T-Mobile Debuts Windows Mobile Phones
T-Mobile USA debuted its SDA and MDA phones on Monday, ending months of speculation as to the carrier's future plans for the Windows Mobile platform. The SDA, available today, sports a candy-bar form factor with additional keys that will provide the user easy access to music on the device.
The MDA, to be available February 21, comes in a traditional PDA shape that can be pushed up to reveal a full QWERY keyboard and allow the screen to be used in landscape mode, much like the popular Sidekick device that is also sold by T-Mobile.
Both new Windows Mobile devices will be MP3 capable, as well as include a 1.3-megapixel camera and Mini SD card slot. Either EDGE or GPRS can be used for data applications, as well as options to connect to a Wi-Fi or T-Mobile's HotSpot network.
"In today's hectic and fast-paced world, staying connected to those who matter most is not easy," said John Clelland, Senior Vice President of Marketing at T-Mobile USA. "With the T-Mobile SDA and the T-Mobile MDA, customers can stay in touch with loved ones while keeping up with clients and colleagues."
The devices made their first appearance at this year's Sundance Film Festival in Utah, where directors showed their movie trailers on the T-Mobile MDA. Cingular recently debuted its own version of the MDA, called the Cingular 8125 last week.
"The SDA and MDA provide T-Mobile customers with the choice of two compelling designs both packed with important features such as wireless access to e-mail through a mobile version of Microsoft Outlook, as well as the ability to install thousands of applications for productivity or pleasure," Microsoft Mobile and Embedded Devices vice president Suzan DelBene said.
The T-Mobile SDA will be available for $299.99 USD with a new service contract before a $50 mail-in rebate. While pricing for the MDA has not been announced yet, sources indicate the device would likely sell for $399.99 USD with a new contract.