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Examining the Treo 650 Smartphone

Posted by michael on from the sort-of-fits-in-your-pocket dept.

aws910 writes "Many sites are reporting on the upcoming PalmOne Treo 650. According to MobileMag, 'The 650 will have a 1.3MP digital camera, bluetooth, higher resolution screen, backlight keyboard and voice recording. The processor will be a speedy 312MHz with 32MB of RAM, and of course an SD memory slot for expandable storage. No timeframe or price is known.' Some of the forums at other sites are reporting around 2 months as the timeframe for release. A good summary of the new device can be found here. More gossip can be found on the forum here." Gizmodo and Endgadget have pictures as well.

4 of 212 comments (clear)

  1. Sexy! by ghettoboy22 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Of course all it needs now is the obligatory built-in Wifi and you'll be set. EvDO provider support would be a major boon as well. I think Palm should also look at a design with the camera in the front (hello mobile video conferencing!!!!!).

    Anyone remember the Smartphones from Earth Final Conflict?!

  2. Good, but... by StevenHenderson · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Finally, a high-res color screen. This will make wireless web surfing bearable. On a low-res screen it was basically worthless.

    However, the inclusion of a camera continues to be a deterrant to some corporate customers. No matter how much I like this, I cannot have a camera or photo equipment in my office, so I could never get one. I'd imagine in this age of security, I am not the only one. I guess we'll have to wait for the non-cam model just like they did with the 600. Why don't they have a Treo 650-NC for ~$50 cheaper right off the bat?

    1. Re:Good, but... by gamgee5273 · · Score: 3, Interesting
      I will say one thing about camera phones:

      When you and your wife are rear-ended in a four-car collision on the interstate because the driver of a Jaguar wasn't paying attention the camera becomes VERY useful at that point.

      Before that happened, I agreed with you. Now that it happened, I think every phone should have a camera.

  3. But will it work with Linux? by HRbnjR · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I just bought a Kyocera 7135 because it has recently been made to work with Linux. Though there are still some rough edges with gnome-pilot syncing (with Evolution), I easily got it working with J-Pilot. I like the 7135 because it's a more 'phone like' phone - rather than a PDA with a microphone and antennae :P

    The good thing with the Treo is that it's CPU should allow for Vorbis decoding, whereas the 7135 relies on it's built in DSP for the cycles, which only supports MP3.