First All-in-one Smartphone to Take Advantage of Rogers' Wireless Network,
Delivering Secure Access to Email, the Web and Expanded Multimedia
Capabilities
MILPITAS, Calif., March 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- palmOne, Inc.
(Nasdaq: PLMO) and Rogers Wireless (NYSE: RG) today launched the new Treo(TM)
650 smartphone in Canada, making the device the first all-in-one, quad-band
smartphone to utilize the carrier's EDGE (Enhanced Data for Global Evolution)
network.(1) The Treo 650 combines a compact, full-featured worldphone with
out-of-the-box email, a Palm OS(R) organizer, messaging, web access and
digital camera, enabling users to organize and simplify their business and
personal lives all in one device.(2)
"The appetite for all-in-one solutions continues to grow, and the Treo 650
will help satisfy Canadians' hunger for speedy, mobile access to their most
coveted information and applications," said Michael Moskowitz, president,
palmOne Canada. "In today's digital age, Treo smartphones are lifestyle
extensions that offer a convenient, stylish way for Canadians to stay current
and connected -- without carrying multiple devices. We're delighted to
continue our work with Rogers Wireless and to introduce the latest member of
the Treo family on its EDGE network -- one that will deliver the Treo 650's
full potential."
The Treo 650 builds on the award-winning design of the Treo 600 with new
and improved features, including a high-resolution (320 x 320) screen;
expanded multimedia capabilities, such as MP3 player(3) and video capture and
playback; removable battery; non-volatile memory; and Bluetooth(R) wireless
technology.
The Treo 650 supports Rogers Wireless' MyMail wireless email service -- a
new service launching in April that will be included at no charge for
customers who subscribe to any of Rogers Wireless' Data Service Plans. This
powerful solution will offer individuals a wireless real-time, non-browser
based, and fully synchronized push email, calendar and contacts experience. A
secure, behind the firewall, server-based solution also will be available for
larger corporate customers.
"Rogers Wireless is committed to providing customers with access to the
information that matters most to them, on the wireless device that best meets
their needs," said John Demetris, vice president, Business Marketing, Rogers
Wireless Inc. "This highly anticipated wireless voice and data device provides
multimedia capabilities such as digital picture messaging and the new MyMail
email solution from Rogers Wireless -- all on Canada's only high-speed EDGE
network -- creating a versatile wireless solution for our customers."
The Treo 650 supports a broad range of wireless email solutions for
personal, business or enterprisewide use. The out-of-the-box VersaMail(TM)
email solution supports POP3 and IMAP accounts, and users can view photos,
HTML, and even native Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint attachments.(4) The
Treo 650's built-in support for Microsoft Exchange Server ActiveSync(R) now
provides for direct corporate email and calendar synchronization with no
additional software required.(5)
Treo 650 customers can now maximize their wireless experience by
leveraging the Rogers Wireless EDGE network, enabling wireless data speeds up
to three times faster than those provided by GPRS (General Packet Radio
Service). In addition, the device's quad-band capabilities and Rogers
Wireless' international roaming agreements enable customers to use the Treo
650 to stay in touch with the information that matters most to them while
traveling around the world.(6)
"The converged mobile device or smartphone market continues to see
tremendous growth in Canada," said Eddie Chan, research analyst,
mobile/personal computing and technology, IDC Canada. "In 2004, we saw year-
over-year shipment growth in excess of 200 percent that was driven largely by
organizations mobilizing their operations to stay connected with colleagues,
customers, and partners. As well, the adoption of smartphones by consumers
continues to grow as a means of managing the convergence between their
professional and personal lives."
Pricing and Availability
The Treo 650 smartphone is available immediately on the Rogers Wireless
network from $549.99CAD when purchased with a three-year voice and data
service agreement. The Treo 650 can be purchased online at
www.rogers.com/treo650, and is available nationally at select Canadian retail
stores and through corporate resellers.
About Rogers Wireless
Rogers Wireless Communications Inc. is Canada's largest wireless voice and
data communications services provider with more than 5.5 million customers and
offices in Canadian cities across the country. Rogers Wireless, which operates
Canada's largest integrated wireless voice and data network, providing
advanced voice and wireless data solutions to customers from coast to coast,
is Canada's only carrier operating on the GSM/GPRS technology platform, the
world standard for wireless communications technology. Rogers Wireless is a
subsidiary of Rogers Communications Inc. (TSX: RCI; NYSE: RG), a diversified
Canadian communications and media company. For further information, please
visit www.rogers.com.
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(TM) smartphones, Zire(TM) and Tungsten(TM) 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 .
(1) EDGE service not available in all areas. See service coverage map for
details.
(2) Within wireless service coverage area only. Email requires data
services from a mobile service provider at an additional cost.
(3) Requires expansion card, sold separately.
(4) Requires DataViz(R) Documents To Go(R) 7, included on the software
installation CD.
(5) Requires Exchange Server 2003 and access enabled by IT administrator.
(6) Access available within network coverage areas only. Availability and
coverage depends upon carrier and the geographic scope of
international roaming agreements.
Broadcast Video and Other palmOne Materials
Broadcast video and other materials are available online from palmOne's
Multimedia Library (www.palmOne.com/MultimediaLibrary). Press can register at
the site, which is hosted by The NewsMarket (www.TheNewsMarket.com), a
web-based news and video archive, to browse and preview an extensive content
library and order footage directly from their desktops. Registration and
ordering on the site is free.
NOTE: palmOne, Palm OS, Treo, Tungsten, Zire and VersaMail are among the
trademarks or registered trademarks owned by or licensed to palmOne, Inc. or
its subsidiaries. The Bluetooth word mark and logos are owned by the Bluetooth
SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by palmOne, Inc. is under license. All
other brand and product names are or may be trademarks of, and are used to
identify products or services of, their respective owners.
SOURCE palmOne, Inc.
03/14/2005
CONTACT: Jimmy Johnson, +1-408-503-2771, or jimmy.johnson@palmOne.com,
or investors, Sandy O'Halloran, +1-408-503-7405, or
sandyohalloran@palmone.com, both of palmOne, Inc.; or Suzanne McMeans of
Rogers Wireless, +1-416-935-7167, or Suzanne.McMeans@rci.rogers.com
Web site: http://www.rogers.com
Web site: http://www.palmone.com