Initially the solution will provide for the i-mate JASJAR and K-JAM Pocket PC Phones, and the i-mate SP5 Smartphone. They expect to bring the JAMin and two additional HP devices into the available range in April - one of which will be the iPAQ hw6965, which if I remember rightly (and remember, I've been out for a fair while) is the new WM5.0 version of what is actually my favorite phone, the hw6515. I won't speculate on the other one as I just don't know, so feel free.

And to all this I can only say: about time too!

Update

I paraphrased the press release, but have had a few requests for the full release as per our normal practice - so here it is.

"Vodafone delivers Microsoft mobile email to Australian business
Vodafone first-to-market with Windows Mobile direct push email on i-mate and HP devices

Vodafone Australia today announced the launch of Windows Mobile Email from Vodafone. The solution is based on Microsoft® Windows Mobile® 5.0 and incorporates the Messaging and Security Feature Pack (MSFP), which includes Direct Push Technology and enhanced security features.

Windows Mobile Email from Vodafone launches today with three award-winning i-mate devices – leading with the 3G-enabled i-mate JASJAR and the new i-mate SP5 and i-mate KJam devices. In April, Vodafone will introduce the i-mate JAMin and bring two HP devices into the range – the first of which will be the HP iPAQ 6965 Pocket PC, while the second is still under wraps. Vodafone will also bring other well-known handset brands into its Windows Mobile Email product portfolio later in the year.

Windows Mobile Email from Vodafone enables customers to enjoy a Direct Push email service on the move in a format that anyone familiar with Microsoft Office will recognise. Emails and tasks are synchronised directly from Outlook®, and Microsoft Office Excel® Mobile and Word Mobile allows attachments to be viewed, edited and e-mailed using Pocket PC devices, such as the i-mate JASJAR, i-mate KJam and i-mate JAMin, from anywhere within Vodafone coverage areas. The solution requires Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 and an Exchange 2003 Server running Service Pack 2.

On the value of converged IT and mobile telecommunications, Microsoft and Vodafone agree that having a similar email experience across the PC and Vodafone Windows Mobile-powered device makes service adoption simple and accelerates delivery of the benefits that mobile email brings to business customers.
Mark Iles, general manager Business Markets at Vodafone Australia, adds: “Vodafone and Microsoft are the global leaders in our respective fields and our combined solution delivers the very best of both worlds to Australian business customers. Partnering takes mobile email and mobile computing into a new era, with the power to change the way our customers do business.”

As well as delivering a completely mobile business experience across a range of the latest Vodafone Windows Mobile-powered devices, Windows Mobile Email from Vodafone easily integrates with customers’ Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 software. According to Vodafone and Microsoft, this makes Windows Mobile Email from Vodafone a highly cost-effective, scaleable and security-enhanced way to deliver the benefits of email on the move.

“Our experience and those of our customers on BlackBerry from Vodafone is proof that mobile email is the next ‘killer app’,” said Iles. “We’ve developed a thriving customer base on BlackBerry and it’s a technology that we’ll continue to offer and support. Windows Mobile Email from Vodafone broadens our product portfolio and is another compelling reason for any business to switch to Vodafone.”

Pieter Knook, Senior Vice President, Mobile and Embedded Devices Division and Communications Sector, Microsoft Corporation, said: “Our mobile messaging solution is ideal for a diverse range of business customers. It’s an exciting time for companies who are now realising the true business potential of mobile solutions for both the business and for their employees. Our combined teams are focused on delivering the most compelling and innovative mobile solutions to meet these customer demands.”

Windows Mobile Email from Vodafone devices

All Windows Mobile Email from Vodafone devices feature either triband or quadband capabilities, allowing them to be used at major business travel destination around the world. Every i-mate device is packed with advanced features including Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0, Media Player, MSN Messenger and Pocket Outlook. The i-mate Pocket PC devices (i-mate JASJAR, i-mate KJAM and i-mate JAMin) additionally feature Word, Excel Microsoft Powerpoint Mobile and ClearVue PDF viewers. Digital pictures, video and audio recording are also available on all i-mate devices. For absolute clarity, i-mate devices feature large, 64k colour QVGA or VGA transflective LCD screens. Every i-mate device comes with extensive support, including a 24-month global warranty and 24x7 support line.

i-mate™ JASJAR
The 3G-enabled i-mate JASJAR is a flip-screen Pocket PC with a built-in QWERTY keyboard, Intel Bulverde 520MHz processor, Bluetooth, SD card memory expansion, built-in Wi-Fi, 1.3 Megapixel camera, 128MB ROM and 64MB RAM. The device also features CA® eTrust Anti-Virus software for extra peace of mind and is available immediately for a recommended retail price of $1699.

i-mate™ K-JAM
The GSM and GPRS-based i-mate K-JAM is a PDA-style compact Pocket PC with built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, QWERTY keyboard, and MiniSD card memory expansion slot. In addition to Microsoft Windows Mobile Email software, the device comes pre-loaded with CA eTrust Anti-Virus software for extra peace of mind . It is available immediately for a recommended retail price of $1199.

i-mate™ SP5
The GSM and GPRS-enabled i-mate SP5 is a sleek, candybar device with a large vibrant screen. It includes built-in Wi-Fi capabilities, Bluetooth, a MiniSD card memory expansion slot, 64MB ROM and 64MB RAM. It is available from March 20, 2006 for a recommended retail price of $849.

i-mate™ JAMin
The GSM and GPRS-enabled i-mate JAMin is a compact PDA-style device complete with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and SDIO memory expansion slot. It also features 128MB ROM and 64MB RAM, a 2.0 Megapixel built-in camera with macro mode and even plays MP3s. It is available from mid-April for a recommended retail price of $1099.

HP iPAQ 6965
In addition to its mobile email capabilities, the GPRS-enabled HP iPAQ 6965 comes pre-loaded with Word, Excel, PowerPoint Mobile and PDF Viewer. The PDA-style device also features an in-built
Wi-Fi antenna, Bluetooth and SD card memory expansion slot. It will be available from mid-April for a recommended retail price of $1199.

Vodafone voice and data plans

Vodafone Australia has led the market with its range of Business Caps, which enable multiple users to share a single capped plan, ranging in price from $199 to $999 and delivering standard calls, TXT and voicemail value that is many times greater than the monthly spend. To complement its high-value Business Caps, Vodafone has created the following data bundle ‘bolt-ons’:

Data Bundle	Cost Per Month	Emails Per Month	Additional Usage
Lite	$29.95	500 emails1	0.2cents per Kb
Heavy	$49.95	1500 emails2	0.2cents per Kb

¹ Lite usage for Windows Mobile Email is 500 emails or less (100MB) during the calendar month with average usage and 16% of emails having a 1MB attachment. This calculation is based on Vodafone estimations of the average number of emails that include attachments. Actual usage volume will be dependent entirely on the numbers of emails sent and received and the number and size of attachments included.

² Heavy usage for Windows Mobile Email is 1500 emails or less (300MB) during the calendar month with average usage and 16% of emails having a 1MB attachment. This calculation is based on Vodafone estimations of the average number of emails that include attachments. Actual usage volume will be dependent entirely on the numbers of emails sent and received and the number and size of attachments included.

Further information about Vodafone’s data bundle ‘bolt-ons’ is available at www.vodafone.com.au/business/bussol/databundle.jsp "