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Palm looses 700p / 700wx ROM updates for Verizon / Alltel
Funny story -- these guys will be one in the same here in just a few months, but until then, you'll have to pretend there's absolutely no relationship between Palm's 700p (Verizon) and 700wx (Alltel). Jibber-jabber aside, those still rockin' either Treo may be interested in sucking down what's apt to be the final ROM update for both handsets on these carriers. As predicted, Palm didn't go into great detail about what all the respective Radio Patches were, um, patching up, but you know you can't walk around without the latest and greatest on your phone. That being said, tap the links below (choose carefully!) to get your download on.[Via PalmInfocenter]Read - Palm 700p (Verizon) updateRead - Palm 700wx (Alltel) update
Palm pulls faulty updates for Verizon's Treo 700p/w/wx
Responding to an apparent groundswell of customer complaints, Palm has pulled recent software updates for its Treo 700p, 700w, and 700wx smartphones operating on the Verizon network. Palm calls the problems "network connectivity issues," frequently accompanied by an Error 3000 that prevents the device from consuming data. For what it's worth, Palm says that the error "does not affect your device or personal data in any other way," though we imagine that's little consolation for folks finding themselves without email access following an update. The company promises to repost the patches once the problems are worked out; no ETA has been given at this point.[Via Brighthand]
Palm issues security fix for Treos
Palm has patched a bug for several Palm OS-based Treo devices, including the 650, 680, and 700p. Apparently, when password protection is enabled on your device, somebody else could still pick it up and use the "find" feature from the Make Emergency Call screen. The find will reveal details from your contacts, calendar, tasks and the like -- though we can't help thinkin' that when somebody has permanently borrowed your handset, this may be the least of your worries -- so while this wouldn't hurt your handset, security-conscious users may appreciate the fix. Hit the read link for links to the patches form Palm's support site.[Via Phone Scoop]
Palm outs Backup beta for Palm OS Treos
We've gotta admit, this is pretty cool. Palm has started offering a beta of its "Backup" utility which wirelessly backs up the contents of your Palm OS-based Treo (the 650, 680, and 700p, to be exact). Into the password-protected ether, as far as we can tell; it appears that carriers are involved in the action, since it currently only works for AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon customers. The software and service are free (though an unlimited data plan is, obviously, highly recommended) and can be kicked off from anywhere you have a signal. It can also be set to automatically kick off on a schedule, and it only chews up 2MB of storage space on your beloved Treo. As with any beta, be wary -- but at least it's free, right?[Via Wirelessinfo, thanks Emily]
SlingPlayer Mobile for Palm OS Beta is live
Hey you, rabid Palm OS fan, 700p owner, and Sling advocate -- remember that SlingPlayer Mobile for Palm OS Beta you signed up for last month? Well, it's time to lose a little more sleep over it, but this time you'll be enjoying the niceties of streaming media on your handset instead of sweating the release date. According to SlingCommunity, the beta will be going live today, and will officially support the 3G-enabled Treo 700p, but "early reports" are suggesting that 680 owners may be able to enjoy limited success even without Sling's stamp of approval. Of course, the beta will remain free of charge until a public release is ready to rock, and then you'll have the option of cutting ties or ponying up the $29.99 purchase price to keep on slinging. Additionally, the kind folks over at UneasySilence have done the hard work for you already, so be sure to hit them up for a nicely appointed pictorial walkthrough while your waiting to get your own install on.[Via jkOnTheRun, thanks Tie Guy]Read - SlingPlayer Mobile for Palm OS Beta launchingRead - UneasySilence's Walkthrough
Palm Treo 650 gets Direct Push email, too
Alright Treo 650 owners, you can now (carefully) climb off your soap box, as the svelte Exchange ActiveSync Update is now available to treat your very own handset. While Palm had already shoved the update onto the 680 and 700p handhelds, it's now giving the faithful 650 users the ability to revel in Push Email technology too, which is sure to make hard-nosed managers grin from ear to ear. Aside from the newfound support, the update notes here haven't really changed, so if you're interested in having your Outlooked life beamed straight to your Treo 650, be sure to hit the read link and get your download on. Of course, you should probably have your credit card ready as well, as folks with VersaMail 3.5 will be asked to cough up $2.99, while users without the aforementioned software will pay out $12.98.
Unofficial patch for Treo vulnerability loosed
If you've been a bit paranoid of late after hearing that a blatant security hole was found in the now-deceased Palm OS, help has unofficially arrived. Reportedly discovered by Symantec, the vulnerability entailed a hole that allowed the operating system's Find functionality to be accessed even when the device was set to Locked, allowing ill-willed hackers to sift through text message history, calendar entries, tasks, etc. The hole had been confirmed on the Treo 650, 680, and 700p, but now users of the handsets can rest a bit easier after applying this patch. As expected, the update simply disables the Find feature, which essentially closes off the last remaining security loophole and protects prying eyes from seeing that backlog of steamy Valentine's Day texts. So if you're looking to unofficially patch things up with your Palm, be sure to hit the read link and get that install completed, but we're not the ones to come crying to if something goes awry.[Via PalmInfoCenter]
Palm Treo hack enables SDHC support on the 700p
Just in case you haven't already told us what shiny new toys you unwrapped this morning, a few clever hackers are giving you one more gift to top things off. While those of you toting the recently-unveiled Palm (sorry, WinMo users) Treo 680 can boast about your "exclusive" SDHC support, we folks using the 700p simply don't have that luxury. If you've been clamoring about getting SDHC support on the 700p, and were let down that the "big patch" didn't include even a whisper about such support coming your way, take heart. Apparently, copying the slot driver from the 680 onto the 700p allows it to use SDHC cards, and while it hasn't been confirmed quite yet, it looks the ole 650 may get a bit of that high capacity lovin' as well. So if Santa wasn't quite as good to you as you thought he'd be, be sure to hit the read link to make even better use of that (presumably costly) SDHC card you (hopefully) just received.[Via Phone News]
Palm prepping big Treo 700p patch
Good news, 700p users: your complaints have not gone (entirely) unheard. Steve Sinclair, Senior Product Manager for Palm's Palm OS Wireless Products group, has taken the time to cobble together a pretty comphrensive response to ongoing issues owners have been leveling against Palm's flagship Palm OS-based handheld since its release. In short, there is a big firmware update in the works that should clear up some of the most glaring deficiencies: Bluetooth headset and carkit troubles (though Mr. Sinclar is careful to note that they won't be able to test every model out there), stuttering during music playback, and "a number of other enhancements to system stability, reliability, and performance." Not scheduled to be fixed, however, is generally slowness some users have bellyached about when switching apps; Palm says there's not much they can do about it, and it has to do with the platform sharing between the 700p and its Windows Mobile sibling, the 700w / wx. Look for the update should drop some time in late Q1 of 2007. [Warning: PDF link][Via SmartPhoneToday]
Treo 700p in short supply for a while?
We haven't really had any reader reports of 700ps being particularly difficult to find, but Inventec, which produces the 700p for Palm, is claiming they'll be unable to start "volume production" of the device until September due to software problems. Yeah, we don't really know what to make of this, either -- if volume production hasn't started yet, what do you call the kind of production that's been going on so far? And do we really need a higher production rate at this point? Either way, the kinks won't be affecting Palm's other breadwinner right now, the 700w, on account of HTC owning its manufacture.
Another blurry Treo "Hollywood" shot, plus specs?
Palm's sieve-like reputation for keeping a lid on unreleased devices continues to the current round of Treos in the pipeline, and we're happy to feed the fire today with possible specs of the upcoming "Hollywood" accompanied by the obligatory hastily-snapped shot (blurred here to protect our valiant tipster). Though we still don't fully understand the relationship between this bad boy and Cingular's upcoming "Nitro" and "Lennon," it's said that we're looking at an antenna-less GSM Treo rocking Windows Mobile 5, 128MB of internal storage, and a 412MHz XScale core, all gussied up in a package "considerably lighter" than its 700w stablemate. If our source is accurate, all this goodness will drop sometime this September -- not a moment too soon for Treo fans on GSM carriers getting a little jealous of their CDMA brethren. Naturally, skepticism is in order here, but the engraving on the device lends some validity to the thought that it's a prototype, and this all lines up pretty nicely with Cingular's roadmap, no?[Thanks, anonymous tipster]
700p tethered data hack sticks it to the man
Proceed with caution, intrepid readers, but we've come across a hack for your brand new Treo 700p that supposedly makes it nigh impossible for your carrier to distinguish tethered data from on-device usage. Call us the Robin Hoods of the tech world if you will, but we know how Sprint and Verizon charge for tethering, and we don't like it one bit. Again, this involves some hackery, so turn back now if you can't stand the thought of bricking 400-odd dollars of gear that still has that new-Palm smell. Otherwise, go forth and, uh, let us know what your bill looks like next month, m'kay?[Thanks, Matthew]
Treo 700p shows up on Sprint's site
Oh Treo 700p, we feel we've known ye for months -- maybe that's because we have. Here we have Sprint finally showing availability on their site for the device, failing to making good on its promise to ship before Verizon -- but we'll take what we can get, right? Available now for the princely sum of $429.99 with contract. Grab yours before it gets taken down, goes on backorder, or otherwise disappears without a trace.[Thanks, Jonathan and Patrick]
Engadget Podcast 081 - 05.23.06
What a week for product launches! Seems like out of the gate past E3 everybody wanted to get theirs out the door: Apple loosed the MacBook, Motorola and Verizon launched the Q, Sprint and Verizon launched the Palm Treo 700p, and Sony launched their UX Micro PC. But it wasn't all rosy new toys for everyone to play with, Creative and Apple are heading to court to go toe to toe over some patents, as apparently is XM and Pioneer over the RIAA-contestable recording capabilities of the Inno. Tune in to find out how it all unfurls on this week's Engadget Podcast! Get the podcast [iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (MP3). [RSS] Add the Engadget Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically (MP3). [MP3] Download the show (MP3). [AAC] Download the enhanced show (AAC). [OGG] Download the show (OGG). [Vote] Vote for us on Podcast Alley! Host Peter Rojas and Ryan Block Producer Randall Bennett Music J J J - 'Suits' in Japan Format 1:00:46, 27.8 MB, MP3 Program 01:00 - Motorola and Verizon announce Q: $199 04:44 - Treo 700p announced 08:48 - Apple's MacBook: 13-in, Core Duo, black and white 17:26 - Creative sues Apple, then Apple sues Creative 21:34 - Record labels sue XM over Inno recording 30:00 - Sony gets official on new Vaio UX Micro PC 36:28 - Xbox 360 hacks: Playing backup games, and backing up games 40:01 - Listener voicemail and email 59:00 - Engadget reader meetup in Merced LISTEN (MP3) LISTEN (AAC) LISTEN (OGG) Contact the podcast: 1-888-ENGADGET, Engadget (Gizmo Project) or podcast at engadget dawt com
Sprint gets last laugh, shipping 700p before VZW
We've been really tossed every which way on this "who's shipping the 700p first" debacle, but it looks like Sprint wins in the end. Even though Verizon just "announced" 700p availability, their phones are shipping shipping in 3-4 weeks, while Sprint is still on track for the end of this month. These ship dates are from Palm itself, and we think they'd be in the know if anyone is, so we're going to put our necks out one more time and proclaim Sprint as the (probable) first to ship the 700p.[Thanks, Dave Z.]
Palm Treo 700p now available from Verizon
Ok Treo fans, best get a-clickin' because Verizon is first from the gate with the launch of the Palm Treo 700p. Just don't freak when you see the VZW asking price of $399 $499, mkay? They'll be knockin' off an additional hundie once the total is tallied in hopes of making you feel special about your lack of WiFi support. Now hold tight if you're just gagging for Sprint's service -- we expect they'll be getting the lead-out any day now.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
The Pipeline: Pundits dish on MacBooks, XM Inno and Treo 700p
Welcome back to The Pipeline, a weekly feature where we dig through the mainstream media and see what the pundits, prognosticators and and pencil pushers have been discussing over the past week. Unlike some recent weeks, there was no single tech story that dominated the mainstream media this week. Yes, most journos dutifully covered Apple's two big events -- the launch of the MacBook and the opening of the company's New York store -- but Apple didn't get the same sort of monolithic coverage that, say, the Samsung Q1 garnered a couple of weeks ago. In fact, one of the few mainstream media MacBook reviews we came across this week was written not by The New York Times' David Pogue or The Wall Street Journal's Walt Mossberg, but by blogger Glenn Fleishman, slumming it in his day job at the Seattle Times. Fleishman praised the new non-laptop for its upgradability, iSight camera and ability to add a second display, but pointed out that its integrated graphics make it a less-than-ideal choice for anyone doing video-intensive work -- which we assume is part of Apple's plan to find a way to get at least some consumers to pay $2,000 and up for the MacBook Pro, with its ATI Radeon X1600 GPU.
Palm Treo 700p approved by FCC
As much as we'd like to blame other parties for the long wait for Palm's Treo 700p (and we will, we will), there's one source for at least some of the wait: the FCC. According to public filings, the smartphone just cleared the government agency, paving the way for its impending rollout. Of course, Palm did file a confidentiality request with the FCC, so we're not entirely clear exactly when this baby got the thumbs up, but the important thing is that it did, which means nothing (short of mobs at Sprint and Verizon's stores) should stand in your way if you're planning on picking one up very soon.
Verizon Treo 700p pricing: $400 with 2-year contract
If you were hoping to play Sprint and Verizon off of each other and try to get a better deal on the Treo 700p, the jig is up. Verizon's pricing is now out, and the company is charging the same price as Sprint for the new Palm-based smartphone: $400 (with a two-year contract, that is). Calling plans with unlimited data start at $80 a month, and if you want to use your Treo as an EV-DO modem with your laptop (which we suspect you just might), be prepared to add an extra $15 a month. And, no, it still doesn't have WiFi.
Sprint shipping Treo 700P by end of month, for $400
Sprint may have missed out on an exclusive Treo 700P offering, but at least they plan on being first to market. Sure, the 700P is missing WiFi support and a few other notable exclusions, but if EV-DO and the promise of watching Sprint TV on that 320 x 320 screen is your PalmOS siren song then get ready -- Sprint will be kicking these out the door at the end of the month for $399.99 green after available discounts and promotions. Meaning, you'll likely have to sign up for a two-year commitment which is pretty much what we expected anyway and exactly what the WinMo 700W went for when it was launched. [Via PalmAddicts]
