palmOne and Rogers Wireless Launch Treo 650 Smartphone in Canada
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., -/21 March, 2005 - The Wi-Fi Technology Forum/- palmOne, Inc. (Nasdaq: PLMO) and Rogers Wireless (NYSE: RG) 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
http://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
http://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.
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.
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