Press Releases > FreeCharge ahead with Motorola Freeplay partnership

2002-07-17
2002-07-17

FreeCharge ahead with Motorola Freeplay partnership
Today, the partnership between two innovative industry players, Freeplay Energy Group, a world leading business-to-business energy provider and Motorola PCS (Personal Communications Sector) sees the launch of the highly anticipated 'Motorola FreeCharge' to the UK market. A portable energy pack for wireless phones, the Motorola FreeCharge equips its user with a reliable energy source for the mobile phone, allowing for complete independence from batteries and a failsafe power source anywhere, anytime. The Motorola FreeCharge acts as an energy pack, providing the option of two power sources. The first is an internal rechargeable battery (Ni-MH, 3.6 Volts, 1000 milliamp hours) which, by charging with the phone's own adaptor, has the capability of holding up to 1.5 times the energy of the phone's battery. Alternatively, the FreeCharge incorporates a unique wind up option ensuring that you have a fail-safe power supply at all times. By simply winding for approximately 45 seconds, users will generate 4-5 minutes of talk time and up to several hours of standby time. "Motorola identified a significant opportunity to lead in the wireless accessories category and recognises the market potential of a self-sufficient mobile phone charger in both developed and developing countries," explained Tom Dwyer, Director, Business and Market Development, Motorola PCS. "The Motorola FreeCharge will provide consumers with extended usage of their mobile phones. We understand that fast-paced, busy lifestyles are more mobile today than ever before and, Motorola is dedicated to bringing products to market, such as the Motorola FreeCharge, that make their lives easier and their mobile phone experience more reliable."

Target Audience
Built for the person on the go, weighing only 230g and designed to fit into the palm of your hand, the Motorola FreeCharge has the potential to revolutionise communications through its portable energy source, enabling talk time and connectivity anywhere in the world. Based on significant research in the UK, Europe and USA, Motorola and Freeplay believe that the Motorola FreeCharge will appeal to a wide range of audiences and have identified the following core users: Frequent Travellers - always on the go, hopping from country to country and often nowhere near an electricity supply Outdoor Enthusiasts - for those who want be in the places where electricity is not but don't want to be without power Emergency Prepared - so when there is a power failure, weather blip or car breakdown, there is always a reliable power source, providing peace of mind Developing Markets - in the developing world, the Motorola FreeCharge is very much a necessity for the majority of the mobile phone market Rory Stear, Founder and CEO of the Freeplay Energy Group, recognises the launch of the Motorola FreeCharge as a significant step for Freeplay as it moves to become an ingredient brand for global manufacturers of electrical products: "Freeplay has taken its technology into a new era in terms of design, technology and usage. Our partnership with Motorola has enabled the development and application of self-sufficient energy in the telecoms arena and the FreeCharge will be a source of freedom and comfort for mobile phone users."

Key Features
A green LED charge light indicates the optimal winding speed and lights up when the Motorola FreeCharge is plugged into the wall socket. In addition, a power button on the adaptor module indicates whether energy remains in the unit and when pressed stored energy is released into the mobile phone. The Motorola FreeCharge also comes equipped with a flashlight pod that can be powered off either the internal battery or wind-up mode. Adapter modules that connect the FreeCharge to your mobile phone, are available for over 20 of Motorola's most popular handsets. Adapter modules for Nokia 5100 and 6100 series handsets will be on the market in September and additional modules for other major mobile brands are in development

World-wide distribution
Motorola is the exclusive world-wide distributor of the Motorola FreeCharge, which will be widely available at retail locations where other Motorola accessories are sold (such as Carphone Warehouse), in addition to outdoor and speciality retail stores. It is also available online at www.motorola.com for £59.99.

-Ends-

Notes to editors
Rory Stear, CEO, Freeplay is available for interview Tom Dwyer, director, Business and Market Development Motorola PCS, is available for interview.

The Free Charge
Height: 52mm Length 145mm Width 60 mm Weight 230g

About the Freeplay Group
The Freeplay Energy Group is the world leader in self-sufficient energy systems for portable electronics products. Since its inception in 1995, Freeplay has made dramatic strides in reducing generator size and weight, boosting efficiency and matching the power output of the generator system to the precise needs of the device. The Motorola FreeCharge embodies generator and electronic technology developed especially for mobile phones through collaboration with Freeplay Energy and Motorola. As such, it has unmatched robustness, energy efficiency and dependability. Freeplay Energy does not develop products that incorporate a token flimsy winding handle - the Motorola FreeCharge is highly rugged and cannot be damaged through normal use. It is designed to receive and deliver functional energy performance time after time. For further information, look-up www.freeplay.net About Motorola Motorola, Inc. (NYSE:MOT) is a global leader in providing integrated communications and embedded electronic solutions. Sales in 2001 were $30 billion. For more information about Motorola, please visit www.motorola.com.

For further information or photography, contact: Katherine Byles, Splash Communications, 8 Gay Street, Bath, BA1 2PH Tel: 01225 318000 Fax: 01225 313876 or email: kbyles@splashcommunications.com

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