Although some people are already falling in love with the new palmOne Treo 650 (see below), I am less than enchanted with it because it still incorporates a mere VGA camera. Just check out the specs.
Certainly the Treo 650 offers significant improvements over the 600.
The camera is supposed to take much better photos in low light conditions, there's video recording capabilities, a higher resolution screen, a removable battery, a faster processor, a 2x digital zoom (no big deal), Blueooth (let's hope cellular operators don't intentionally cripple it the way Verizon Wireless has) and more software (such as VersaMail).
Good improvements, but...
That list certainly is enough for many people to upgrade to the 650. I am a big fan of the Treo 600, and the 650 offers many useful improvements. It's still a great product.
But a VGA camera isn't good enough. It's a resolution that harkens back to the past rather than keeping pace with today's technology, let alone taking a step towards the future with a two or three megapixel camera.
An expensive, high end cellular phone like the Treo needs a one megapixel camera. Phooey on VGA.
Memory, WiFi
Also, the amount of internal memory hasn't increased and there's no WiFi support. Internal memory costs money so I assume it was a cost-savings consideration. Of course, the Treo 650, like the Treo 600, includes a Secure Digital card so the lack of more memory isn't a huge big deal.
The lack of WiFi was expected. Cellular operators want subscribers to use their wireless networks, not a third party WiFi network. Perhaps someone will come out with a Treo 650-compatible SD WiFi card.
i just wanna' ask what's the meaning of VGA Camera???thanks....
Posted by: In Zane | Wednesday, May 18, 2005 at 09:57 AM
Well, I *was* waiting for the wunderkind Motorola 3G phones to be released, or at least the MPX, but at the glacial pace the carriers are releasing megapixel cam-phones, I've nearly convinced myself to bite the bullet and buy a Sharp GX32 on eBay. I figure at least to be ready for the holiday season, and get an unlocked phone that won't be crippled, er, supported by my carrier.
Posted by: Tychocat | Wednesday, October 27, 2004 at 12:22 PM
"An expensive, high end cellular phone like the Treo needs a one megapixel camera. Phooey on VGA."
Your are right about that. I was actually thinking about getting one but still CDMA providers are lacking behind in not providing blue tooth options and more open standards for transfering information.
Posted by: Brian | Tuesday, October 26, 2004 at 09:04 PM
At least they could have improved the picture quality :-)
Tom
Posted by: Tom Karches | Tuesday, October 26, 2004 at 03:39 PM