Verizon: We're GO! For Biz Only Though...
Well for a change I'm glad to report that we finally have some liftoff regarding your Verizon Treo 650...
As long as you're an existing or prospective Verizon business customer you can order your Treo 650 today (by phone only for now) and expect to have it delivered within a week (although some have already received theirs - image below). A quick order query for 5 new business lines yielded an offer of $399.99 for each Treo 650 but there's a $100 instant rebate if you sign up for voice and data with a 2 year contract bringing the cost of the phone down to only $299 (1 year contract doesn't offer the rebate and brings the cost of the phone to $449).
My selected voice plan of 1,350 minutes per line was $79.89 and the unlimited data plan runs at $44.99 but you get 6% discount on your spend when you have 5 or more lines.
Now the bad news for those who had been wishing for high speed data connections beyond 1xRTT: Verizon's Treo 650 will NOT support EVDO. After being called 'wacky', 'optimistic' even 'irresponsible' in some quarters, I obviously need to double check sources next time even though it is a fact that in palmOne's last quarterly presentation EVDO support for 'a device' was indeed mentioned (??).
Additionally, I have now received definitive confirmation that Verizon's Treo 650 for consumer sales will become available at 8.00am on Monday May 23 (at least we had gotten that part right before...). So for many Treonauts there's just under two more weeks to wait until you can get our hands on your new beloved Treo 650
Not wanting to add salt to the wound, having now enjoyed my own unlocked Treo 650 for almost five full months, I can categorically state that you've been seriously missing out but I promise that you will not be disappointed when you finally receive your very own.
However, if you're just too sick and tired of waiting then you may be tempted by Sprint's CDMA and Cingular's GSM existing Treo 650 or like me prefer to have total freedom with the unlocked version.
Verizon 650 here!! Pics [Thanks to Sodiumlake via TreoCentral Forum]
Treonauts are not happy when all can't share the joy...
Comments
Does anyone know if they are offering the 650 WITHOUT the camera...like they did the 600???
Egg on my face!
So I just called up my beer drinking Verizon buddy to ask why he's been feeding me EVDO [shit] info, yet all the releases today say no EVDO support. He stalled a bit and then asked if he could call me back. After an hour, I decided to call him again. At this point, all he'll tell me is that an EVDO version is [was] *being worked on* (we already know this from Palm's press releases), but that it isn't available yet (duh). He says that someone in his office heard something about them trying to do it, but missing the release date and it failing some QA testing. Apparently he says they have it working on the EVDO network, but that when you leave an EVDO coverage area and go to an 1xRTT only area, the phone goes into some sort of reset loop and they couldn't fix it and get it past QA in time. So according to him, that's why we aren't seeing an EVDO 650 right now, but he's "hopeful" that we'll see one in the future. Right now, I've lost all confidence in my source.
My apologies to all... for the false hopes and the mis-information. He's been a very reliable source in the past. Needless to say, he's buying the drinks for some time to come.
Does anyone know if Verizon is offering insurance on thier 650 or are they like everyone else, unable to offer that at this time?
Are existing Verizon subscribers eligible for the $100 instant rebate for a 2 year contract? Or is that only for new subscribers?
The Treo 650 is available to all Verizon customers, not just businessess. I went into the store and purchased mine today (5/11) and it will be delivered by 10:30 a.m. tomorrow. And yes, they do offer the insurance. I purchased it.
Chris - I was told that the $100 instant rebate applies to both existing and new customers.
Aleta - congrats on getting yours! I think that some consumer orders are indeed going through but it won't be until the 23rd that the Treo 650 will become widely available.
Cheers, A.
I was on the phone with Verizon for more than an hour yesterday, and the upshot is that they would not sell me a phone. Period. I am not a B2B customer, so that is fair, but there have been plenty of non-B2B customers who were able to order one. I don't think that Verizon has the slightest clue. Most of the reps don't even know anything about the phone that they are selling. I would imagine after getting so many phone calls that they would at least Google it! It's May 23rd for me...I may take a day off from work to make sure that I get one, then get it home and set it up. Maybe not.
Is the rebate in addition to NE2? The b2b rep I called yesterday didn't tell me about it, but did confirm I could get NE2 with an upgrade from my current phone. If the rebate applies on top of NE2, that really makes it a lot less expensive to buy from Verizon than from Cingular, for example.
Also, has anyone tried out DUN or Obex? I'd like to know how to transfer photos off of the phone without Obex ... it is the quickest, easiest way I've found with my trial phone from Cingular.
Okay. Mundane question. Does anybody know if there are any holster/clip type holders that keep the 650 face-in to protect the screen from my wild and crazy life style? It seems as if the two options are complete case or face-out although I have a friend with a face-in for a 600. . .
Ray - here you go...
http://store.treonauts.com/content/accessories/4-24.htm
All of these holsters except the first one protect the screen.
Cheers, A.
Yes, there are two 650's, one with a camera and one without. The one without is slightly cheaper.
Ray, read a very good review on the Seidio Design Holster ($24.95), where the 650 faces in, and the inside of the clip is covered with a soft pad to protect the screen even further.
I tried to buy a treo 650 at the Everett, Ma. Verizon store. I was told that they will take orders 5/23. Where can I get the phone NOW.
Really tried to get one in a San Diego Verizon store. CSR said they were "On Hold" due to a software problem dealing with data services. Almost seemed for a moment as if I would have one in a day or two, ten minutes of filling in electronic forms before reaching a no-go point. Almost got excited. They said it has been day by day hold and currently is scheduled for release from hold on 5/13. . .
I have a B2B account and was also told by my rep today that the release has been put on hold. What's the deal? Some posts have indicated they already ordered and were shipped their unit. Has anyone actually received one yet?
I received mine today. Ordered yesterday with overnight shipping. Didn't believe it would actually come until I saw fed ex box waiting at my office. I simply called business sales, was transferred to regular customer service and seem to have gotten lucky. I do not have a business account.
I ordered my 650 here in NYC by calling 611.....I tried all day using the 800 number but I got c-blocked...but one phone call to 611 got me my 650!!
I went to the Verizon store downtown Chicago on 5/11 and ordered my Treo 650. I received it by 9:30 a.m. the next day. (I do not have a business account) I don't know why some people are having trouble.
By the way, I love this thing!!!! ~.~
After leaving messages with my local corporate account rep, and gettin no reply, I called Verizon's 800# and ordered one today. Easy to order, paid extra for shipping, and I'll have it Monday!
Interesting how so many people who are not B2B customers were able to order one. I am the living embodiment of Murphy's Law, so I am not surprised I couldn't get one, but I am amazed at how many people could.
How are you all liking your Treos? Will the wait be worth it?
OK, this was my 10th try at trying to score...every rep said the same thing. ONLY B2B customers are getting orders through. I do not understand how anyone else has been able to slip through. It's aggravating, to say the least.
Mark, can't speak for the others, but I ordered mine through my company, which is a B2B account, and they did verify that before they finalized the order.
got mine today with a fun twist. . i had a kyocera 7135 which kept crapping out on me (trouble acquiring signals all over the place hardware issue that is they say widespread across the 7135s). . well they sent a new treo 600 as the replacement (new in box) also said to take it in and do a swap and pay the difference. . however the difference was covered by the NE2 with a little proding to the retail store manager. . i think with a bit more trying i might not have needed to use that. . but if you are doing this act quickly. . i have a buddy at verizon very high up saying the treo 600s will soon be $99 so the trade in likely wont last on a deal like i got today. pretty fun slick phone cant wait to get into it more!
Folks, check out your Verizon Store NOW - I went in this morning asking about the availability and I am how happily moving in to my NEW Verizon 650! They even honored my New every two discount! - The 650 cost $299.99 before tax.
The data plan includes picture messaging as well BTW - still trying to figure out if it also offers SMS - if so I can drop the unlimited PIX/SMS plan I signed up for a couple of weeks ago when I upgraded my Wife's phone - anybody know the scoop on this?
"Folks, check out your Verizon Store NOW"
Assuming that it's not populated by their usual crop of idiots:
"Hi, I'm calling to see if you've gotten in the Treo 650 yet?"
'We will not be carrying that phone. It is not approved on our network, and we will not carry it.'
--Conversation 5 min ago with Cary, NC Verizon store.
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