REDMOND, Wash., and BRISBANE, Calif., Jan. 6, 2003 — Microsoft Corp. and Hitachi Ltd., a leading global electronics company, today unveiled the Hitachi Multimedia Communicator Pocket PC, Hitachi’s first Windows® Powered device and the first Pocket PC to feature an integrated camera, keyboard and phone feature all in one mobile device. The Multimedia Communicator combines the comprehensive functionalities of a Pocket PC, with the high-speed enhanced Sprint Nationwide PCS Network to deliver the ability to take pictures, provide comfortable text input for e-mails with a built-in keyboard, place and receive phone calls, and browse the Web. Based on the new Microsoft®
Windows Powered Pocket PC Phone Edition software for CDMA networks, the Multimedia Communicator is expected to be available in the first half of 2003 only from Sprint.
“The unique combination of consumer capabilities in the Multimedia Communicator Pocket PC represents the culmination of Hitachi’s advanced research and development efforts and Microsoft’s powerful Pocket PC software,”
said Shigeru Matsuoka, general manager of the Mobile Information and Communication Appliance Division in the Ubiquitous Platforms Systems Group at Hitachi Ltd.
“Were thrilled to be working with Microsoft and Sprint in this product category and believe customers will find this product highly functional and an appropriate solution to todays need for total portability and convenience. The introduction of Hitachis first Pocket PC complements our global focus on providing our customers with innovative products for which Hitachi is known.”
“Hitachi has taken a great software platform and expanded it with compelling consumer features such as the camera and built-in keyboard,”
said Juha Christensen, corporate vice president of the Mobile Devices Division at Microsoft.
“We’re delighted to welcome Hitachi as a Pocket PC partner.”
“The new Hitachi Pocket PC device is planned to not only deliver Sprint customers high-speed, wireless access to corporate data and the Internet, but provide the necessary built-in tools and device features — such as a keyboard and camera — to quickly and easily take action. A smart device, such as the Hitachi Pocket PC device, is just one tool in the suite of solutions offered through the PCS Clear Wireless Workplace that helps ensure that mobile professionals who use Sprint service are more productive and given an advantage in the ever-increasingly competitive world of business,”
said John Garcia, senior vice president of sales and distribution for the PCS division of Sprint.
Hitachi is working closely with mobile operators toward not only retail availability but also enterprise availability of the Hitachi Multimedia Communicator in the United States. The Multimedia Communicator is planned to offer Microsoft Pocket PC Phone Edition software that includes Pocket Outlook®
(contacts, calendar, inbox), pocket versions of Microsoft Word and Excel, Pocket Internet Explorer browser software, Windows Media (TM) Player, phone dialer and more such as an XScale 400MHz processor, full-color TFT screen, camera, QWERTY keyboard and a replaceable battery.
About Hitachi
Hitachi Ltd. (NYSE
“HIT”
), headquartered in Tokyo, is a leading global electronics company, with approximately 320,000 employees worldwide. Fiscal 2001 (ended March 31, 2002) consolidated sales totaled 7,994 billion yen ($60.1 billion (U.S.)). The company offers a wide range of systems, products and services in market sectors, including information systems, electronic devices, power and industrial systems, consumer products, materials and financial services. More information on Hitachi can be found at the company’s Web site at http://global.hitachi.com/ or http://www.hitachi.com/.
About Sprint
Sprint (NYSE: FON, PCS) is a global communications company serving more than 26 million business and residential customers in over 70 countries. With approximately 75,000 employees worldwide and more than $26 billion in annual revenues, Sprint is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying state-of-the-art network technologies, including the United States’ first nationwide all-digital, fiber-optic network and Sprint’s award-winning Tier 1 Internet backbone. Sprint provides local voice and data services in 18 states and operates the largest 100 percent digital, nationwide PCS wireless network in the United States.
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, Windows, Outlook and Windows Media are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
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