Java and audio join new Voq Professional phone

Edited by the Electronicstalk editorial team Feb 20, 2004

The new Voq Professional phone from Sierra Wireless, will feature two of Intent's core technologies.

The new Voq Professional phone from Sierra Wireless, will feature two of Intent's core technologies.

In order to provide end users with powerful Java and audio capabilities, the Voq phone will include the Intent Java Technology MIDP 2.0 runtime solution and an advanced polyphonic ringtone engine (APRE) MIDI profile supporting up to 64 note polyphonic ringers.

These two technology solutions integrate seamlessly with the Windows Mobile 2003 software for Smartphones, and ensure that Voq users receive the quality of service and performance required from the new generation of mobility solutions.

Intent's Java solutions are being benchmarked by network operators and manufacturers as being ahead of the other leading suppliers of Java technology to embedded devices.

These products are available now with language support for Chinese, English, Italian, German and many other languages.

Tao has used its vast experience in delivering integrated AV solutions to manufacture a solution that delivers real world services materially faster than the alternative offerings.

The advanced polyphonic ringtone engine (APRE) audio component is the premier dedicated mobile audio solution for playback of ringtones and sounds.

The MIDI profile offers superior quality sound for ringtones and other applications to exceed the consumers' expectations of audio on mobile devices.

Sierra Wireless selected Intent from Tao to deliver a complete Java and audio multimedia solution for the new Voq Professional phone.

Tao designed the product to be easy to integrate with the Microsoft Windows Mobile software for Smartphones, significantly reducing engineering costs, time to market, and the overall bill-of-materials costs for handset manufacturers such as Sierra Wireless.

Francis Charig, Chairman of Tao Group said: "I believe that the new Voq Professional phone is going to be a success for Sierra Wireless, for Microsoft and for ourselves.

In building the new Voq phone there has been a strong emphasis on meeting the rapid increase in sophistication of user demands.

Many of the network operators and end users are going to take notice of this unique handset combining the best features of a phone and a PDA".

Andrew Harries, Senior Vice-President, Marketing for Sierra Wireless said: "The Voq Professional phone is a unique handset that incorporates a suite of innovative wireless technologies to ensure our customers experience all the benefits of a true mobile communication solution.

We found a natural fit with Intent's Java and ringtone engine where the quality and performance elevated Tao above the other players in this market".

"Tao's Intent technology is a great match for Windows Mobile software and introduces innovative multimedia functionality for enterprise users of the Voq handset", said Annemarie Duffy, Lead Business Manager, Microsoft Mobile Devices Division.

"Windows Mobile's unique data capabilities and suite of applications make it an idea productivity tool, and integration with Tao's solution can only make for a winning combination".

The Voq Professional phone is a new class of mobile phone that offers a flip-open qwerty thumbpad and easy-to-use software solutions for business users, including a secure Always-there e-mail solution that requires no additional enterprise server or desktop redirector software to purchase, install, and maintain.

Based on the Windows Mobile 2003 software for Smartphone, the Voq Professional phone incorporates the best features of a mobile phone, messaging device and PDA in one.

The Voq Professional phone will launch across North American and Western Europe during the first half of 2004.

Tao Group and Sierra Wireless will both be at the GSM World Congress in Cannes between 23rd and 26th February.