• sprint,  treo,  windows mobile

    Palm Launches the Treo 800w on Sprint

    Starting today, Sprint has begun selling the Palm Treo 800w smartphone. According to the Sprint website, the Treo 800w has the following product specifications:

    • Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.1
    • Autonomous and simultaneous GPS using Sprint Navigation for turn by turn directions, and points of interest searches
    • Stereo Bluetooth lets you listen to your music on the go
    • Embedded Wi-Fi
    • 2.0 Megapixel camera/camcorder
    • MicroSD card support
    • 320×320 TFT display capable of displaying 65K colors
    • 256MB of user memory, 128MB of program memory
    • Incoming call alerts when a data session is in progress, avoid sending callers directly to voicemail
    • Phone as a modem support

    The Treo 800w sells for $599 without a service plan and can be had for as little as $249.99 when purchased with a monthly $25 or more data plan (in addition to a voice plan) or the Sprint Simply Everything plan ($250 instant savings, $100 mail-in rebate).

    Palm has yet to issue a press release officially announcing the Treo 800w. Additionally, the Palm website and online store have yet to be updated. I expect Palm’s official launch of the Treo 800w to come on Monday morning.

    Make sure you tune into this week’s 1SRC.com Podcast for more details on the Treo 800w.

    For more details, or to purchase the Treo 800w now, visit the Sprint website.

  • Uncategorized

    Palm Lands Duarte

    Engadget is reporting that Palm has hired well known software interface designer Matias Duarte. The company has confirmed that Mr. Duarte has been working for Palm since September 2007.

    Mr. Duarte’s title at Palm is listed as Senior Director, Human Interface and User Experience and is likely working on the new user interface for Palm’s next generation Linux operating system, Palm OS II/Nova.

    Bringing in Mr. Duarte is likely the work of Jon Rubeinstein who is leading an internal revolution at Palm with the intention of making the company relevant in the mobile computer market.

    What I find interesting about this is that Palm has stated that Palm OS II/Nova is due to have the core OS completed by the end of this calendar year. Once the core is complete, the work on the interface would begin. It sounds like Palm has an entire team already working on the interfaces for the next generation Treo and Centro smartphones.

    Is this yet another piece of evidence that suggests that Palm OS II/Nova will be ready before the middle of 2009? I think so.

    Read the full Engadget article

    [Thanks to all the folks who sent in this tip.]

  • palm os,  treo

    Palm Post Verizon Treo 755p Update

    Palm has posted a minor maintenance release for the Verizon Treo 755p. The new software brings the ROM version number up to Treo755p-1.08-VZW.

    Similar to the Sprint Treo 755p update that was released on January 30 of this year, the Verizon update only states that “[t]his software update is a tune-up that improves the phone application, stability and device usability.”

    Having applied the Sprint update to my Treo 755p, I did not notice any changes in my device after the upgrade. The Treo was working well before the update and it is still working well six months later.

    Download and update directions can be found on the Palm website.

  • Uncategorized

    Management Change Up at Palm?

    I noticed while reading the July 1 posted SEC Form 4 filing for Palm Founder Jeff Hawkins today that he is now listed as “Former Officer.” This is in stark contrast to the listing of “Founder and Member of the Exec” that was listed on the Form 4 that was posted on June 16.

    What Does This Mean?

    A quick trip to the Palm website still lists Mr. Hawkins as being part of the Palm management team with the title of “Founder”. I attempted to contact Palm’s public relations department earlier today to obtain a clarification as to Mr. Hawkins’ relationship with the company. As yet, Palm has not responded to that email.

    As you may recall, Palm isn’t the only business that Mr. Hawkins is involved with. In 2005, Mr. Hawkins started a new company called Numenta to “apply neuroscience research to computing problems.” It is entirely possible that Mr. Hawkins is simply putting more time into this other passion, the study of the human brain.

    I will provide updates as more information is made available.