- Business-oriented smartphone powered by Windows Mobile 6.1 with full QWERTY keyboard for easy emailing and document editing
- Fast data connectivity via EV-DO Rev. A; Sprint TV access and GPS turn-by-turn directions via Sprint Navigation
- Wi-Fi networking (802.11b/g); Bluetooth for communication headsets and stereo music; MicroSD memory expansion (up to 8 GB); 256 MB internal memory
- Up to 4.5 hours of talk time, up to 200 hours (8.3 days) of standby time
- What’s in the Box: handset, battery, charger, wired stereo headset, microUSB sync cable, quick start guide
Amazon.com Product Description
Designed for business users who depend on their smartphones for high-speed productivity on the go, the Palm Treo 800w operates on the Sprint Mobile Broadband Network and provides support for EV-DO Rev. A data speeds, WiFi for data and GPS capabilities right out of the box. Offering the power of the updated Windows Mobile 6.1 operating system, you’ll stay easily connected to your business and personal data on the go with support for a wide variety of email accounts as well as the ability to edit Microsoft Office documents.
Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional Edition gives you the familiar look and feel of Windows, plus mobile versions of the business applications you use every day. |
In addition to direct push email (via Microsoft Direct Push Technology) and powerful PIM organization, you’ll enjoy GPS navigation capabilities for accessing the optional Sprint Navigation turn-by-turn direction service as well as access to Sprint TV’s video-on-demand with full-motion video and vivid sound. Other features include a full QWERTY keyboard, brightly colorful touchscreen, 2-megapixel camera/camcorder, Bluetooth for handsfree devices and stereo music streaming, 256 MB internal memory with MicroSD slot (for cards up to 8 GB in size), Wi-Fi networking for accessing corporate LANs and on-the-go hotspots, and up to 4.5 hours of talk time.
Sprint Service
Supporting the EV-DO Rev. A high-speed data standard, this phone enables you to download and stream high-quality video, straight onto your phone. Where coverage is available, EV-DO Rev. A connectivity provides peak network download data rates of up to 3.1 Mbps and peak upload data rates of up to 1.8 Mbps; average download speeds range from 600 kbps to 1.4 mbps and average uplink speeds range from 350 to 500 kbps.
With Sprint TV, you can make your cell phone your always-on source for news, weather, sports and more. This comprehensive service allows you to access your favorite channels and networks within seconds to watch live TV or video-on-demand with full-motion video. Choose from more than 50 live television channels and watch programs such as CNN mobile, FOX sports and E! Entertainment; access NFL Network and special programming via Sprint Exclusive Entertainment.
This GPS-enabled phone provides optional access to Sprint Navigation for driving directions on your mobile phone–by voice and onscreen. Along the way, turn-by-turn directions will be announced in a clear voice and displayed on your phone. For example, Sprint Navigation will say, “Go 1.2 miles and turn right on Elm Street.” As you approach the turn, you will hear, “Turn right on Elm Street.” Sprint Navigation also provides proactive traffic alerts with one click re-routing. And it’s easy to find restaurants, banks, cafes, hotels and more from over 10 million points of interest across the U.S.
In addition to the valuable business-friendly features delivered through Palm and Windows Mobile 6.1, new business applications are being created through Sprint’s newly launched Professional Developer Program and with tools such as the Titan platform for Windows Mobile 6.1 devices. A growing community of application developers who may previously have focused on desktop services are now finding it easier to generate services that can perform on both the desktop and mobile devices.
Phone Features
At just 5 ounces, the Treo 800w feels less bulkier in your pocket without the antenna stub of older Treo models. It also features a 320 x 320-pixel color touchscreen, full QWERTY backlit keypad, and application buttons (which are customizable). A five-way navigator controls most of the phone’s menus and operating system functions, while quick application buttons on either side of the navigator get you to your favorite applications in a snap. A touch-screen stylus can be tucked away on the right side of the phone. Meanwhile, a combined charging, data, and accessory attachment port is housed on the bottom of the unit, as is a standard 2.5 mm stereo headset jack. The expansion card slot is compatible with MicroSD/MicroSDHC cards, and supports up to 8 GB of memory (memory cards sold separately).
Under the hood, it runs the Windows Mobile 6.1 operating system, which includes some unique Palm innovations that run on top of the OS:
- Today Screen enhancements — call, text, email, perform a web search and map a contact’s address, all directly from the Today Screen
- Dial from the Today Screen — enter the contact name, select the number and dial. Add text or picture speed dials for one-touch calls to family and friends, or use the physical or touch screen number keys to dial the number directly
- Voicemail controls — VCR-like icons, such as rewind, delete and fast-forward, for easy navigation
- Ignore with text — ignore a call quickly by sending a text message, such as “In a meeting” or “Can’t talk right now”
- Superior phone and call management — dedicated mute, speakerphone, conference calling icons, or dial any number in an email or webpage, all with just one touch
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With the EV-DO Rev A network, you can browse web sites and download attachments at ridiculously fast speeds. |
With 256 MB of built-in storage, you can carry more of the office without being weighed down. Or take an additional 8GB with you through a MicroSD card. |
The Treo 800w comes fully equipped with easy-to-use professional email. Microsoft Direct Push Technology is available out of the box and gives users connected to a Microsoft Exchange Server fast, automatic wireless updates from their email, calendar, contacts and tasks. Users can download email attachments to view and edit Microsoft Word and Excel files, view PowerPoint and PDF files, and open ZIP files. And with thousands of applications available for Windows Mobile, businesses can extend mobility beyond email to optimize business processes whether in sales or out in field.
The Treo 800w is compatible with Microsoft’s System Center Mobile Device Manager 2008, which delivers increased security and easier smartphone management as well as access to information on the corporate network via mobile VPN. IT professionals can confidently manage large Treo 800w deployments the same way they would expect to manage PCs with a low-cost, reliable solution that fits seamlessly with their existing IT infrastructures.
Handsfree communication is easy thanks to the integrated speakerphone. This phone also provides Bluetooth wireless connectivity (version 2.0), and includes profiles for communication headset, handsfree car kits, and file transfer. With the A2DP Bluetooth profile, you can stream your music to a pair of compatible Bluetooth stereo headphones. You can connect your laptop (either via Bluetooth or wired USB) and enjoy dial-up networking–surf the Internet, send email, and access files from a server. The phone also sports Wi-Fi networking (802.11b/g) for accessing corporate LANs as well as on-the-go hotspots–there’s even an instant-on short-cut button for Wi-Fi access.
The 2-megapixel camera can capture images up to 1600 x 1200 pixels–perfect for creating up to 8 x 10-inch prints–and build and customize your favorite photos into your very own slide show. It also features a 2x digital zoom, a choice of five resolutions and three shooting modes, and brightness controls. It also offers video capture capabilities with two quality settings and a brightness control scale.
Other features include:
- 256 MB user memory and 128 MB of program memory offers plenty of room to carry everything you need.
- Data Transfer Mode (DTM): Set in the default position allowing users in an active data session to be notified of incoming voice calls, rather than having them go automatically to voicemail.
- Built-in media player compatible with MP3 and WMA digital audio files
- Software included on device: Alarm Clock; Calculator; Camera; File Explorer; Internet Sharing; Games — Bubble Breaker, Solitaire, Astraware Sudoku, and Aces Texas Hold’em; Maps; Messaging; Microsoft ActiveSync; Microsoft Internet Explorer Mobile; Microsoft Live Search; Microsoft Notes; Microsoft Office Mobile — Outlook Mobile, Excel Mobile, PowerPoint Mobile, Word Mobile, and OneNote Mobile; Microsoft Tasks; Microsoft Windows Live; Pics and Video; Picsel PDF Viewer; Quick Tour; Sprint Navigation; Sprint TVSM; Sprite Backup; Windows Media Player Mobile
- Hearing Aid Compatible (HAC) rating of T3 for hearing aids operating in the telecoil mode.
- Bluetooth version 2.0+EDR with the following profiles: A2DP (stereo music streaming), AVRC (remote control), HFP (hands-free car kits), HSP (communication headsets), BPP (basic printing profile for text, email), DUN (dial-up networking), OPP (object push for business cards, calendar items, and pictures)
Vital Statistics
The Palm Treo 800w weighs 5.0 ounces and measures 4.41 x 2.28 x 0.73 inches. Its 1150 mAh lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 4.5 hours of talk time, and up to 200 hours of standby time. It runs on the 800/1900 CDMA/EV-DO Rev. A frequencies.
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Powered by Windows Mobile 6.1
Microsoft’s Windows Mobile 6.1 offers a number of handy features that make searching through email, editing Microsoft Office documents, and staying on top of your most important communications even easier. Emails can now be viewed in their original rich HTML format and now offer the ability to visit embedded links. It also includes Windows Live for Windows Mobile, which provides a full set of Windows Live services, such as the Windows Live Messenger IM application, which now enables you to chat with more than one person at one time or send a file.
With Windows Mobile 6.1, your phone will finally be able to emulate the power and features of your PC’s Microsoft Office suite. You’ll be able to neatly view, navigate and edit Word documents and Excel spreadsheets in their original formatting–without affecting tables, images or text–as well as view PowerPoint presentations.
- Microsoft Office Word Mobile features include spell-check, Find and Replace commands, bulleted lists, text formatting, and support for tables for the first time.
- With Excel Mobile, you’re not just confined to editing charts: with the new Chart Wizard you can create charts quickly and easily.
- PowerPoint Mobile allows you to view the full presentation, rehearse timings, check the order and any live links you may have in your presentation. You can then email comments back to the team or communicate via MSN Messenger for an immediate response.
- After creating or editing a Word document or Excel spreadsheet, you can synchronize it with your PC and it will automatically be converted to the PC version.
All Windows Mobile 6.1 powered devices include Direct Push Technology for up-to-date e-mail delivery and automatic synchronization of Outlook calendars, tasks and contacts through Microsoft Exchange Server. It also offers a set of important device security and management features that include the capability to remotely wipe all data from a device should it be lost or stolen, helping ensure that confidential information remains that way.
I purchased the 800W about two weeks ago. I am very impressed. I spent the first night diving into the new MS Mobile 6.1 operating system. I entered in my contacts and setup my multiple POP email accounts. I then started to use the device heavily over the next few days. Boy is this baby fast! The internet screams. Emails are retrieved fast! The MS OS Mobile 6.1 is a pleasure to navigate. It’s fast and responsive. My last phone was the Palm Centro with Palm OS. This is noticeably faster! There is zero lag when closing applications or switching between screens. Similar to a desktop system you can have multiple applications running at the same time. You can easily switch between applications via the Task Manager screen by holding down the “OK” button for a second. You can customize your Today screen to suit your needs. You can assign any picture to a speed dial number for one-touch speed dialing. Cool! The built-in GPS is extremely fast to lock on! It is faster to lock on than two car units I have tested. The turn-by-turn voice prompts work flawlessly. The GPS voice prompts work great via the speaker phone or wired headset. Alas, they do not come through on a Bluetooth headset. The 800W does not come equipped with picture mail, however there is a 3rd party utility available for download that fills the void beautifully! Battery life, the speaker phone, and headset volume could be better but they are fine. If you’re like me and have your phone on 24/7 you’ll want to invest in a car charger ($10 on ebay) and you’ll want to plug your phone in at the office or home when not in use. The 2MP camera is decent. The video mode is merely okay. The micro USB connector is used as the charging port, connecting to a PC, and for a wired headset. The office applications work well! The touch screen and key pad work great. Overall I give the 800W 8 out of 10 stars.
Pros:
Fast Internet, Wi-Fi, Stereo Bluetooth, GPS, Voice commands, good keyboard
Cons:
Battery life, speaker phone, headset volume
Phone Details:
Display 320×320 pixel s
Radio Qualcomm MSM6800A, EvDO Rev A
Wi-Fi 802.11b/g, 802.1x (EAP-PEAP, EAP-TLS and EAP-TTLS)
GPS Built-in GPS (standalone and assisted); Sprint Navigation
Microsoft® Windows Mobile® 6.1 Professional
Microsoft Office Mobile Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote
Microsoft Media Player (music & video)
Adobe PDF Viewer
Voice Commands with response, “Call John at home”, “What are my appointments today?”
Bluetooth® Wireless Version: 2.0 +, stereo audio streaming (A2DP, GAVDP, AVRCP)
Memory 256MB user memory (approximately 170MB available user memory)
Camera 2.0 megapixels, and video capture
Battery Removable 1150 mAh lithium-ion; up to 4.5 hours talk time
Expansion microSD/microSDHC cards (up to 8GB supported)
Connector MicroUSB(tm) 2.0, for charger, headset, and PC connectivity
Rating: 4 / 5
I am on my 2nd Palm TREO 800w phone and I don’t like it. As soon as I can upgrade, I will. I have experienced many glitches with both phones that I’ve had. I don’t think i’ll ever buy a Palm again. I also used to have the Palm TREO 700 and it also had many glitches. Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice… shame on you again.
Rating: 2 / 5
I still have this Junk Phone, this is the worse phone I ever got from PALM:
Issue:
1- “Soft Reset” at least 6 times a Day.
2- “Hard Reser” (lost all my Data!) 5 time in 3 month.
3- Battery last like 4 Hours over all. I have 2 battery EXTRA in my pockets, and it still’s not enough.
4- Don’t even think about charging the phone wile talking w/ the hands free.
Rating: 1 / 5
I suspect that anyone who gave this phone a rating over three stars (not-so secretly) works for Palm. No, seriously. Tiring of the lag, multiple glitches and ridiculously TERRIBLE battery life, I finally threw in the towel after using the phone for six months.(I swapped for a BlackBerry Curve 8330 which works beautifully. I would give *it* five stars any day).
I was initially drawn to the Treo 800w because I foolishly believed that a windows-based mobile phone OS would necessarily be most compatible with my windows-based OS for my home PC. WRONG. Running Vista, I was NEVER able to successfully sync applications between my computers and phone. I uninstalled, re-installed and updated Windows Mobile Device Center numerous times to no avail. The darn thing just would not sync. Admittedly, I realize that was most likely a Vista problem, and not necessarily a Windows Mobile problem. For that reason, I will move on–but I would caution Vista users that you WILL have problems syncing this device out of the box. It should be noted.
In order for the phone to function, I had to soft reset it multiple times daily by removing the battery. That scenario most often played out after I had ended one phone call and attempted to promptly make another. When doing so, the phone would give an error message and fail to place the call. Most times, the only way I ever could resolve that error was to remove the battery and wait. Toggling the phone capability on and off from within the OS would sometimes work, but either way, at LEAST 45 seconds would elapse before I could place another call. Imagine that an emergency requires that you call multiple family members in rapid succession, and within a short time of one another. Now imagine that your phone makes you have to soft reset after each call. Welcome to my world last month.
Another much-covered Treo 800w problem area that I can personally speak to involves the battery life. Given the extensive coverage this problem has had (across multiple review sites) I will not spend much time on this particular point, but I *will* share this experience: The purchase of a second battery to ostensibly extend the functionality of the phone resulted in nothing but sore disappointment. The additional battery allowed me to use the phone over a longer period, but I *still* had to charge it once a day after moderate usage. (I gave up on browsing the internet for anything other than business related endeavors)
Although I could speak about numerous other negative aspects of this phone, I will instead end with my last negative experience (a natural point, I think). After activating my new! sleek! awesome! BlackBerry, I was completely foreclosed from transferring my contacts as the Palm would a)not transfer information to the new phone via bluetooth and b)not allow me to pull the contacts off of using the usb cable. Oh how I wish this were the result of some ineptitude on my part. (I’m fairly tech savvy) Alas, two technicians at a Sprint store in my city couldn’t do it either.
If I didn’t have to have a smart phone for my job, I would have thrown the Treo 800w against the wall a long time ago. It’s feature-rich, but the glitches and battery life make it IMPOSSIBLE to use. Do yourself a favor. Stick with something tried and true if you are looking for a pda/smartphone. Again, (but not to belabor the point) I would personally recommend BlackBerry very highly. The battery life is great. The features are great. The OS is fast and (so far) glitch-free. Join the masses. Those things are called CrackBerry for good reason.
Rating: 2 / 5
After trying several of the smart phones Sprint has to offer I have finally settled on the Palm Treo 800w. At first, i was skeptical that Sprint could offer a phone to fit my needs; i was tired of their slim selection of WM phones. As a blind student i needed a phone that would allow me to access my calendar, appointments, contacts, email, messages, and documents using Mobile Speak Pocket. The Treo 800w allows me to do all of this and more.. The first thing i liked about the phone was it fit comfortably in my hand, the buttons were easily layed out and they were not so small that you would be pressing other letters when trying to type. The screen is slightly sunken in to the phone to form a large rectangle covering the front. This makes it easier if you are tactily trying to use the virtual keypad or keyboard. The rubbery backing on the phone makes it easier on your hands when holding the phone while messaging or talking and may make you wonder why it isn’t on other phones.
i have read several complaints about the battery life of the phone, but I am able to get several hours even a full day viewing documents, running Mobile speak, getting calls all by changing a few settings. I like how Palm implemented a deticated key for closing aplications and there is a deticated switch for wifi and connecting to networks. In the beginning I found the innerface of the phone confusing, but the more I use it i love being able to set up shortcuts right from the screen. There is no scrolling through menues to find what you want. Like any phone the keyboard takes acclamation, but it was no harder than other phones I have used. I didn’t run in to any difficulties typing with one hand since my finguers are pretty small.
Since i am not using my phone for business purposes I don’t mind that it is more bulky than most smart phones. For me, being able to have one device that will do most of my tasks is pretty good so I don’t mind the size of the phone.
My only complaint is I often have to reset the phone because it tends to freeze up in the middle of tasks. i am good about keeping the task manager clear of programs I am not using, but this seems to be the only flaw. i have found the only way around this is to reset the phone every few days since there is no real way of turning it off.
My reasons for choosing the Palm Treo 800w were completely centered around accessibility and searching for a compact phone. i chose the Treo on my own to use with a screen reader with no help from Sprint. Since they know nothing about accessible phones; their idea of accessibility is voice dialing. i am glad i gave Sprint another chance so I was able to find this phone.
If you are looking for a reasonably priced PDA that can handle your tasks while you are away from the computer and doubles as a good phone consider the Palm Treo 800w.
Rating: 3 / 5