Sprint Plans to Be First with the Treo 650

Posted By: Ryan Monday, October 25, 2004 12:41:38 PM

Sprint announced plans today be the first wireless carrier to offer the new palmOne Treo 650. The Treo 650 will be available next month at Sprint Stores, Sprint business channels and online for $599.99. Sprint business customers will also have the option to purchase a non-camera version of the device later this year.

"Sprint realizes that the mobile workforce needs to be able to perform a broad range of tasks in order to remain competitive and is committed to providing the necessary combination of cutting-edge devices, network capabilities and data services to make that possible," said Harry Campbell, president – Emerging and Mid Markets, Sprint Business Solutions. "The palmOne Treo 650 by palmOne is an incredibly powerful smart device that will make a valuable addition to Sprint’s broad portfolio of wireless offerings, unmatched by any of our competitors."

Building on the success of previous models, the palmOne Treo 650 is a truly life-simplifying mobile device for business users, enabling them to keep informed and in touch with access to business and personal email and text messaging, Web browsing, calendar, contacts and tasks. Operating on the enhanced Sprint Nationwide PCS Network, the Treo 650 by palmOne has 23 MB of user-available memory and is powered by the Palm OS 5.4 and an Intel PXA270 312 MHz processor. Built-in Bluetooth Wireless Technology provides the ability to wirelessly synchronize with Bluetooth-enabled desktop or laptop computers and easily connect with Bluetooth headsets and car kits (sold separately).

The palmOne Treo 650 by palmOne’s candy-bar design has been refined with an improved backlit QWERTY keyboard with larger, flatter keys; strategic button placement for easier one-handed access; and a sharper, high-resolution color display for improved visibility in sunlight. Other user-friendly features include increased battery life (up to five hours of continuous digital talk time and over two weeks of digital standby time), a removable battery, built-in speakerphone and a non-volatile memory system that preserves data for a limited amount of time if the battery is removed or the device is drained of power.

"Consumers and corporations alike are realizing the benefits of the Treo. It extends their reach, increases productivity and connects them more closely to their friends, family, customers and partners," said Ken Wirt, senior vice president of worldwide marketing for palmOne. "Together with Sprint, we’re giving our customers another great member of the Treo smartphone family that delivers all they need to stay connected and in touch."

For content, the Treo 650 by palmOne has access to Sprint PCS Vision downloadable Games, Ringers, Screensavers and other Palm OS entertainment and productivity applications billed on the Sprint PCS Bill. It is also the first U.S.-based implementation of Handango InHand for Palm OS. An intelligent, device-resident download client for smartphones and wireless handhelds, Handango InHand for Palm OS features a wide variety of mobile applications and content including games, productivity applications, ringtones and more.

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When Cingular

Hotoru @ 10/25/2004 3:52:18 PM #

Come on Cingular!
Think I am going to have to switch from my T3.. I am tired of carrying two devices.

Business customers?

hotpaw4 @ 10/25/2004 3:58:11 PM #

It says business customers will get a non-camera version option. What constitutes a business customer?

RE: Business customers?

tellit2be @ 10/25/2004 6:43:36 PM #

If your business requires you to NOT have a camera on your phone...especially in government / court house jobs. I think it's pretty much your choice. That's how it is now with Verizon and the T600.

RE: Business customers?

eston @ 10/26/2004 5:41:16 PM #

Exactly. I worked for a government contractor as a handheld consultant for three or four years; the CEO carried an NR70V until they passed an actual law against them. I then had to make her switch handhelds (reluctantly, of course :) )

..: eston
http://www.hyalineskies.com/

$599.99? Gasp!

ehanneken @ 10/25/2004 4:21:20 PM #

I take it the Treo 650 will apply little downward pressure on the price of the Treo 600, which Sprint currently sells online for $419.99 (with plan).

RE: $599.99? Gasp!

Token User @ 10/25/2004 4:48:49 PM #

The 600 is currently listed as $599. Plus $150 instant savings, and $30 web discount ... as are all phones on their web site. This is pretty much standard for 2yr plans.

I expect the 600 will drop by $100 to have a "retail" price of $499 - making $319 (after rebates) an attactive price point for that model. If this is a closeout model, they might even drop it down to price match the cheapest of the PPC based phones.

~ "Don't be too proud of this technological terror you've constructed." - DV ~

RE: $599.99? Gasp!

treo007 @ 10/25/2004 4:53:23 PM #

You'd probably be correct when it comes to Sprint and/or Verizon. My guess is that the GSM carriers will, if they even carry the 600 and the 650 simultaneously, more deeply discount the 600.

Given that and the fact that the CDMA carriers will be crippling the BT, it makes a lot less compelling upgrade if you're with Sprint or Verizon. It's not like the 650 is EV-DO compatible. It is EDGE compatible though, so the CDMA advantage is further eroded there as well.

EV-DO and EDGE?

IndyDave @ 10/25/2004 5:27:21 PM #

Can someone give a smartphone retard a brief explanation of EV-DO and EDGE? And how is the SW crippled? Could I use it to communicate with my existing T3?

I don't want to give up a stand-alone PDA because I need more memory that what a phone offers (which is okay for battery life), and don't want to pull out a phone in front of patients. But I want to be able to carry some data on the phone, and it would be nice to be able to transfer files between them: docs, email, phonebooks, etc. Will this not be possible with Sprint or Verizon?

RE: EV-DO and EDGE?

tellit2be @ 10/25/2004 6:46:42 PM #

I think:

EV-DO = the device will *eventually do* what you want it to do, such as load a webpage or access something on the wireless network. No E.T.A. is promised with EV-DO.

EDGE = similar to EV-DO, but for CDMA customers (or is it the other way around?), it will eventually do what you want it to also, but *general E.T.A.'s* are given...such as 2 minutes for a webpage.

Could I use it to communicate with my existing T3? - Yes, don't they both have BlueToof? Expansion cards? Infrared (not sure on this one)?

RE: EV-DO and EDGE?

AdamaDBrown @ 10/26/2004 2:06:32 AM #

EvDO is the CDMA carriers' new tech for high-speed wireless internet, practical speeds up to 30 KBytes/second. Currently it's only available from Verizon in about a dozen cities, priced at $80 per month, and requires a laptop PCMCIA card.

EDGE is a GSM based tech used by Cingular and AT&T. It delivers speeds of 8-12 KBytes/second, but is available on all of AT&T's network and most of Cingular's. Unlimited use is $20. The GSM Treo supports this.

Dave, the implication is that the Sprint and Verizon versions would not be able to be used as a wireless modem by a traditional handheld or laptop. So, unlike other Bluetooth phones, you couldn't use the internet connection through it. You should still be able to sync data to and from the Treo, and communicate with your T3.

RE: EV-DO and EDGE?

pascanu @ 10/26/2004 4:43:52 AM #

EV-DO x1 is 2.4 MB/s (theoretical)
EDGE is up to 235 kbs (also theoretical)
However, my understanding is that due to high energy consupmtion EV-DO is not suitable for standalone phones since it will quickly drain the battery and will probably be available only as a non-phone device (PCMCIA, USB connection).

Handspring Visor -> m505 -> Zire71 -> Zire72

RE: EV-DO and EDGE?

IndyDave @ 10/26/2004 8:34:18 AM #

Thanks for the info. My verizon contract is up in Feb and it's time to start reviewing other carriers. coverage has generally been great. only problem is with timely delivery of voicemail messages on occasion. And the pricing of additional services (e.g. data) doesn't seem competive, so time to 'splore other options.

RE: EV-DO and EDGE?

karrock @ 10/26/2004 10:00:57 AM #

I tried one of Verizon's EV-DO PC-cards last year and it sustained a solid 300-500kbps and priced out at $50 a month. However, it was data-only and they didn't have any standalone handsets or accomodations for voice service.

~Tony

Pilot --> V --> m505 --> Tungsten T3

RE: EV-DO and EDGE?

karrock @ 10/26/2004 10:05:58 AM #

Just checked their website and yes, unfortunately, they did raise their price to $80 a month (VZW calls it "Broadband Access"). Guess the test markets were given a small price break on the outset.

One other thing that really bugged me, is that all you get is the pipe -- no email account, no web page space, no online storage. It was too spotty a service for me to use as a primary Internet connection at home (my dialup was limited to 28.8 on a *good* day), but luckily Verizon got off their duffs and finally offered DSL in my neighborhood.

~Tony

Pilot --> V --> m505 --> Tungsten T3

I hated Sprint and I hated the Treo600

Gekko @ 10/25/2004 9:38:15 PM #

Both were terrible.

RE: I hated Sprint and I hated the Treo600

The_Voice_of_Reason @ 10/26/2004 1:01:09 AM #

Come on now, Geeko. Flesh your trolls out a bit more. Why did you hate Sprint and the Treo?

I despise Sprint partly because of their incompetent customer service, but their coverage and call quality are pretty good in my region. Factor in $15/month for unlimited data and suddenly they're the best of a bad lot.

The Sprint Treo 600 I had was a great PDA but it was also the worst cell phone I've ever used. Voice quality was horrible, the speakerphone was useless, sleazy Sprint tried to hide the data showing minute usage (eventually someone figured out how to display this info) and the phone's consruction was flimsy.

I think Palm is using a different manufacturer for the Treo 650, so hopefully they won't cut corners on construction this time.

******************************************************************
Sony CLIE UX100: 128 MB real RAM, OLED screen. All the PDA anyone really ever wanted.

RE: I hated Sprint and I hated the Treo600

IndyDave @ 10/26/2004 8:27:50 AM #

I agree. I thin the whole board understands you're peeved, but the sniping is tiresome. We all are free to express our opinion, good, bad, and otherwise. But you may be undoing any respect you accumulated on PIC with your unmitigated bile lately. At the very least, I hope you feel better for having an outlet to vent.

temporary Sprint monopoly?

hotpaw4 @ 10/26/2004 2:33:45 AM #

There's an article on C|Net claiming that Sprint has ordered all the Treo 650's to be produced this year. Other carriers will have to wait.

The article also said that PalmOne has sold more than 660k Treo 600's, and that Sprint will phase out Treo 600's after clearing their inventory.

RE: temporary Sprint monopoly?

IsLNdbOi @ 10/26/2004 10:43:42 AM #

Link to the CNET article please? About Sprint buying out all the Treo 650's... I know they did not buy the GSM Treo 650's since Sprint doesn't even use GSM.

RE: temporary Sprint monopoly?

bkk @ 10/26/2004 12:36:58 PM #

http://news.com.com/Want+a+Treo+650+Better+Sprint/2100-1041_3-5425737.html

Totally suspect

vesther @ 10/31/2004 8:08:57 PM #

Why does Sprint PCS has to be doing "First Posts" on this Palm-Powered Market?! C'Mon, give others a chance for at least once!!!

My ideal Handheld:
Intel PXA27X
Built-In Jump Drive
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, both superceding IRDA
Stereo and Bose Surround
480x640 Resolution with 262K OLED Colors

Any news on bluetooth use for connecting to the internet...

Alchemist42 @ 10/26/2004 8:17:52 PM #

Sprints always been a bit strange in their use of phones to connect to the internet via vision... on one hand saying you cant do it, while at the same time selling software to make the connection via their website, etc. etc.

Sprint to date has had ONE bluetooth phone for this very reason... they dont want people to abuse unlimited vision service as an ISP replacement. So now that the Treo 650 has bluetooth... will you be able to use it via a notebook to connect to the internet?

RE: Any news on bluetooth use for connecting to the internet

madhatter @ 10/26/2004 11:00:16 PM #

I read this over at treocentral :

"Unfortunently, Bluetooth on the Sprint unit that I had access to appears to be crippled. What Sprint has apparently done is turned off the ability for the Treo 650 to act as a modem for other devices, such as laptops or other PDAs. This is done using a Bluetooth profile called Dial Up Networking."...

A Palm in hand is worth two in your pocket.

Sprint fears Bluetooth.

The_Voice_of_Reason @ 10/26/2004 11:18:13 PM #

Sprint sells a data plan for laptops + doesn't want you turning your $15 Vision service into a Bluetooth modem for your laptop. I'm still amazed the Sony Ericsson T608 (Sprint Bluetooth phone) ever was released. I expect they'll either crack down on data transfers or cripple Bluetooth as has been suggested above. This would lead to a cottage industry of flashing phones to re-enable Bluetooth. But the new memory format Palm's using might make this difficult. Those of us at Treocentral that were involved in hacking the Treo 600 earlier this year love a challenge. ;-)

******************************************************************
Sony CLIE UX100: 128 MB real RAM, OLED screen. All the PDA anyone really ever wanted.

RE: Any news on bluetooth use for connecting to the internet...

vesther @ 11/1/2004 3:56:07 PM #

Well, either Sprint starts supporting Bluetooth, or they risk losing customers with an appetite for Bluetooth.

My ideal Handheld:
Intel PXA27X
Built-In Jump Drive
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, both superceding IRDA
Stereo and Bose Surround
480x640 Resolution with 262K OLED Colors

RE: Any news on bluetooth use for connecting to the internet...

jteesy @ 11/4/2004 1:14:51 PM #

The T650 will have bluetooth dial-up networking enabled....hopefully sooner than later. The percentage of customers willing to spend upwards of $500 on a device (after rebates, but including taxes) is extremely small in comparison to the vast majority of Sprint customers who wouldn't part with that amount of cash, don't need the product, or both. In fact, I'd imagine less than all of those who do purchase a
T650 would use this capability (though it's better to have, than have not). Sprint isn't going to be adversely affected by the few of us who will. I know that they could always go back on their word, but I think Sprint understands they have more to gain by keeping us loyal than they do by dissing us. Links to their response to the bluetooth rumors:

http://www.oreillynet.com/pub/wlg/5825
http://www.treocentral.com/content/Stories/481-1.htm