For the most part, the Treo 650 looks just like its predecessor. But look closer and you'll see some differences. The power button is also the End Call button, as on other mobile phones. The addition of the backlight is a boon. And though the QWERTY keyboard is just as cramped, the ergonomics are improved for thumb-typing. The function keys (Home, Menu, and so on) are positioned a bit better than before. Accessories like pouch cases for the Treo 600 and preprogrammed SD cards should work fine with the Treo 650, but charging/sync cables and other accessories, such as slipcover cases with punch-outs for function keys, will need to be upgraded.
The new Bluetooth functionality is a welcome addition, allowing users to sync with Bluetooth-capable PCs and Macs and to connect to wireless Bluetooth headsets, which are becoming a huge part of the hands-free landscape. You can't, however, use the Treo 650 as a Bluetooth modem (via Dial-Up Networking) with your notebook, since Sprint has locked up that feature for now; watch for a future firmware upgrade that will enable it.
The Treo 650's 312-MHz PXA270 processor is an improvement over the Treo 600's 144-MHz ARM processor, complementing the higher-resolution screen with faster processing. The built-in Blazer Web browser works well as a smartphone/WAP browser, with enough features for quick lookups and pressing information. We were able to open PCMag.com on the Treo 650, with a good balance between screen formatting and usability. The five-way directional controller and keypad worked so well that you may never have to use the included stylus or the touch-sensitive screen.
During testing, the Treo 650 started indicating a low battery at about 5 hours 10 minutes, easily meeting palmOne's claim of a 5-hour continuous talk time. Surfing the Web on the 1xRTT digital network was speedy and very usable for a mobile device. The Treo 650's camera, though still a VGA resolution camera, is an improvement over the Treo 600's. It can now do motion capture and is much clearer and brighter in still mode, especially in low-light situations. Picture exposure is much more even than on the Treo 600, which showed dark spots in the corners.
Compared with the Treo 600 and other smartphones, the Treo 650 is an improvement that falls just short of perfect. Although it has a faster processor, a higher-resolution screen, Bluetooth, a removable battery, and memory that doesn't blank out when the battery does, the Treo 650 could've used Wi-Fi for WLAN connectivity and more memory for those power users who like to install programs with databases like the Zagat To Go guides or a bunch of e-books. Sure, the SDIO slot makes the Treo's data storage virtually unlimited, but we usually recommend installing programs on the device's internal memory to avoid problems when you swap SD cards. The newest palmOne Tungsten T5 has 256MB of internal (nonvolatile) memory; why doesn't the Treo?
The Treo 650 is more compact than the HP iPAQ 6315 Pocket PC/phone (though the Treo lacks Wi-Fi). And Good Technology will soon enable its corporate e-mail platform on the Treo 650, making this Treo every bit the business tool as the BlackBerry 7100t.
If your business currently supports the Treo 600 or other palmOne PDAs for your mobile workforce, the Treo 650 is a compelling upgrade. And though power users may crave just a little more performance, most users—and especially those new to the Treo—will be more than satisfied with the 650 as a combination phone, PDA, and text-messaging device.
SPEC DATA :
- Service Provider: Sprint PCS
- Operating System: Palm OS
- Screen Size: 2.6 inches
- Camera: Yes
- Megapixels: .3 MP
- Flash Memory Type: Secure Digital
- Bluetooth: Yes
- Web Browser: Yes
- Network: CDMA
- Bands: 1900
- High-Speed Data: 1xRTT
- Special Features: Music
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