 ZyXEL
Communications UK today announced the UK launch of its converged WiFi/GPRS/GSM
quad-band V660 Windows Mobile Smartphone with built-in VPN support. The phone
will enable SMBs and consumers to make and receive calls whether via voice over
wireless LAN (VoWLAN), fixed or mobile through one single device, whilst also
providing access to E-Mail, web, and instant messaging services.
As of today, the V660 is powered by Microsoft Windows Mobile Edition 5.0 and
combines form and function with its 1.9-inch display. The mobile phone also
includes a 2.0 megapixel camera, video and MP3 player, 64 MB on-board memory, a
microSD expandable memory slot for further storage capacity and comes with Skype
software pre-installed.
The network neutral V660 Smartphone is an open platform system that can
integrate freely with any IP telephony service and/or mobile provider and can be
loaded with any Microsoft Mobile compatible software. Skype provides SMBs and
consumers with access to free calls to Skype accounts, whilst also offering
discounted calls to landlines.
The V660 routes calls based on network availability, optimizing cost and
quality of service (QoS). The V660 will automatically hunt for an open access
WiFi hotspot and includes standard encryption methods including WPA/WPA2/TLS as
well as Virtual Private Network (VPN) support ensuring secure VoWLAN calls. The
phone can be configured as required providing SMBs and consumers with a hassle
free, flexible approach to mobile communications.
"The growing army of mobile workers is placing businesses under
increasing pressure to provide a single device to replace the many that
currently occupy our bags and pockets," said Rob Mackinnon, VoIP product
manager ZyXEL. "Whilst most technical innovation creates as many problems as
it solves, the V660 combines a myriad of devices and ensures that SMBs and
consumers alike always have instant access to the world’s sources of
information and entertainment."
The V660 provides access to a range of Microsoft applications including
Pocket Internet Explorer, Windows Media Player and Pocket Outlook for push
E-Mail, calendar and contacts. Microsoft ActiveSync provides a platform for
transferring data to and from the device to ensure compatibility. In addition
the V660 will support Microsoft Office Mobile enabling access to applications
such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
Pocket MSN gives users of the Smartphone device straightforward access to MSN
services including MSN Hotmail, MSN Messenger and MSN Alerts, allowing employees
to communicate using MSN Messenger regardless of where they are, whilst also
providing real-time updates of MSN Hotmail messages.
A precise release date wasn't given yet but ZyXEL indicates, that a release
can be expected for second half of 2007. If so, I definitely hope, ZyXEL is
upgrading its device software to Windows Mobile 6 since Windows Mobile 5 will
not be state of the art anymore in the second half of the year - especially not
if ZyXEL wants to attract prosumers as well.
Cheers ~ Arne
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