X-Gadget Compares Audiovox's PPC6601 And palmOne's Treo 650

[Janak Parekh]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.x-gadget.com/articles/54/1/Audiovox-PPC-6601-versus-palmOne-Treo-650-review' target='_blank'>http://www.x-gadget.com/articles/54...Treo-650-review</a><br /><br /></div><i>"When I first heard about the Audiovox PPC-6601 I thought finally there would be a PocketPC device similar to the Treo. The space saving slide-out keyboard looked like a great way to keep the device small and still be productive when writing email and text messages. However, pictures can be misleading and this is definitely the case with the PPC-6601. Instead of a seemingly compact PDA, it is comparable in size to the smaller iPaqs and is noticeably larger than the Treo 650."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/parekh-20041214-GadgetXTreoPPC6601.jpg" /><br /><br />I think the article gave the PPC-6601 a pretty fair evaluation, although the reviewer was clearly looking for a device that can be almost completely operated one-handed, something that the PPC-6601 is not, and as such was slightly biased towards the Treo; as of this moment, the Smartphone 2003 devices might be a better comparison. The review didn't spend much time comparing the two OSes, which I think plays a bigger role in differentiating the two devices. Anyway, I'd love to see a solution that takes the best of both units, but it seems like that will take some time.

[Ed Hansberry]

I really have to worry about the compentency of someone to do a review like this when their table lists PalmOS version for the Treo as 5.4 and the PalmOS version for the Audiovox as "Pocket PC 2003." Pretty obvious what the slant of thie site or at least the author is.

Furthermore, the ringtone listed for the Treo are 16 channel MIDI polyphonic (whoopee!!!!) and shown as "?" for the Pocket PC. Has this guy never heard of WAV files? :confused totally:

I didn't bother going past that. :roll:

[saljamex]

I have a PDA2K and a Treo 600 right now, I would say th Treo 600 (wich is not the 650) is more reliable and stable, I am waiting for palm to release the GSM version to use it in Mexico. I was using as my primary PDA the PDA2K and as second my p900, now I am using as primary my Treo 600 and as second my PDA2K, I like more the features of the PDA2K but I need more reliability on the phone side.

[urologyhealth]

Have you upgraded the Bluetooth using Club Imate fixes?

Any other problems with it?

Thanks

[saljamex]

Have you upgraded the Bluetooth using Club Imate fixes?

Any other problems with it?

Thanks

I already made the ROM upgrade, but I didn't have problems with the bluetooth at all. As for some problems I see is the sliding keyboard wich already has begun to be a little bit more loosen.

[Paragon]

Thanks

I already made the ROM upgrade, but I didn't have problems with the bluetooth at all. As for some problems I see is the sliding keyboard wich already has begun to be a little bit more loosen.

I'm not trying to be rude, saljamex, but how does the slightly loose keyboard impact on the reliability of the phone compared to a Palm based device? ;)

Dave

[saljamex]

Thanks

I already made the ROM upgrade, but I didn't have problems with the bluetooth at all. As for some problems I see is the sliding keyboard wich already has begun to be a little bit more loosen.

I'm not trying to be rude, saljamex, but how does the slightly loose keyboard impact on the reliability of the phone compared to a Palm based device? ;)

Dave

The reliability problems I have are because sometimes (like 1 per day) I need to reset the phone because the radio is not working (GSM)(it appears to have no service, but when you reset the device you get full signal meter in the same area you are), and if you do not pay attention on that it makes you loose some calls.

[Paragon]

Yup! That would have an impact. :)

[zoomer777]

My comments that I left on the review site:

Thanks for comparing and for writing the review! The screenshots were great! I think it is really difficult to compare these two devices, but as user of the T600 looking to switch, I like to see reviews comparing the units. To me, the T650 is what the T600 should have been a year ago, but don't get me wrong, I've loved my 600! P1 made some stupid choices with their new unit that have really turned me off (memory, wi-fi, no EV-DO support). They didn't put enough in to make this a "must-have" upgrade for T600 users at all. BUT, the 6600/6601 has quite a few enhancements (on the PDA side of things) for users of either device (600/650) that make it a really interesting upgrade choice. The author's review really does point out that the T650 is probably a better device as a PHONE, due to form factor and one-handed operation - both BIG pluses to the Treo line. This is also the first review I've read that complained about the keyboard on the 6600/6601, everyone else seemed to really like it (good tactile feedback, etc). Overall, it was a decent review, but not comprehensive enough! I would have to say if you compare the converged categories (Phone and PDA), you would have the T650 winning on the Phone side of things, and 6600/6601 winning the PDA side of things. Thanks for your time!

****************

[R K]

I think the article gave the PPC-6601 a pretty fair evaluation, although the reviewer was clearly looking for a device that can be almost completely operated without using the touchscreen, something that the PPC-6601 (and WM2003SE) is not, and as such was slightly biased towards the Treo;

I disagree. With an integrated thumb-board, WM2003SE is completely usable for one-handed operations. Due to the sliding keyboard design however, the HTC Harrier/Blue Angel is not.

Example No. 361 - You can punch in numbers right from the Today screen (without using the Fn Key even), and the OS will take you straight to the Phone app as if you were operating any other phone OS.

[saljamex]

I think the article gave the PPC-6601 a pretty fair evaluation, although the reviewer was clearly looking for a device that can be almost completely operated without using the touchscreen, something that the PPC-6601 (and WM2003SE) is not, and as such was slightly biased towards the Treo;

I disagree. With an integrated thumb-board, WM2003SE is completely usable for one-handed operations. Due to the sliding keyboard design however, the HTC Harrier/Blue Angel is not.

Example No. 361 - You can punch in numbers right from the Today screen (without using the Fn Key even), and the OS will take you straight to the Phone app as if you were operating any other phone OS.
How can you dial a new phone number with the thumb-board? :wink:

[R K]

How can you dial a new phone number with the thumb-board? :wink:

See those blue keys on the photo of the Treo on the front page?
If you use the Fn key, you will be able to use those keys as if they were a dialpad just like on a laptop. On the Today screen however, you don't even need to press the Fn key since pressing a key with a number on it will take you straight to the Phone App and enter your number.

To recap, the Fn key isn't needed for dialing numbers on the Today screen or the Phone app.

[whydidnt]

I think there is some obvious Treo bias in the review. However, that probably doesn't change the basic premise that if your just looking for phone functions the Treo is the better bet.

I would argue, however, that if you're just looking for phone functions there are many other phones out there that are better than the Treo at being a phone, and can do basic PIM stuff, play games, etc. I think the review really missed the mark in calling the 6601 a "dumb" version of the Treo. He has that almost 100% backwards. The Treo cannot due as much "smart stuff" out of the box as the 6601 can. Where it excels is one handed use, but I would not think that should be the sole factor in determining which device is best.

I also think that the keyboard review is highly subjective. I find the keyboard on the PDA2k second only the UX50 keyboard in ease of use. I've tried the Treo in stores and the keys are too small and close together for my thumbs. Again, very subjective, and at the least that should be pointed out in the review.

Having said this, I sure wish we'd get a PPCPE device that was in a smaller form factor, like the Treo. Hopefully the Benq P50 will get here sometime before 2006! :wink:

[saljamex]

How can you dial a new phone number with the thumb-board? :wink:

See those blue keys on the photo of the Treo on the front page?
If you use the Fn key, you will be able to use those keys as if they were a dialpad just like on a laptop. On the Today screen however, you don't even need to press the Fn key since pressing a key with a number on it will take you straight to the Phone App and enter your number.

To recap, the Fn key isn't needed for dialing numbers on the Today screen or the Phone app.

I mean with the PDA2K :)

[R K]

I mean with the PDA2K :)
That's what I meant too. I just used the Treo as an example because there was a photo readily available. The PDA2K has the same type of functionality with the dialpad and the Fn key.

[tj21]

Is there such a thing as an app for WM2003 that will activate menus similar to Palm's Menu button or Windows Alt key? If it could be assigned to a hard button we'd be much closer to one-handed operation.

Also one of the things that tempts me about the treo is Snappermail's ability to check multiple pop3 accounts at certain intervals even if snappermail isn't running or the device is off. I can't figure out how to do this on Pocket Inbox. Will it background check multiple accounts unassisted?

[Janak Parekh]

Example No. 361 - You can punch in numbers right from the Today screen (without using the Fn Key even), and the OS will take you straight to the Phone app as if you were operating any other phone OS.
You know, maybe one day Microsoft will let us MVPs play with WM2k3SEPE. They're taking all the ideas out of the Smartphone platform (d-pad navigable today screen, dial from today screen, one-column PIE, etc.) and putting it in the Pocket PCs! I wish I had known this before -- I might have waited for Verizon's release of the Harrier. (On the other hand, the flip i600 I have is very comfortable in the pocket, but still...)

Anyway, I'll edit the post a little.

--janak

[IpaqMan2]

I think what many people miss when they look at these 2 devices is that the Treo was designed to be a Phone first... than a Palm OS PDA. Where as the other (in my opinion) was designed to be a Pocket PC first than a a phone.

I have used both of these devices at my work and actually have them both onmy desk now. The Treo is nice. One handed operations the Palm OS is intergrated nicely into the device and it feels like a Phone (though the screen is much smaller than normal Palms), but after all is said it is a Palm OS device but a phone, much like I would expect the Mpx to be (a phone first).

Where as PPC-6601 is true to being a Pocket PC in everyway and aspect with out sacraficing any of the perks, yet it has the ability of doing everything a smart phone can.

2 devices... One is PDA centric...the other is Mobile phone centric..

[Janak Parekh]

2 devices... One is PDA centric...the other is Mobile phone centric..
Actually, I think the review basically implies this, but points out the reviewer is looking for a phone-centric device, first and foremost. As I suggested, I'd love to see what the reviewer thinks of the latest WM Smartphone devices.

--janak

[Paragon]

I think what many people miss when they look at these 2 devices is that the Treo was designed to be a Phone first... than a Palm OS PDA. Where as the other (in my opinion) was designed to be a Pocket PC first than a a phone.

I agree totally. Windows Mobile Phone Edition devices aren't meant to have sleek form factors like small cellphone....The price is too high! The price being functionality. I think with some of the newer Phone Edition devices such as the JAM now with 2.8" screens, that is about as small as you can comfortably go with a PDA/phone before that price becomes to high and you start loosing PDA functionality. If you don't need or want the functionality of a PDA in your phone don't buy a Phone Edition device. I think with the Treo you are giving too much up on both sides......very, very small screen makes it tough to use it for a lot of things that a 3.5" screen can do.

Dave

[Fabulas]

I have a treo 650 and absoulutely love it!!!!!! If only they make pocket informant for palm :cry: I will say that the bluetooth radio on the treo is WAAAAAAY weaker than my 3970. Makes the bluetooth hotsyncing :roll: to me not worth it . Guess it will do for bluetooth headset though.