With the release of the 8525 handheld, Cingular had also released the Samsung Blackjack Windows Mobile handheld. The all new Blackjack i607 with its slim-bodied design is perfect for those that crave the Motorola Q but can’t wait till it hits the GSM market. The Blackjack is also powered by Cingular’s high-speed UMTS/HSDPA network offering data rates from 400-700 kbps.

Blackjack features include:

• Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
• Dual-band domestic UMTS/HSDPA 850/1900 MHz
• 220 MHz TI processor
• 2.2″ 320×240 65k color screen
• MicroSD slot (up to 2 GB card)
• Bluetooth 2.0
• Speakerphone
• 1.3 megapixel camera still and video

The Samsung Blackjack is now available from Cingular Wireless for $199.99 after rebates and new two-year service agreement.

Cingular Wireless has officially launched the all new self branded 8525 Pocket PC. The Cingular 8525, manufactured by HTC (a.k.a. HTC Hermes), is the first Windows Mobile 5.0 PDA to support UMTS/HSDPA technology. The Cingular 8525 features a sliding chassis to reveal a full QWERTY keyboard, which will automatically change the display from portrait to landscape mode.

Cingular 8525 features include:

• Windows Mobile 5.0
• 400 MHz processor
• Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
• Tri-band UMTS/HSDPA 850/1900/2100 MHz
• Microsoft Messaging & Security Pack
• Large 2.8″ 240×320 64K color touchscreen
• 2.0 mega pixel camera with video and flash
• Integrated Wi-Fi (802.11 b.g) and infrared connectivity
• Bluetooth 2.0
• BlackBerry Connect capable

Push-To-Talk services have not been pre-installed in this release, but Cingular is planning a software upgrade available in early 2007 to enable this feature.

The Cingular 8525 is now available for $399.99 after rebates and a new two-year service agreement.

Cingular Wireless and Firethorn announced plans today to provide Cingular subscribers with mobile banking access in the very near future. Subscribers will have the ability to view balances, transfer funds and pay bills all from their Cingular handset. Security is a key feature of the new Firethorn application which will allow for clearing of handheld content if the phone is lost or stolen.

It is the right time for the wireless industry to begin moving ahead with mobile banking. Two-thirds of America’s 300 million people now use wireless phones and nearly 60 percent of wireless customers use their handsets for something other than making calls. It is only natural that we move the ease, convenience and efficiency of electronic banking onto the wireless device. With the simplicity of its single pathway, Firethorn will make it easy for Cingular to work with financial institutions who want to deliver mobile banking services to our customers.

Currently being trialed, Firethorn anticipates an initial commercial launch of its mobile banking and payments application in early 2007.

[ WSJ Online ]

Alltel Wireless and LG Electronics recently announced the release of the AX245 from LG. The AX245 is exclusive to Alltel Wireless and offers a built in VGA camera with flash.

This is a sleek clamshell handset that comes loaded with all of the innovative features customers expect from Alltel and LG. We’re excited to be the first wireless carrier to make this handset available to customers.

In addition to the VGA camera with flash, the AX245 features Bluetooth, Axcess Web capability and Axcess picture messaging. It has a built-in speakerphone and voice-activated dialing as well as BREW client 3.1.4.

For customers’ added convenience, the AX245 is equipped to receive software updates and programming wirelessly “over the air,” reducing the need for maintenance-related store visits.

The AX245 is available from Alltel for $59.99 after rebates and new two-year service agreement.

Cingular Wireless and Samsung unveiled today the all new Samsung Blackjack i607. The Blackjack is a slim-bodied smartphone powered by Windows Mobile 5.0 with a full QWERTY style keyboard. Cingular’s high-speed BroadbandConnect service will power the Blackjack with data speeds from 400-700 kbps.

Blackjack features include:

• Windows Mobile 5.0
• Bluetooth (2.0)
• Speakerphone
• 1.3 mega pixel camera
• Quad band GSM (850/900/1800/1900, EDGE and HSDPA)
• MicroSD expansion slot

The all new Blackjack will be available from Cingular Wireless starting November 16th for $199.99 after rebates and new two-year service agreement.

Motorola and Good Technology announced recently an agreement by which Motorola would purchase Good Technology, the manufacture of the popular Good Link email solution.

Given Good’s wireless messaging and data access offerings, Motorola expects the purchase to extend its mobile computing capabilities and increase its overall enterprise client base.

The Good buy comes on the heels of Motorola’s Symbol Technologies acquisition, which Motorola also categorized as part of its enterprise mobility push.

Terms of the transaction were not disclosed and is subject to regulatory and other customary conditions, is expected to close in early 2007.