Paul's Treo 600 Review - Checking out the competition

[Guest Paul [MVP]]

As a follow up to my SPV E200 review, and preceding my MPx200 and HTC Wallaby (XDA2) reviews, I thought I’d treat you all to my thoughts on the Treo 600. ;-)

If you have any questions, post them at the end of this thread, or save them until our next MoDaCo IRC Q&A. :lol:

Packaging

The Treo 600 is shipped in a black box, adorned of course with Handspring, Palm and Orange logos, that is of a similar size to the SPV boxes, although not quite as deep.

Opening the box reveals a HUGE manual, the phone itself ('carbon' in colour), a smart carry pouch, a USB cable and a charger. I was a little disappointed to see that a cradle was not included, but perhaps I’m just spoilt by unpacking Smartphones that always seem to include the cradle ;)

A CD is included, that includes a generous bundle of software.

The Orange Treo 600 is 'carbon' in colour (right of picture)

Hardware

The feel of the Treo 600 is difficult to describe! It is of course a fair size, but it's form factor incorporates a full QWERTY thumb-board, and a good size screen. A camera is included on the back of the unit.

The Treo 600 is noticeably heavier than the Microsoft Smartphones, a nod towards its intention as a PDA replacement as much as a Smartphone. The weight is not unpleasant, and coupled with the excellent build quality, helps give the unit a feeling of robustness and quality.

Working down the front of the phone, the top is dominated by the stubby aerial. Quite rare on mobiles nowadays, it is a fair size, and a tad unfortunate in my opinion. It's worth mentioning at this point that the Treo 600 is QUAD BAND (850/900/1800/1900 MHz, and hence great for US travellers), and I’m not sure whether this mandates having an external antenna. The top of the phone also features a power button, an infrared port (there is only IR and no BlueTooth connectivity on the Treo), an SDIO slot, and a physical mute switch. This mute switch does indeed seem to mute everything, which is nice... (No rogue BONG noises here!)

The speaker sits on a grey area above the square screen, with a Handspring logo on the left hand size, and the Orange logo on the right hand size.

Below this sits the screen, which is a 16 bit TFT with a relatively low resolution of 160x160. This low resolution is very noticeable after switching from a Smartphone, but what cannot be faulted is the brightness of the screen - you could drive your car by this thing (well, not quite, but it's pretty bright!)

Below the screen, which has a smart Treo logo at the bottom, sits the directional pad with action button, and 4 shortcut keys. The shortcut keys are convenient, and give quick access to the phone application, the calendar, the messaging application and the screen power / lock button. The directional pad is quite comfortable to use, (and appears to support diagonals), but the action button doesn't have a very firm click, and appears too recessed inside the directional pad, making it quite difficult to press.

Many people who buy the Treo will be buying it for the QWERTY thumb-board of course, which sits at the base of the phone. The keys ARE small, and do feel quite difficult to use at first, but familiarisation is quick, and a respectable typing speed can definitely be achieved. The keyboard layout is very sensible, and is the finest thumb-board I have used on a device so far, with the notable exception of the Blackberry devices.

On the base of the phone sits a proprietary connector for PC connectivity and the headset port.

The left hand side has conventional up-down buttons for the volume, other than that the sides of the device are unmolested :(

Right - to the back of the device. As we look at the back of the phone, in the very top left a stylus is hidden away. With a tight fit, the stylus looks unlikely to be lost, and has a nice heavy metallic feel. The end unscrews to reveal a pin that can be used for soft resets. To the right of this sits the camera, as usual, a 640x480 resolution device. On the far right hand side there is an external aerial connector. The rest of the back contains the speaker, a small soft reset hole, and an IMEI sticker.

Software

Before I talk about the ROM apps, it is definitely worthy of note that the Treo does of course run Palm OS. This means that there is a HUGE amount of software already available that will work on the device. The inclusion of a stylus is vital for this, and in fact, all of the software in ROM can be used without use of the stylus (using only the directional pad).

Backup and Update

As with other Orange Signature devices, the Treo 600 includes Orange Backup and Update, provided by Action Engine. Functionality is the same as that of the Smartphone range, with full backup of your data with scheduled and manual options.

Calculator

The calculator application is well specified, with both normal and scientific modes. It has nice big buttons, so can be operated via stubby fingers directly on the screen :) There are a whole host of unit conversion options too, this is an excellent application (well, as calculators go, hehe!)

Calendar

The calendar application, which can sync with your PC via palm desktop, is similarly well featured. It includes appointments, journal, notes, recurring events, to-do items, entry beaming / sending and much more. The only downside is the lack of support for online sync with MS Exchange (from my point of view), but I guess that is to be expected :)

Camera

The camera application has an excellent screen refresh rate, but is let down somewhat by the low resolution, low colour screen. Using the screen as a viewfinder is something of a challenge, especially in low light. There seems to be ample space for pictures, with the application reporting room for 3508 pictures at time of writing. There seems to be no option to save directly to SD, or to record video.

City Time

It does exactly what it says on the time. A smart daylight display is shown above 4 user configurable cities, and a function is also included to update the system times based on your change of location.

E-Mail

The E-Mail application is a fully featured application, featuring support for multiple accounts, although only POP3. Timed retrieve options are supported (and work properly!), as are per-account signatures.

The lack of support for non-POP3 accounts is definitely a limitation.

Viewing of attachments is provided by inclusion of viewer-only versions of DataViz Word To Go and Sheets To Go on the companion CD.

HotSync

HotSync is the Palm equivalent of ActiveSync, and provides PC connectivity. HotSync is supported via cable, mode, IR or Network.

Info

Info is the Treo 600 SIM Toolkit application, and works as expected :(

Internet

The Treo 600 Internet application is an in ROM version of the much respected 'Blazer' browser. The browser supports a host of standards, can reflow pages, and even supports frames!

Memo Pad

Memo Pad is a simple note taking application. It allows you to take text notes, and beam or send them.

Messaging

Messaging is the Treo's SMS application. The application is very nice to use, with Smiley support, QuickText (as on the Smartphone OS), and even signatures!

Phone

Unsurprisingly, 'Phone' is the Treo's phone dialler application :D Numbers can be selected from memory, or dialled using a designated numeric keypad area on the thumb-board. They key-tops in this area are marked in a different colour, but dialling is quite fiddly, and is better achieved by dialling from the contact list.

The full range of call barring, network preferences etc. are supported, and the device itself has excellent MIDI ring tone support.

Photo Msg

Photo Msg is the Treo's MMS client. It appears well designed, and with a common look and feel to the other applications, and of course supports sending text, pictures and sound. A handy menu option tells you the size of your outgoing message.

Prefs

Prefs is the Palm version of 'Settings' or 'Control Panel'. Within here, a whole host of options can be configured, including remapping the hardware buttons if desired, settings date, time and time zone, setting default applications for various functionality, settings display contrast, settings GPRS and other connectivity settings, setting key lock settings, configuring sounds and much more.

The application is quite sensibly laid out in sections.

Security

The security application allows you to password your device, and set an auto lock timeout. It also allows you to set a 'Privacy Level', where the device is usable, but certain records are hidden - a nice touch.

SIM Book

This application allows you to access your SIM entries

To Do List

The To Do list does exactly what you would expect, allowing creation of tasks on the device, and viewing editing of those synced in via Palm Desktop.

Unlike on Smartphone, you are given full functionality here!

As usual, tasks can be beamed or sent via Email.

Tutorial / Welcome

The Treo includes handy Tutorial and Welcome applications, designed for new users, or those migrating from another palm device.

What else?

The Treo 600 has an 1850 mAh internal battery. Yep, you heard me right 1850! This provides enviable battery life, and really is one of the best features of this phone.

The official Handspring figures quote up to 6 hours talk time, and up to 240 hours (10 days) standby time. These are of course dependent on usage, but in the time I have spent with the device, such figures seem reasonable, although of course they drop of as you use the wireless functions.

The device is powered by a 144MHz TI OMAP processor - a very powerful processor for Palm OS, and feels very snappy in general use, with no hold ups ever experienced. The Treo 600 runs Palm OS 5.2.1, and this stability no doubt no doubt stems from the maturity of the OS.

The Palm OS is single tasking, and at times this can get annoying, as switching from the browser to another application and back will result in the page needing to be reloaded.

The lack of BlueTooth on the Treo 600 is unfortunate. What's more unfortunate is that the current Palm SD Bluetooth card isn't compatible with Palm OS 5! There are rumblings that a compatible version will appears soon however, and I would be VERY interested to see an SD WiFi with Palm OS 5 compatibility!

Conclusion

So the question everyone probably wants to ask, is 'Would you use this as your everyday device?'.

Tough call. When I first got the Treo, I was unconvinced, but the more I use it, the more it grows on me.

The thumb-board becomes easier to use as you practice, there is an excellent range of applications, the OS is snappy and stable, the battery life is awesome etc. etc...

I WOULDN'T use it as my everyday device, primarily because it lacks EXCHANGE connectivity, and that is a key requirement for me. In addition, you should probably check one out for size / weight before taking the plunge and getting one, to check it is right for you.

I can see that if your requirements are slightly different to mine, then the Treo 600 could be the perfect phone.

I guess that is what this device is about... It's a worthy addition to the Orange Signature range, and gives the demanding user good alternative choice to the Smartphone.

Paul's final thought

Look at all the online connectivity of this device... is it stifled by current GPRS charges? ....

[Guest Eddtech]

I use to own a SPV but unfortunately it was stolen, I got the Treo 600 as a replacement phone, after about a weeks use I’m quite happy with the choice. ;)

As a small update you can save photos on the SD card by using the styles and clicking on the word in the top right hand corner, it will drop down a menu with one option saying “card” this is the SD card.

Another couple of peaces of software worth a mention:

pTunes a mp3 player which although basic enables it to play mp3 files which is free when u register

VeriChat – this peace of software which unfortunately is a add-on enables Yahoo!, ICQ, AOL Instant Messenger & MSN Instant Messenger including use of emoticons! - very nice as it had stoped on the SPV

:lol:

[Guest awarner [MVP]]

"]It's worth mentioning at this point that the Treo 600 is QUAD BAND (850/900/1800/1900 MHz, and hence great for US travellers), and I’m not sure whether this mandates having an external antenna.

From the information I have, being quad band is the reason that they had to have the large external ariel.

[Guest abamara]

I must say I was impressed with it as well in my quest for a very good combo (pda/phone) device. Someone mentioned the A920 to me which I looked at as well. One word springs to mind - BRICK! It does not even support www access! I think I'll still wait tho for my ultimate device!

[Guest ricmoo2003]

I am into my renewel zone now, and am seriousley considering one of these, Paul or anyone canyou tell me what the ringtones are like, can you play mp3's as ringtones?

Also does it play video? and is the screen size the same as other palm devices, so will other palm software look ok on it's screen?

Cheers in advance

Richard

[Guest Eddtech]

For video files have a look at http://www.mmplayer.com/ it may be another add-on but it can play them

As for ringtones it only uses midi files at the moment :lol: (I hope it eventually can play mp3 files as ringtones

[Guest Paul [MVP]]

I am into my renewel zone now, and am seriousley considering one of these, Paul or anyone canyou tell me what the ringtones are like, can you play mp3's as ringtones?

Also does it play video? and is the screen size the same as other palm devices, so will other palm software look ok on it's screen?

Cheers in advance

Richard

The ringtones are good, and the full MIDI support means you are sorted anyway. Not sure about MP3s, haven't tried, but a quick google search suggests that they don't work.

I haven't tried video, but the screen size is standard, so normal palm apps seem to run fine.

P

[Guest stu_lowe2003]

For video files have a look at http://www.mmplayer.com/ it may be another add-on but it can play them

MMplayer is great. I registered for the full version for a small cost as the video looks really good on the Treo. You just have to make sure you get the correct version. It supports Divx, mpg and will play your mp3s.

Although pockettunes that comes free with the device is better for mp3s

Stu

[Guest PhiL P]

Some points to mention here re: Paul's review:-

1) A 32MB SD card is included in the Orange box

2) You can also dial numbers using a large virtual keypad on the touchscreen which can be set as the default view. Also the contacts list you dial from syncs with your desktop Outlook contacts.

3) Is it 16-bit TFT since it only displays 4k colours?

4) Lack of Outlook connectivity? Not sure what you mean by this Paul - I sync my Outlook contacts, calender, tasklist and notes to my Treo each time I perform a Hotsync with the default Treo apps. I also have an extra application called VersaMail which syncs with my Outlook mail folders.

5) No mention of the high-quality speaker (for a mobile device that is) on the back of the Treo which I would have to say at least matches that of the SPV if not exceeds it in quality/loudness for music & movies, though if you turn it up too loud (which is easy) it does start reverberating.

The aforementioned mmplayer is an excellent DivX video player (although it can be a little unstable - it is still technically in beta). I have currently got two Simpsons episodes, one Seinfeld and a classic Dungeons & Dragons residing on my SD card, each encoded to ~25MB, and they're perfectly watchable.

[Guest Paul [MVP]]

1) A 32MB SD card is included in the Orange box

Forgot to mention that, it's actually an MMC (not that it makes much difference!)

2) You can also dial numbers using a large virtual keypad on the touchscreen which can be set as the default view. Also the contacts list you dial from syncs with your desktop Outlook contacts.

Woo, didn't realise that!

3) Is it 16-bit TFT since it only displays 4k colours?

I guess not! You are correct, it is a 4096 colour display.

4) Lack of Outlook connectivity? Not sure what you mean by this Paul - I sync my Outlook contacts, calender, tasklist and notes to my Treo each time I perform a Hotsync with the default Treo apps. I also have an extra application called VersaMail which syncs with my Outlook mail folders.

Lack of EXCHANGE capability, I personally need to be able to sync everything wirelessly with my Exchange server, which I haven't found a way to do yet ;)

5) No mention of the high-quality speaker (for a mobile device that is) on the back of the Treo which I would have to say at least matches that of the SPV if not exceeds it in quality/loudness for music & movies, though if you turn it up too loud (which is easy) it does start reverberating.

Agreed, the speaker is excellent!

:lol:

P

[Guest stu_lowe2003]

3) Is it 16-bit TFT since it only displays 4k colours?

12-bit I seem to remember reading somewhere.

Stu

[Guest stevewright]

2 to the power 12 is 4096, so it's 12 bit.

[Guest ricmoo2003]

thanks for answering my questions, i think i might give orange a call and see if i can get a free upgrade as i spend so much with them every month.

[Guest Taoski]

I am tempted by this product... shame you did not give it the full write up as per E200 - but excellent and thanks!

There does'nt appear to be a forum as good for the Treos as this though... shame.

[Guest PhiL P]

Have you tried TreoCentral? Got a pretty good Treo 600 forum, although most of the users are North American...

See it at http://discussion.treocentral.com/tcforum/

[Guest SaudK]

you mentioned that it does not have outlook connectivety - what do you mean by that? I can sync email, contacts, calenders etc with mine? :roll:

[Guest Paul [MVP]]

Damn, my bad, that should have read EXCHANGE not Outlook :oops:

P

[Guest Taoski]

Good review here with a good set of close up pics and lots of pics done with the camera.

I must say... for speed and reliability - this appears to be very good.

Just need to "get my dirty hands on one" to check the build quality and usability. It does look a little too small.

[Guest xanadu]

I would have gone for this phone.....

But the number keys are too small to make this practical for everyday use as a phone. Also no Bluetooth.

If you just want the TREO600 as a gadget that will do everything, then it's probably a better buy than the SPV E200.

[Guest Taoski]

I would have gone for this phone.....

But the number keys are too small to make this practical for everyday use as a phone. Also no Bluetooth.

I do admit that the numbers do look a little too small - but i have gotten used to the RSI inducing keys on my SPV - so they can't be any worse (can they :? ).

And you can always use the on-screen touch display to dial anyway.

I bet you can even get an app that shows you the caller display pics of the contacts list so you can dial that way - a-la CallFace.

Bluetooth is not really important to me. If i wanted to Sync with my PC - then i would cradle the unit anyway. And i'm too scared to try BlueJacking in case i get my head kicked in! It might be available as an external device soon anyway by the sounds of it.

[Guest Pagemakers]

Guys does the Treo support Outlook's categories feature?

I share a single Outlook application with my business partener and I would only want to sync my contacts and not his.

Posted from my SmartPhone!

[Guest Pagemakers]

Well I just added the Treo 600 to my phone collection and I have to say, first impressions are awful.

To be fair I will give it a few days before I comment fully.

[Guest Taoski]

I will be very interested to hear your thoughts on this device.

I am sorely tempted to get one (if someone buys my E100 and Nokia 6310i that is...).

I would be interested to hear how you get on getting other apps for the phone - games, emulators etc.

It sounds like you will be using it for business purposes really - but any extra info will be appreciated.

[Guest Pagemakers]

Well after having the Treo 600 for several days I have just returned it to the store I purchased it from.

I have messed around with the Treo in store months ago (and didn’t like it much then), but after a friend told me he had one and how fantastic it was I thought I’d give it another go. (He’s never owned a smartphone before).

On a £50 a month tariff from the Link the phone is free.

I really don’t like this phone at all.

For starters the keyboard is awful. I have big hands and found it almost impossible to use the keys. My friend Gwenelle however has petit, female hands and she too found it ever so fiddly to use as well. We tried several speed tests – just composing a simple message like “Dear sir how are you today”. The Treo was only just completing the R in SIR when the E200 user using T9 had finished the sentence. This happened every single time we tested and no matter who I tested with.

Then there’s the screen. Yes, it’s big, yes it’s bright, but the quality is terrible. Really bad.

It gets worse – the Treo is not multi-tasking. So connect to the net, and download say 20 emails. You can’t do anything else while the download is in progress. If you start an app, them move to another, the first app closes, unlike on the SPV were it continues to run.

Battery life is good – Probably because you can’t keep the screen on even if you want to.

Ring tones – awful polyphonic thingy’s.

Internet is slow(er) – The E200 is about 50% faster on all downloaded sites and the Treo renders many graphics and images appallingly.

Didn’t even bother trying to sync to my PC.

Out of all the phones I have purchased recently (6600 & P900), this is the worst, with the 6600 being the best (or should I say better).

If the E200 has a usable battery and a few other bug fixes I would stop looking for a replacement. Until then, the XDA II (or equiv) and the Sendo X are clearly in my sights!

Happy new year Modacoers

[Guest Taoski]

Thanks for the info Pagemakers.

I might just stick with my original SPV for now. I even discarded an E100 cos i hate the damn joystick!

Many thanks mate.