Yesterday I posted about a new mobile phone planned by Mazingo. That post is here. Today I'm posting this amendment update to that initial post.

I missed a call on Skype today from Mazingo's chairman. I'm sorry I missed you Ray.  And I got a voicemail message. but it was all silence, so I don't actually know what you had to say. I was actually working at a different computer that didn't have Skype running at the time. Found the missed call when I got back to my desk. Ray's profile had a link to Mazingo's web site. I hadn't found it yesterday because they're in the .tv domain, and I quit seraching before I got there. Mea culpa.

The press release on Mazingo's site is slightly different that the one I pointed to yesterday, So I'm going to echo it here because I think it's important that we're all clear and accurate when we talk about new product ideaas and offerings.

MAZINGO^TM Announces Integrated Wi-Fi/GSM Mobile Phone

MAZINGO^TM releases 'Voyager' the first integrated SIP based
WiFi/GSM phone in Europe

LONDON - April 12, 2006 - MAZINGO, the leading Portal for high quality mobile entertainment services is releasing a feature-rich broadband phone service to consumers and businesses that supports FREE voice communications, including 'roaming', and data downloads. The company announced that it has successfully completed the product's development, and will begin selling it's wireless VoIP/GSM Voyager in the summer of 2006. The MAZINGO Voyager allows users to take advantage of MAZINGO's unlimited VoIP calling plans using Wi-Fi networks. When the user is outside Wi-Fi coverage, the Voyager acts like a standard mobile phone using a separate account with a GSM service provider, such as 02, T-Mobile, Orange, or Vodafone.

"Whether you're at home, at work, on board an aircraft, or at a coffee shop, airport, hotel, or other location with a public hot spot, you can use your MAZINGO Voyager to make and receive unlimited calls anywhere in the World totally free of charge as a Mazingo subscriber" said Phil Goodacre, M.D. of MAZINGO. "When you're on the move and Wi-Fi isn't available, our Voyager automatically uses the GSM cellular network just like a mobile phone, ..but be aware, at the Network's usual high tariffs. So the more you call from a Wi-Fi location, the greater the savings and the less you need to spend on your minute-based GSM mobile phone plans."

Once a customer buys a MAZINGO Voyager with the MAZINGO VoIP and Entertainment service, they are automatically allocated a telephone number online and can immediately begin making and receiving VoIP calls over Wi-Fi. As soon as the customer plugs in a standard SIMM card from any GSM900-, GSM1800-, or GSM1900-based mobile network carrier with whom they have an account, they can place cellular calls without having to contact their network service provider. Calls are received on the number assigned by their GSM network carrier but we route it to the user's WiFi MAZINGO number in the first instance, and then to the GSM number if they are not within a HotSpot.

The MAZINGO Voyager provides unique benefits to many types of customers. Those who use mobile phones at home or at work, where Wi-Fi is available, can substantially lower their mobile phone bills because the Voyager will route those calls via Wi-Fi. MAZINGO calling plans begin at £6.95 per month and there are plans that include unlimited calling around the world. Customers who make international calls from their mobile phones can make massive savings by placing calls through a Wi-Fi hot spot, in place of paying high mobile phone 'roaming' rates. Callers who have weak mobile coverage at home or at work can now enjoy excellent quality mobile phone service by using their Wi-Fi network to place VoIP calls instead of the mobiles.

"The Mazingo Voyager is revolutionary, but it is just the latest in MAZINGO's evolution of leadership and innovation in wireless Services," said Goodacre. "MAZINGO is the first to market a wireless VoIP and GSM phone and there are now in excess of 150,000 hotspots around the world and they are still growing at an amazing rate. Whilst in the past customers have enjoyed Mazingo's wireless Services via their PDA's, they were limited to Sync'n'go only. Now we're first again - this time with an integrated device that provides all of VoIP's cost benefits and easy access to rich media Content , as well as the great coverage and convenience of GSM Mobiles, including access to the emergency services."

The MAZINGO Voyager phone will be available in the summer of 2006, through MAZINGO's web site and channel partners.

About MAZINGOTM

MAZINGO is the leading provider of high quality, wireless entertainment Services to consumers and businesses. MAZINGO VoIP phone service allows thousands of customers in Europe and around the world to use their high-speed DSL or cable modem to make and receive phone calls anywhere they happen to be. Customers benefit from unlimited domestic and international downloads for one low monthly price. Founded in September 2002, MAZINGO is a privately held, UK registered, limited liability Company and based in Bishop's Stortford, Herts, UK.

For additional information, visit http://www.MAZINGO.tv.

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What struck me was that even the name of the device was different. That could be shifting naming for a new device, and it could be that someone just got the other story wrong. This one is from the horse's mouth.

So to correct my errors, first, the device is clearly described as a GSM phone. No room for doubt. That's a very good thing.

There's another good reason to get straight to the source, They've posted specs.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION

Given my revisiting Mazingo's announcement, I'll say what they have is a pretty impressive device that will do quite well in the GSM market. That's a big market, just not the prevailing US market. But Mazingo is a UK company and I expect they'll do very well on their home turf. They'll be eating into some big player's market share, and soon. They anticipate selling the device this summer


Technorati Tags: Mazingo, Voyager, mea culpa

Added note: After I hit post I did try calling Ray back, but missed him. If we actually connect and chat, I'll likely bring more news on this.