T-Mobile this morning made the rumors official -- there be Wifi calling on them there Android phones. Specficially, on the new T-Mobile myTouch and Motorola Defy, and it'll be coming to more Android devices in the coming months. And -- surprise, surprise -- its done with that Kineto technology we wrote about a couple of weeks ago. So it's not quite the UMA of old, but it's close. Full presser after the break.
BELLEVUE, Wash. — Oct. 6, 2010 — T-Mobile USA, Inc. today announced
its continued innovation of Wi-Fi Calling technology with the upcoming
availability of built-in Wi-Fi Calling solutions planned for a wide
selection of Android™-powered smartphones, including the recently
announced new T-Mobile® myTouch® and Motorola DEFY™ with MOTOBLUR™.
A leader in bringing innovative and easy-to-use solutions to market to
enhance indoor coverage for consumers and provide cost saving for
businesses, T-Mobile hosts approximately 40 million Wi-Fi calls per
month, a number that has grown steadily since the company launched
Wi-Fi Calling in June 2007. In addition to consumers benefiting from
enhanced coverage, T-Mobile business customers – from small business
to multinational corporations – have long taken advantage of the
company’s Wi-Fi Calling plan offerings, enabling them to take
advantage of the enhanced coverage, as well as the opportunity for
reduced domestic and international minute usage, increased enterprise
mobility cost savings and improved productivity benefits this solution
can deliver. Currently, T-Mobile offers Wi-Fi Calling on numerous
devices including the Nokia E73 Mode™, BlackBerry® Curve™ 8520,
BlackBerry® Bold™ 9700 and the new BlackBerry® Curve™ 3G.
“T-Mobile’s expansion of Wi-Fi Calling to Android smartphones is an
excellent innovation, and part of our ongoing initiatives on behalf of
our customers to enhance indoor coverage,” said Torrie Dorrell, vice
president, connected family products and services, T-Mobile USA. “This
new execution of Wi-Fi Calling technology helps us ensure that our
customers’ Android-powered smartphones can keep them connected to the
important people in their lives where they work, live or play.”
The implementation of Wi-Fi Calling for Android smartphones brings a
new solution to a fast-growing mobile platform and broader range of
smartphones for consumers and business customers. Powered by Kineto’s
Smart Wi-Fi Application, T-Mobile’s Wi-Fi Calling for Android
smartphones will be ready to use out-of-the-box, providing the ability
to make voice calls and send SMS from accessible Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n)
access points across the globe in addition to the connectivity
available through T-Mobile’s mobile network. The application will also
include a tutorial for the benefit of first-time users of the feature.
Availability
Wi-Fi Calling for Android is anticipated to be available on a growing
selection of T-Mobile’s Android-powered smartphones in the coming
months.
The new T-Mobile myTouch is expected to be available in time for the
holidays, exclusively from
T-Mobile USA in four colors —white, black, plum or red. Customers can
visit http://mytouch.t-mobile.com for more information.
Motorola DEFY with MOTOBLUR is expected to be available exclusively to
T-Mobile USA customers in time for the holidays. For more information
on Motorola DEFY with MOTOBLUR. Customers can visit
http://www.T-Mobile.com for more information.
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