GPS Navigation Solutions Available for Treo 650 and LifeDrive Products
MILPITAS, Calif., June 27, 2005 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Accessory sales for
palmOne, Inc. have shown growth in the past year as customers have been
personalizing and expanding the functionality of their palmOne(TM) products.
Building on this success, palmOne (Nasdaq: PLMO) today announced additions to
its accessory lineup -- two global-positioning system (GPS) navigation
solutions, designer cases and customized accessories from partner companies.
"Accessories let customers turn their handheld computer or smartphone into
a mapping solution, or give a powerful product a personality to match its
owner or an activity," said Jim Schwabe, general manager of palmOne
Accessories. "The growing popularity of our accessories at the time of device
purchase and after purchase show that people love to expand and extend the
usefulness of their mobile-computing products."
Responding to the growing interest in handheld-based GPS solutions,
palmOne is adding the GPS Car Kit to its available solutions. It features an
integrated GPS receiver that mounts to a car windshield or dashboard and holds
a Tungsten(TM) E2 or Tungsten T5 handheld securely in place, while a vehicle
power adaptor provides power to the GPS receiver and the handheld. The
included customized TomTom Navigator 5 software works seamlessly with the GPS
receiver cradle, and a built-in speaker makes voice-guided directions audible
over road noise. The palmOne GPS Car Kit is scheduled to be available in
August for $249.99. (NOTE: All prices are estimated U.S. street prices.) A
$100 rebate will be available for a limited time to U.S. customers who
purchase a Tungsten E2 handheld with the GPS Car Kit.
A redesigned palmOne GPS Navigator soon will be available for use with the
LifeDrive(TM) mobile manager, Treo(TM) 650 smartphone, and Tungsten E2 and
Tungsten T5 handhelds. The GPS Navigator's compact Bluetooth(R) enabled
receiver is suited for cyclists and pedestrians, as well as for use in
vehicles. This product also uses TomTom Navigator 5 software plus Tele Atlas
map data to provide real-time location information, turn-by-turn directions,
maps in 2-D and 3-D, and millions of points of interest. The palmOne GPS
Navigator is scheduled to be available in July for $249.99.
Other new accessories from palmOne include an aluminum hard case ($39.99)
designed to fit a Tungsten E2 handheld with a palmOne Wi-Fi Card ($99.99) in
use. The case also provides secure storage for the Wi-Fi Card when not in use.
For the new LifeDrive mobile manager, an aluminum hard case ($49.99), a
protective leather case ($39.99) and a travel charger ($29.99) now are
available.
This year, palmOne has formed new alliances to broaden its accessory
offerings and provide designer cases, Bluetooth car kits, and audio
accessories. They include the following:
-- Dooney & Bourke -- Signature carrying case for Treo 650 and Treo 600
smartphones ($49.99) and matching satchel ($265).
-- Crumpler -- Colorful bags ($57.50-$145) and matching cases for Treo 650
and Treo 600 smartphones ($19.99).
-- Covertec -- Affordable leather cases in multiple styles and colors for
Treo 650 and Treo 600 smartphones. ($29.95-$39.95)
-- Timbuk2 -- Padded ballistic nylon cases in five colors for Treo 650 and
Treo 600 smartphones. ($19.99)
-- Vaja -- Premium leather cases in more than 30 colors for LifeDrive,
Treo 650 and Treo 600 smartphones, Zire(TM) 72 handhelds, and most Tungsten
handhelds. Sales of Vaja cases have quadrupled in less than a year.
($74.90-$140)
-- eGrips -- Sleek, stylish non-slip appliquis for Treo 650 smartphones.
($19.95)
-- Parrot -- Hands-free Bluetooth car kits for Treo 650 smartphones.
($79-$229)
-- Altec Lansing -- Portable speaker system turns any MP3-capable palmOne
device into a portable stereo.(1) ($99.99)
-- Belkin -- Tune Cast Mobile FM transmitter ($49.99) and Mobile Cassette
Adapter ($19.99) make it easy to listen to MP3s in the car via a compatible
palmOne device.(1)
Top-selling accessories during the past quarter include the following:
-- palmOne Universal Wireless Keyboard -- The keyboard folds small enough
to fit in the side pocket of a briefcase or backpack and works via infrared to
connect to any palmOne device, including Treo smartphones, LifeDrive mobile
manager, and Tungsten and Zire handhelds. ($69.99)
-- palmOne Wi-Fi Card -- Tungsten E2, Tungsten T5 and Zire 72 handheld
users can check email and surf the web from any Wi-Fi access point or
hotspot.(2) ($99.99)
-- Treo 650 Wireless Headset -- The lightweight, adjustable Bluetooth
headset lets Treo 650 users go hands- and cord-free to answer and end calls
from up to 30 feet away. ($79.99)
-- palmOne Cradle Kits -- Cradle kits let users charge, synchronize, and
display a LifeDrive mobile manager or Tungsten E2 or Tungsten T5 handheld, or
even charge an extra battery for a Treo 650. ($49.99-$59.99)
-- palmOne cases -- More than 300,000 brushed aluminum hard cases for the
Tungsten E and Tungsten E2 have been sold to date. A variety of aluminum and
leather cases are available for Treo, Tungsten, and Zire devices.
Availability of accessories varies by product. A complete listing of
accessory products, pricing and availability is available at
http://www.palmone.com/us/products/accessories/ .
About palmOne, Inc.
palmOne, Inc. -- 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 include Treo(TM) smartphones,
the LifeDrive(TM) mobile manager, Tungsten(TM) and Zire(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) Requires adapter for use with Treo 600 and Treo 650, sold separately.
(2) 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.
NOTE: palmOne, Tungsten, Zire, LifeDrive and Treo 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.
Jim Christensen of palmOne, Inc., +1-408-309-0186, or jim.christensen@palmone.com; o
Yvette Lorenz-Machlan of A&R Partners, +1-415-225-7315, or
ymachlan@arpartners.com, for palmOne, Inc.