Handspring Treo 270 User Guide

							Chapter 1Page 11
Chapter 1
Introduction to Your 
Treo™ 270 Communicator
This chapter explains the physical buttons and controls on your Treo™ 270 communicator, how 
to use your communicator for the first time, and how to install Palm™ Desktop software and the 
HotSync
® Manager synchronization software so you can synchronize your communicator and 
your computer.
Getting to know your communicator
What is a Treo communicator?
Your Treo communicator combines the power of a full-featured mobile phone, e-mail, SMS 
messaging, a Palm OS® handheld, and the Internet in one compact and indispensable device. 
With your Treo communicator, you can do everything you can do with your existing mobile phone 
with greater speed and ease. You can store thousands of numbers in your PhoneBook and up to 
50 speed dial entries, and dial any of them with just a few keystrokes. You can even set up a 
3-way conference call by joining two calls and use the personal speakerphone for hands-free use 
without a headset attachment.
Lighten your load. Everything you need is in one compact device. Your Treo communicator helps 
you stay in touch. With instant access to your e-mail, you can send and receive e-mail from 
anywhere, and use SMS messaging to exchange quick messages with other mobile phones on 
your network. The award-winning Blazer
® web browser gives you access to any site on the 
Internet—not just a few optimized for mobile access; now you can download directions, confirm 
flight reservations, find a restaurant, and check stock prices wherever you are. Everything you 
need to stay organized is close at hand on your communicator, including popular Palm OS 
applications such as Date Book Plus, PhoneBook, To Do List, Memo Pad and more.
To make sure you don’t lose any of this important information, you can synchronize your data with 
desktop software on your computer so you always have a backup copy. 
						

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System requirements
To install and operate Palm Desktop software and the HotSync Manager synchronization 
software, your computer system must meet the following requirements:
Minimum requirements
nWindows 98, Windows Me, Windows 2000, or Windows XP with USB port, 
(for USB HotSync® cable)
--or--
Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows 2000, Windows XP, or Windows NT 4.0 
with serial port (for optional serial HotSync cable — sold separately)
n32 MB RAM (memory) 
n25 MB available hard disk space
nVGA monitor or better 
nCD-ROM drive (you can also download Palm Desktop software from www.handspring.com)
nInternet Explorer 5.01 or higher (recommended) 
Upgrade information
If you already own a Palm OS® handheld, Handspring recommends that you install the version of 
Palm Desktop software that comes with your Treo communicator into the same folder as your 
current Palm Desktop software. When you install the new version in the same folder as the 
previous version, all your data is preserved. If you use another personal information manager 
(PIM), you still need to install Palm Desktop software in order to update the HotSync Manager on 
your computer.
You perform HotSync operations in exactly the same way, so you can quickly synchronize your 
old data with your new communicator. 
To upgrade:
1. Synchronize your old communicator with your old Palm Desktop software. This ensures that 
the latest information from your communicator is on your desktop computer.
2. (Optional) To ensure against any data loss, go to the folder that stores Palm Desktop 
software (this is usually the Handspring or Palm folder), copy (do not move) your user name 
folder, and store the copy outside the Palm Desktop software folder.
3. Follow the installation instructions that begin on page 26. Be sure to install the new software 
in the same folder as the old software.
4. Connect your new communicator to the HotSync cable and press the HotSync button on the 
cable. If the Select User dialog box appears, select your user name.
5. Compare the applications on your old handheld and your new communicator.
6. Beam any third party applications that did not transfer from your old handheld to your new 
communicator, or install them from the original files. 
						

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7. If any data for your third party applications did not transfer, beam it from your old handheld to 
your new communicator.
8. If you created a password on your old handheld, enter it on your new communicator.
Note: Records you previously marked Private remain marked Private, but you need to reenter a 
password on your new communicator.
9. If you had any important settings on your old handheld, such as Network Preferences, 
manually copy them from your old handheld to your new communicator.
Each device must have a unique name
After you complete the upgrade process described above, you have two devices with the same 
name. This is an undesirable situation. Each device must have a unique name in order to prevent 
unexpected results during HotSync operations and other complications.
We strongly recommend that you perform a hard reset on your old handheld. See page 215 for 
details.
A hard reset not only erases all data from the old handheld; it also erases the name and makes 
that handheld a clean slate, ready to receive a new name. The next time you perform a HotSync 
operation with this old handheld, you are asked to give it a name. Be sure to give it a unique name. 
						

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Treo components
Locating front panel controls
 
Speaker
Rocker switch
Headset jack
Scroll buttons
MicrophoneScreen
Keyboard
Application 
buttons
Contrast/
Brightness control
Option key 
						

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SpeakerFunctions as the earpiece on your Treo. 
Headset jackEnables you to connect a hands-free headset for use with the wireless 
features. Use only headsets that are compatible with your communicator.
Rocker switchEnables you to navigate on your communicator with just one hand. You can 
use the rocker switch as an alternate method to perform a variety of tasks, 
such as adjusting the call volume level on your phone. The rocker switch 
functions change based on whether your communicator’s wireless mode is 
on or off and which application you are using.
To use the rocker switch, roll the dial up or down, press it in and release it, 
or press and hold it. 
Contrast/
Brightness 
controlOpens the Adjust Display dialog box where you can adjust the appearance 
of your communicator screen for the clearest screen display. The contrast/
brightness control is activated by the Option key. See page 20 for 
instructions.
Option keyTypes the number/symbol, or activates the function, that appears in blue 
on the key.
MicrophoneFunctions as the mouthpiece when you use the wireless phone features of 
your Treo.
Scroll buttonsDisplays text and other information that extends beyond the area of the 
communicator screen. Pressing the bottom scroll button scrolls down to 
view information below the viewing area, and pressing the top scroll button 
scrolls up to view the information above the viewing area. The scroll 
buttons also enable you to navigate between records in an application and 
to adjust the volume during a call.
Application 
buttonsActivates the applications that correspond to the icons on the buttons: 
PhoneBook, Date Book Plus, Blazer (or another web browser installed by 
your wireless service provider), and SMS Messaging. See page 176 for 
details on reassigning these buttons to activate any application on your 
communicator.
You can also use these buttons in combination with Option   to activate 
other applications. See Chapter 4 in this guide for details.
Tip: If your communicator is turned off, pressing any application button 
turns on your communicator and opens the corresponding 
application.
KeyboardEnables you to type letters, numbers and symbols on your communicator. 
See Chapter 2 to learn how to enter information. 
Communicator 
screenDisplays the applications and information stored in your communicator. It 
is touch-sensitive and responds to the stylus. 
						

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Locating top panel controls
 
AntennaReceives and sends wireless communication signals. The antenna does not 
telescope out of your communicator. 
StylusServes as the instrument used to tap options on your communicator screen. 
To use the stylus, slide the stylus out of the slot, and hold it as you would a 
pen or pencil.
Power 
buttonTurns your communicator and wireless mode on and off, and controls the 
keyboard backlight. See page 19 for details.
IR portUses infrared technology to transmit data to and receive data from other 
Palm OS devices. See the section that begins on page 80 for details. You 
can also use the IR port to update the information between your 
communicator and computer using HotSync technology. See the section that 
begins on page 200 for details.
LEDProvides status information for your Treo based on the color of the light and 
the blink state.
No light: Wireless mode off
Solid: Connected to travel charger
Green = Fully charged
Red = Charging
Blinking: Wireless mode on
Green = In coverage area
Red = Out of coverage area
Double-blink red: Low battery
Ringer switch Controls the ringer setting. See page 194 for details on changing the 
settings.
Note: Silencing the ringer turns off all system sounds, including alarms. 
When you silence the ringer, Date Book Plus alarms vibrate.
StylusIR portPower button
LEDRinger switch Antenna 
						

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Locating back panel components
Inserting the SIM card
The SIM card is a small rectangular plastic piece that contains your phone number and account 
information. It is included with your wireless service provider’s documentation and is often 
referred to as a “smartcard.” If a SIM card did not come with your communicator, your wireless 
service provider will provide you with one when you subscribe to their service. 
You must insert your SIM card into your communicator before you can use it for wireless 
communications. Since calls are billed to your phone number, you can, however, move your SIM 
card to any phone that uses a SIM card, and the calls will be billed to your account.
To insert the SIM card:
1. Remove the SIM door.
2. With the contacts face-up, align the notch on the SIM card with the notch on the door and 
insert the SIM card into the slot on the door.
3. Replace the SIM door.SIM card doorSecures your SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card in your phone. 
Reset buttonUnder normal use, you should not have to use the reset button. See 
Appendix A for information about when and how to use the reset button.
Charger and 
USB/serial 
connectorThe connector that connects your communicator to the travel charger and 
HotSync cable. The HotSync cable connects to a USB port or serial port 
on your computer and enables you to synchronize the information 
between your communicator and computer using HotSync technology.
Reset 
button
Charger and 
USB/serial 
connector SIM card door
SIM card
SIM door
Notch 
						

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Charging the battery
To use your communicator, you must connect the travel charger or the HotSync cable and charge 
the battery. When you’re near your computer, connect your communicator to the HotSync cable 
with the travel charger connected to a wall outlet as shown in the section that begins on page 24. 
When travelling, connect the travel charger cable directly to your communicator as shown in this 
section.
When wireless mode is on, a fully charged battery provides approximately 3 hours of talk time or 
150 hours of standby time. When wireless mode is off, a fully charged battery provides 
approximately one week of use in handheld mode. 
If the battery drains to the point where your communicator does not turn on, it stores your data 
safely for about three days. Therefore, we recommend that you charge the battery daily to avoid 
potential data loss. See Appendix A for tips on extending the life of the battery. 
To charge the battery with the travel charger:
1. Plug the travel charger into a wall outlet. 
2. With the word “UP” facing up (as shown), connect the travel charger cable to the charger 
connector on the bottom of your communicator.
 
 
Tip: The LED is solid red while your communicator charges. When the LED turns solid green, 
your communicator is charged. It takes approximately 2 hours to charge a fully drained 
battery. 
LED 
						

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Turning your Treo on and off
Your Treo communicator has two operating modes: a handheld mode and a wireless mode. You 
can turn the handheld mode and the wireless mode on and off independent of each other. When 
you turn on the handheld mode, you can use organizer applications such as Date Book Plus and 
To Do List. When you turn on the wireless mode, you can make or receive calls. You can also turn 
both modes on at the same time. When both the handheld and wireless modes are on, you can 
use the organizer applications as well as send and receive calls.
To turn handheld mode on and off, do any of the following:
nOpen the lid to turn it on, or close the lid to turn it off.
nPress the power button.
nPress and release the rocker switch.
nPress any application button on the front of your communicator.
To turn wireless mode on and off:
nPress and hold the power button until you hear the confirmation tones to turn wireless mode 
on and off. The ascending tone indicates wireless mode is now on and the descending tone 
indicates wireless mode is now off.
Using the keyboard backlight
If you have difficulty seeing your communicator keyboard in dark environments, you can use the 
backlight to illuminate the keyboard. 
Note: When you turn on the keyboard backlight, the screen brightness automatically dims to 
conserve battery power. If you have difficulty seeing the screen in well-lit environments, 
be sure the keyboard backlight is off and adjust the display settings. See page 14 for 
details.
To turn the keyboard backlight on and off:
nPress the power button twice in quick succession. 
Backlight tips:
nThe backlight dims when a call is in progress and you do not press any buttons or tap your 
communicator screen for more than 30 seconds.
nThe backlight also turns off automatically (after a period of inactivity) with the Auto-off 
feature. See page 181 for details. 
						

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Adjusting the display
Depending on the lighting conditions or temperature of the environment where you use your 
communicator, you may need to adjust the brightness and color saturation of the display.
The Adjust Display dialog box contains two sliders. The upper slider adjusts color saturation and 
the lower slider adjusts brightness. The display usually looks best at maximum brightness but you 
may want to decrease the brightness to conserve battery power. 
To adjust the display:
1. Press Option  .
2. Type the letter Q.
3. Press the scroll buttons, or drag the top slider, to adjust the color saturation until you can see 
the three shapes as distinctly as possible. 
4. Hold Option   and press the scroll buttons, or drag the bottom slider, to adjust the screen 
brightness
Tip: You can also tap to the left or right of the sliders to fine tune the display settings. 
5. Press Space 
 to finish.
Using the stylus to get things done
Like using a mouse to click elements on a computer screen, using the stylus to tap elements on 
your communicator screen is a way to get things done on your communicator.
The first time you start your communicator, setup instructions appear on the screen. These 
instructions include a calibration screen, or digitizer. Calibration aligns the internal circuitry of your 
communicator with its touch-sensitive screen so that when you tap an element on the screen, the 
communicator can detect exactly which task you want to perform. 
Important: Always use the point of the stylus for tapping the communicator screen. Never use 
an actual pen, pencil, or other sharp object to tap the communicator screen.
With your communicator turned on, you can tap the communicator screen to perform many 
operations, such as the following:
nOpen applications
nChoose menu commands
nSelect options in dialog boxes
Just as you can drag the mouse to select text or move objects on your computer, you can also 
drag the stylus to select text. You can also use the stylus to drag the slider of any scroll bar.