| VoIP handhelds replace desk phones |
Nov. 12, 2008
 Motorola announced a pair of Windows Mobile 6.1 devices that, while billed as "business smartphones," don't include cellular capabilities. The EWP1000 and EWP2000 instead use WiFi and VoIP, providing access to PBX-based telephony, PTT, text messaging, email, the Internet, and enterprise applications, says Motorola.
(Click here for a larger view of Motorola's EWP1000 and EWP2000)
Calling its new devices "pocketable virtual offices," Motorola says they deliver all the functionality of a PBX desk phone, complete with extension-based numbers, push-to-talk instant calling, group calling, and call forwarding, transferring and waiting. With integrated business applications, they also provide access to company databases such as inventory, ordering, and customer records, the company adds.
The devices are supported by two "TEAM" server components ("TEAM" stands for "total enterprise acesss and mobility"):- A WSM (wireless services manager) runs on a Sun Netra 210. It interfaces between the enterprise's wireless LAN and PBX, while providing device and user authentication, and configuring devices OTA (over the air).
- An NSM (network services manager) runs on a Windows Server 2003 SP2 system (with a 2.8GHz Pentium 4 or better). It provides security, performance management, and troubleshooting.
Together, the two TEAM servers can support up to 4,500 client devices, claims Motorola.
The EWP1000 and EWP2000 run the Windows Mobile 6.1 Standard operating system, and have 2-inch displays with 320 x 240 resolution. The phones use an unspecified TI OMAP processor running at 325MHz, with 128MB of RAM, and 256 of flash storage.
As befits products that might be aimed at a security-conscious enterprise, the devices apparently omit cameras and SD expansion slots. They include 802.11a/b/g wireless networking, USB 2.0 ports, and Bluetooth. Optional Bluetooth headsets include both stereo music playback and PTT (push to talk) microphones.
The EWP1000 and EWP2000 offer identical specifications and functionality, but the EWP2000 is said to be sealed against water and dust, in accord with IPx2 and MIL810F specifications, and is also designed to withstand up to 16 four-foot drops onto concrete. The EWP2000 also fits into an optional charger that replenishes six devices at once, whereas the EWP1000 only has a single-slot charger.
Judged on its own, however, the EWP1000 is hardly a shrinking violet, since it is claimed to withstand six four-foot drops. Both the EWP1000 and the EWP2000 come with standard 1480mAh batteries, said to offer seven-hour talk times and 170 hours of standby. Optional 1750mAh batteries increase operation to nine hours of talk and 200 hours of standby, adds Motorola.
Features and specifications provided by Motorola for the EWP1000 and EWP2000 include:- Processor -- TI OMAP clocked at 325MHz
- Memory -- 128MB of RAM and 256MB of ROM
- Display -- 2-inch display with 320 x 240 resolution
- Networking:
- WLAN -- 802.11a/b/g
- PAN -- Bluetooth 2.0
- Other I/O:
- USB 2.0
- Microphone and speaker
- 2.5mm headset jack with PTT (push to talk) functionality
- Battery type/life:
- Standard -- 1480mAh, with seven-hour talk time and 170 hours standby
- Optional -- 1750mAh, with nine-hours talk time and 200 hours standby
- Dimensions:
- EWP1000 -- 4.72 x 2.05 x 0.68 inches (120 x 52 x 17.2mm) with standard battery, 4.72 x 2.05 x 0.77 inches (120mm x 52 x 19.5mm) with extended battery
- EWP2000 -- 4.74 x 2.13 x 0.74 inches (120.5 x 54 x 18.7mm) with standard battery, 4.74 x 2.13 x 0.81 inches (120.5 x 54 x 20.6mm) with extended battery
- Operating temperature -- -10 to 50 deg. C (14 to 122 deg. F)
The EWP1000 and EWP2000 appear to be available now, along with the rest of the TEAM system, but pricing was not provided. More information may be found on the company's website, here.
More coverage of Motorola's TEAM system appears on our sister site eWEEK.com, here.
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