Orange Release the M5000

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It looks like the race to launch the first HTC Universal by a network will be won be Orange with their SPV M5000, who today publish two press releases. Although it's probably going to be a few more days before these hit the stores, Orange have said that the 3G tablet-esque handset has been launched today in the UK, France and Switzerland. It'll be fully available in from early October in stores for approximately £400 ($721) in the UK and €600 in France and Switzerland, before subsidy. Pricing however will be subject to the customer's contract, local market conditions and local market tariffs (per customer).

This handset, with it's 3G data speeds, 3G video calling, Wi-Fi, full QWERTY keyboard and flip / tilt screen should sell extremely well to business users and heavy data users alike. It should also be an ideal solution to those seeking to use just one device to organise their personal and business lives.

Get the full press releases below or direct from Orange.com with the links.

Links -
http://www.orange.com/English/media/...cle.asp?id=160
http://www.orange.com/English/media/...cle.asp?id=161

£400 before subsidy. That's a very good price.
Means it should be from £100 to £250 on contract then. Very good indeed.

Excuse me, but what the hell does "launch" mean these days???

I remember the good old days when somebody 'launched' a product, that meant you could go and buy it!

Orange have had the phone on their website for aaages as "coming soon"
Today they 'launch' it, its still on the website as "coming soon"

Nothing changed. They couldnt mean they are announcing it because its been on their website for ages.

So basically, launch means, urm, "hype with stupid press release" a product that everybody already knows about and wants but they still damn well wont sell you.

Nice. I look forward to many more product 'launches' that dont involce a product of any kind, or indeed any new information on said product.

O2 did the same thing a few days ago too.

Originally Posted by Pyrofer

I remember the good old days when somebody 'launched' a product, that meant you could go and buy it!

I second that, called business information today and they say it coming soon, probably october and they dont understand the press release, it must be wrong.

It shouldnt be this hard to give a company money for a new cellphone!

I see on the Orange french site, but i can't see SPVM5000... Is still selled in FR?