LAS VEGAS — Jan. 4, 2006 — Uniden America Corporation, a leading manufacturer of wireless consumer electronics, and Microsoft Corp. today announced an alliance in North America to deliver a digital cordless phone that serves as a traditional landline phone and takes calling to the next level by also enabling customers to make and receive Internet calls via the upcoming Windows Live™ Messenger phone. The WIN 1200, a 5.8GHz digital cordless phone, integrates Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephony with a landline, enabling consumers to experience next-generation technology throughout the home while providing an easy-to-use and convenient way to stay connected. With the WIN 1200, customers will have three calling choices with the solution: free PC-to-PC calling through Windows Live Messenger allowing users to place and receive voice calls*; MCI Web Calling offering Windows Live Messenger users a low-cost PC-to-phone outbound calling option; and traditional landline phone service.**
As a hardware extension to the Windows Live Messenger service, the WIN 1200 displays the Messenger contact list allowing customers to see their friends’ online status and Messenger icon when logged into the service from virtually anywhere in the house and place calls to those contacts. This ability to notify a Windows Live Messenger user when another user is connected to the network and capable of receiving communication through the Messenger interface is known as presence technology. The WIN 1200 now extends the reach of presence technology by delivering notification options on the cordless handset, which can be used throughout the home or office, and eliminates the need for consumers to remain attached to their computer for communication.
“Together with Microsoft, Uniden is paving the way to deliver a cutting-edge communications product with presence technology,” said Rich Tosi, president of Uniden America Corporation. “The integrated WIN 1200 will continue to raise the bar in voice communications by allowing VoIP and a traditional landline to co-exist, expanding a variety of telephony options to consumers in a single unit.”
“This alliance will unlock the world of VoIP communications to a broader demographic of users,” said Blake Irving, corporate vice president of the MSN Communication Services and Member Platform group at Microsoft. “Rounding out software and services with great devices is a key pillar of Windows Live, and the Uniden WIN 1o200 and Windows Live Messenger makes advanced voice technology feel familiar.”
Using the Uniden WIN 1200 (MSRP: $99.99), Windows Live Messenger users will also be able to place 3-way Internet conference calls. The WIN 1200 easily connects to the PC via a USB cord and includes integri.sound™ for life-like audio, a handset speakerphone, a full color LCD screen, the ability to download the Messenger contact list to the handset phonebook, and a user-friendly interface with soft key menu options and joystick navigation. Windows Live Messenger, the upcoming successor to MSN® Messenger, which has more than 200 million active accounts around the world, is currently in limited beta and expected to be more broadly available later this year. Interested parties can learn more about Windows Live Messenger at http://ideas.live.com.
About Uniden
Uniden America Corporation, the North American subsidiary of Japan-based Uniden Corporation, manufactures and markets wireless consumer electronic products including cordless telephones, business telecommunications systems, networking and data products, Bearcat® scanners, FRS/GMRS radios, marine radios and other wireless personal communications products. Based in Fort Worth, Texas, Uniden sells its products through dealers and distributors throughout North, Central and South America.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
* PC-to-PC calling requires high-speed Internet access.
** Fee subject to customer’s LAN line service provider charges. This phone can also serve as a landline phone for customers that choose not to use Windows Live Messenger or the VoIP capabilities.
Microsoft, Windows Live and MSN 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.
Note to editors: If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass on Microsoft’s corporate information pages. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may since have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft’s Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/contactpr.mspx.
