Communications Briefs

New York — Wireless messaging options have grown now that Verizon launched AOL e-mail and content services to users of Web-enabled phones. AOL Instant Messaging is also planned. In another announcement, Research In Motion said users of its BlackBerry wireless e-mail device will be able to open attachments, thanks to a downloadable software upgrade. The capability, however, is available only to users whose enterprises have installed BlackBerry software on their e-mail servers.

Washington — Analog cellular phones will go the way of analog cassettes and vinyl LPs now that the FCC has allowed 800MHz carriers to drop analog service in five years. Carriers can continue to offer analog service, however, if they so choose. The Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association said the decision will free up needed spectrum and gives consumers plenty of time to upgrade. About 85 percent of U.S. subscribers already use digital phones, CTIA said.

Bellevue, Wash. — T-Mobile plans a fall launch of the Danger-developed Sidekick, which combines a wireless phone with messaging, HTML Web browsing and entertainment functions. The launch will follow last month's shipment of the carrier's first Pocket PC PDA-phone. Palo Alto-based Danger designed the Sidekick's platform and back-end service software. Earlier, Danger estimated the street price at $200. For $549 after $50 rebate with activation, T-Mobile rolled out its T-Mobile-branded Pocket PC phone through all sales channels. The dual-mode phone, built by Comaq iPAQ maker HTC, uses Microsoft's Pocket PC Phone Edition software, which more tightly integrates PDA and phone features. It also accesses POP3 email and AOL Instant Messaging service.