(Click here for a larger view of the Treo 500)Though billed as new, the Treo 500 appears to be a variant of the
Treo 500v, which was released as a "low-cost" smartphone exclusively to Vodafone customers in September 2007. There appear to be two essential differences between the phones, however. First, the Treo 500 is SIM-unlocked, for use on any compatible carrier. Second, the new device does not include the
"carousel" user interface that Microsoft created for the Vodafone version.
Instead, the Treo 500 packs the standard Windows Mobile interface, as pictured above. Its lack of touchscreen and large navigation keys make the 500 ideal for one-handed use, Palm claims.
The Treo 500 offers all standard
Windows Mobile 6 functionality, including Microsoft Direct Push for delivery of Outlook email, plus viewers for Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and PDF files. Google Maps and eBay software has also been added, according to Palm.
The device supports tri-band GSM (900/1800/1900), GPRS, and UMTS (2100) networks, and offers 3G in Europe. However, it does not have HSDPA support, so in the U.S. would not support 3G data speeds. Bluetooth 2.0 is featured, with stereo support, but WiFi is not.
Specifications cited by Palm for the Treo 500 include:
- Processor -- not stated
- Memory -- 256 MB, with 150 MB available user storage (DRAM/flash details not provided)
- Display -- 320 x 240 pixel transflective color screen, supporting up to 65,000 colors
- Camera -- 2 megapixel
- Wireless:
- tri-band GSM (900/1800/1900), GPRS, and UMTS (2100) networks
- Bluetooth 2.0
- Expansion -- microSD slot
- I/O -- miniUSB port
- Battery type -- removable 1200mAh lithium-ion battery
- Battery life -- Ten days standby, up to 4.5 hours talk time
- Dimensions -- 4.3 x 2.4 0.6 inches (110 x 62 x 17 mm)
- Weight -- 4.2 ounces (120 gm)
The Treo 500 is available now from Palm's U.K. website, priced at 269 (approximately $530).
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