Verizon's Treo 700wx launch detailed

Palm pretty quickly realized the error of its ways in stuffing the original Treo 700w with a meager 32MB of RAM; the mistake was rectified in time for the launch of Sprint's 700wx, but that's been little consolation for Verizon customers unable to get the re-upped unit. Details are now starting to filter in on just how Verizon intends to right Palm's wrongs, scheduling its own 700wx for a February 20 release date. Sticker shock will be in full effect here: $620 at retail, $450 with a one-year agreement, $400 if you relent to a second year, though an additional $100 rebate makes it all a little easier to bear. Even better, the 700wx should come with tethering support out of the box. Too bad Windows Mobile 6 is left out of the equation, eh?

[Thanks, anonymous tipster]

[Jonathan Keim @ Feb 16th 2007 8:27AM]

""Palm pretty quickly realized the error of its ways in stuffing the original Treo 700w with a meager 32MB of RAM""

Okay, so now they are going to make the mistake of using Windows 5 instead of 6?

You'd think they'd learn, and the price is too much for this if it is already outdated.

[Olivier @ Feb 16th 2007 8:27AM]

Too bad they didn't take a hint from WM6 and use it for 320*320 screen size.

240*240 is really bad and is an insult to client paying $500 for this.

Palm deserves to go bankrupt. They aren't even trying

[Jason @ Feb 16th 2007 8:51AM]

Agreed. Palm is dragging it's feet and overcharging for obsolete technology.

[Andir3.0 @ Feb 16th 2007 9:05AM]

What does WM6 have that 5 doesn't? Just an honest question from someone that's heard good things about the Treo line. (and doesn't own a PDA phone, or whatever you call this thing)

[Olivier @ Feb 16th 2007 9:13AM]

Andir,
WM6 has numerous improvements, includig SIP native client for VOIP. More importantly it supports 320*320 which WM5 did not. Hence why Palm downgraded the screen res to 240*240 on its Windwos powered devices.
And even for WM5, 32MB of Ram just sucked plain and simple.
Palm is using sub-par compenents for premium prices.

[saboola @ Feb 16th 2007 9:54AM]

Unless Palm offers some sort of upgrade program for the Treo 700w, then can kiss my 32 megabyte having butt. I will never buy a Palm device again.

[johnzilla @ Feb 16th 2007 11:45AM]

Hmmm...I guess $599 for the iPhone isn't such a crazy price after all.

[Chinarut @ Feb 17th 2007 12:27AM]

I thought Steve announced the iPhone at $499?

[Grant @ Feb 16th 2007 12:08PM]

i wouldn't pay $200 for that let alone $450 with contract.
I don't understand why RIM(blackberry) and motorola can put out decent/good smart phones for half the price and palm thinks what they're doing is ok.
this looks like the end of the road for them...

and johnzilla, $600 is the subsidized cost i believe, so it actually costs more retail. but i could be wrong.

[IWantTouchScreen @ Feb 16th 2007 2:37PM]

you are wrong

[Bill @ Feb 16th 2007 12:23PM]

Isn't this the point where Ballmer is supposed to come storming out, ranting and raving about how a $500 phone is outrageous?

[Landlocked @ Feb 16th 2007 12:45PM]

Palm deserves to get kicked to the curb. I own a 700w and now, with more options, would simply opt for a better phone with WM6 for about the same price.

[Frankenstein Black @ Feb 16th 2007 2:02PM]

MEH!

[chantman @ Feb 17th 2007 1:18PM]

I'm in the market for a Treo... I just checked Verizon's site and under the Treo 700w it says Memory 128MB(60mb). I don't know what that means. Maybe it's already shipping???? I'm going to a Verizon store this weekend to look at them. Maybe I'll find out more.

[W.Wade @ Feb 18th 2007 4:03PM]

I'm not an IT guy, I'm just a guy who uses the stuff, but Palm's foot dragging is getting old. How much longer do they think they can keep playing this game. These phones are expensive, and people aren't going to keep upgrading every 6 months to get old technology. Would someone at Palm, PLEASE WAKE UP.

[Mike @ Feb 19th 2007 5:40PM]

I bought a Palm Treo 700w, and paid full retail price for it ($699) the first day it came out (over a year ago.)

In my opinion, the device WOULD HAVE been worth it, if only it:
- Had a faster processor
- Had more RAM
- Had a better resolution display
- Didn't crash so much (Probably more Microsoft's fault)
- Didn't have headset problems (both wired and wireless)

The only difference is a 32mb RAM upgrade? Wow. They are REALLY not righting any wrongs here.

[James @ Jun 5th 2007 11:27AM]

To anyone that cares I to had a 700W when they first came out if you bitch and moan at Verizon over and over and yell and cry and tell them they keep screwing up and your gonna cancel your plan and that you want a WX they will send you one they sent me a brand new one in the box no charge and an apology letter you have to be firm and you have to take an hour a day for about 3 days to continue to call and complain about such a terrible product. All you geeks don't take no for an answer they over promised and under delivered. also if you don't want to pay 45 dollars a month get an SD wifi card their 100 dollars and work twice as fast as verizons network i recommend Socket SDIO card you can find them on treonauts any questions Email me oh yah just download WM6 and install no big deal