Largest High-Speed Voice and Data Network, New Email, Enterprise Applications And Phone Accessory Available

MILPITAS, Calif., Feb. 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Palm, Inc. (Nasdaq: PALM) today announced the availability of the Palm(TM) Tungsten(TM) W handheld running on AT&T Wireless' next-generation GSM(TM)/GPRS network. With carrier activation, the data-centric Tungsten W handheld provides users with a sophisticated combination of wireless email, text messaging, Internet browsing, phone functionality, and business applications on the GSM/GPRS network .(1)

The Tungsten W can be preordered now at The Palm Store ( http://store.palm.com ), as well as at Amazon.com, CDW.com, CompUSA.com, FranklinCovey.com, Insight.com, JandR.com, MicroWarehouse.com, OfficeDepot.com, PCConnection.com and Staples.com. It will be available nationally at select CompUSA, Franklin Covey and additional U.S. retail stores beginning Feb. 28.

Monthly data plans from AT&T Wireless range from $29.99 for 10MB to $99.99 for 100MB. Voice plans, which can be added to any data plan, may be purchased separately and begin at $19.99 per month. In addition, a special 8MB data plan is available for $19.99 when a customer also subscribes to a voice plan. The U.S. suggested retail price for the Palm Tungsten W is $549. In addition to the phone activation service provide by most retailers, InPhonic Inc. will provide the Palm Tungsten Activation Service, a self-service online or phone activation process for the Palm Tungsten W. The Palm Tungsten W handheld will also be sold via Palm and AT&T Wireless enterprise sales channels.

The Tungsten W handheld is the first Palm branded integrated GSM/GPRS wireless handheld, and it has a built-in keyboard for easy data entry; one-handed navigation; dual expansion; and a crisp, high-resolution color screen. It features a powerful battery for 10 hours of talk time, and a Class 10 radio, one of the fastest radios available today for the GSM/GPRS network, the most widely supported wireless technology used by hundreds of operators worldwide.

With AT&T Wireless and the Palm Tungsten W, international roaming capabilities are available in more than 80 countries, enabling global business travelers to stay connected while abroad.

"Today's customers are looking for simple, integrated wireless devices like the Tungsten W to maintain their productivity when out of the office," said Valerie Kahn, senior vice president of AT&T Wireless Mobile Multimedia Services. "Together, AT&T Wireless and Palm are connecting mobile professionals to their critical corporate and personal information while on the move. We're confident that this handheld will quench the thirst of Palm fans looking for the next great breakthrough in mobile communications."

"Interest in wireless services continues to build for high-speed networks like GSM/GPRS," said Ken Wirt, senior vice president of marketing and product management for Palm Solutions Group. "During the past several weeks, more than 10,000 people have registered online at The Palm Store to be notified of Tungsten W availability. This level of interest illustrates the growing demand for high-end wireless handhelds with email, messaging and phone functionality."

Wireless Email and Messaging

The Palm Tungsten W handheld ships with Palm VersaMail(TM), Palm's personal email software for POP and IMAP email accounts that lets users send, receive and manage email with any Internet connection on their handhelds. VersaMail supports sending, receiving and viewing attachments.

In addition to Palm VersaMail, Palm provides access to Visto MessageXpress, an easy-to-use software application that allows PC users to send, receive, reply and forward any messages from corporate or Internet email. Both Visto and VersaMail support various groupware solutions, such as Microsoft Outlook, Lotus Notes, and IMAP and POP3 corporate accounts.

The Palm Tungsten W also supports AT&T Wireless' Office Online(SM) service. Office Online provides real-time access to corporate email, calendar and contact information as well as POP and IMAP personal email account access for an additional $2.99 per month.

Internet Access

The Tungsten W provides convenient access to the Internet through the WebPro browser, powered by Novarra, Inc. The combination of high-resolution screen, intuitive interface, and speed of the Class 10 GPRS service allows the user to view favorite websites while on the go.

Phone Applications

The Palm Tungsten W integrates the power of a Palm handheld with the functionality of a mobile phone, packing in useful features such as Quick Connect, which allows users to easily make phone calls from the Palm Address Book without using the stylus. The Palm Tungsten W handheld also incorporates popular mobile phone features, such as speed dialing, caller ID, call forwarding, up to 6-way conference calling (depending on carrier service),(2) and call-history logs.

Palm today also announced it will soon introduce an audio phone flip cover that allows users to hold the device to their ear, in addition to using a hands-free headset. The flip cover is scheduled to be available in June for $39.95 (U.S. suggested retail price).

Enterprise Applications

Thousands of enterprise applications for Palm's Tungsten W handheld already are available. IBM's Lotus Domino Everyplace Access Server, Lotus Sametime Everyplace, Oracle's Mobile Field Service, MercuryMD's MData Enterprise System, PeopleSoft's Mobile PeopleSoft Field Service via Xora integration, and others, are driving mobile adoption rates inside businesses and increasing mobile productivity rates. With these applications, mobile workers such as field service engineers, sales representatives and doctors can stay connected to their critical corporate information and applications.

Mobile solutions from Palm and its partners provide real ROI for business customers through increased levels of customer service; simplified billing processes; and real-time, accurate data capture. These capabilities will be broadened this year when IBM's WebSphere Everyplace Access is available as a mobile client on Palm handhelds -- enabling customers to extend and manage back-end systems, applications and data to deliver enterprise solutions to mobile users.

"We are continuing to expand our portfolio of solutions for the mobile enterprise," said Letina Connelly, director of pervasive computing solutions at IBM. "The Tungsten W combined with IBM's enterprise solutions will help mobile workers access corporate data with greater ease and flexibility. Today's announcement builds on a series of recent joint development and sales agreements between Palm and IBM."

Software Applications

The Palm Tungsten W handheld runs Palm OS(R) 4.1.1 and comes bundled with more than a dozen productivity, communication and entertainment applications. A complete list and description of applications is available at www.palm.com/trytungsten-w.

About Palm, Inc.

Information about Palm, Inc. is available at http://www.palm.com/aboutpalm .

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(1) An Internet service provider account, data service and carrier subscription may be required for Internet and email access. These services may need to be purchased separately.

(2) AT&T Wireless includes 3-way conference calling service with voice plan.

NOTE: Palm OS is a registered trademark of PalmSource, Inc., a subsidiary of Palm, Inc. Palm, Tungsten and VersaMail are trademarks of Palm, Inc. Other brands may be trademarks of their respective owners.

SOURCE Palm, Inc.