SkyTel Announces SkyTel Messenger for Windows CE
LAS VEGAS — November 18, 1996 — SkyTel Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of Mobile Telecommunication Technologies Corp. (NASDAQ: MTEL), Jackson, Miss., today announced the introduction of SkyTel Messenger for Windows CE, a software messaging application developed by SkyTel in close collaboration with Microsoft Corp. to provide wireless messaging services for handheld PCs based on the Microsoft Windows CE platform.
Scheduled to be available in late 1996, SkyTel Messenger offers unprecedented convenience, versatility and portability for exchanging messages wirelessly with Internet users and other SkyTel paging users. The software messaging application will be marketed in conjunction with the handheld PCs based on Microsoft Windows CE being manufactured by CASIO COMPUTER CO. LTD., Computer, Compaq Computer, and Philips Electronics.
SkyTel Messenger integrates SkyTel 2-Way paging and wireless messaging services with the Inbox and Contacts applications included with Windows CE, which provide universal messaging and address book functions. Users can create, send, receive, reply to, file and forward brief text messages wirelessly to and from Internet email addresses and other SkyTel 2-Way products (or originate messages to SkyTel one-way pagers).
SkyTel Messenger and the SkyTel 2-Way services and pagers offer consumers a broad range of options in portability and functionality. For maximum portability, users can rely solely on SkyTel 2-Way devices, or they can use SkyTel 2-Way units in conjunction with handheld PCs based on Windows CE.
SkyTel Messenger then gives them access to a feature-rich Windows messaging application (Inbox), full keyboard, large viewing screen and more storage capacity to support their messaging needs.
"Working together, Windows CE and SkyTel Messenger truly unlock the potential of wireless messaging by integrating many of the benefits of e-mail with the convenience of paging," said John T. Stupka, president and chief executive officer, Mtel. "With the continued evolution of new software applications and form factors, wireless messaging will soon be to the written word what cellular has been to the spoken word."
"SkyTel Messenger and the SkyTel 2-Way services extend the value of Windows CE by integrating two-way wireless messaging services seamlessly with the Microsoft Inbox," said Jon Magill, director of marketing, consumer appliances group at Microsoft. "Mobility is one of the major advantages that handheld PCs based on Windows CE offer consumers, and SkyTel Messenger further increases consumers' freedom of movement, action and communication."
"We're pleased to announce the collaboration between SkyTel and CASIO to market SkyTel Messenger and SkyTel Two-Way wireless messaging services in conjunction with CASSIOPEIA, CASIO's new handheld PC," Masayuki Hakata, managing director CASIO COMPUTER CO. LTD., said. "By integrating SkyTel Messenger into the CASSIOPEIA, we have entered a new era in wireless messaging in which consumers have the freedom to communicate with the vast Internet community without being tied to a stationary computer."
"Combining the SkyTel Messenger with Windows CE provides the type of application that will drive the market beyond those wanting to replace their notebooks or PDAs," said Alan Soucy, general manager, Philips Mobile Computing Group. "Connecting the SkyTel Messenger with the Philips Velo handheld PC will allow users access to two-way wireless messaging without disabling their modem or reducing their memory upgrade options, providing a complete solution for wireline and wireless communications."
"We see wireless communications as a vital short- and long-term strategy that will contribute to the success of Compaq's handheld business," said Ed Olkkola, vice president, communications products, Compaq Computer Corp. "Through our relationship with SkyTel, Compaq PC companion customers have the flexibility of running Windows CE with the convenience, versatility and portability of exchanging messages wirelessly."
SkyTel Messenger services will be demonstrated at Fall COMDEX '96 in the following booths: Microsoft Partners Pavilion (L2212), Philips Electronics (L2625), CASIO COMPUTER (L5216) and Hitachi Semiconductor.
SkyTel Corp. provides advanced paging and advanced messaging services, including wireless Internet messaging, in thousands of cities worldwide. SkyTel introduced the first-ever alphanumeric one-way service, as well as the first two-way paging and messaging service, which allows users to send messages and respond to messages directly from their pagers.
Based in Washington, D.C., SkyTel is a subsidiary of Mobile Telecommunication Technologies Corp., Jackson, Mississippi (NASDAQ: MTEL), the pioneer in wireless messaging technology.
Microsoft and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries. CASIO is a registered trademark of CASIO COMPUTER CO. LTD. CASSIOPEIA is a trademark of CASIO COMPUTER CO. LTD.
CONTACT:
SkyTel Corp.
Johnny Hales, 601/944-7046
[email protected]
or
GCI Group
Chris Clark, 212/546-2607
[email protected]