The upgraded sibling of the popular Treo 600 (reviewed in the December 2004 issue of Digit), the 650 boasts of some significant enhancements—really making it worth a dekko! Major upgrades in the new model include a faster processor, an upgraded operating system, EDGE connectivity, a better screen, Bluetooth support, remov- able battery and video capture functionality—which was lacking in the Treo 600. The Treo 650 is powered by an Intel PXA270 312 MHz CPU, running version 5.4 of Palm OS. The quadband GSM/GPRS device offers about 23 MB of user-available memory—expand- able through the SDIO (Secure Digital Input Output) slot. Installed applications include Phone, VersaMail, Web browser, Camera, RealPlayer, and World Clock apart from standard PIM applications such as Contacts, Calendar, Tasks and Memos. RealPlayer can be used to play MP3 files, but you would need an SD/MMC card to store the tracks, it does not play from internal memory. The Treo 650, as was the case with its predecessor, is designed for single-handed operation using the five-way navigator and other hardware buttons. However, you need to use both hands (thumbs, in fact) while typing text on the QWERTY keyboard. The phone operation is smooth, and there are no issues as far as voice clarity is concerned. The screen vibrancy is excellent with colours reproduced well. The inbuilt camera with 2X digital zoom captures stills and videos at an acceptable quality, if there’s enough light. The rechargeable lithium ion battery will give you enough juice to last for three to four days with standard usage, but will be greatly reduced if you play media files, games, or leave the Bluetooth perpetually switched on. Surely worth considering, if you want a device that lets you stay connected anywhere in the world, and offers business and entertainment functionality, all-in-one.
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