CDMA Version of Treo Coming this Summer

Posted By: Ed Tuesday, March 19, 2002 8:58:30 AM

Currently, Handspring's Treo smartphones work only on GSM networks. While GSM is widely used around the world, it has a small percentage of the U.S. market with CDMA predominating. It has been known for a while that the company is working on a CDMA version of the Treo and Handspring has just announced that one will be available this summer. Sprint is helping with the development and the new version will work with the 3G network Sprint will be rolling out this summer. The companies will disclose information regarding specific product features, capabilities, and pricing when the product is ready for launch.

Sprint has paid be the exclusive distributor of the CDMA version of the Treo for an undisclosed period of time, according to an article on Cnet. It goes on to predict that the CDMA Treo will be the 270 version, which has a color screen.

Sprint's Third Generation (3G) Network is expected to launch nationwide in mid-2002, providing faster connections and greater bandwidth for data applications. The company is promising data transmission speeds of 144 kbps, though some analysts have said that isn't fast enough to qualify as "true" 3G.

Sprint will integrate its suite of business products into the new version of the Treo, including Sprint PCS Business Connection Personal Edition, which is a service that allows allows subscribers access to their corporate email accounts.

"Our relationship with Handspring will enable Sprint to offer another compelling product in the category of converged wireless devices that is also compatible with our Third Generation Network," said John Garcia, senior vice president, sales and distribution, Sprint's PCS division. "We are working together to develop a compact yet full-featured CDMA version of the Treo that appeals to customers that want a smart device that meets both their voice and data needs."

The Treo line is currently made up of two smartphones. The Treo 180 has a built-in keyboard like the Blackberry pager and no Graffiti area. The other model, the Treo 180g, relies on the traditional Graffiti for text input. Both have monochrome screens and are available now for $400. As mentioned earlier, both work only on GSM networks. Handspring intends to release a color version, the 270, in the coming months.

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270g with VFS and I'm sold

I.M. Anonymous @ 3/19/2002 9:12:37 AM #
If they come out with a 270g with VFS card capabilities (SD, etc), I'm sold.

RE: 270g with VFS and I'm sold
Ed @ 3/19/2002 9:18:41 AM #
When the Treo was first announced, the head of Handspring's PR department told me that the company was trying to avoid making two versions of the 270, one with a keyboard and one without. At that time, they were inclined to make only the keyboard version, as they believed that one would be the best seller. They were intending to make a final decision on whether to offer a keyboard or Graffiti version of the 270 based on sales of the 180. If customers show a strong preference towards the keyboard or Graffiti version, that's the one the company will make. I don't know what will happen if sales are about equal.

At this point, no Palm OS smartphone has come with expansion memory card support, including the one Samsung just announced. Perhaps all three of the manufacturers are waiting for one of their competitors to try it and see if the extra sales offset the extra cost and bulk.

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News Editor

RE: 270g with VFS and I'm sold
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/19/2002 11:26:32 AM #
I feel a memory expansion is needed. If I am on the road and My Palm get's wiped out. I want to be able to restore without having to HotSync. Somtimes I am away from the Desktop (PIM) for days.

RE: No graffit version for 270 will be sad
fkclo @ 3/19/2002 11:29:34 AM #
I will be disappointed if Handspring decides to let go the graffiti version. I still can't figure out how to type with my thumbs on the keyboard and have my stylus somewhere to tap on the screen. Not to mention I won't be able to use a lot of my favorite hacks.

I have been using my Treo 180g for over 6 weeks. Graffiti is still the way to go for me. This is going to be a very tough decision if I am to give up graffiti for a colour Treo :-(

Francis Lo, HKG

RE: 270g with VFS and I'm sold
I.M. Anonymous @ 7/9/2002 8:03:37 AM #
if there will not be a 270G, treo looses customers !!!
I will go for something else.

Treo 270 Preview

I.M. Anonymous @ 3/19/2002 9:42:20 AM #
VisorCentral said
Earlier today we got a chance to preview a development unit of the new Treo 270. Since it was a development model, specs are likely to change. The screen was bright and easy to read indoors, and reportedly works well outside too. It did not seem to be high resolution, and a "pixel grid" (similar to the one on the Prism) was visible. The phone application took advantage of the color screen and had a 3D feel to it. The keyboard buttons were slightly changed from my Treo’s – the number lettering on the numbers part of the keyboard were significantly bolder and more noticeable. Some readers have reported receiving Treo 180 units with this redefined keyboard.

http://www.visorcentral.com/content/Stories/1408-1.htm

At least its something to look forward to

PIC mobile user @ 3/19/2002 10:30:54 AM #
Keep it up Handspring!

What about a GSM 270?

I.M. Anonymous @ 3/19/2002 10:27:00 AM #
I hope handspring plans on releasing a GSM-based TREO 270 as well. As a VisorPhone user who sometimes travels to Europe, it is more appealing for me to stick with GSM for international travel. I was really surprised over a year ago that my VisorPhone would work great in Europe. Not only that, but everywhere here at home in the USA that I've been, the phone has good-excellent signal strength. My old NOKIA 6160 had problems delivering text messages in the area were I live. Not with the VisorPhone, it seems to work well most everywhere.

I'm hooked on GSM and won't spring for the CDMA Version of the 270 nor a non-expandable (i.e. No Springboard, SD, etc.) PDA/Phone hybrid. I like knowing I can use my phone "almost" anywhere in the world and be able to back it up to CF (with the wonderful MemPlug CF Adapter). I guess I'll have to stick with the VisorPhone for the forseeable future...

RE: What about a GSM 270?
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/19/2002 10:53:07 AM #
Does your phone receive email/SMS messages in Europe as well as calls?

RE: What about a GSM 270?
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/19/2002 11:06:36 AM #
I used the Internet Data services at the time and it worked fine (found local dial-up accounts for Compuserv). I could dial-in and check e-mail just fine. I haven't tried SMS while abroad (my bet is that it would work). Be sure to enable International roaming on your Visorphone(or TREO) *before* going overseas, however. VoiceStream/Cingular need to send some identification message to your phone to activate international roaming. Hope this is helpful.

RE: What about a GSM 270?
Ed @ 3/19/2002 11:09:14 AM #
> I hope handspring plans on releasing a GSM-based TREO 270 as well.

Yes, it will.

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News Editor

RE: What about a GSM 270?
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/19/2002 11:34:18 AM #
i have a t39 that i use in france and i couldn't get it to dial in to compuserve over there. how did you do it?
where did you find the right dial up number. or even the info to get it to work????
i have used my powerbook all over europe on compuserve for over 10 years but i haven't gotten the t39 or hopefully a treo to work with pop3.

homebilly@compuserve.com

144kbps per phone????

I.M. Anonymous @ 3/19/2002 11:26:13 AM #
this new 3g.....will it be capable of 144kbps per each phone or each tower??? Does it matter how many users are on a certain tower??

RE: 144kbps per phone????
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/19/2002 12:19:47 PM #
That's the theoretical max for each station. Your average throughput will be around 50-60k, depending on load. CDMA 1XRTT was designed more for cell phone capacity, than data, but it just happens to make data faster as well. When ever you see bandwidth stats like 144kbps, or 10 Mbits, etc., those are almost always maxes of the device/system, and never the real performance.

$400?

I.M. Anonymous @ 3/19/2002 12:16:58 PM #
at $400 it's a dud. I think people will only go for $2-300 for a phone. Regardless if it has PDA functionality in it or not.

RE: $400?
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/19/2002 12:52:28 PM #
At $400, it would be a relative steal. The Kyocera 6035 and Samsung I300 both debuted at $500 and didn't do all that badly. I don't know about the 6035, but when the I300 was released, the initial shipment was soldout relatively quickly as this product was in high-demand and stores couldn't keep them in-stock.

RE: $400?
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/19/2002 1:31:04 PM #
Recently they slash that kyocera model at give away price. It seems they are having trouble pushing it.

RE: $400?
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/19/2002 1:41:00 PM #
True, but I300 is color and pretty slick for its time, and Samsung is updating it soon with new model.

So basically treo has to compete at about the same price range banking only on software.

I personally think color screen is a significant buying point specially if the PDA side of the phone is pushed toward email and web browsing. All high end phones in Japan follows this trend.

RE: $400?
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/19/2002 4:57:02 PM #
OK, lets not forget $400 is the monochrome unit with activation.

The color unit is $600 with activation, $800 if your already a customer.

RE: $400?
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/19/2002 6:20:19 PM #
$499 + $50 activation for that samsung. (@amazon.com)

RE: $400?
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/20/2002 5:31:48 PM #
Color is good, but the size of the screen is *tiny*! The m1xx/Treo/Kyocera screen is bad enough, but the Samsung is even smaller!

I can see it now--the phone comes with a free mini-microscope so you can see the screen! *Sooo* portable!

Sprint? Ugh.

I.M. Anonymous @ 3/19/2002 6:44:55 PM #
Problem is, Sprint doesn't cover both CDMA frequencies -- they're single-band, not dual-band. So roaming's not as good as it is with Verizon, etc.

Sprint's coverage is only a little better than GSM coverage is. People in North Dakota, Vermont, New Hampshire, etc. will be just as out of luck with Sprint as they are with GSM.

Geeze, Handspring, if you want to succeed in this biz, don't limit your CDMA coverage to one mediocre provider!

RE: Sprint? Ugh.
Coyote67 @ 3/19/2002 7:15:12 PM #
My sprintpcs phone is dual band. You sure about what you are saying?

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When you have a Clie shoved up your mouth, you can only talk in vowels.
RE: Sprint? Ugh.
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/19/2002 7:42:18 PM #
Most Sprint PCS phones are dual-mode (analog and digital) and dual-band (1900 CDMA and 800 AMPS) while others are single-mode, single-band. Some Verizon phones are dual-mode, tri-band (1900 CDMA, 800 CDMA, and 800 AMPS) while others are dual-mode, dual-band, and the rest are single-mode and either dual or single band. Got it? :)

RE: Sprint? Ugh.
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/20/2002 12:06:21 PM #
Arghh, I have to agree. I'm in central MA where Verizon has perfect coverage, but Sprint is DOA in my town. I'd buy a Treo in a second if I could actually use the thing, but instead I'll just wait to see who offers something useful. Whoever does first, gets my money.

New Treo - will it have an expasion port?

I.M. Anonymous @ 5/12/2002 3:11:47 PM #
Will have the wonderful springboard. or any other way to expand or connect accesories?
RE: New Treo - will it have an expasion port?
I.M. Anonymous @ 6/17/2002 1:17:54 PM #
From Handspring.com on the Treo 270:

Today there is no plan for a Springboard expansion-enabled version of the Treo communicator. With Treo, Handspring begins to have two distinct product lines: the Visor handheld computer and the Treo communicator line. For communicator products, compact size is of paramount importance and expandability is secondary. Our Visor handheld line will continue to be our leading product line for people looking for the best possible expansion platform.

The Springboard is virtually dead. The first Treo to have expansion, the Treo 90, has SD.

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