A smart phone worth its weight

18.04.2005
Von Sean Bacher

PDA software developer, PalmOne, has recently launched an upgrade to its Treo600 smart phone, the Treo650.

Users of the Treo600 will be pleased to know that the 650 boasts several improvements over its predecessor. Firstly, the 650 sports a larger 320 X 320 pixel LCD, as opposed to the 160 X 160 on the Treo600. Secondly there is the addition of an ?answer? and ?reject? button. However, the most noticeable differences will only be seen once users turn the device on and start to use it.

Probably the most important addition to the 650 is its ability to synchronize with a Microsoft Exchange server, without the need for any third party software. Add to this the fact that it can synchronize with just about any other mail server, but with the addition of third party software, and users will agree that the device is a necessity for just about any business person.

Not only does the phone allow for over the air synchronization, but it also comes with HotSync, which allows for local mail, calendar and task synchronization. The included mail client, VersaMail, allows for numerous mailboxes to be created on the phone, and is easy and straightforward to use.

Connectivity features have been dramatically improved on the 650, as it supports quad-band connectivity with the addition of GPRS and EDGE. The new Treo supports Bluetooth connectivity. PalmOne has upgraded the phone?s CPU, and it now uses an Intel PXA270 which runs at 312MHz. The company did not upgrade the memory though, which still stands at 32MB.

Also improved on the 650 is its battery life. It uses a Lithium-Ion battery, which should give you about six hours of talk time out of a single charge, as opposed to five hours on its predecessor.

For those wanting to use the phone for a little fun, PalmOne has upgraded the built-in camera. The 640 X 480 camera supports a 2X digital zoom and includes a mirror for self-portraits. The 650?s dimensions are basically the same as those of its predecessor, however its weight has increased by 10g.