Love at first sight? Could be. There's certainly some pretty powerful infatuation going on with the Treo Pro, with everybody from The New York Times to the Huffington Post and BoingBoing taking note. One Engadget reader called it "a nicely formed smartphone packed with necessary features for the business folk. And with Windows Mobile on it one can count on it likely having the best compatibility with the business's email." (Another Engadget reader declared "I'd go back to a Palm device for this.")
On TreoCentral, they're weighing both the price and the size, and wind up with a thumbs up: "Wow, I'm pumped. $549 is a great unlocked device price. The size is also great - almost identical to the iPhone 3G, but slightly narrower and slightly thicker." At GQ's Material Interest blog, the headline duly notes "Oh, that's so much better than the Palm Amateur," admiring the Treo Pro's "elegant...and slimmer form factor."
CNET's Crave calls it "enticing," while over at Gizmodo, one reader said "I think it is finally what I have been searching for. I've tried both the HP Ipaq 910c and I currently own a Tilt. I want the functionality of the Tilt, with a smartphone form factor, with a big enough touchscreen." And over on Brighthand, they've sized up the Treo Pro this way: "I tell ya, I compared the dimensions against the Curve, the Bold, and my current Treo 755p, and the size is great!"
If you've fallen for the Treo Pro and want to get one for free, here are a couple of suggestions: Head over to CrunchGear ASAP where they're offering one as a part of the gala finale to their anniversary celebration. Or you could always try the rather...unorthodox...approach described over at wmpower.com.
Jon Zilber
And 1 million other users still prefer the PalmOS over that Windows garbage! Get with the program PALM!
Posted by: PalmOS | August 21, 2008 at 08:51 PM
Palm should offer a trade in program to get these phones in the hands of early adaptors. I have a Nokia N 95 8GB (US Version) I would trade up for the Treo Pro in a heat beat.
But seriously I have two words for you Palm; viral marketing. I see your doing some of this but you should do more. With software titles like QIK and Twitter this phone could really be shown off.
Posted by: Corey McLaughlin | August 21, 2008 at 09:45 PM
Jon,
I'm very happy for you, and Palm, that you have recieved some positive reviews in the media But, I was wondering if you read the 1st impressions by palm users, and readers of this blog
http://blog.palm.com/palm/2008/08/meet-the-treo-p.html
the feedback from almost all readers was "why windows mobile" & "when will there be a modern PalmOS palm treo"
as I have also asked "Mike A", could you please address these concerns, preferably as a post in this blog
best regards,
Mike D
Posted by: one.m.davis | August 22, 2008 at 12:52 AM
Maybe your next blog entry can explain why the larger battery and 3.5mm headset jack couldn't be incorporated into the Treo 800w? I understand the flush screen and thinness are the result of a new form factor but it seems like the Treo Pro and 800w teams were not coordinated on basic features.
Posted by: Sammy | August 22, 2008 at 05:35 AM
Pretty cool stuff, If you guys read engadget, I hope you caught that fake Centro 2 ad recently and maybe take some design/advertisement cues from it (or heck, hier the guy who made it).
http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/11/palm-centro-2-leaked-lacking-qwerty/
Very cool though, I can't wait for this to hit Verizon, I haven't been this excited about a smartphone in a loooong time.
Posted by: devon | August 23, 2008 at 01:15 PM
1.Windows mobile? Deal killer.
2. Available only unlocked, no carrier subsidy to purchase-- nope. (Amazing that AT&T would not carry it, considering how many centros they say they sold.) You won't sell very many of these at full freight, for sure. Second Deal Killer.
Too little, too late.
Posted by: Mark | August 23, 2008 at 01:37 PM
There is still no FM radio! Give us a smartphone with FM!
Posted by: Floyd Robinson | August 23, 2008 at 07:14 PM
Great news on the new Palm Pro, but 2 questions:
A. When will the Palm OS version be out rather than Windows Mobile? Never keen on the Windows at all....
B. Will we see Chinese characters available for sms?
Dan
Posted by: Daniel Chang | August 24, 2008 at 09:08 PM
Palm addicts is also giving a free Treo Pro away. Visit
http://palmaddict.typepad.com/palmaddicts/2008/08/new-throwaway-.html
Posted by: Lindsey Schlabach | August 25, 2008 at 08:29 AM
In other post, I has posted this:
(...)
Well, it's a great hardware evolution, but... if lauch this same phone, but with our 'actual' Palm OS, I really gonna be very, very happy!!
Who knows... a "Treo 880"?? ;-)
Okay, I know that the Garnet OS cannot support 3G (because need a multi-task), but all other functions he support and a simple PalmOS Treo with 400 Mhz, Edge, Wifi, GPS, 128/256MB (or 256/512MB, or more), 3.5 mm earphone, 2.0 Megapixel camera, 1500 mAh and some icons/interface that use this high resolution it's 'close to perfection' to me, and to many other peoples, too!
Well, you have the knife and the cheese... only need use!
(...)
There is one more thing that can to do a Palm OS the biggest preference of market: A BEAUTIFULL INTERFACE!!
The actual Palm OS can to have wonderfull icons and bars with High Resolution, gradient color and more! If use beautifull the actual Palm OS with 'Icons Panels' (as SonyEricsson Experia, for example), can to be very impressive to anyone!!
It's not difficult, and is possible! Just to change the Icons, install personal and impressive Walpapers (as can use in Calendar) and beautifull themes.
In the end, the simple user love it a beatifull interface, the same way that men love it to see a 'delicious' girl or women love it to see a 'delicious' diamont!
I said, I say and I repeat now:"-Well, you have the knife and the cheese... only need use!"
Best Regards...
Posted by: Robson Porto | August 26, 2008 at 06:50 AM
Nice work Palm.
Please slap Palm OS on this and bundle it with Blackberry Connect. In my company, IT supports BB only - they just won't do Exchange ActiveSync at all.
Posted by: Voltaire | August 26, 2008 at 01:57 PM
My work is a Mac shop and will only support Mac's iPhone or a palm with Palm OS (not Windows). I'd get the iPhone, but that means having AT&T for a carrier, which has terrible coverage here. I'd rather have a Palm. I've been a regular Palm PDA user for over 10 years. The Treo Pro looks great - when will Palm make a smartphone with WiFi and GPS with the Palm OS?
I make my decision this fall.
Posted by: Sarah | August 26, 2008 at 05:40 PM
Just update the PALM OS 680 (raise processor speed) or give us
a PALM OS TREO PRO...
PALM OS apps,and stability, are still high on my list.
windows mobile is not I prefer. I prefer PALM OS !
Posted by: fabio | August 27, 2008 at 10:17 AM
I am from Singapore and i have been watching over the development in Palm. Frankly, it is been exciting ever since i heard of Treo Pro. Definitely in the right direction...just wondering when we are getting it in Singapore.
Having said that, i do have some suggestions...it is basically innovations that could be added to Palm Treo Pro.
I like Treo Pro. I would hope that the next "Treo Pro" might have the following feature:
1)A bigger, more ergonomic design qwerty keyboard...maybe something that looks like the latest Blackberry Bold qwerty keyboard.
...Treo Pro may need to get wider to accomodate such a keyboard? no problem, make it slightly wider(no palm user would complaint if it still can be handled with good grip in one hand) as long as it get thinner. I mean look at iphone...nobody is complaining that it is too wide for a regular phone...
2)Palm OS simplicity...i don't know about the latest palm os... but people like palm os for its simplicity...i don't have any missgiving about windows mobile 6.1 either...
Why not overlay a "Palm designed" interface/menu/today UI over the windows mobile 6.1? Nowadays, its all about interface...i mean, look at HTC, Asus, Samsung, Lg winmo smartphone...they got really nice touches there, but mostly are comestic...
Perhaps a debut of a Palm signatured UI on top of Windows mobile 6.1 would be the next best thing? something that capture the simplicity of Palm designs(simple, pragmatic, user intuitive) and yet nicely integrated into the winmo core OS apps such as calendar, email, contacts...
3)VGA screen
4)So what do we get at the end of the day?
A Treo Pro with thinner but wider body, accomodates a ergonomically designed qwerty keyboard(BlackBerry precision), a new Palm signature UI over winmo, VGA screen and ok... a better processor and more memory...
Not too hard to please right?
Posted by: HS Low | August 27, 2008 at 08:49 PM
Specifications tell that the platforms supported are Vista and XP! What about us on the Mac. Can I switch from Palm T/X to Treo Pro and will there be a desktop application for the (i)Mac?
Posted by: Dick | August 28, 2008 at 08:07 AM
i would love to get one i have had a 600,650,700 all palm os i do not want windows so when will it have palm os???
Posted by: vincenzo contarino | November 30, 2008 at 11:25 AM