Ogo a no-go for Cingular

Cingular Wireless is discontinuing sales of the short-lived Ogo, a wireless handheld device created specifically for e-mail, instant messaging and text messaging that forgoes voice service altogether. The device is no longer available for sale on either the Cingular or AT&T Wireless Web sites.

AT&T Wireless launched the Ogo in late September 2004, about a month before its merger with Cingular became official. Targeted to the teen and young adult consumer markets, the Ogo retailed for $129, with unlimited messaging plans--offering access to premium portals AOL, MSN and Yahoo as well as POP3 and ISP e-mail accounts--starting at $17.99 per month.

The first device released in North America to include the Personal Mobile Gateway technology created by software developer IXI Mobile, known colloquially as the "personal hub," the Ogo debuted at a time when U.S. operators have largely purged messaging-only devices from their product portfolios. Nevertheless, rumors posted on several consumer electronics-focused Web sites suggest a third party--possibly an MVNO--may revive the Ogo in the imminent future.