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palmOne Canada Introduces LifeDrive, Its First Mobile Manager Product



New Device Features 4GB Hard Drive, LifeDrive Smart File Management, Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

MISSISSAUGA, ON, May 18, 2005 -- Venturing beyond its well-known focus on the handheld and smartphone markets, palmOne Canada today introduced the LifeDrive™ mobile manager, an innovative product that fuses business productivity tools and entertainment applications. Designed for people with a significant volume of digital information, the LifeDrive mobile manager offers 4GB of hard-drive storage0, a large 320x480 high- resolution colour screen, and wireless access through built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth® wireless technologies.1

Consumers today demand more from their mobile devices as their digital information continues to increase in size and scope. Many people want easy access to all of their essential documents, email and wireless web access. They want the ability to entertain themselves in a free moment, and to share personalized content, such as photos, home movies or their entire MP3 collection. The ability to do these things in an all-in-one device has become a reality with mobile managers.

"LifeDrive mobile manager comes at an inflection point in the market, when people are ready for more advanced devices that meet their growing mobile-computing needs," said Michael Moskowitz, president of palmOne Canada. "LifeDrive is versatile. For the business executive, it's a personal mobile briefcase; for the photo enthusiast, it's a camera companion."

With LifeDrive, people can easily carry virtually all of their essential desktop computer files and folders. Crucial documents can be set to update automatically at each HotSync® operation, and users can receive secure wireless email with attachments whenever they are within range of a Wi-Fi connection or by connecting via a compatible Bluetooth phone. People can even remotely retrieve Microsoft Office files left behind on the desktop computer.

Inside the 4GB Hard Drive
The 4GB Hitachi Microdrive weighs less than a AA battery, is smaller than a matchbook and transfers data 30 percent faster than the previous-generation Microdrive, so users can get to their music, pictures, data more quickly. With 3.85GB of usable storage, LifeDrive mobile manager users can store and access all of the following on a single device2:
• 1,200 office documents;
• 6,000 emails;
• 1,000 photos;
• 300 songs;
• 2.5 hours of video;
• 50 voicemails;
• 10,000 contacts; and
• 10,000 appointments.

Stored information, media, files and documents are available at any time on the 320x480, high-resolution colour screen, which can flip from landscape to portrait at the touch of a button.

Access to Office Files and Folders, Quickly and Securely
With support for native Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Adobe Acrobat Reader, LifeDrive smart file management makes it easy for users to carry and access thousands of files. This innovative, new software system saves time, making it easier for a mobile professional to work efficiently while away from the office. The LifeDrive smart file management system comprises four key applications:
• Folder Sync – automatically updates selected files when syncing;
• File Transfer – drag and drop thousands of files from a PC onto LifeDrive mobile manager;
• Drive Mode – behaves like a USB drive to easily transfer files to any PC or Macintosh; and
• Files View – transferred folder structure remains intact, making it easy to locate important information.

Flash memory keeps information safely intact, even if the device loses its charge, and 128-bit encryption keeps valuable data safely secure when invoked. Password protection safeguards access to the device, while the Private Records function protects specific files, even when the rest of the mobile manager is unlocked. An optional Intrusion Protection function erases all data and returns the device to factory settings after a user-specified number of failed break-ins.

Wirelessly Surfing with High-speed Connections
By connecting to any of the more than 80,000 public Wi-Fi hotspots in popular hotels, cafes and airports around the world, LifeDrive mobile manager users can do the following:
• access POP, IMAP and Exchange email accounts;
• download the latest calendar appointments from the office;
• retrieve documents from the desktop computer with the WiFile software; and
surf the web with the included web browser, which has been optimized for mobile surfing.

The device's built-in Bluetooth can be used to connect to compatible Bluetooth devices nearby, allowing for wireless syncing with a Bluetooth laptop, wireless sending a document to a Bluetooth printer or hands-free dialing to a Bluetooth phone.

Mobile Multimedia and Expansion
While on the go, LifeDrive mobile manager users can enjoy listening to songs from their personal music collection, viewing photos or watching video clips. The built-in voice recorder allows for hands-free notes or personal narrations to accompany photo slideshows. Users of the LifeDrive mobile manager will enjoy fast performance for business and multimedia applications, thanks to the 416MHz Intel XScale processor.

The expansion card slot, which supports SD, SDIO and MultiMediaCard formats, makes it easy to transform the LifeDrive mobile manager into a camera companion. Instead of bringing a laptop on vacation, users can simply download images from the camera's SD memory card onto the LifeDrive mobile manager3 to free up the card for more photos and enjoy photos on a larger screen.

LifeDrive includes a special version of Addit software, which provides users with on-the-go access to tips and tricks, new articles and software updates. Addit also will showcase advanced software applications that add value and functionality for the user, such as photo editing on the go and players to support streaming media.

Unique to Canada: Free Entertainment Software with purchase
Buy a LifeDrive™ mobile manager at select retail stores throughout Canada and get over $180 worth of software free on our Mobile Entertainment CD while supplies last. Watch your home movies and personal DVDs on the go4. Listen to music and audio books. Stream Internet radio over Wi-Fi® hot spots."5. Edit, crop and annotate photos right on your mobile manager, then publish to your own online photo blog to share with friends. Send documents directly from your device to a nearby printer6. Also includes trial versions of database and financial managers.

Pricing and Availability
The LifeDrive mobile manager from palmOne has an estimated Canadian street price of $699. palmOne is now taking orders from the palmOne online store (http://canadastore.palmOne.com) and select retail stores throughout Canada. Volume availability is expected by early June.

For more information visit www.palmone.com/lifedrive.

(0) 3.85GB user available
(1) An Internet service provider account, email account and subscription may be required for Internet and email access. These services may need to be purchased separately and additional charges may apply. Wireless access via Bluetooth requires a compatible Bluetooth phone and carrier subscription, not included.
(2) Numbers are average; actual capacity depends on the user's actual stored files.
(3) Supports most standard formats for digital images.
(4) This application is not compatible with all computer systems. Content owners may place restrictions that prevent further viewing and/or copying of a DVD. It is your responsibility to honor any such restrictions.
(5) Some Wi-Fi hotspots require fee for usage.
(6) Requires compatible wireless-enabled printer.


About palmOne, Inc.
palmOne, Inc. -- a leader in handheld computing and communications solutions -- strives to put the power of computing in people's hands so they can access and share their most important information. The company's products include Treo™ smartphones, the LifeDrive™ mobile manager, Tungsten™ and Zire™ handhelds, and software and accessories

palmOne products are sold through select Internet, retail, reseller and wireless operator channels throughout the world, and at palmOne Retail Stores and palmOne online stores (http://www.palmOne.com/stores).

More information about palmOne, Inc. is available at http://www.palmOne.com.

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