Sprint Announces Treo 300

Posted By: Ed Thursday, August 8, 2002 10:09:28 AM

Sprint has announced that its CDMA 2000 wireless network, which it is calling PCS Vision, will be available next week and that the Handspring Treo 300 will run on the new network. Sprint hasn't given an exact release date, only saying that the Treo 300 and several other new phones will be released "over the next several weeks". Sprint says the Treo 300 will cost $500. It will be available only through Sprint.

According to a salesperson at a Sprint PCS store, the Treo 300 is already in stock in limited quantities. These will go on sale on August 11, which is this Sunday.

Handspring has updated their site to include some minimal information on this new model.

This smartphone has the same 12-bit color screen the Treo 270 and 90 use. It can access the Internet at between 50 Kbps and 70 Kbps, significantly faster than current Treo models.

Aside from using the new wireless network, the Treo 300 is quite similar to the Treo 270. It will run Palm OS 3.5.2H on a 33 MHz Dragonball VZ processor. It will have 16 MB of RAM and a backlit, built-in keyboard. There won't be a version with a Graffiti area.

Pricing
Initially ranging in price from $45 to $120, PCS Free & Clear with Vision plans will include megabytes for data usage along with varying amounts of voice minutes, depending on the individual plan. An example of the introductory PCS Free & Clear with Vision plans include the $90 per month plan that features 2,000 Anytime Minutes that can be used by an individual or shared between two people. Additional phones can share the minutes for only $20 per phone and each phone on the plan will receive two megabytes of data. The special introductory plans require a one- or two-year PCS Advantage Agreement and will be available until October 31.

For a limited time, business customers may take advantage of introductory pricing at four levels: $40 per month for 20 MB; $60 per month for 40 MB; $80 per month for 70 MB and $120 per month for 120 MB, all with a one-year PCS Advantage Agreement. Business customers can also select an introductory offer of unlimited data usage for $50 per month for the first three months and $100 thereafter with a one-year PCS Advantage Agreement.

Sprint estimates that 2 MB of data transferred is enough to send 100 e-mails and 150 instant messages and check out 100 Web pages as well as downloading a few small files. Heavy Web users can expect to use two megabytes to browse 300 Web pages, send 20 e-mails and instant messages and download a few small files.

GSM/GPRS vs. CDMA
The Treo 180, 180g, and 270 use GSM, which is popular outside of the United States. CDMA is the predominant standard in the U.S. The other Treo smartphones can be upgraded to GPRS, which will greatly increase their network access speed, though this upgrade is not yet available.

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nice but....

I.M. Anonymous @ 8/8/2002 10:36:39 AM #
yeah its a nice smart phone..... but 500 is too much....... I'd expect a TRI-BAND smartphone with built in wireless (BT or 802.11b) for that price.....

otherwise i'll stick with my t39mc and palm m505

cheapskate
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/8/2002 11:52:55 PM #
you get what you pay for - this is top notch technology. there is nothing out to match it. think man!
RE: nice but....
OzziePalmDieHard @ 8/9/2002 2:38:08 AM #
Its not really top notch technology. While smartphones are interesting, the TREO's are neither good phones nor good PDA's.
They are extremely expensive. Because of the prohibitive import prices, it would cost me over $1150(Aussie Dollars) or about $600 USD to get one of these. I could achieve a much more versatile solution with an m130, and a IR/BT phone. And it would be cheaper.
The treo only runs 3.5 it only has 12 bit colour.
m130; OS 4.1 . 16 bit color


The concept interests me, but i'm not a smartphone convert until something better comes out



=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 13yrs Old, Flat Broke
Odds of ever affording a palm without resorting to crime: 1765:1

RE: nice but....
TexSkater9140 @ 8/9/2002 6:55:15 AM #
i would watch out saying that an m130 is 16-bit
i myself believe it is, but there are many that think it is 12-bit, and will get on you if you dont watch out.
i think the treo is a good idea, but has a limited product ability.
wonder what is after the treo, but thats a forum dissucssion

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Cost for high speed data out of line!

bcombee @ 8/8/2002 10:39:02 AM #
$50/month for unlimited data with the rate jumping to $100/month is way too much. The pricing reminds me of the original Palm.net pricing, and is much too high compared to other data services like CDPD or Mobitex.

I hope they end up offering an off-peak data model, much like they do for off-peak phone calls. I'd pay $20/month for unlimited night and weekend data, with a more limited allotment during the day. Of course, they probably will have developer plans too, although those tended to be dev-only -- lots of data, but very few voice minutes.

--
CodeWarrior for Palm OS technical lead
Programming help at www.palmoswerks.com

RE: Cost for high speed data out of line!
joeberk @ 8/8/2002 11:36:33 AM #
It's high, yeah, but not unexpected, considering you're getting landline speeds from a wireless connection.

Myself, I'd love to get it... but the phone is pretty pricey, and I'd have to see all the plans first.

RE: Cost for high speed data out of line!
jjsoh @ 8/8/2002 11:42:56 AM #
: I hope they end up offering an off-peak data model,
: much like they do for off-peak phone calls. I'd pay
: $20/month for unlimited night and weekend data, with a
: more limited allotment during the day.

Actually, I would think the opposite. During "off-peak" hours and weekends, that's when I'd be accessing online the most. (You know what I'm talking about.. those fun filled weekend trips like going to the mall when your wife suddenly feels the need to "window shop" but ends up buying another 10 pairs of shoes to her collection of hundreds). So, weeknights/weekends would be high traffic in my opinion, no?

Anyway, at least that's when I'd be accessing the 'net most. Not during the weekdays where only e-mail and intermittent phone calls may come in handy. And if I had that ability to just check email and browse briefly before going to sleep, no need to turn on my PC; just go for my Palm with 'net access. Regardless of personal usage, I agree that it's pretty pricey.

Of course, YMMV. ;)


Jim

RE: Cost for high speed data out of line!
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/8/2002 11:45:09 AM #
That may be the case for us consumers, but the real usage is with the business customers who use it between 8 and 5. THAT is where the real usage is.
RE: Cost for high speed data out of line!
jjsoh @ 8/8/2002 12:27:13 PM #
: That may be the case for us consumers, but the real
: usage is with the business customers who use it between
: 8 and 5. THAT is where the real usage is.

Well, that's what I meant to point out. Unless they're constantly away from their office/desk, then okay, I agree with you. But during normal 9-5 business hours, who isn't around a computer with all the access you need? Usually when people are working, they're in front of a computer or have access to one (at least in most the corporate environments, anyway) and even when they're not, they eventually will be. It's only during that brief moment where they're not is what I was referring to 'intermittent' access. That's where I was going with my previous statement.


Jim

RE: Cost for high speed data out of line!
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/8/2002 12:34:39 PM #
Do not worry! Price will come down in the future. Early adapter always pay a hefty price. I could be one of them. Then it will become a chicken and egg matter.
RE: Cost for high speed data out of line!
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/8/2002 12:35:01 PM #
But the point behind night and weekend minutes is to entice users to use their phones during non peak times, after 9pm and weekends. It doesn't make sense to give people basically unlimited minutes and bandwith during times that you say are peak. At my place of work, I have a computer at my desk with a phone, but the primary means of communication is via cell phone. I just don't see how night and weekends is high traffic. The whole point point of offereing this is to move users from the normal prime time hours and onto the network during non-peak hours.
RE: Cost for high speed data out of line!
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/8/2002 12:37:10 PM #
> Usually when people are working, they're in front of a computer or have access to one

Companies aren't going to buy these for people who are always sitting in front of a computer. But there are lots of people aren't. Salespeople leap immediatly to mind. If you can look up a figure right in a meeting that helps you get a big sale, it can pays for it self. That beats the hell out of "I'll have to get back to you on that". Anyone who needs fast, real-time info can benefit from this. Think stock brokers. Or what about cops? Later, those of us who want to read Dilbert on the train will be able to afford them.

Where are these prices listed?
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/8/2002 12:58:14 PM #
Where did the pricing info in this story come from? I don't see it on Sprint's site.

RE: Where are these prices listed?
Ed @ 8/8/2002 1:09:38 PM #
They are in the press release linked to in the article.

---
News Editor
Is the Treo a ''PDA'' for this pricing?
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/8/2002 1:18:46 PM #
Sprint says it offers PCS Vision for laptops and PDAs starting at "$39.99 per month for 20 megabytes." That's a far better deal than the $89.99 plan that offers only 2 MB (and 2,000 phone minutes). So the question is: Is the Treo considered a PDA so users can get the $39.99 for 30 MB plan?
RE: Cost for high speed data out of line!
jjsoh @ 8/8/2002 2:16:58 PM #
Hahaha.. point well taken.

It's my own fault, really. I'm sitting in front computers all day so it's hard for me to think out of the box. Hmm.. when do you think it's safe for me to crawl out of my computer cave? ^_^


Jim

if it's high speed - you surf twice as fast - and its cheap
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/8/2002 11:54:05 PM #
nuff said
RE: Cost for high speed data out of line!
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/9/2002 8:42:06 AM #
here is a quick rundown of packages. compared to Verizon (other CDMA player) this is a LOT more competative!!

listed as Anytime/N&W/MB/Price this is from brochure from store in mke area

350/3650/2/49.99
500/4500/2/59.99
750/5700/2/74.99
1000/7000/2/89.99 (also incl. voice command & business connection)
on any above add 6MB for 10/month

750/5750/8/84.99
1000/7000/8/99.99
1300/8700/8/119.99
on any above add 12MB for 20/month

More info on Sprint Vision Devices

bcombee @ 8/8/2002 10:48:32 AM #
http://www.sprint.com/vision/smart_devices.html

This page features a picture of the Treo 300.

--
CodeWarrior for Palm OS technical lead
Programming help at www.palmoswerks.com

No interest...but why?

I.M. Anonymous @ 8/8/2002 10:59:32 AM #
Why don't these Treos interest me at all?
They seem neat enough, but I guess I just don't see... enough.
Such as...?
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/9/2002 1:30:52 PM #
You don't see enough... so what would make the difference? I'm not saying this to attack you, just to understand your reaction better.

Combine Treo and laptop card on one plan?

I.M. Anonymous @ 8/8/2002 11:00:14 AM #
Sprint is also announcing two PC cards for wireless Internet access. If they would allow one person to own two devices (a Treo 300 and a PC card) and use them both on one plan (the unlimited data plan), then that would be worth $100/month. Any chance of doing that?
RE: Combine Treo and laptop card on one plan?
bcombee @ 8/8/2002 2:22:35 PM #
If the Treo 300 acts like the current Treo 180 and 270, you should be able to use the cable to connect the phone to your laptop's serial port and then use the Treo as a wireless modem. The current Treo's don't support this out-of-the-box, but software like WirelessModem, www.notifymail.com/palm/#wirelessmodem, allows this to work.

--
CodeWarrior for Palm OS technical lead
Programming help at www.palmoswerks.com
RE: Combine Treo and laptop card on one plan?
ijablokov @ 8/9/2002 1:56:12 PM #
Yes, I've asked them that. As long as the phone and card are on the same account unlimited data works on both devices. But the serial cable alternative seems more economical at the outset. Also, they offer 3 months of free unlimited data, but that is for the phones only, not the smartphones (Treo and Toshiba) or the cards, for which you can get a discounted rate of $49.99 for the first 3 months and $99 thereafter with a one year contract.

Also remember that if any of you work for certin larger companies, you may be entitled to a 10-25% discount off of your monthly charges if your company has a negotiated rate with Sprint.

Nothing from Handspring?

I.M. Anonymous @ 8/8/2002 11:06:06 AM #
Well, they do have a "Treo 300 coming soon" on their Web page, and a link to a page that does not yet exist (or that does not yet have viewable permissions...)
RE: Nothing from Handspring?
Ed @ 8/8/2002 11:15:59 AM #
You have to realize that, on a release date like today, what was true at 10 am isn't necessarily true at 11 am.

---
News Editor
RE: Nothing from Handspring?
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/8/2002 12:08:32 PM #
My guess is that there are a number of factors. Remember, they are working with Sprint PCS for the first time and and are selling a phone/data service in addition to the handset. Since the actual go live date for Sprint is Sunday/Monday, my guess is that they don't want to overshoot customer expectations. After all, when you get the Treo and charge it the first thing you'll do is call, e-mail and try to surf the web. If the network is not ready you may be bit upset with Handspring. Therefore, my guess is that they'll post something soon because they are playing it conservatively.

So no Bluetooth phones announced?

joeberk @ 8/8/2002 11:40:10 AM #
Or am I just missing something?

Nope
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/8/2002 12:36:30 PM #

Sprint says "Maybe next year."

They don't have any phones that do IR either, so they are losing me and my Clie NR70V to ATT or Voicestream and a nice Sony-Ericsson T68i.

RE: So no Bluetooth phones announced?
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/8/2002 4:40:14 PM #
Yep... its beginning to look that way to me as well... but which to go with? AT&T seems to have the most to offer feature wise...

t68i vs Voicestreams t68m
The ability to use data without a plan at 2 cents/k.
Lower data rate to 1 cent/k by adding mMode for $2.99
nice bluetooth connectivity.
nice IR connectivity.

only problem is that most of the US AT&T coverage is still TDMA so if you exit your local calling area you pretty much dont have a phone anymore. I don't travel often but its nice to make a call 1000+ miles from home just like I was home.

I too have an NR70v... and was hoping for bluetooth so i could retire my 6035 and move up to color internet access. The only things stopping me was 'what is sprint going to do' and getting a blasted bluetooth Memory stick without paying lots for it overseas.

RE: So no Bluetooth phones announced?
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/8/2002 10:39:27 PM #
It constantly amuses me how screwed the American Telco environment is... no Bluetooth phones? WTF? There are quite a few generally available - so why can't you just use one on your network?

Here in Australia I can buy a phone and use it whereever I like, and on whatever network I like. No pissing around waiting for some middle-manager to put a tick in a box... I got hold of an Ericsson T39 at the very start of the year, plugged in my existing Vodafone SIM and away I went... :-)

I can also travel from one side of this country to the other without worrying if my carrier exists over there, or has national roaming agreements in place...


RE: So no Bluetooth phones announced?
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/9/2002 8:31:24 AM #
i also am disapointed that SPCS does not have an BT phones, or even looking at the phone none even seem to have a BT adapter to add to make it a BT device.....

this is where i as a consumer is lost... i really want a BT phone but i do not like the T68m or i (too small for my liking) the as yet annouced p800 is great but will be pricey....

i like SPCS packages since they are very competative with others pricing and i am an existing customer of theirs....

so it is either wait and see or hope someone gets a BT adapter out for their phone...

RE: So no Bluetooth phones announced?
useybird @ 8/10/2002 12:04:46 AM #
how can you use your phone in the outback? Are their more radio towers in the outback? are the phones you have satellite phones? Here in the states we have stupid,pointless,tax-dollar-hungry, FCC. That government mule is the reason why phones suck here, and also why we have become a wuss country, with total censorship on TV Radio and even Cable. The reason there are no good phones here is because there are few cellphone manufacturers based in the USA. Look at all the companies:Nokia,Finland;Ericsson,Sweden;Sony,Japan.
This is the same reason why Palm is so hot in the USA, and Sony is hot in Japan.

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RE: So no Bluetooth phones announced?
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/10/2002 1:59:34 PM #
You forgot
Motorola-US
The reason those phones aren't taking off here is because there just isn't enough of a market in the US.

Interesting...

I.M. Anonymous @ 8/8/2002 11:47:47 AM #
If you go to Sanyo's handset website there's a small graphic where you can try "Sprint's PCS Vision service" for free for 3 months. Right now the link doesn't work, but probably a good hint of things to come.
RE: Interesting...
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/9/2002 8:39:34 AM #
nothing secret. they released the 4900, an updated version of the 4500/4700 line. it is a little shorter, little fatter, color screen. SPCS is offering 3 mo. free on select plans with a 1 yr. agreement. Limited Time Offer.....

Treo users look ''funny''

I.M. Anonymous @ 8/8/2002 12:37:38 PM #
The other day I saw this guy on his treo and I couldn't help but laugh. He looked like he was straight out of star trek. I'm sorry to say but the treo just does not have the elegance and style that today's cell phones (T68, nokia 8390, V60,etc) have....
I'd rather use an earpiece if I had a treo but that's just me.
RE: Treo users look ''funny''
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/8/2002 12:43:00 PM #
Not as funny as people using a hands-free mic. With everyone walking down the street talking to thin air, its getting hard to tell the difference between the execs and the panhandlers.
PDA/cell phone combo crap
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/8/2002 1:06:16 PM #
get serious who will carry a brick, compared to today's cell phone standards?
I usually carry my cell phone *EVERYWHERE* but I don't want to carry my PDA all the time, especially while jogging or biking!
I think thats the main reason why the Treos don't sell well.
RE: Treo users look ''funny''
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/8/2002 1:21:44 PM #
You know what looks funny... someone using a smartphone, or a all-in-one fone talking on it. they hold it like they are holding a carton of orange juice... lmao.
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