The Siemens SK65 is a mobile phone that comes complete with RIM's Blackberry Connect client for e-mail, and a spin-out keyboard.
Siemens mobile has launched a new messaging-centric phone complete with e-mail support and a rotating keyboard, dubbed the SK65.
 | The SK65 takes a new spin on data input
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At first glance, the SK65 is a conventional-looking mobile phone. However, it features a QWERTY thumbboard that rotates into place by twisting the phone in half. Dubbed the x2type (cross-to-type), the thumbboard is designed to emphasize text-based messaging of various kinds.
Although Siemens plans multiple verisons of the SK65 with different messaging software packages, the highest-end version will ship with Research In Motion (RIM)'s Blackberry Connect client, allowing push-access to corporate e-mail via RIM's backend Blackberry server if installed within a company. The client is part of RIM's new "BlackBerry Built-In" licensing program, through which the company hopes to encourage handset and handheld makers to bundle RIM's PIM suite, including its trademark push e-mail client, in a wider variety of devices.
The SK65 is otherwise a standard conventional mobile phone, albeit with a roomy 64 MB of RA, 30 MB of which is available to the user for e-mail and Java-based applications, a few of which (games of course) are included. When the thumbboard is closed, the phone measures 120 x 47 x 22 mm and weighs a somewhat hefty 144 grams. The screen is a 16-bit TFT measuring 132 x 176 pixels, while the battery is rated for 5 hours of talk time or 250 hours standby. The phone also supports Push-To-Talk over Cellular (PoC) functionality, allowing for walkie-talkie-like operation to one or multiple people.
Primary connectivity is provided by a tri-band 900/1800/1900 MHz GSM/GPRS radio, along with software support for WAP 2.0, SMS, and MMS. The included e-mail connectivity can handle both POP3 and IMAP4 for incoming mail. On the downside, it does include DRM restrictions on some functionality. As one would expect for a high-end phone today, it also includes Bluetooth for connecting to Bluetooth accessories and other devices.
The SK65 will be available in Europe, the Middle-East, and Africa in November, with availability in other markets following shortly. Pricing information was not available.
High-resolution images of the SK65 are available on the following pages.
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