Palm, Sprint launch "business friendly" Treo 800w

Enterprise IT managers who are holding tight to their "no iPhones" policy now have an alternative smart phone they can try to pass off on users (jury is out whether it will work, though).

Palm and Sprint today launched the Treo 800w, the successor to the 700wx model, that quirky smart phone that was a Palm device but ran on the Windows Mobile OS. Like the earlier model, the 800w also runs on Windows Mobile (version 6.1 Professional), but enhancements include support on Sprint's Mobile Broadband Network (aka EV-DO Rev. A), built-in Wi-Fi connections and built-in GPS (with support for Sprint Navigator software, powered by TeleNav). The $249.99 (after discounts, rebates and two-year contract) 800w device is available now at the Sprint and Palm Web sites, as well as business sales channels.

The device supports a direct connection to a Microsoft Exchange server (2003 SP2 or 2007 version), as well as Direct Push technology that provides over-the-air updates on e-mail, calendar, contacts and tasks. In addition, the 800w works with Microsoft's System Center Mobile Device Manager 2008, providing smart phone management and mobile VPN support (including features like remote wipe).

The device's one-touch Wi-Fi button lets users quickly connect to 802.11b/g networks, either at work (security support includes WEP, WPA, WPA2, 802.1x authentication, and even EAP-TTLS) or at home. The built-in GPS not only supports the navigation software, but a location-based search feature, which lets you type in search terms on the "Today Screen" and the device will look for the closest service based on the user's current location.

The 800w can access Sprint services, including Sprint TV, Sprint IM (support for Yahoo! Messenger, AOL's AIM service and MSN Messenger), as well as Pocket Express, which offers sports, weather, news, financial and movie information quickly.

Voice and plans start at $69.99 per month (with 450 voice minutes), up to $129.99 per month (family plan, 1,500 voice minutes). The device also works with Sprint's Simply Everything plan, which costs $99.99 per month for unlimited voice and data. Customers can also buy an individual voice plan and add on a $30 per month "Pro Pack" for data features.