Palm Intros GSM/GPRS Wireless Tungsten W

Posted By: Ryan Monday, October 28, 2002 12:01:00 AM

Palm Inc, today introduced the Palm Tungsten W handheld, the first Palm branded integrated GSM/GPRS wireless handheld with a built-in keyboard for easy data entry; one-handed navigation; and a high-resolution color screen. In a separate news release today, Palm also introduced the Palm Tungsten T handheld.

UPDATE: Palm SG has formally announced the availability of the Tungsten W for Feb 28th.

With carrier activation, the Palm Tungsten W handheld is a data-centric handheld providing a sophisticated combination of wireless email, SMS messaging, phone functionality, business applications, and Palm's classic Personal Information Management (PIM) software.(1) The Palm Tungsten W handheld is built with one of the fastest radios available today for the GSM/GPRS network, the most widely supported wireless technology used by hundreds of operators worldwide.

"The Palm Tungsten W handheld provides all-in-one connectivity capability for the busy, mobile professional and offers a platform for the development of mobile wireless enterprise solutions," said Todd Bradley, president and chief executive officer of Palm Solutions. "This handheld was designed as a versatile messaging device to aid mobile executive productivity. The Palm Tungsten W delivers what matters most for our business customers -- messaging, communication and access to company data."

Palm Tungsten WSecure Wireless Email and Messaging
Palm leverages Texas Instruments' advanced wireless GSM/GPRS technology to provide connectivity in the Palm Tungsten W handheld. The Class 10 GSM/GPRS wireless radio powered by TI's TCS2100 baseband processor offers one of the fastest data-transfer rates available over GPRS, for quick wireless access to email and web-based content within the networks' coverage area. Users can easily type emails or send SMS text messages using the built-in keyboard. Giving customers what they want in a messaging device, the Palm Tungsten W handheld ships with the most powerful battery in a Palm handheld to date: a lithium ion battery that provides up to 10 hours of talk time.

The Palm Tungsten W handheld ships with Palm VersaMail(TM), Palm's new personal email software for POP and IMAP email accounts that lets users send, receive and manage email on their handhelds. Key features include the ability to download and view the text of Microsoft Word documents and HTML email attachments, advanced folder and filtering capabilities, the flexibility to delete many messages at one time, and easy access to common tasks such as forwarding email and moving messages. Windows PC synchronization support enables automatic conversion of most Microsoft Office documents using DataViz Documents To Go. Users can synchronize email with Microsoft Outlook, Outlook Express, Lotus Notes 5.0, and Eudora.

Color Display and Built-in Keyboard
Unlike mobile phones with small screens, the Palm Tungsten W handheld is differentiated by offering a large, high-resolution, 65,000-color 320 x 320 pixel screen.

New Phone Application and Network
The Palm Tungsten W handheld integrates the power of a Palm handheld with the functionality of a mobile phone, packing in useful features such as Quick Connect, which allows users to easily make phone calls from the Palm Address Book without using the stylus. With the Palm Tungsten W handheld, users can use features found in mobile phones today, such as speed dialing, caller ID, call forwarding, 5-way conference calling, and call-history logs.(2) In addition, users can access custom functionality, such as redial reminders and call notes, which integrate with the Palm Address Book. Palm Tungsten W handheld users can talk on the phone while editing documents, locating addresses, skimming a presentation, taking notes from a conversation or even simultaneously sending an SMS message.

The high-end Palm Tungsten W handheld will ship with tri-band GSM/GPRS wireless radio, making it a steadfast choice for international enterprises and executives who travel.(3) The Palm Tungsten W handheld is one of the few handhelds today offering tri-band functionality.

Software Applications
The Palm Tungsten W handheld runs Palm OS(R) 4.1.1 on a Motorola Dragonball VZ 33mHz processor. It comes bundled with more than a dozen productivity, communication and entertainment applications. A complete list and description of applications is available at www.palm.com/trytungsten-w.

The Palm Tungsten W handheld allows access to the Internet with an active wireless data account, and to corporate intranets where compatible with a corporation's network security.

Expansion
Complete with the Palm Expansion Slot for SD Card, SDIO and MultiMediaCard media, the Palm Tungsten W handheld lets users back up their information, add more memory, access custom content, run applications on the expansion cards, or use accessories, such as a camera or the Palm Bluetooth Card (sold separately). Customers also can attach peripherals via the Palm Universal Connector, including a GPS receiver, MP3 player or 802.11 sled.

Pricing and Availability
The international estimated street price for the Palm Tungsten W handheld is $549 (U.S.) without wireless service. The price will vary based upon network operator and sales channel. The Palm Tungsten W handheld is scheduled to be available in the United States in the first quarter of 2003. An Internet service provider account and data service may be required for Internet and email based upon carrier; these services may need to be purchased separately if not offered by the network operator.

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Picture

I.M Anonymous @ 10/28/2002 12:18:37 AM #
For the official picture, go to http://palm.com/products/handhelds/tungsten-w/photos/images/02.jpg

Official Photos / Link

GhettoBuddha @ 10/28/2002 1:06:16 AM #
Official Site:
http://palm.com/products/handhelds/tungsten-w/

Official Photos:
http://palm.com/products/handhelds/tungsten-w/photos.html

I like I like.

I don't swim in your toilet, so don't pee in my pool

RE: Official Photos / Link
Brucew @ 10/28/2002 6:07:53 PM #
me too!!
I just saw the photo of W.Itlooks cool!! much better than T.it look high tech,futuretic.
btw, i think T look much better if there is no slider,it would look like in one piece...look better..
just my opnion..:-)


RE: Official Photos / Link
T.W.G @ 10/29/2002 5:32:04 PM #
you wanna see real photos?

check out my review of a preproduction unit. It's german but you just can enjoy my photos :)

http://www.pdaforum.de/tungsten-w/

and if you want to reenjoy your palm soon check out my personal website: www.twgmusic.de (it needs some time...)

RE: Official Photos / Link
Zippy @ 10/30/2002 2:20:24 PM #
great pics, man!

Delay?

asiayeah @ 10/28/2002 1:35:51 AM #
Does that mean the device is delayed? Originally I've thought the device is coming out with the Tungsten T together.

--
With great power comes great responsiblity.
RE: Delay?
SaabCaptain @ 10/28/2002 1:41:40 AM #
It isn't coming out till the first 3 months of 2003. Question: How desirable is this going to be after the holidays when it arrives with a 33 mHz dragonball processor and OS 4.1.1? By that time we will be awaiting the T2 with faster processor, more RAM, etc. and OS 5 of course. :-)

owned: Pilot 5000, PalmPilot Pro, Palm V, IIIc, m505, Sony T615.
RE: Delay?
asiayeah @ 10/28/2002 1:48:40 AM #
It is indeed worrying. While the device's specifications are not so new right now, it's difficult to assume the device will be competitive several months later.

--
With great power comes great responsiblity.
RE: Delay?
Fly-By-Night @ 10/28/2002 7:51:15 AM #
It just seems to make the whole Tungsten line more confusing. I initially assumed that the W would have OS 5 as all Tungstens would be ARM based; with on the D(Z)ire range chugging along with Dragonball and OS 4. It seems there's nothing that this can do that a T|T and BT mobile (eg. T68i) can't. As most people have mobiles already, and the T|T isn't much more expensive than the T|W -- even if your mobile doesn't have BT, future-proofing yourself doesn't seem too pricey.

FBN

RE: Delay?
hkklife @ 10/28/2002 11:29:57 AM #
I agree. WHile there's no pressing NEED to have the absolute latest and greatest OS on the Tungsten W (look at how long Handspring's milked OS 3.5x), it would make things simpler from a developer standpoint, and certainly from a consumer's perspective. Also, for such a pricey unit, some customers might worry that the unit uses "old" technology. Joe Six-Pack doesn't/won't care what speed of Dragonball the T|W is using, but he might equate OS 4 vs. OS 5 to a Win 98 vs. Win XP type of situation...

My guess is that the Dragonball/OS 4 combo is used primarily dur to battery life and cost. However, there's also the issue of timing here: this unit (like every other wireless Palm before it) has had a longer gestation period than a conventional Palm, thus the slightly older tech. contained within upon its release. For example, look at how inferior the original VII (clockspeed, screen etc) was to the Palm Vx and IIIx, even though all were relased at the same time...and then with the i705 only having 8 megs of ram instead of 16.

RE: Delay?
frauen1 @ 10/28/2002 12:04:45 PM #
The delay is probably due to getting carriers to certify the device for their networks. Cellular carriers are a fussy lot and assume any device they haven't cerified will bring gloom and doom to their network (since the network is their business I think that's fine).

RE: Delay?
Brucew @ 10/28/2002 6:11:28 PM #
it is a bit pitty that W still using OS4.1 as by the time it releases, there maybe many OS5 models in the markets already.however, despite this small thing,,T|W is still a good design pda. :-)

RE: Delay?
Hubbub @ 2/12/2003 5:00:01 PM #
Hi Guys,

I am seeking information about Tungsten W. If anyone used it or trialled, I would like to find out more about the functionality and does it really works? I know that it is not out yet but any info will be considered.

Regards


I am working in IT Industry, and curreently I am working on a little project which may involve Tungsten W, therefore, I am seeking assistance or any information regarding to the product. Thanks guys

OS 4.1 and Hi-Res??

glenngillery @ 10/28/2002 1:45:52 AM #
How come they didn't do that before? Like in the case of m515? Specs are ridiculous though. I just got a treo, but this looks off the hook.

Glenn
RE: OS 4.1 and Hi-Res??
bcombee @ 10/28/2002 3:23:31 AM #
Actually, Acer is announced the s50 and s60 which are color devices with the Palm OS 5 high-density API but running Palm OS 4.1... so now, there are at least six devices supporting the new API: the Sony NX60 and NX70, the Palm Tungsten T and W, and the Acer s50 and s60.

--
Ben Combee, CodeWarrior for Palm OS technical lead
Programming help at www.palmoswerks.com
RE: OS 4.1 and Hi-Res??
hkklife @ 10/28/2002 11:24:07 AM #
Well, I'd always maintained that Palm made a huge mistake by not releasing an "interim" m5xx unit with a faster Dragonball and/or high-res. The m505 should have had the m515's specs from the beginning and the m515/525 could/should have had a screen like the Tungsten W, and a faster CPU would have been icing on the cake.

It's have given developers time to come to grips and get some apps out using a non-Sony 320*320 high-res API so that there would have been plenty of stuff available by the time the Tungsten T was/is released.

That's just my thoughts on the issue, but I am honestly surprised Palm's been able to tread water as well as they have sales-wise throughout 2002 with hardly any "new" products at all up until today.

Tungsten W & Graffiti

gulmatan @ 10/28/2002 2:36:49 AM #
Now, my question is about the Tungsten W. With the integrated keyboard, does that mean that there is NO Graffiti input method whatsoever?

Matt A.

RE: Tungsten W & Graffiti
GhettoBuddha @ 10/28/2002 3:19:12 AM #
According to infosync.no it ships with a full version of JOT for those who want to contiunue using grafitti.

I don't swim in your toilet, so don't pee in my pool

Head to Head with TREO....

speed-angel @ 10/28/2002 4:40:09 AM #
Looks like this is a special weapon to target speicifically to TREO users. I don't know if people would switch but maybe if some independent source (palminfocenter or fellow palm poeple) would do a item-by-item comparison then it would be clear who would be switching.

As for me I am still waiting for the revolutionary T series with OS-5 from Sony.....

RE: Head to Head with TREO....
glenngillery @ 10/28/2002 6:43:48 AM #
It has a lot of cool features, but i do notice that there is no jog dial. Hi Res, SD slot are nice though.



Glenn

RE: Head to Head with TREO....
bcombee @ 10/28/2002 12:56:23 PM #
I would guess that Palm is targeting the RIM Blackberry much more with this device than they're targeting the Handspring Treo... feature wise, this looks similar to the recent GSM Blackberries, with the advantage of a beautiful color screen and a standard operating system.

--
Ben Combee, CodeWarrior for Palm OS technical lead
Programming help at www.palmoswerks.com
RE: Head to Head with TREO....
gfunkmagic @ 10/28/2002 10:28:22 PM #
Exactly, TW is geared more towards the blackberry enteprise market. Also has anyone heard of a new POS 5 based TREO coming out from Handspring? They just lowered the prices on the 180 (see PIC article), is that a sign that they're coming out with a new device?

RE: Head to Head with TREO....
speed-angel @ 10/28/2002 11:27:16 PM #
Hmm.....I do not disagree with its competition with blackberry, However I do think they are in the same market competiting with TREO. After all TREO is meant to be also a all-in-one device communicatino device. If Blackberry and Palm are going head-to-head, is TREO targeting small business owners/sole proprietors/small shop owners?

Would love to get an insight on market segmentation issues.

The Kyocera 7135 it's more appealing

alexito @ 10/28/2002 10:39:44 AM #
If you letme chose I'll take the Kyocera if I have the cash.

Technology moves faster than you can afford... at least for me.
RE: The Kyocera 7135 it's more appealing
alexito @ 10/28/2002 10:46:38 AM #
Did anybody know if the 7135 has an Universal Conector?
It's great that the new Palm models have UC so we don't have to trow away our peripherals.

Technology moves faster than you can afford... at least for me.
RE: The Kyocera 7135 it's more appealing
bcombee @ 10/28/2002 12:57:48 PM #
No, the 7135 doesn't have the Palm Universal Connector. The only major peripheral used on the 6035 was their version of the ThinkOutside keyboard, and Kyocera has indicated that they will sell an adapter to allow that keyboard to work with the new phone.

--
Ben Combee, CodeWarrior for Palm OS technical lead
Programming help at www.palmoswerks.com
RE: The Kyocera 7135 it's more appealing
gfunkmagic @ 10/28/2002 10:25:54 PM #
The Kyocera 7135 is nice if you want more hone than pda. The TW (Tungsten W) is more of a data centric device targeted at the blackberry enteprise market. Also the screen on the 7135 is just too small for anything but simple PIM functionality.

Handsfree headset only way to use phone?

BillFugina @ 10/28/2002 10:55:53 AM #
From what I can tell, the handsfree headset is the only only way to use this as a phone. I think that is really annoying. I can't imagine that I'd want to always carry a headset with it. Maybe I'd want the headset while I'm at my desk or in the car, but when the unit is in my pocket, I don't want to cary a wire. I can imagine the phone ringing and not having the headset around and having to pass up on the phone call.

It's a shame; if this thing didn't need the headset, I'd be all over it.

RE: Handsfree headset only way to use phone?
alexp @ 10/28/2002 11:42:46 AM #
I think this is similar to the Blackberry in this respect. Blackberries can be used for voice, but only with a headset.

My guess is that Palm believes most users of this product will seek the e-mail/web functions as opposed to the phone functions. Treo assumes people will use the phone & data just as much.

I would also guess all these companies are assuming these devices will be more for productivity than games and/or video. This would be why they've left out OS5 and the extra processor power. Battery life would be another factor.

Personally, I'd like to check out the upcoming Kyocera smartphone.

RE: Handsfree headset only way to use phone?
pecka @ 10/28/2002 1:00:47 PM #
Well I can see it's really a pitty that there is no mic and speaker on the unit but it would make the unit more expensive and maybe even bigger. And w/ help of a bluetooth you can hook up a BT headset

RE: Handsfree headset only way to use phone?
I.M Anonymous @ 10/28/2002 1:38:37 PM #
Wait, the Tungsten T has a speaker and microphone, and the Tungsten W doesn't? Hahahahaha.. wait, no, hahahahaha, someone at Palm really screwed up on this one!

tungsten w with mic, spkr with fliptop accessory
maheshmurthy @ 12/9/2002 4:44:30 PM #
I saw and tried out the tunsten-w at comdex. i also asked about the lack of built-in mic and speaker - their answer was to show me a 3rd party accessory which basically slid into the side of the w to connect with and cover the face of the w protectively.

this had a speaker and microphone on the front, if one wanted to speak into it. the fliptop (which resembled the cover on a paperback) seemed to be made of leather also had a rectangular hole cut into it so you could see the caller ID of the person who was calling.

just my $0.02

RE: Handsfree headset only way to use phone?
Jammy @ 2/14/2003 9:17:38 AM #
Are the keys backlit? or is that another convienece that they forgot to add?

Thanks!

I have to wait? Ahhhhh...I see.

james_sorenson @ 10/28/2002 10:59:44 AM #
Palm needs to shorten the time between announcing a product and making it available. As expected, announcing a newer version of a product essentially stops on all sales of the current version. Now that they have announced a SamrtPhone with hi-res color and expansion support, who would want to buy the current Palm phone?

Oh...that's right. The current Palm phone is the HANDSPRING Treo, isn't it? Gee, I wonder if Palm is trying to stop potential PalmOS Smartphone buyers from picking up a Treo before they can get the Tungsten W out the door?

Nah...they wouldn't do that! ;-)

-------
James Sorenson

RE: I have to wait? Ahhhhh...I see.
gfunkmagic @ 10/28/2002 10:30:34 PM #
I don't think the TW really competes with the Treo's in any case since there is no built in mic or speaker on the device. Also I think Palm is targeting the blackberry crowd. I would gather that they're trying to shore up their customer base who see an aging and inferior i705 line compared to various other products...

we're faster: Review of a Tungsten W Unit!

T.W.G @ 10/28/2002 11:53:38 AM #
Hi, there

I did the review on a Tungsten W unit!
http://www.pdaforum.de/tungsten-w/

This time it's in german but we're working on an english version!

So, enjoy all pictures!

Thomas
T.W.G

RE: we're faster: Review of a Tungsten W Unit!
pecka @ 10/28/2002 1:06:13 PM #
does it mean it will be available earlier in the good ol' Europe? that's somethin Handspring did w/ it's Treo 270

RE: we're faster: Review of a Tungsten W Unit!
T.W.G @ 10/28/2002 1:51:46 PM #
yep,

the Tungsten W is official announced in Europe.
Very simple case:
Nearly all european countries are using the modern GSM-GPRS digital networks and not the analogue CDMA-System like in USA which I can't understand because most High Tech came out of Japan, USA and Germany.

The Tungsten W uses GSM-GPRS on the european frequencies 900/1800MHz while the USA features 1900MHz GSM-Technology which is rare to find in your country.
So, most of our Triband-mobile-phones here don't work in every US-Location.

Hope to solve this with UMTS but no one believes in this technology...

greetings from Germany

Thomas

www.twgmusic.de (coming soon)

RE: we're faster: Review of a Tungsten W Unit!
legalalien @ 10/28/2002 2:45:10 PM #
So, how did you do the screenshots?

What a letdown!

anondude @ 10/28/2002 1:59:33 PM #
As a consumer, I would much rather have the Tungsten T w/ built-in Bluetooth and the new OS. Plus the Tungsten W is absolutely ugly- look at the Mickey Mouse ear antenna! These goofy PDA's that aspire to be cell phones make no sense to me. I'd much rather have the super sleek Tungsten T and a Sony-Ericsson T68 than a behemoth Tungsten W bulging in my pants pocket! Afterall, who wants to carry a big Tungsten W around nights and weekends when you can slip a T68 into your pocket? Not many people, I'm sure. I think they'll sell a ton of Tungsten T's...
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