palmOne updates Sprint Treo 650, adds Bluetooth DUN
posted Jun 16th 2005 8:37PM
You know we love the Treo 650, but we've also got some
serious issues with it. Or at least we did until today, that is. palmOne's just issued a new firmware update for the
Sprint version of the Treo 650 that enables….wait for
it…Bluetooth Dial-Up Networking! This means you'll
finally be able to use your Sprint Treo 650 as a wireless modem with a Bluetooth-enabled laptop, at least without
hacking it (it also means that Sprint and palmOne made good on their word; not that we didn't believe them or
anything). They've also fixed our other major complaint about the Treo 650, namely that incredibly annoying and
unacceptable post-dial delay before a call is connected (you can't even imagine how completely obnoxious it is to have
your phone freeze for ten seconds every time you try and make a call). Are we happy? Yes, but we're going to continue
to whine until palmOne releases a proper driver for its SD WiFi card.
[Thanks everyone who sent this one in]
If Verizon gets the same update I'm definitely getting one...
Where's EV-DO update? And where's the firmware update to get rid of that stupid antenna? Oh yeah, and the update to run a better OS!
Did that update fix the thing from rebooting whenever it felt like it? I had the 650 for 2 weeks and it sucked.
Does anyone know if this phone can run Palm OS 5.2 or earlier? (It comes with Palm OS 5.4.5 - can it be downgraded?) I need to run FileMaker Mobile 7 on it. Any suggestions for a Mac OS X FileMaker Mobile 7 capable smart phone (preferably with Bluetooth, WiFi, and a coffee maker)?
Joe,
It can't be downgraded. FileMaker should upgrade to support it =)
Now they just have to FINALLY release a Cingular update =(
Joe,
The FileMaker 7.01 update was released on Tuesday, it will now run on your 650.
NO MORE DIALING DELAY? Oh thank Jesus! Or something. yeah sorry for getting carried away but that dialing delay was annoying enough that I was about to switch to something Sanyo, and by "switch" I mean "hurl my Treo 650 through a Sprint Store's plate-glass window"
Okay, so how do you repair the dailing delay on my treo 650? is there a website?
The DUN rate of transfer is sweet; about 150K when running PDANet.
Now I can be tooling down the road surfing the net on my laptop, eating breakfast and putting my tie on!
Matt and Richard, thank you for the quick and helpful responses. But what about the coffee maker?
I guess the maddeningly long Verizon 'test period' was worth something - I ain't got no stinkin' 10 second delay on mine. I ain't got no stinkin' DUN either. :(
Very nice. I'd consider it if Sprint PCS didn't suck.
http://engadget.com/entry/1234000667046071/
I had em for a while a number of years back. The combination of the poor coverage, horrendous customer support and a friend having to wait on hold for 1 hour to report her phone stolen convinced me to switch.
I am going to post this using the NEW Bluetooth DUN feature! I got it working on my PowerBook! It's awesome! w00t!!!
Also, my free memory went up about 1 MB, and the lack of post-dial delay is a welcome update. That wait was getting tiresome! I had plenty of time to say "Are you dialing or not stupid phone?". Now all I can say is "Are..."
Thanks P1 for the support!
I didn't ever think this was coming, much like Bluetooth SDIO on the Treo 600.
With the update, I feel like I have a whole new phone, the phone I SHOULD have gotten months ago when I purchased the Treo 650.
#2: ED-VO cannot be accomplished with a firmware update. According to the Verizon rep, it requires changing of a chip.
All I know is if Verizon brings out the updated 650 that supports ED-VO, I'm breaking my currently insured one to get it.
BK
DigitStupor, what cell service do you have?
Amen on the SD WiFi card, gg crappy drivers.
where have you guys been with the wifi driver??
http://wireless.hackaday.com/entry/1234000530023917/
Tsk tsk. I after the Handspring Visorphone never got the promised Vision firmware upgrade and the Treo 300 never got shortmail, I decided not the trust Sprint where Palm/Handspring were concerned. I finally gave up on the 650 a few months ago and took a Sanyo MM5600. Too late, guys.
We are all waiting a complete review from engadget about different solutions to use wifi with the Treo 650 that you love so much (and that (unfortunately) we don't like as much because of that...). Which drivers? Wich card ?
Does anyone know if a similar firmware upgrade is coming for Cingular Treo 650s so we can use DUN as well?
This update is great! the dialup works like a champ, and the delay really is gone after you dial a call! Freedom!! Can't say enough about my awesome phone now...
Did anyone here have a problem with battery drain after doing this upgrade? I sure did. Seen a lot of debate on other sites about why that might be, but engadget is where the info is rock solid. Help me!