Slashdot Mirror
Handspring Shows Treo 600 Smartphone at CeBIT
securitas writes "Handspring unveiled its final product before being acquired by Palm: the Treo 600. It runs Palm OS 5.2 on a Texas Instruments ARM processor with 32MB of RAM, has a 160 x 160 color display, comes in GSM and CDMA versions, includes a digital camera plus various camera applications and supports Good Technology's Goodlink e-mail software, competition to RIM's BlackBerry. Of course it also comes with a keyboard, SMS capability, MP3 player, Web browser and Secure Digital/MMC memory-card expansion slot. Measuring 4.41 inches x 2.26 inches x 0.87 (LxWxD) and weighing about 6 ounces, analysts say that the Treo 600 is what clinched Palm's takeover of Handspring. The only problem that they forsee is a seriously crowded market for PDA/mobile phone combinations. Availability for the Treo 600 is this fall. Images at eWeek, SFGate or Reuters. Streaming movies from Handspring (QuickTime dial-up 56k| QuickTime dsl/cable 300k)." Reader Michael Ducker points out this longer article at TreoCentral as well.
I don't have a link, but news.com.com.com (Cnet) has a very nice 7 minute long video that shows the device in full - much better than the Jeff Hawkins Handspring video.
Switch to GSM. You can buy unlocked phones, or, after a few months wait, get your provider to unlock your network-locked phone. You can then switch providers as much as you want -- and keep the same phone. All US GSM is on the same frequency band and use the same technologies. Just pop in a SIM from your new provider and go. Currently, the GSM providers that I know of in the US are T-Mobile (formerly VoiceStream), AT&T and Cingular. I use T-Mobile in the US and in Europe (same phone) and am very happy with the service.
The real fun begins when number portability goes into affect.
I would put AMPS on my wish list as well, but it falls well below other requirements, such as battery life, size, international use, etc.
the growth in cynicism and rebellion has not been without cause
Okay, it's off topic, but man does Handspring have bad compressionists!
The file is encoded with the freeware version of the original Sorenson Video codec, and with the horribly old, bulky IMA audio codec. Video quality is terrible, expecially considering the data rate. I'm always surprised how companies with otherwise good marketing wind up doing terrible quality video. Look how blocky it gets with a transition. If they'd just used Sorenson Video 3.1 Pro with MP3 audio, they could have had a file that would play almost everywhere the current one would, with better quality, and at half the file size.
Whatever money they saved by having someone do this as their first compression job certainly will be lost in bandwidth charges after having the link posted on Slashdot!
My video compression blog
http://www.palminfocenter.com/ss.asp?f=img_treo600 _large.jpg
Also, you have to consider both price and battery life. The OMAP comes with a DSP built-in, and you simply cannot beat the power usage of TI's chips. So, instead of having a bigger package (because you need two chips, both the CPU and the DSP - XScale's "DSP functionality" isn't enough), lower battery life and higher cost, you get OMAP.
i have a treo180, and the buttons are not too small. The work flawlessly. And i dont have small fingers.
By the way, the big movie is at
SSH2 for Treo 600 is available from Mochasoft http://www.mochasoft.dk/, here is a direct link to the software. It will work with ANY V3.0 or higher Palm based system.
There are a few available now that work with the current Treos (and should work with the 600) from Micro Innovations, Targus, Belkin ...
See TreoCentral
Here's a link to a brighthand article on the same.
i ls_Treo_600
Interesting:
- According to this article, handspring will not ship the phone with MP3 software (though, no doubt, third party applications do/will exist)
- The API for the D-pad in the Treo600 is not the same as the API for the D-pad in other new palm devices.
http://www.brighthand.com/article/Handspring_Unve
Just read your article...aside from being vaporware, the Samsung device "is listed on Samsung's web site as '162 x 176 pixels (324 x 352 support).'" Sounds like they're using a 160x160 screen and attempting to fool customers with their "2x digital zoom."
I own a palm (m500) and would consider buying this phone/pda if the price isnt too high.
To answer the problems above, have you ever tried to fit a 320/320 screen into a pocket you'd usually put a mobile phone in? The screen is bigger and looks clearer than my current 128/128 colour phone screen.
If you ever use a palm you'll quickly find that unless you're trying to put videos or mp3s in the memory, then even 8mb is enough I've not managed to fill my m500s 8mb yet even with a full suite of office apps and games.
As for the processor well it doesnt compete with pockets pcs but it doesnt have to, palm os is at home on a 16mhz dragonball which at a stretch will do full screen b/w video on the m500.
And finally the keyboard, does everyone have homer style fat fingers or something I've never had a problem with small buttons and I'm a 6ft 200lb bloke.
I'm a palm zealot, so sue me.
"Handspring did not include Bluetooth into this device, but because of the SDIO slot it is an option in the future. Handspring told us that they are working with 3rd party companies to extend all the powers of the Treo to the Bluetooth card. This includes not only data synchronization like most cards, but the ability to use Bluetooth headsets, or act as a Bluetooth modem for a PC or Mac. Adding a Bluetooth SD card to the Treo 600 family will cost around $100 to $150. The current Palm branded card does not work with OS 5."