AT&T, Orange to offer Windows-based phones
Motorola Inc. and Microsoft Corp. launched a clam-shell format cell phone Monday, based on Microsoft's Windows Mobile 2003 Smartphone software.
Mobile network operator Orange SA will distribute the phone for use on its U.K. network from October, and AT&T Corp. will offer it in the U.S. in the fourth quarter, the companies said Monday.
The Motorola MPx200 is the third Orange phone to use Microsoft's phone software. Orange launched the SPV, the first Windows Powered Smartphone available worldwide, in October last year, and brought out an upgraded version earlier this year. The SPV is made in Taiwan by High Tech Computer Corp. (HTC).
Orange has worked with Motorola to customize the phone to its own needs, Stuart Jackson, Orange's corporate communications manager said. Like the SPV, it comes branded with the Orange logo, has an Orange user interface and offers services such as Orange Backup, where users can store their data on the Orange network in case of problems with their phone.
The MPx200, measuring 48 millimeters by 89 millimeters by 27 millimeters, allows users to surf the Internet, access their e-mails and synchronize the phone with their PC. It includes an SD slot with a 16MB memory card (a 2GB card is available), an external speaker for listening to MP3 and Windows Media files and can play videos using Windows Media Player. An detachable camera is available separately.
