Comments on: FCC Leaks Info on the Treo 270

Yep, thanks.

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News Editor

This is why Handspring speaks about a new screen technology, otherwise it would be extremely difficult to survive the power hungry wireless and colour features at the same time.

I cannot verify if this is true or not, but what I heard is instead of 16bit colour, the Treo 270 will have 4096 colour (12bit).

Not only does it use less power than a typical color screen, it also uses less power that the current 180 BW screen. I did not see a mention of a battery change in the FCC docs so I am assuming the same battery is used in both models.

CDMA should actually be VERY soon FCC-wise, since Sprint is getting it first for the "3G" (hehe) rollout this july/early august.
-- J!

"CDMA IS NOT 3G!"

And 1xRTT is...?

1xRTT is, maybe, 2.7G -)

Seriously, 1XRTT barely makes the "mobile" classification datarate specs (144kbps) under theoretical optimal conditions. Users will typically see 40-60kbps (better than dialup, but still...)

The 3G specification has three classes:
: mobile (i.e. moving vehicle) @ 144kbps
: pedestrian @ 384 kbps and
: fixed (i.e. with an antenna at work or home) @ 2Mbps

So don't let the marketing droids fool ya, it's NOT "3G"

i bet it will be transflective, like the sonys and the m130.

I hope they don't make the m505 mistake....

The one with the grafitti area looks monochrome.

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What's Wrong With This Picture?
http://raj.phangureh.com/picture.html

the 180 and 180g are included in the pixs because Handspring applied for a new FCC certificate for all three models because a small but significant performance change has accured on the 180 and 180g.

I think this to save battery, but what would be the effect on readability?

The m130 has bad readability on small fonts, combined this with lower contrast of tranreflective it would be disaster.

I moved from a Vx (one of the biggest screens) to the Treo 180 (one of the smallest) with little difficulty, if any. In fact, it wasn't the size that was problematic, it was the contrast. With more of a gray background than green, the constrast is... different, than on the Vx. Though the Vx is renowned for having really good contrast, maybe I've been spoiled by it.
Anyway, the size of the Treo screen is not a problem for me, and I don't have 20/20 vision, either.
What's funny is that now when I look at a "normal" sized screen, the pixels stand out at me even more, and I really notice the space between the pixels and the pixels themselves because I've gotten used to the smaller and tighter pixels of the smaller screen.

i don't think the transflective screens have bad contrast (if not being able to show full red/green means bad contrast, it is, but i don't think this is the case). anyway,

the screen size looks similar to that of the m130. to be honest, i didn't like the small screen of the m125, but when the screen is in color, the text is much more readable so color is a big advantage when the screen is smaller.

a better screen would suck juice at a very high rate, so users have to bear a somewhat less bright screen because the other way it would be like the ppc-smartphones, which have to be charged several times a day, just like our ancient mobile phones.

The Treo 180 is about 2 inches on a side, whereas the m505 (for example) is about 2 1/4. I think the screen is a very good one with relatively crisp contrast - I just wish they'd used the "old-style" backlighting!

FWIW, my Treo replaced a Nokia 8290 and I just can't see ever going back to a "dumb" phone. The Treo isn't perfect, but it's SOOO good :-)

Does Verizon have a GSM network in your area? If it does, then the Treo will work on it. Whether they offer the Treo discounted with a contact is another matter of course...

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russ@russb.fsnet.co.uk

You may want to consider VoiceStream, I'm switching to them today and getting a Treo. They currently have a 3000 minute *anytime* plan for $59.99 (it's hard to find the details, but they DO have it).

Actually, I think the Handspring deal with Sprint for the 270 CDMA is non-exclusive, but gives Sprint the right to bring the model out first since they are doing some co-development. If you are looking for the 270 on Verizon, you'll have to wait until the Sprint temporary exclusivity expires. Hopefully at that point you'll be paying a little less for the model.

How can I know the time period of Sprint-Handspring deal ? Will it last just a few months or even more ?

The 3000 anytime plan:

Yes, no roaming included, thanks for alerting me! It's apparently their only plan which is regional. It does cover 7 states in my area, but I ended up with a different plan to get the no-charge roaming.

Not everyone wants Grafitti. For me, having built in keyboards is THE thing.

I guess we all are different. Graffiti or keypad are two different submarkets. I am used to Graffiti since years and pretty fast. I plan to buy a 270, but not without Graffiti. But a combination of Grafiti and keypad would be a great solution, the best of two worlds!!

why not just get the keyboard version and install a virtual graffiti and you got both cool features?

thats what i did for my treos...

Some rumours on the street said the mysterious device is called Treo 90.

The rest are for you to imagine. I am certain some prototypes are in a few hands and we should be getting some leaks shortly.

The speculation I've seen - and I'm pretty convinced - is that it's a color Treo with a keyboard and, of course, no phone. (Donna said it was "not a Visor" - which I read as "no Springboard slot" - and another HS exec said it would allow them to leverage the Treo design). Sounds like a lot like an m130 with a thumbboard but no expansion slot.

Where did Handspring say third quarter? According to the Handspring website: "In the second half of the year, Handspring plans to offer a software upgrade that enables Treo to work on GPRS networks. The upgrade will be available from Handspring's web site. The current hardware in Treo is GPRS-ready." That's the only timeline I've heard (which could mean anytime from July 1-December 31!).

this is sad - but i still like handspring . . . but it feels like they don´t care about us in europe