In light of Apple’s recent bout of proud trumpeting concerning its one-millionth iPhone sale and a $200 USD price drop for the 8GB model, smartphone rival Palm Inc. has this week announced a new Treo variable that is set to launch throughout Europe prior to the iPhone’s eagerly anticipated arrival.
Set to be available initially via the Vodafone network in Britain Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, and South Africa – through Vodacom – Palm is pushing its new Treo 500v smartphone as a device capable of combining "multiple forms of communication and multimedia capabilities with high-speed 3G/UMTS mobile Internet access."
Running on the standard Microsoft Windows Mobile 6 platform, the Treo 500v will give users swift on-the-move access to popular Web-based destinations including social networking sites such as News Corp.’s MySpace, video-sharing phenomenon YouTube, and online auction giant eBay.
Featuring a full keyboard, large screen, video streaming capability and an extensive multi-messaging flexibility that includes Instant Messaging, SMS, e-mail, and phone communication, the compact form factor Treo 500v will launch during the month of October and be available in glacier white or charcoal grey.
"We are pleased to be one of the first partners to provide an internet ready Vodafone live! smartphone. The Treo 500v is priced to enable a broader audience to experience the internet and email on the go," enthused John Hartnett, Senior Vice President of Global Markets and Windows Business Unit at California-based Palm Inc. "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 Treo 500v also features laptop data access functionality, which means users can remain fully connected anywhere within wireless coverage. And, what’s more, the inclusion of Microsoft Windows Mobile 6 means that users can also actively manage their documentation using convenient mobile-specific versions of Microsoft apps such as Office, Outlook, and Windows Live.
"The new Treo 500v adds a third internet ready Vodafone live! and Microsoft Windows Mobile device to our recently announced Global Handset range," commented Jens Schulte-Bockum, Global Terminals Director at the Vodafone Group. "When combined with our high-speed 3G/UMTS network and fast access to the internet, along with great browsing and messaging support, we are confident the Palm Treo 500v will appeal to the growing group of consumers looking for the same functionality and ease of use our business customers continue to enjoy from this type of premium device."
Other features and benefits connected with the Treo 500v include access to Google Maps, an on-board Planner, the ability to view Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Adobe PDF files, Windows Media Player Mobile for multimedia files, a 2.0 megapixel camera, 150MB of expandable memory, and Bluetooth wireless technology.
The new Palm Treo 500v smartphone will initially be available exclusively to Vodafone customers from this coming October. Price has yet to be confirmed.
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