The Treo 700wx can also be used as an EV-DO external USB modem for laptops to access high-speed cellular network for connectivity.

The device also has an integrated Communications Manager feature which allows users to better manage their connectivity. This product was sold separately with the previous Treo 700w, said Levy.

'The opportunity for growth is clear, with 130 million worldwide (Microsoft) Exchange users,' said Michael Moskowitz, vice-president, Americas International, Palm, Inc. This opportunity will be enabled by the direct push e-mail capability that comes integrated with the Treo 700wx, which allows the device to directly connect with Exchange 2003 for real-time e-mail updates, he added.

A significant aspect of the Treo's direct push technology is the ability to directly access the Exchange Server without the need for a middleware component to access e-mail, explained Phil Sorgen, president of Microsoft Canada.

'Many of our competitors require middleware, other software or hardware, either in their Office environment or in their network mobile operator's environment, to provide that capability,' Sorgen said. That is a competitive advantage, he added, because it reduces cost and complexity by directly linking the device and the Exchange environment.