Student Pledging Year-Long Vow of Silence to Communicate With Motorola`s Talkabout T900 Messaging Device
Donation of Wireless Two-Way Messaging Products Puts Communications in the Hands of Silent Teen
BOYNTON BEACH, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE via COLLEGIATE PRESSWIRE)--Aug. 31, 2000--As Brett Banfe, the 18-year-old college student who has vowed to not speak for an entire year, speaks his last words today, the big question will be: How is he going to communicate for an entire year without talking?
With the help of Motorola (NYSE:MOT), Banfe won`t be tied to his PC e-mail or have to search for a pen and paper to get his point across. Instead, Banfe will use a wireless, two-way messaging device, his Motorola Talkabout(TM) T900 Personal Interactive Communicator (PIC), as one of his means of communication.
To help Banfe overcome the challenges of staying connected with friends and family during the next year without breaking his ''vow of silence,'' Motorola is providing Banfe and his closest friends and family with Talkabout T900 PICs to use throughout the year. The T900 devices will allow Banfe and his family to text each other anywhere, any place, anytime (see Note).
The pocketsize device is able to communicate with any Internet address, including those associated with PC e-mail and phones with messaging capabilities. This functionality will not only allow Banfe the freedom to communicate at any given time during his day, regardless of location, but it will also allow his friends and family to keep in touch with him regardless of their location too (see Note).
''Motorola`s relationship with Brett is not only a wonderful opportunity for us to demonstrate the reality of our `Talk Without Talking(TM)` premise, but also allows us to show our support for Brett by putting the freedom of wireless communication in his hands,'' said Allan Spiro, marketing manager, Wireless Messaging, Motorola. ''Brett`s use of the T900 two-way messaging device provides the ultimate demonstration of this new evolution in on-the-go communications.''
About Brett Banfe
Brett Banfe is an 18-year-old student who will be attending William Patterson University in Wayne, N.J. this fall. His idea to accept a ''silent challenge'' originated during a conversation with a friend, during which they discussed how long they thought they each could go without talking. Banfe said he could do it for a year, which led to the current start of his year of silence.
For more information about Silent Brett Banfe and his vow to not speak for an entire year, visit his Web site at
www.notspeaking.com.
About the Talkabout T900 PIC
The Motorola Talkabout T900 two-way PIC hit shelves in the United States last month. The device allows users to send and receive text messages from any Internet e-mail address. At a compact 3.19 x 2.15 x 0.9 inches and weighing only 3.86 ounces, the T900 fits in users` pockets and easily fits the on-the-go lifestyle of today`s youth.
With access to information like stock quotes, movie times and sports scores from the Internet, the T900 keeps users informed and ''in the know'' on their favorite topics. A variety of colors and ring tones, including a vibrating alert, allows users to personalize their T900 to reflect their own style. For more information about the T900, visit
www.motorola.com.
About Motorola
Motorola Inc. is a global leader in providing integrated communications solutions and embedded electronic solutions. Sales in 1999 were $33.1 billion. More information can be found at Motorola`s company Web site:
http://www.motorola.com.
Note: Network- and subscription-dependent feature. Not available in all areas.
Note to Editors: Motorola, the stylized M logo and all other trademarks indicated as such herein are trademarks of Motorola Inc. Reg. U.S. Pat. & Tm. Off.
Editor`s Note: Brett Banfe`s last words before he goes silent will be spoken at a media conference today, Thursday, Aug. 31 at 4 p.m. ET. Location: Cherry Hill Hilton Hotel, 2349 W. Marlton Pike, Cherry Hill, N.J. 08002.
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