Jason Dunn
12-12-2002, 02:14 AM
It seems that HTC is having quite a bit of luck selling their hardware design to cell phone carriers - and to think that Compaq turned them down! If you're in Brazil, you're in luck - the Gradiente is coming soon.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/gradiente.jpg" /><br /><br />There's also a <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/brazilppc.jpg">high-resolution image of the device</a> for for your viewing pleasure. <br /><br />"Gradient is at the forefront of technological innovation and is now launching in Brazil the Gradiente Partner, the first hand-held PC with mobile phone, capable of offering a convergence of data, voice and high-speed internet access – essential tools for people who need mobility, agility and productivity in their daily lives.<br /><br />In order to allow this launching, Gradiente entered into a ground-breaking partnership with Microsoft to offer a user-friendly interface, provided by the Pocket PC Phone Edition operating system, totally adapted to Portuguese. The Pocket PC includes a mobile phone and access to wireless data, in addition to compact versions of products such as Microsoft Outlook, Internet Explorer, Word and Excel. The option for Microsoft resulted from the fact that the company is responsible for the most complete and best suited operating system for this line of equipment."<!><br /><br />"Extremely promising, the PDA market in Brazil jumped from 180 thousand units in 2001 to some 250 thousand in 2002, and should exceed 360 thousand units in 2003. The expectation is that this market will reach a total of 640 thousand units by 2005.<br /><br />The wireless data segment will account for some 60 thousand units in 2003. With the launching of the Partner, Gradiente has the goal of immediately taking the leadership, with a market share of 30%.<br /><br />The distribution channels of Gradiente Partner are the following: corporate market, mainly focused on large and medium-sized companies; retail chains; mobile telephony operators, and Web-based sales. Of these target audiences, the most significant one will be the corporate market, accounting for over 50% of sales.<br /><br />“The Gradiente Partner is a revolutionary product”, states Eugenio Staub, the president of the Gradiente Group. “Its launching in partnership with Microsoft is the first step for the company to start operating in the field of wireless data. This segment is still small, but I believe that it has a great growth potential, mainly in the corporate market. And with Gradiente Partner we will assume the leadership of this market”, Staub assures.<br /><br />“Mobile Internet, with devices such as the Pocket PC Phone Edition, will enable individuals and companies to realize their full potential. The mobile industry is a strategic priority for Microsoft and we have been investing strongly in creating truly innovative technologies for this market”, states Orlando Ayala, global vice-president of marketing, sales and services of Microsoft Corporation. “We are very excited about the partnership with Gradiente, a leading and visionary company which has a deep understanding of the desires and dreams of the Brazilian consumers”, he concludes.<br /><br />“Brazil is the first country in Latin America to receive this product. This is yet another demonstration of our commitment to Brazilian consumers and we are convinced that Gradiente Partner will be a winner on the market”, says Emilio Umeoka, president of Microsoft’s Brazilian subsidiary.<br /><br /><b>Integrated Mobile Phone</b><br /><br />Gradiente’s objective is to offer the market the most modern product best suited for user needs. To this effect, the company researched over two years the latest trends in technology until arriving at Gradiente Partner. “Our equipment is the only one that offers, in addition to the work tools, the option to speaking on the cellular phone without needing to use any other device or accessory”, points out Moris Arditti, vice president of development and new business of Gradiente.<br /><br />Compact, with a very modern design, Gradiente Partner uses GSM/GPRS technology and operates independently from the functions of the hand-held computer. This way the user can use software such as Word and Excel while at the same time making a phone call.<br /><br />All of these features transform the Gradiente Partner into an essential work tool for company executives, assuring significant productivity gains. With Partner, Gradiente consolidates its presence in the field of telecommunications, investing ever more in innovative projects to launch products on the Brazilian market which are in line with the company’s convergence strategy.<br /><br />Gradiente Partner will be manufactured in Brazil, with future plans for exportation to other Latin American countries.<br /><br /><b>Pre-sale campaign</b><br /><br />The launching of Gradiente Partner involves an investment of US$ 2 million in marketing. The campaign will be launched in the second half of December, with an ad for product pre-sale. Reservations can be made over the site <a href="www.gradiente.com">www.gradiente.com</a>, and the first batch of devices will be available on the market still in the first quarter of 2003, at a suggested price of R$ 4.599,00.<br /><br /><b>Pocket PC Phone Edition</b><br /><br />The Pocket PC Phone Edition is part of the mobility product family of Microsoft Corporation. The product is the most recent novelty in the category, combining the best features of a hand-held computer and a cell phone, with access to data without need for any wires. Clients can communicate via voice and text for access to personal and corporate information, allowing synchronism with their most important tasks.<br /><br />With compact versions of widely used Microsoft software, such as Outlook, Word, Excel, Internet Explorer, Windows Media and MSN Messenger, the product stores e-mails and essential information of the knowledge professional, such as an agenda, contacts, tasks, and notes. The Pocket Word and Pocket Excel are entirely compatible with the respective PC versions, and allow great personal productivity at any place, any time.<br /><br />The product is totally integrated with the Internet, allowing access to Web pages via Internet Explorer, instant communication via MSN Messenger, in addition to sending and receiving e-mails. With Windows Media, it is possible to listen to music or watch videos.<br /><br />The Pocket PC Phone Edition offers the convenience of a complete cell phone, with several advanced functions: call notice, user ID, customizable ring tones, vibration mode, integration with contacts of Pocket Outlook, possibility of making notes during each call, logging of all incoming and outgoing calls, conference call and speaker calls.<br /><br />The product is fully integrated with PCs and servers which operate with the Windows operating system, facilitating data integration. Furthermore, there are thousands of applications developed for Pocket PCs available on the Web, both for professional productivity and personal knowledge and entertainment.<br /><br />Microsoft and Gradiente will promote a series of partnering programs with software developers for the Gradiente Partner in Brazil.<br /><br /><b>Product features</b><br /><br />Gradiente Partner has a 32-bit Intel processor, Strong ARM AS 1110, 32 MB RAM with possibility of expansion with SD cards and Multi Media Card, voice encoding system FR/EFR, and Pocket Word, Pocket Excel, Pocket Internet Explorer, Pocket Outlook, MSN Messenger and Windows Media software.<br /><br />It allows fast and intelligent one-touch writing, with touch-screen writing recognition, dimensions of 72.7x17.8x129.0 mm, 201 g, embedded lithium polymer battery. It also has an MP3 player, digital recorder, high luminosity color screen, visualization of photos and films, electronic agenda and organizer.<br /><br />Upon purchasing the Gradiente Partner, the user gets a stand for synchronization of USB information with PC, a CD with software for synchronization with Windows, two touch screen pens, stereo head phones with microphone, an adapter and portable charger, manual and instruction guide.<br /><br /><b>Accessories</b><br /><br />Car battery recharger; external battery; USB cable for synchronism which simultaneously charges the battery; traditional size keyboard; small keyboard; head phone with attached microphone, button for receiving calls and noise-reducing circuit. Optical pencil, leather wallet-type cover with dividers for cards. Pouch type leather cover.<br /><br /><b>Gradiente Eletronica</b><br /><br />Gradiente has been operating on the Brazilian market of electro-electronic products since 1964. Over these years, it has attained a leading position as one of the major manufacturers in the industry and one of the preferred brands by consumers. With 1800 employees, headquarters in São Paulo and three plants in Manaus, the company makes products in the audio and video segments, telecommunications, IT, entertainment and electronic security.<br /><br /><b>Microsoft </b><br /><br />Microsoft Corporation is the world leader of software companies. The company annually invests US$ 5.2 billion in R&D, one of the biggest budgets in the world. The Brazilian subsidiary was inaugurated in September 1989, and over the past 13 years has grown to a workforce of 45 thousand people who, in one capacity or another, develop software, provide services, train and prepare professionals on the platform. These people are spread throughout 10 thousand Brazilian companies, generating a transfer of technology and professional qualification for the population. Just in the past 3 years, Microsoft Brasil has invested R$ 30 million in social projects in the country to disseminate technology among needy communities, in partnership with organizations such as CDI – Committee for IT Democratization, Ayrton Senna Institute and Projeto Aprendiz."