Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)Edit: Bought an iPhone as soon as it was released. Just tossed the Treo... no comparison!
Purchased from Palm directly online.
I decided to upgrade from the Cingular Treo 650 to the unlocked 680. I read many reviews that said there just wasn't enough of a difference. I found that the extra user memory was indeed worth it for me. The much maligned VGA camera is also much better on the 680 than the 650. I couldn't believe the clarity of the pictures for a camera phone. It's not going to replace my Canon SD80, but for a camera phone it does the job. The colorful plastic case also feels much sturdier than the scratched up shiny case of 650.
I also must say that I had a problem with the responsiveness of the buttons on my six month old Treo 650 so I was encouraged to upgrade to something else. This was the only GSM Palm OS available. I just have too much invested in the Palm OS to switch to Windows. I have been a Palm user for years (Palm III, Palm IIIc, Handspring Visor, Tungsten T3, T|X, Treo 650, Treo 680). I was also able to take advantage of a "turn in your 650 for a discount" promotion, which sweetened the deal even more. I know that it is a dying OS and eventually I will have to switch, but as a Mac user, why would I want Windows on my PDA if I don't want it on my PC. The Palm OS has more software available than any other PDA/smartphone OS.
Overall I am ecstatic with the purchase.
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Palm Treo 680 Unlocked PDA Smartphone with MP3/Video Player, SD/MMC--U.S. Version with Warranty (Silver)Curious about data devices, and looking to step up from a traditional handset to a smartphone with more power and features? Look no further than the Palm Treo 680 smartphone. Perfect for business customers, mobile professionals and just about anybody looking to get more out of their handset, the 680 is an amazing and affordable smartphone. With features like Bluetooth 1.2, 64 MB of internal memory, an SD card slot with support for up to 2 GB of memory, a digital camera with zoom and auto light balance, and a full QWERTY key pad with backlighting, the 680 goes above and beyond many far more expensive smartphones.
Design Under the hood, the Treo 680 features Palm OS 5.4.9, 64MB of non-volatile flash memory available for user storage, and an Intel PXA270 312 MHz processor. The design retains the same popular form factor as the Treo 650 with a few subtle, yet significant, changes. The design is slimmer and lighter, while the updated OS provides for better phone and PDA application integration. The amazing 320 x 320 color touchscreen is still there, as is the full QWERTY backlit keypad. This time though, the expansion card slot is located on the right hand side of the unit. The expansion card slot is compatible with full sized SD cards, and supports up to 2 GB of memory (memory cards sold separately).
Other design features include an infrared port for line of sight data transfers, as well as a handy switch for turning off the phone's ringer. A five-way navigator controls most of the phone's menus and operating system functions, while quick application buttons on either side of the navigator get you to your favorite applications in a snap. The left side of the unit features a volume up/down toggle plus a handy user-customizable button that can be assigned to any phone or PDA function. The rear of the Treo 680 houses a loudspeaker, as well as the VGA camera unit. A touch-screen stylus can be tucked away on the right side of the phone. Meanwhile, a combined charging, data, and accessory attachment port is housed on the bottom of the unit, as is a standard 2.5 mm stereo headset jack.
Calling and PDA FeaturesAll of the Treo 680's phone and PDA functions are designed to provide an integrated, seamless experience. For instance, you can type in the name or initials of a contact on the keypad to dial them. Or, use the touch-screen and stylus to copy information from an email and quickly paste it into another email or text message.
Updated from the Treo 650, the 680 sports many improved and new phone/PDA features. The user can now see messages waiting in a preemptive alert window, and the favorites view is now in one vertical easy-to-see list. The length of the favorites list is only limited to available memory. A big dial pad can be formatted on the color touch screen, and the user does not need to go to another application to access the contact list; calling and contacts are all completely integrated. There's even an easy dialing prefix feature for when you're out of the country. Different country presets can be programmed into the 680 for true jet-setter world roaming and cell phone convenience. Lastly, easy access to recently visited applications can be achieved by holding down the launch key.
All of the latest phone features folks expect are built-in, too, like a handsfree speakerphone, polyphonic ringtones, a vibrate mode and picture caller ID. The capacity of the unit's address book is only limited by the amount of internal and expansion memory available. Use the Treo 680's Bluetooth capability to wirelessly sync your contacts with your PC or Mac (yes, Mac!). Headsets, car kits and other wireless peripherals can also be paired with the unit via Bluetooth.
The Treo 680 is also a fully functional Palm OS device. That means that a huge library of applications, from spreadsheets to word processors to games, can be added to the Treo 680. Download, view, and edit Word and Excel compatible files, rehearse a PowerPoint presentation, even review PDF files, directly on the 680's conveniently large color touchscreen. It's easy to perform multiple tasks like checking your calendar while talking on the phone or dialing calls directly from your contacts list. Familiar Palm OS software ships with the handset including calendar, calculator, clock, contacts, memo, and task management applications. Meanwhile, the unit's memory expansion slot allows you to transfer music, photos, and video from your desktop. Or, use it to load additional games and applications.
Messaging and InternetThe device fully supports SMS and MMS messaging for rapid exchange of pictures, text and video. Download Web sites fast using the handset's high-speed EDGE data capability, and the included award-winning Blazer Web browser. You can even use Google maps while on-the-go to download turn-by-turn directions. Email is easy, too; with the 680, you can send and receive email from corporate and personal email accounts. You can also use your 680 smartphone as a wireless modem for your laptop.
Fun and Games The integrated VGA digital camera included with the Treo 680 sports a 2x digital zoom, features automatic light balancing, can be used to capture video with 352 x 288 pixel resolution, and is outfitted with a handy self-portrait mirror function. If you want to take your tunes with you, the Treo 680 comes with the PocketTunes application, allowing you to load up all your favorite music on SD memory cards, and enjoy MP3 music on the go. Plus, with the ever-expanding library of Palm OS compatible games and other entertainment applications, you'll never be at a loss for something fun to do during break time.
Vital Statistics The Palm Treo 680 weighs 5.60 ounces and measures 4.40 x 2.30 x .80 inches. Its lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 4 hours of digital talk time, and up to 300 hours of digital standby time. It runs on the 850/900/1800/1900 GSM/GPRS/EDGE frequencies. The phone comes with a one year limited warranty.
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