MobileTechReview Looks at the Palm Treo 800w

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.mobiletechreview.com/phones/Treo-800w.htm' target='_blank'>http://www.mobiletechreview.com/pho...s/Treo-800w.htm</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"It could be argued that the word "Treo" was on its way to becoming the Kleenex of smartphones. Just as people refer to MP3 players as iPods even if they're not made by Apple (much to the chagrin of the actual manufacturer), the Treo brand almost became metonymic for smartphone. But the PDA-phone and smartphone space blossomed with new brands and form factors while Palm seemed to stamp out mildly improved versions of their original wonder phone. Both the Palm OS And Windows Mobile Treo models relied on a few keys things it did better than any other device to hold market share: fantastic one-handed operation and great usability enhancements that speed up frequently used operations. Finally with the Treo 800w, Palm had brought their Windows Mobile Professional phone up to spec with competitors: at last we've got WiFi and GPS and a higher resolution display. Couple that with Palm's usability, and you've got a capable and pleasant business phone."</em></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/spt/auto/1216865100.usr12.jpg" border="0" width="256" height="500" /></p><p>Another review of the Palm Treo 800w, and another mixed set of conclusions: it's fast, it's got enough RAM to work well, but despite being somewhat thick it lacks a sizable battery (only packing an 1150 mAh battery). It's really disappointing to see Palm break away from miniUSB for charging, instead opting for a microUSB port for charging and audio. It's bad enough that almost every Windows Mobile phone on the market has abandoned the 3.5mm jack for headphones, forcing users to carry an extra adaptor with them, but what possible reason is there to come up with a new charging port? I started using a Samsung Blackjack II a few weeks ago with its own proprietary port, and it sucks - I hate having to use a special cable to recharge it. Palm, you should know better.</p>

[Jeff Kirvin]

Actually, the move to microUSB is an example of the new Palm embracing industry standards and being forward looking. Rather than their own proprietary Athena connectior, they've gone with the connector favored by the Open Mobile Terminal Platform (OMTP) group, a coalition of handset makers including Samsung, Motorola, Sony Ericsson, LG, and Nokia.

http://gadgets.boingboing.net/2007/09/21/phone-manufacturers.html

[kanzlr]

thanks Jeff, I was about to post the same thing.

in fact its a good thing that they are doing it.



do you remember how apple was shouted at for abandoning ADB and relying on USB only on the then new iMac? do you even know what ADB was? :)

[Jeff Kirvin]

The real question is why Samsung, a full member of the OMTP, uses that weird proprietary connector.

[Jason Dunn]

Actually, the move to microUSB is an example of the new Palm embracing industry standards and being forward looking.

Hmm - interesting. That hadn't occurred to me because I haven't seen any devices using the microUSB connector. What advantages does it have over the miniUSB connector? I guess I should just be yelling at Samsung then. :rolleyes:

[kanzlr]

yep :)

I just ordered an i780 a few days ago, and well, if i keep it i have a lot of HTC accessories for the cellar.

[Jeff Kirvin]

Hmm - interesting. That hadn't occurred to me because I haven't seen any devices using the microUSB connector. What advantages does it have over the miniUSB connector? I guess I should just be yelling at Samsung then. :rolleyes:

Mostly just that it's smaller than mini. Similar width, but flatter. Most of the other devices that use it are feature phones (RAZR2, etc.). Palm is leading the way on the smartphone front.