Hutchison’s 3 Italia has partnered with China-based ZTE and Italian design centre MOMODESIGN to produce two new video handsets – MD2 and MD3. Both devices are UMTS-enabled with latter using Qualcomm MSM 6280 chipset to deliver HSDPA support, rotatable touchscreen and a DVB-H receiver — actually all these features are not there thanks to Qualcomm’s chip only.
There’s nothing more I could say about these two apparently stylish phones (that’s according to the press release). I’m having hard time finding solid images on the Web and I still haven’t seen them at the Congress, though I’ll try to find them today or tomorrow…
Anyway, MOMODESIGN has already did some work in the past for 3 Italia, and if everything goes as planned will see these folks working again in the future… Full release after the jump.
PRESS RELEASE – ZTE Corporation (“ZTE”), a leading global provider of telecommunications equipment and network solutions, has been selected by 3 Italia, the Italian Mobile Media Company of Hutchison Whampoa Ltd, to produce MD2 and MD3 handsets, the technologically advanced devices adopting the stylish MOMODESIGN, the Italian Design Center well known across the World. The collaboration was made public during the Mobile World Congress 2008 held from 11-14 February in Barcelona, Spain.
MD2 is a fashionable UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunication System) clamshell handset with a contemporary design and equipped with the latest generation technology, while MD3 is a DVB-H and HSDPA (Digital Video Broadcasting – Handheld) videophone, adopting chipset Qualcomm MSM 6280, with an innovative form factor featuring touch screen functions and with a screen that rotates 360, enabling all-rounded video viewing.
“We are delighted to be chosen by 3 Italia to develop their fashionable and stylish MOMODESIGN MD2 and MD3 mobile devices,” said Fang Rong, Vice President of ZTE Corporation. “With our proven track record and capability in customizing terminals, we are confident that we can help 3 Italia to develop and manufacture new generation handsets that meet their specifications and allow them to wider their multimedia devices offer.”
“The joint activity with a large manufacture like ZTE, which has a great expertise in handsets production, was very precious in being able to develop Videophones and TVphones tailored to our needs with fast response time”, commented Mr. Massimiliano Zuco Consumer Division Director at 3 Italia. “Let’s not forget the important role played by MOMODESIGN in making our technologically advanced multimedia devices true cult objects”, added Mr. Zuco.
“Technology, innovation, research and style are the core values that have been inspiring MOMODESIGN for more than twenty five years. The knowledge and expertise of the MOMODESIGN Style Center are further confirmed by the close collaboration with leading and cutting edge multinationals such as 3 Italia.”, said Marco Cattaneo, CEO of MOMODESIGN.
Besides the production of MD2 and MD3 handsets, the companies are also in discussion to expand their partnership and collaborate to develop new projects that will be presented in the second half of this year.