New T-Mobile 'Dash' Aims to Make Its Mark in the Handheld Industry

T-Mobile has recently unveiled the new "Dash" phone, set for release on October 25th. The Dash, which has been compared to the already popular Motorola "Q," is ready to enter the market as the hot new must-have phone for high-end tech users.

The Dash is an offspring of T-Mobile's MDA and SDA phones: it includes a keyboard, WiFi connectivity, and runs on the Windows Mobile Smartphone 5 operating system. The 4.2 ounce Dash boasts a 2.5 inch screen with 320x240 resolution and a cursor pad above the soft-key keyboard. Other features include a 1.3 megapixel digital camera, 68MB of free storage memory, ClearVue's viewer (to view Word, Excel, PowerPoint and PDF files), and Bluetooth connectivity. (Source: abcnews.com)

The Dash is a positive step forward for T-Mobile. The company has lagged behind competitors such as Sprint Nextel Corp. and Verizon Wireless in creating nationwide high-speed cellular networks. T-Mobile currently only offers high-speed wireless service to laptop users via public WiFi networks. Recognizing their deficiency, T-Mobile's parent company has said that it would spend $2.7 billion in the next few years to build a national US high-speed wireless network. Until then, the Dash extends the WiFi network to handsets. (Source: usatoday.com)

T-Mobile Marketing Director Mike Selman confirmed T-Mobile's commitment to expanding cell phone capability and connectivity: "We believe there is a real untapped need for consumers wishing to keep in touch with their personal email while they are away from their computers." (Source: techwhack.com)

T-Mobile is planning to offer the phone for $349 US on a non-contract basis. Those willing to sign a one year contract will pay only $249 US, and those signing a two year contract will be charged $199US. (Source: betanews.com)

Currently the fourth largest mobile service provider in the US, T-Mobile is looking to move up the ranks. Time will tell whether the Dash is a success or whether its name symbolizes its short life in the market.