AT&T Announces 'Ease'-y to Use Quick Messaging Phone From Pantech
Poster: SySAdmin
Posted on June 14, 2010 at 8:35:01 AM
AT&T Announces 'Ease'-y to Use Quick Messaging Phone From Pantech
New Pantech 'Ease' is First Quick Messaging Phone Designed Specifically for Simplicity Seekers
DALLAS, June 14 -- For experienced mobile phone users, the ins and outs of wireless devices are second nature, but for some, ease-of-use is paramount. AT&T* today announced the Pantech Ease, the first quick messaging phone from AT&T with menus and features designed for users who seek simplicity in their wireless device. With a large and comfortable touchscreen, Ease will be available for new and existing AT&T customers online at http://www.wireless.att.com and in AT&T stores nationwide June 20.
Ease is the latest offering in AT&T's focused initiative to deliver a streamlined mobile experience. The handset is also the first simplicity-centric phone to feature a full keypad and touchscreen to keep customers better connected with family and friends. With the original Pantech Breeze having launched in 2008, the Pantech Breeze II in May 2010 and now Ease, AT&T is committed to customers who want the latest technology in a convenient form.
"Ease emphasizes our commitment to meeting the needs of all AT&T customers," said Jeff Bradley, senior vice president, Devices, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. "The first quick messaging phone targeted for simplicity seekers, it fulfills our goal to create a highly functional device for everyone - from children to great-grandparents."
Ease's uncluttered design contributes to its straightforward user experience. Ease offers a bright 3.2" full touch screen display, a full keyboard, intuitive menus - all at an affordable price. And, while it is easy to use, Ease is not just a basic phone. The handset can also be switched from Easy mode to Advanced mode for a more traditional quick messaging user experience with a quick settings change. Customers of all types may enjoy the Easy mode, especially seniors.
"The seniors market remains a significant opportunity for the operators to expand their businesses. But as iGR's research has found, the challenge is to provide a solution that meets the specific needs of the seniors with sufficient functions and capabilities yet is easy to use and intuitive, " said Iain Gillott, president of iGR, a market research consultancy focused on the wireless and mobile industry. "Our research has shown that seniors primarily want to make calls, to send and receive photos in text messages, to get driving directions and to read their email. And they want an attractive design that would make their family members envious - the Pantech Ease, with an easy-to-use interface developed collaboratively by AT&T and Pantech and attractive yet senior-friendly form factor, seems to address those needs squarely."
Ease will be compatible with AT&T's High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) 7.2 Mbps technology. This technology provides a considerable boost to the nation's fastest 3G network when combined with expanded backhaul.
"AT&T customers have come to rely on Pantech's ability to create phones that meet their unique lifestyle needs," said Jim Berridge, vice president of sales and marketing, Pantech Wireless. "Ease is a phone that incorporates the latest customer requests - a touch screen - yet does so in a manner which is easy to use. We have a winner with Ease and we're confident that customers will be impressed with both the design and functionality of this handset."
Ease takes into account user experience design principles to ensure an easy-to-use experience.
-- Streamlined, Targeted Menu - Navigating the phone's features is
straightforward with the Easy Mode, which minimizes scrolling and
highlights the features customers want to access most.
-- Large Font - Ease uses a highly visible large font. Additionally,
users can increase or minimize the font of received messages with
either touch or physical zoom in or out keys.
-- Easy-to-Use Buttons - Well spaced, backlit buttons on the device
respond with a tactile click when pressed, and remain illuminated
while in use. Specialized buttons such as the Quick Contact key
provide easy access to top 3 contacts and voicemail and the "Say A
Command" key allows a user to make a call, start a text or open an
application with their voice.
-- Camera - Activated from the home screen menu or with the dedicated
camera key on the side of the phone, the 2-megapixel camera with 7x
zoom can quickly switch between picture taking and video recording,
allowing users to capture life's moments as they happen and share them
easily with family and friends.
-- Specialized Tools - The Ease comes with a number of specialized apps
to make the users' life easier. Users can track their steps and see up
to a seven-day history with Pedometer. Readout mode audibly announces
callers, text message senders and reads out text message text and
Voice Mode allows users to dictate a message instead of typing it.
In Easy Mode, the Ease also boasts quick access to:
-- AT&T Mobile Browser - combines full HTML browsing with unique
customization features so customers can easily surf the Internet; view
location-aware local news and weather; and read the latest headlines
from popular news, sports and entertainment sites.
-- AT&T Navigator - offers turn-by-turn voice and onscreen driving
directions, automatic rerouting, real-time traffic monitoring and
more. AT&T Navigator is available for $9.99 per month, and new
subscribers receive their first 30 days of their subscription for
free.
-- AT&T Address Book - syncs contacts to an online address book so
customers can access and manage their mobile contacts from their
handset -- or their PC. There is no additional charge to use AT&T
Address Book.
Ease will be available at AT&T retail stores nationwide and online at http://www.wireless.att.com on June 20 for $69.99 (Pay $119.99 and after mail-in rebate receive $50 AT&T Promotion Card. Two year service agreement and a minimum $20 messaging or combination of messaging and data plans required.)
For the complete array of AT&T offerings, visit http://www.att.com
(1) 3G coverage is not available in all areas.
(2) Coverage not available in all areas.
(3) AT&T Promotion Card: Price for Pantech Ease before AT&T Promotion
Card & with 2 year contract and minimum $20 Messaging or combination
of messaging and data plans is $119.99. Allow 60 days for
fulfillment. Card valid for 120 days wherever major credit cards
accepted. May be used to pay wireless bill. Not redeemable for cash
and cannot be used at ATMs or gas pumps. Some restrictions and other
charges apply. See terms at store or at att.com/wirelessrebate. You
must be customer for 30 consecutive days to receive Promotion Card.
(4) Limited-time offer. Other conditions & restrictions apply. See
contract & rate plan brochure for details. Early Termination Fee:
None if cancelled in the first 30 days, but up to $35 restocking fee
may apply to equipment returns; thereafter up to up to $150.
(5) Sales tax calculated based on price of unactivated equipment.
*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.
About AT&T
AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates - AT&T operating companies - are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation's fastest 3G network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet and voice services. A leader in mobile broadband, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse® and AT&T | DIRECTV brands. The company's suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world. In domestic markets, AT&T Advertising Solutions and AT&T Interactive are known for their leadership in local search and advertising. In 2010, AT&T again ranked among the 50 Most Admired Companies by FORTUNE® magazine.
Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at http://www.att.com/. This AT&T news release and other announcements are available at http://www.att.com/newsroom and as part of an RSS feed at http://www.att.com/rss. Or follow our news on Twitter at @ATTNews. Find us on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/ATT to discover more about our consumer and wireless services or at http://www.Facebook.com/ATTSmallBiz to discover more about our small business services.
About Pantech Wireless, Inc.
Pantech Wireless, Inc., an Atlanta, GA based subsidiary of Pantech Co., Ltd., researches, markets and develops wireless handsets and telecommunications products throughout North America as part of the Pantech Group. For additional information, visit the PWI website at http://www.pantechusa.com.
© 2010 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. AT&T, the AT&T logo and all other marks contained herein are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies. All other marks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.
Source: AT&T Inc.
CONTACT: Warner May of AT&T, +1-404-986-1807, wmay@attnews.us; or Jeff
Bratton of Pantech Wireless, Inc., +1-310-481-1431, Ext. 13,
jeff.bratton@fusionpr.com
Web Site: http://www.pantechusa.com/
http://www.att.com/
New Pantech 'Ease' is First Quick Messaging Phone Designed Specifically for Simplicity Seekers
DALLAS, June 14 -- For experienced mobile phone users, the ins and outs of wireless devices are second nature, but for some, ease-of-use is paramount. AT&T* today announced the Pantech Ease, the first quick messaging phone from AT&T with menus and features designed for users who seek simplicity in their wireless device. With a large and comfortable touchscreen, Ease will be available for new and existing AT&T customers online at http://www.wireless.att.com and in AT&T stores nationwide June 20.
Ease is the latest offering in AT&T's focused initiative to deliver a streamlined mobile experience. The handset is also the first simplicity-centric phone to feature a full keypad and touchscreen to keep customers better connected with family and friends. With the original Pantech Breeze having launched in 2008, the Pantech Breeze II in May 2010 and now Ease, AT&T is committed to customers who want the latest technology in a convenient form.
"Ease emphasizes our commitment to meeting the needs of all AT&T customers," said Jeff Bradley, senior vice president, Devices, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. "The first quick messaging phone targeted for simplicity seekers, it fulfills our goal to create a highly functional device for everyone - from children to great-grandparents."
Ease's uncluttered design contributes to its straightforward user experience. Ease offers a bright 3.2" full touch screen display, a full keyboard, intuitive menus - all at an affordable price. And, while it is easy to use, Ease is not just a basic phone. The handset can also be switched from Easy mode to Advanced mode for a more traditional quick messaging user experience with a quick settings change. Customers of all types may enjoy the Easy mode, especially seniors.
"The seniors market remains a significant opportunity for the operators to expand their businesses. But as iGR's research has found, the challenge is to provide a solution that meets the specific needs of the seniors with sufficient functions and capabilities yet is easy to use and intuitive, " said Iain Gillott, president of iGR, a market research consultancy focused on the wireless and mobile industry. "Our research has shown that seniors primarily want to make calls, to send and receive photos in text messages, to get driving directions and to read their email. And they want an attractive design that would make their family members envious - the Pantech Ease, with an easy-to-use interface developed collaboratively by AT&T and Pantech and attractive yet senior-friendly form factor, seems to address those needs squarely."
Ease will be compatible with AT&T's High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) 7.2 Mbps technology. This technology provides a considerable boost to the nation's fastest 3G network when combined with expanded backhaul.
"AT&T customers have come to rely on Pantech's ability to create phones that meet their unique lifestyle needs," said Jim Berridge, vice president of sales and marketing, Pantech Wireless. "Ease is a phone that incorporates the latest customer requests - a touch screen - yet does so in a manner which is easy to use. We have a winner with Ease and we're confident that customers will be impressed with both the design and functionality of this handset."
Ease takes into account user experience design principles to ensure an easy-to-use experience.
-- Streamlined, Targeted Menu - Navigating the phone's features is
straightforward with the Easy Mode, which minimizes scrolling and
highlights the features customers want to access most.
-- Large Font - Ease uses a highly visible large font. Additionally,
users can increase or minimize the font of received messages with
either touch or physical zoom in or out keys.
-- Easy-to-Use Buttons - Well spaced, backlit buttons on the device
respond with a tactile click when pressed, and remain illuminated
while in use. Specialized buttons such as the Quick Contact key
provide easy access to top 3 contacts and voicemail and the "Say A
Command" key allows a user to make a call, start a text or open an
application with their voice.
-- Camera - Activated from the home screen menu or with the dedicated
camera key on the side of the phone, the 2-megapixel camera with 7x
zoom can quickly switch between picture taking and video recording,
allowing users to capture life's moments as they happen and share them
easily with family and friends.
-- Specialized Tools - The Ease comes with a number of specialized apps
to make the users' life easier. Users can track their steps and see up
to a seven-day history with Pedometer. Readout mode audibly announces
callers, text message senders and reads out text message text and
Voice Mode allows users to dictate a message instead of typing it.
In Easy Mode, the Ease also boasts quick access to:
-- AT&T Mobile Browser - combines full HTML browsing with unique
customization features so customers can easily surf the Internet; view
location-aware local news and weather; and read the latest headlines
from popular news, sports and entertainment sites.
-- AT&T Navigator - offers turn-by-turn voice and onscreen driving
directions, automatic rerouting, real-time traffic monitoring and
more. AT&T Navigator is available for $9.99 per month, and new
subscribers receive their first 30 days of their subscription for
free.
-- AT&T Address Book - syncs contacts to an online address book so
customers can access and manage their mobile contacts from their
handset -- or their PC. There is no additional charge to use AT&T
Address Book.
Ease will be available at AT&T retail stores nationwide and online at http://www.wireless.att.com on June 20 for $69.99 (Pay $119.99 and after mail-in rebate receive $50 AT&T Promotion Card. Two year service agreement and a minimum $20 messaging or combination of messaging and data plans required.)
For the complete array of AT&T offerings, visit http://www.att.com
(1) 3G coverage is not available in all areas.
(2) Coverage not available in all areas.
(3) AT&T Promotion Card: Price for Pantech Ease before AT&T Promotion
Card & with 2 year contract and minimum $20 Messaging or combination
of messaging and data plans is $119.99. Allow 60 days for
fulfillment. Card valid for 120 days wherever major credit cards
accepted. May be used to pay wireless bill. Not redeemable for cash
and cannot be used at ATMs or gas pumps. Some restrictions and other
charges apply. See terms at store or at att.com/wirelessrebate. You
must be customer for 30 consecutive days to receive Promotion Card.
(4) Limited-time offer. Other conditions & restrictions apply. See
contract & rate plan brochure for details. Early Termination Fee:
None if cancelled in the first 30 days, but up to $35 restocking fee
may apply to equipment returns; thereafter up to up to $150.
(5) Sales tax calculated based on price of unactivated equipment.
*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.
About AT&T
AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates - AT&T operating companies - are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation's fastest 3G network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet and voice services. A leader in mobile broadband, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse® and AT&T | DIRECTV brands. The company's suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world. In domestic markets, AT&T Advertising Solutions and AT&T Interactive are known for their leadership in local search and advertising. In 2010, AT&T again ranked among the 50 Most Admired Companies by FORTUNE® magazine.
Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at http://www.att.com/. This AT&T news release and other announcements are available at http://www.att.com/newsroom and as part of an RSS feed at http://www.att.com/rss. Or follow our news on Twitter at @ATTNews. Find us on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/ATT to discover more about our consumer and wireless services or at http://www.Facebook.com/ATTSmallBiz to discover more about our small business services.
About Pantech Wireless, Inc.
Pantech Wireless, Inc., an Atlanta, GA based subsidiary of Pantech Co., Ltd., researches, markets and develops wireless handsets and telecommunications products throughout North America as part of the Pantech Group. For additional information, visit the PWI website at http://www.pantechusa.com.
© 2010 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. AT&T, the AT&T logo and all other marks contained herein are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies. All other marks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.
Source: AT&T Inc.
CONTACT: Warner May of AT&T, +1-404-986-1807, wmay@attnews.us; or Jeff
Bratton of Pantech Wireless, Inc., +1-310-481-1431, Ext. 13,
jeff.bratton@fusionpr.com
Web Site: http://www.pantechusa.com/
http://www.att.com/