E-mailer


The E-mailer (often stylized as E-m@iler or written as Emailer or Em@iler) is a device made by Amstrad, launched in 2000. It is essentially a telephone with an LCD screen and limited Internet dialup and email messaging capabilities. Later models (the E-m@iler Plus, released 2002, and E3 Superphone with videophone capabilities, released 2004) were notable for including the ability to play ZX Spectrum videogames, leveraging Amstrad's previous experience manufacturing Spectrum models.

The 'pay as you use' business model that the E-mailer was based on was controversial, and favoured Amstrad heavily. Internet and email access were made via a premium-line phone number, so frequent automatic checking of email was expensive. Sending SMS texts and downloading ringtones or games were also charged for, similar to cellphone operator schemes. This received criticism, and was unpopular. The phone also included advertising on its screen.[1] The unpopularity of the phone led to losses at Amstrad's Amserve company.[2][3]

All e-m@iler models have now been discontinued. On 30 April 2010 the Amserve E-mailer service was transferred to BSkyB, who announced that the Amserve e-mail service would close from 30 June 2011. From this date all support for the E-mailer services ended, although FAQs are available on Amstrad's website. The E-mailer phone will only function as a conventional phone with no online and e-mail after receiving a configuration change.[4]

References

  1. ↑ AOL to become the latest big name to advertise on the Amstrad em@iler superphone, press release, 10 September 2003.
  2. ↑ Amstrad CEO resigns over Sir Sugar's emailer obsession, Kieren McCarthy, The Register, 2 October 2001.
  3. ↑ Amstrad still losing money on the e-m@iler, Graeme Wearden, ZDnet, 25 September 2003.
  4. ↑ Amstrad E-m@iler Support and FAQs - E3 e-m@iler (EM3002-UK)
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