The 700w gets a price?

Not a chance we're going to vouch for the validity of an anonymous forums user -- though some Howard Forums users seem to be pretty reliable -- but someone going by "VZW Employee" has called out all the specs on the 700w (nothing we didn't know from using it, of course), and rattled off prices for the device's supposed CES launch. Apparently when it debuts, you'll be able to snag one for $549.99 with a 1-year contract, $499.99 with a two-year, and $619.99 with no contract at all. Even if these numbers aren't real, they sound about right to us -- either way, we know (and totally understand) why you cheaped out on presents this year.

[Via PhoneArena]

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[Mitch @ Dec 26th 2005 10:35AM]

why get the treo 700w over the Q? Same OS, right? And the Q will be way cooler...plus moto makes better products then palm...

[David Clark @ Dec 26th 2005 11:02AM]

I may be wrong, I thought the Q didn't have a touchscreen. So that might be the difference in the two.



Either one's a toss-up I'd guess. It depends on which formfactor you like and how long you're willing to wait.

[apeguero @ Dec 26th 2005 11:08AM]

Alright "CDMA-Heads" be easy on me :) If I buy the unlocked version, will I be able to use it on the Sprint Network?



Hey Mitch, the Q will be using the Windows Mobile OS 5 for Smartphone OS which is way more castrated then Windows Mobile OS 5 for PocketPC. One example, no built in Word or Excel support.

[ppcmd @ Dec 26th 2005 11:52AM]

Sprint won't let you put a Verizon phone on their network and they know the ESN's that will go. Sprint won't get the Treo700w until at least June 2006. No Moto Q for me, and I will move back to Verizon for the Treo 700w.



Also Phone Arena picked the news up from MSmobiles who picked it up from Howard Forums thread that VZWEmployee has going. MSmobiles put their tag into the phot and only added the HoFo info later but still has their tag in the picture.

http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php?t=803423

[ckeegan @ Dec 26th 2005 12:39PM]

I have to vouch for "VZW Employee" here(the original original poster of this information). He has provided rock solid information on many devices, and I feel this information is no different. After his posts have proven to be perfectly accurate, time and time again, I no longer treat them as rumor. In fact, he doesn't post any specific information UNTIL he has concrete information. At this point, you could walk into any Verizon store and ask them to pull up InfoManager to verify the above information.



He is an incredible resource to any early-adopter on the Verizon network.



As for the Q, who knows when that thing will actually show up. The CEO of Motorola himself said Dec '05, but obviously that's not going to happen.

[EnricoSwave @ Dec 26th 2005 1:01PM]

Q doesn't have a touchscreen, that is correct, and IMO the Q looks like a peice of crap compared to the 700.

[Mitch @ Dec 26th 2005 1:25PM]

i had a treo 180 and 270 and i was never really pleased with the quality of the phone....I think moto has a much higher quality handsets in general...I was really thinking of getting a blackberry or the Q. for now both are probably out of the picture since i use a powerbook. :(

[Cambob @ Dec 26th 2005 1:25PM]

Touchscreen? NFW!!!! I just creamed my pants... sign me up, sign me up!!!!

[Mac @ Dec 26th 2005 2:12PM]

In the same forum over on Howard Forums VZW Emp also has threads for the Audiovox XV6700 and the Samsung I830, also to be released at CES on 1/5. Just FYI.

[Alan @ Dec 26th 2005 3:52PM]

one question? i thought Smartphones by definition had no tocuhscreen as opposed to Pocket PC's. Why does the pic of the 700W say smartphone?



Also a comment on the 700w vs. Q. the Q will definitely be more limited than the Treo in functionality but is much more one handed friendly. I currently use the I730 and you always need two hands to use it. Thats why i plan on switching to the Q.

[1Up @ Dec 26th 2005 3:54PM]

Dont waste your time with the Q. Its not all that special. First of all theres no touch screen and no wifi built in. This already puts the thing behind the Treo 700 and the HTC Wizard (which is what im using). Only get the Q if you like the ultra thin design cause thats the only benefactor remaining. BTW the Q is out already if you wish to order from overseas and pay a cool grand.

[Hawk @ Dec 26th 2005 4:27PM]

#10: The reason they call it a Treo Smartphone is because it's a Smart Phone, not because it is a Windows Mobile Smartphone device. This is endlessly confusing, especially if you sell software that comes in Windows Mobile Smartphone versions and PalmOS versions, as well as Pocket PC versions that work on Pocket PC Phone devices, as well as Symbian-powered 'Smartphones' and basically, 'Smartphone' is now like saying 'Kleenex' when you mean 'that stuff you honk your snot into'.



*inhale*

[TheQuux @ Dec 26th 2005 5:38PM]

About teh smartphone/pocketpc 5 thing...



The smartphone 5 OS supports the touchscreen, or at least, it does in the Microsoft-provided emulator. Also, it comes with excel, powerpoint, and word (mobile).



The reason I know this is that I write software for the pocketpc/smartphone, so I need thelatest emulators, which run WinCE 5.0

[ckeegan @ Dec 26th 2005 5:41PM]

As far as the Smartphone debate you're correct for the 700w just being a Smart Phone(no implication to the Smartphone tag, and excellent reference to the Kleenex by the way). Hence the reason UTStarcom is dubbing the Apache(PPC6700/XV6700) the "Genius Phone."



As for the one-handed use issue, I don't see how the Q is going to be any better than the 700w. In fact, I would figure it would be worse considering it is nearly 1/3 inch wider, and although the Q is thinner it makes it less substantial than the 700w in the palm of your hand(no pun intended). OK, so the XV6700 should be no different than the XV6600 for one-handed use, and I've had no problems with one-handed dialing on the 6600. PLUS, the first program you should ever buy is definitely Voice Command 1.5, eliminating any problem from the get-go.



FYI - if you want the "Genius Phone" on Verizon(already out for Sprint, Alltel, and Qwest), you'll see it the same day as the 700w. Plus, Built-In Wi-Fi, 320x240 screen, 1.3mp Camera WITH flash LED, 416MHz Intel Processor; none of which the Treo 700w has.

[Badonkadonk @ Dec 26th 2005 8:05PM]

Hey Mitch - you can use BB with Macs by using Pocketmac to sync (I think - or Pocketberry or something). Works for desktop syncing your contacts, calendar, msgs etc, though for push sync you need a BES (or BIS through your carrier that supports it).



This phone looks pretty cool - I wonder how they classify "usage" though - is it 280 minutes continuous talk time, or 280 minutes for "average" voice & email use? Price seems rather high for what you're getting though - how much does a decent plan (for a business user) cost on top of that, $100/mo?

[Alan @ Dec 26th 2005 10:07PM]

my point about one handed use was becasue of the jog weel which is an actual wheel plus it is a button for selection. the editor at mobileburn confirmed that it is very useful as such

[Mike @ Dec 26th 2005 10:47PM]

RE:Gigabyte battlefields



It's called the global information grid, and it doesn't work. If you've seen the implementation of this technology, it sucks. The framework has to work over an encryped FM radio network, and it's not terribly effective or integrated.

[adarew @ Dec 27th 2005 9:27AM]

Does anyone know exactly when the 700w will be available for retail sale at the Verizon stores? and what is this information based on? thanks!

[Przemek G. @ Dec 27th 2005 10:59AM]

$60 for the data plan and $39 for voice. thats $100 a month. Im a 26 year old making your avg. salary and I have to say that $100 a month is a little expensive.



Also, can someone elaborate if I purchased the plan-less version from Verizon why I would not be able to use it on the Cingular or any other GSM network? I am looking to travel sometime this year, and a SIM card option (GSM) would be a very nice and welcome feature as I would be able to buy a prepaid SIM card from a provider like Orange all over europe



10x

[Keith M @ Dec 27th 2005 11:07AM]

It may be valid - but it sure looks like the graphics for the image were layed out by an amature. I'm voting hoax because it screams amature design.

[Mad Dad @ Dec 27th 2005 1:20PM]

Forget all this claptrap about release dates, pricing, Wi-Fi, touchscreens, etc. Now for the REALLY important question of the day ... What is the correct pronunciation of "Treo?" Is it "Tray-O", which sounds VERY cosmopolitan and trendy? Or is it "Tree-O" which sounds very, well, bubblegum-snapping-high-school-girlish, as in "My daddy just got me, like, a Treeeee-O for my birthday." Where's VZE Employee when you REALLY need him/her?

[kid dynomite @ Dec 27th 2005 1:55PM]

Przemek G,



You will not be able to use the 700w CDMA version on any GSM network. 2 totally different technologies that are not compatible.

Palm will eventually release WM5 versions for GSM. Right now, Verizon has a 6 month exclusive and then Palm might unveil it for GSM networks.

[ARP @ Dec 27th 2005 11:20PM]

I have it on VERY good authority that these prices are too HIGH. I tried to post this the other day but it didn't go thru. I think I heard correctly that there is a $349 option. Let's wait and see. I know the launch data is in fact 1/5/6 at CES, I'm not sure if that means retail availability.

[bluemonq @ Dec 28th 2005 8:19PM]

short answer? verizon uses cdma tech, which is completely different from gsm tech. as such, cdma phones don't have a sim card slot. you'd have to buy a gsm version direct from palm when those ship.

[Frank McCright @ Jan 2nd 2006 2:57AM]

Just curious but, I just got a Treo 650 through Cingular. I use a Powerbook and it integrates well. Is it true that the 700w is only coming with Windows Mobile and not a Palm version that will work with Macs? I'm sure that's what the "w" is for.

[Ketan @ Jan 3rd 2006 3:47AM]

Is there a site that compares the 700w and the XV6700 side by side (feature by feature)?

[Ketan @ Jan 3rd 2006 3:49AM]

Is there a site that compares the 700w and the XV6700 side by side (feature by feature)?

[Joseph @ Jan 7th 2006 5:56AM]

When will this product come out on the Sprint network, I have asked those people several times, but I never get a answer. I guess they think people do not switch.