LITTLE ROCK, Ark. and HAUPPAUGE, N.Y. - Alltel (NYSE: AT), owner and operator of the nation's largest wireless network, announced today the availability of its first-ever Windows Mobile-based device, the PPC6700, from UTStarcom Personal Communications, a division of UTStarcom, Inc. (NASDAQ: UTSI).
Recently proclaimed an "Editor's Choice for 2005" by Laptop magazine, the PPC6700 phone is expected to be available starting Wednesday, Nov. 23, at Alltel retail stores for $479.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate with a two-year service agreement.
"The PPC6700 provides users the same Windows experience they are accustomed to with their desktop PC or laptop," said Wade McGill, vice president of wireless product management for Alltel.
The PPC6700 is Alltel's first wireless device to feature Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 software. With its EVDO and WiFi capabilities, the PPC6700 is intended to enable users to stay online and in touch. The PPC6700 is as cool as it is capable, featuring a unique sliding QWERTY keyboard designed to open from the side and automatically change screen orientation from portrait to landscape viewing mode. Helping customers manage emails, spreadsheets and presentations from virtually anywhere, the product is equipped with Microsoft Office programs for Windows Mobile including Outlook Mobile, Excel Mobile, PowerPoint Mobile and Word Mobile.
With Windows Media Player 10 Mobile, the PPC6700 allows viewing of several image and video formats including JPEG, GIF, BMP, PNG, JPG, MPEG4, H.263, WMV and ASF. It can also be used as a personal digital audio player since the device is designed to play several audio formats including MP3, WAV, WMA, MIDI and QCP. With a built-in mini USB port and mini-SD expansion card for additional memory, users are able to transfer music, photos and video from the desktop as well as load additional games and applications.
With the PPC6700, users will have a similar experience as with their Windows-based desktop PC or laptop. The Windows Mobile-based device supports Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync for over-the-air synchronization of email and calendar information with Microsoft Exchange Server 2003. With the built-in Bluetooth¨ wireless technology, users can easily connect with other Bluetooth devices seamlessly. The PPC6700 is powered by a 416 MHz Intel¨ PXA270 processor.
"Alltel subscribers will find the PPC6700 to be an achievement in design and technology innovation," said Philip Christopher, president of UTStarcom Personal Communications. "The unit meets all the business and personal application needs of the mobile user in a compact personal communications device."
"From multimedia to business applications, the Windows Mobile 5.0 software platform offers mobile information workers the flexibility needed to be more productive while on the go," said Doug Smith, group marketing manager of the Mobile and Embedded Devices Division at Microsoft Corp. "The PPC6700 helps business customers access their most critical information while enjoying the familiarity of Windows coupled with UTStarcom's innovative hardware and Alltel's extensive network."
The CDMA Pocket PC device weighs a mere 6.6 oz. with dimensions of 4.25 (h) x 2.32" (w) x 0.93" (d). In addition, it has a built-in 1.3 megapixel camera with flash and digital zoom and camcorder capabilities. With its 2.8" TFT 65K transflective LCD color display screen, images appear vivid and sharp. Included accessories are: Lithium Ion Battery 1350 mAh, AC charger, USB cable, device cradle, 2 styli pens, carrying case and stereo headset.
