[February 11, 2005]

Skype Does Hybrid WiFi/Cellular Phones

BY JOHANNE TORRES

Now Skype Internet telephony software will be preloaded for first time on new i-mate mobile devices. This week, i-mate—a provider of wireless device solutions, and Skype Technologies S.A., a VoIP-based calling services provider, announced plans of developing wireless mobile handsets preloaded with Skype software.

According to the agreement, i-mate’s new phones—the PDA2K and the PDA2 will be produced with Skype's software preloaded, enabling i-mate owners to use Skype immediately on start-up of their device, without having to download any software. Both newly manufactured handsets are dual mode GSM/GPRS WiFi handsets that, with Skype included, will allow users to make free voice calls wherever they are worldwide. Skype software will also be installed on new i-mate’s JAMs—the company’s stylish mini Pocket PC equipped with a digital camera, video recorder, PC, MP3 player, video player, gaming console, dictaphone, calculator, personal organizer, and a mobile phone.

Founded in 2001, with global headquarters are in Dubai, i-mate’s is building on its Middle Eastern market with recent expansion into the UK and Italy, and with plans underway for the US i-mate launch. "In line with our continuing commitment to provide customers with the value added benefits they require, this partnership with Skype is a natural way for i-mate to deliver to its customers a fully functional global VoIP service. As i-mate grows across the world we are dedicated to meeting our customers' needs in providing them with only the best available services, Skype, we believe, is one of those," said i-mate's founder and chief executive, Jim Morrison.

"Skype is committed to working with like-minded companies to innovate and expand platform choice and communications mobility for all our users," said Niklas Zennstrom, Skype CEO and co-founder. "Our partnership with i-mate is a step forward for offering Skype on a variety of wireless-enabled devices."

According to Skype’s US representative, the devices will be launched by the manufacturer this spring, in Asia, Europe and U.S. markets simultaneously. The target price for these devices will be around US $850.

i-mate
www.imate.com

Skype Technologies S. A.
www.skype.com