Treo 500v for Europe: New Look, Same Insides

Wed Sep 12, 2007 12:09PM EDT

See Comments (94)

Palm just unleashed its long-rumored Treo 500v for Vodafone subscribers in Europe, and yes—it boasts the new, flatter style that we've been seeing in many a fuzzy photo. Peek inside, however, and there's not much new going on.

Set to arrive in Europe and South Africa next month (no word on pricing or a U.S. release, but I'm sure we'll see it here in the near future), the 500v's new shell represents the most significant Treo redesign in years. Flatter, and with more-rounded edges, the 500v (not to be confused with the upcoming Centro for Sprint) bears a striking resemblance to the Dash on T-Mobile, and it's a welcome change for a phone that's looked more or less the same since 2002.

Beneath the new shell, however, we're still talking Windows Mobile 6—the stripped-down version of WM6, actually, which means no touch screen or stylus (instead, you navigate with the soft keys and the four-way mouse). You get a decent suite of mobile Office apps, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, plus push e-mail, SMS, instant messaging, and mobile versions of Windows Media Player and Internet Explorer. Hardware-wise, the 500v boasts access to European 3G UMTS networks for speedy data access, plus a two-megapixel camera, Bluetooth 2.0, 150MB of built-in, user-accessiible memory, and a slot for microSD memory expansion.

It's a solid phone all right, but there's nothing here that'll set the world on fire—and Palm could really use a barnburner in the wake of its failed Foleo smartphone companion. That said, we're supposed to see a Treo with a new, Linux-based OS before the year is out, and maybe that'll reverse Palm's fortunes.

What about you—interested in the 500v (or a U.S. version of it)? Or have you had enough of the Treo line?

Related:
Palm's Treo 500v gets official [Engadget]
Press release [Palm]

Comments on Treo 500v for Europe: New Look, Same Insides

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  • 46 Posted by derekokada on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:41PM EDT Report Abuse

    I'm so done with Palm now. I'm still using my Treo 650 for personal use and a BlackBerry Pearl for business and love the size and functionality of the Pearl but miss a few Palm apps. As soon as Apple comes out with an iPhone on Sprint, I'm done with Palm..and I've been an avid member of the Los Angeles Palm Users Group....no more...move over Palm, it's Apple all the way.

  • 47 Posted by tapremium2002 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:56PM EDT Report Abuse

    I have the treo with the Palm OS. I will not buy the new 500 because it doesn't seem like much of an upgrade. Plus I like my touch screen.

  • 48 Posted by elan_williams on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:53PM EDT Report Abuse

    I've had 5 700w's. and its the worst phone I've ever had. I'm done with palm. My next phone will be the Blackberry 8830

  • 49 Posted by ozzy_0310 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:47PM EDT Report Abuse

    No touchscreen? I'll stick with my 680...

  • 50 Posted by lct142000 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:58PM EDT Report Abuse

    I've had Treos since they cam out. I now have the 780 and I'm really happy with it. It's solid, and sturdy, and i like the UI.

  • 51 Posted by rabiprova on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:25PM EDT Report Abuse

    Today's reliable electronic organizer

  • 52 Posted by barecycler on Mon Sep 17, 2007 1:45PM EDT Report Abuse

    I've had Palms since 1999 going back to the IIIx. My 700p with Verizon is the first Treo I've had. I guess I've been lucky, I haven't had all the issues I read about even w/o the software upgrade. My sister has a 700p with Sprint and she's had a ton of issues. I'm sorry to see the Palm line wither away, I'm afraid they'll be gone in the near future if the neglect continues. I will stand by them until the last day I fear.

  • 53 Posted by tfloyd69 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:02PM EDT Report Abuse

    I had a Treo 600, loved it, now I have a 700p. I love the Treo's and while a facelift is needed, I'm more concerned with functionality. This 500v looks like a Corvette with a Chevette engine.

  • 54 Posted by simsimmah313 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:23PM EDT Report Abuse

    I would never touch a Treo Palm product ever. It is the worst. In two years, Palm had to replace my phone 4 times. Now some of the keys on the keyboard do not work and guess what? The 2 year contract is up and I'm eligible for a new upgrade at the tune of 300 plus dollars. In two years, I've spent hours on the phone with tech support which is in the Phillipines somewhere. As far as the phone is concerned, ever tried to hear someone talk with the volume up. If there is any background noise, forget it. A horrible product.

  • 55 Posted by taunecious on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:57PM EDT Report Abuse

    Palm lost many an opportunity to beat Apple to the punch. I've used the Treo for years to listen to music (it's easy using Pocket Tunes) recently I added podcasts. Palm offers great devices, they need to learn how to educate consumers not just business people. Ever seen a Blackberry user connected to an external keyboard?

  • 56 Posted by jolene0624 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:40PM EDT Report Abuse

    I've definetly had enough of the Treo. I have been using the blackberry 8830 and it is far more realiable then the Treo 700p I used!

  • 57 Posted by mycoolmart on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:31PM EDT Report Abuse

    I am still using my Treo 650 and love it. There are a ton of little add-ons you can get through Handango.com and have not had much trouble with my smartphone at all. I have heard so many people complain about all the other "hot rod" treos since they have come out. Too many bugs to work out yet. I love the touch screen, I love the qwerty board, I love the alarms, I love the fact I can have access to the internet should I decide to purchase the package and surf the net (as I did before and it was AWESOME!!). I have Verizon and the package I had allowed me unlimited internet, but with 4 kids, internet on the computer was more feasible. As far as the MP3 problem, if you download Ringopro from Handango, it allows you to download music for ringtones!! As you can tell, I am more than happy with what I have, EXCEPT that there is not any software yet for Vista compatibility. So, I can not backup my Treo to my computer at this point. That is the only downfall for me.

  • 59 Posted by robb_nissa on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:45PM EDT Report Abuse

    I have had many opportunities [from my employer] to get a Treo and other similar mobile phones but I am not impressed with any of them! I have a hand-me-down Sanyo 8200 that I have managed to beat up even more. Cell phones are overrated anyway and the seldom contribute to your success or get you laid. Stick with what you got until it dies!

  • 60 Posted by fabiola1000 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:57PM EDT Report Abuse

    love the look but is there not going to be a version with a Palm OS?

  • 63 Posted by grandote1980 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:12PM EDT Report Abuse

    Had the Palm Treo 650, then the PPC-6700, then experienced the treo 750wx, and then the Motorola Q. ive had em all people ... I gave windows 3 times to own up and then i made the wise choice of the Blackberry 8830. I Have never had a more reliable phone... i use the Parrot CK3100 car kit and i have not had one problem. of course this is sprint network... the BB Curve is the equivalent masterpiece for GSM. here is my proof of the frustration from windows after it stopped working. Treo 700wx

  • 64 Posted by nightcrawler2908 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:38PM EDT Report Abuse

    being the owner of a blackberry 8700 I cannot see myself getting a palm treo,eventhough they may have the same problems as any other phone I have learned that treos have way more problems then the typical pda's. And for them to actually not change any features is just dumb, you can put makeup on an old whor* but when you wipe it off she still looks ugly!

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