Sprint today unveiled a camera-less version of the Treo 600 for its CDMA network in the United States, priced at $599. The device is targeted at businesses nervous about employees taking pictures of sensitive information, or even more sensitive situations. Sprint will continue to offer a version with camera, which it calls the PCS Vision Phone.

"Companies have credible concerns about the devices being used to copy sensitive information," said Sprint in a canned statement.

There's no word yet of Xerox producing a tonerless copier machine, which suggests that the fear of camera phones is more a matter of perception. However Sprint is following the advice of the Meta Group's Old Testament preacher (and analyst) Jack Gold, who became very animated on the subject last December. He advised companies when faced with a camera phone, to "poke it's eye out" and "make it blind".

But that's probably a mote point now. (You're fired - ed.) ®

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