Palm Treo 750v: Palm running Windows Mobile

Word of Palm users in the circle of communicators and PDAs usually causes mixed reactions. Those few who had once happened to be the owners of machines on the Palm OS, usually sighing dreamily, remembering ergonomics and speed of the representatives of the series Tungsten and Zire. Rave reviews can be found and the owners have become classics of the Treo 650. Another part of the audience did not taste all the delights of Palm OS, mainly because of the short time to communicate with devices on this operating system is usually limited to a few remarks on the topic of the complexities of interaction with the "palm" a fancy interface, etc. All the same Palm OS in Russia has always been the operating system "is not for everyone," even in an era of handheld computers is much losing most popular Windows Mobile. But now times have changed, and now we face a product bearing the proud name of Palm Treo 750v, but running Windows Mobile 5.0. Interestingly, this model sold in Europe since late last year, but, nevertheless, still has not lost its relevance and deserves your attention. The fact is that the ergonomics of the Treo 750v has inherited the best of his illustrious predecessor, the Treo 650, but was much "closer to the people", thanks to the familiar "windows" interface. Our hero has an average to date features. For example, there is no rapidly gaining popularity interface Wi-Fi, and even the CPU is not the fastest - Samsung S3C2440 clocked at 300 MHz. C full specification Palm Treo 750v you can see in the attached comparison chart. Well, the closest competitor models, the unit can be called similar in form factor and functionality of HP iPAQ hw6915, FS Pocket Loox T830, ORSiO p745, i-Mate Jama, equipped with the same processor, as well as the HTC P4350 (Herald), a slider with a QWERTY-keyboard .
Palm Treo 750v: Palm running Windows Mobile
Comparison table
Palm Treo 750v: Palm running Windows Mobile

Supplied

Testing for us Treo 750v got almost all, like most of the test samples. From a kit could be seen only network charger. According to information from the developer, the machine is available in the following components:
  • Palm Treo 750v
  • battery
  • charger
  • Stereo
  • USB sync cable
  • User guide
  • Software CD

Ergonomics and Design

According to the novelty of the design closely follows the Treo 650 - the same rounded corners and tapered to the bottom of the hull form. Separate credit goes to the fact that all elements of the unit are covered with plastic coated soft-touch, which makes the communication with the device rather pleasant. Housing cars made in blue and silver colors. Of dark-blue plastic made rear of the unit, as well as part of the front panel, which is the keyboard. Outlining the main display and control buttons interface are colored in silver. Silvery plastic inserts can be found on the lateral side of the device. Materials used - a very high quality, device looks expensive, classic colors add a typewriter "status". We now proceed to a detailed examination of the functional elements of the Treo 750v. All space occupied by the display device under the hardware keys. Here are concentrated the main controls, namely, four-way control key with the confirmation button in the center and the control buttons context menu in Windows Mobile.
Palm Treo 750v: Palm running Windows Mobile
Just below, right, are call button and start menu «Start», and on the opposite side, respectively, the key "End" and "OK". All controls are few stand out above the surface of the device and clearly distinguishable to the touch. Accidentally pressed unlikely. At the bottom of the device is placed QWERTY-keyboard, which has remained almost unchanged since the Treo 650. The keys are small but tactile clearly distinguishable. Digital block is made ​​in silver and is clearly visible from the rest dark blue buttons. Font size - big enough, and the inscriptions on the keys are visible even in poor lighting. True, the English letters, and additional characters occupy almost the entire surface of each button, which inadvertently suggests the absence of Russification of the keyboard in commercial deliveries Treo 750v, as was the case with the Treo 650. Want to note the rather mild, but a clear course of keys, with a barely perceptible click from depression. In general, the impressions of the keyboard exclusively positive. A large number of hardware buttons and qualitatively realized QWERTY-keyboard to minimize the need to use the stylus to perform most common tasks such as working with the Internet, ICQ and e-mail. Difficulties arise only because of lack of Russification of the keyboard.
Palm Treo 750v: Palm running Windows Mobile
Palm Treo 750v: Palm running Windows Mobile
Now go through the side faces of the machine. Left of them are the volume keys, and under them - programmable function keys, the default causes Windows Media Player. On the right the same faces can be found only the infrared port (a rarity these days!) And a slot for memory cards miniSD, tightly closed plastic flap. In addition, under this flap has settled and a recessed reset button device.
Palm Treo 750v: Palm running Windows Mobile
Palm Treo 750v: Palm running Windows Mobile
At the rear of the Treo 750v is a hole for an external antenna, hidden under a thick rubber cover, box cameras, topped with a small self-portrait mirror and speaker grill is large enough. In the left top part of the stylus holder. Yes, exactly, the hole for the stylus is located on the rear of the device, more precisely, it is located on the corner, but the form of device is that the back wall of Treo 750v is slightly narrower than the front, and because of the oblique angle, stylus has literally from the back wall of the machine. However, the special inconvenience this causes, especially given the fact that the stylus has a well-discernible overhang, so that problems with its extraction is not observed. Needless pen is not telescopic, rather long and made of plastic with small metal insert at the bottom.
Palm Treo 750v: Palm running Windows Mobile
Palm Treo 750v: Palm running Windows Mobile
Palm Treo 750v: Palm running Windows Mobile
Moving on, and on the upper end device detects hardware button on / off silent mode. As shown, the thing is very handy when you need one machine to translate the motion into silent mode, the main thing to remember that when the switch is set to "mute", then no software to increase the volume will not make your device to cancel the "vow of silence."
Palm Treo 750v: Palm running Windows Mobile
On the bottom face Treo 750v located nonstandard connector for the cable, adjacent connector for the charger, well, on the left - a hole for a headset having a cross section of 2.5 mm, on the opposite side from which you can find a hole-in microphone.
Palm Treo 750v: Palm running Windows Mobile
For ergonomics and performance of housing Treo 750v gets a fairly well-deserved rating of "excellent". Quality of materials, the absence of backlash and excellent performance controls do make contact with the machine is very, very comfortable.
Palm Treo 750v: Palm running Windows Mobile

Screen

If guided by dry figures, the Palm Treo 750v has a screen resolution of 240x240 pixels and a diagonal of 2.5 inches. The picture quality is excellent viewing angles correspond to modern standards (about 180 degrees). In this case, let's try to answer the question: square screen - good or bad? At one time, this display allows the developer to make the device more compact, well equipped, or an additional field to enter information (as in the same PalmOne Tungsten E2 and Palm Zire 72, etc.). Our hero, in any case can hardly be referred to the compact. Obvious advantages in this case is not, well, the shortcomings could be considered a problem with some programs on a square screen.
Palm Treo 750v: Palm running Windows Mobile
To adjust the backlight offers 11 levels. At a minimum illumination is missing, the maximum communicator can be used in bright sunlight or artificial lighting. Of course, in this case, even at maximum backlight image fades but remains visible.For everyday use, fairly light, corresponding to 6.5 division, well, for reading electronic books in poor light conditions, you can set the slider on 1-2 division.
Palm Treo 750v: Palm running Windows Mobile

Speed ​​and memory

As we have said above, Palm Treo 750v is equipped with Samsung S3C2440 processor clocked at 300 MHz. Among the competitors today communicators in concert with our hero stands i-mate JAMA, which has the same processor as the main competitor - ORSiO p745, made in a similar form factor and completes the picture of the HTC P4350, QWERTY-slider. Theoretically, the results must be also very average. But let's not get ahead of ourselves and to begin, we note that in order to perform everyday tasks, such as access to email, the internet and run small applications, processing power is more than enough. As always, there are delays when opening large documents and working with heavy software or games. For example, to open a text DOC-file of 1 MB, machine took about 30 seconds.
Palm Treo 750v: Palm running Windows Mobile
Spb Benchmark test results
In general, our assumptions are justified. Indeed, Treo 750v showed results very similar to those that gave i-mate JAMA. Other members of the test, HTC P4350 and ORSiO p745 were slightly slower. Significant lag Treo from i-mate JAMA in graphics tests most likely explained by the peculiarities Spb Benchmark, in fact on board the Treo 750v is installed GPU ATI Imageon, which theoretically should cope better with graphics than the "stone» i-mate. Try to verify this with the traditional tester included a popular free media player TCPMP version 0.72RC1.
Palm Treo 750v: Palm running Windows Mobile
As we expected, the video capabilities of our hero proved to be very, very bad. Of course, movies with VGA resolution Treo 750v «not cope, and it is not required for a screen resolution of 240x240 pixels, but pleasantly surprised by what has been the video format 640x352 him well" in the teeth ", although when playing may cause slight delays. Clips with a resolution of 320x240 or less device reproduces more than confident.

Memory

Treo 750v has a standard memory. For storing data, the user gets 128 MB of ROM, which is available from 65 MB, well and set aside to run applications 64 MB of RAM. After rebooting, the amount of RAM available to the user is 28 MB. RAM will almost always miss, well, storage capacity can be increased using memory cards MiniSD, which are available in the massive sale of up to 2 GB.
Palm Treo 750v: Palm running Windows Mobile

Battery

Testing was conducted with standard battery 1200 mAh. As always, the estimated time of the device in three basic modes: 1. Maximum load. The brightness set to maximum, the speaker volume - also included Bluetooth. Through Windows Media Player in the cycle is played a "heavy" video. Battery life in this mode was 5 hours 46 minutes. 2. Normal operation.All wireless modules are disabled. The brightness is set to the first division of the account. On the PDA was started reading the text in Haali Reader with automatic scrolling. Time work was 22 hours 05 minutes. 3. MP3 Playback. Bluetooth is turned off. Highlighting is disabled. Listening through headphones at maximum volume. We used a Pocket Media Player and files with bitrates 192 KB / c. Opening hours 20 hours 01 minutes.
Palm Treo 750v: Palm running Windows Mobile
The results shown Treo 750v in the duration of the test correspond to the mark "above average". By all accounts our today's hero beat the competition, which adds it to the collection of prize-winning points. But this figure is one of the main case with a device-oriented business segment. Potential buyers apparatus is clearly likely to appeal to the fact that his charge will have to think, at least not every day. With daily use, which includes 10-15 minutes of talking on the phone 20-25 minutes using the Bluetooth (including sync), and about half an hour to use the basic functions of the communicator (email, web browsing), Treo 750v bit did not reach 3 days. Accordingly, the average load machine will have to recharge about every 2 days, which is a very good indicator.

Sound

The quality of sound Treo 750v is very similar communicator HTC (by the way, the developer of the device is just a giant Taiwanese High Tech Computer). Without going into detail, then the sound you can put a good estimate. Traditionally, the first recommendation to the user - set the player on third-party developers, because Media Player Mobile is still very far from ideal. Well, a second piece of advice - buy an adapter from 2.5 mm to 3.5 mm. In this case, Treo 750v will be fully able to meet not too demanding to the quality of the sound the user.

Wireless interfaces

The assets of a Treo 750v - unusual by today's standards, a set of wireless means for data transmission. Here, of course, not without the Bluetooth version 2.0, but here's the place Wi-Fi stands for, to put it mildly, not the most popular interface IrDA. Certainly, the lack of Wi-Fi can be attributed to the shortcomings of the device, especially given the business orientation of the model and focus on the user is actively using all possible means to communicate in virtual space. Well, now, everything in order.

Phone

Telephone part is represented by 4-band GSM-module, which supports 850/900/1800/1900 MHz frequency, and, importantly, the module UMTS. In the phone menu you can select several modes of operation of the telephone:
  • Auto
  • GSM (900 +1800) + UMTS 2100
  • GSM (1900 +850) + UMTS (1900 850)
  • GSM (900 +1800) + UMTS (2100 850 800)
Of course, not without support EDGE, which allows triple the speed of data transmission in networks GSM. Having the support of UMTS features useless to most Russians are gradually transformed into a function, at least not too much, given the plans for domestic operators to enter the new level of high-speed data transmission. In a word, the telephone part of the Treo 750v is equipped to the max. The reception quality is high, the communicator quickly find a network (in the testing process used in SIM-card operator MegaFon-Moscow "and" Beeline "), works without a glitch. Quality of communication is also at altitude. Call control by the standard program Phone, albeit in an unusual form of Windows Mobile. In addition there are several add-ins to accelerate the process of dialing, but they will be discussed in the section of the software.
Palm Treo 750v: Palm running Windows Mobile

Bluetooth

Treo 750v is equipped with Bluetooth module version 2.0 with support for most popular profiles including A2DP for listening to music through a wireless stereo headset and AVRCP to control PLERIN through the same headset. During testing, our hero confidently interact with smartphones Nokia 7610, N-Gage QD, as well as communicator Voxtel W420. I want to note and correct data synchronization with PC, through all the same module Bluetooth (in the absence of cable included with the test specimen, inadvertently had to evaluate and process;). Support EDR was observed.
Palm Treo 750v: Palm running Windows Mobile
Palm Treo 750v: Palm running Windows Mobile

IrDA

About Infrared say, by and large, there is nothing. It is! Configure the infrared port available, as a class. It can be either on or off. As an outcome of this chapter, we note that the work of all wireless interfaces Treo 750v left only pleasant experience, not one failure was observed.

Soft

In the test instance Treo 750v wide variety of additional software was not observed. Nevertheless, on board the cars were seen lots of small software add-ons to simplify user interaction with the operating system Windows Mobile. Here they are: Today-Plugin for quick access to contacts from the phonebook. Works on the principle of simplified input T9.
Palm Treo 750v: Palm running Windows Mobile
The add-on program Phone, which allows for the pressing call to see a list of dialed numbers, or if you want to move to a standard dial-in field. As shown, the thing is very useful, it is no secret that in most cases, we call it so, who contacted some time ago.
Palm Treo 750v: Palm running Windows Mobile
Soft-key Menu screen Today, causing a list of frequently used phone functions, such as a telephone dialer box, a list of calls, speed dial list and the standard application Wireless Manager. Hence, we can get into the setup menu of the Today screen and standard phone features.
Palm Treo 750v: Palm running Windows Mobile
Hardware key rebound performs several functions. When pressed once it extinguishes the display device, while retaining - disables or enables the phone module. Add-in that allows retention of key «OK» to call a standard list of running applications. Of course, not a complete application manager, but still.
Palm Treo 750v: Palm running Windows Mobile
Palm Treo 750v: Palm running Windows Mobile
Program Keyguard, are is nothing like an automatic locker keyboard and screen. You can set a condition under which the keyboard and the screen will require unlocking. Unlock the way, by pressing a key rebound, and after her, the central key management device.
Palm Treo 750v: Palm running Windows Mobile
Program Sim Manager, familiar to us from communicators HTC. Simple uncomplicated application to communicate with contacts stored on SIM-card. Annex Email Setup, at the opening of which, we were somehow redirected to a directory of programs popular online store "Pocket" software - mobile.handango.com.
Palm Treo 750v: Palm running Windows Mobile
Known program PDF Viewer, designed, oddly, to view documents in PDF. We add only that in the commercial supply of Palm Treo 750v Preinstalled software may differ from those listed in this review.

Upgrading to Windows Mobile 6 Professional

More recently, Palm began releasing updates to WM 6 Professional for Treo 750 users in Europe, so far it is available only to subscribers of Vodafone in the Netherlands, Great Britain and Ireland. The plans of the developer - Issue updates for no operator's version of Treo 750, which is scheduled for September 2007. Among the most useful changes, in addition to the new OS, we can note the ability to use high-speed standard HSDPA in the new firmware, as well as several software add-ons.

Luggage

On your device, the camera with a resolution of the matrix 1,3 Mp. In the settings you can choose the resolution photos:
  • 1280x1024
  • 640x480
  • 320x240
  • 240x180
  • 160x120
    Scene:
  • normal
  • Burst
  • Shooting timer
    The value of zoom:
  • 1x
  • 2x
Also, you can select the image quality of three options:
  • Normal
  • Low
  • Excellent
Palm Treo 750v: Palm running Windows Mobile
Quality of the photos - very bad for your device. Even in low light conditions, images are obtained sufficiently clear and contrasting. Weak spot camera Treo 750v - shooting objects at close range. Picture is blurred from a distance of approximately 10-12 cm from the subject. Shooting text using the Treo 750v is virtually impossible, the picture quality is far from ideal. Well, for shooting popular subjects, like friends or urban flower garden, camera features our hero will be enough. In short, the usual camera for your device.
Palm Treo 750v: Palm running Windows Mobile
Palm Treo 750v: example photo (jpg, 1280x1024, 308,7 Kb)
Palm Treo 750v: Palm running Windows Mobile
Palm Treo 750v: example photo (jpg, 1280x1024, 357,9 Kb)
Palm Treo 750v: Palm running Windows Mobile
Palm Treo 750v: example photo (jpg, 1280x1024, 373,8 Kb)
Palm Treo 750v: Palm running Windows Mobile
Palm Treo 750v: example photo (jpg, 1280x1024, 419,2 Kb)
Palm Treo 750v: Palm running Windows Mobile
Palm Treo 750v: example photo (jpg, 1280x1024, 525,2 Kb)
Palm Treo 750v: Palm running Windows Mobile
Palm Treo 750v: example photo (jpg, 1280x1024, 438,3 Kb)
Traditionally, maintained and shooting videos. Save video is possible only in format 3gp. Available resolution 352x288 and 176x144. The video quality - much higher than the quality of photos produced by the same camera. Even when you move the machine, the image is not converted into slideshows, with color and everything is in order. Evaluate the video quality can be slightly lower.
Palm Treo 750v: Palm running Windows Mobile
Palm Treo 750v: Video sample (3gp, 352x288, 15sec, 769.9 kb)

Price and Availability

Currently, Palm Treo 750v is only sold overseas. The cost ranges from 860 dollars for a standard package, to $ 950 per set with a GPS-set. Exports to Russia is still under question, and the price in this case plays a significant role. Still, in this price range there is a sufficient number of competitive models.

Conclusions

Palm Treo 750v - a perfect example of the communicator, focused on the business user. "During this" speak well thought out design and ergonomics, quality of materials and a full QWERTY-keyboard and compact design. The latter, incidentally, generally distinguishes our hero among the competitors. Certainly, in the arsenal of many manufacturers have and the QWERTY-monoblocks, for example, i-Mate JAQ3 or ORSiO p754, and touch QWERTY-sliders (HTC P4350, HTC TyTN, Glofiish M700, ORSiO g735), exactly like device with a full keyboard among smartphones (Samsung i320, Samsung i600, HTC S620).In our case, we get a combination of classical monoblock form factor, touch screen and QWERTY-keyboard, which at least allows typing with one hand, without denying yourself if necessary and in touch. Of course, with all the advantages of this device is unlikely to fall into the category of popular models, but the buyer, he certainly will. And very likely, they will be user for whom the first place are easy operation and high battery life, and only followed by high-performance and multimedia features. Well, now, by tradition, to express the impression of the Treo 750v in a form listing the advantages and disadvantages.
    Pros:
  • Excellent ergonomics
  • High quality of housing
  • Comfortable keyboard
  • Good battery life
    Cons:
  • Lack of Wi-Fi
  • Non-standard jack for cable and charger
  • Square screen (240x240)
The authors, translation: