11 October, 2005
Burn your laptop bag - Vodafone launches first GSM 3G business mobile device
Leave your bulky laptop at the office because the days of lugging it around the world are over. Vodafone introduces its
first 3G mobile business device which converges mobile with laptop - the revolutionary i-mate JASJAR with Window Mobile
5.0.
The unique i-mate JASJAR is the first in a series of devices which challenges the boundaries between mobile and laptop
by providing the full Microsoft Windows environment while on the move. This allows users to work on Word or Excel
documents, view Powerpoint documents or PDFs, send and receive email at the same time as talking on the mobile or
conduct a real time video call with another person on the other side of the world.
Phil Patel, Vodafone Director of Business Markets, said Vodafone's launch of the i-mate JASJAR reinforces the benefits
that 3G services have for business customers.
"Vodafone is at the forefront of business mobility innovation bringing customer's new and efficient ways of working,"
said Patel. "It is unique to Vodafone's 3G to be able to talk to a colleague from your smart device at the same time as
editing a document or see their face while you are talking to them."
"Vodafone has been committed to developing end-to-end mobility solutions which replicate the same level of productivity
as in the office," said Patel.
"First the mobile brought mobile voice, then the BlackBerry brought mobile push email and now the JASJAR brings mobile
productivity applications."
No other mobile phone device currently in the New Zealand market offers a Windows Mobile 5.0 platform along with access
to services such as high performance wireless broadband and Video Calling. To turn it into a mini laptop the mobile
phone's screen flips and swivels to reveal a full PC-like keyboard. Multiple connectivity options include GPRS, WI-FI,
and Bluetooth for the best possible wireless performance.
The i-mate JASJAR is ten devices in one as it functions as a PC, mobile phone, personal organizer, 1.3 mega pixel
digital camera with flash, video recorder, gaming console, MP3 player, voice recorder, video player and speaker phone.
Features unique to the i-mate JASJAR include:
- Clamshell design with 180 degree pivot enables it to easily convert from laptop (with a 3.6" 640x480 touch screen) to
mobile.
- Large 62 key QWERTY keyboard provides same form factor as a computer
- 520MHz CPU Intel inside processing power
- Extensive roaming capabilities with tri-band feature
- Simultaneous voice and data, which is unique to Vodafone's 3G network, means incoming calls won't be blocked while
running applications or transferring data.
"Customers around the world have responded well to the device as it provides a full Microsoft Windows environment while
they are on the move, "said Microsoft New Zealand's Managing Director, Ross Peat. "Business users have been demanding a
mobile solution which simulates the same experience as their laptop or PC so the i-mate JASJAR will be a welcome
addition to the New Zealand business market."
Vodafone will also launch two other Windows Mobile 5.0 smart devices next month, the i-mate K-JAM and i-mate SP5.
Collectively, Vodafone will have an unparalleled range of seven business mobile devices which operate on a variety of
operating environments to cater for a range of mobile working needs.
"Our breadth of business devices means that customers can choose from three different operating platforms to suit them -
Windows Mobile 5.0, BlackBerry which uses JavaM2E, or other environments such as Symbian," said Patel. "We have
collaborated with major tier brands such as Treo, Nokia and Dell so users can select an operating system they most
frequently use and find most intuitive to operate."
The i-mate JASJAR has tri-band GSM/GPRS 900/1800/1900 capabilities meaning customers can voice and data roam to over 120
countries. Currently Vodafone customers can make video calls to 28 countries overseas, and Vodafone has seven 3G voice
and data roaming partners so they can call back home.
The i-mate JASJAR has an RRP of $1,999 and can be purchased from any Vodafone retail store or Vodafone accredited IT
solution provider.
ENDS