Second Careers for Aging Mobile Phones
Downloadable software from Zurado Systems transforms displaced mobile phones into miniature wireless kiosks.
Pleasanton, CA (PRWEB) April 28, 2008 -- Zurado Systems announced today that it intends to promote its PXT Portal software as a vehicle for breathing new life into aging mobile phones that have been cast aside because consumers and corporate IT departments have upgraded to newer, more feature-packed models.
According to recent Gartner data 1.15 billion mobile phones were sold worldwide in 2007. Of those roughly 39 percent were replacements for existing units. This means that in 2007 alone approximately 450 million phones worldwide were displaced by new upgrades. Where are all of these displaced phones going? Some of these units are going to landfills, some are recycled, some are donated to charity, and a great many are simply ending up as clutter in drawers and cabinets at home and the workplace.
Mobile phones are commonly regarded as useless once service is discontinued and they can no longer be used to make calls, send text messages, and surf the internet. "Not necessarily so," said Todd Marques, president of Zurado Systems. "Many mobile phones have powerful processors, plenty of memory, lots of storage, and sophisticated operating systems capable of running several applications simultaneously. These phones can be repurposed in exciting ways. We think phones can have productive second careers."
Case in point: idle mobile phones and PDAs running the Windows Mobile operating system can be instantly transformed into miniature wireless kiosks simply by loading PXT Portal software from Zurado. Once programmed with location-specific multimedia content, plugged into an AC power source, and tucked into a secure spot, these repurposed units will dutifully supply, day in and day out, information requested by consumers who are within 30ft. Information consumers must run companion software -- PXT Probe -- on their mobile phones in order to communicate with nearby wireless kiosks.
The wireless kiosk role is ideal for many displaced phones because, despite being designed to run on mobile phones, PXT software does not actually require phone service to operate. PXT uses the Bluetooth capabilities built in to Windows Mobile phones for wireless communication. It is not dependent in any way on the carrier network, WiFi, the internet, GPS navigation or any other advanced features commonly packaged with service plans. This also means that there are no service charges or usage fees of any kind associated with PXT technology.
PXT -- which stands for please explain that -- is positioned as a universal wireless information system for transmitting and receiving on-the-spot information about all kinds of things. Zurado believes that the PXT-enabled kiosks can be used almost anywhere. For instance, these miniature kiosks can be easily programmed for use on corporate and college campuses as a paperless, more maintainable, and greener alternative to flyer-strewn bulletin boards; they can be used in museums to describe exhibits; they can be placed in cemeteries, parks, historical buildings, real estate offices and properties for sale, restaurants and storefront windows, and at information centers throughout town; they can be used in all sorts of self-guided tours.
There are many opportunities to get more information to people on-the-spot, when and where they need it most. At the same time, much more productive use can be made of the growing number of displaced mobile phones with nothing to do but take up space.
Beta versions of PXT Portal and PXT Probe software for Windows Mobile devices are available for download from Zurado Systems at no charge and can be found at http://www.zurado.com.
About Zurado Systems
Based in Pleasanton, CA, Zurado is a technology startup that designs and manufactures wireless, proximity-based information systems for the consumer, business, and entertainment markets. For more information, go to http://www.zurado.com.
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