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Press Release

Sprint PCS Phone QCP-6035 by Kyocera and Mobile Connectivity Kits for Palm Handhelds Are First in a Series of Palm Powered Solutions Offered By Sprint PCS
Productivity of Sprint PCS CustomersNOTE: The following release was issued by Sprint PCS on April 11, 2001. It is
not a Palm, Inc. press release. It is being posted here for information only.
KANSAS CITY, Mo., April 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Sprint PCS (NYSE: PCS) today
announced it will carry the Sprint PCS Phone QCP-6035 by Kyocera as part of
its strategic alliance with Palm announced in January 2001. This latest phone
from Kyocera combines the functionality of a Palm(TM) handheld and features of
a Sprint PCS Phone to access content from the Sprint PCS Wireless Web via a
co-branded MyPalm(TM) portal, which includes access to Palm wireless PIM
services, personal and corporate e-mail(1), and e-commerce purchase options,
as well as corporate directories and sales tools via the Sprint PCS nationwide
network. The CDMA smartphone is expected to be available in Sprint Stores and
through Sprint PCS business channels nationwide by mid-April. Palm
connectivity and adapter kits will follow in these channels in late April. "The Sprint PCS Phone QCP-6035 by Kyocera combines an Internet-ready,
feature-rich phone with the functionality of Palm OS(R) applications to allow
real-time access to information, increasing the opportunity for enhanced
professional and personal productivity," said Charles Levine, president of
Sprint PCS. The Sprint PCS Phone QCP-6035 by Kyocera operates on the Palm OS platform,
making it compatible with all new and existing Palm OS applications, as well
as applications designed to take advantage of the phone's wireless
capabilities. The phone's co-branded version of the MyPalm(TM) portal
includes Palm wireless PIM services, e-mail access, e-commerce purchasing
options, as well as access to personally relevant information on local and
national events, such as movie listings and sporting event schedules.
Customers will also have access to Internet content via the Sprint PCS
Wireless Web or HTML browsers. Additionally, the phones will allow enterprise
customers to access critical information, such as their corporate e-mail,
sales tool applications and corporate directories. The Internet-ready Sprint PCS Phone QCP-6035 by Kyocera features a large,
easy-to-read graphic display with touch-screen capabilities and stylus-based
navigation. The phone has an on screen virtual keypad plus a traditional
keypad, and two input methods: the basic Graffiti power writing software and
on-screen keyboard. Other features include an integrated touch screen and
stylus, 15 ringer types, infrared beaming to other IR-enabled devices,
speakerphone, voice activated dialing and voice memo, capacity to store
thousands of names, addresses, appointments, to-do lists and memo items,
Eudora Web browser (text HTML) and a battery that provides five hours of talk
time or 180 hours of standby time in digital mode. "The Kyocera QCP-6035 unites the Palm OS with Sprint PCS Wireless Web
capabilities to create an integrated communication tool for both consumers and
enterprise users," said Masahiro Inoue, president and CEO of Kyocera Wireless
Corp. "Consumers can tailor this smartphone to access their personally
relevant information through the MyPalm portal or Palm's web clipping
applications, while business users can configure the phone with new and
existing enterprise applications written for the Palm OS platform." "With the growing surge in wireless data in both the consumer and
enterprise markets, we are also pleased to introduce wireless connectivity
kits and adapters for Palm handhelds," said Levine. "These powerful new
products and services are part of a suite of Palm solutions to be introduced
following our announcement with Palm earlier this year. Sprint PCS continues
to build a diverse portfolio of connectivity services and solutions to provide
mobile professionals with value-added options to access mission critical data
normally found on their desktops. And with an extensive all-digital CDMA
nationwide data footprint operating on a single technology, our customers can
effectively communicate, perform transactions and access the services and
information they need when it's most convenient for them anywhere on the
Sprint PCS nationwide network." Palm handheld users will have two new options to wirelessly connect to the
Internet, Intranet or their corporate networks. The Sprint PCS Wireless Web
Connection Kit for Palm Handhelds will enable Palm III and Palm V series
handheld customers to gain wireless access using a dedicated cable connected
to a Sprint PCS Phone. Kits are available for select Motorola, Samsung and
Sanyo model phones, and come with a user's manual and CD containing software
to upgrade to Palm OS 3.5 and the MyPalm portal, which provides access to
content from the Sprint PCS Wireless Web, Palm OS web clipping applications
and Palm OS content providers. The Sprint PCS Wireless Web Adapter Kit for Palm Handhelds contains a
universal adapter that works with most Sprint PCS Internet-ready Phones for
either a Palm III or Palm V series handheld computer. This solution works the
same as the Connection Kit for Palm Handhelds, except the adapter is designed
for a standard Wireless Web Connection cable. This solution is ideal for
customers who are already using Wireless Web Connection for data sessions on
their laptops and also want to wirelessly connect their Palm handheld. A
user's manual and CD are included. "Wireless connectivity and providing customers with effective Internet and
other mission-critical information while on the go are priorities for Palm,"
said Carl Yankowski, chief executive officer of Palm, Inc. "Our alliance with
Sprint PCS allows us to broaden the options available for Palm customers to
wirelessly access valuable information, communicate with co-workers, clients
and family, and perform transactions on their Palm handhelds. Fostering a
synergy and shared momentum between the growing Palm OS development community
and the Sprint PCS Application Developer's Program will deliver more solutions
to further enhance the experience of our customers." The QCP 6035 by Kyocera integrates a Palm OS(R)-based organizer with a
CDMA phone and is the first device sold by Sprint PCS that supports multiple
browsing options, including HTML. It is packaged with a built-in version of
Eudora for email and Palm OS v.3.5 software which supports Palm's web clipping
applications, making it easy to track stocks online, find movie times and
locations, and view up-to-date flight information. The dual band/tri-mode
Sprint PCS Phone QCP-6035 is packaged with a standard lithium-ion battery and
an AC adapter charger, sync cradle and software, providing customers with a
very compact and feature-rich device at 7.34 ounces. The new smartphone will retail for $499.99 for consumers. It will also be
available to employees of companies that participate in the Nationwide Volume
Program (NVP) at a discounted price of $399.99 through Sprint PCS business
channels. Under this program, businesses that sign an NVP agreement and have
a minimum of five corporate-sponsored lines are eligible to receive
volume-based discounts for their corporate users. Both Palm connectivity kits will be available through Sprint Stores,
business and online channels, as well as The Palm Store
(http://store.palm.com). Connection Kits will be available for $49.99 and
Adapter Kits for $19.99.
About Sprint PCS Sprint is a world-class global communications company -- at the forefront
of integrating wireline and wireless communications services. Sprint is a
large carrier of Internet traffic and a leader in broadband communications.
Sprint built and operates the United States' first nationwide all-digital,
fiber-optic network and provides a portfolio of advanced data communications
services. Sprint operates the largest 100-percent digital, 100-percent PCS
nationwide wireless network in the United States, already serving the majority
of the nation's metropolitan areas including more than 4,000 cities and
communities across the country. Sprint has $23 billion in annual revenues and
serves more than 23 million business and residential customers. For more
information, visit the Sprint PCS web site at http://www.sprintpcs.com .
About Kyocera Wireless Corp. Kyocera Wireless Corp. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Kyocera
International, Inc. which acquired QUALCOMM Incorporated's CDMA consumer
wireless phone business in February 2000. Kyocera Wireless Corp. incorporates
QUALCOMM's CDMA technology in the development and manufacture of wireless
phones and accessories for customers worldwide. For more information please
visit the Kyocera Wireless Corp. website at http://www.kyocera-wireless.com. Kyocera Corporation (NYSE: KYO) the parent and global headquarters of the
Kyocera Group, was founded in 1959 as a producer of advanced ceramics. By
combining these engineered materials with metals and plastics, and integrating
them with other technologies, Kyocera has become a leading supplier of solar
energy systems, telecommunications equipment, semiconductor packages,
electronic components, cameras, laser printers and copiers. During the year
ended March 31, 2000, the companies' net sales totaled 812 billion yen
(US$7.9 billion) with net income of 50 billion yen (US$489 million). Kyocera
Corporation has been recognized by IndustryWeek magazine as one of "The
World's 100 Best-Managed Companies."
(1) Depending upon your corporate e-mail setup, additional software may be
required; and such software may be developed and sold by third-party
publishers.
NOTE: Palm OS is a registered trademark and Palm, Palm Powered and MyPalm
are trademarks of Palm, Inc. or its subsidiaries. Kyocera is a registered
trademark of Kyocera Corporation. QCP is a trademark of Kyocera Wireless
Corp. Eudora is a registered trademark of QUALCOMM, Incorporated. SOURCE Sprint PCS Web site: http: //www.sprintpcs.com CONTACT: Nancy Sherrer, Consumer Media Relations, 913-762-7032, or Suzanne Lammers, Business Media Relations, 913-762-7039, PCS, 913-484-9754, both of Sprint PCS; or Rick Goetter, Media Relations of Kyocera Wireless Corp., 858-882-2722; or John Chier, Media Relations of Fleishman Hillard, 619-235-9995, for Kyocera
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