Microsoft and AT&T to launch Pocket PC Phones?

[Ed Hansberry]

<a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=2518">http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=2518</a><br /><br />Microsoft and AT&amp;T Wireless are expected to announce a deal Wednesday to sell a variety of wireless software and services. Also expected is a Pocket PC 2002 Phone Edition, made by HTC, the makers of the iPAQ and O2 XDA. It will probably be the subject of this <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2002/jul02/07-30WirelessConferenceMA.asp">conference call with Steve Ballmer</a>.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/hansberry/2002/20020731-attwireless.jpg" /><br /><br />That makes AT&amp;T Wireless, T-Mobile (VoiceStream), Sprint PCS and Verizon deals that are ready to go, plus the Samsung device. That is called the "Big Mo." Source: Foo Fighter.

[Mobile Bob]

I just called T-Mobile (VoiceStream) and they told me that they would be able to take my order for their Pocket PC Phone today (T-Mobile XDA ?) :D , but not until sometime this afternoon.

[kagayaki1]

These talks are likely preliminary for a possible T-Mobile and AT&amp;T Wireless merger. The closer your technologies are, the easier it is to merge.

They should do it anyways. Living in the Seattle area, where AT&amp;T tested their new GPRS network with Voicestream-like phones, I can tell you AT&amp;T has a long ways to go in their internal billing department. It takes an hour or two just to get a GPRS phone set up, and their CDMA and GPRS departments are seperated. Voicestream at least has a system in place already.

With CDMA moving out the door, look for this merger to possibly complete. As they say, it would be "mutually beneficial" and "a good fit" &lt;thumbs up, Bill Clinton style>

Thanks for the info the XDA, Mobile Bob. I'll make a phone call to verify.

[Mobile Bob]

I just ordered mine, but they would not let me do it over the phone; I had to order online.

To order, go to the Voicestream web page (not the T-Mobile page). From the home page, instead of clicking on the picture of the Pocket PC, click on the link to the Online Store in the upper right corner of the home page. After selecting your city and state in Step No. 1, select the 3rd radio button option (Wireless Internet) in Step No. 2 and click go. On the next page you'll be able to select the Pocket PC Phone.

A little more expensive than what I would like ($549), but I just had to take the plunge; i've been looking forward to being a "one device guy". :D

p.s. Sorry about the thread detour Ed. I thought some of our members would want this info, and this look like as good a place as any.

[lmtuxinc]

What is Sprint's deal with microsoft ?

[David C]

Sprint will come out with an Audiovox/Toshiba Pocket PC Phone device sometime soom.