Introducing the Sprint Treo 800w: GPS, Wi-Fi, WinMo 6.1, EVDO Rev A, and more!

 

There’s a powerful new Treo smartphone for the Sprint network: the Sprint Treo 800w, boasting a combination of features that haven’t previously been available on any Palm device. Highlights include:

• integrated GPS
• one-touch Wi-Fi
• the latest version of Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional
• fast mobile broadband speeds on Sprint’s EvDO Rev A network

along with several Palm enhancements to Windows Mobile that simplify and streamline the experience of using the Treo 800w.

You can pick up the Treo 800w now at the very affordable price tag of $249 (with two-year service agreement and mail-in rebate) in Sprint stores and online at www.sprint.com or www.palm.com. It’s also available through Sprint and Palm’s B2B sales organizations. (More information on the Treo 800w can be found here.)

Palm's Windows Mobile enhancements include:

• the ability to call, text, email, search the Web, and do a point-of-interest search (GPS/LBS) directly from the Today Screen;
• an "ignore a call" feature to send quick text messages -- such as “In a meeting” or “Can’t talk right now” -- from the Incoming Call Screen;
• superior phone and call-management features, including dedicated icons for mute, speakerphone and conference calling, and the ability to dial phone numbers in an email or webpage, all with just one-touch;
• a dial-by-name feature from the Today Screen;
• a one-touch Wi-Fi button to conveniently connect and manage Wi-Fi;
• GPS searches from the Today Screen and integration with Contacts and Sprint Navigation for turn-by-turn and audible directions;
• more program memory (128MB) and user storage (170MB internal, 8GB microSD expansion), along with a 2MP camera and high resolution 320x320 touch screen; and
• Palm's familiar one-handed navigation, including hard buttons for email and calendar, a five-way navigation button and tactile keyboard, and an on/off ringer switch to silence the phone in meetings.

Parag Gupta - Product Manager, Windows Mobile Smartphones

Comments

[Neal Smoller]

Please clarify the standalone GPS abilities of the Treo 800w. If this has been false advertising, I wish to return the device. Thank you.

[Alfredo]

I'm still waiting for a better battery, for a software update to raise the volume, and another to be able to play movies from youtube, etc. I just moved from a Centro, and I hope this was an upgrade, so I'm still waiting..

[WHsu]

I am enjoying the speediness of WM6.1 coupled with this phone.

What I cannot understand is how Palm decided 7-8 hours of battery life is sufficient for a typical user. I really hope that when (if?) Palm does come out with a longer-lasting battery, that it will be free for customers who had purchased the original. I have already purchased two spares from Ebay to compensate for the usage put on this phone.

Also, why was EVDO not turned on? I was fortunate enough to read a forum post notifying us of this. This should have been on from the start.

Thanks for listening.

[Dayna]

Does anyone know if an 800P or something bigger operated by Palm OS not windows will be coming out soon???

[Tustin]

Add my vote to the 800p. Better yet, how about a TreoDrive: a treo size that looks like a LifeDrive, with the larger touch screen.

[Matthew]

800w is NOT true standalone GPS! You need to be in range of Sprints Networks!

This problem is well documented at
http://discussion.treocentral.com/showthread.php?t=167240

[Budhi Soeprijanto]

When Palm Treo 800p(?) using PalmOS will be available to the market? We need PalmOS device that has capabilities like Treo 800w (WiFi, GPS), and from old Treo 600 (reset hole in the body, PalmSMS chat style).

[Jack M]

i am seriously thinking about returning this product.. theres no way in hell i am paying an additional 10 dollars for gps ontop of the 99 i already pay. i have tomtom and spent nearly a day trying to succesfully install it before i read this forum posting. if a solution to the GPS is not eveloped within the next 10 days i am returning the device.

ps: the battery is pathetic

[EMTreo800w]

Having be an avid windows mobile user since the old HP Jornada days, I've been through dozens of devices. The 800w has the hardware to do exactly what I need a device to do, and a lot that I dont need but want. The one black eye this devices has is GPS. aGPS is great for getting quick fixes when you have cell service, however, aGPS as the ONLY way to get a GPS fix is unacceptable. I not only left my last smartphone (the HTC Kaiser aKa AT&T Tilt) for this phone, I changed carriers! The 800w had the physical form factor, horsepower, and looks that I wanted. Not sure I would've made the change if I knew I'd be ball and chained to Sprint's navigation solutions. I paid good money for my TomTom software (the best in my opinion) just to have a software linebacker courtesy of sprint? palm? tell me I can't use it? Bad form palm! Bad form! Time for a patch please :). The hotfix for bluetooth voice dialing was GREAT! We know the engineers at Palm are ready willing and able to fix customers problems, so lets get those who make the decisions to give the green light to get this one fixed as well please :).

[Nandu Nayar]

The 800w has pathetic battery life. I am moving back to my palm 700p tomorrow after returning the 800w. The old phone was great and the Palm operating system is good and familiar.

[rastascott]

My 800w's battery life is greatly improved by turning the location broadcast to 911 only. It is easy to switch back when you need your GPS. There is a bullseye icon on the today screen and it takes seconds to change. It has dramatically improved my battery performace. As of this writing my battery has been on for 28 hours with while using the phone all day for email, texting and several phone calls. I went from boxing it up to return for poor battery performamce to loving the phone instantly.

[gps batteries]

Exceptional beauty!