Palm Unveils the Tungsten T

Palm, Inc. today introduced the Palm Tungsten T handheld. The Tungsten T handheld is the most compact Palm branded handheld on the market today. New features include: a collapsible graffiti slider design, one-handed 5-way Navigation, an ultrasharp, high resolution screen and integrated Bluetooth.

In addition Palm Inc has also announced the wireless GPRS Tungsten W.

"The Palm Tungsten T handheld is business and communications power personified in a smart, compact device," said Todd Bradley, president and chief executive officer of Palm Solutions. "It's about the data, not the desktop. We don't stuff unnecessary PC capabilities into a smaller box; we adapt technology to what matters most to people. With the Palm Tungsten T handheld, professionals can be productive wherever they are."

Command of Information
The breakthrough slider design, 5-way navigation and one-touch voice recording deliver ease of use. One-touch voice recording lets users easily capture and record voice memos, and later email them from their desktop computers.

The navigation and application buttons reside on the new "slider," which glides open when users need to input data using Palm's Graffiti(R) alphabet. For simply viewing and navigating information, which makes up approximately 90 percent of most handheld users' activities, the slider can remain closed, leaving the device in its most compact state most of the time.

The new one-handed 5-way navigator activates up, down, left and right, and select. With the navigator, users can easily launch applications and view information. Classic Palm PIM (Personal Information Management) applications -- Date Book, Address Book, Note Pad and To Do List -- have been updated to take advantage of the 5-way navigation with functionality such as Quick Look Up, which lets users more efficiently find names and phone numbers.

Supercharged Applications
The first Palm branded handheld built with Palm OS(R) 5 and Texas Instruments' OMAP1510 processor, the Palm Tungsten T handheld delivers a new class of performance and power efficiency. Users can now enjoy faster interaction with data-intensive documents, and use Palm's new updated fonts for better viewing. The Palm Tungsten T handheld has the power to run rich multimedia features and software applications, such as short video clips, digital audio files or photos, and interactive games. In addition, the Palm Tungsten T handheld's easy-to-read, crisp color screen -- Palm's sharpest screen to date -- brings new definition to presentations, spreadsheets and images.

Wireless Communication
Built-in Bluetooth gives Palm Tungsten T handheld users the freedom to wirelessly access email and the Internet via compatible Bluetooth-enabled phones.(2) Palm Tungsten T handhelds also can communicate with other Bluetooth-enabled devices, such as printers, PCs or other handhelds. The Palm Tungsten T handheld includes a suite of phone drivers for the most popular Bluetooth phones on the market, so wirelessly connecting to a Bluetooth-enabled phone now becomes much easier than before.

Palm Tungsten TBuilt for Expansion
Users can customize and extend the capabilities of the Palm Tungsten T handheld with Palm's dual-expansion technology, which includes the Palm Expansion Slot for SD Cards, SDIO and MultiMediaCard media (postage-stamp-sized cards that allow users to access important information without sacrificing valuable memory space), and the Palm Universal Connector for hardware add-ons. Palm's dual-expansion technology enables users to back up their handhelds on the go; add new software, business applications, or memory; and attach peripherals, such as a keyboard, a GPS receiver, or a Microsoft PowerPoint presenter.

New Keyboard
In a separate release today, Palm announced the Palm Ultra-Thin Keyboard, a full-size, collapsible touch-typeable keyboard. The sleek keyboard remains rigid when in use and then collapses smoothly into a compact stainless steel package.

Application Software
The Palm Tungsten T handheld comes bundled with 19 productivity, communication and entertainment applications. A complete list and description of applications is available here.

Memory and Battery Life
The Palm Tungsten T handheld is a 16MB device with 14MB of actual storage capacity. Users also have the ability to store additional applications and documents on SD Cards via the Palm Expansion Slot. With an internal, rechargeable lithium ion battery, the Palm Tungsten T handheld lasts up to one week with basic PIM usage at default brightness before recharging.

Palm research shows that Palm Tungsten T handheld capabilities are precisely the capabilities that savvy, discerning customers want -- full functionality for popular business file formats such as Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint and Word, expandability for the latest applications, and wireless connectivity. Palm Tungsten T handheld customers are strong advocates of new, well-crafted technology. They are entrepreneurs, telecommuters and executives on the move and dependent on mobile devices to excel at work. An estimated 37 million people fit this description, and are expected to be the earliest converts to the Palm Tungsten T handheld's precision and power. (Source: March 2002 Maritz: Thompson Lightstone US only segmentation study)

Pricing and Availability
The Palm Tungsten T handheld is $499 (estimated U.S. street price). All products are available immediately worldwide and online at The Palm Store.

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Yeah!

mbgrayson @ 10/28/2002 12:05:07 AM #
I'm buying one.

I like the mp3 capability, better screen, and bluetooth....


Mike

RE: Yeah!
SaabCaptain @ 10/28/2002 12:06:30 AM #
Big discussion on this in the forums including user pictures and initial reviews...

owned: Pilot 5000, PalmPilot Pro, Palm V, IIIc, m505, Sony T615.
RE: Yeah!
asiayeah @ 10/28/2002 1:24:51 AM #
The device got mp3 capability, but the required software is not included.

--
With great power comes great responsiblity.
RE: Yeah!
Take1 @ 10/28/2002 1:35:33 AM #
Wonder how this thing sounds? Doesn't sound like Palm specifically designed the thing to play music, and that makes me wonder what the bass response and volume of the Tungsten is.

MP3 playback would be a nice selling point and would make their unit on par with the T series.

MP3 player?
RAMdŽd @ 10/28/2002 4:58:05 AM #
I haven't heard any PDA/Pocket PC that makes music sound good via a speaker.

Headphones would be mandatory. But the last thing I need is music files on a PDA.

Now, toss in that Sony TV chip and you might have something. I'd even settle for FM radio. AM, only if the S/N were *very* good. (There's a new chip for that too, but it may not be small enough for PDAs yet.

- - -

An armed society is a polite society.

Early reviews Tungsten T very positive....
pdangel @ 10/28/2002 5:48:12 AM #
Early reviews Tungsten T:

PDABuzz: "We like it a lot better than we expected to, and declare it the best Palm-branded PDA ever."
http://forums.pdabuzz.net/showthread.php?s=6cf14589274069a25b17383770f66794&threadid=43105

Infosync: "....we really like the Tungsten T. Users with Bluetooth mobile phones should definitely consider the Tungsten T as well as users who are primarily concerned with size and rapid access to standard information." (5 out of 6)
http://www.infosync.no/system/print/index.php?id=2495


"There are 2 kind of people my friend....those with wires and those without"

BrightHand Review on Tungsten T
pdangel @ 10/28/2002 6:08:08 AM #
BrightHand gives "....the Palm Tungsten T an EXCELLENT rating based on form, a GOOD rating based on function and a GOOD rating based on value": The Tungsten T handheld combines a stylish design with modern technology, while remaining true to Palm's "pocketable, easy-to-use, long battery life" philosophy......



"There are 2 kind of people my friend....those with wires and those without"

RE: Yeah!
asiayeah @ 10/28/2002 7:16:06 AM #
The BrightBand's review sounds like a Palm sales. The review has so many marketing terms. The review from infosync.no looks more objective.

--
With great power comes great responsiblity.
RE: Yeah!
asiayeah @ 10/28/2002 7:21:28 AM #
On deeper look, the Brighthand review only sounds marketing in the first section (covering the Form factor), while still being objective in the rest of the article.

--
With great power comes great responsiblity.
Palm forgot to make us buy new accessories!!
Tuckermaclain @ 10/28/2002 8:22:53 AM #
I've already ordered it. There had better not be any crap going on like when I pre-ordered my 505. Palm has a chance to make a fresh start with its first big release since the 505 (still not as groundbreaking). The stock #s for the travel chargers and cables are the same as those for the 515!! Palm accidently forgot to make us buy all new accessories!! I can't wait for my Tungston!!

RE: Yeah!
MikeInDM @ 10/28/2002 8:32:50 AM #
>The BrightBand's review sounds like a Palm sales. The >review has so many marketing terms. The review from >infosync.no looks more objective.

So, if someone likes a product, they can't write a credible review?


RE: Yeah!
asiayeah @ 10/28/2002 10:21:37 AM #
Don't get me wrong. I am a big fans of Palm and I am still very satisfied with my m505.

--
With great power comes great responsiblity.
RE: Yeah!
jeffmwknight @ 10/28/2002 12:18:02 PM #
ZDNet Video Product Showcase:

http://makeashorterlink.com/?R21362542

RE: Yeah!
Fly-By-Night @ 10/28/2002 12:35:20 PM #
Any chance of making a smaller link! Use the 'Makeashorterlink.com' facility on the post page. I can't link through, and cuting and pasting doesn't seem to work either!

RE: Yeah!
jeffmwknight @ 10/28/2002 12:45:56 PM #
ok... see front page of ZDNet.com and click on the picture or Video link to article....

Palm forges Tungsten PDAs

http://www.zdnet.com


RE: Yeah!
jjsoh @ 10/28/2002 10:31:07 PM #
Off-Topic, but Ryan, is there a problem with wordwrapping?

On the home page, wordwrap works fine, but once you click through the article, wordwrap doesn't work anymore. I'm not using Internet Explorer which seems to be working right (big surprise there), but Mozilla/Netscape does not.

I know it's a minor issue, but it gets annoying when you have to scroll to read the article AND the comments posted. Besides, not everyone runs Windows (or Mac OS, for that matter). ;)

Jim

RE: Yeah!
useybird @ 10/28/2002 11:49:29 PM #
has anyone seen the box it comes in? Right out of the future. It looks like a robot!

-------------
Burning Desire: The want or need for something great.
Burning THE Zire: A fun recreational activity involving setting Palm's new crappy handheld ablaze.
RE: Yeah!
bytor @ 10/29/2002 9:53:15 AM #
Reminds me of the Buzz Lightyear packaging in Toy Story!

Long Live Visor Prism

This is too exciting!!

Zippy @ 10/28/2002 12:08:48 AM #
I won't sleep tonight and will prob. line up at the door of my electronics retailer (if they have them)

Woo hoo!!

RE: This is too exciting!!
SaabCaptain @ 10/28/2002 12:10:42 AM #
Most Staples ($468) have them since late last Friday, and a few Circuit City ($499) stores have sold them since Saturday. CompUSA, BestBuy, Office Depot, Office Max, and others don't show them... yet.

owned: Pilot 5000, PalmPilot Pro, Palm V, IIIc, m505, Sony T615.
RE: This is too exciting!!
RAMdŽd @ 10/28/2002 5:10:57 AM #
I can't wait too test drive one.

I can wait to buy one. But I do want to do the Up Close and Personal thing ASAP.


___________________________
An armed society is a polite society.

RE: This is too exciting!!
mfs @ 10/28/2002 10:39:03 AM #
I just picked mine up at Staples. $469.98 + tax. Nice packaging!!!



RE: This is too exciting!!
Altema @ 10/28/2002 11:49:21 AM #
The Staples in Troy Michigan have not even HEARD of the Tungsten!

RE: This is too exciting!!
mfs @ 10/28/2002 12:18:54 PM #
>The Staples in Troy Michigan have not even
>HEARD of the Tungsten!


When I asked the kid about it he said they did not have them. I got lucky and the manager was standing near by and heard me ask and said they just came in about an hour ago.


RE: This is too exciting!!
hoodoo @ 10/28/2002 1:46:55 PM #
Staples in Downtown Toronto has them...about $800 CAD yikes! The guy got it out of the back room for me, it hadn't been charged yet, but the sliding mech. seems very high quality and the case is metal. I would say very nice! But, alas, I don't need one, I'll stick with my m100 for now. I'd have to buy the Sony T68i w/ bluetooth for $350 CAD also!!!!!

RE: This is too exciting!!
Zippy @ 10/28/2002 2:04:53 PM #
No-one in Vancouver has one!!!
One London Drugs said " I've never heard of that, so I must say that we do not have it and probably will not carry it"
Future shop saleswoman frowned and tried to dodge my question, so I left.
Another London Drugs said they have 600 ordered and awaiting delivery..eta unknown
STaples people said "Palm tongue, what is that?"
Office Depot said "we only have what you see on our shelves"

Great and astute service heh!

Sucks :-(


RE: This is too exciting!!
Ba-gug @ 10/28/2002 3:17:54 PM #
Basically that is what I heard from our Best Buy, Office Depot, Circuit City, and Office Max (Peoria Illinois) "Tungstone what?" so I just ordered it directly from Palm Inc. It has a 30 day no questions asked return policy, and free overnight FedEx shipping. I also spoke to a tech at Palm who told me that the new Tungsten T will work with the my m515 keyboard. I sure hope so!!!

Col. 1:28
RE: This is too exciting!!
Rhauer @ 10/28/2002 4:46:14 PM #
Staples in NYC, 5th Ave. New Palm? Tungston what? Won't care it. I assured him he would carry it and that they were probably going to get in soon.

I'll wait until the review are out

I.M Anonymous @ 10/28/2002 12:13:29 AM #
Nive press release, but I'll have to see what people say about durability and battery life before I make up my mind. Ryan, when will you have a review?

RE: I'll wait until the review is out
Palm_Otaku @ 10/28/2002 12:43:33 AM #
Come back in the morning ;) Final edits, final fact-checking and final images will be ready by then :)

Cheers,

Dan

RE: I'll wait until the review are out
ScottP @ 10/28/2002 12:51:24 AM #
Dan - for some of us in Oz it's already late in the afternoon!! ;) Look forward to your review, so how long you had one of these in your hands then but been tied by the NDA ..?

RE: I'll wait until the review are out
asiayeah @ 10/28/2002 1:25:49 AM #
The battery is really a concern. In Palm's comparision between Tungsten T vs Sony NX-60. The battery life of the Tungsten T is only listed as 1 week, while NX-60 has 10 days.

Tony

--
With great power comes great responsiblity.

RE: I'll wait until the review are out
RoelvdV @ 10/28/2002 3:42:29 AM #
These 10 days sounded like 10 hours max on some Clie forums. They weren't impressed at all with batterylife.

RE: I'll wait until the review are out
McMagnus @ 10/28/2002 4:24:06 AM #
I really want to know if the Bluetooth speed is anywhere close to what the BT specs say it should be. The Toshiba SD-card in a m505 only manages ~10-20% of 1MBit/s.

Please...

I've I get a solid week off the battery...
RAMdŽd @ 10/28/2002 5:12:57 AM #
...I'll be happy.

I have to sync almost daily, so a week away from the cradle would be OK, if I had too.

And while it won't charge the battery, synching via Bluetooth would be way cool.


___________________________
An armed society is a polite society.

RE: I'll wait until the review are out
asiayeah @ 10/28/2002 7:01:36 AM #
I just wonder why the Tungsten's battery can't last longer than an iPaq.

I've thought the PalmOS is more power friendly than the PPC. Besides the physical size of the screen is smaller than the iPaq, even though it has more pixels. Also the CPU has a lower Hertz.

Tony

--
With great power comes great responsiblity.

RE: I'll wait until the review are out
Ce @ 10/28/2002 7:25:43 AM #
According to the review at Infosync the batterylife is on par with the 515.
With full backlight, which seems te be very bright, the first batterylow warning came at 2 hours and 48 minutes and the device shut down after 3 hours 24 minutes.

RE: I'll wait until the review are out
SaabCaptain @ 10/28/2002 10:21:52 AM #
You mean the iPAQs last less than 3 1/2 hours with full backlight?

owned: Pilot 5000, PalmPilot Pro, Palm V, IIIc, m505, Sony T615.
RE: I'll wait until the review are out
Mr T @ 10/28/2002 5:11:15 PM #
How's that review coming along Dan?

RE: I'll wait until the review are out
spike @ 10/29/2002 4:32:15 PM #
yeap... been waiting for another great review from dan... but where is it? =(

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