T-Mobile picks up Pocket PC device
The wireless carrier is selling a device that uses Microsoft's Pocket PC Phone Edition software, becoming the first in the United States to do so.
T-Mobile's Pocket PC Phone Edition combines cell phone and organizer features as well as voice and data capabilities, which will let customers wirelessly surf the Web and send and receive e-mail. The device will cost $550, but T-Mobile is offering a $50 rebate on the device for the next 45 days for subscribers who agree to a one-year service contract. The device runs on T-Mobile's GSM (global system for mobile communications) and GPRS (general packet radio service) wireless networks.
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T-Mobile's device is the first device available in the United States to use Microsoft's Pocket PC Phone Edition software. Hewlett-Packard announced last week that it will sell a device using the Phone Edition software in Europe that runs on wireless carrier Vodaphone's network. The British wireless carrier mmO2 has also said that its XDA handheld, made by Taiwan's HTC, will also use Phone Edition software. T- T-Mobile's Pocket PC Phone Edition is the same HTC-made device.
The Phone Edition software, unveiled in February, was also part of Wednesday's wireless alliance deal between Microsoft and AT&T. Microsoft has been promoting wireless initiatives both inside and outside the company. The software giant announced a partnership with AT&T Wireless to promote and sell software and services to businesses. AT&T will also sell a device using the Phone Edition software.
T-Mobile is targeting the same business user that AT&T is looking to attract. T-Mobile's device will allow owners to synchronize e-mail, contacts and appointments with their desktop PCs.
The Bellevue, Wash.-based T-Mobile USA is part of T-Mobile International, a subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom. The company is also known as VoiceStream in parts of the United States. It has renamed itself T-Mobile in mid-July in California and Nevada and opened retail stores using the T-Mobile name. It plans to rename all VoiceStream operations as T-Mobile in the next couple of months, spokesman Bryan Zidar said.