Back in 2004, AT&T Wireless introduced the Ogo, which was essentially supposed to be a cheaper Sidekick or Blackberry -- a wireless e-mail gadget for the wallet-impaired. The Ogo had a whole bunch'o problems, including a headache of a screen and a very weird interface. After Cingular ate AT&T, they lost the Ogo in their couch cushions.
Well, the Ogo's back (in black), with a more serious attitude and over-the-air syncing with Exchange servers, thanks to Synchronica's SyncML gateway. Like with the Blackberry Intenet Service, this doesn't require any IT-department involvement or even knowledge -- Synchronica uses WebDAV, the protocol used by Outlook Web Access, to sneak in and grab e-mail, calendar and contact information.
The new Ogo also surfs the Web (albeit at dog-slow GPRS speeds) and works as a phone through a Bluetooth headset, both features that were missing on the original model. It's on sale in Germany right now for around $60, with a $12/month service fee.
That price is what makes the Ogo compelling. Blackberry monthly service fees can be $40 or more. If the Ogo lets you get into your corporate e-mail, calendar and contacts for $12/month, that could appeal to a lot of more poorly-paid white-collar workers. IXI, the makers of the Ogo, told me they're working on getting the new model into Americans' hands, but don't have a timetable or a carrier.
Synchronica stopped by the PC Magazine offices today with a new Ogo, and I got some shots of the interface. Click here to see them.
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September 3, 2006 11:01 AM
It not fair other world are selling and what about usa use to sell and stop took over .. i really want to buy ogo ct-17 hate the old ogo ct-10 is ok but no picture or no games .. We SHOULD HAVE IT BY NOW I want to buy today What taking so Long ... Unhappy . Anyone Hear Selling ogo ct-17 Pls Email MelioDeaf@hotmail.com Or my ogomelio@Yahoo.com
April 23, 2009 5:19 AM
I really loved ogo it was so easy to use and i can always keep in touch with everyone who uses emails and texts and even the IM my family are hearing and I am only one deaf in the family. I get in touch with them by using VP or Ip relay on AIM so if u uses aim on ogo and u can get in touch with family by using iprelay so simple and cheap. I got a cell phone line with my mother i basically uses text all the time never hardly uses voice why should i? U travel ogo goes with u same idea the cell phone goes too. It cost my mom over 150 bucks a month just for 2 lines and i only uses text and shes uses both texts and voice how crazy is that? If she on her own its so much cheaper on her but for me not cheap if i get my own line so that why OGO so cheap and affordable for Deaf Communities and communications!! They better bring it to USA and need to do very good adveristment on OGO around the world!