Press Room
Palm Canada Launches Treo 650 Smartphone on Bell Canada's 1X Network
High-resolution Screen and Multimedia Capabilities Join Advanced Email Solutions in First Offering of Award-winning Smartphone on Bell's 1X Network
TORONTO, Sept. 26, 2005 -- Palm Canada today announced the availability of the Palm® Treo™ 650 smartphone to Bell customers, marking the first time the award-winning smartphone will be available over Bell's 1X network, Canada's largest digital voice and data network. The Treo 650 smartphone combines a compact, full-featured quad-band phone with email, a Palm OS® organizer, messaging, web access and digital camera, enabling users to organize and simplify their business and personal lives all in one device.1
"Over the past year, Bell customers have proven to be among the world's most ardent supporters of the Treo 600 smartphone," said Michael Moskowitz, general manager, Americas International, Palm, Inc. "Having now sold more than 60,000 Treo devices in Canada, we believe the Treo 650 smartphone will meet and exceed the expectations of Bell customers by delivering on its unique blend of multimedia, email and voice capabilities across the CDMA network."
"The converged mobile device or smartphone market continues to experience robust growth in Canada," said Eddie Chan, research analyst, mobile/personal computing and technology, IDC Canada. "With shipment growth of over 200 percent posted in 2004, the key market drivers of work force mobility and personal productivity remain intact to support forecast growth of over 80 percent for 2005."
"Once again, we are very excited to be working with Palm Canada. We value our alliance, and together we continue to deliver the best and brightest technology products and services to our customers," said Christopher Shannon, general manager, Wireless Business and Hardware Marketing, Bell Canada.
About the Palm Treo 650 Smartphone
The Palm Treo 650 smartphone from Palm, Inc. makes it easier than ever to stay connected. It lets users simplify their lives by combining a compact mobile phone with email 1, an organizer, messaging and web access.1 There's also Bluetooth® technology so users can connect wirelessly to other compatible Bluetooth devices, an MP3 player,2 a digital camera that captures video and a vibrant colour screen that brings everything to life – all in a device that's still small enough to fit in a pocket.
Support for Industry Wide Range of Email Solutions
The Treo 650 supports a broad range of wireless email solutions for personal, business or enterprise use. The out-of-the-box VersaMail® email solution supports POP3 and IMAP accounts, and users can view photos, HTML, and even native Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint attachments.3 The Treo 650 smartphone's built-in support for Microsoft Exchange Server ActiveSync® provides for direct corporate email and calendar synchronization with no additional software required.4
Additional enterprise-grade email solutions, such as GoodLink from Good Technology, also are supported by Palm and Bell Canada. The Treo smartphone and GoodLink solution features a rich, robust user interface for corporate messaging and data access; convenient, immediate access to all PIM applications; and true multitasking support -- all in a portable form factor with full QWERTY keyboard for enhanced productivity.
"The Treo smartphone's capabilities combined with Good's push-email system have been an incredible asset to my business," said Treo user Jay Herman, president, Sigmacon Medical Products. "I like the Treo 650 smartphone's modern interface, high-resolution screen, and the Bluetooth functionality adds a new level of integration. The removable battery adds versatility for long trips so I can confidently leave the office during the day knowing I have all the information I need at my fingertips."
(1) An Internet service provider account, data center and carrier subscription may be required for email, messaging and web access. These services may need to be purchased separately. Access available within network coverage areas only. Availability and coverage depends upon carrier and the geographic scope of international roaming agreements.
(2) Requires an expansion card, sold separately.
(3) Requires DataViz(R) Documents To Go(R) 7, included on the software installation CD.
(4) Requires Exchange Server 2003 and access enabled by IT administrator.
Pricing and Availability
The Treo 650 smartphone can be purchased through the Bell Mobility network of dealers, retailers and value-added resellers, and online at www.bell.ca/wireless or www.businessonthego.ca.
About Palm, Inc.
Palm, Inc. (Nasdaq: PALM), a leader in mobile computing, 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 for consumers, mobile professionals and businesses include Palm® handheld computers, Palm Treo™ smartphones, Palm LifeDrive™ mobile managers, as well as software, services and accessories.
Palm products are sold through select Internet, retail, reseller and wireless operator channels throughout the world, and at Palm Retail Stores and Palm online stores (http://www.palm.com/store).
More information about Palm, Inc. is available at http://www.palm.com/asia.
Palm, palmOne, LifeDrive, Treo, Tungsten, and Zire are among the trademarks or registered trademarks owned by or licensed to Palm, Inc. All other brand and product names are or may be trademarks of, and are used to identify products or services of, their respective owners.
