Guest Paul [MVP] Posted August 18, 2004 Report Share Posted August 18, 2004 Here it is chaps, the official Orange press release... the C500 is here! Enjoy! :) P “…it redefines the whole smartphone concept” (What Cellphone, August 2004) WORLD’S SMALLEST SMARTPHONE GOES ON SALE SETTING INDUSTRY BENCHMARK FOR VALUE Addition of SPV C500 to Orange Device Portfolio Creates Widest Mobile Email Offering Available in the UK Market to Consumers and Business Customers London. 18th August 2004. Orange today announced the commercial availability of the SPV C500 – the world’s smallest smartphone. Orange has driven down the cost of manufacturing, as well as the cost of components within the phone, in order to provide its customers with a stylish, functional device that offers best value for money. The SPV C500 will be available in the UK for under £79.99 from Orange Retail stores, signalling Orange’s continued commitment to its Signature phone portfolio, its series of devices designed to make it easy for customers to access advanced services, such as Photo messaging, email and internet access. On Your Plan 120, the phone is available for free and is expected to be one of the hottest-buys from Orange this autumn. The SPV C500 features Microsoft’s® Windows Mobile 2003 software for smartphones, which provides an experience on mobile phones that is as familiar and intuitive as Windows on a PC. Orange customers can surf the internet in full colour, watch and listen to music and video clips, download 3D games and synchronise with Microsoft Outlook on their PC, allowing them to keep up to date with their contacts, calendar and emails. The phone also comes with an Orange Try Card – a memory card containing innovative applications for use at home or in the office (see appendix for more information). As well as having massive consumer appeal, the SPV C500 is one of Orange's key email access devices for businesses. Orange's email offering, which gives customers a variety of different ways to access emails while on the move, is supported by a dedicated technical support team and the UK's best network coverage for data connectivity. The SPV C500 has already received praise from industry insiders. Presenting it with an “Award of Excellence”, What Cellphone magazine said: “Orange’s latest SPV is not just smaller and lighter than any Windows handset we’ve seen – it redefines the whole smartphone concept.” What Mobile magazine said: “With the new look and feel of the SPV C500, the competition should be getting very worried.” As well as standard voice and messaging services, the SPV C500 includes Microsoft® Pocket Outlook®, Pocket Internet Explorer, Windows Media® Player, a high-quality digital still and video camera and 64MB of RAM, allowing several applications to run at once. An integrated light sensor that controls backlight usage and enhanced battery life enables customers to use their phone for up to four days without charging (see appendix for full technical specifications). John Allwood, CEO of Orange UK, said: “As with all Orange Signature phones, the SPV C500 gives our customers a unique Orange experience on their phone, providing them with a range of exclusive applications and services. The SPV C500 is most likely to appeal to executives, professionals and business owners looking for a high spec phone and PDA which works like their PC but is small enough for them to work and play when they’re out and about.” He added: “This is the first device in our Signature phone range in which we have aggressively cut the costs during the manufacturing process to ensure that we can pass on the financial benefit to our customers, marking a significant moment in the marketing of highly functional, advanced phones.” The SPV C500 – from Orange the world’s smallest Smartphone… Affordable price-point – between FREE and £79.99 (depending on contract) Orange Signature Phone Applications • New Orange homescreen (vertical icons) • Orange World • Orange Backup • Orange Update • Orange Help (an electronic user guide on the device) Advanced features • Windows Mobile 2003 2nd Edition software (desktop PC familiarity) • Pocket Outlook (Email, Calendar and Contacts) • Pocket Internet Explorer (HTML and WAP) • Integrated one click camera • Packet Video player (allowing progressive download) • Windows Media Player • Email (pop3 / IMAP 4, Microsoft Exchange 2003) • Instant Messaging (MSN Messenger) • Java games (MIDP 2.0) and 3D games for Windows Mobile software Cool Sounds • Polyphonic ringtones • MP3, WMA, WAV, AMR • Integrated handsfree speaker Useful Connectivity Options • Bluetooth • Infrared • USB • External mini-SD slot (Orange Try card included) Technical specifications • Dimensions: (108 x 46 x 16mm) • Volume: 80 cc • Weight: 100g • Tri-band: 900+1800+1900 • Memory: 64mb internal, mini SD external • Screen colours: 65k TFT display (220x176 pixels) • Screen size: 45.8 x 36.6mm • Standby time: Up to 4 days • Talk Time: Up to 8 hours • WAP browser v 2.0 • HTML v 4.0 • WML, xHTML, Wap push, Wap OTA provisioning What’s in the box? • Handset • Battery • Mains charger • Headset • CD (including Microsoft ® Outlook 2002 and Microsoft® ActiveSync® software) • Orange Try (mini-SD) card • Sync cable (USB – mini-USB adaptor) • Orange user guide Extra accessories available • Professional car kit • Standard car kit • Cigarette charger • Carry Case • Mini-SD Cards What’s new and improved… • More versatile bluetooth functionality • Longer battery life • Even better voice call quality Orange Try card • Allows customers to trial exciting and useful new applications for free Organise • ClearVue Office allows users to view Microsoft® Word, Excel and PowerPoint® files. By combining ClearVue & Westtek’s JETCET Print customers can even print their files via BlueTooth technology. Free for 15 days. (approx £26 to buy full application) • Fizz Traveller. The Ultimate travel pack, complete with currency conversion, updated weather forecasts, international time clocks and more (15 day free trial, Full application priced at approx £9) Interact • Berlitz Phrasebook. Sample the free-to-try phrases and then upgrade to the full phrasebooks containing essential phrases to help you, the traveller, be understood. (approximately £2.50 per phrasebook, charged to phone bill) • Smart2go. Locate travel essentials in the city of your choice on an interactive map, including restaurants, hospitals and tourist sites. Get step-by-step directions to make the most of your stay. Olympic city of Athens offered as a demo. (Unlimited UK city downloads for £16.99 for 12 months). Fun • Time Out City Guide. Complete with the best places to eat, drink and shop, plus get expert tips on getting around in Athens. Download additional cities via Java from the Try card or your local portal. (Prices approx £2.50 per city, charged to phone bill) • Jeffrey. Cool animations to show friends Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest djfuego Posted August 18, 2004 Report Share Posted August 18, 2004 It's mine :) all mine :twisted: My precious Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MaximilianWeisheit Posted August 18, 2004 Report Share Posted August 18, 2004 I want it :-) Hey, I did not read anything about a cradle? There is a cradle coming with it, right? I dont feel like attaching the charger cable and the sync cable every time i want to connect me phone. There is a cradle, right? ----- lets built one, put it in production and sell it $$$$$$$$$$$ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest midnight Posted August 18, 2004 Report Share Posted August 18, 2004 no, just a sync/charge usb cable, which i prefer, means i can use the phone while plugged in Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest dearsina Posted August 18, 2004 Report Share Posted August 18, 2004 Hmm. I just called one-five-o: - Hey, do you have the brand new superfancy C500?! - Yes, it's released! - Great, can I upgrade to it? - Um, no, actually, you cant? - But why not, you said it was released!? - Um, yes, well actually, it's released, but the system hasn't got it yet sir. - So... can I get it in the shops? - Um, actually, no, they don't have it either sir. (I checked on Dean St: Nothing) - So it's not actually released? - Oh yes sir, it is! - But what good does that to me? - Um, to be honest, I wouldn't know sir. - But you work for Orange! - Yes, I know sir. - (...) At this moment I give up, realise that I've been had by the marketing department at Orange and once again finish the conversation with one-five-o with a bitter taste in my mouth. sina /still on e200 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Paul [MVP] Posted August 18, 2004 Report Share Posted August 18, 2004 Sounds like you got the village idiot, members have bought them both in retail stores and on the phone from Orange directly! P Posted from my SmartPhone! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest blowdart Posted August 18, 2004 Report Share Posted August 18, 2004 enhanced bluetooth functionality Errr. Right. Still only headset protocol isn't it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Paul [MVP] Posted August 18, 2004 Report Share Posted August 18, 2004 And handsfree now I believe! P Posted from my SmartPhone! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest blowdart Posted August 18, 2004 Report Share Posted August 18, 2004 "]And handsfree now I believe! Is that anywhere in writing? Having been screwed over with e200 there's no way in hell I'm going to get another phone with such a limited bluetooth stack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest blowdart Posted August 18, 2004 Report Share Posted August 18, 2004 Is that anywhere in writing? Having been screwed over with e200 there's no way in hell I'm going to get another phone with such a limited bluetooth stack And to followup, what about the DUN protocol? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Paul [MVP] Posted August 18, 2004 Report Share Posted August 18, 2004 Anyone else pick up on the 'work and play' in the press release? Thought it wasn't for gamers and business people didn't play games Orange? Bah! P Posted from my SmartPhone! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest muff Posted August 18, 2004 Report Share Posted August 18, 2004 "]Anyone else pick up on the 'work and play' in the press release? Thought it wasn't for gamers and business people didn't play games Orange? Bah! P ah, but with their custom 'flicker technology' you can do both at once :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Paul [MVP] Posted August 18, 2004 Report Share Posted August 18, 2004 Nice :) P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ferryrich Posted August 18, 2004 Report Share Posted August 18, 2004 I went in to the O shop today in the Trafford Centre and they had a delivery of 8, yes EIGHT! 4 of which were reserved for business customers. I too was told they weren't on the system yet, so have one reserved for me to pick up tomorrow. Apparently, once they're delivered to retail/orange direct they have to be registered with orange and the system for doing that was down this evening. I was told I'd have to wait 2 hours, so I thought sod it, I'll go the pub, watch the footy and go back again tomorrow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MaximilianWeisheit Posted August 18, 2004 Report Share Posted August 18, 2004 no, just a sync/charge usb cable, which i prefer, means i can use the phone while plugged in so it will be laying on the table with two crappy cables attached, INSTEAD of standing proudly in a cradle letting the screen face the person setting in front of it. :.....-( SHAME ON YOU ORANGE. ---- Anybody know if Orange or anybody else will sell cradles later on? How can they sell a Smartphone without a cradle? - Every business person I know has a cradle for his PDA or Smartphone. - Why do you think they invented docking stations for Laptops. here is a hint: because you do not need to plug any cables in the backl of the laptop!!!! - ARG - How stupid! ---- Somebody that lives in the UK, please go to Orange headquarters, and slap the guy in the face who did not demand a cradle when discussing hardware accessiores with HTC. tststs - stupid stupid stupid Someone would think the people who worked on that project would know the basics about IT electronics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Paul [MVP] Posted August 18, 2004 Report Share Posted August 18, 2004 A cradle does exist - or at least did - so fingers crossed they will release one - it looks really cool too! No official word yet tho... P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Paul [MVP] Posted August 18, 2004 Report Share Posted August 18, 2004 Looks like DUN is there :) Pc500BT.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MaximilianWeisheit Posted August 18, 2004 Report Share Posted August 18, 2004 "]A cradle does exist - or at least did - so fingers crossed they will release one - it looks really cool too! No official word yet tho... P Paul thanks for the news of hope.. Please keep us updated if cradle comes out. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Paul [MVP] Posted August 18, 2004 Report Share Posted August 18, 2004 I've got my top secret contacts working on it ;-) P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest cactusbob Posted August 18, 2004 Report Share Posted August 18, 2004 BT Handsfree profile works too, as do voice tags from a headset. CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Pinnacle Posted August 19, 2004 Report Share Posted August 19, 2004 I'm glad to hear you all having so much fun, so I'll ask: The real question is...when will this phone be available in the US? 8) :? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest nytehawk2002 Posted August 19, 2004 Report Share Posted August 19, 2004 Seriously.... these US providers need to get on the ball. When most providers here are pushing "Free phone now with COLOR screen" as if color was something all so new. I've got only one thing to say.. Whee. :roll: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Sonicr360 Posted August 19, 2004 Report Share Posted August 19, 2004 Does anyone know if: a) Bluetooth would work with Ipaq H3970 :) Good quality car kit? Simon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest sparkisgti Posted August 19, 2004 Report Share Posted August 19, 2004 orange are idiots.. phoned them again this morning and they still deny their available :cry: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest blowdart Posted August 19, 2004 Report Share Posted August 19, 2004 BT Handsfree profile works too, as do voice tags from a headset. CB Aha, thank you, so it will a) Switch incoming calls to BT headset :) Activate voice dialing on the press of headset button? (And as an aside, does the button on the wired headset activate voice dialing?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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