Mobile High-speed 3G Internet Access and Multiple Forms of Communication Combined in One Compact Handset
SYDNEY, Australia, Oct. 16, 2007 – Palm Australasia today announced the Palm® TreoTM 500v
smartphone on the Vodafone network in Australia. The new smartphone combines multiple forms of
communication and multimedia capabilities with high-speed 3G mobile Internet access , allowing users to access popular websites, such as YouTube, whilst on the move.(1) The new Treo 500v smartphone will be available exclusively through Vodafone for several months.
The Treo 500v smartphone runs on the Windows Mobile® 6 Standard platform and has a full keyboard, large screen, audio - and video-streaming capabilities, comprehensive multimessaging functionality (Instant Messaging, SMS and email), phone and personal-information-management software in a new design.(1)
Olivier Rozay, Palm’s country manager for Australia and New Zealand, said, “The Treo 500v is priced to enable a broader audience to experience the Internet and email on the go. Today’s generation has really embraced the Internet as a way of keeping in touch with friends and family, seeking out entertainment and managing their day-to-day lives. We can offer users the choice to do what they want, how they want, when they want. The unique Vodafone interface makes the Treo 500v easy to use even for customers who have never used a smartphone before.”
Neil Aitken, product manager for Mobile Email Devices, Vodafone Australia, said, “The Palm Treo 500v allows users to experience a host of 3G services that entertain, inform and allow more effective
communication. Through our high-speed network, customers can use their Palm Treo 500v for on-the-spot email, messaging and web access. This new Palm and Vodafone offering will appeal to the growing group of consumers looking to enjoy the independence and ease of use of having a world of experience at their fingertips.”
With the Treo 500v smartphone, customers also can manage documents using mobile versions of familiar Microsoft® applications, such as Outlook®, Word, Excel® and PowerPoint®. In addition, users can use the Treo 500v as a modem for a laptop, so that they can stay connected anywhere within wireless coverage.
Grace Kerrison, director, Mobile Communications Business at Microsoft Australia, said, “Windows Mobile 6 brings a powerful personal computer experience to the small screen, improving how people communicate with a single device. The new Treo 500v provides users with a personalised, feature-rich smartphone that gives them the freedom to access information while on the move. With the benefits of Windows Mobile 6, the Palm Treo 500v provides people with the ability to open personal applications, such as Windows Live, Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents, Outlook email and calendars, as well as the Internet.”
Treo 500v Features and Benefits
- All-in-one smartphone with messaging, email and web capabilities ;
- Full QWERTY keyboard for fast and easy typing ;
- Access to Hotmail/MSN, Yahoo! and Gmail email (1);
- Large, high-resolution screen;
- Internet Explorer Mobile full-featured browser(1);
- Vodafone live! for news , sports, and entertainment on the go(1);
- 3G network capability;
- Planner with address book, calendar, to-do lists, and more;
- Ability to view and edit Microsoft Word and Excel files, and view PowerPoint and Adobe PDF files;
- Windows Media® Player Mobile for music and videos;
- 2-megapixel camera for capturing photos and video;
- 150MB of user-available memory, expandable with microSD expansion card (sold separately);
- Windows Mobile 6 Standard software;
- Microsoft Direct Push technology for delivery of Outlook email(2); and
- Bluetooth® wireless technology.
More information about the Palm Treo 500v smartphone can be found at www.palm.com/au.
Data Bundles and Voice Plans
The Palm Treo 500v smartphone is available for $749 upfront or $0 on a range of 24-month contract plans from Vodafone. $0 contract plans include the $79 MyBusiness Cap, 24-month plan and Vodafone ’s range of Business Cap 24-month plans. In addition, customers also can sign up for the Palm Treo 500v on Vodafone’s $79 SuperCap plan.
Vodafone Australia has led the market with its range of Business Caps, which enable single or multiple
users to make the most of their capped plans, ranging from $199 to $2,499 in upfront monthly fees, and delivering standard calls, Vodafone to Vodafone calls, Group calls and TXT value that is many times greater than the monthly spend.
For more information, visit http://store.vodafone.com.au.
To complement this comprehensive range of Business Caps, Vodafone offers the following Windows Mobile Email “bolt-ons” for use with the Palm Treo 500v smartphone: