Treotown.com

The Verizon Treo 650 is now available to Verizon wireless. Keep reading for a Verizon Treo 650 review.

palmOne’s Treo 650 Smartphone Now Available to Verizon Wireless Business Customers

MILPITAS, Calif. – palmOne, Inc. (Nasdaq: PLMO) today announced that the award-winning Treo™ 650 smartphone now is available to Verizon Wireless customers. The Treo 650 combines a compact, full-featured mobile phone with email, a Palm OS® organizer, messaging and web access.(1) The device can be used with NationalAccess, Verizon Wireless’ high-speed Internet service with average data transmission speeds between 60 and 80 kilobits per second (Kbps) with bursts up to 144 Kbps, based on Verizon Wireless’ stringent network tests.

An ideal device for mobile professionals, the Treo 650 is equipped with Wireless Sync, Verizon Wireless’ always-on email service that offers customers constant synchronization of their email, calendar, contact list, tasks, and more. Wireless Sync for the Treo 650 includes inbox synchronization and the integration of up to three additional POP3 or IMAP email accounts. The service is compatible with Microsoft Outlook and Lotus Notes.

“The Treo 650 smartphone provides Verizon Wireless’ customers with increased mobility and a way to simplify their business and personal lives with an all-in-one device,” said Ken Wirt, senior vice president, worldwide marketing, palmOne. “Whether it’s reviewing email, viewing a presentation or simply making a conference call, the Treo 650 smartphone lets busy people manage the critical components of their lives while out of the office.”

The Treo 650 smartphone is available for $399.99 with a 2-year customer agreement. Customers may purchase the Treo 650 at any of the 1,900 Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and, Verizon Wireless Communications Stores at Circuit City or on the web at Verizon’s site. Enterprise customers may contact their Verizon Wireless Business Specialist at 800-VZW-4BIZ.

In addition, the Verizon Treo 650 can now be ordered directly from our palmOne Treo Store!

(1) Within wireless service coverage area only. Email, messaging and web access requires data services from a mobile service provider at an additional cost.

About the Treo 650 Smartphone

The palmOne Treo 650 is the newest Treo smartphone with many new features over the older Treo 600’s:

High-Resolution (320 x 320) 65K color TFT screen
Built-in Bluetooth radio
32 MB memory (RAM)
VGA (640 x 480 pixel) camera with digital zoom and video capture
Secure Digital (SD) slot that now handles peripherals (SDIO)
312 MHz ARM processor
Dedicated answer and disconnect (end) buttons
Slightly smaller size
User-replaceable battery
Numerous web browser enhancements
Better keypad illumination
Minor enhancements to keyboard and layout
In the U.S., the Treo 650 is available in a CDMA version from Sprint as well as a GSM version from Cingular/AT&T. You can order the Sprint or Cingular Treo 650 from our palmOne Store.

Full details and specifications are available in our Treo 650 PDA Guide. Additional information is also available on our My Treo 650 page.

Additional Verizon Treo 650 Information

The Verizon Treo 650 can be ordered from Verizon’s customer service number over the phone (800-922-0204).

As seen on Treocentral.com

Earthlink Wireless, a virtual operator using Sprint’s network, will offer the Treo 650 next month.

The Treo 650 will be bundled with EarthLink’s exclusive TotalAccess software, designed to deliver a range of personalized content to the Treo 650. TotalAccess software includes server-side spamBlocker and Virus Blocker, which eliminate virtually 100 percent of spam and protects the user’s inbox from unwanted viruses.

EarthLink Wireless offers wireless, over-the-air synchronization between the Treo 650 and EarthLink’s server to keep the user’s address book updated without cradle-based synchronization. In addition, users can get fast and easy access to email, information, and favorite features in a simple, integrated interface. Accessing EarthLink’s Personal Start Page on the Internet allows users to set up customized content to be delivered wirelessly, such as news, stock prices, sports scores, weather, directions, maps and more.

“We are delighted to offer our customers the powerful Treo 650 smartphone, representing the latest in wireless technology” said Brent Cobb, executive vice president of Strategy and Business Development at SK-EarthLink, and general manager of the EarthLink Wireless service line. “We are confident that the full-featured Treo 650 coupled with EarthLink’s award-winning services, content and its exclusive TotalAccess software will provide mobile professionals with everything they need to be productive.”

EarthLink Wireless offers a range of services and solutions to help customers get the most out of their Treo 650. A dedicated team of EarthLink Wireless representatives also is available 24/7 to provide technical support and customer service, while offering advice on advanced operations of the device.

“We are excited to work with EarthLink Wireless, our first MVNO [mobile virtual network operator], to expand the Treo 650’s reach to new customers and channels", said Tim Roper, vice president of U.S. carrier sales at palmOne. “EarthLink’s exclusive software combined with the Treo 650’s advanced range of services makes it the ideal smartphone for EarthLink Wireless’ techno-centric customers who demand the best in innovative and life-enhancing technology.”

The Treo 650 from EarthLink Wireless operates on the CDMA/1xRTT wireless network with nationwide coverage in the United States.

It is scheduled to be commercially available in late May for a suggested retail price of $599 before rebate and can be used in conjunction with a variety of EarthLink Wireless, affordable pricing plans with no roaming charges.

Calling plans with free night and weekend minutes start at $39.95 per month, with unlimited email and Internet access for an additional $19.95 per month. For more information or to sign up to be notified when the Treo 650 is available from EarthLink Wireless, please visit http://www.ctia.earthlinkwireless.net or call 1-800-EARTHLINK.

Treo 650 Reviews… What the experts are saying…

“The Treo is better than ever.”
Walt Mossberg / Wall Street Journal

“This certainly strengthens PalmOne’s position against competitors like Research In Motion, especially for corporate customers who want more options.”
David Linsalata / IDC / quoted in Bloomberg News

“We got to play around with a [Treo 650] a few weeks back and loved what we saw. We can’t wait to get a Treo 650 into PC Labs to test.”
Sascha Segan / PC Magazine

“I have been anticipating this day like a child waits for Christmas. Today, palmOne introduces the Treo 650, the answer to my ‘what smart phone will I buy?’ conundrum.”

“When I realized it was time to practice what I preach and upgrade to a smart phone, I polled a ton of people who develop applications for mobile phone platforms. While there are some very strong arguments for the Microsoft platform, the overwhelming favorite was the palmOne Treo. People who use Microsoft Smartphone devices cite practical considerations for their choice. Treo users, on the other hand, are passionate about it. The Treo 650 makes perfectly clear why that is so. It’s beautiful, functional and reliable.”
Chris Shipley / DEMOletter

“In my experience, the Treo provides the best combination of voice and data functionality.”
Dave Molta / Network Computing

It’s no surprise that the Treo 600 got rave reviews. Take a look:

‘palmOne’s Treo 600 Smartphone is the first true example of the all-in-one digital device; it does the work of at least four traditional gadgets and looks cool all the while.’
CE Pick of the Month / cetips.com / July 2004

‘I’ve been carrying a Sprint Treo 600 around for a couple of weeks and I love it. It’s a great phone, an excellent mobile e-mail terminal and a full-fledged Palm-compatible PDA. I prefer it to any RIM BlackBerry model I have tested, and it blows away any of the PDA/phones based on Microsoft’s Pocket PC operating system.’
Walt Mossberg / Wall Street Journal / Sep 2003

‘This smart phone is actually easy to use…Until now, the Treo 300, introduced last year, was the best of the breed. The Treo 600, armed with a bright color display, a fast processor, and the latest operating software from PalmSource, leaves it in the dust.’
Stephen Wildstrom / BusinessWeek / Sep 2003

‘Although it has a few glaring omissions–it lacks a corkscrew and an airbag, for example–Handspring’s Treo 600 smart phone may be the finest color-screen wireless phone, e-mail, web-browsing, Palm PDA, MP3 music player, messaging, and digital-camera combination yet devised…the Treo 600 is the smartest of the smart phones.’
Peter Lewis / Fortune / Oct 2003

‘Bottom line: the Treo 600 is a good phone and an excellent Palm-based PDA that ranks as one of my favourite communicators. Looks like another winner for Handspring.’
Paul Taylor / Financial Times / Sep 2003

‘Handspring has smoothly integrated phone and text-messaging services into the 600–you can dial a number from the cleverly miniaturized keyboard, with a set of on-screen keys or by selecting it from the standard Palm address book. Sending a new photo only takes a few more taps of the screen.’
Rob Pegararo / Washington Post / Oct 2003

‘The Treo 600 is going to be viewed historically as doing more for converting people to an integrated voice and data device than any other product advance in history.’
J. Gerry Purdy, Ph.D. / Inside Mobile / Oct 2003

‘There’s a new standard in so-called smartphones…and this new standard is so good that when the federal law takes effect next month allowing cell phone users to keep their existing numbers if they switch carriers, you may want to do just that so you can use the Treo 600…I was blown away by how this tiny little unit is designed.’
Mike Wendland / Detroit Free Press / Oct 2003

Hey everyone… Palm One is celebrating sales of 5 million Treo Smartphones by giving away a new one every 5 minutes!

Go here to enter the contest:

Win A Treo!

This contest is ONLY going on today, and it’s ONLY going on for 12 hours… so get there FAST… and GOOD LUCK!

The Treo has landed!

Verizon just announced they will FINALLY begin carrying the Treo 650. This is exciting stuff!

Rumor has it that the release date will be sometime in late April.

PalmOne just released an upgrade designed to fix some problems with the Sprint PCS Treo 650. Here’s the details straight from the source:

The Treo 650 Updater features performance and reliability enhancements for your smartphone:

Overall voice quality improvements and enhanced call clarity

Internal setting modification to allow correct access to Sprint Affiliate roaming partner networks (previously released as Sprint PCS Treo 650 Roaming Patch)

Optimizes memory handling and frees up more memory with non-volatile file system improvements

TTY (also known as TDD or Text Telephone) optimizations and improvements
Optimizations for data calls

Includes VersaMail 3.0c which provides greater stability and improvements

Bluetooth Carkit drivers are now included in ROM (previously released as Carkit Update for Treo 650)

Go here to download this free update:

http://www.palmone.com/us/support/downloads/treo650updater/sprint.html

I finally had a chance to check out the new Cingular Treo 650, and I have to say, I was very impressed.

I’ve heard that their coverage is amazing since they merged with ATT… but after bad experiences with ATT customer service I’m not sure if I’m ready to give them a second chance.

On the upside, my friends that are with them have had no complaints.

I’m gonna mess with this one for a few days. I’ll have a full review for you soon.

Will the Treo 650 ever come out on Verizon?

First it was supposed to be here in November… and now it’s looking like it might not EVER be available.

Rumor has it that Verizon told Palm to fix all of the bugs or they wouldn’t sell it… and every Treo 650 owner knows that it is by no means a perfect phone.

None the less, I would love to see Verizon start carrying the Treo 650. I’d switch over to them from Sprint in a second… and I know a lot of others that would do the same.

We can only hope…

Did you know that you can hook your Treo up to a laptop and use it as a modem?

This is BY FAR the coolest thing I’ve been able to do with my Treo!

The guys over at at JuneFabrics.com are responsible for creating the awesome program that lets you do this.

It’s called PDA Net, and it works with both the Treo 600 and Treo 650. It even works with Bluetooth on the 650.

Here’s a screenshot of the program:

And here’s the best part… it costs $34… one time!

(Be careful though and check to see that you are on an “unlimited” data plan with your provider before you use this… other wise you could rack up some big charges fast.)

I’ve been using this for about 2 months now with Sprint PCS Service, and I’m experiencing connection speeds that are MUCH faster than dial-up.

I think they have a free trial if you want to check it out. I give it a 9/10… only because it has problems connecting every once in awhile.