The Treo 670?
posted Mar 11th 2005 11:09AM
Alright, hold on. We're not sure what the heck this is, or whether this is even for real or not, but these photos of
what supposedly is the "Treo 670" have turned up on TreoCentral. Except that it's reportedly running on Windows Mobile,
not the Palm OS. Anyway, whatever this is, it's built by
HTC; they make tons of Windows Mobile-based
Smartphones and Pocket PCs, but they're also the company contracted to manufacture the
Treo 650 for palmOne, so this could either be a knock-off
they're making for someone else or the long-rumored
Windows Mobile-powered
Treo we've been hearing about. Either way we know one thing: we're now completely obsessed with figuring this out,
especially in the wake of disappointment the Treo 650 left.
[Thanks, Kurt]
UPDATE: Marcus from TreoCentral points out that this could just be a pre-production version of the Treo 650.
It could be a pre-production unit of the Treo 650.
Still has that antenna thing! When will it be inco-operated onto the base unit...???
Or it could be palmOne's PPC phone. ;)
Please, please, please
let there be an EV-DO Treo
please
:P
I was told by a sprintpcs rep that the treo 650 is evdo but the info was never released or that a "patch or upgrade" of some sort would enable the evdo. I thought he was talking out of his backside but who knows.
By the way, I think the "treo 670" is probably the new windows mobile version with "magneto" os installed. That would be sweet!
The end of PalmSource in 5...4...3...2...
(btw, this is probably fake. I think Palm would try a Linux-based OS before they give in to MS).
Cobalt, what? Hopefully this isn't true because many Palm OS developers will be SOL.
Gillian
I agree with Marcus in #1. I remember seeing a Treo form-factor concept PowerPoint that had something looking very, very similar to this. Plus, the etched numbers on the back also point to them being prototypes.
It lacks the "Desinged for Windows Mobile" logo on the back.
I love your comments .......... 'obsessed' with finding out more and 'disappointment the T650 left'. So, let me get this straight, you're saying a change of OS will make things all better? Or at least enough to make you obsessed? You guys have to get out more!
In my opinion this is the coolest phone but I want Windows Mobile on it before I buy it. Hey PalmOne, how about a patch or a skin or an emulator? How about the choice of OS on my phone? How come Apple doesn't make a mobile OS? Do these companies care what we want?
Dennis,
Where do we say that a change of OS will make things better? We're just curious about what this could be, especially since we found the Treo 650 to be so disappointing.
P.S. - Not sure if you're familiar with what we do here, but we obsess over gadgets.
i'm an early Treo 600 owner who didn't feel the 650 was better enough to upgrade. mainly, it was the same size.
anyway has the 650 been concluded to be a disappointment? aside from the lack of memory and wiFi, what about the 650 is so raw?
I don't get it... how could this be a pre-production of the 650? Do you guys mean the 670?
You all are crazy.
This is the new LuxPro SuperTreo!
Windows Mobile = bad
What, you like clicking on a pseudo-Start menu (which by the way, in HID, bottom-left up flyout menus is baaaaaaaad design), click a hundred times to manage memory and shut down apps like Mac OS 9?! Are you insane?
Face it Microsoft-apologists, you're just trying to hand on your MCSE certifications. Please, do us all a favor and try something else for more Experience Points.
*friggin' sigh*
...
...
"hand on."; I crack myself up.
The keyboard is for Palm OS. (Noticed the drop-down menu and Find keys.)
too bad. so sad. windows mobile. ick.
aside from having to purchase middleware just to mp3 ringers and alarms, i would give my treo 650 an 8 out of 10. the negatives would less than across the board compatibility with lots of BT headsets, and a slightly low call volume. Other than that great phone. I hope Palm doesn't write Mac users outta the picture. Even linux would be cool. Just some OS with better bundled multimedia and Mac-syncable. Palm is due for a change, like an OS X kinda change..
This thing is still a brick! Not interested until the antenna is gone at the very least. Brick! :)
Really looks like a pre-production mockup or something. The buttons look a lot clumsier and less usable then the 650, like an early prototype. Definitely post 600. The big problem with the 650 is the memory... the left it at 32MB which is getting really cramped, more so then the 600. the 600 is still so good that an upgrade to a 650 seems like a waste.
busted link alert...
This is a pre-production, I think no one can deny this. It could be a Treo 650 that never was, but the Idea it could be a Windows treo running Magneto??? Damn! That's impressive.
Timmay
1) If the Treo 650 is a disappointment, it is because you don't own one.
2) In terms of Palm Source and a Treo PPC, please see comment #6.
3) In terms of the rumors of PalmOne cannibalizing the Treo, please be seated to continue on the never ending voyage of "What the Fark is PalmOne Doing", with the featured film: "The Proclivity of Foolishness".
Pocket PC isn't even in the same league of PalmOS
#15
That made me laugh more than it should...
to #25...
Excuse me... ever hear of this little technology we like to call "multitasking". You watch.. it's gonna catch on!
acidreflux,
I know it might be hard to believe, but I actually have a Treo 650. And guess what? I dislike it and consider it a disappointment on all sorts of levels. It's not a bad phone, but it isn't a major improvement over the Treo 600.
My Treo 650 GSM will last me all week with one battery charge. PocketPC w/Phone would only last 2 days if I'm lucky. PalmOS uses less battery than WinCE. The other day I had VNC client running on my Treo 650 using EDGE for about 4 hours non-stop, used about 50% of my battery. A PocketPC with Wifi and VNC client would last 2 hours before going dead.
The 320 x 320 resolution and bluetooth is what got me to upgrade to Treo 650 from Treo 600.
If battery life is pretty good on the HP HW6500, I'll be all over that. GPS is a very cool nice to have.
Whatever it is Verizon will never carry it. I love that I rarely get dropped calls, but it sucks because the phones are all like 3 years old.
This is silly!!! The Treo 650 is a great phone!!! And you guys are right, the memory is lacking to say the least. But the whole package is very functional and at the moment there is nothing on the market to compete with it!!!
The 650 rocks!!!
Out!!!
Peter,
y0, check it:
1) smallest form factor for a decent PDA/Phone. just look at the Treo next to a hp6315. Hell, just look at the hp6315.
2) bluetooth (hopefully next round WUSB)
3) BEAUTIFUL screen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
4) excellent layout of keys and keyboard
4) Palm OS...enough said, yes I will have to wait on the multitasking and/or cobalt. Personally, I would prefer the Palm OS then the "feature" rich, heavy coded, MS crap.
6) Decent camera for resolution. Enough to capture the general idea and/or semacode (cuz I'm cool like that). I use a G5 for photography, like I should.
5) Escape from MS land (Although, every Engadget favorite pick of a combo device has MS on it, and I have examples if needed. Makes me wonder.)
6) So I says to myself, acid why don't you take a look at the HP 6500 Messenger, and check it out. Isnt that the dream device? However, I cant think of one good reason to willingly go to MS OS, and I feel dirty for thinking about it. So, I check it out. I say wow, built in GPS. Then I got to thinking, but is the GPS worth it? First, is it going to kill a lame battery to begin with? Second, OH the inegrated GPS feature doesnt work as well without the extra antennae. So when I am done with navigation, I will put the antennae in one pocket and the 6500 in another. What if I forgot to bring the antannae? Fark that. No, I will just use it in the car, but then I could have full fledged bluetooth GPS receiver in the car, which is the only likely place I will use it really. I would take the non integrated device, to guarantee better functionality, and so long as it doesnt hinder ergonomically. So I conclude that I dont necessarily need to Treo 800g or 6500.
7) The treo with no wifi? Once I calmed myself, I realized I dont need it. I am not a traveling business guy like Peter going to CES conventions and laying my mack down. I don't want nor need to hang out at coffee shops and airports to get on the Matrix. To business users, that is a real plus, I am sure. But to the average geek or guy it may not be such a great alternative to a data plan. Until wifi is more broadly implemented, it doesnt effect the uniqueness of the Treo 650. Do i think its lame on palms end, sure. Is wifi faster, sure.
8) phone is alright, however sprint version is mega slow when dialing numbers from contacts, etc. But reception is cool. a lot of work to find a contact too.
9) NVFS is nice. Integration is better for apps running off the expanision card. Should of put more memory for a $600 device, and because 32 megs is weak. Thanks Palm!
10) What can't you do with the Treo 650?
Regardless of the "levels" of error on the part of the Treo, it is a great convergent device. I dont think someone could find the Treo 650 disappointing within itself, outside of some preference for the MS OS or wifi.
I can understand someone hesitating upgrading from the 600 to the 650 because of price, not for the sake of lack of improvements (and yes I wish they would of added more memory). I just find it difficult for someone to dislike the Treo 650 because of these shortcomings.
Word to your mother.
I own the 650 gsm and I have to say it's almost the perfect gadget, aside from memory shortage, daily resets and poor quality calls. well maybe far from perfect but much better than the 600 and it's sad but the best pda phone out there still.
and those pictures are of the new ( 670 or MS phone ) as the design is better than the 650 with bigger buttons shorter body and more modern efficient design, I'm just pissed because if I new this was coming out I would've never bought my 650!
having said that, being manufactured by the same designers, company, and factories it will most likely have it's own share of problems.
I'm waiting for the sony erricson's new P950
Why would PalmOne aquire a Linux based company in hopes of new licensees, greater hardware versatility, and a greater development community; then turn around a sell a device with Windows PPC?
If this was any other company other than foolish and desperate Palm, I would think this was a rumor insulting those who actually believe it.
I've already made it very clear why I've been disappointed with the Treo 650, and it's not because of the Palm OS, which I actually really like.
I'm disappointed because palmOne waited a year to release a phone that isn't significantly better than the 600. Yeah, the screen is better, and the processor is faster, but that's about it. They decided to release a buggy phone with poor sound quality (the call quality on my 650 is abysmal), add to that the fact that they skimped on the memory, they crippled the Bluetooth (or at least let the carriers do that). even more frustrating is the fact that they were going to put a one megapixel camera in there and then changed their minds and only put a slightly better VGA camera in there.
so, yes, I'm disappointed that the 650 wasn't a signficant improvement over the 600. does that make sense? I totally get why you love the 650 so much, trust me, I was totally in love with my 600 when I got it, too. I totally respect your appreciation for the Treo 650, and if it's a gadget that makes you happy, then I think that is great.
also, it was PalmSource which bought a Linux company, not palmOne. palmOne has said repeatedly that they are not wedded to any one OS.
thanks, thats what i figured. the 650 shouldve been called the 610. hope this 670 thing is real, and is half as thin, that i'd pay for.
Maybe this isn't so foolish or desperate on the part of PalmOne.
The question is: why would PalmSource aquire a Linux based company in hopes of new licensees, greater hardware versatility, and a greater development community; then PalmOne turn around a sell a device with Windows PPC?
First, it seems that PalmOne is going to screw PalmSource out of profit permanently, just so PalmOne can profit here and there by hosting MS OS (or any other OS for that matter).
Well, it doesn't cost a whole much of nothing for PalmSource to make 2 copies or 7 million copies of their OS. PalmSource just depends on getting licensees.
ASSUMING that PalmOne makes a duplicate device with PalmSource OS (which shouldn't be that difficult), then it is not shafting PalmSource out of any cash. They still have a licensee with PalmOne, they didn't lose it.
People that prefer PalmSource OS will still buy the PalmSource OS version, and people that prefer the MS PPC will buy the MS PPC version; all to the financial benefit of PalmOne. This gives a greater freedom for profit to PalmOne and not being hindered by the exclusivity of the PalmSource OS.
UNLESS PalmOne flat out refuses a license from PalmSource, PalmSource shouldn't lose anything really. PalmSource still has to get what licensees they can get, in addition to PalmOne. This is beneficial for both companies (PalmOne and PalmSource) not to be hindered by their own exclusivity to the other.
PalmSource is going to fail or succeed with gaining licensees regardless if PalmOne sells MS OS or not.
This epoch, if the rumor is true, should result in better hardware from PalmOne in order to gain other OS licenses, and PalmSource is still no better or worse than before.
I think there are several reasons to buy the 650 or upgrade to it from the 600, a few of which I didn't see mentioned..
1. The 650 has a removable battery which is great when you're on the road...and you can get an extra battery for only about 35 bucks. 600 battery not removable.
2. Screen is significantly better in resolution and brightness to the 600.
3. They added bluetooth. I have had my issues with the Bluetooth Jabra BT650 but it works perfectly in the car which is where I want to use it most. 600 doesn't have Bluetooth
4. Keys have a better feel and backlighting is better. Strange thing...I use a Blackberry for work but I find I make a lot less typing errors on the smaller 650 keyboard then I do the Blackberry. There is more space between the Blackberry keys and it's easy to over shoot them with your thumbs.
I have been following the TREO product line since it was introduced and decided the 650 had enough of the features I wanted to finally get one. My Sprint version phone works very well. No volume level problems. I don't many resets on the device either. All and all, I love the 650 and the Palm OS which I've been using for many years. They could have beefed up the memory on the 650 though.
One last thing for people that own one. Check out the program Handmark Express. It is a cool online info provider for news, weather, theates, stocks sports, maps and 411. It also gives you the option to add the phone number you looked up to your contacts list along with the address which is a huge feature. $70 a year for the service....Well worth it. You can customize it with your own weather, theatres, teams etc.....
The 650 is a great device -- when it works. The Cingular Treo 650 is plagued with reliability problems. Reboots on receipt of call maybe 50% of the time. No joking. And this after the fabled SIM card change and completely reloading the device software with the newest patched version. It's ridiculous, and sadly, going back to the vendor.
Personally I don't think this is a possiblity. Why would Palm want competition to its Treo 650 running its own generic OS ?.
Also what kind of confidence will that build in Cobalt - palm's next OS ?
I think this is another hoax along the lines of Apple's IPhone (y'now, the PDA Smartphone plus IPod substitute that was supposed to come out of Apple sometime soon)
Nadir: note that there is no Palm company. PalmOne makes the Treo phones. PalmSource makes the PalmOS. PalmSource is the one that bought China MobileSoft, a Chinese Linux company. The rumor is that PalmOne will stop taking PalmSource's PalmOS in favor of Microsoft's Windows CE.
Hi Chris,
Thanks for that - I had no idea. Basically that means there is no real clear roadmap at all with respect to Palm products. Will they support Macintosh, will they run Cobalt will they actually run palm software at all etc. Thanks for the information - I will keep an eye open for details. I love the look and sound of the Treo but am a holding back from buying it. Looks like i might just go infor the sonye k750i
cheers
i hate windows moble horible with actavation i would very much perfer macintosh osx on here
One of my friends is a sprint tech...and she has informed me that in about two to three months the treo 700 will becoming out and it will have ev-do. and she also said they have switched the color up a bit.
ridiculous. palmone/palmsource/palm is giving into windows? kill me.
PalmOS is dead and whether anyone likes it or not, the Treo is the BEST form factor and Windows Mobile 5.0 will be the best mobile operating system THAT integrates well with the most widely deployed OS of all times. We can wish that it wasn't the case but it is what it is.
Well, it all makes sense now.
Palm was on the rocks, had to sell PalmSource for cash to stay open, and MS wanted to take some more beachhead. Cash talks in any marketplace.
I, for one, will be the first person at the door the day the 670 goes on sale.
If it's got Bluetooth, WiFi, Windows, that sweeeeet keyboard, a really bright screen, and some nice external storage options (preferably sd or xd), I'm all in.
I'd prefer it ran Linux, but oh well... Companies already tried that on a bunch of handhelds and nobody wanted to buy that.
Dark Side 1, Enlightenment 0
audioblog
I work for Verizon Wireless and talked with a Microsoft employee who has the Treo 670 up and running on his account. He said he is blown away. He especially loved the EVDO feature.