CANNES, France, and NEW YORK, Feb. 19, 2001 — Today at the 3GSM World Congress and Internet World Wireless, Mitsubishi Electric Corp. and Microsoft Corp. announced that Mitsubishi Electric has licensed and plans to develop next-generation phones based on Microsoft’s smart phone platform, currently code-named
“Stinger.” Microsoft® smart phone software sets a new standard for the form factor and functionality of smart phones, enabling a richer user experience for new data services that are optimized through 2.5G and 3G broadband wireless networks, including secure corporate and Web access, access to e-mail, and continually updated personal information manager (PIM) information. Following the success of its Mondo voice-enabled Pocket PC, Mitsubishi Electric plans to release smart phones running Microsoft’s smart phone platform under the Trium phone brand in late 2001 for GSM and GPRS networks.
“We looked at many options to power our future Trium smart phones and believe Microsoft’s smart phone software is the best choice to help us build the great phones we’re known for coupled with functionality that can’t be matched — from Microsoft’s mobility services and Mobile Outlook® capabilities to WAP services and secure Web access,”
said Yasuhide Iwata, president director general, Mitsubishi Electric Telecom Europe (Trium).
“We’re thrilled to be working with Microsoft and look forward to bringing innovative smart phone solutions to market together.”
“Microsoft is excited to be working with Trium to bring next-generation smart phones to market based on our ‘Stinger’ platform,”
said Ben Waldman, vice president of the Mobile Devices Division at Microsoft.
“Microsoft’s vision is to enable our customers to access their information any time, anywhere and on any device — this announcement moves us closer to making this vision a reality.”
About Microsoft and Trium Solutions
Trium is working with Microsoft to bring two types of mobile devices to market: Trium smart phones based on Microsoft’s smart phone software and the Trium Mondo, a voice-enabled personal digital assistant based on the Microsoft Pocket PC platform. The Trium Mondo is currently shipping in Europe, with Trium smart phone solutions coming to market later this year.
About Microsoft Phone Platforms
Microsoft is delivering software to handset manufacturers and mobile operators for two phone solutions. Microsoft Mobile Explorer™
technology provides a lightweight microbrowser-based solution for mobile phones offering online services. The Microsoft smart phone platform, code-named
“Stinger,” is built on a version of the Microsoft Windows® CE 3.0 operating system specifically optimized for mobile phones to extend battery life and reduce memory requirements.
About Mitsubishi Electric Telecom Europe
In Europe, Mitsubishi Electric Corp.’s telecommunications business is handled by Mitsubishi Electric Telecom Europe (METE). METE is responsible for the manufacture, research, development, design and marketing of all mobile handsets and accessories, which are sold under the brand name Trium. METE’s research and development center is one of the world’s most advanced, dedicated to developing GSM and 3G/UMTS technology.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software — any time, any place and on any device.
Microsoft, Outlook, Mobile Explorer and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
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