Press Release: Sprint PCS Vision Smart Device PPC-6601

[Brad Isaac]

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. - October 25, 2004 - Sprint (NYSE:FON) is truly enabling mobile professionals to have an office in their pocket with the Sprint PCS Vision Smart Device PPC-6601, the much-anticipated, full-color Sprint PCS Phone featuring Microsoft Windows Mobile 2003 software and embedded Bluetooth Wireless Technology. Marketed by Audiovox, the PPC-6601 will be available early next month exclusively through Sprint business channels for a suggested retail price of $629.99. Later this year, Sprint plans to offer another version of the device, the Sprint PCS Vision Smart Device PPC-6600, which will include an embedded VGA-quality camera with flash and video capability. This second version of the device will be offered nationwide in all Sprint sales channels, including Sprint Stores and online at sprintpcs.com.
"Sprint is pleased to launch a product that extends our collection of Smart Devices and underscores our commitment to being a leader in solutions for the mobile workforce," said Harry Campbell, president - Emerging and Mid Markets, Sprint Business Solutions. "The PPC-6601 and PPC-6600 combine empowering software, compelling wireless voice and data capabilities, and an easy-to-handle form factor to create a device powerful enough to truly unleash business professionals from their desk without sacrificing productivity."
Powered by the Intel XScale 400 MHz processor, the PPC-6601 offers 128 MB of memory and has the most capacity of any other Sprint wireless device, allowing users to view, create and edit documents; send and receive email or text messages; browse the Web; and listen to news, music and other audio clips faster and easier than ever before. Slimmer and more compact than other Sprint Windows Mobile-enabled Pocket PC devices of the past, the PPC-6601 offers both Portrait and Landscape viewing modes and multiple data-input methods, including a slide-to-hide Qwerty keyboard for easy management of documents and email. The removable lithium ion battery provides up to 3.6 hours of continuous digital talk time or up to six days of continuous digital standby time.
"The PPC-6601 really is the next generation mobile device," said Philip Christopher, president and CEO of Audiovox Communications Corp. "Built with business applications in mind, the Qwerty keyboard and removable battery are just two of the many features, which when paired with Sprint's advanced wireless service, enable professionals to virtually carry office capabilities in their pocket."
Operating on the enhanced Sprint Nationwide PCS Network, the PPC-6601 replicates the familiar look and feel of a Windows-based PC with a full suite of standard Windows Mobile-based applications, including Microsoft Pocket Excel, Outlook, Word, Windows Media Player, Microsoft ActiveSync and MSN Messenger. With embedded Bluetooth Wireless Technology, the PPC-6601 automatically synchronizes with other Bluetooth-enabled devices and has a built-in SD I/O slot, which accepts SD (Secure Digital), MMC (MultiMedia Card) and SMMC (Secure MultiMedia Card) memory cards for viewing pictures and sharing large data files between other devices with SD I/O.
"The new Sprint PCS Vision Smart Device PPC-6601 combines the power and flexibility of the Windows Mobile software platform, the enhanced Sprint Nationwide PCS Network, and the quality of Audiovox to deliver to business customers a powerful mobile device experience," said Suzan DelBene, corporate vice president of marketing for the Mobile and Embedded Devices Division at Microsoft. "This device demonstrates that the marriage of innovative hardware, flexible software and a dependable network can enable business customers to be more productive and have seamless access to their most essential information."
Business and personal wireless email for the new device is provided by Sprint PCS Business Connection. Interfacing seamlessly with Microsoft Exchange and Lotus Domino data, Sprint PCS Business Connection extends wireless access to the messaging and calendar applications today's wireless workforce demands - securely and conveniently. The PPC-6601 also supports Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync for over-the-air synchronization of email and calendar information with Microsoft Exchange Server 2003.