Actual pics of the new Treo Ace/Treo 650

UPDATE: They finally made it official. If you're looking for the latest Treo 650 news, click here.

 

 

Here it is, the new Treo! And it's supposed to be called the Treo 650, not the Treo 610. As we've mentioned before, it is supposed to have said to have built-in Bluetooth, a faster 312MHz processor, 32MB of RAM, a higher-resolution 320x320 LCD screen, dedicated answer and disconnect buttons, and a one megapixel digital camera. More details are sure to come, but in the meantime make you sure click to see all of the pics.

[Thanks, Mike]

UPDATE: A few other details we're noticing: a removable battery, a mirror next to the camera lens for taking self-portraits, a definite Bluetooth icon on one of the screens, a bigger speaker, and a more recessed SD memory card slot. Possibly also push-to-talk. Anyone else see anything new and improved that we didn't already know about?

[Jason P @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM]

Some GREAT news and some VERY bad.

First.

* Bluetooth
* High Res
* Totally Different Keyboard Backlighting System
* Video Recording Built In
* 1.3 MP Camera


The BAD?

TOTAL INCOMPATIBILITY WITH ALL ACCESSORIES

They simply will not work... not any... not even one (save universal headsets)

Cradles... chargers... not gonna work... Pocket Keyboard? Also no.

[Sean Bonner @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM]

Pictures are great but I want this thing in my hand NOW!

[Craig @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM]

So pretty, so shiny, such silvery GSM goodness! Existing accessories be damned...as long as the palmOne Wi-Fi card works with it, I'll be happy.

[Shawn @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM]

Any word on EDGE?

[Shawn @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM]

Any word on EDGE?

[Rick @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM]

I'm all over this! I wonder about a timeframe for release?

[unclegeek @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM]

PLEASE oh please have the SMS application fixed on this model!! The white screen lock-up and rebooting phone is really a pain (when exiting sms or canceling an sms)

[Colin Davis @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM]

Will this be one of the Motorola launches? "Look! New hot technology!*"

*Will actually ship 6 months after announcement.
Granted this isn't an announcement, but when will these things start appearing? I checked the FTC commision dates on the 600s and they were in July 2003 -- so if there is the same lag, we are still looking at another 5 month wait at a minumum before they hit the streets in any quantity.

[Tyler @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM]

now I will have to sell my 600 and buy this. Oh the pain.

[Scott Johnson @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM]

I should probably put my 600 up on eBay right now! This thing looks sweet!! But I bet it will be years before Sprint lets me have one. :(

[MK @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM]

I've been wondering when Treo (or any other PalmOS phone) would be coming out with the new multitasking OS. I've been hoping to get a palm that has one of the key advantages that I hear the HipTop has: the ability to have applications such as instant messengers always on even when using other apps, making phone calls, etc...

Anyone have any info about this? All I can learn so far is "the tools have been sent out to developers".

[Bryan @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM]

I notice they've made the number buttons on the thumbboard the same color as the rest... oh well, I'm sure (1) this is just an engineering prototype, (2) they could change for production, and (3) I can learn to live with it.

And what the heck is with the piddling 32MB of memory? Sure, I know, "it's great plenty for a PalmOS device"... but some of us would love to ditch the cellphone-laptop or cellphone-PDA combo for one device, and more RAM (or flash ROM) would make a difference.

C'mon, Palm... it's not that expensive!

[Z @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM]

WOW. Beautiful. Very, very nice device!

The only thing I wish it had, was WiFi. If it had that, it would have everything. Maybe we'll have to wait for the Treo 700 for this?

LOVE the backlighting on the keyboard! Really beautiful and easy to see.

I'm really impressed. (Just wish it had WiFi without having to use the SD slot).

[bah @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM]

It's still too big. Are all the Treo customers raver kids with those gigantic pants with enormous pockets?

[Shane @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM]

What is...

A. That second, smaller, covered slot on the top (assuming the other one, immediately underneath the IR port is SD)? SIM card?

B. That gold thing on the back, below the antenna? I'm completely stumped here.

[Tom T Hall @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM]

nice external antenna.

[Mac112 @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM]

Let me guess:
A. SIM-card cover.
B. External antenna.

[Aaron @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM]

Wouldn't a headset jack be more appropriate on the top or side of the unit?

[Stevie @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM]

Wish it had displayed a web page to show off the 320x320 hi-res. The phone digits don't really do justice.

[andrew @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM]

Nice one Pete! Aside from the treocentral forum I think that you scooped that one... the treonauts blog came in a close second ;-)

Cheers, A.

[Carl Schwartz @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM]

Looks like MDISI Treo 600 Cradle Owners will get upgrade
w/48 Hr return shipping, when desired.

If w/o External Battery
- Cost of Battery Cover
- Cost of Shipping

If w/new External Battery
- Cost of TC External Battery
- Cost of Shipping

Cradles Purchased for the "Treo 650" should have 2 price options

Current Price - if with new External Battery

Reduced Price for Cradle w/Battery Cover Mount

Price TBD when cost of Battery Cover and External Battery are known.

Good to Go ! ~ Carl (aka ArcBody)
__________________
Carl Schwartz - [e-mail] - 516-921-0508

[Jon @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM]

since I've seen it on my Treo 600 is what happens when one of those rubber plugs on the back falls off and is lost.

[Peter @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM]

please give credit where its due, thanks WeeBitObsessed of treocentral, the orignal source.

[Derrick Brashear @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM]

Now, where the heck do I get an antenna adapter to plug into that socket? The 600 has the same socket, and the only adapter is in the TrendTalk car kit... not very useful

[posterboy @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM]

It will use the new Multi Connector of palmOne (future handhelds will also use this connector).

[Marcus @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM]

Looks fantastic! Anyone with news on offical release dates (or at least tentative dates)??
I need this now!

[She Devil @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM]

MK write:
---
>>I've been wondering when Treo (or any other PalmOS phone) would be coming out with the new multitasking OS. I've been hoping to get a palm that has one of the key advantages that I hear the HipTop has: the ability to have applications such as instant messengers always on even when using other apps, making phone calls, etc...
<<
---

The HipTop does indeed allow you to background apps (well, actually it's more like they are always running in foreground, but you can only see one at a time). For my money the HipTop does *everything* I could want - *except* it's stupid as a telephone. The new ones look to be better - but my oh my, if they would have added BT to the new model, they would have had a real shot at being the first device to really do it all so that you only have to carry one device instead of 3.

Still, it's far better than the three - count 'em, 3 - Blackberries I went through.

[NGnerd @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM]

bluetooth without wifi! sheesh people, that's like a nice bowl of cereal without milk. Considering i'm desperate for a new phone (ie: get rid of the visorphone) and this has ALMOST everything i want...but i'm just not sure that it's worth staying with palm when it seems everything is moving in the direction of pocket PC (especially if i'm goign to be hooking up a bluetooth gps, etc).

[Clark @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM]

Am I missing something - is anyone giving a timeline or an estimated release date?

[Denis @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM]

It seems that the back can be removed with what look like a push mecanism on the right of the speaker.

User accessible battery ?

[skallas @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM]

How does a mirror next to a lens allow self-portraits? Maybe I'm missing the obvious here.

That looks like a mirrored surface to hide the light sensor for the camera. The 600 is infamous for overexposing photos and this seems like a logical fix.

[Shane @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM]

The mirror is convex, and by centering your own reflection in it, you can ensure the camera is pointed directly at you (though it won't allow for very precise framing). It's just an inexpensive guide to help you avoid aiming too far off.

[Rich @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM]

What's that ugly stubby thing sticking out the top? None of my phones have them...

[Tony Rinker @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM]

I've held off buying a 600 b/c of the BT rumors on the 610/Ace, now apparently 650. I am concerned sprint will lay down the smack on the 650 b/c it offers BT and they are pretty resistent to carrying any BT phones b/c of bandwidth usage as a modem for their vision service. Treoace.com says release is scheduled oct.18, but no details on what carriers.

[Marc @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM]

Any PPC manufacturers reading? How about making something this slick for Windows Mobile? I'd buy this over the H6315 iPAQ any day.

[Steve Carlin @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM]

Looks like the headphone plug may be standard mini-stereo instead of the 2.5MM on the 600. It would be nice not to have to carry the separate headphone adapter to listen to music and take and make calls.

[bobby @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM]

Where is my flash! How much harder would it have been to add a little LED flash on there, Id take that over the mirror anyday. Not that I won't be buying this the second it comes out, but I sure would like a flash... hell with a removable battery, I would be willing to trade battery life for a real camera flash. oh well mabey next version.

-Bobby

[observer @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM]

--------
I've been wondering when Treo (or any other PalmOS phone) would be coming out with the new multitasking OS. I've been hoping to get a palm that has one of the key advantages that I hear the HipTop has: the ability to have applications such as instant messengers always on even when using other apps, making phone calls, etc...
--------
There are many apps currently available for the Treo 600 (and would surely work on the 650) that work in the background at least for email, IM and audio. For email, the built-in application that comes with the Treo 600 fetches mail in the background. ChatterMail does that even better with true push email with IMAP servers. Chatter and Verichat (to name two) do IM supurbly in the background. Pocket-Tunes does music play in the background.

So many of the things you mentioned can already be done without having a true multi-tasking OS.

[Greg @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM]

I would kill any one of you right now to possess this device tomorrow! :)

[Mike Mandel @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM]

The things I notice that aren't mentioned in the post include a possible video input (for recording) or output (for watching movies on a TV) on the back. It also looks like the IR port is larger, maybe meaning we can use remote software like Novii TV without a hardware add on? Also, it appears like there is a regular stereo jack on the bottom instead of the annoying mini one on the 600. Anyone have an idea what that small removable cover is for on the top (looks like you could pry it off with a finger nail or something)?

[Sarawich @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM]

i am waiting for new upgrade treo. with the good screen and bluetooth. is it true???? the bettery life will be finish quickly?? compare with Treo 600. whatever, with the new function and design. i don't care to much about online time. when can i find treo 650 in the market?

[Jac @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM]

Mike Mandel - that small cover you mentioned is the GSM SIM-card storage cover.

[graham @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM]

Looks like the upper button on the side of the device MAY be a two-way rocker switch; which could mean that the small button below it allows toggling through various functions such as scrolling and volume.

[Bruno @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM]

better hurry to release this thing, I need a new treo now! ah and I hope you guys at Palmone improved on communication quality. while my 600 usually displays a strong signal, the counterparties often cannot hear me and the phone drops the connection

[[e-mail] @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM]

is that the larger "standard" size or the same ridiculous mini, mini jack?

[b @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM]

Does anybody know of any third party software to allow for voice recognition? My biggest gripe.

[Carrie Levin @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM]

Does anyone know when this will be released???? I am about to purchase the 600 and want to wait for the 650 but how long????

[Mark @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM]

I'm told the Treo 600 SD slot did not provide power, so things lilke Wifi SD cards would not work.

Does the new SD slot have power? Can I add a Wifi card?

Also, sadly the Treo 600 could not act as a data modem for a laptop (at least not on Sprint), unlike many other phones. Can I use the 650 as a data modem for a laptop?

[Jim Fincher @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM]

Just ran into the same photos that were posted on engadget of this phone in an ad on Ebay????? Here is the link.... If he had the phone I would buy it.. Makes one wonder if it is an outright fraud... or somehow ???....

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=38331&item=5718501244&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

Buyer beware.... unopened box ?????

what say you guys ?

Jim

[bob @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM]

Is it just me, or are some of the improvements already standard on the Orange Treo 600?
-backlit keyboard
-numbers on the left side
http://www.orange.com/English/productsandservice/treo6002.asp
darn sexy, but not as if I can actually buy a GSM version in my neck of the woods....dang