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| Palm Treo 180 |
| General |
| Network | Gsm 900 / Gsm 1800 |
| Announced | 2002 |
| Status | Available |
| Size |
| Dimensions | 108 X 71 X 21mm |
| Weight | 147 G |
| Display |
| Type | Monochrome Touchscreen, 16 Shades |
| Size | 160 X 160 Pixels |
| | - Qwerty Keyboard |
| Ringtones |
| Type | Monophonic |
| Customization | |
| Vibration | Yes |
| Memory |
| Phonebook | In Shared Memory |
| Call Records | Yes |
| Card Slot | No |
| | - 16 Mb Built-in Memory
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| Data |
| Gprs | No |
| Hscsd | No |
| Edge | No |
| 3g | No |
| Wlan | No |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Infrared Port | Yes |
| Usb | Yes |
| Features |
| Os | Palm Os V3.5.2h |
| Messaging | Sms, Mms, Email |
| Browser | Html (blazer 2.0) |
| Games | Yes, For Palm Os |
| Colors | Steel Blue |
| Camera | No |
| | - 33 Mhz Motorola Dragonball Processor
- Full Pim Functionality
- Advanced Calculator
- Gprs Upgradeable
- Handsfree Ear-bud Headset Included
- Built-in Handsfree
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| Battery |
| | Standard Battery, Li-ion |
| Stand-by | Up To 100 H |
| Talk Time | Up To 2 H 30 Min |
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Palm - Treo 180Phone on palm with the Handspring Treo 180/180g
Major features
Integration of PDA (Palm OS-based) and mobile phone (GSM) into a single device
Two different dual band GSM models available (900/1800 MHz or 900/1900 MHz)
Choice of on-board keyboard (Treo 180 only) or Graffiti (Treo 180g only) models
Large, high-resolution greyscale screen
Palm OS application compatibility
Built-in organiser features (Palm OS-based) with enhancements
Additional applications included (SMS and “Blazer” web browser software)
Built-in speakerphone feature
Unique ringer (to activate/mute sounds) and power switches
Rocker switch for improved navigation and access
Infrared port
HotSync synchronisation facility
GPRS upgradeable
Problems/Issues?
Battery life somewhat short
Sales package (should contain):
1 x Handspring Treo 180/180g Communicator unit
1 x travel charger
1 x HotSync cable
1 x stylus
1 x headset
1 x “Start here” card
1 x quick reference guide
1 x “synchronisation software + wireless data setup” CD-ROM (Mac/Windows compatible)
Overview
Although mobile phones are great little devices which keeps us connected with family and friends (and clients and our boss too!), they have come a long way from just being something we use to make and receive calls with. Gaming in shades of grey and keeping notes and simple diary entries have quickly become basic requirements for this very-mobile device that many of us have taken granted of.
And then the communicator comes along, which opened the door to more complex devices that can offer varieties of applications that can make our daily lives both simpler and more efficient. Unfortunately, this has come at an expense of the communicator’s physical size (think about the Motorola PDA phone and Nokia Communicators models!)
Handspring’s new “Treo” communicator product line isn’t like what we’ve seen so far. The Treo 180/180g PDA phone has one of the most compact sizes around and does not physically weigh you down when carrying it in your pocket. And to top it off, the Treo 180/180g is one of the very first Palm OS-based devices with a built-in mobile phone facility.
New/outstanding features
If you’ve previously used a Palm or Handspring PDA device, you will not find much difference in using the Treo 180/180g. The Palm OS functionality is pretty much standardised, with one of the major differences being the enhancement of various built-in software (such as the address book, which I will address in this review). Also, software has also been added to complement the wireless features of the Treo 180/180g, including an SMS utility and web (WWW) browser.
There are two models to choose from - one with the standard Graffiti interface (Treo 180g), and the other sporting a physical QWERTY keyboard (Treo 180) instead.
For current Palm OS users, the Graffiti model may suit your needs more - that’s if you’re quite comfortable writing with the stylus. The interface on the Treo 180g is virtually the same as that of your existing Palm OS-based device (Graffiti writing area and home/menu/calculator/search “tap” areas).
The keyboard model provides users with the option of being able to use the Treo 180 without needing the stylus as words and numbers can be typed out, and provides the opportunity for a user to use the Treo 180 with one single hand. A stylus is still provided with this model (since both models have the digitiser display) - not to worry! :)
Physical aspects
Another difference of the Treo 180/180g compared with other Palm OS-based device is the addition of the active lid, which acts as the earpiece and speakerphone, receive and conclude calls, and an easy way to turn on and off the device by simply opening or closing the lid. A clear window is part of this lid, allowing users to view information such as caller information when a call comes in. The cover also protects the display from scratching and any accidental contact that may crack the actual LCD screen.
Holding the Treo 180/180g in the hand feels just like any other Palm OS-based device, where it has a similar sizing and weight. But when using it to make and receive calls, positioning it properly to achieve the best comfort isn’t as easy, especially when trying to rest the earpiece on your ear. After a few more attempts, you either try and get use to it, or decide to use either the headset accessory or speakerphone feature.
I find the positioning of the buttons on the Treo 180/180g to be quite accessible when operated by either left or right hand. The power and ringer switch at the top-side of the phone is easily accessed by the index finger, while the rocker switch on the left-hand side of the communicator can be used by your middle finger or thumb (depending which hand you decide to operate the Treo 180/180g with).
As for the four quick-access buttons, some of these now access other applications instead of the default phonebook/date-book/memo/to-do list features. But if you prefer them to point to whatever you previously expected, you can simply change this in the device’s preferences list.
User Interface (UI)
Both Treo models share the standard Palm OS interface, with the only difference being the provision of either the physical keyboard (Treo 180) or the Graffiti writing area (180g).
For phone functions, both Treo devices handled this very well. On opening the lid, the speed dial screen is brought up - where a maximum of 49 speed dial numbers can be entered (one of them is reserved for voicemail). Pressing on the phone button at the bottom will bring up another screen featuring the 12-key phone pad allowing a user to make a call manually. The buttons are big enough on the screen to allow a user to tap the required numbers with their fingers. Further presses of the phone button will bring up the contacts list, followed by the call history list.
Making and receiving calls
The active lid acts similarly to a typical active flip on other clamshell- and folder-type phones, where opening it answers an incoming call and closing it will conclude one. While the lid is closed and a call comes in, pressing any accessible buttons will reject the call, while pushing the rocker switch up will divert the call to your voicemail box. During standby mode, opening the lid will activate the phone interface while closing it will turn off the PDA interface and takes the Treo back to its standby mode.
On the Treo 180 (keyboard model), you have the option of either entering the name of the person you want to call or the number to be called after opening the lid. The phone software will automatically work out whether you are dialling in a number, or the name of a person from the phonebook you wish to call. I find this a very innovative feature indeed.
During phone conversations, in-call features are brought up onto the screen (such as hanging up, hold, etc). These features are displayed as virtual buttons, sized appropriately for a user to easily tap them with a finger when required. And if by any chance you need to dial a few numbers on the phone keypad, one can simply tap the ‘dial pad’ button which brings this feature up immediately.
Other Palm functions can still be accessed while you’re on the phone with the Treo 180/180g. Simply tap the ‘home’ icon (or the respective key sequences on the Treo 180), which takes you to the main applications list where the Palm can be used as normal. Should you need to return back to the phone application, you can simply hit the ‘phone’ button located at the bottom of the unit.
Messaging
The built-in SMS application has the ability to display an entire SMS message on the Palm device’s display, and not just simply restricting a user to the very few lines available. Phone book entries are directly linked to the SMS application as well, removing the need to go back and forth in search for a number. Messages sent and received can be kept on the Treo for future reference.
If you’re a user who does a lot of SMS-ing, the keyboard version of the Treo would be the most likely candidate for your needs. I found typing with both my thumbs quite comfortable and relaxing, rather than trying to rest my other eight fingers on the mini-keyboard and trying to type instead!
Battery life
Battery performance on standby for the Treo 180/180g isn’t bad, with each communicator can do approximately 2-3 days standby on average use. With the mobile phone feature off, you can expect longer battery times (probably as much as what a standard Palm can do). Once you start spending time talking on the Treo 180/180g, you will see battery life start to degrade very rapidly. I was only able to get around 2 hours’ worth of talk time on a full charge.
Major features...
Treo 180g (left)
Treo 180 (right)
Integration of PDA (Palm OS-based) and mobile phone (GSM) into a single device
The Treo 180/180g is one of the very first Palm OS-based devices which have integrated basic mobile phone features into the same unit (the Handspring VisorPhone was a Springboard device).
Two different dual band GSM models available (900/1800 MHz or 900/1900 MHz)
There are two different Treo 180/180g models currently available in the market - with one for the major GSM markets supporting both 900 and 1800 MHz bands, and the other for the North American GSM market (1900 MHz) and providing for additional support for 900 MHz band-enabled networks in other countries.
Please note that the two Treo models sold in Australia support the GSM 900/1800 MHz dual band option only.
Choice of on-board keyboard (Treo 180 only) or Graffiti (Treo 180g only) models
The Treo 180-series comes in two flavours - one with a mini QWERTY keyboard (Treo 180), and the other with the standard Graffiti writing area found on most Palm-OS based devices (Treo 180g). The keyboard version would probably benefit people who enter a lot of text directly into their Palm device (and for those SMS fanatics).
Large, high-resolution greyscale screen
A greyscale screen fitted on both the Treo communicators offers richer graphics when using various applications that support this feature. Using the built-in Blazer browser provides high-quality graphics even when they are simply in greys.
Palm OS application compatibility
You can run all your favourite Palm OS applications on the Treo 180/180g as you normally would on other Palm OS-based PDAs.
Built-in organiser features (Palm OS-based) with enhancements
The standard Handspring address book, date-book, memo, and to-do list applications are featured on the Treo communicators as well, with enhancements applied specifically to the address book (which is now called the “Phone Book” instead for obvious reasons).
Additional applications included (SMS and “Blazer” web browser software)
Two applications, including an SMS and a web browser application (Blazer) has been included as basic software for the Treo communicators.
The SMS application allows messages to be written without having to worry about scrolling up and down to view the entirety of the message, and also provides storage for messages both sent and received.
Internet access wouldn’t be what it is with just WAP. That’s why the Treo 180/180g comes with an HTML web browser, which has the ability to use the on-board GSM mobile phone to dial up into your ISP and download web pages. Blazer can display these pictures in 16 shades of grey thanks to the high-resolution greyscale screen.
Built-in speakerphone feature
If you think holding a Palm up your face is weird, or just not in the mood to hold anything at all, the Treo can be set to speakerphone mode during a call. All you have to do after that is place the phone in front of you and talk to it instead :)
Unique ringer (to activate/mute sounds) and power switches
The ringer and power switches are located conveniently at the top of the phone next to the external antenna, which allows various operations to be performed.
Flicking the ringer switch either left or right will enable or disable all sounds on a Treo communicator. When all sounds are disabled and the mobile phone is turned on, the internal vibrating alert becomes the only means of notifying a user of an incoming call.
The power button controls the operation for both the basic PDA and mobile phone feature. By simply tapping on the power button with turn the PDA feature on or off. Tapping it twice while the PDA is on will enable the LCD’s backlighting. Depressing on the power button until a tone is heard will enable or disable the mobile phone feature (if you have the Treo muted, refer to the display for an antenna icon instead).
Rocker switch for improved navigation and access
Located on the left-hand side of the Treo communicator, the rocker switch allows for a user to scroll menus and lists by moving the switch up and down, and make selections by depressing it. The rocket switch is especially useful in the Blazer browser, where you can use it to scroll web pages instead of using the default up/down buttons located below the LCD screen.
Infrared port
Both Treo communicators come with an infrared port (located conspicuously in between the power and ringer switches), which allows external communications with other Palm and compatible devices.
HotSync synchronisation facility
What’s a Palm without HotSync? In addition to being able to load applications onto your Treo communicator, you can also synchronise its information with those on your PC or Macintosh. Also, copies of your phonebooks and SMS messages are backed up at the same time.
GPRS upgradeable
The Treo 180/180g is GPRS upgradeable. This means that once Handspring releases the relevant software (firmware) update, it will allow owners the ability to use this high-speed data feature to access the Internet. Of course this will also depend on its availability, and whether you have subscribed to the service, with your network operator.
Problems/Issues?
Battery life somewhat short
Don’t get me wrong - the Treo 180/180g is one of the best communicator devices that I have come across so far. But an issue with this communicator is the amount of time that I can spend using it. So far, I have only been able to average just less than two hours for phone calls, which is really not enough considering the higher averages on mobile phones available today. If you are a heavy user on the phone, it may be a good idea to have a charger handy at all times.
In Summary
The Treo 180/180g was indeed a pleasure to use, not just because it’s a combination of two devices in one - but because each was married well with one another. The Palm OS interface provided a good presentation of phone features, and allowed easy and effortless access to other functions such as the phone book and SMS messaging.
Personally, I preferred using the Graffiti version during the review period - since I am more accustomed to using the stylus with my other Palm device. In time, I may just end up opting for the keyboard version instead - as I also do a lot of text messaging, where the keyboard does come in very handy. For those considering the Treo as a replacement for your existing phone and/or PDA, you may want to try both units out for yourself before making the final decision. Both are good in their own way, but you’ll probably only choose one :) |
| Common misspellings on this brand: paplm , palom , pzalm , plam , palnm , pallm , alm |
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