Treo 650 SmartPhone Cell Phone Review
The Treo 650 gives you just what you need to stay productive and in-touch.
A vibrant 320-x-320 touchscreen display that's easy to read, even in sunlight.
Integrated Bluetooth ® technology for communicating with wireless headsets, car kits, and other Bluetooth devices
An improved digital camera that also captures video and an improved backlit QWERTY keyboard for even easier typing.
Support for corporate email access to Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 using VersaMail email software.
Unit Weight: 6.3 oz.
Size (in inches): 2.3 x 4.4 x 0.9
The Treo 650 SmartPhone from palmOne makes it easier than ever to stay connected. It simplifies your life by combining a compact mobile phone with email, an organizer, messaging, and web access.
Treo 650 SmartPhone Cell Phone: Messaging and Internet
The advanced MMS capabilities built in to the Treo 650 enable users to send, edit, forward, and receive image, text, audio, and video messages over the wireless Internet, to and from compatible phones or PCs. (Messages can run up to 100k in size.) You'll also get instant messaging capability, messaging templates, SMS two-way messaging, conventional e-mail, and predictive text assistance. Beyond messaging, the Treo 650's Internet connectivity lets you access online services such as stock quotes, road directions, airline information, entertainment, and more. You can also download Java applications (version CLDC 1.0, MIDP 2.0, 100k per application limit) for which the phone provides 5 MB total (shared) memory. High-speed data transfer and download round out the package. The Treo 650 supports digital TTY/TDD functionality for the hearing impaired.
Treo 650 SmartPhone Organizer
Organizer features include a calendar, calculator with currency converter, date book with event storage, and voice memo. You can also transfer this data to your PC wirelessly via the phone's Bluetooth capability.
We found the Treo 650's appointment scheduling to be right in line with our fairly basic needs. Other than the universal annoyance of pecking out appointment details with the ten-key letter system (there's no QWERTY keyboard here as you'll find on some of the more recent, albeit early-adopter phones) this phone's organizer features provided enough data entry space for any busy person taking these functions seriously, but no more.
Treo 650 SmartPhone: Fun and Games
For fun, the Treo 650 sports a built-in 640 x 480 pixel integrated digital camera with zoom and brightness adjustment functions. Pictures taken with the camera can be stored in the phone or sent to others via multimedia messaging. The 5 MB of memory available for storing pictures is also shared with whatever wallpapers, screen savers, ring tones, Java applications, or games you may download from the Internet. The Treo 650 also features 24 chord ring tone capability. Users can assign different tones for different callers in the Treo 650's phonebook, and assign separate tones to denote incoming messages, faxes, and reminders. Wireless multiplayer gaming capabilities and two included games, "Bejeweled" and "Stuntman", round out the entertainment perks with this phone.
Treo 650 SmartPhone Review Conclusions
We liked this phone's very basic camera. It was easy to use and worry-free (nothing's going to break off), and the device can be accessed instantly from the phone's top level screen menu. From power on, it only took us a moment to take and save a fairly nice picture. However, photo quality is only adequate; about as good as you'd expect for a cell phone circa 2004, as opposed to a dedicated digital camera. We also found the ring tones included with the phone to be generally pleasant, and it was a breeze to assign a custom tone to a number in the phonebook, thanks again to the easy menu system. The included games were basic and fairly fun (at least once). In "Stuntman", the phone's vibrate mode provided road rumble as a little car skidded around a bland, full-color stunt course. But player beware! Once the game starts, the volume goes LOUD and is not apparently adjustable. Finally, there is a nutty little feature called Motomixer, which lets you modify various settings on little songs that you can download, emulating a very rudimentary, miniature studio console.
In all, we found the Treo 650 SmartPhone to be a rock-solid, highly effective cell phone, with attractive and efficient graphic and audio capabilities. We recommend the Treo 650 without reservations for any serious user.
Vital Statistics of the Treo 650 SmartPhone
The Treo 650 SmartPhone's security features include call restrictions, phone lock, and new password capability. The phone weighs 4.4 ounces and measures 3.46 x 1.85 x 91.0 inches. Its Lithium Ion batteries are rated at up to 450 minutes talk time, and up to 240 hours standby time. It runs on GSM 800/900/1800/1900 mode. In the box, you'll receive the Treo 650, instruction manuals, a high capacity 750 mAh lithium-ion battery, a headset/earbud, and a battery charger.
