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palmOne Introduces
LifeDrive, Its First Mobile Manager Product
New Device Features
Hitachi 4GB Hard Drive, LifeDrive Smart File Management, Built-in Wi-Fi
and Bluetooth
MILPITAS, Calif., May 18, 2005 --
Venturing beyond its well-known focus on the handheld and smartphone
markets, palmOne, Inc. (Nasdaq: PLMO) today introduced the LifeDrive(TM)
mobile manager, an innovative product that fuses business productivity
tools and entertainment applications. Designed for people with a
significant volume of digital information, the LifeDrive mobile manager
offers 4GB of hard-drive storage (3.85GB user available), a large
320x480 high-resolution color screen, and wireless access through
built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth(R) wireless technologies.(1)
Consumers today demand more from their
mobile devices as their digital information continues to increase in
size and scope. Many people want easy access to all of their essential
documents, email and wireless web access. They want the ability to
entertain themselves in a free moment, and to share personalized
content, such as photos, home movies or their entire MP3 collection. The
ability to do these things in an all-in-one device has become a reality
with mobile managers.
“LifeDrive mobile manager comes at an
inflection point in the market, when people are ready for more advanced
devices that meet their growing mobile-computing needs,” said Ken Wirt,
senior vice president of worldwide marketing for palmOne. “LifeDrive is
versatile. For the business executive, it’s a personal mobile briefcase;
for the photo enthusiast, it’s a camera companion.”
With LifeDrive, people can easily carry
virtually all of their essential desktop computer files and folders.
Crucial documents can be set to update automatically at each HotSync(R)
operation, and users can receive secure wireless email with attachments
whenever they are within range of a Wi-Fi connection or by connecting
via a compatible Bluetooth phone. People can even remotely retrieve
Microsoft Office files left behind on the desktop computer.
Inside the 4GB Hard Drive
The 4GB Hitachi Microdrive(TM) weighs less than a AA battery, is
smaller than a matchbook and transfers data 30 percent faster than the
previous-generation Microdrive, so users can get to their music,
pictures, data more quickly. With 3.85GB of usable storage, LifeDrive
mobile manager users can store and access all of the following on a
single device(2):
· 1,200 office documents;
· 6,000 emails;
· 1,000 photos;
· 300 songs;
· 2.5 hours of video;
· 50 voicemails;
· 10,000 contacts; and
· 10,000 appointments.
Stored information, media, files and
documents are available at any time on the 320x480, high-resolution
color screen, which can flip from landscape to portrait at the touch of
a button.
Access to Office Files and Folders,
Quickly and Securely
With support for native Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Adobe Acrobat
Reader, LifeDrive smart file management makes it easy for users to carry
and access thousands of files. This innovative, new software system
saves time, making it easier for a mobile professional to work
efficiently while away from the office. The LifeDrive smart file
management system comprises four key applications:
· Folder Sync – automatically updates selected files
when syncing;
· File Transfer – drag and drop thousands of files from
a PC onto LifeDrive mobile manager;
· Drive Mode – behaves like a USB drive to easily
transfer files to any PC or Macintosh; and
· Files View – transferred folder structure remains
intact, making it easy to locate important information.
Flash memory keeps information safely
intact, even if the device loses its charge, and 128-bit encryption
keeps valuable data safely secure when invoked. Password protection
safeguards access to the device, while the Private Records function
protects specific files, even when the rest of the mobile manager is
unlocked. An optional Intrusion Protection function erases all data and
returns the device to factory settings after a user-specified number of
failed break-ins.
Wirelessly Surfing with High-speed
Connections
By connecting to any of the more than 80,000 public Wi-Fi hotspots
in popular hotels, cafes and airports around the world, LifeDrive mobile
manager users can do the following:
· access POP, IMAP and Exchange email accounts;
· download the latest calendar appointments from the
office;
· retrieve documents from the desktop computer with the
WiFile software; and
· surf the web with the included web browser, which has
been optimized for mobile surfing.
palmOne is working with T-Mobile to
ensure a good hotspot experience for LifeDrive customers to access the
world’s largest public Wi-Fi network. T-Mobile is providing a free
30-day trial offer for LifeDrive owners.
The device’s built-in Bluetooth can be
used to connect to compatible Bluetooth devices nearby, allowing for
wireless syncing with a Bluetooth laptop, wireless sending a document to
a Bluetooth printer or hands-free dialing to a Bluetooth phone.
Mobile Multimedia and Expansion
While on the go, LifeDrive mobile manager users can enjoy listening
to songs from their personal music collection, viewing photos or
watching video clips. To highlight the music capabilities of LifeDrive,
RealNetworks is offering a 30-day free trial of the Rhapsody music
service, providing unlimited access to more than 1 million songs
available for download and transfer to their LifeDrive. The built-in
voice recorder allows for hands-free notes or personal narrations to
accompany photo slideshows. Users of the LifeDrive mobile manager will
enjoy fast performance for business and multimedia applications, thanks
to the 416MHz Intel XScale processor.
The expansion card slot, which supports
SD, SDIO and MultiMediaCard formats, makes it easy to transform the
LifeDrive mobile manager into a camera companion. Instead of bringing a
laptop on vacation, users can simply download images from the camera’s
SD memory card onto the LifeDrive mobile manager(3) to free up the card
for more photos and enjoy photos on a larger screen.
LifeDrive includes a special version of
Addit software, which provides users with on-the-go access to tips and
tricks, new articles and software updates. Addit also will showcase
advanced software applications that add value and functionality for the
user, such as photo editing on the go and players to support streaming
media.
Pricing and Availability
The LifeDrive mobile manager from palmOne has an estimated U.S.
street price of $499. Limited quantities are available now from the
palmOne online store (http://store.palmOne.com)
and select retail stores worldwide. Volume availability is expected by
early June.
About palmOne, Inc.
palmOne, Inc. (Nasdaq: PLMO) -- a leader in handheld computing and
communications solutions -- strives to put the power of computing in
people’s hands so they can access and share their most important
information. The company’s products include Treo(TM) smartphones, the
LifeDrive(TM) mobile manager, Tungsten(TM) and Zire(TM) handhelds, and
software and accessories.
palmOne products are sold through select
Internet, retail, reseller and wireless operator channels throughout the
world, and at palmOne Retail Stores and palmOne online stores (http://www.palmOne.com/stores).
More information about palmOne, Inc. is
available at http://www.palmOne.com.
# # #
(1) An Internet service provider
account, email account and subscription may be required for Internet and
email access. These services may need to be purchased separately and
additional charges may apply. Wireless access via Bluetooth requires a
compatible Bluetooth phone and carrier subscription, not included.
(2) Numbers are average; actual capacity depends on the user’s actual
stored files.
(3) Supports most standard formats for digital images. |
