AT&T Treo 680 Feature Update Released

Treo 680 updatePalm has released a new feature update for the Cingular/AT&T branded Treo 680 smartphone. The v2.11 ROM update brings a large number of updates and even includes some new features and functionality such as a push to talk support. Some of the device enhancements include improved Bluetooth wireless performance for some headsets and car kits, improved audio quality, and media file functionality in Messaging. Read on for a full list of details.

The AT&T Product Update 2.11 provides the following:

  • Push to Talk support
  • Microsoft Direct Push Technology
  • A new Instant Messaging Application that supports AOL, Yahoo and Windows Live messenger
  • Power saving enhancements
  • Support for larger SD cards up to 4GB including SDHC cards
  • Enhanced ringtone support - Supported ringtone formats include MP3, AAC, AAC+, MIDI, WAV, and AMR.
  • Updated AT&T Branding
  • Access to Telenav and MobiTV services

This update also incorporates three previously released software updates: AT&T/Cingular Treo 680 Software update 1.09 (May 2007), Daylight Saving Time update (February 2007) and Treo 680 Camera update (January 2007).

Palm says a update will also be forthcoming for unlocked Treo 680 devices. Palm has a signup page posted that will send out an email once the update is available.

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Didn't work for me

jonecool @ 12/11/2007 9:29:43 PM # Q
My device is totally hosed. It hangs on the 'PalmOS Powered by ACCESS' screen. Anyone else have better luck with it?

RE: Didn't work for me
nybble @ 12/11/2007 9:54:37 PM # Q
heh... I was totally waiting for that. :)

<http://comments.deasil.com/> that is my tech blog. There are many like it, but that one is mine.
RE: Didn't work for me
Ronin @ 12/12/2007 12:44:45 AM # Q
the update when without a hitch for me. Backed up using Resco, performed a reset, updated the ROM using the SD Card method and restored from the most recent backup. Entire process took about a half hour.

In the Spirit of Umoja,
Ronin
RE: Didn't work for me
jonecool @ 12/12/2007 1:47:13 AM # Q
Yep, I think it was just an unfortunate decision on my part regarding the backup program used. I've mostly got my T680 back to normal but had to use a few "tricks" that most users won't know about (i.e. renaming the backup folder, etc.)

Not sure the reason for my problems, could be due to other apps. that access the side button now used by the PTT Feature. Still, I think I'm OK now -for the most part. I did have to re-load all 3rd party apps. and re-register them (I had a good listing of keys, etc. in MemoPad).

Not a seamless update from my vantage point, but perhaps others won't experience the same frustration (I hope).



Initial impressions?
hkklife @ 12/12/2007 10:59:48 AM # Q
Does anything seem noticably different upon first use of the 680 after installing the update? Any chances you've noticed that aren't listed in the official changelog?

Has anyone had a chance to try the PTT implementation? I wonder if that is going to make its way to the Centro as well?

What does it do with the TeleNav & MobiTV services? Does it install those actual apps in ROM on the 680 or does it just give an icon that takes you to those apps' homepages where you can download & sign up for the services?
TeleNav is nice and all but isn't EDGE awfully slow to get any enjoyment out of MobiTV?

Pilot 1000-->Pilot 5000-->PalmPilot Pro-->IIIe-->Vx-->m505-->T|T-->T|T2-->T|C-->T|T3-->T|T5-->TX-->Treo 700P

RE: Didn't work for me
TreoAnon @ 12/12/2007 12:02:23 PM # Q
Also what version were you updating?
I'd expect issues for some people who've made custom ROMs.

RE: Didn't work for me
chayashida @ 12/12/2007 12:15:54 PM # Q
I did the update last night. I did a "cowboy" install, where I didn't do anything special to back it up. (In hindsight, I probably should have HotSynced first. :)

I had problems where the computer wouldn't find my Treo after it rebooted it. I just kept retrying. After the installation finally clicked, things seemed to go smoothly.

After the installation, I found that I had to re-categorize all of my applications. I also noticed that I need to reinstall IBM Java so Gmail and Opera work again. Finally, I noticed that I had to re-pair my Treo to my Bluetooth headset and to my car.

I haven't tried the MP3 ringtones, and I can't figure out how to use them. I already had MiniTones installed, so I already had MP3 ringtones.

The only new feature that I tried out was the instant messaging. Since it was late at night, I wasn't able to talk to anyone, but it looked like it connected fine to both AIM and Yahoo! Messenger.

Chris

RE: Didn't work for me
Ronin @ 12/12/2007 3:39:10 PM # Q
so far the only real difference I have noticed is that it seems that operations on my 8gb card are faster.

I have not tried the PTT and doubt I ever will.

For MobiTV and TeleNav there are stubs not full programs in ROM. The stubs are named "Get MobiTV" and "Get TeleNav".

In the Spirit of Umoja,
Ronin

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Blackberry Connect disconnected Heads Up

SeldomVisitor @ 12/12/2007 7:01:39 AM # Q
Note the words on Blackberry Connect:

-- http://www.treocentral.com/content/Stories/1452-1.htm

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Don't forget the free Sudoku

TooMuch @ 12/12/2007 8:37:02 AM # Q
Don't forget the free Sudoku offer at the end of the update. Download will only work with update.
http://www.palm.com/us/software/sudoku/680.html

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Update for unlocked models

asiayeah @ 12/12/2007 10:49:46 AM # Q
Usually firmware updates for unlocked models come after the updates for carriers. Does anyone know the reason?

Thanks.


--
With great power comes great responsiblity.

RE: Update for unlocked models
hkklife @ 12/12/2007 10:55:01 AM # Q
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$, plain & simple.

The carriers & Palm have no genuine interest in supporting unlocked phones (or the purchasers of those unlocked phones). They feel that you're already getting a major "feature" by having an unlocked handset.



Pilot 1000-->Pilot 5000-->PalmPilot Pro-->IIIe-->Vx-->m505-->T|T-->T|T2-->T|C-->T|T3-->T|T5-->TX-->Treo 700P

RE: Update for unlocked models
Patrick @ 12/13/2007 3:34:29 AM # Q
I don't understand that comment. Purchasers of unlocked models usually pay full price -- so Palm gets full, fat margins. Why would that not resonate with them?


RE: Update for unlocked models
hkklife @ 12/14/2007 10:11:57 AM # Q
The carriers (I'm speaking of the US market--not familiar enough with how things work overseas) don't like seeing people use unlocked handsets because it's one less thing to bring them into their stores and/or reinforce their branding.

They also worry about potential support headaches/costs etc or the "uncertified" devices causing some kind of network issues. The kind of people who go buy carrier-branded handsets are the kinds of folks who also pay $40 for a generic car charger from the carrier store when a savvy customer (likely the unlocked phone-owning type) is going to buy a cheap OEM charger online for a fraction of the carriers' corporate store price. Basically unlocked phones=educated/tech-savvy customer=not an ideal customer for the carriers + less revenue.

Look at the history of GSM Treos---in nearly every generation, the ROM release schedule for unlocked Treos has lagged (or even gotten overlooked entirely) in favor of the carrier-branded, carrier-customized versions.

And look at the 700p ROM update fiasco----the 700p was carried on, what, Sprint, Verizon, Alltel, Telus and Bell? But only the two "biggies", Sprint & Verizon received the 1.10 ROM update. True, some of the fixes (Bluetooth, mostly) were available for the smaller carriers' 700p handsets but for the most part Palm (as well the smaller CDMA carriers themselves) figured that their user base was so small & insignificant that it was't even worth bothering to try and release an update for those versions. No, it's definitely in Palm's best interest to do whatever possible to stay in good graces with the big wireless telcos. You and I mean *NOTHING* to Palm. Absolutely ZILCH!

The revenue Palm gets on an annual basis from selling unlocked handsets is a MERE PITTANCE compared to the huge $ amounts that roll in when the carriers place quanitty orders for branded devices and/or exclusivity rights (see Sprint & the Centro launch, for example).

Pilot 1000-->Pilot 5000-->PalmPilot Pro-->IIIe-->Vx-->m505-->T|T-->T|T2-->T|C-->T|T3-->T|T5-->TX-->Treo 700P

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Worked fine for me...

jamesgood72 @ 12/12/2007 2:24:29 PM # Q
The install program went fine for me on my Treo680-1.03-CNG, no problems at all.

It's a nice surprise to have some new features, thanks Palm / ATT!

Haven't tried the PTT, it said there would be charges. Anyone used it?

The IM works. It's quite slow though, a good 10 second or so delay on AIM, it seems. The interface is a bit hokey, and not particularly configurable. I'll try it out for a few days though, and see how reliable it is. I think Verichat is probably better from my first impressions though.

It deinstalled Chatter for some reason too. I need to put that back, that's my most used app...

We'll see how the power saving features go.

-James.



RE: Worked fine for me...
jamesgood72 @ 12/12/2007 4:22:06 PM # Q
Chatter works fine, BTW, I have no reinstalled it.

RE: Worked fine for me...
jamesgood72 @ 12/12/2007 4:28:27 PM # Q
Sorry, meant to say, have reinstalled it, no problems...

USR Pilot 5000, Palm Pilot Pro, Palm V, Clie 610C, Clie TG50, Clie UX50, Treo 650, Treo 680
RE: Worked fine for me...
jamesgood72 @ 12/12/2007 5:36:04 PM # Q
The copy of PTunes in the new firmware was causing my 680 to crash if I tried to do anything. Updating pockettunes with the latest version from the Normsoft site cured that. FYI...

-James.

USR Pilot 5000, Palm Pilot Pro, Palm V, Clie 610C, Clie TG50, Clie UX50, Treo 650, Treo 680

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Instant Messaging?

chayashida @ 12/13/2007 1:50:03 PM # Q
I received an odd error when I started up the Instant Messaging application, saying that there were still SMS messages on the SIM. I was under the impression that the application only used a data connection.

Anyone know what's up?

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Another iPhone nail in Treo coffin

mikecane @ 12/13/2007 4:15:57 PM # Q
http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/iphone-video-recording/iphone-video-recording-now-working-with-drunknbass-333346.php

Oh go ahead and laugh. Fool. It will get better. And official, from Apple.

And with the **GBs** of storage an iPhone has, are you Treo weenies *really* gonna tout your puny SDs?

Cue abosco...

RE: Another iPhone nail in Treo coffin
abosco @ 12/13/2007 7:53:01 PM # Q
February. Just wait until February.

A few friends and I headed over to the library yesterday evening. Between four of us, there were two generations of the iPod Nano, an iPod Mini, and an iPhone. Scary.

-Bosco
NX80v + Wifi + BT + S710a

RE: Another iPhone nail in Treo coffin
jamesgood72 @ 12/13/2007 8:36:32 PM # Q
Yeah, the iPhone is great.

But, nob-end, this is a treo forum, we're talking Treo here... You're off topic.

USR Pilot 5000, Palm Pilot Pro, Palm V, Clie 610C, Clie TG50, Clie UX50, Treo 650, Treo 680

RE: Another iPhone nail in Treo coffin
freakout @ 12/14/2007 5:38:40 AM # Q
A few friends and I headed over to the library yesterday evening. Between four of us, there were two generations of the iPod Nano, an iPod Mini, and an iPhone. Scary.

Cultists! Yech! (flings holy water)

RE: Another iPhone nail in Treo coffin
mikecane @ 12/14/2007 12:31:07 PM # Q
>>>But, nob-end, this is a treo forum, we're talking Treo here... You're off topic.

Suck it up, nerdball.

Bad forum etiquette from mikecane
TreoAnon @ 12/14/2007 1:26:15 PM # Q
Bad forum etiquette, and not an isolated case either from this poster.
Is anyone monitoring this forum? If so can we please get "mikecane" ejected!


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Home Button Now Different

fergusk @ 12/20/2007 4:05:51 PM # Q
Since performing the update, I have noticed that whenever I press the Home button, it jumps briefly to the default Applications home screen before launching zLauncher and it does it every time. And if I disable zLauncher and then try pressing the Home button, instead of taking me to my default set of app categories (I created a group called Kim's Apps), it toggles to the next group such as Utilities or Gamiles. When doing the update, I did receive a prompt from the Uninstall program made by Northglide asking if I wanted to add it to the sandbox. I cancelled so that it would not and from there the install proceeded and appeared to have installed just fine. Anyone else experiencing this? Any suggestions for fixing it?

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