In an effort to compete with RIM's Blackberry, Verizon is rolling out their own e-mail service, and lowering the price of the Treo 650 PDA phone.
Effective May 23, Verizon Wireless will introduce new BlackBerry & PDA/Smartphone data service plans for customers with handheld devices. Customers purchasing any Verizon Wireless Blackberry or PDA/Smartphone have the option of data plans that include 10 MB for $29.99 or unlimited data service for $49.99. Customers adding data plans to any America’s ChoiceS plan of $39.99 or higher will receive a $5.00 discount on their chosen data plan.
Wireless Sync Workgroup and Wireless Sync Enterprise Server will support both the palmOne Treo 650 Smartphone and the upcoming Samsung i730. The award-winning Treo 650 Smartphone is now available to Verizon Wireless business customers with the latest version of Wireless Sync software. The Treo 650 Smartphone builds on the high-quality design of the Treo 600 with new and improved features including Bluetooth® wireless technology, a removable battery and a brighter display. Wireless Sync for the Treo 650 includes inbox synchronization and the integration of up to three additional POP3 or IMAP e-mail accounts. The service is compatible with Microsoft Exchange and Lotus Notes.
An additional device will be added this summer when Verizon Wireless offers Samsung’s new SCH-i730, featuring Microsoft’s Windows MobileT Pocket PC 2nd Edition software. Working on the go is a breeze with features such as built-in support for EV-DO and Bluetooth for quick wireless access to the Internet. Additionally, the i730 integrates an SDI/O expansion slot for memory expansion and additional productivity applications that can be easily loaded to the device.
The Treo 650 is $399.99 with a two-year customer agreement. Enterprise customers may contact their Verizon Wireless Business Specialist at 1 800-VZW-4BIZ, while consumers may purchase the Treo 650 after May 23 at any of the 1,900 Verizon Wireless Communications stores inclusive of Verizon Wireless stores at Circuit City.
