Palm Announces the Treo 500v Smartphone - First Non-Touchscreen Palm Device

[Mike Temporale]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://euro.palm.com/uk/en/products/smartphones/treo500v/index.html#' target='_blank'>http://euro.palm.com/uk/en/products/smartphones/treo500v/index.html#</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>&quot;Speak clearly. The new Palm&reg; Treo&trade; 500v smartphone lets you say what you want, how you want with phone, messaging, IM, email, and web in one simple device.1 No more code words or misunderstandings thanks to a full keyboard and a big, bright screen.2 So you can chat with a quick IM.1 Browse the web or check your email.1 Organize your time and tasks. Play music, take pictures, and shoot video. Even work (if you have to). Stay in touch, simply, with the new Palm Treo 500v smartphone.&quot;</em></p><p><img alt="" border="1" src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/500/spt/auto/1189601767.usr3.jpg" /></p><p>This annoucement was one of the worst secrets I've seen in the Windows Mobile world. We've known about this device for <a href="http://forums.thoughtsmedia.com/showthread.php?t=22462">since June!</a>&nbsp;Now that's it's official, what does everyone think of Palms first and only non-touchscreen Smartphone? I think it's a pretty nice first effort.&nbsp; It's thin (at just 16.5mm), 2 MP camera, 256 MB of memory with 150MB available for use, and Bluetooth 2.0.&nbsp; The only downside in the way of specs is that it's tri-band (900/1800/1900) and UMTS (2100).&nbsp; So it's not going to have the best reception here in North America.&nbsp; If Palm released a Quad band version, I would be all over this device.&nbsp; Did anyone else notice that custom home screen?&nbsp; It looks like you can scroll to the left and right with the items below changing to represent the currently selected menu item.&nbsp;Very cool device Palm.&nbsp; I'm looking forward to a version that I can use.</p>

[nosmohtac]

Two questions......

1. How much RAM? (I'm assuming the 256MB is ROM)
2. When do we get to see a CDMA version?

[Birdsoft]

Ive read 150 MB of memory...

It looks just a tad thicker than its competitor's.. That can be a good thing, if it means a little bigger battery and life as well...

Hopefully the CDMA and Quad Band are following...This was a European announcement after all...

[nosmohtac]

It says that 150MB is user available. I assume that that's what's available for storage out of the 256MB. Unless that's the total memory available in both RAM and ROM. None of the web sites I've looked at mention anything about the amount of RAM.

[dstrauss]

My bet is another 64mb ram job...never knew Palm to be extravagant in that department (no one else ever thought about a 32 mb WM device besides Palm)

[Rocco Augusto]

I like it. It's a little thick looking but it is easy on the eyes. Now if only there was a US version.

[Dean87229]

I really like it! I have thoroughly been enjoying my BlackJack, but a couple of issues I have always had with it is the unique headphone jack/charging port. With the Treo 500 it looks like it has a standardized headphone jack separate from the standardized charging/syncing port.

I also think the looks are great. I also am one who does not mind it being a little thicker. I actually prefer my BlackJack with the extra cover for the larger battery. It seems to fit better in my had that way. I sure hope AT&T picks this up. Maybe it will be time for a change in smartphones in 2008!

[cortez]

well, ok it's a smartphone and not a pocketPC... i'm still unimpressed. maybe its like the dash; you have to see in person to appreciate its looks.

[Mike Temporale]

well, ok it's a smartphone and not a pocketPC... i'm still unimpressed. maybe its like the dash; you have to see in person to appreciate its looks.

Really, not even the cool home screen? For those that might have missed the other front page post, Arne at the::unwired has a video that shows it off. Check out this post (http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/news/show/23032/palm-treo-500v-new-carousel-home-screen-menu.html)for more details.

[cortez]

still unimpressed... maybe if it had built-in GPS i'd feel different. this feature in my PPC's has spoiled me. the navigation feature is nice, but not enough to get me to buy it (at this point).

[Mike Temporale]

I would like to see more devices with GPS built in. I'm not sure why there's little attention on this from the manufacturers. It's not going to add much to the overall device cost, and the enterprise would love a feature that would allow them to track the exact location of their asset. (the phone, not the employee. ;) )

[Prosper]

Sweet !

The homescreen is quite cool ... guess it's another custom one, like Samsungs'.

[jennkt1980]

The phone loosks very good, thinner than the other treos and looks kind of different but my concern is, will it freeze up like the other treos? But other than that, it seems as though it would be a good phone.