Sprint Treo Pro
The Ultraslim, Ultraslick, Ultrafast & Super Hot Sprint Treo Pro Finally In My Hands!
Following Palm’s official Sprint Treo Pro release date announcement I am delighted to now be among the first to have gotten his hands on this superb Windows Mobile smartphone which thanks to a number of specifications enhancements is even better than the GSM Unlocked Treo Pro model that I have been using for the past six months.
Although I will provide you with a full Sprint Treo Pro review next week here below are my quick first impressions:
Ultrafast UI
I’ve never considered my existing Treo Pro to be slow but the fact is nonetheless that the Sprint Treo Pro is noticeably faster. For example, on the previous Treo Pro model there was a slightly irritating micro-second lag in the Phone app when you wanted to dial a number while the Sprint Treo Pro is incredibly responsive.
Clearly the faster processor that Palm has now used (Qualcomm Dual-Core MSM7501A at 528MHz instead of Qualcomm MSM7201 400MHz) as well as the trebling of user available memory (300MB instead of 100MB) has had a _very_ positive impact on overall performance.
Ultrafast Wireless Broadband
I have to admit that I did not anticipate to see a huge difference between Sprint’s EvDO wireless broadband connectivity and that of the AT&T 3G that I have on my GSM Treo Pro but I was wrong. In a few simple tests Sprint’s EvDO consistently outperformed that delivered by my AT&T SIM card – a very welcome improvement.
Exclusive Sprint Treo Pro Features and Services
Sprint Navigation* (Additional monthly recurring charge)
Delivers turn-by-turn voice-guided and on-screen driving directions, 3-D moving maps similar to an in-car navigation system or personal navigation device, as well as local search, intelligent traffic alerts and one-click rerouting.
>>> My quick tests revealed that Sprint Navigation (powered by telenav) works outstandingly well. For example I was able to get an accurate GPS location while being fully indoors and without requiring a line-of-sight to a GPS satellite.
Sprint TV
Allows Treo Pro users to watch live TV or video-on-demand or catch the latest news, sports, weather, entertainment and movie trailers on the go. Choose from more than 50 live television channels and watch programs such as CNN mobile, FOX sports and E! Entertainment; access NFL Network and special programming via Sprint Exclusive Entertainment.
>>> Mobile TV has really evolved – the quality has simply becoming amazing with no lag and no jittering. Among others, some of the Premium Channels such as PIX Movies On The Move now allows you to watch entire feature films on the go.
Sprint MMS
Treo Pro users can stay in touch with family and friends using threaded SMS, and share pictures and video with MMS seamlessly in one application.
>>> You can now easily a very quickly send a Video Message, Picture Message and SMS from your smartphone.
Sprint Music
Enables users to wirelessly download digital music tracks instantly to the Treo Pro and choose from hundreds of thousands of full–length songs from virtually every genre.
>>> I was not particularly impressed with Sprint Music as it basically only offers a link to an online music store that is accessed via your browser. I did however like the fact that I could quickly buy and dowload music to my device – albeit I hate the fact that the tracks are downloaded as WMA as opposed to MP3 files.
Pocket Express
Retrieves customized, up-to-date web content such as sports, weather, news, money and movie information with the push of a button.
>>> A free, fast and simple application to get all sorts of information while on the go. You also have a number of Extras that among others allow you to buy ringtones, games and other solutions wherever you are – these can be purchased by credit card or billed directly to your wireless account.
Sprint IM
Extends instant messaging to Treo Pro with access to Yahoo! Messenger, AOL’s AIM service and MSN Messenger.
>>> Not yet fully tested but looks quick and very simple to use.
Separately, from a hardware perspective the Sprint Treo Pro continues to be as cool as the GSM version. As I mentioned in my original review the Treo Pro delivers a completely revamped form-factor design which is ultraslim (so thin it actually fits in an iPhone case) and ultraslick with a smooth black casing – it’s basically the coolest looking smartphone Palm has released to date (even though the Palm Pre is evidently close) and may very well be the near perfect form-factor for any keyboard + touchscreen smartphone.
Having said this, one of the _hugely_ annoying things is that the Sprint Treo Pro package does NOT include the terrific Palm stereo headset (pictured above) that was included in the Unlocked GSM box… You can arguably get any good 3.5mm stereo headset of your own for about $20 but I would still have preferred for Sprint to include thsi in their package. Also, on the other hand Palm has done a great job with its new USB AC Charger & Cable which is now even smaller and lighter.
Additionally, it is worthwhile noting just how overwhelmingly positive the overall attitude has been towards the Treo Pro. As you can see from our original poll below (2,245responses as of 03/06/09) it very clearly and very loudly conveys a unanimous rating: the Treo Pro is definitely HOT.
Top 10 Reasons To Get Your Sprint Treo Pro
- Ultraslim & Ultrasleek Form-Factor & Stunning Design
- Full QWERTY Keyboard + High Resolution 320x320 Flush Touchscreen
- Built-in WiFi (802.11 b/g with WPA, WPA2, 801.1x authentication)
- Built-in GPS
- High-Speed Wireless Data (EV-DO Rev. A)
- It’s a Palm Smartphone
- Dedicated Silent Ringer Switch Button
- Standard 5 Hours Talk Time (Up to 7 hours Continuous)
- Dedicated WiFi On/Off Button
- Windows Mobile Professional 6.1
If you haven’t already had the opportunity to hold a Treo Pro in your hands I can only suggest that you head over to a BestBuy store and check out the GSM version or wait until the official release of the Sprint Treo Pro this coming Sunday, March 15 – you won’t be disappointed!
Additional Treo Pro information:
Treo Pro Preview
Treo Pro Review
Treo Pro Specifications
Treo Pro “Smart” Phone
Treo Pro Voice Command
Top 10 Treo Pro Accessories
Treo Pro Cases
Editor’s Choice Top Windows Mobile Software
Treonauts are always have the best in their hands… 
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Comments
Sure it looks alright and has some nice features. But why in the world would you buy this when the Pre is right around the corner? My 700P is getting quite old (you've been a good little phone), but the path is clear and that is to upgrade to a Pre.
proee - I can't disagree as I'm evidently also _hugely_ excited about the forthcoming release of the Palm Pre. Having said this, at this early stage I have absolutely no idea how good the Palm Pre may be in a corporate environment and for this group the Windows Mobile Treo Pro (for now at least) appears to be a much more robust solution.
Cheers, A.
I'm glad that you pointed out there is more memory and a faster processor. Now I'm thinking twice about an unlocked gsm model.
But, I need something to replace my centro which keeps failing. Fortunately it's covered under warranty, but I don't have much confidence in it anymore.
Is it really that much faster?
There was a rumor the EV-DO Treo Pro would support simultaneous voice/data (a first for an EV-DO device).
Can you confirm/deny this feature on your Sprint Treo Pro?
Thx.
Regardless of the Palm Pre's impending release, I intend on buying this phone with my upgrade from Sprint. It boasts robust features (i.e. WiFi, GPS, EVDO Rev A, 3.5 mm headphone jack, etc.), will probably be cheaper to purchase at the outset than the Pre will be, and I've been pumped about the Treo Pro since it's release. There is one major selling point to the Pro that seems to me better than that of the Pre, and that is the option of storage. For someone that also loves to use his/her phone for mobile entertainment, the Treo Pro is expandable. While the 8 gigs onboard for the Pre is substantial, some people would look for more, and the Pro does support up to 32 gig micro-SD expansion.
If only there was a chance of getting the Pro (at some point) with the webOS instead of WinMo (although I think it's an adequate mobile OS).
Richard - I agree! The overall form-factor of the Treo Pro is really outstanding and I hope that Palm will eventually release it with webOS as well (like it did in the past with PalmOS and WinMo using nearly identical devices).
Cheers, A.
I can't believe you had the nerve to quote a BIASED, FIVE-MONTH-OLD (PRE-PRE) POLL as even vaguely meaningful. C'mon, Andrew, give us a break.
The Palm Pro is just too little too late. Palm needed this product two years ago. (But at least it actually exists, and is _almost_ shipping, which is more than we can say about the mythical Pre.)
Good for all you WinMo users. But for me by any stretch.
A). It's not some flavour of Palm OS.
B). Even with webOS on a Pro form factor and storage, the screen is still not big enough.
The Palm Pre screen is bigger, still not iPhone-sized, and lacks the storage/desktop. And no one has managed to explain where my data would be backed up in this so-called "cloud" if I do NOT want a piece in Yahoo, and a piece in gmail, and a piece in Facebook (which assumes I even use all these services and would want my data all over the place).
I guess I'm stuck with my 680 and money still in my pocket waiting to be spent on something that properly replaces my PDA.
Andrew, thanks for addressing my post earlier.
One quick question for you. Does the Treo Pro feature the predictive text feature that is present in the 800w? That has been one of my biggest issues with the Centro. If the Centro had come packed with predictive text using the smaller keyboard with my, ahem, fat thumbs would have been a breeze.
Of course, I do realize that the keyboard on the Pro is a bit more tactile and certainly wider (from various side-by-sides I've seen it looks to be a full key width wider than the Centro) and I look forward to using it.
Thanks!
Are the GSM and Sprint Treo Pros. identical physically? I just ordered a Sprint Treo Pro. and I'd like to order a Crystal Case for it. However, there's only one Treo Pro. on their website and they don't specify whether it's for the GSM or CDMA / Sprint version.
I've been using my Sprint Treo Pro for about 5 months now.... I love it. The thing is awesome, works beautifully, doesn't freeze and and is fast. Even put Garmin Mobile XT on the thing and it's amazing without a monthly GPS subscription. Keyboard is smallish, but does what I need it to. Will Sprint keep it around? Maybe not. But it's a great little machine.
Google is even on the list signifying the immense popularity of digital music sites. With this much going on, the competition is ferocious and to be in the game you’ve got to bring it.
Great for those editing Word and Excel docs while on the road (not driving, of course)
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