(Updated Nov 24, 2008)

This is the first video review I did back in May 2006 and obviously, a lot has changed since then. I have now added and edited this review posting to provide more information and bring in the typical review format of current reviews. As for the video review, I think I’m going to leave it for now. I may decide to re-do another video review in the future, but right now, this video seems to provide enough information of what the Treo 650 looks from the outside so I’ll leave it for now.

Note: Please keep in mind that for the Treo 650, it was available for both the GSM and CDMA. If you wanted a smartphone on a GSM network (ie. AT&T, T-Mobile, 3, etc), you’d need the GSM version of the Treo 650 and for the CDMA networks (ie. Verizon, Sprint, etc) you’d need the CDMA version. But, unfortunately for the CDMA phones, due to the carriers’ reluctance to allow activation of other carriers and branded phone, you are normally forced to only use that carrier’s phone. So, if you had a Verizon phone, you couldn’t use it on Sprint and vice versa, mainly because neither carrier wanted to give up on potential revenue. On a GSM phone, if you removed the subsidy lock on the handset, you can use it on any network. Future models of Treos were given specific model numbers to avoid confusion (ie. 700p, 700w, 700wx, etc). Now, on to the review!

Okay, I’ll admit that I’ve been lazy and never got around completing the Flash simulation of the Treo 650. I’ve been busy with other review requests and getting them completed and posted so they took precedance over my other ones. And the Treo Flash files are turning out to be quite a project.

I’m sure that I will get the incentive to do the flash simulation now that I am starting to post this video review of what the Treo 650 looks like on the outside. The Flash simulations will provide what it looks like on the inside, showing the programs and menus so you can expect them next week. Maybe the first few parts. And there are quite a number of parts since there’s a lot to cover. And, of course, with the new Treo 700p official announced just today, I’d better get the Treo 650 stuff out now.

I originally tried to do a test hardware review using the Treo 650’s video capturing software because it would have been a much easier way, but the sound quality was quite unacceptably poor. I couldn’t believe how bad the sound was when I was pronouncing my “s”. The sound screeched, for whatever reason and become so distorted and unbearable to listen to. It must be the way how the audio was compressed when it was processed in the Treo because it was just the portions when I was pronouncing the “s” that sounded THAT horrible. The other parts sounded still muffled, but acceptable. On other audio recording software, the voice quality was much better, so it’s definitely Palm Treo’s software.

Anyway, this video was done on my Sony camcorder and converted to avi format and split into two parts (so that I can upload them to the YouTube). Unfortunately, the sound quality is still quite poor, but it was still much better than the video capture with the Treo 650. On the camcorder, it was better. My “s” sounds weren’t screeching but I still sounded muffled and somehow the volume was quite high. I wasn’t yelling at all, but the audio ended up being a bit louder than I expected. So, keep that in mind when viewing the videos and have your mouse close to the volume control.

For those who want to skip over all the detailed review and just want a summary, you can jump to the review summary

Treo 650 video review

Treo 650 video review at YouTube

Hopefully, through the video, you can get a good sense and feel of how the Treo 650 looks. In my next posting, I hope to push out a few of the Flash simulations to show what it’s like inside.

And here’s a pic of the keypad lights in a dark setting. In the pic, it seems that the Datebook and Messaging buttons are the only ones barely lighted, but all the hardware buttons do have backlight. The “Home” and “Menu” buttons at the top aren’t as well lighted but they do have a backlight.

Pictures of Treo 650

Treo 650 specs

Here are my observations:

Obviously, I’m biased on this smartphone since I own it and love it. I really love the combination of having a cellular phone with a Palm device. It is practically the first successful combination of a cell phone and PDA and thus why it took quite a while before it was discontinued (after all the color and special limited edition versions with the casing). The keyboard may seem very tiny and small and “unworkable” but if you take a bit of time to try it out, you’d be very surprised how well it works. The trick is to hold and cradle the Treo with your hands behind it and wrapping around its sides, focus a part of the tip of your thumb for pressing the key and you wouldn’t find it difficult at all. I certainly had no difficulty inputting texts on the keyboard.

I really loved the SIM tray, which unfortunately in future models was scrapped. It was extremely simple and easy to swap SIM cards since I only need to remove the tray and swap the card in and out. With many other phones, normally I’d have to remove the battery cover, the battery and get it out. It’s unfortunate that the SIM tray was scrapped in future models.

The ringer switch is very nice to have to turn off the ringer and prevent all those mean looks you may receive during meetings or public functions. Switch the ringer off and the Treo will still vibrate.

Having a touchscreen can be both a plus and minus. With regards to the plus, it certainly makes navigating in a program and in the device, so much easier. It’s very nice to have the touchscreen in addition to the built-in QWERTY keyboard. You can opt to use the keys for inputting or input via Graffiti 2 on the screen. Check out this posting on how to enable Write Anywhere on the Screen on the Treo 650. The choice is yours. The hi resolution 320×320 screen really renders the images very clearly. On the other hand, touchscreens are more prone to damage and digitizer issues.

The built-in camera that can capture images in 640×480 resolution and videos in 352×288. Not many smartphones with cameras even now in 2008 support video capture. So, it’s quite something. Of course, the quality can’t rival that of digital cameras but the point to make here is that not many of us carry our digital cameras with us everywhere. It’s certainly very nice and handy to have something that can snap photos or videos at a moment’s notice that otherwise would not have been captured. I personally found it indispensable for shopping to compare designs, colors, etc of products and use as reminders.

The built-in speakers, although are in mono are also very nice to have (for me personally) since I do prefer to listen to Audible programs and books while I’m doing my chores, or whatever, not having to plug my earbuds or headphones is very nice. Again, the speakers aren’t the best but they work well.

The Treo is fully capable of media playback including videos, although you will likely need to convert them for playback.

With the Enfora Wi-Fi sled, the internet via Wi-Fi can also be accessible. This opens up a huge world of connectivity and accessiblity that you wonder how you can be without it.

Having the very functional Palm OS (although it is now very dated) running the Treo 650 adds much to the overall satisfaction or productivity of the device. With the huge support and selection of Palm OS software and hacks, the device can practically be an ultimate smartphone device, all accessible within your Palm. Press a button and you could start up your office document, place a call, launch your media player.

With many devices, there are of course, some negative points. Here are some of them.

First, the SIM Tray have been a sore point with some users, with complaints of GSM phone radio connectivity. It’s been discussed that placing a piece of paper at the back of the SIM card could aid in this problem.

Second, the device can be quite thick and bulky for many people. I personally don’t mind it and don’t think it’s too thick. But, if you prefer a slim device, you will find the 650 very bulky and huge.

Third, the antenna has been a major “sticking” point for many people as it does get in the way. Again, I personally didn’t mind it since it was easier for me to remove my Treo from the cases and grab it.

Fourth, like many other smartphones, you will need to get special headphones and earbuds to listen and plug into your Treo. For the Treo 650, you’ll need to get a stereo headphone/headset with a 2.5mm jack instead of the typical 3.5mm jack for most stereo headphones. You can also get a 2.5mm to 3.5mm audio adapter to still use your headphones but of course, you can’t answer the phone with your own headphone so it may be useful to get the Palm branded stereo headphone insead.

Fifth, since the Treo 650 combines both a cellular phone and a PDA device, if there are problems with regards to the PDA (ie. reset), your cellular connection to the world is affected (ie. offline). If being connection 24/7 is essential to you, the Treo or any smartphone may not be what you are looking for since the PDA is tied to the cellular phone and vice versa.

Review Summary

If this is the first smartphone (cellular phone with PDA) you are getting, this could be a great device that combines all the features and benefits of a Palm PDA plus the added convenience of a cellular phone. Rather than carrying two separate devices, carry this one device and you have it all! The Treo 650 is very good smartphone device that gives a good balance between a working PDA and a cellular phone. The Treo 650 is the first real great combination that meshes the PDA and the phone together in a way that doesn’t hinder operation of one part for the sake of the other. The Treo works very well as a cellular phone with decent reception and as a Palm PDA which helps organize your life and store all your office and work documents with you. Of course, this is a much older device that came out in 2004 and compared to current smartphones, this isn’t going to beat them. Regardless, when you combine all the excellent features and support of the Palm OS plus the added cellular phone, you definitely have a very capable all-in-one device that can perform a lot of tasks while away from the home or office while keeping you organized and connected. Even now in late 2008, I still carry my Treo 650 as my cellular phone with my Treo 750 for the Wi-Fi and internet needs so you can see that even now, it is still getting good daily use.

Unfortunately, the Treo 650 has long been discontinued. Even its successor, the Treo 680 is also being discontinued. The successor to the the Treo line is the Palm Centro, which may look quite different but in many ways is very much like a Treo but with more features and costs much less! Check out my review of the Palm Centro smartphone here for more information!

Enjoyed this review? Check out the many other Palm Discovery’s PDA smartphone device reviews here.

Thanks for visiting and supporting Palm Discovery. If you are not reading this article from Palmdiscovery.com, the website you are reading it from is copying and posting my content without consent. Please visit Palm Discovery for the original source of the material.

Championship spades Pro