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Handspring Press Release Archive
HANDSPRING TREO COMMUNICATOR AVAILABLE IN TAIWAN
TAIPEI, TAIWAN - (April 23, 2002) Handspring, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAND), a leading innovator in handheld computers and personal communicators, today announced availability of the company's new integrated wireless products, the Treo 180 and 180g, in Taiwan. Treo is a compact communicator that combines mobile phone and handheld computer with Web browsing and text messaging functions. Treo will be available at a suggested retail price of NT$22,580 at twenty-one Far EasTone retail stores and IT retail stores nationwide at launch.
"Converged communications devices like the Treo will help deliver the promise of wireless data services while still offering the convenience and reliability of voice communication," said William Holtzman, Handspring's vice president of International. "We are pleased to be working with Far EasTone on the launch of this product in Taiwan."
"Far EasTone has always been dedicated to delivering innovative tailor-made product and services," said Joseph H. O'Konek, Far EasTone President. "The Treo is a good solution for mobile professionals. It allows customers to make phone calls, check their calendar, use email and the wireless Internet any time anywhere. It is another product to help our customers enrich their lives."
Treo is currently available in two versions: the Treo 180, featuring a built-in keyboard for text input, and the Treo 180g for those who prefer Graffiti text input. The product is designed for anyone who carries multiple mobile devices - phones, pagers or handheld computers - and is looking for a way to simplify communications with one powerful tool. Even for mobile professionals who rely only on cell phones, Treo brings a greater level of usability, convenience and value by adding a powerful organizer and advanced wireless data applications while maintaining the compact size and weight of a phone. Treo will be shipped with a Chinese user interface, called CJKOS, which will allow Chinese data input and display. CJKOS supports both traditional and simplified Chinese.
Handspring will continue to work with GrandTech to provide marketing support, technical service and local representation in the market.
About Treo
Treo is a compact communicator that combines a GSM mobile phone, a Palm OS organizer, wireless email, SMS text messaging and Internet access in a small, lightweight and elegant device. Treo is small, measuring 11 x 6.9 x 1.8 centimeters and weighing only 147 grams, but its flip-open design makes possible a large screen suitable for Web page viewing and text messaging. SMS may require a separate data plan from a customer's carrier and web browsing requires Internet access either through a carrier or an ISP, as well as a GSM wireless plan that includes data services. The steel-blue colored Treo features a rocker switch for easy one-handed navigation, speakerphone capability and compatibility to GPRS.
Treo users will have access to the Internet through Handspring's award-winning Blazer web browser, which is optimized for use on communicators and handheld computers to provide fast access to almost any site on the Internet, not just those web sites designed exclusively for mobile access. Treo also includes standard Palm OS features like desktop synchronization with Microsoft Outlook and compatibility with thousands of Palm OS applications. Third party software solutions (sold separately) are available to synchronize Treo with other desktop software such as Lotus Notes, ACT! and Goldmine. Current Palm OS device users can easily update their Palm Desktop software and transfer their existing data to Treo with the software included on the Handspring CD-ROM. Accessories including cases and car chargers will be available.
About Handspring
Handspring is a leading innovator in personal communications and handheld computing. The company develops, manufactures and markets the Treo family of communicators, the Visor family of expandable handheld computers, and client and server software for fast web access from handheld devices and mobile phones. Founded in 1998, the company established itself as an industry leader with its Springboardä platform, which provides a simple and easy method for hardware and software expansion. Today Handspring sells its Treo communicators, Visor line of handheld computers and Springboard expansion modules and accessories at www.handspring.com and through select Internet and retail partners in the United States, Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the Middle East.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT
This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including those relating to: the ability of Handspring to effectively launch and market Treo through its Taiwanese distribution channel and to expand that distribution channel, the degree to which Treo provides an intuitive transition for wireless customers from voice-only usage to the benefits of voice and data combined, and Handspring's ability to qualify Treo for use with Taiwanese wireless operators. Actual results may differ materially due to a number of factors including, among others: future economic conditions, consumer acceptance of and demand for Handspring's Treo communicator products, the availability of Treo communicator products in the US and internationally, the timing of the build-out of advanced wireless networks and the quality and scope of voice and data service coverage offered by wireless carriers, the degree to which wireless carriers will facilitate the successful introduction of Handspring's wireless products, and the rapid pace of technological change and competitive developments in the handheld computer and wireless communications industries. The matters discussed in this press release also involve risks and uncertainties described in Handspring's most recent Form 10-Q filed with the SEC. Handspring assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking information contained in this press release.
Handspring, the Handspring logo, Treo, the Treo logo, Blazer, Visor and Springboard are trademarks of Handspring, Inc. and may be registered in certain jurisdictions. All other brand names are trademarks of their respective owners.
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