Treo 500v for Europe: New Look, Same Insides

Wed Sep 12, 2007 12:09PM EDT

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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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  • 66 Posted by imdan.achda on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:23PM EDT Report Abuse

    The latest of Palm, anything, is just looking obsolete next to the iPhone. So yesterday...

  • 68 Posted by amywilson9 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:53PM EDT Report Abuse

    I think I would prefer to go with an iphone. Palm's days are numbered, as everyone else has caught up with them. They must come up with something strikingly innovative, and fast.

  • 69 Posted by pmcquirk on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:14PM EDT Report Abuse

    I've had a 700W for a year and a half and as soon as the contract is up its heading for the garbage bin... enough said.

  • 70 Posted by heathwulf on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:17PM EDT Report Abuse

    To be honest - I gave up on Palm. I've been a Palm person for a long time - Palm III, Palm V, Zire, and then a Treo 650. Was hoping for something improved but made the blackberry switch when the 8830 came out. I love my BB and can't imagine switching back - Palm lost me because they've failed to innovate. And there was no way I was switching to a Windows device.

  • 73 Posted by ljones391@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 6:55PM EDT Report Abuse

    I will never buy another Treo. Too many problems. It has been replaced once, and they offered to replace it again, but there is no point. Everyone I know that has one said they will not buy another one.

  • 74 Posted by gilbrown93 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:09PM EDT Report Abuse

    All the Treos are a waste of time. Replaced mine with the Blackberry World Edition (8830). Best phone I've ever had; trackball is so much better than smearing up your screen with fingers, or fumbling for a stylus that you're sure to lose. Get the Blackberry!!

  • 75 Posted by chuckkleiner on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:25PM EDT Report Abuse

    I started out with a Palm III and now have a Treo 600. The phone's good enough for what I need, but I've been ready for a new version for awhile. It has some of the problems that others have mentioned, but nothing that I can't live with. If the new 500v is the best they can do for something new, it may be time to leave Verizon and look at AT&T for the iPhone.

  • 76 Posted by dragonflyer04 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:47PM EDT Report Abuse

    Vista and Treo and Palm products are still not compatable! Until Palm is compatable with Vista OS it is going to have a hard time selling these products to peopel who own PC's with Vista! Which is the majority of the new ones. We cannot install Palm products on my wife's new PC!

  • 77 Posted by finance20202000 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:59PM EDT Report Abuse

    I currently have a Treo 650 and love the touch screen and stylus. It lacks an easy to read clock and is still pretty bulky but I'll stick with Palm. They do need to improve their hotsync operation but I am one of the few who prefer the real player for music rather than the classic MP3 format. I wouldn't buy the version mentioned in the article but I'm sure their incremental improvements will give me what I want. Lets back off from the giant leaps that make headlines but make the user start over with software and losing favorite features. So there!!

  • 78 Posted by blulinr on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:09PM EDT Report Abuse

    I wanted a Treo with a passion, then got one, and despite the obvious software problems that got through testing (some so obvious it makes you wonder if they tested the thing at all) I've enjoyed having one. Then the iPhone came out and raised the bar that much further. I got to mess around with one about a month ago and if it had enough storage for my music collection I would already have one by now. Once it does, my Treo will be yesterdays news.

  • 79 Posted by syousuf_96 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:52PM EDT Report Abuse

    I am so anxious for something new to come out. Because I have been a Treo user for long time. I currently use Treo700w, its pathetic. I had 3 replacement within the last 70 days. I was planning to get the blackberry, but it looks like I should wait for the new Treo!!!

  • 81 Posted by rick_enos on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:40PM EDT Report Abuse

    No touchscreen? What are they thinking? Not going to get too many current 700w owners like myself to trade up.

  • 82 Posted by robinsrr on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:46PM EDT Report Abuse

    Initially, I loved my Treo600 but after having sooo many problems it, I let it go. It was difficult to keep checking palm's website to find suitable downloads to correct the problems. Also, whenever I used the headphone, the person on the other end had to ENDURE so much static the some people wouldn't talk to me unless I was on a landline. Some of those problems were rectified in the 650 but I was so done by then I couldn't force myself to go through anything else. Also, the coolest part of the phone was the touchscreen. Without that and the fact that I'm done w/ them, it's definitely a NO for me.

  • 83 Posted by terril124 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:01PM EDT Report Abuse

    I've had enough of Treo. I'm a 680 owner who had a 650 before that and I'm just waiting for the next gen of iPhone. Palm has lost their edge and more importantly, their focus on innovation. I'm done waiting for them.

  • 84 Posted by zanquilladus on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:59PM EDT Report Abuse

    No Touch Screen... No Treo for me... I must have a touch screen phone... Why is that phone so big and wide... that's not a Treo... that's more like a computer...? I thought the treo would come out with a new revised version with new software like Live Video Teleconference (VTC)...Come on; we want more technology. Bring it.. Get a vision and pu----- to the limit..

  • 85 Posted by unitedmindset on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:28PM EDT Report Abuse

    whats the point anymore. Get an iphone and be done with all this junk!

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