Sprint announced plans to offer the Sprint PCS Vision Smart Device Treo 650 by palmOne, a CDMA version of the recently announced palmOne device. The Treo 650 by palmOne will be available next month at Sprint Stores, Sprint business channels and online for a suggested retail price of US$599.99. Sprint business customers will also have the option to purchase a non-camera version of the device later this year.

Building on the success of previous models, the palmOne Treo 650 gives access to business and personal email and text messaging, Web browsing, calendar, contacts and tasks. The Treo 650 has 23 MB of user-available memory and is powered by the Palm OS 5.4 and an Intel PXA270 312 MHz processor. Built-in Bluetooth provides the ability to wirelessly synchronize with Bluetooth-enabled desktop or laptop computers and easily connect with Bluetooth headsets and car kits.

The new model comes with an improved backlit QWERTY keyboard with larger, flatter keys; strategic button placement for easier one-handed access; and a sharper, high-resolution color display for improved visibility in sunlight. Other user-friendly features include increased battery life (up to five hours of continuous digital talk time and over two weeks of digital standby time), a removable battery, built-in speakerphone and a non-volatile memory system that preserves data for a limited amount of time if the battery is removed or the device is drained of power.