to hop the fence to a company that is more progressive... sigh

[PPCMD]

It will be interesting to see what Cingular offers us for WMSP and WMPC platforms. VzW puts too much effort into disabling their devices to make them worthwhile, it get very annoying.

Go Cingular Go.

[rzanology]

Yes - grrrr - T-Mo and their lack of significant movement on these devices HERE IN THE USA is incredibly frustrating.

They have 2 of them over in the UK/Euro area and nothing to show for here - WHY? Can someone from T-Mobile please give me a non-marketing answer as to WHY?

Well - when Cingular gets a "Music" smartphone like the i-jam or SDA music onboard then I amy seriously think about ending my 5 year relationship with T-mo to hop the fence to a company that is more progressive... sigh



I just jumped ship after 4 years with t-mobile. Being loyal really wasn't paying off for me. Now i have a mpx 220 that i love and a promising future for a geek on the go like me.


GO CINGULAR GO!!!!

[Kris Kumar]

They have 2 of them over in the UK/Euro area and nothing to show for here - WHY? Can someone from T-Mobile please give me a non-marketing answer as to WHY?

I don't work for T-Mobile and am in no way affiliated. :wink:

I think it is because they believe that the US market is interested in BlackBerries, Treos and Sidekicks. As for Windows Mobile, they think they have it covered because they have the much superior Pocket PC Phone Edition. :-(

[possmann]

You know, I agree with you Kris - I do think they (T-mo) is thinking blackberry and that is it... sigh. The style of marketing, selection of phones just gets me - it really is two different companies and I was so hoping that the Europe T-Mo would havily influence what the US T-mo did - apparently not. :roll:

[Jerry Raia]

BlackBerry's seem kinda primative to me.

[Kris Kumar]

In a way it is good that T-Mobile or carriers that are global player are identifying what the market likes the most and catering to that need. Hence I can understand the marketing rationale for two different product lines, especially when it comes to high end products, where the cost of acquiring these devices are high. They don't want to make mistakes.

[Kris Kumar]

BlackBerry's seem kinda primative to me.

I agree. Very limited. But they do one job. And they do it well. No doubt. Since they were the first comers, they have built up a brand name.

I remember Jason had posted an article a while back, about how the Japanese customers love change and US customers like to stick with the bulky but tried and tested. Something like that. I still cannot understand why the Wall Street loves RIM so much. But then they have numbers on their side. Microsoft doesnt.

[Ned]

I don't understand why anyone who actually uses their cell phone worries about T-Mobile in the US. Frankly, with their remarkably horrendous national coverage for voice and/or data at any price they're a non-factor.

[Jerry Raia]

BlackBerry's seem kinda primative to me.

I agree. Very limited. But they do one job. And they do it well. No doubt. Since they were the first comers, they have built up a brand name.

I remember Jason had posted an article a while back, about how the Japanese customers love change and US customers like to stick with the bulky but tried and tested. Something like that. I still cannot understand why the Wall Street loves RIM so much. But then they have numbers on their side. Microsoft doesnt.

I think you are right about that. I have to say though if I have to see another bunch of business people at the airport all checking their BlackBerry's at the same time I'm gonna :pukeface:

[Ned]

There's a reason they all check their T-Mobile RIMs at the airport. If you're not in a major business area of the city (NY &amp; LA excluded because they do have good service there) or on an important interstate they won't be able to get their messages outside of the airport. Let them get their messages at the airport, god bless them, because that's about it until they fly out to go home.

[Kris Kumar]

I think its more funny, when you see a Blue BlackBerry brick against their ears. :lol: (Same goes for the Pocket PC Phone Edition devices.) I would highly recommend them to use BT or wired headset.

[Ned]

Kris, you are certainly correct about that. I think I'll take a photo the next time I see it. It will be a great addition to an album of the absurd.