OK, so here it is – the Windows Mobile powered Palm Treo. Who would’ve thought huh? Using the “super fast” Verizon BroadbandAccess service, which is the largest high-speed wireless broadband network in the USA. Ed Colligan (Palm), Bill Gates (Microsoft) and Denny Strigl (Verizon Wireless) launched the handset today and demonstrated the speed of the connection with a streaming radio player.
“…our collaboration with Microsoft is a historic step in delivering that vision to a larger market,” said Colligan.
Historic is definitely not an understatement. Palm have really crossed over to the “other side” in a big way today. Bill Gates had a similar message…
“This is a landmark alliance that will help businesses remain on the cutting edge of competitiveness. Demand for accessing information on mobile devices is soaring. We’re excited to team with Palm and Verizon Wireless to deliver a winning Windows Mobile solution that connects professionals to their critical information while on the go.”
The Treo smartphone on Windows Mobile is a CDMA-based phone handset, so don’t expect to see it across in Europe any time soon. With the EV-DO network you can get average download speeds of 400-700 kilobits per second.
I noticed that no specs were mentioned, neither was price, or a name. Strangely it was constantly called “The new Windows Mobile powered Palm Treo” and they were careful not to give it anything other than that. Palm were also eager to state that they weren’t “dumping” their existing Treo’s or their previous Operating Systems, and that Windows Mobile was helping them to “grow”.
Link – Palm.com Press Release
Also read our previous story and see more pics below.