Well we've gotten our hands all over Palm's new Treo - the
Pro - and we've documented it all on film... er, disk. Here's what were liking so far - no more recessed screen (finally!), that HTC-licensed task manager, and the extremely slick packaging. Honestly, we think Palm might have one up on Apple with the presentation this time around. Also of note: the new modular power adapter (which Palm tragically forgot to throw into our box), earbuds you might not be ashamed to sport, and no install CD -- it loads when you hook the phone up to your PC. Check it all out in the gallery below (as well as a few size comparisons with the iPhone 3G), and we'll have pics of that power adapter just as soon as they courier it over. No, really.
Update: Palm has -- in fact -- couriered over the accessories they forgot the first time around, and we've added some new pics. Huzzah!
Update 2: We'll be doing a full review on the device, so stay tuned for that in the near future.
posted Aug 20th 2008 3:20PM
If not one-up, definitely following Apple's lead. My Wife's Tx looked like it was packaged by Microsoft... http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=36099539665548298
I've got my eyes on that iPhone.
You had to mention it didn;t you. This is coming from a mac fan...it's the Palm Pro's turn to be in the spotlight.
The pictures look like they were taken with an iPhone.
your right, the pic quality is amazing.
The phone is crap. end of story
After looking at the gallery I'd have to say that the device and the packaging look very nice. Kudos to Palm. Now please release a decent OS.
Aren't these using Windows Mobile 6+?
It is running Winmo 6.1 but I wouldn't call that a decent OS.
Yes. Hence my comment. Hurry up with Palm 2.
coming to verizon anytime soon?
Nope, it's a GSM phone.
Sadly, I think Big Red getting this device is unlikely. With the recent release of the 800W for Sprint, it makes a lot of sense to release a similar GSM high-end phone. If the Pro were to drop in a CDMA flavor, they would risk cannibalizing 800W sales. Gotta cover the market, right? If we (VZW users) get the phone, I'd wager it won't be for something like a year or later.
wow, when turned off, the screen looks really grey compared to the... what's it called, iPhone?
Like a Gameboy
So where's the review already? How's the keyboard, what's the screen look like, how much does the OS stink? Seriously, quit it with the packaging pr0n and get down to business!
hear hear!
yeah, really. what good is a "hands-on" if your hands don't tell us what their impressions were?
@TheJalAbides - Dude... nail on the head.
The touch diamond or Treo Pro? Which will be cheaper?
Some of those pics look like phone porn.
They are on top of each other, next to each other.
And from behind, they look almost like twins. Ah twins.....
Pretty slick looking piece of kit. I hope the push out a CDMA version quick.
800w is the CDMA version, right? Yes the exterior is different but internally they are essentially the same PDA with different radios.
The Pro is higher end than the 800w. Not by much, but enough.
1500 mAh battery vs. 1150 mAh, 8x Digital Zoom on the camera vs. 2x, .53 in thick vs. .73. Plus the Pro has finally dropped the InfraRed port, which was included on the 800w introduced just 1-month prior.
And then there's the fact that the 800w is merely an update to the already-existing design, where the Pro is mostly a new design.
Oddly, the Pro has less user-available memory than the 800w: 100mb vs. 170mb.
So you're just using the iPhone in comparison because none of you have any other relevant phone to compare it to right? like a blackberry maybe? or an older treo or centro or some other phone with the same functionality aim as the pro? how about just another phone comparison to something with a tactile keyboard that isn't just a glorified PMP.
I'd imagine they used the iPhone because it's a popular phone of the times. I remember when the RAZR was at its apex, it was always the "scale device" regardless of the phone with which is was being compared.
Would it have possibly been a better idea to use another Treo or conventional QWERTY smartphone? Yes. But is the iPhone comparison completely left-field? Certainly not.
Now last year when they used to do that....
it's a good size comparison but that's were it ends. I think people are missing the point between an iPhone and a Treo Phone especially with Windows Mobile.
the Treo's direct competition is Blackberry. this phone is for business and to run business apps on it, it integrates with an Exchange Server like (or better than) a Blackberry or an iPhone but also runs a huge library of WinMo software. Palm OS barely does this anymore.
I've had a Treo 700w for years and run my business software on it in the field. while the 700w is gigantic and slow the Blackberry and iPhone can't do what it does for me. non-slider real QWERTY is a must, WinMo is a must for many corp users. this may be the only phone I would want to upgrade to (sadly, I may be stuck with 800w on Verizon instead).
very promising... very promising indeed...
Yes. It promises more of the same retarded response that Palm has always delivered. Maybe Palm should include an abacus in their next model?
Those who can't innovate, duplicate. To say this looks like Apple is a gross understatement. Palm should just throw in the towel. The last time I had a good Palm product was my Vx. What a joke.
It's hopeless trying to get a positive feedback from some people here... just too closed minded...
This is a nice lookin phone.
Putting these two side by side for comparison purposes is fine and everything but couldn't you get 2 or 3 ipones for what this is gonna cost. Especially with no carrier designating it. which mean easily 500-600 dollar range.
Umm, so go ahead and tell us where is this magical place one can buy 3 iPhones for $600, and not have to sign a service agreement.
Mike is talking about the China's iphone clones. Wait, a T32 which is the closest to what the iphone has to offer is over $350.00. Mike has no idea what he is talking about.
Wow, that Treo's backside is almost identical to the iPhones right down to the rim around the camera ...
I'm a huge Palm Treo fan (currently have 755p), but for it not to be released specifically with a phone company like AT&T or Verizon Wireless in the USA tells me there's troubles. If I was VZW or AT&T I would jump on that phone, unless there's something going on in the background poltically. Maybe the carieers are giving up on Palm. Regardless, I like the phone but WOULD NEVER PAY $550 for a cell phone/pda.
I'd deal with the non-productive iphone before I went with a phone that expensive. Sorry Palm.
I'm a huge Palm Treo fan (currently have 755p), but for it not to be released specifically with a phone company like AT&T or Verizon Wireless in the USA tells me there's troubles. If I was VZW or AT&T I would jump on that phone, unless there's something going on in the background poltically. Maybe the carieers are giving up on Palm. Regardless, I like the phone but WOULD NEVER PAY $550 for a cell phone/pda.
I'd deal with the non-productive iphone before I went with a phone that expensive. Sorry Palm.
Ummm, do you realize that's the UNSUBSIDIZED cost of the phone? Do you recall that's the same price you had to pay for previous Treos without signing a contract? And do you realize that the 3G iPhone is "cheap" only because you are in reality paying full cost for it via a plan that costs way more? Go ahead and by a 3G iPhone without a contract, and get back to me on how "cheap" it was.
I think that is the problem, they are charging too much for their phones and people like verizon and Att are saying, coming back when you have something cheaper.
Agreed. Price was one of the reasons why the Centro sold so well.
Take a note there, Palm.
The fact that Palm is selling the Treo Pro as an Unlocked GSM is A VERY GOOD THING. People have been ripping Palm for years for failing to come out with just such a device. But Palm couldn't because the carriers (in the US, at least) wouldn't let them. If this phone performs as promised, it will be at least as worthy as the iPhone 3G and the AT&T Tilt (HTC TyTN II). AT&T could have had the trifecta of devices, but now will lose out.
Is it just me, but it looks like the phone has some sort of "clear vinyl shield" installed over all the flat surface areas (factory installed perhaps).
you think.
I for one will try this phone. I am a die hard Palm Treo user, and had the iphone, had the blackberry, had the razor, and just about every other phone out there. I loved my 650 and now use the 755. I LOVE IT!!!! great coverage, never lose a call and the key board is awesome to text our son in college. I did give up my 650 to try the new iphone look a like -the instinct- by sprint, and I hated it! I took it back after three days and bought the 755. Now, I will certainly try this one too. I travel a lot and this is a great buisiness phone as well as a easy to use simple phone. Much more user friendly than my blackberry pearl and blackberry smart phone. Treo is the BEST>I know what I am talking about.
Did you ever get the Palm Pro? If so what are your thoughts? I have always used the palm version and am worried about how I would like the windows mobile version. Presently have a treo 650p and am seriously considering purchasing this phone. Would appreciate any feedback/comments/suggestions you can give. Thanks
Nice to see Palm is finally stepping their game up, now would be nice to see them get their OS on par with their hardware, not knocking Winmo but I used to be a big Palm advocate.
any chance of a uk release some time soon i wonder?
i've got the palm treo 500v and i must say it's a solid little phone, (except for the slightly broken right menu button from when i dropped it)
i like the look of this one and although i've been looking to switch back to O2 and grab an iPhone if this came to vodafone uk i'd stay with them
(but only if it's out before my contract is up for renewal) lol
RubyWeapon
squeee!
You would prefer a smaller, 320 x 240 screen? Why?
Replied to the wrong comment, sorry.
I've had the chance to see one of these in my job (one little advantage), and I have to say that it beats hands down the previous Treo 750 that was released, and for once it's actually quite a fast device compared to the vast majority of winmo devices out there. Personally I think the only difference between these hero/flagship devices is design, the treo pro and touch diamond are practically the same engine underneath (with the diamond exception of having a vga screen).
One gripe I still have with Palm is that these winmo devices keep having 1:1 aspect ratio screens???
As for positive comments, you'll never get a lot on here, people will usually comment when they only have something negative to say...