I know there are many people out there like me—people who are looking for the ultimate cell phone. My search has been going on for about a year. I’m just watching, waiting, and wishing for Verizon to offer me something good. And I think that something may have arrived.
If you check out this Macworld review of the new Palm OS Treo 700p, you’ll see that it earns a four mouse rating. Four mice, EvDO data access, Palm OS, qwerty keyboard, large color screen, Bluetooth, camera. This thing really has it all. The most compelling reason for me to buy this phone really boils down to two simple things: EvDO and a Palm-based OS. Let’s break it down.
EvDO allows you to achieve broadband-like data speeds on your cell phone. This is obviously advantageous in any situation, as phone-based download speeds will be fast, but it plays the biggest role when working with Bluetooth. The Treo 700p can connect to your laptop via Bluetooth and serve as an EvDO modem. With this feature, I can have high-speed internet on my laptop (without the purchase of an EvDO Express/Card), anywhere I have (EvDO) cellphone service.
Second: a Palm-based OS is so essential to working with a Mac. The cousin of this phone, the Treo 700w, runs off a Microsoft Windows OS. Need I say more..? Basically, the Treo 700p will sync with my Mac via Bluetooth using iSync, transferring all my contacts, calendars, to-dos, and more. If you so wish, you can even grab The Missing Sync and having expanded functionality with your Mac and Palm device. With The Missing Sync you haven even more control over what syncs to your Palm, including photos and music.
The only down sides to this phone (as far as I can see) are price and size. I stopped by Verizon today to get a hands-on look at the Treo 700p, only to find it wasn’t in the store yet. Anyone have any experience with this great looking phone? I’m very eager to buy one, as soon as Verizon stocks up.
Actually, you can get an alpha build of The Missing Sync which supports the 700w. See http://www.technologyevangelist.com/2006/06/syncing_a_treo_700p.html and http://www.markspace.com/testing/MSWM25_alpha.html for more details.
Verizon supports tethering (running the phone's data connection on a laptop) via bluetooth only, and this limits the speed somewhat...about a third. On par with DSL. The OS is identical to the Treo 650, which has been out for quite some time and has been commented on throughly. Tethering requires 15 bucks per month in addition to the $45 unlimited data. Most people grumble about it but are psyched when they see the tethering in action on a train or in a car, for example. USB tethering is technically possible with a hack, and this would result in full speed EVDO on a mac. I'm a TS rep at VZW and would recommend the 700p over the 700w. Unless you are tied (chained) to an Exchange environment.