Project PDA

Following in the footsteps of Treo 680, the new Smartphone 750 from Palm and Cingular is here to sweep the Windows Mobile market with its solid features and the  long list of attributes,  posing somewhere between a smartphone and a pocket PC phone. Its edge of Window Mobile 5.0 and 3G connectivity is undoubtedly a leap forward for the Treo family.

Drawing much from the previous versions like 680 and 700, the 750 is designed with the factor like convenience and comfort in mind. Its sports a palm-friendly shape and softer rubberized touch for better grip in dark blue and silver color schemes appropriate to be a corporate gear. This 4.4 x 2.3 x 0.8 inches miniscule PC phone weighing a meager 5.4 ounces  displays a 240 x 240 pixel touchscreen teamed up with the convenience of the QWERTY keypad  and plenty more. The whole list of features that include speaker, camera, external aerial connecter, battery compartment are all neatly arranged at the rear of the device which is smoother and rounded, decreasing the virtual dimension of the device. However, the camera placement is such that the lens tends to get partially hidden while holding the phone in its usual manner. The phone that can un-protestingly slide down your pocket comes neat and precise with a cover on the MiniSD slot and  an incredibly useful mute switch on the top for prompt switchover from sound to silence.

Integrated Bluetooth, 1.3 megapixel camera, 3G (UMTS) network compatibility in Palm Treo 750 is complemented with a commendable voice clarity devoid of echo syndromes, even with the speaker mode active. Attending a call is never a compromise during simultaneous navigation or staying online. The termination of a calling session  is notified with an unique number saving option.

The touchscreen combined with control button and keyboard is an ideal match for the windows interface, enhancing easy data entry. The five-way navigation button and the pair of action keys that are placed at the base of the touchscreen are followed by the Phone/Send button, Windows Start button, OK button and the Power/End button – planned with the user's convenience in mind.

Moving from the phone-self to the PDA-self, Treo 750 is embedded with a competent and professional 'personal information management system' widening the spectrum of both mobile and computer application. Contacts, calendar, notes and tasks are the key features that operate in supreme office management. It is possible to key-in notes scribble freehand with the stylus or incorporate voice memos. The calendar on the other hand is empowered with a proficient view option that is not only easy for toggling and editing but also ranges from agenda to year.

Mails that are harbored in the corporate email account accessible through Treo 750 can be optionally synchronized through Good Mobile Messaging or Microsoft Direct Push. This handheld device supports versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Windows Media Player. It is bestowed with the comfort of creating, viewing and editing word and excel documents. Whereas the same cannot be exercised on PowerPoint slides and PDF files, which can only be read.

The 300 MHz processor of this smartphone flaunts a 64MB RAM  and 128 MB flash memory and is charged by 1,200 milliamp Lithium Ion rechargeable / replaceable battery. The battery promises a 4-5 hours of talk time with 10 days on standby, thus lasting  a busy day of usage or a full weekend without plugging on to the charger.

The wireless modem of Treo 750 can be attached to a notebook over a Bluetooth 1.2, USB or infrared connectivities. The conditions for mobile roaming has also been extended here as 3G tri-band UMTS connectivity is strengthened by quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE compatability. However, the existing version of Bluetooth restricts the data speed to about 720kbps.

The dynamic QWERTY keyboard has soft keys and the 5 way navigator manageable by fingertips alongside additional keys like the start button, OK button and the Alt key dedicated for single-handed navigation. However, the stubby keys with their close spacing often hinder  smooth maneuverability. The right side of the keyboard contains an IR port and the miniSD card slot. This slot also supports IO cards enabling barcode scanning and Wi-Fi functions.

An unique enhancement in the Treo 750 is the Today Screen featuring attributes like 'dial by name' and direct call management. The Next G voicemail operation has also been made progressive with rewind, delete and fast-forward controls similar to a VCR or CD player. Further facilities include dedicated messaging applications for both SMS and MMS with the goodness and fun of personalized messenger chatting.

The 240 X 240 display that gives a better boost to the Windows Media is nice and bright with adjustable backlight fashioned for battery power conservation. The screen is spacious enough for information readouts The 1.3 megapixel camera has preserved the same old 2x zoom. However, the camera is not front –mounted to support video calls and has a comparatively below par resolution.

Pros

• The messaging service in Treo 750 has been revolutionized as the text messagers are like Instant Messengers where the whole conversation with the other person can be tracked while writing the text.
• The stereo Bluetooth has immense power and clarity making MP3s and videos a pleasure to play.
• It is possible to choose five pictures for speed dialing as the pictures fit the screen in perfect dimension.

Cons

• The phone is not a Wi-Fi supporting device.
• With too many applications in action, the phone tends to slug a bit in execution speed.
• The camera usage is restricted to daylight as it doesn't have a flash to capture actions in low light.

Considering all the enhancements and the setbacks, the Palm Treo 750 is definitely the one to be promoted and be positively commented upon. It is compact, light, clear and bright with a fast browser and strong receptivity. The chat-style text messaging and single-handed use add value to keyed conversation as the battery provide constant support. The device is an impressive addon to the smartphone line-up packed with all the ingredients to offer a wholesome mobile PC experience.