AT&T releases the Ogo, a dedicate messaging device

Ogo is the first wireless messaging device to provide instant messaging (IM) and e-mail from all three leading providers - AOL, MSN, and Yahoo! - plus text messaging, all in a single device.

The device costs $99.99 (after a $30 mail-in rebate), and AT&T Wireless is offering unlimited messaging plans starting at US$17.99 per month.

"With Ogo, we are creating an entirely new category and the next 'must have' device in the consumer electronics space," said Andre Dahan, president of AT&T Wireless Mobile Multimedia Services. "Unlike many of today's disappointing multi-purpose wireless devices, we created Ogo to do one thing - mobile messaging - extraordinarily well. Ogo doesn't pretend to be 'all things to all people,' and is not bogged down by hardly-used features or an out-of-reach price tag. Instead, Ogo offers the most desirable mobile applications, on a smartly-designed device that most people can afford."

AT&T is marketing the Ogo mainly to the youth market, but consumers of all ages will probably benefit. In addition to its messaging applications and low price, Ogo's clamshell case hides a large colour screen and full keypad with "hot keys" to all major messaging functions. With the click of a button, users can read mail, compose messages, access IM contact lists, insert emoticons, and view all open messages at a glance. In addition, customers can get themselves up and running on Ogo by simply turning it on and following the on-screen activation wizard - bypassing the hassle of an in-store activation process.

"Clamshell" design unfolds to display large, colour screen and keypad;

Full QWERTY keypad and 8-way navigation joystick pad;

4K color display;

Compact size and weight: 11.5 cm x 7.5 cm x 2.5 cm (closed) and 4.8 ounces;

Special "hot keys" for simple navigation, including a special "emoticon" button for inserting emoticons into IM chats and an "Ogo" button to view all active messages and chats on one screen for easy multitasking;

Instant messaging on all three leading providers enables users to view and conduct unlimited chat sessions with buddies on Yahoo!, MSN, and AOL instant messaging services;

E-mail from POP3 providers and Yahoo!, MSN and AOL accounts;

SMS (Short Message Service)

Consolidated inbox allows users to view all e-mail and text messages in a consolidated mailbox or sort by individual account;

Special animated features allowing users to assign unique sounds and visual animations to different IM friends/contacts so users hear a different sound when each IM contact comes on-line or sends a message;

No annual service contract with automatic credit card payment for new activations;

Self-activationon wizard.

After developing the idea for Ogo internally at AT&T Wireless, the company selected IXI Mobile Inc., to manage overall development and delivery of Ogo's software and hardware based on their PMG (Personal Mobile Gateway) technology.