Handspring has released its GPRS software upgrade for Treo customers using T-Mobile wireless service in the United States. The company claims this user-installable software upgrade brings a new level of performance and simplicity to the Treo 180 and 270.

According to Handspring, the software enhances applications like email and web access with faster, persistent connections to high-speed data networks. The upgrade also includes improvements to the phone and SMS applications. Customers can access the download via the web.

In addition to enabling the Treo 180 and 270 to take advantage of high-speed data networks, Handspring said its GPRS upgrade includes a number of software enhancements. With the upgrade, Treo automatically becomes configured for data access, so there is no need for manual configurations or an Internet Service Provider (ISP). In the SMS application Web pages can be launched, phone numbers dialed, and emails addressed by tapping the corresponding information (URL, phone number or email address) that arrives in a text message. There is also a new Mute button as well as keyboard hints built into the phone application.