CANNES, France, and NEW YORK, Feb. 19, 2001 — In a worldwide unveiling tomorrow, Microsoft Corp. and Sendo will publicly demonstrate the first color prototype of the Z100 Smartphone. The Z100 Multimedia Smartphone, developed by Sendo, is based on the Microsoft® smart phone platform, code-named
“Stinger,”
that powers a new generation of color mobile phones with advanced mobile Internet and personal information management (PIM) functionality. The Sendo Z100 Smartphone is expected to be widely available in autumn of 2001.
Upon entering the handset market last year, Sendo selected Microsoft’s smart phone platform as a base for its development work.
“As a growing presence in the mobile industry, we needed a smart phone platform that could provide a competitive edge and also allow us to enter the market quickly. The ‘Stinger’ platform enabled us to focus our resources on our expertise in handset design, allowing us to develop the Z100 in a relatively short time,”
said Hugh Brogan, chief executive officer, Sendo.
“Together with Sendo, we’ve done what people said couldn’t be done — deliver the mobile Internet in a small and light device,”
said Ben Waldman, vice president of the Mobile Devices Division at Microsoft.
“At Microsoft, we’re about enabling ‘intelligent communications’ — putting people in constant touch with each other and their data so they can make informed decisions and respond in real time. Using Microsoft’s smart phone platform, Sendo has delivered the first color smart phone that gives users access to e-mail, contacts and meaningful Internet content, any time, any place.”
Ovum forecasts that in 2006 there will be 1.95 billion cellular subscribers worldwide, and that 894 million of these (46 percent) will be active microbrowser users.
“This announcement is very significant to the development of wireless data services markets worldwide,”
said Neil Ward-Dutton, a principal consultant at Ovum.
“The world’s largest software company is starting to put its new smart phone platform in the hands of the innovators who will shape the next generation of handsets. Winning wireless data strategies requires bridging the worlds of commercial software and telecommunications, and this announcement shows that Microsoft and Sendo are playing the right kind of game.”
Sendo Product Features
At 99 grams, the Sendo Z100 Multimedia Smartphone is the smallest and lightest GPRS tri-band smartphone. It features an impressive 65,000-color TFT display, comparable in quality to a high-end laptop display. The Z100 plays MP3 and Windows Media™
audio files, and a stereo headset is included in the package. In addition, it is a fully functional phone that will operate on GSM 900, 1800 and 1900 networks across Europe, Asia and the Americas. The Z100 includes USB, IrDA and RS-232 connectivity and hot-pluggable Multimedia Card memory. A wide range of accessories will be available.
About the Microsoft Smart Phone Platform
Microsoft’s smart phone platform, code-named
“Stinger,”
sets a new standard for smart phone size and functionality. Designed specifically to take advantage of 2.5G and 3G broadband wireless networks,
“Stinger”
is the first smart phone platform available today but built for tomorrow’s networks.
“Stinger”
provides a wealth of services, such as secure corporate data and Web access, and e-mail and up-to-date PIM functionality, on a high-quality mobile phone.
About Sendo
Sendo Plc is a new mobile phone company headquartered in Birmingham, England. The company, founded in August 1999, offers high-performance, competitively priced, reliable products and services to the fast-growing cellular market. Sendo has been established with the needs of the operators in mind. The company offers a complete custom program, from exclusively branded phones, matched fulfillment programs and bespoke software with dedicated services. Sendo will roll out a number of mobile phones in Europe and Asia during the course of this year. The products are industry leading in their class and offer a great performance at a great price.
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.
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