Treo Pro Unboxing, Head-to-Head with the Competition

Oddly, we're not actually allowed to do a *real* review until a certain date -- so when I don't chime in with answers to your questions right away, it's not because I don't like you. I just can't. :-/

Bravo, anyway! But holy fingerprints, Batman! (Or was that just my imagination?)

Where are the 'Softkeys' ?

Wow! Excellent unboxing video Dieter!!! Thanks for the daily dose of gadget drool! Unboxing videos are so much better than pics alone. Gotta have a little gadget porn every now and then. :D

Unboxing video? sure.why not?

Great unboxing once again. I carried treos for about 3 years, 600-650-700P but gave up on them a while back. I think this new one is going to bring me back to the treo!! Such a sweet looking devise.....

Is it true that the 3G radio in this device would only work on AT&T's 3G data network and not T-Mobile's?

I hope that the VCR style voicemail icons are still in place

Where are the 'Softkeys' ?

"The Treo 800w has left and right soft keys, while the Treo Pro has none. Why are there no soft keys on the Treo Pro? The Treo Pro has a flush display so there is no bezel around the display that makes it difficult to touch the bottom of the screen. With a flush screen you can easily tap on these soft keys with your finger. The removal of the soft keys also allowed Palm to make a slimmer device."

http://blogs.zdnet.com/mobile-gadgeteer/?p=1379

Any software I can use to record the conversation during the call?

is micro usb same as mini usb?

is micro usb same as mini usb?

No, its smaller and therefore not compatible. It is however the new standard which China has demanded from their phone makers, so chargers can be standardized.

Surur

I would love to see a very detailed comparison on all of these phones (size, hardware, speed, etc.).

I am still using the 750 and I was on the verge of purchasing a new phone (HTC Diamond, iPhone 3G, or Blackberry Bold) but I am really liking how the Treo Pro looks. I've been with Treo for 3 years (650 then 750) and I'm hoping the Treo Pro is as good or better than the following competition:

- the Treo 750
- the Treo 800w
- the Centro
- the iPhone 3G
- the BlackBerry Bold
- the AT&T Tilt
- the HTC Diamond
- the Motorola Q9h
- the HTC Dream
- any other comparable devices


Can anyone help me out with a head to head on all of these devices ?

Dieter, what you got around your wrist? It looks like you strapped a Foleo to it!

No, its smaller and therefore not compatible. It is however the new standard which China has demanded from their phone makers, so chargers can be standardized. Surur

thanks for the quick response surur. so this will replace miniUSB eventually?

most of my devices sync or charge via miniUSB HTC TyTN II / HTC S730 / Motorola H700 / HT820 / Jabra BT3030 so I carry one cable to either sync or charge them all. I will need to look for a micro to mini adapter if [or when] I get the Treo Pro hehehe ;)

I would love to see a very detailed comparison on all of these phones (size, hardware, speed, etc.). I am still using the 750 and I was on the verge of purchasing a new phone (HTC Diamond, iPhone 3G, or Blackberry Bold) but I am really liking how the Treo Pro looks. I've been with Treo for 3 years (650 then 750) and I'm hoping the Treo Pro is as good or better than the following competition: - the Treo 750 - the Treo 800w - the Centro - the iPhone 3G - the BlackBerry Bold - the AT&T Tilt - the HTC Diamond - the Motorola Q9h - the HTC Dream - any other comparable devices Can anyone help me out with a head to head on all of these devices ?

Most of those were in the video on WMExpert [unboxing and head to head] for size. in regards to hardware and performance I think we have to wait a bit more. I am rooting for the pro though hehehe

http://speakinginparentheses.blogspot.com/2008/06/what-i-dont-understand.html

This could be the Treo design of the future. Who cares about a QWERTY candy-bar design? It gives me carpal tunnel syndrome just looking at it.

so this will replace miniUSB eventually?

Presumably.

Surur

only size comparison? come on! add some value! compare the software and utility!

Is it true that the 3G radio in this device would only work on AT&T's 3G data network and not T-Mobile's?

It appears that's the case. From the specs I've seen there's no spec for the frequency T-Mobile is using. Unfortunately T-Mobile uses a different band than AT&T, and since they haven't had the greatest relationship with Palm as of late (not to mention the rumors that Rubenstein axed the original 850 and they outsourced this one to HTC) that indicates there wasn't time/interest in throwing in the t-mo radio.

It appears that's the case. From the specs I've seen there's no spec for the frequency T-Mobile is using. Unfortunately T-Mobile uses a different band than AT&T, and since they haven't had the greatest relationship with Palm as of late (not to mention the rumors that Rubenstein axed the original 850 and they outsourced this one to HTC) that indicates there wasn't time/interest in throwing in the t-mo radio.

That's what I was afraid of. Makes me wonder why this would be sold in the U.S. as unlocked when there are only two GSM carriers, right? I know I could pop a T-Mobile sim in it and make voice calls and surf at EDGE speeds, but where's the fun in that?! I guess I could still go with AT&T and save on data with Media Net. I'm glad I figured this out now instead of later. Thanks man!

Dieter, when will you be able to post a review? I'm kinda hanging on anxiously for a proper review of this thing?

Dieter, I have some questions for the Treo Pro Review :

1. Does the Treo Pro have the "Ignore with Text" option when receiving the call (like the one in the 700w/x and the Centro)?
2. Is the Treo Pro as fast as the 800w? Or faster?
3. Which keyboard do you prefer? The one in the Pro or 800w?
4. Any other palm updates that was there before (prior WM devices) and gone now (eg Photo speed dial, Palm threaded SMS)?
5. Is it possible to add an app shortcut in the today screen?
6. Any way to sync information to the Mac right out of the box? Or we have to use a 3rd party conduit?

Thanks.

Dieter, one more question for the review :

Does the Treo Pro have the last application list when holding the windows/OK/green key? This function is available in the Treo 680 and Centro when holding the home button. I wonder if Palm included it in their implementation of win mob 6.1. Thanks.

where is the link to the video .. am i missing something

That's what I was afraid of. Makes me wonder why this would be sold in the U.S. as unlocked when there are only two GSM carriers, right? I know I could pop a T-Mobile sim in it and make voice calls and surf at EDGE speeds, but where's the fun in that?! I guess I could still go with AT&T and save on data with Media Net. I'm glad I figured this out now instead of later. Thanks man!

Probably because it costs more money to include the extra band that ONLY works with T-Mobile USA, and with the slow rollout of 3g, by the time most T-Mobile customers could really take advantage of it enough time may have past that the Treo Pro may be due for a refresh anyway. They've only got 3G in a handful of cities this year, so for a small outfit like Palm that's outsourced their entire design to begin with, it probably wasn't cost effective. If there was a chance T-Mobile might officially support it they probably would have tried, but for just the unlocked crowd it is not cost effective.

^^Actually T-Mo will have 3G coverage in the top 25 markets by the time they make the official announcement in October that 3G is on-- even here in Atlanta, I can see that the closest Tmo tower to me is being tested now due to the jumps on the uplink side of the AWS band (which is actually 2100Mhz--the UMTS bands. Only the downlink side actually uses 1700MHz. in AWS configuration)

The answer is actually due to supply and demand. right now there are only 2 GSM carriers _in the world_ that are using AWS now-- T-mobile USA and E-mobile in Japan. Because of which, Oualcomm, Samsung and other chip builders aren't going to mass-build radios that support AWS when the demand is low-- but as it picks up, then you'll see more support. The same thinking applies for phones supporting UMTS (2100MHz 3g) as opposed to US/Austrailia 3g on 850/1900 MHz. So you have phones like Samsung Omnia and Touch Diamond that have Quad-band GSM, but only UMTS 3G for Europe. Asia, etc...

With that said, I'm sure by this time next year, there will be phones supporting quad band GSM and Quint-band 3G (850/900/1700/1900/2100)

...just wait 'til LTE hits...

Now that I'm free to talk about the Treo Pro, I'll work up an article answering everybody's questions

:D

Now that I'm free to talk about the Treo Pro, I'll work up an article answering everybody's questions :D

Could you please compare reception to some of the leaders like Blackjack, Motorola Q, BB.

Thanks

Can you do that "scroll down a web page" test vs the Treo 800w?

Surur

Will it blend?

Thanks

I have GOT to get one of those Blendtec blenders!