Planning on buying an unlocked treo 680

[bernoddj]

I am really considering getting an unlocked Treo 680 from Palm. I currently have a T-Mobile Service plan, and have an old Palm Pilot M505. I feel that the Treo 680 would be a great convergence between cell phone and PDA. One question though (to anyone who purchased a treo from Palm.com), will it be pretty easy to setup the treo using a TMobile SIM? Also, how is the voice quality/reception on the Treo 680? Thanks everyone, any input would be much appreciated before I purchase one. Thanks again!!

[Maris]

Hello ... I have had T-mobile service for several years with the T-Zones service. When I got my new Treo 680, I just popped in the sim and it immediately found T-mobile in my area. The phone quality is excellent. I did discover the included T-Mobile network defaults to T-Mobile Internet which I do not have, and the T-Zones network was not editable. So, I had to make a copy of the T-Zones network and edit it to have the settings on my previous Nokia and then everything worked. I have complete access to my bellsouth e-mails and the IMAP account used for school. I can send and receives SMS and even send pictures. The only problem I have with the $3.99/mo T-Zones is it doesn't like to stream videos at times. It sometimes continuously buffers saying my speed isn't fast enough. It works at other times just fine. I think maybe the T-Mobile Internet might cure that, but it costs more so I'll live without it. So, definitely easy to set up and the voice quality/reception is better than my previous phone.

PS ... as for the battery, just give it time. It took mine about 3 weeks to settle in and behave properly. I keep bluetooth on for the day, and have never turned off beaming. I do have to charge it each night, but it charges quickly. I use Agendus, so use it as a pda often during the day. This is my first Treo (moving from a Tungsten C) and I have become very comfortable with it.

[bernoddj]

Thanks for the input Maris. You mentioned that you copied your T-Zones network, were you referring to the URL that routes to T-Zones? So once I setup mine the same way, I would be able to send/recieve text and photos right?

[Maris]

yes, the "wap.voicestream.com" for the APN. That is all I had to do. Additionally, I registered my email accounts on the T-Mobile account page so I get an alert for any new message that comes into any of my email inboxes. That way I don't have to worry about signing on and getting my email at regular intervals. If incoming emails meet my filters, I get a text message that shows the sender, subject, and first paragraph or so of the email. I can choose to ignore it or get the rest of the message (if it's longer than my alert). Very convenient service, I think.

[bernoddj]

Hi Maris, thanks for the input, and sorry for the delayed response. The information if very helpful. Yeah, my concern with getting an unlocked phone is that it may affect my ability to send text/photo messages, but with the tip you gave me, I feel that I should be ok.

[skoenig]

Nice answers Maris, very helpful indeed.

~ Steph

[Cotton1952]

Hi all. I've got T-Mobile, also and fell in lust with the 650 a year or so ago. So paid the hefty price for an unlocked phone and recently upgraded to a 680. Paid much less for the 680. Have had no problems at all...other than explaining to every T-Mobile rep that yes, I know T-Mobile doesn't support my phone, etc., etc. I'm not as tech savvy as Maris. I do internet and email and messaging and use the phone around the world. It all works fine. Wish T-Mobile would get back with the Palm program so it wouldn't cost me so much.

[irishgoaltender22]

(wrong post... sorry)

[eclair]

Irish, how in the world did you wind up here?

[irishgoaltender22]

Here as in treonauts or here as in this thread?