News: Verizon Treo 650 Coming Soon
Verizon wireless has not yet announced an exact release date, but they have put up an information page on the Treo 650 saying it will be certified soon on the Verizon Wireless network.
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From Verizon's website:
The latest Smartphone from PalmOne - the Treo 650 will soon be certified on the Verizon Wireless network.
 The Treo 650 has all the great features you’d want in a Smartphone – and more! It comes loaded with Wireless Sync so you can send and receive email directly from your Smartphone and even synchronize your email with most POP3 and IMAP email accounts when you subscribe to a PDA/Smartphone plan.
Interested in the Treo 650? We’d be happy to send you an email notification when the phone is available. Click here.
Other key features include:
- Enhanced camera with video capture
- Vibrant high-resolution Screen 320 × 320 color screen for viewing emails, calendar, web etc.
- MP3 player
- Connectivity via Bluetooth® (for certain profiles*).
- Palm OS 5.4
- Speaker Phone
- Secure Digital Card (SD I/O) Expansion Slot—Add memory and accessories
*Disclaimer: The Treo 650 supports the following Bluetooth Profiles: wireless headset, hands-free accessories, file transfer and synchronization with compatible PC’s. It does not support all profiles, for object exchange (Obex). Accessories sold separately. See verizonwireless.com/bluetooth for details. *Check with accessory manufacturer for compatibility.
Treo 650 Information
For all the details, please see our Treo 650 PDA Guide and our My Treo 650 Page.
You can view the Verizon Treo 650 page here.
Update (5/3): PhoneArena is reporting is reporting that the Verizon Treo 650 should be available to business customers on 5/11 and the general public on 5/23.
They say "PhoneArena does not usually engage in distributing rumors, but the information we received seemed coming from a credible source."
Additional Verizon Treo 650 Information (Updated 5/15)
 The Verizon Treo 650 is not yet in retail stores, but it is starting to appear in reviewers hands and can be ordered from Verizon's customer service number over the phone (800-922-0204).
PC Magazine has already reviewed the Verizon Treo 650 and has shed some additional information and insight into the Verizon model.
Probably the most significant drawback they point out is that this model does not take advantage of Verizon's new high-speed EV-DO network, which is 6-7 times faster than the CDMA 1x network that it does support. This new EV-DO network is currently available in only 32 cities, but if you live in or travel to one of these cities frequently, it would be a huge benefit.
PC Magazine's tests showed a respectable 73 to 103 Kbps while downloading data from Verizon's network. So this is not too bad. However, Verizon is currently gouging their customers for this data access. They are charging $44.99 per month for unlimited data as compared to Cingular's $24.99 and Sprints $15 per month.
Some of the things that the reviewers did like, however, are the improved sound quality and "push" email software. Here is an excerpt from the article:
...the Verizon Treo's sound quality is impeccable, with a clear speakerphone 12 dB louder than that of the Sprint version. The folks at Verizon also added their own push e-mail solution, Intellisync Wireless Sync, which aggregates POP/IMAP, Microsoft Exchange, and Lotus Notes accounts into a BlackBerry-like push e-mail solution (a desktop redirector is used for Exchange and Notes). We installed this solution and it worked as advertised, though the frequent Internet access took its toll on the charge life of our battery (it should be noted that you can also use palmOne's VersaMail for more traditional, direct POP/IMAP access).
Thanks to PC Magazine for the review information and MobileTechReview for the picture.
Verizon Treo 650 palmOne Press Release (5/16)
palmOne's Treo 650 Smartphone Now Available to Verizon Wireless Business Customers
MILPITAS, Calif., May 16 -- palmOne, Inc. (Nasdaq: PLMO) today announced that the award-winning Treo(TM) 650 smartphone now is available to Verizon Wireless customers. The Treo 650 combines a compact, full-featured mobile phone with email, a Palm OS(R) organizer, messaging and web access.(1) The device can be used with NationalAccess, Verizon Wireless' high-speed Internet service with average data transmission speeds between 60 and 80 kilobits per second (Kbps) with bursts up to 144 Kbps, based on Verizon Wireless' stringent network tests.
An ideal device for mobile professionals, the Treo 650 is equipped with Wireless Sync, Verizon Wireless' always-on email service that offers customers constant synchronization of their email, calendar, contact list, tasks, and more. Wireless Sync for the Treo 650 includes inbox synchronization and the integration of up to three additional POP3 or IMAP email accounts. The service is compatible with Microsoft Outlook and Lotus Notes.
"The Treo 650 smartphone provides Verizon Wireless' customers with increased mobility and a way to simplify their business and personal lives with an all-in-one device," said Ken Wirt, senior vice president, worldwide marketing, palmOne. "Whether it's reviewing email, viewing a presentation or simply making a conference call, the Treo 650 smartphone lets busy people manage the critical components of their lives while out of the office."
The Treo 650 smartphone is available for $399.99 with a 2-year customer agreement. Customers may purchase the Treo 650 at any of the 1,900 Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and, Verizon Wireless Communications Stores at Circuit City or on the web at Verizon's site. Enterprise customers may contact their Verizon Wireless Business Specialist at 800-VZW-4BIZ.
In addition, the Verizon Treo 650 can now be ordered directly from our palmOne Treo Store!
(1) Within wireless service coverage area only. Email, messaging and web access requires data services from a mobile service provider at an additional cost.
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Update (5/16): The Verizon Treo 650 is now available in our palmOne Treo Store.
Posted by tim_palmzone on Mon, Apr 04, 2005
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