PDActions

PalmOne Press Release MILPITAS, Calif., June 27, 2005 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Accessory sales for palmOne, Inc. have shown growth in the past year as customers have been personalizing and expanding the functionality of their palmOne(TM) products. Building on this success, palmOne (Nasdaq: PLMO) today announced additions to its accessory lineup -- two global-positioning system (GPS) navigation solutions, designer cases and customized accessories from partner companies. "Accessories let customers turn their handheld computer or smartphone into a mapping solution, or give a powerful product a personality to match its owner or an activity," said Jim Schwabe, general manager of palmOne Accessories. "The growing popularity of our accessories at the time of device purchase and after purchase show that people love to expand and extend the usefulness of their mobile-computing products." Responding to the growing interest in handheld-based GPS solutions, palmOne is adding the GPS Car Kit to its available solutions. It features an integrated GPS receiver that mounts to a car windshield or dashboard and holds a Tungsten(TM) E2 or Tungsten T5 handheld securely in place, while a vehicle power adaptor provides power to the GPS receiver and the handheld. The included customized TomTom Navigator 5 software works seamlessly with the GPS receiver cradle, and a built-in speaker makes voice-guided directions audible over road noise. The palmOne GPS Car Kit is scheduled to be available in August for $249.99. (NOTE: All prices are estimated U.S. street prices.) A $100 rebate will be available for a limited time to U.S. customers who purchase a Tungsten E2 handheld with the GPS Car Kit. A redesigned palmOne GPS Navigator soon will be available for use with the LifeDrive(TM) mobile manager, Treo(TM) 650 smartphone, and Tungsten E2 and Tungsten T5 handhelds. The GPS Navigator's compact Bluetooth(R) enabled receiver is suited for cyclists and pedestrians, as well as for use in vehicles. This product also uses TomTom Navigator 5 software plus Tele Atlas map data to provide real-time location information, turn-by-turn directions, maps in 2-D and 3-D, and millions of points of interest. The palmOne GPS Navigator is scheduled to be available in July for $249.99. Other new accessories from palmOne include an aluminum hard case ($39.99) designed to fit a Tungsten E2 handheld with a palmOne Wi-Fi Card ($99.99) in use. The case also provides secure storage for the Wi-Fi Card when not in use. For the new LifeDrive mobile manager, an aluminum hard case ($49.99), a protective leather case ($39.99) and a travel charger ($29.99) now are available. This year, palmOne has formed new alliances to broaden its accessory offerings and provide designer cases, Bluetooth car kits, and audio accessories. They include the following: -- Dooney & Bourke -- Signature carrying case for Treo 650 and Treo 600 smartphones ($49.99) and matching satchel ($265). -- Crumpler -- Colorful bags ($57.50-$145) and matching cases for Treo 650 and Treo 600 smartphones ($19.99). -- Covertec -- Affordable leather cases in multiple styles and colors for Treo 650 and Treo 600 smartphones. ($29.95-$39.95) -- Timbuk2 -- Padded ballistic nylon cases in five colors for Treo 650 and Treo 600 smartphones. ($19.99) -- Vaja -- Premium leather cases in more than 30 colors for LifeDrive, Treo 650 and Treo 600 smartphones, Zire(TM) 72 handhelds, and most Tungsten handhelds. Sales of Vaja cases have quadrupled in less than a year. ($74.90-$140) -- eGrips -- Sleek, stylish non-slip appliquis for Treo 650 smartphones. ($19.95) -- Parrot -- Hands-free Bluetooth car kits for Treo 650 smartphones. ($79-$229) -- Altec Lansing -- Portable speaker system turns any MP3-capable palmOne device into a portable stereo.(1) ($99.99) -- Belkin -- Tune Cast Mobile FM transmitter ($49.99) and Mobile Cassette Adapter ($19.99) make it easy to listen to MP3s in the car via a compatible palmOne device.(1) Top-selling accessories during the past quarter include the following: -- palmOne Universal Wireless Keyboard -- The keyboard folds small enough to fit in the side pocket of a briefcase or backpack and works via infrared to connect to any palmOne device, including Treo smartphones, LifeDrive mobile manager, and Tungsten and Zire handhelds. ($69.99) -- palmOne Wi-Fi Card -- Tungsten E2, Tungsten T5 and Zire 72 handheld users can check email and surf the web from any Wi-Fi access point or hotspot.(2) ($99.99) -- Treo 650 Wireless Headset -- The lightweight, adjustable Bluetooth headset lets Treo 650 users go hands- and cord-free to answer and end calls from up to 30 feet away. ($79.99) -- palmOne Cradle Kits -- Cradle kits let users charge, synchronize, and display a LifeDrive mobile manager or Tungsten E2 or Tungsten T5 handheld, or even charge an extra battery for a Treo 650. ($49.99-$59.99) -- palmOne cases -- More than 300,000 brushed aluminum hard cases for the Tungsten E and Tungsten E2 have been sold to date. A variety of aluminum and leather cases are available for Treo, Tungsten, and Zire devices. Availability of accessories varies by product. A complete listing of accessory products, pricing and availability is available at http://www.palmone.com/us/products/accessories/ .