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Treo 650

Wed Dec 22, 2004 - 3:26 PM EST - By James Hromadka

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Product Info
Details
> Name Treo 650
> Company PalmOne
> Talk time 6 hrs talk / 300 standby
> Size 4.4"x2.3"x0.9"
> Weight 6.3 oz.
> Bluetooth Yes
> Screen 16-bit 320x320
> Fact Sheet & User Opinions
Availability
> Available
Pricing
> $599


Bluetooth

For its time, the Treo 600 was one of the best smartphones on the market, but it was missing one critical feature -- Bluetooth. Being able to don a headset without feeling the confinement of wires is very liberating, as is selecting the HotSync button when your computer is across the room.

In my review ofThe Missing Sync, I mentioned how easy it was to get Bluetooth working between the Treo 650 and my PowerBook. Tap the Bluetooth icon at top of the Phone or Applications screen and turn on Bluetooth if necessary. You may also want to give your Treo a better name.

Select the Setup Devices button at the bottom of the screen to do the one-time procedure of pairing your Treo 650 with either a headset or your computer. Since I was already "BlueSyncing" with my Mac, I decided to connect the Treo to a Jabra Freespeak 250 headset. Moments later, I was paired and ready to embark on a wonderful wireless journey.

I'm sure that King Bluetooth had problems when he unified all of Scandinavia during the 10th century, and Bluetooth on the Treo 650 has its problems as well. For one thing, there is included software that allows you to voice dial using either a corded headset or the built-in mic, but it doesn't work with a Bluetooth headset; a corded headset is required. Also, many recent automobiles that have Bluetooth speakerphones don't work with the Treo 650 . In-car bluetooth doesn't work. The hands-free profile for some headsets can be flakey, though the headset profile generally always works. The TreoCentral Bluetooth forum has the latest discussion about these issues, and I will also be reviewing many of the headsets that are available.


Cable Connectors


The last physical difference that I want to cover with the Treo 650 and the Treo 600 is the HotSync connector. The 650 uses the same connector that the Tungsten 5 uses, and that is not a good thing. For one thing, existing Treo 600 users will have to buy all new accessories. Worse still, instead of having the power cable plug in near the USB port and thus out of the way of desktop computers, it plugs into the bottom of the connector attached to the Treo 650.

As you can see in the picture, this makes for a very bulky connector, and it doesn't even stay on very well. It is very easy to accidently unplug it. The Treo 600's connector required pressing in the buttons on its sides in order to release it, but there's nothing stopping the Treo 650 from accidently being disconnected. Be aware of this when syncing.

It's almost as if PalmOne wanted to encourage BlueSyncing, as you can forgoe the bulky connector and just plug the power cable into the Treo 650.

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