LIVE Treo 680 Pics and Screen Shots!!

[forgot]

Ok, here we go. I called my Cingular rep yesterday and he told me they had just got their live demo in by FedEx, so this morning I stopped by for an hour and checked the thing out. Nice. Time to add to the frenzy.

Ok, we'll start off with my thoughts on using it. It's comfortable, fitting nicely in my hand, but the button layout will take a little getting used to. Having the home button on the right side kinda left me confused for the first few times I tried to get back to the main screen. Branded by Access, this even shows up when the device boots from start.

Actually getting to play with the side loading sd card slot was also nice. It feels very solid, just like the top loading versions, and is easy to access. The cover fits very smoothly and is easy to open and close.

Sorry for the blurry images, they were taken with excited hands!

Ok, now for some screen shots. We'll start with the much talked about integrated phone application. This screen is the default screen which shows up when you press the phone key. Flashing the Cingular logo, it can be changed but we'll give them props for now.

With an easy press to the left on the 5-way navigator we get to the new favorites menu. It's all vertical now, Palm having done away with the two rows of favorites side by side, and I think it's much easier to read and use.

One more press to the left, or a quick tap, and you get to the on screen phone pad.

Off to the right we have easy access to Contacts and Tasks, and they are just as easy to get to thanks to the new access bar at the bottom.

Next up we have some shots of the main screen, showing some of the new applications that come with the 680. PocketTunes has replaced RealPlayer (a big one up in my opinion) and the handy Voice Memo application can now be found.

PocketTunes is an all around great MP3 player, and on the 680 it has a nice smooth look and feel. Sound quality out of the back speaker is also much better than the 650, making it fun and easy to use the 680 as an internet radio for the masses while you are out and about.

As I mentioned before, Voice Memo can now be found on the 680. I have a LifeDrive as well, and very much liked the many uses of the Voice Memo application. It, like PocketTunes and many of the other applications, has a very smooth look and feel to it. Easy to use, especially if you program the quick launch side button for a short note.

There are also a couple of other applications that have done with some updates. The Treo 680 ships with version 8 of Documents to Go, which now allows for native PDF viewing, and an updated version of Kinoma Player.

A nice, easy to navigate users guide is also included.

Overall I really like the new look and feel, and should be getting one as soon as they come out. Which brings me to my next topic.....pricing and rumored availability.

We'd all hoped that the pricing on the new Treo 680 would be low enough that many of us could just jump right on it, but unfortunately that is not the case. The pricing information I have was taken from the spec sheet in the Cingular store, and confirmed by the manager there. The full price for a new, out of contract Treo 680 is going to be $454.99! I personally was blindsided by this hefty price tag, and it looks like many a relative will be getting hand made construction paper Christmas cards this year instead of the nice pre-printed ones. Fortunately for those who are near the end of their contract, or considering starting a new one, the price can drop significantly. With a new contract the price drops to $324.99. Add a $100 mail in rebate, and an additional $20 off if you sign up for a data plan (the big $39.99 one) and you can bring the total cost of your new 680 down to a palatable $204.99.

As for release rumors, this is what I was told. Cingular will start shipping out the 680's to stores once they run out of their present stock of 650's. The store I was at today is already out of 650's, and is anxiously awaiting the arrival of the 680's, possibly today or tomorrow. I also heard some release rumors on the 750w, but unfortunately at this time it doesn't look like it will be out until next year.

Anyway, I hope everyone finds this information helpful and it will allow them to make an informed decision as to whether they want to stay the course or jump on the upgrade bandwagon. Until next time!

[nice one forgot - if some of the pictures don't show up for you then - in IE - just right-click and select 'Show Picture' or left-click the image placeholder box to open the original in a new window - steph]

[skoenig]

Great post Forgot.

Pricing information was very very intresting. Lets hope the savvy out there can wade through the rebates and coupons to get their 680 at an affordable price without getting locked into the high end data plan.

~ Steph

[brandon]

and now, once again, jealousy sets in. i want one!

[mceb]

Excellent, thanks for the great info.

[Kimmy]

Wow... Forgot, you have had a busy day... great catch

@Brandon, I want one before you...lol... a red one

The icon's look the same as my Treo 650 I'd of thought they might have changed them.

[skyking517]

Ok I also went to check out the floor model today and I hate to say I for some reason was not very impressed..I know I know, I have been a loyal treo fanatic, but can you believe I got a blackjack????? I was playing with it and just loved it, now that I am home I love it even more....I know weird, so know I can bet the new Treo's will be out soon I still may go to the 750 when and if it ever arrives, as the store told me mid December for both. I guess I got impatient.

[brandon]

kimmy, the red one is all yours. that copper 680 will be in my hands soon enough...

[bluto]

I called one of the Cingular Stores in Madison, WI where I live today and they didn't have a 680 demo in yet, but the guy said they should be getting their shipment of 680s in on Friday! He still didn't know what the pricing would be yet.

[dave]

went in manhattan to 2 stores and they told me mid december. guess they are not well informed. One rep even ask me who made the treo 680.!!

also, if anyone cares, i bought the 750 about 3 weeks ago. Its really slick but i culdnt stand how slow it was. Everytime u try to open an application it took 5 times as long as palm os. While some functionality were nice, I sold it and am waiting for the 680.

[wrecker06]

Both of the Cingular stores in my mall have their demo's out. The upstairs store said they will hopefully have them BEFORE black friday. The downstairs store said they could have them as early as tomorrow. Neither one had a price for me.