First Look at the Treo 700! PalmOS still MIA...

Hmmm...Looks like more of an evolutionary than a revolutionary design. It doesn't seem to have any really exciting new features, though the EVDO service might be worth upgrading to.

I would definately consider upgrading to a treo 700p, but the 700w...YUCK! I HATE Windows Mobile. The interface is terrible. If they don't make a 700p, I might just have to make a trip to Palm headquarters and lay the smack down.

-Steve

The only mention of a next palmOS Treo has been the active testing of a Cobalt version. according to a thread at TC, the Cobalt version will not be sold/announced due to the success of the 650.

Personally speaking, that isnt great news to me as I bought a 600 specifically to get in the practice of using a Treo in prep for the Cobalt one. I wont be upgrading to the Wm5 version, as I dont like WinMobile. But this will be a coup in the business sector for Palm. And if VZW is the ones that get it first, it will be much bigger than most think.

All Windows Mobile (Phone Edition) devices support landscape orientation (since WM 2003 SE), although one wonders why it's needed on a square screen device. I'm very excited about this device; it will be the perfect upgrade from my Treo 600. I have been using Windows CE devices since 1997 and prefer the OS, but love the Treo form factor.

I've commented on a future 670/700 [http://mobileoptimized.com/670700.html] before and it appears that I was right on the money in a few regards:

1) I commented that I thought the 670 was just a code-name (or rumor name), but that it would be called the 700, just as the code/rumor-named 610 was eventually called the 650. Looks like I was right on this one...

2) I commented that I believed it would sport EVDO and would be on Verizon's network first. Looks like I was right again. This actually makes sense for quite a few reasons... A) Verizon's EVDO rollout is immensely larger than Sprint's. An EVDO Sprint phone would only get EVDO support in a few parts of a few cities. On the Verizon network, it would get much better coverage. Next, Sprint got the 90 day exclusive on the 650. It would make sense that Verizon would get the 700w (670) first. Finally, Verizon is selling the WiFi-enabled Samsung i730and is getting lots of complaints. They need an alternate EVDO phone.

The inclusion of WiFi via an SD card is interesting and it solves a problem I had commented [http://mobileoptimized.com/TreoWifi.html]on previously. Namely, by not integrating WiFi, but allowing it via the SD card, you avoid many of the trade-offs that plague the Samsung i730. By making it an additional option, it can most likely allow for phone calls to come through while using 802.11b. Most interesting too, is that a Treo now has yet another connectivity option: the 700w has EVDO (in some areas), 1xRTT (most everywhere), 802.11b (in some places... with an SDcard add-on) while the 600/650 only has either 1xRTT or GPRS. Too bad that its still largely limited to US use and that it uses Windows. I, for one, still prefer a GSM-based 650 that works world-wide except for Japan and the Koreas. I'm also not much of a fan of Windows on mobile devices (or any other device for that matter), but my opinions [http://palmaddict.typepad.com/palmaddicts/2005/09/wm_powereed_tre.html] on this are already well known.

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best jason
CEO, Weblogs, Inc.

Bleh...

I don't really care for the design personally, and was expecting more. I prefer the 650's more curvaceous design myself. But, let me see the specs...

I noticed that the side buttons are gone. That's fine with me as I never use them.

I almost wish Palm would put the reset button somewhere other than behind the battery cover. I have to reset mine around one time a day, and would prefer to do so in a more discreet manner.

I don't like windows mobile! Also, what's the point of using the Treo in landscape mode? It doesn't look like it would be at all intuitive. Sure, it would be great for browsing web pages, but it just seems to be akward to hold it like that.

I am not impressed. I hope the specs and a revelation of a palm os version can alter my opinion.

Oh, and one more thing: I don't give a damn about integrated wi-fi. Kudos to palm for not incorporating it, as it just seems to be redundant to me. It would be cool though, if this Treo had two SD card slots so you could use a wi-fi card without having to remove your memory card...

Damn, that guy wants you to remove the pics? Well, I suppose I had better steal them and post them on my page instead then, huh? Hahaha...

Calcanis has a point --- Treonauts watermarks the hell out of its pictures with an obnoxious "TREONAUTS" logo down the middle (I remember this in the comparison pics of the "670" to the 650). Yet Treonauts has no problem ripping off every single picture from Engadget. Smells like hypocrisy to me.

Jason - sincere apologies. I got a little carried away.

Cheers, A.

Joe - I have no idea what you're going on about. Treonauts watermarks are only placed on images that I have specifically retouched. In the particular case that you mention this took about 1 hour of work.

Cheers, A.

Aside from what OS is running on the device I'm quite disappointed about the lack of changes in the hardware design...! I'd have hoped that the antenna would be gone, that the whole design of the device would be slimmer and more streamlined...!? :(

Instead it still looks about the same as the 650 -- which in my eyes is kind of clunky compared with other similar devices...!

I have a question on data connectivity. I have a Verizon 650 and travel out of Verizon's home area often, upstate Michigan. The idea of the Treo is to have connectivity when you are away from your desk. Even though I have a good digital signal and 1x is indicated on the phone I can't get on line. I get an error message saying the password is incorrect and I assume it's the password to log on to the local carriers data network. Before the Treo I had a Kyocera triband 7135 and I could switch it to the Quick-to-net analog data service and at least connect. The Treo is locked to the National Access service. Is there anything I can do to have data capabilities when I'm out of the home coverage area? Any hope in the future?

Thanks,
Neal

I will keep my 650 forever. It will be worth alot after everybody is suffering from using Win...

Check out the WSJ Weekend Edition!!!!! Page B6. Treo using Microsoft software is coming!

Palm only let pictures leak early because the PPC 6700 was announced. When will they learn that rumors and leaks work to their advantage and just build more hype? If they had given leaks a little sooner perhaps more people would have held off jumping ship. As it is, they are playing catch up now.

This is no good. It feels like your wife just cheated on you, not with somebody better looking than you or more successful than you, but with the malnourished nerd down street who doesn't take a shower or shave. Palm, what have you done?