HandSpring Treo 90 FAQ
General
Q. Why do I need an
organizer?
A. Tired of being so
disorganized? Then throw out your paper address book, and your calendar, and
your memo pad, and all those napkin scribbles, and switch to a handheld
computer instead. Handhelds help you keep track of your friends, your
activities, your to do list—in other words, your life. And most organizers,
especially the Treo?organizer, are incredibly easy to use, even if you're a
total beginner.
Q. Why should I get
a Treo 90 organizer?
A. The Treo 90
organizer offers a familiar keyboard, full color screen, and expandability in
an amazingly sleek and lightweight package—it's one of the smallest and
lightest color organizers available. The Treo organizer runs on the Palm OS so
you'll have all the great organization functions found on every Palm OS
handheld—plus more. And of course the Treo organizer is fully Palm-compatible
so you can take advantage of the thousands of existing Palm OS applications.
Add fast USB-native connectivity and out-of-the-box Mac compatibility and you
have a winning combination.
Q. How does the Treo
90 organizer compare to the Visor organizers?
A. Handspring offers
a variety of organizers to fit a broad range of needs. For example, our Visor
family of organizers with their Springboard expansion slot allows for the
greatest variety of expansion capabilities—from digital cameras to GPS
navigation tool, MP3 player to e-book reader. On the other hand, the Treo 90
organizer is a sleek and lightweight organizer with a keyboard and full color
screen. It also provides expansion but the SD/MMC expansion slot is more geared
to content and memory expansion because of its extremely small size.
Q. What is the Treo
90 organizer?
A. The
Handspring?Treo?90 organizer is an incredibly sleek and lightweight Palm OS
organizer with a built-in keyboard and full color screen. Based on the design
of the award-winning Treo communicators, the Treo 90 organizer comes with 16MB
of memory, SD expansion capabilities, and a long-lasting rechargeable battery.
Q. What new features
are included in the Treo 90 organizer?
A. New features
include a built-in keyboard on the Handspring Treo 90 organizer,
keyboard-enabled PIM software navigation, and 16 MB of memory. In addition,
WordSmith?word processing software is included on the desktop software CD for
those customers who are interested in a full-featured Palm OS word processing
application.
Q. Why are you
introducing a keyboard to an organizer?
A. We wanted to
provide customers with a fast, familiar method of data entry and navigation.
The primary PIM applications have been optimized for use with the keyboard so
that you don't have to use the stylus or touch the screen unless you want to.
Also, with its familiar layout, the keyboard makes data input and message
creation fast and easy. And with the Instant Lookup feature, you can find
almost any name in your Contacts list in 3 keystrokes or less.
Q. Can I use both
the QWERTY keyboard and Graffiti for data input?
A. No. The Treo 90
organizer is only available in a keyboard version; however, with the digitized
screen, users can take advantage of third-party applications like RecoEcho 1.1,
for example, that allow you to use on-screen Graffiti in addition to the keyboard.
Q. How big is the
Treo 90 organizer and what does it weigh?
A. Treo is 4.2 x 2.8
x 0.7 inches (10.7 x 7.1 x 1.8 cm) and weighs 4 ounces (114 g). It is smaller
than most wallets.
Q. Why didn't you
include a rocker switch like the rest of the Treo family?
A. While the rocker
switch is very effective for one-handed use with the Treo communicators, it is
not a necessary addition for the Treo 90 organizer. Instead, we added the extra
functionality to the up and down scroll buttons at the bottom of the device to
enable such features as scrolling through the Launcher application by
application, launching the selected application by pushing the space bar, and
scrolling through your To Do list and checking off items with a push of the
space bar.
Q. Is the Treo 90
organizer available in different colors?
A. Treo 90 organizer
is only available in bronze.
Q. Is the Treo 90
organizer available in other languages?
A. Treo 90 organizer
is only available in English.
Q. What kind of
color screen does the Treo 90 organizer have and what makes this screen better
than other color-enabled handheld computers?
A. The Treo 90
organizer uses a transflective color STN LCD combined with software support to
display 4,096 colors. This screen technology allows good visibility in a
variety of lighting conditions, including outdoors, so that your organizer can
be read wherever you are. Also, it is very efficient with its battery
consumption so that you can get 10 days of normal usage on a single charge.
Q. What applications
will benefit from a color screen?
A. All applications,
including the core organizer functionality, benefit because a color screen is
brighter and easier to read. Examples of applications that are enhanced by the
color screen are digital image viewers, maps, web browsing, games and even
video.
Q. What version of
the Palm OS does the Treo 90 organizer run?
A. The Treo 90
organizer runs Palm OS 4.1H. Handspring has enhanced Palm OS 4.1 by adding Date
Book Plus, Advanced Calculator, CityTime world clock, and enhanced navigation
for the keyboard as well as by replacing the Address Book with Contacts.
Q. What additional
features does Palm OS 4.1 include?
A. Palm OS 4.1
includes usability enhancements such as security application improvements like
auto-lock and masking records, telephony support, expansion card support, and
time zone support. It also includes native USB support for HotSync, which has
always been available on all Handspring products.
Q. Does the Treo 90
organizer use the same desktop software as the Treo communicators and Visor
organizers?
A. No. If you
purchase a Treo 90 organizer, you will have to install and use the desktop
software that comes with your Treo 90 organizer. Also, this desktop software is
backwards compatible with our previous Treo communicators and Visor organizers
and can be used to synchronize with those devices as well.
Q. Can I beam
information to and from the Treo 90 organizer?
A. Yes. The Treo 90
organizer includes an IR port on the top of the product and can send and
receive data and applications between all other Palm OS devices equipped with
IR communication.
Q. Can I perform IR
synchronization with the Treo 90 organizer?
A. Yes, the Treo 90
organizer can synchronize with your computer via IR.
Q. Can I synchronize
the Treo 90 organizer to Palm Desktop 4.0?
A. Yes. The desktop
synchronization software included with the Treo 90 organizer is Palm Desktop
4.0.1.
Q. Will the Treo 90
organizer synchronize to other desktop PIMs like Outlook?
A. Yes. The Treo 90
organizer includes the Palm Desktop organizer software and a software link to
synchronize your data with Microsoft Outlook. In addition, third party
solutions (sold separately) are available to synchronize your Treo with other
desktop PIM applications, such as Lotus Notes, ACT!, Goldmine, and other
applications.
Q. Can you upgrade
the memory?
A. The Treo 90
organizer includes 16MB of memory, plus the SD/MMC expansion slot which allows
the addition of extra memory (up to 128MB). In addition you can add software to
your Treo that will provide any necessary or fun improvements needed to keep your
Treo up to date and compatible with all of the latest Palm OS?applications
available.
Q. What about a
Flash OS?
A. The Handspring
Treo supports upgrades to the operating system (OS) via software patches. We do
not use "flash" memory to store the OS for several reasons: 1) we are
fully upgradeable via software patches, 2) the vast majority of users will
never need to completely rewrite the entire OS in memory because completely new
OS upgrades typically require additional hardware components, 3)
"flash" memory is more costly and complex than "read-only
memory" (ROM). We continually evaluate the best technologies for our
products and will include those that provide clear benefits to our customers.
Q. Do SD content
cards from Palm, Inc, work with the Treo 90 organizer?
A. Yes, the Treo 90
organizer is compatible with standard SD and MMC cards on the market today.
Q. Does the Treo 90
organizer support SD I/O cards?
A. The Treo 90
organizer does not currently support SD I/O cards, but we may choose to do so
in the future via a software update.
Q. Does the Palm
Bluetooth SD I/O card work with the Treo 90 organizer?
A. The Palm
Bluetooth card does not currently work with the Treo 90 organizer since the
Treo 90 does not currently support SD I/O, but we may support it in the future
via a software update.
Q. Is there a
Springboard-enabled version in the works?
A. Today there is no
plan for a Springboard expansion-enabled version of the Treo 90 organizer.
Springboard offers the best possible expansion solution for customers who are
looking for hardware expansion as well as software expansion, but its physical
size requirements would have prevented us from achieving the incredibly small
size of the Treo 90 organizer. Instead, the Secure Digital(SD)/Multi-Media
Card(MMC) expansion slot offers excellent options for backup and memory or
content expansion without compromising the overall size of the device. Our
Visor handheld line will continue to be our leading product line for people
looking for the best possible expansion platform while the Treo 90 organizer is
the most compelling solution for customers who want a small, sleek device with
software expansion options.
Q. Will Handspring
use other expansion technology like Compact Flash or Memory Stick in future
products?
A. Handspring is
committed to building products that meet customer needs, and we will continue
to consider incorporating other expansion technologies beyond Springboard and
SD/MMC if warranted by consumer demand and compelling applications.
Q. I see that the
Treo 90 organizer ships with a USB HotSync cable and a travel charger. Is there
a charging cradle available?
A. The included
travel charger and HotSync cable can be connected together so you charge and
synchronize at the same time. Or you can disconnect the travel charger from the
cable and take just the charger on the road. There is also an optional USB
charging cradle available for purchase separately, which is compatible with all
Treo models.
Q. What other
accessories are available for use with the Treo 90 organizer?
A. In addition to
the travel charger and USB HotSync cable that you received with your Treo 90
organizer, you can also purchase cases, USB recharging cradle, serial HotSync
cable, travel charger, and extra styli for your Treo from Handspring.com.
Q. Can I use my Treo
90 organizer with an existing Visor organizer cradle?
A. No, the Treo 90
organizer has a different connector than the Visor organizers so you cannot
perform a HotSync?operation with your existing Visor or other Palm cradle. As a
result, you'll need to use a Handspring Treo cable or cradle for synchronizing
and charging your device.
Q. Can I use the
same cradle from my current Palm device?
A. No. The Treo 90
organizer has a different connector and form factor. As a result, you'll need
to use a Handspring Treo cable or cradle for synchronizing and charging your
device.
Q. What is the
battery life of the Treo 90 organizer?
A. The battery life
is dependent upon two factors: brightness setting and usage. The higher you set
the brightness setting, the lower the battery life. Under normal usage
conditions, the Treo 90 organizer's battery will last 10 days on a full charge.
However, with normal use, which includes a few HotSync operations per day and a
few minutes attached to the cable while at your desk, you probably will have a
full battery most of the time.
Q. How long does it
take to recharge the Treo 90 organizer's battery?
A. If the battery is
totally drained, a full charge takes about 90 minutes but you can use your Treo
90 organizer as soon as you plug in the synchronization charging cable. With
regular use, including a few HotSync operations every day, topping off the
battery takes just a few minutes.
Q. What type of
battery does the Treo 90 organizer use?
A. The Treo 90
organizer uses a rechargeable Lithium Ion battery. This technology provides
extended usage times with very fast recharging times. And unlike some older
technology batteries, Lithium Ion batteries don't need to be fully drained
between charging cycles. So it's really convenient—just "top off"
whenever you have a chance.
Q. Is the Lithium
Ion battery built into the Treo 90 organizer or removable?
A. The battery is
integrated into the device and therefore not removable.
Q. If my Treo 90 organizer's
battery dies, will it affect information stored on the device?
A. The battery is
designed to turn off the organizer with enough stored power to maintain your
data until you recharge your device. However, if you leave your Treo 90
organizer's battery dead for more than five days, you may experience a loss of
data. Handspring suggests charging your Treo 90 organizer as often as possible
so you don't experience a low battery warning.
Q. What operating
systems does the Treo 90 organizer support?
A. The Treo 90
organizer currently supports the following operating systems:
Windows 95, 98, Me, 2000, NT, XP
Mac OS 8.5 - 9.x with USB port
Software for synchronizing with both Windows and Macintosh
is included in the box.
* For desktop systems running Windows 95, Windows NT 4.0 or
not equipped with a USB port, a synchronization cable that connects directly
with a serial port is required. You can purchase the serial cable at Handspring.com.
Sorry, we don't support Unix or Linux at this time.
Q. Does the Treo 90
organizer support synchronization with Mac OS X?
A. No, the Treo 90
organizer does not support synchronization with Mac OS X in either regular or
classic mode.
Q. Does the Treo 90
organizer support synchronization with Outlook 2000?
A. Yes, the Treo 90
organizer ships with the PocketMirror 3.1.2 conduit that contains support for
Outlook 97, 98, and 2000.
Current Palm Owners
Q. How do I transfer
the data in my Visor handheld to my Treo 90 organizer?
A. Simply perform a
HotSync operation with your Visor handheld, then install the desktop
application that is included with your Treo 90 organizer, and then perform
another HotSync operation with your Treo 90 organizer. If you are transferring
data from a different Palm OS device, you can follow these same steps.
Q. Can I upgrade
from my current Palm device?
A. Yes. In fact,
it's easy to upgrade:
* Perform a HotSync operation with your old device. This
ensures that the latest information is on your desktop computer.
* Install the new desktop software contained on the CD-ROM.
This updates the HotSync software to work with your Treo 90 organizer.
* Connect your new Treo 90 organizer to the cable and press
the HotSync button. If the Select User Dialog appears, select your username.
If any third party applications do not get installed onto
your Treo 90 organizer, you can beam them from your Palm device or reinstall
them from the original files. Note that you can keep your Palm cradle and
synchronize to the same PC as you synchronize the Treo 90 organizer. In order
to keep your computer from confusing your two devices, however, you must hard
reset the Palm device (see your Palm manual for details).
Q. Does the infrared
on the Treo 90 organizer work with Palm devices?
A. Yes. The Treo 90
organizer can send and receive information with any IR-equipped Palm OS device.
This includes Treo communicators, Visor handhelds, and products from Palm,
Inc., IBM, Sony, Symbol and TRG.
Q. Can I use the
same cradle from my current Palm device?
A. No. The Treo
handhelds, including the Treo organizer, have a different connector and form
factor. As a result, you'll need to use a Handspring Treo cradle or cable for
synchronizing your data and recharging your battery.
Q. Will the Treo 90
organizer synchronize to other desktop PIMs like Outlook?
A. Yes. The Treo 90 organizer includes the Palm Desktop organizer software and a software link to synchronize your data with Microsoft Outlook. In addition, third party solutions (sold separately) are available to synchronize your Treo organizer with other desktop PIM applications, such as Lotus Notes, ACT! Goldmine and others.