ATLANTA, DALLAS, and REDMOND, Wash. — Nov. 13, 2006 — Cingular Wireless, Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung) and Microsoft Corp. today unveiled the BlackJack™*, a robust, slim smart device packed with the power and functionality desired by business customers and consumers alike. With the BlackJack™ customers can get rich entertainment features, powerful business applications, and the familiar look and feel of Windows Mobile® 5.0, turbo-charged by Cingular’s 3G-enabled BroadbandConnect service on the sleekest design on the market.
The stylish and compact BlackJack™ will be available exclusively from Cingular in the U.S. in mid-November for as low as $199.99 (with a two-year activation and unlimited data plan). This ultra-thin 3G device features a full, integrated QWERTY keyboard with a large, high-resolution QVGA color screen.
Built to satisfy everyone from the music fan to the business user, BlackJack™ includes a bevy of cutting-edge features:
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MP3 player and access to Cingular Music™, the most comprehensive music subscription service of its kind ever offered by a U.S. wireless carrier, including access to online subscription music content from eMusic, Napster and Yahoo!
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Cingular Video, Cingular’s on-demand streaming video service featuring exclusive content such as HBO
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High-speed Internet browsing over Internet Explorer® Mobile optimized for Cingular’s 3G and EDGE networks
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1.3 megapixel digital camera with video capabilities
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Stereo BlueTooth® version 2.0
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QWERTY keyboard for fast e-mail and texting
In addition, the BlackJack™ provides users with easy wireless access to business and personal e-mail accounts through such solutions as Good Mobile Messaging, Microsoft® direct push technology with Outlook® Mobile and Cingular Xpress Mail. The BlackJack™ also offers over-the-air synchronization of calendar, contact and to-do lists, access to enterprise applications, and superior music, photo and video capabilities.
“The BlackJack is a winner,” said Stan Sigman, president and CEO of Cingular Wireless. “The BlackJack represents the best that Cingular, Microsoft and Samsung have to offer in terms of innovation and collaboration. We have hit on the right formula in developing a handheld device that will appeal both to the most discerning business users and the most entertainment-savvy consumers.”
“BlackJack is a true converged product that serves voice and data needs with strengths in multimedia and organization, satisfying today’s on-the-go consumer,” said Kitae Lee, president, Samsung Telecommunication Network Business. “Samsung is excited to be working with Cingular and Microsoft to bring the BlackJack to the U.S. market.”
Familiarity and Efficiency of the Desktop, Minus the Desktop
With Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0, Cingular BlackJack users have access to mobile versions of many of the familiar Microsoft features found on their desktops, such as Windows Media® Player 10 Mobile, Internet Explorer Mobile and Outlook Mobile.
“Cingular and Samsung really hit the jackpot with BlackJack,” said Steve Ballmer, chief executive officer of Microsoft. “It shows how far we have come in our efforts to make the Windows Mobile truly easy to use. For millions of mobile professionals, this is the device that will be the bridge between work and play.”
The BlackJack™ also includes the Messaging and Security Feature Pack for Windows Mobile 5.0, which provides support for Microsoft direct push technology to keep e-mail, calendar, tasks and contacts always up-to-date, as well as security features such as remote device wipe and rich-security encryption features.
Entertainment in the Palm of Your Hand
The BlackJack™ offers users a host of entertainment options from listening to stereo-quality music to viewing high-quality video clips to browsing the Internet or shopping at Cingular’s MEdia Mall for ringtones, games and graphics. The Samsung BlackJack™ also includes access to Cingular’s latest, exciting entertainment offering, Cingular Music — an integrated, on-the-go music experience that delivers “your music, your way” by providing simple access to the most robust collection of music content available today, including XM Satellite Radio, which comes pre-loaded on the device. BlackJack users can easily access and enjoy 25 commercial-free music channels from XM Satellite Radio through the XM Radio Mobile service.
With Cingular Music, the Samsung BlackJack™ connects users to a one-stop shop for everything music on the handset, such as full-track songs, music videos, ringtones, music news, MusicID, music chat rooms, streaming music and more. Cingular is the first U.S. carrier to offer subscription music to the handset, including music from leading online retailers Napster, Yahoo! and eMusic.
For the visually oriented, the Samsung BlackJack™ will feature Cingular Video™, Cingular’s on-demand streaming video service. With Cingular Video™, users can watch a large selection of video clips of their favorite television shows, sports, news and weather, entertainment and premium content, including such hit HBO programs as “The Sopranos,” “Entourage,” “Sex and The City,” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm.”
With an amazing color screen, wireless broadband capabilities, 1.3 mega pixel digital camera that can record video and a full media experience with Windows Media Player 10 Mobile, customers can stay entertained with the BlackJack™ while on the go. It also includes a speakerphone and features support for Bluetooth® version 2.0 with Bluetooth stereo headset support to enjoy music wirelessly in stereo.
Cingular customers who use the BlackJack™ can take the 3G-powered Cingular BroadbandConnect experience with them in more than 130 markets in the U.S. surrounding more than 50 major metropolitan cities. They also can use the BlackJack™ seamlessly outside BroadbandConnect coverage areas via Cingular’s nationwide* EDGE wireless data network as well as overseas in more than 115 countries.
Availability and Pricing
The BlackJack™ will be available Nov. 16, 2006, for $199.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate with a two-year activation, a qualified voice plan, and an unlimited data plan. Customers can purchase the device in select Cingular Wireless retail stores nationwide, from select dealers and national retailers, on http://www.cingular.com and through Cingular’s B2B direct sales team.
*Model Number: SGH-i607
About Cingular Wireless
Cingular Wireless is the largest wireless carrier in the United States, serving 58.7 million customers. Cingular, a joint venture between AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) and BellSouth Corporation (NYSE: BLS), has the largest digital voice and data network in the nation — the ALLOVER® network — and the largest mobile-to-mobile community of any national wireless carrier. Cingular is a leader in third generation wireless technology. Its 3G network is the first widely available service in the world to use HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access) technology. Cingular is the only U.S. wireless carrier to offer Rollover®, the wireless plan that lets customers keep their unused monthly minutes. Details of the company are available at http://www.cingular.com/. Get Cingular Wireless press releases emailed to you automatically. Sign up at http://cingular.mediaroom.com/.
About Samsung Telecommunications America
Samsung Telecommunications America, L.P., a Dallas-based subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., researches, develops and markets wireless handsets and telecommunications products throughout North America. For more information, please visit www.samsungwireless.com.
About Samsung Electronics
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2005 parent company sales of US$56.7 billion and net income of US $7.5 billion. Employing approximately 128,000 people in over 90 offices in 51 countries, the company consists of five main business units: Digital Appliance Business, Digital Media Business, LCD Business, Semiconductor Business and Telecommunication Network Business. Recognized as one of the fastest growing global brands, Samsung Electronics is a leading producer of digital TVs, memory chips, mobile phones, and TFT-LCDs. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com.
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.
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