Ogo-Maker IXI Mobile Cuts Staff By 25 Percent; Abandons U.S. Market
Belmont, Calif.-based IXI Mobile, which makes Ogo mobile devices, has cut 40 employees or 25 percent of its staff and is closing facilities to save money, San Francisco Business Times reports. The company lost $21.5 million a year ago and was able to cut its second quarter loss to $11.4 million, but sales are dropping at a good clip, and one customer made up 69 percent the company’s entire sales in the latest quarter. Last week the company’s sales staff was cut from 21 people to nine. Gideon Barak, its executive co-chairman, and CEO Amit Haller, were fired and CFO Lihi Segal quit. Israel Frieder has been named chairman and CEO and Motti Gill is replacing Segal. At the close of the most recent quarter, IXI’s accumulated deficit peaked to $180.2 million. Back in 2004, IXI made a deal with AT&T (NYSE: T) Wireless to sell Ogo, a quirky mobile device termed a ‘Personal Mobile Gateway,’ which was geared towards teens for IMing, emailing and surfing the Web. But AT&T Wireless never sold many and discontinued the device soon after. Last week IXI decided to essentially abandon any business dealings in the U.S., and focus exclusively abroad.
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Comments (5)
Aug 23, 2008 5:05 AM
Well, I just want you to know I was devastated when ATT done away with the Ogo. I LOVED mine!!!!! It was the greatest thing since camera phones!!
Aug 24, 2008 4:31 PM
I just want it to be known that I TOO was devastated when AT&T;Wireless did away with the Ogo—that device was by far a flagship device if ever there was one—it was the AT&T;Sidekick of sorts, (of course minus the phone capabilities) and it was magnificent as well all know T-Mobile lacks coverage in some area’s and AT&T;has it’s network pretty well filled out. IXI, I wish you’d make a comeback into the United States. I think you’d be received much better now—your device and service would be PERFECT for those callers I get (I work an AT&T;call center) that state they just want a text plan only, and no calling plan. We can’t do that now, and it COULD be done with your devices. COME BACK!
Sep 9, 2008 7:18 AM
I don’t know that IXI Mobile were dropped the OGO? But I heard that Asia and Europe loves OGO like hot cakes! I was hoping that OGO will releasing in USA? It is been two years! I am waiting for that. I like that OGO with clamshell. I don’t like the Sidekick and BB!
PLEASE BRING IT BACK AND RELEASING IT IN USA!!
Thank you,
Deafbear
Jun 1, 2009 7:41 AM
No! That was a great bit of kit, why do they always kill the stuff i like.
Jun 1, 2009 7:42 AM
Guess ill have to get a second hand one off ebay when mine breaks.