Treo 680 Review Part 3: Unlocked GSM In My Delighted Hands

Hot on the heels of my Treo 680 Review Part 2 here comes the Unlocked GSM…

I was undoubtedly happy when I first got my hands on a Cingular Treo 680 (above left) but what I was really waiting for was to have my very own ($399) Unlocked Treo 680…  To my delight the anxiously awaited box arrived today and I couldn’t be any more thrilled than I am at this very moment – so happy in fact that I poured myself a glass of an 18 year old single malt whisky to celebrate…

Aside from the Treo 680 Unlocked GSM and its battery, the box (below) contains:

• Mono corded 2.5mm headset
• USB HotSync cable (does not charge via USB)
• Wall Charger (bulky & heavy) with four international plugs including Europe, UK and US.
• Quick Reference Guide
• “Getting Started” CD which includes free software such as the bestselling Bejeweled
• One Universal Screen Protector (which needs to be cut to size)

Existing Treo 650/700 owners will be able to reuse most if not all of their existing Treo Accessories (known exceptions are the battery and stylus) and I will address this more fully in my Treo 680 Compatible Accessories review during the week.

[Please note that I have the European version of the Treo 680 Unlocked and therefore the contents of the US version may be somewhat different.  For example, the Cingular Treo 680 package has a smaller and lighter travel wall charger but no International plugs.]

Getting started using my new Unlocked Treo 680 was not only simple but also extremely quick.  I just performed a HotSync on my old Treo 650 to backup all of my existing files and then performed a new HotSync on the Treo 680 matching it to my existing User ID (no need to use the CD if you already own a Treo).  Next I removed the SIM card from my Treo 650 and simply placed it in the tray under the battery of the Treo 680.  Voila!  The whole process took under 10mins.

BIG NEWS PREVIEW: Somewhat by accident I discovered another reason to like my new Treo 680… I decided to play some music with Pocket Tunes – finally able to use a 4GB SD card – (while sipping my whisky you understand) and noticed that the screen was not only brighter and crisper than on my Treo 650 or Treo 700p but also offered _much_ more vivid colours (click on thumbnail above for more detail – both screens are set to maximum brightness).  Evidently I therefore have to assume that Palm have used a new and even better screen technology on the Treo 680.

The only thing missing now is for me to get my hands on the three other Treo 680 Unlocked colours – Crimson (red), Copper (orange) and Arctic (white) – then I’ll really celebrate!  Treonauts who have already ordered their new Treo 680 will be able to join in the celebration starting this Friday, Dec. 1 when the first Unlocked units are expected to ship in the US.

You may also like to read my Palm Treo 680 Review Part 1: Introduction.  Please also note that our Treonauts Accessory Shop Thanksgiving Sale continues until midnight PST on Tuesday, Nov. 28.

Treonauts are always delighted…