New Mobile Phone with Video Camera, 3-D Gaming, Joystick Navigation

March 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Siemens Mobile today unveiled the new CX66 mobile phone with integrated video camera, 3-D gaming, joystick menu navigation and up to 11MB of shared memory* to store a growing pool of multimedia content that includes video clips, images and games. The CX66 is the first Siemens mobile phone with a built-in 3-D gaming engine based on Java technology that delivers a dramatically improved gaming experience with realistic action and advanced scene rendering. Siemens fashioned the CX66 for demanding mobile users who value solid design, smart functionality, and full multimedia, gaming and personalization capabilities.

The CX66 is a triple band Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) 850/1800/1900 MHz phone and is expected to be available in the third quarter of 2004. Siemens also will introduce the CX65 in North America, with features similar to the CX66 in many respects except frequency. The CX65 operates on 900/1800/1900 MHz frequencies.

"For today's sophisticated mobile phone users, a handset is a natural extension of who they are and what they do, so it has to keep up with their demanding lifestyles," said Bernt Klein, senior vice president and general manager of the Mobile Phones unit, North America, Siemens Information and Communication Mobile LLC. "The CX66 delivers a variety of advanced features to meet the needs of this growing population."

Work. Play. Connect.
The Video Graphics Array (VGA) video camera allows users to shoot and send photos and video clips of up to 15 seconds to individuals or groups through Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS)**. For capturing footage or photos in low- light situations, an optional flash accessory with red eye reduction may be attached to the phone (flash sold separately)***. With the photo album and photo editor applications, consumers can manage a variety of photos as well as personalize pictures to suit their individual taste***. Instant Messaging (IM) offers consumers a nearly instantaneous vehicle for brief text communication*****.

The five-way joystick enhances the options for mobile gaming and menu navigation. In addition, a personal download assistant helps consumers discover new content and download new images, sounds, screensavers, ring tones and games**. When users activate the download assistant, they can select an item, preview its content and decide if they want to download the item.

Transforming mobile phones into pocket-sized gaming consoles is possible thanks to Java-enabled 3-D technology that turns ordinary two-dimensional mobile gaming into a 3-D experience complete with complex rendering of graphics and game scenes. The technology that powers this new mobile 3-D gaming experience is based on the Mobile 3-D Graphics Application Program Interface (API), also known as Java Specification Request (JSR) 184. JSR 184 defines a lightweight interactive 3-D API for use on Java 2 Platform Micro Edition (J2ME)-enabled devices.

"The race is on to connect everything with a digital or biological heartbeat. We're teaming with partners like Siemens to enable the Java lifestyle, and expose the mobile industry to the big-time innovations of Java game developers. Java 3D capabilities open the door to new revenue streams based on the ultimate consumer experience," said Scott McNealy, president, chairman and CEO, Sun Microsystems.

The CX66 features an up to 65,536-color display, screensavers, and animations and images for use in messaging. The CX66 has a personal information manager to organize calendar, address book for up to 1000 entries*, appointments, task list and notes. In addition, dynamic lighting effects and a bridgeless keypad add to the phone's stylish design.

Make Your Mark
There are several ways the CX66 allows consumers to personalize their wireless communication. Each consumer can choose a personal theme, including animated buddy, sound and lighting effects. The phone features up to 40 polyphonic chords, offering a high-quality sound to ring tones, audio files and games. For additional customization, consumers can record everyday noises, such as a barking dog or laughing child, and use them as ring tones and in other audio applications**. Consumers wanting to match the phone to their mood or activity can swap various optional premium CLIPit covers in a variety of designs and colors***. And to make it easy and fun to answer the phone, consumers can assign different ring tones, images and pictures to incoming callers.

Additional Product Details
Product details for the CX66 include a weight of approximately 3.2 ounces, an up to 132 by 176 pixel display screen, standby time of up to 250 hours****, talk time of up to five hours****, a Li-Ion 750 mAh battery, Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) 2.0 browser for mobile Internet access*****, General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) Class 10 technology for fast downloads and rapid access to Web sites and online content*****, illuminated keypad, speakerphone and integrated antenna. Optional accessories include an easy-to- install car kit, car charger, handsfree headset and USB data cable***.

More information can be found on the Internet at www.siemens-mobile.com/us.

* Some phone features such as phone book, text and multimedia messages, images, calendar and to-do notes, data saved, games and applications may share memory (storage space). Use of these features may reduce the memory available for any features sharing memory. See the user guide for details and additional information.

** User must obey all applicable laws, including all laws pertaining to intellectual property and copyright, in use of this feature or accessory. Please note that in some jurisdictions it may be unlawful to record a phone conversation or take a picture without notice to or the consent of all participants.

*** Accessory selection is subject to change without notice and availability may vary depending on service provider. Please check with service provider for availability.

**** Operation times vary depending on network conditions, SIM settings, charging, battery condition, how phone is used and other factors. Some activities, such as playing games, accessing the Internet or using other features, reduce talk and standby time.

***** This feature is network dependant. Consult wireless service provider for availability and any associated fee.

Source: Siemens Information and Communication Mobile LLC