NOT excited about upcoming models - Treo Forum

dgarts · 09-27-2006, 10:04 AM

hey gang,

Is it just me or is there something sinister and unseemly about the models on the near horizon?

I mean, I personally am much more interested in function than form, and if the new wave of Treos is concerned more with cosmetics and surface appeal than hardcore functionality, why should I bother wasting money to "upgrade"?

To whit...

- mini-SD card? So, I've gotta spend money replacing all the SD cards I have?

- IR port moved to the side. And this accomplishes....what exactly, that is worth upgrading for?

- minor change in size that doesn't offer a substantially bigger screen, but will mean spending money to replace my cases?

- smaller capacity battery? Are you kidding me? Yeah, I know I can just buy my own, but will it fit? or will I have to pay an arm and a leg for a higher capacity battery JUST to get back to where my Treo650 battery already is right now?

- no mention of camera resolution upgrade? I like the convenience of the 1.3 megapixel camera, and an upgrade to 2.0 would have been worthwhile to me.

- no wi-fi?

- a larger screen would have been grand.

- SIM card tray moved under the battery. Again, a change for the sake of saying "we changed, buy a new one" even though the functionality is no better?

- antennae gone. I appreciate this, but is it enough to warrant an upgrade? My Treo650 antenna has never "gotten in the way".

- lighter unit. I don't mind the solid feel of my Treo650. If the new one feels chintzy or otherwise cheap, that won't make me feel good.

Hopefully you can enlighten me why these things make an upgrade worthwhile. Otherwise, I will have to remain in the dark ages with my trusty reliable proven Treo650 at least until some Treo800 comes out with REAL functionality enhancements.

skoenig · 09-27-2006, 01:27 PM

I think your point is well made. We'll have to see what the final specs are for the new versions.

I'd add to that improvements in the OS, what and how have they changed the software which sits on the hardware. What specific improvement in usability have they made and what new features have they built. More relevant for PalmOS of which little mention has been made beyond, we're still doing it.

To me the software is key beyond hardware features.

~ Steph

TazUk · 09-27-2006, 03:45 PM

A lot of the changes are caused by the new 3G radio which is apparently larger than the old one. Because of this Palm have moved the IR port to the side and used the smalled mini-SD cards. It's also the reason for the thinner and less powerful battery.

modegrl · 01-03-2007, 03:10 AM

Here here!

bigcatny · 01-03-2007, 10:14 AM

If you've ever had to develop hardware then most of the physical changes and their need are very obvious. It may not have improved functionality but it was part of overall packaging change that was necessary. But as you say, so it's different, what's the harm either.

I would also wish for a higher end option also but who know's what the internal problem is that prevents them from putting out these things at a faster pace. That said, they obviously still have problems debugging the product even at the glacial development pace they are at.

In the end, as most reviews have said, If your happy with your 650 (and it's stable) and don't care about the new sleeker form factor or software tweaks then there is no need to swap over to a 680. But for people who didn't have a stable 650 then this is a overdue godsend and I'm happy to plunk down my money.

dgarts · 06-05-2007, 01:05 AM

Thanks folks,

OK, so there are legitimate physical requirements in order to support the progress of the architecture. Fair enough.

Unfortunately, I guess I'm just too much of a layperson to grasp the tangible benefit this new archecture provides me on a day-to-day usability basis.

But, if it means an easier transition to what's coming, hopefully what's yet future will be worth it (unless iPhone leaps and bounds ahead and leaves Palm OS on the side of the road in a cloud of dust).

Targon · 06-27-2007, 07:21 AM

I suspect there were a number of people who had their antenna break, or was the source of problems, so it was worth that change, as well as wanting to get new customers. The 680/750 from what I have seen and read was intended more for those new to the Treo world rather than as an upgrade for existing users.

Now, a big thing which you may not have thought about is the transition to the Linux based OS that is being worked on. New features and such may be a LOT easier with the new OS, but Palm needs to finish debugging it before those new models can be released. If the new OS makes a huge difference, then moving to it will be desired by most of us, as well as new customers.

I will say this about operating systems, the use of a Windows based unit is HORRIBLE compared to the current PalmOS based machines. I had to help a customer of mine with her Treo 750, and the 680 felt a LOT more natural(I have only had mine since Feb, so I am NOT a long-time user). Pretty much all the apps on the 750 just felt like the interface was counter-intuitive when it came to use when compared with the 680. I know that there are some people who prefer the Windows OS based phones, but even with an ancient OS, the PalmOS based machines are easier to use.

09-27-2006, 10:04 AM	#1 (permalink)
dgarts Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Toronto My Treo: Treo 650 Posts: 37 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	NOT excited about upcoming models hey gang, Is it just me or is there something sinister and unseemly about the models on the near horizon? I mean, I personally am much more interested in function than form, and if the new wave of Treos is concerned more with cosmetics and surface appeal than hardcore functionality, why should I bother wasting money to "upgrade"? To whit... - mini-SD card? So, I've gotta spend money replacing all the SD cards I have? - IR port moved to the side. And this accomplishes....what exactly, that is worth upgrading for? - minor change in size that doesn't offer a substantially bigger screen, but will mean spending money to replace my cases? - smaller capacity battery? Are you kidding me? Yeah, I know I can just buy my own, but will it fit? or will I have to pay an arm and a leg for a higher capacity battery JUST to get back to where my Treo650 battery already is right now? - no mention of camera resolution upgrade? I like the convenience of the 1.3 megapixel camera, and an upgrade to 2.0 would have been worthwhile to me. - no wi-fi? - a larger screen would have been grand. - SIM card tray moved under the battery. Again, a change for the sake of saying "we changed, buy a new one" even though the functionality is no better? - antennae gone. I appreciate this, but is it enough to warrant an upgrade? My Treo650 antenna has never "gotten in the way". - lighter unit. I don't mind the solid feel of my Treo650. If the new one feels chintzy or otherwise cheap, that won't make me feel good. Hopefully you can enlighten me why these things make an upgrade worthwhile. Otherwise, I will have to remain in the dark ages with my trusty reliable proven Treo650 at least until some Treo800 comes out with REAL functionality enhancements.

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09-27-2006, 01:27 PM	#2 (permalink)
skoenig Administrator Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Los Angeles My Treo: Treo 700p My Carrier: Sprint My OS: XP Posts: 1,722 Thanks: 101 Thanked 139 Times in 92 Posts	I think your point is well made. We'll have to see what the final specs are for the new versions. I'd add to that improvements in the OS, what and how have they changed the software which sits on the hardware. What specific improvement in usability have they made and what new features have they built. More relevant for PalmOS of which little mention has been made beyond, we're still doing it. To me the software is key beyond hardware features. ~ Steph

09-27-2006, 03:45 PM	#3 (permalink)
TazUk Mostly harmless Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Kent, UK My Treo: Treo 750v My Carrier: Vodaphone My OS: XP Posts: 3,713 Thanks: 157 Thanked 409 Times in 320 Posts	A lot of the changes are caused by the new 3G radio which is apparently larger than the old one. Because of this Palm have moved the IR port to the side and used the smalled mini-SD cards. It's also the reason for the thinner and less powerful battery.

01-03-2007, 03:10 AM	#4 (permalink)
modegrl A Few Questions.... Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Here here!

01-03-2007, 10:14 AM	#5 (permalink)
bigcatny Regular Contributer Join Date: Dec 2006 My Treo: Treo 680 Posts: 118 Thanks: 0 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts	If you've ever had to develop hardware then most of the physical changes and their need are very obvious. It may not have improved functionality but it was part of overall packaging change that was necessary. But as you say, so it's different, what's the harm either. I would also wish for a higher end option also but who know's what the internal problem is that prevents them from putting out these things at a faster pace. That said, they obviously still have problems debugging the product even at the glacial development pace they are at. In the end, as most reviews have said, If your happy with your 650 (and it's stable) and don't care about the new sleeker form factor or software tweaks then there is no need to swap over to a 680. But for people who didn't have a stable 650 then this is a overdue godsend and I'm happy to plunk down my money.

06-05-2007, 01:05 AM	#6 (permalink)
dgarts Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Toronto My Treo: Treo 650 Posts: 37 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks folks, OK, so there are legitimate physical requirements in order to support the progress of the architecture. Fair enough. Unfortunately, I guess I'm just too much of a layperson to grasp the tangible benefit this new archecture provides me on a day-to-day usability basis. But, if it means an easier transition to what's coming, hopefully what's yet future will be worth it (unless iPhone leaps and bounds ahead and leaves Palm OS on the side of the road in a cloud of dust).

06-27-2007, 07:21 AM	#7 (permalink)
Targon Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 My Treo: Treo 680 Posts: 39 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts	I suspect there were a number of people who had their antenna break, or was the source of problems, so it was worth that change, as well as wanting to get new customers. The 680/750 from what I have seen and read was intended more for those new to the Treo world rather than as an upgrade for existing users. Now, a big thing which you may not have thought about is the transition to the Linux based OS that is being worked on. New features and such may be a LOT easier with the new OS, but Palm needs to finish debugging it before those new models can be released. If the new OS makes a huge difference, then moving to it will be desired by most of us, as well as new customers. I will say this about operating systems, the use of a Windows based unit is HORRIBLE compared to the current PalmOS based machines. I had to help a customer of mine with her Treo 750, and the 680 felt a LOT more natural(I have only had mine since Feb, so I am NOT a long-time user). Pretty much all the apps on the 750 just felt like the interface was counter-intuitive when it came to use when compared with the 680. I know that there are some people who prefer the Windows OS based phones, but even with an ancient OS, the PalmOS based machines are easier to use.