Sprint released a software update for its PalmOne Inc. Treo 650 smart phone, a download that will add additional Bluetooth, dialing and messaging features to the high-end device. The move highlights the evolving nature of the smart-phone market, where users likely will have to treat the devices like they would desktop computers.
Sprint Treo 650 users can download the new software update from PalmOne’s Web site. The update adds Dial-Up Networking technology to the phone’s Bluetooth capability, thereby allowing customers to use the device like a modem for laptop computers. The update also adds support for additional Bluetooth car kits, reduces call connection times, adds a text-messaging function for missed calls and the call log, and updates the e-mail client.
Sprint Treo 650 users are not the only ones to deal with software updates. T-Mobile USA Inc. recently offered an upgrade for its iPAQ h6315 Pocket PC from Hewlett-Packard Co., and Sony Ericsson offers updates for several of its high-end phones.
The need to distribute software upgrades has also given rise to over-the-air updating technology. Such technology allows carriers to remotely push bug patches and software updates to wireless users.
However, such OTA technology is not yet widespread, and many smart-phone users have learned that they must think of their devices as computers rather than just phones. Indeed, smart-phone users must keep their devices’ software up to date and must protect against a small but growing number of viruses and malware-activities with which many desktop computer users are familiar.
