Handspring Launches GPRS Treo 270 for Rogers Canada

Posted By: Ryan Monday, November 11, 2002 9:11:41 AM

Handspring, Inc. today announced the availability of the Treo 270 communicator with GSM/GPRS network compatibility for Rogers AT&T Wireless customers across Canada. The Treo 270 from Rogers AT&T Wireless is a compact, full-colour wireless communicator that integrates a wireless phone with applications such as e-mail and Internet access, and a Palm OS organizer all in one.

"Rogers AT&T Wireless is pleased to provide its customers with a new, enhanced version of the Treo communicator including a full colour display screen and GSM/GPRS capabilities," said Mansell Nelson, Vice President and General Manager, Interactive Mobile Services, Rogers AT&T Wireless. "With all the features and services of the Treo 180, the Treo 270 enables customers with "always on" wireless access to the Internet, e-mail, two-way text messaging and wireless phone capabilities, and operates on the company's industry-leading integrated, digital wireless voice and data network."

With a Treo 270, Rogers AT&T Wireless customers can also take advantage of Handspring's Treo Mail solution, a wireless e-mail service designed exclusively for the Treo communicator. Handspring recently introduced a new version of Treo Mail, which features transparent synchronization with desktop e-mail, optimization for high-speed data networks including GPRS, direct access to URLs, e-mail addresses and phone numbers within an e-mail, and support for Lotus Notes, Microsoft Outlook/Exchange and/or POP3 e-mail accounts.

"Treo 270 brings a whole new level of functionality to customers who value the benefits of a fully integrated wireless voice and data device," said Joe Sipher, vice president of marketing for Handspring. "When you combine the feature enhancements of Treo 270: a bright colour display, backlit QWERTY keyboard and our updated version of Treo Mail together on the industry-leading Rogers AT&T's enhanced GSM/GPRS wireless network, you have one of the best overall voice, e-mail, web browsing and messaging experiences available for Canadian customers."

Also new to the Treo 270 is an enhanced version of the GPRS software upgrade. The new GPRS software upgrade provides a number of additional features for Treo 270 and Treo 180 customers from Rogers AT&T Wireless. Additional features include:

  • Improved speed when searching and dialing contacts from the Contacts list
  • A new mute button in the phone application
  • Automatic set-up for wireless data through the installation-no need for manual configurations or an Internet Service Provider (ISP)
  • Enhanced navigation between voice and data functions. For example, if you are in the middle of a data session and you receive a voice call, the Treo 270 will give you the option to answer the call or send it to voicemail. If you answer the voice call, it will put the data call on hold and resume downloading once you have completed the voice call.
  • Immediate access to the speakerphone - you no longer wait for the call to connect to see the speakerphone button
  • New keyboard hints in the phone application to help the user take advantage of the keyboard
  • Hyperlink support in the SMS application - email addresses, phone numbers and web URLs in the messages are now actionable with the rocker switch or the stylus.

The Treo 270 from Rogers AT&T Wireless costs $699.00 CDN on a two-year price plan and is available for purchase across Canada through Rogers AT&T Wireless Corporate Sales channels and select dealer and retail locations, or online. Existing Treo 180 customers from Rogers AT&T Wireless can access the new GPRS software upgrade at no additional charge via the Rogers AT&T Wireless web site at www.rogers.com/treo.

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Why not GPRS Compact Flash?

jonr @ 11/11/2002 10:24:07 AM #
Like this one:
http://www.shoppingpda.com/product/rtm8000/rtm8000.asp
Has somebody seen this work on the Palm? shoppingpda.com doesn't mention PalmOS software, though.
J.

RE: Why not GPRS Compact Flash?
Fly-By-Night @ 11/11/2002 10:30:04 AM #
No real need. If all new PDAs come with Bluetooth (hint to Sony); and all new mobiles also have Bluetooth (all the new ones in Europe anyway, but then we're not saddled with Qualcomm!); then you end up with a much more flexible package.

I need a phone *all* the time, but a PDA only *some* of the time (certianly not out on the lash or clubbing, or mountain biking, etc.). Personally, I think the modular approach utlising Bluetooth is the way ahead and we will see less an less of the current 'smartphones' and communicators.

FBN

RE: Why not GPRS Compact Flash?
Fernando @ 11/11/2002 10:32:57 AM #
well, the main reason that there isn't a dprs comactflash for palm is that the vast majority of palms (Palm, Sony, Handsrping) don't have compactflash. The only one that i'm aware has a compactflash is Handera, and that is long gone. Formats like SD/MMC and Sony's memstick are more difficult to produce a gprs card for simply because they're smaller. Plus, would u really want a gprs card for ur sd/mmc if your battery life went down to two hours?

RE: Why not GPRS Compact Flash?
olgiati @ 11/11/2002 11:03:05 AM #
bt phone + bt palm/ bt computer = true
and the consumer gain is huge, bigger than the phone/pda companies gain. You get the freedom to upgrade and choose cellphone network and palm/computer and diferent times.
And keyboard and extra screen . . . .
Would be great if the treo had bt.

10Wtech

Too much money

serpico @ 11/11/2002 1:09:05 PM #
I think I would rather have a Sony Ericsson T68i for half the price in CDN. Bluetooth and OSX compatiblity works better than the pc link software I have read. Handspring may not be around for too long as the Treos will not save the company. I believe there is a small market for this up here, but most people prefer a real cell phone with PDA features like calendar and address book. Just my 2 cents guys.

RE: Too much money
Gepeto- @ 11/11/2002 1:14:24 PM #
I have a T68i...it is nice, but the PIM in it just doesn't cut it. Of course next pay day I'm getting a bluetooth Tungsten, so I'll have a wireless PDA through bluetooth/GPRS, but it's gonna be more expensive than just a Treo !

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