Company / Press Center

VL Inc releases PocketGphone 2.0 VoIP for Windows Powered Pocket PC and Windows CE-based devices

PocketGphone 2.0 featuring SIP compliance and 50 ms latency to be shown at the Microsoft Windows Embedded Developer Conference Oct. 21-24 in Las Vegas

Mountain View, CA – October 21, 2002 – VL Inc., a market leader in VoIP for mobile devices and member of the Microsoft Windows Embedded Partner (WEP) program has released the 2.0 version of its PocketGphone. PocketGphone 1.X for Windows Powered Pocket PC and the Microsoft Windows CE operating system has attracted 60,000 active users since its release in June of 2002. PocketGphone 2.0 adds SIP compliance and a reduction of software latency to an industry leading 50 milliseconds.

The recent emergence of the 802.11/Wi-Fi standard has enabled cost effective deployment of unregulated wireless broadband networks. Consumers and enterprises are utilizing these new networks with Windows Powered Pocket PC and Windows CE-based devices to work and communicate in entirely new ways. VoIP can be deployed as either a voice-only solution, or as an integrated add-on to existing mobile data applications.

For enterprises using Windows Powered Pocket PC and Windows CE-based devices with 802.11 networks, PocketGphone enables real-time, two way voice calling/chat as a complement to mobile data applications such as warehouse/inventory management. For consumers using Windows Powered Pocket PC and Windows CE-based devices with 802.11 Hot Spots, PocketGphone enables real-time, two way voice calling/chat along with applications such as online games.

PocketGphone also requires as little as 32 kbps bandwidth, is NAT compatible and peer-to-peer.

PocketGphone and Gphone (the PC version) have been marketed for the past two years under VL’s former name Gtony. Since 2000 there have been 5 million downloads of VL’s VoIP client software for Windows Powered Pocket PC and PC’s, of which more than 200,000 users are currently active.

“PocketGphone 2.0 firmly establishes VL Inc. as the leader in SIP VoIP solutions for resource constrained mobile devices,” said Bingwei Yao, President and CEO of VL Inc. “The small footprint, low latency, low bandwidth requirements, peer to peer architecture along with SIP and NAT compliance of PocketGphone 2.0 gives OEMs, VARs and Integrators a tremendous opportunity to add voice as a differentiator to their Windows Powered Pocket PC and Windows CE-based solutions using 802.11 wireless networks.”

PocketGphone can be deployed as a stand alone client-to-client solution, or with VL Inc’s Gphone Lobby Server. Gphone Lobby Server adds user, address book and IP management to enable PocketGphone users to seamlessly connect with each other.

“OEMs developing the next generation of smart, mobile devices need high-quality software that allows them to deliver their solutions quickly, while differentiating them from the competition,” said Keith White, senior director of the Embedded and Appliance Platforms Group at Microsoft Corp. "VL Inc.’s software will help OEMs to rapidly create VoIP enabled devices leveraging the latest Windows CE .NET technologies including VoIP and 802.11-based features providing customers with an easier real-time communication experience while shortening the OEM development process.”

PocketGphone, Gphone and Gphone Lobby Server will be exhibited in booth #310 at the upcoming Microsoft Windows Embedded Developer Conference in Las Vegas Oct. 21-24.

About VL Inc.
Originally founded in Tokyo, Japan as Gtony in 2000, VL is now headquartered in Mountain View, CA. VL is a world leader in SIP compliant VoIP software and services for mobile consumer electronics devices such as PDAs. 5 million copies of the company’s peer-to-peer client software have been distributed and there are currently more than 200,000 active users of the Gphone products. VL’s current product line up includes the award winning PocketGphone client software for PDA platforms such as Windows Powered Pocket PC and the Windows CE operating system. VLI also has server technology, which manages IP addresses, buddy lists and online/offline status to create a seamless user experience. VL’s products are being deployed on 802.11/Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and broadband networks.

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VL, the VL logo, Gphone and PocketGphone are registered trademarks of VL Inc.
Other product and service names mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners.

Contact:

VL Inc.
Jason Johnson
650-938-8400
jason@vliusa.com
www.vliusa.com