Sprint Bundles Handmark Express News, Maps, and More on New Samsung VI-A820 Phone
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Fast Access to News, Sports, Stocks, Movies, Weather, Maps & '411'
KANSAS CITY, Mo., Oct. 4 -- Handmark(R), a global leader in mobile media, announced today that Sprint (NYSE:S) has pre-loaded Handmark Express News, Maps, and More on the newly released Sprint PCS Vision(SM) Phone VI-A820 by Samsung(R). Subscribers receive a free 7-day subscription with the phone, plus the option to continue the service through Sprint for $6.99 per month.
Express News, Maps, and More is a suite of real-time mobile news and information services providing news, sports, stock quotes, weather, movie information, street maps and directions, and residential and business 411 directory lookup services up to 30 times faster and with 80% fewer keystrokes than browser based alternatives. Based on the award-winning Handmark Pocket Express(TM), the service offers an easy-to-use interface and the ability to tailor each "channel" to users' interests eliminating unnecessary navigation; direct communication with Handmark servers speeds connectivity; and the integrated directory service allows users to dial phone numbers and display a map of the search location without switching applications.
These features enhance the capabilities of the Sprint PCS Vision service by adding a broad mix of productivity tools to the VI-A820 by Samsung. The dual-band / tri-mode phone has a 65,000 color main display with a resolution of 128x160 pixels, a large 96x96 external display, two-way SMS messaging, built-in personal information management features and supports MIDI ringtones and customizable wallpaper.
"The goal of Sprint PCS Vision is to provide subscribers with new and valuable ways to use their phones, and Handmark Express helps us do that by offering a faster way for people to get the everyday information they need," said Jeff Hallock, vice president product management, Sprint. "It is another example of how Sprint PCS Vision is becoming indispensable for functions beyond phone calls, whether you're checking the latest headlines, getting driving directions, or trying to find out what's playing at your neighborhood movie theater."
"Wireless phones are not just phones; they're portable information centers, and Handmark recognizes that users want all of the online news and information services they use on a daily basis instantly accessible in one place," said Douglas Edwards, Handmark cofounder and executive vice president. "Now Sprint PCS Vision users with the new - VI-A820 by Samsung can experience the benefits of Express News, Maps, and More for themselves - for free."
The VI-A820 by Samsung is available now online at sprintpcs.com, Handmark's Pocket Express is also available on other Sprint PCS Vision phones for $6.99 per month.
About Handmark
Handmark is a global leader in the development and distribution of mobile content solutions. The company's flagship Pocket Express wireless service bundle offers consumer-friendly access to news, reference and infotainment content on mobile phones as well as BlackBerry, Treo and Windows Mobile wireless handhelds. The company also holds key mobile content distribution patents including Java-based push technology for wireless devices; has technology and distribution relationships with CNN International, Reuters, Oxford University Press, Hasbro, MobiTV and Zagat Survey as well as Sprint, Nextel, T-Mobile, Verizon, and others; and has an estimated 43 percent market share in mobile software titles sold through retail channels. Handmark has R&D facilities in Gothenburg, Sweden; Kansas City, Missouri; and Dallas, Texas, with sales offices in Chicago, Kansas City, San Francisco, Stockholm, and London. For more information, visit www.handmark.com/ .
About Samsung Telecommunications America
Samsung Telecommunications America, L.P., a Dallas-based subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Company, Ltd., researches, markets and develops wireless handsets and telecommunications products throughout North America. For more information, see STA's website at samsung.com/wireless .
About Samsung Electronics
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2004 parent company sales of US$55.2 billion and net income of US$10.3 billion. Employing approximately 113,000 people in over 90 offices in 48 countries, the company consists of five main business units: Digital Appliance Business, Digital Media Business, LCD Business, Semiconductor Business and Telecommunication Network Business. Recognized as one of the fastest growing brands, Samsung Electronics is the world's largest producer of color monitors, color TVs, memory chips and TFT-LCDs. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com/
Handmark is a registered trademark, and Pocket Express, tools & toys for a mobile generation, the Handmark logo, and associated trade dress are trademarks of Handmark, Inc. All rights reserved. All other trademarks and/or registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Web sites: www.handmark.com
http://samsung.com/wireless
http://www.samsung.com
CONTACT: Belinda Banks of S&S Public Relations, +1-212-946-2823, belinda@sspr.com
