First Asian Carrier Partner For Danger, Inc
PALO ALTO, Calif. and SINGAPORE (May 14, 2004) - Danger, Inc. and Singapore's leading info-communications provider, StarHub, today announced that Danger's award-winning hiptop® wireless all-in-one device is now available in Asia via StarHub.
For the Singapore market, the product being offered will be a tri-band version of the hiptop® device that is currently being sold in several North American and European markets, and targets young consumers who are always on the lookout for the latest messaging and entertainment device.
The hiptop® is a wireless all-in-one device that combines a fully-featured messaging and infotainment mobile phone with wireless 'push' email, instant message, SMS, MMS, a Web browser, games, personal organiser, camera attachment, and other features - all available on a crisp 65,000 colour display completed with a keyboard for easy keying. With tri-band functionality, StarHub customers will be able to send and receive POP3 emails which are automatically 'pushed' to their hiptop® device and instant messages, as well as make phone calls on GSM networks worldwide.
"StarHub is an ideal partner for Danger as we enter the Asian market and be we are confident this will be a successful tie-up," said Mr Hank Nothhaft, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Danger. "We believe StarHub customers in Singapore will embrace the hiptop® as an alternative solution to what is currently available in their market."
Said Mr Chan Kin Hung, Head of Mobile Services at StarHub: "StarHub is constantly on the lookout for services that enrich and enhance our customers' mobile lifestyle. The integrated messaging and infotainment services on Danger's all-in-one hiptop® will better enhance our customers' communications needs, allowing them to stay in touch while on the move. Besides the ability to send and receive SMS and MMS messages using the built-in keyboard, hiptop® users enjoy the added convenience of the 'push' mail feature which enables their POP3 emails to be automatically 'pushed' to their hiptop®, and instant messaging from Yahoo!, like they would on their computers. So even when they are not at their computers, they can still send and receive emails instantaneously as well as engage in instant messaging in real-time with their friends anywhere, anytime.”
"We believe that this award-winning device will up the excitement quotient and be in sync with the hip, hot and happening culture of the youth market. StarHub is thrilled to be the first operator in Singapore and Asia to offer customers with this distinctive wireless messaging and infotainment experience which has proven to be popular amongst Hollywood celebrities, professional athletes and musicians," added Mr Chan.
Today's announcement marks Danger's first foray into the Asian market and seventh carrier partnership in the world. In the United States, the hiptop® device has garnered unprecedented praise from its broad user base that ranges from college students to small business owners to technology enthusiasts. They all value their ability to stay connected, organised and in touch, while on the go with the hiptop®. The product's unique design and user-friendly navigation has also earned it the Wired Rave Awards "Industrial Design of the Year" and PC Magazine's "Product of the Year" award in 2003.
From tomorrow, hiptop® will be available at all StarHub Shops, preferred partners and authorised dealers. It will retail at S$498 (GST included) with a two-year StarHub mobile plan. A separate mobile data plan called PushMail, is needed to access the hiptop® data services such as emails, MMS and instant messaging. The PushMail service is available at a promotional price of S$15.75 (GST included) monthly for unlimited data access.
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