Introduction

As much as I loved having a converged PDA and phone device with my XDA II Mini, ultimately, I always wanted a device that was a phone first and a PDA second. Until now, most (if not all) Windows Mobile PPC Phone Edition devices could be best described as a PDA first and a phone second. Well not any more. Enter the Palm Treo 750v.

Palm has been a leading player in the PDA market for many years with their Palm OS devices. Palm's Treo line of devices introduced the Palm OS to the world of converged smart phones. The Treo 750v is Palm's second foray into Windows Mobile territory, following on from the Treo 700w/wx.

The Treo 750v boasts a sleek design and an impressive set of specs, including quad band GSM, tri band UMTS (3G) and full QWERTY keyboard. These specs are only matched by a select few devices available today, including one well known and popular device in Australia, the iMate JasJam/Dopod 838 Pro/HTC Hermes (hereafter collectively referred to as the JasJam/Dopod). What sets the Treo 750v apart from other devices are the so called "Palm Tweaks" – special customisations and enhancements to the Windows Mobile 5.0 operating system that Palm have integrated into their device. You might expect Palm's long history in the PDA world would lead them to use their experience to enhance the PDA functions of the device, but in fact, these Palm Tweaks make the Treo 750v perhaps the best one handed WM device and more importantly, make it as good a Phone as any dedicated phone handset (with PDA functionality as an added bonus).

Specifications

• Operating System: Windows Mobile 5 AKU 2.3.2
• Phone: GSM/GPRS/EDGE/UMTS/HSDPA*
• GSM Bands: 850/900/1800/1900
• UMTS (3G) Bands: 850/1900/2100
• Processor: Samsung SC32442 300MHz
• Flash Memory: 128MB (66.31MB user accessible)
• RAM: 64MB (49.10MB user accessible)
• Screen: 240 x 240 (2.6inch / 67mm) TFT touchscreen
• Expansion: MiniSD card slot
• Connectivity: Bluetooth 1.2, Infrared, support for Bluetooth Stereo headsets
• Camera: 1.3 mega pixel with 2x digital zoom
• Audio: 2.5mm stereo headset jack
• Keyboard: 35 key QWERTY keyboard
• Battery: Lithium-ion 1200mAh
• Size: 113mm x 59mm x 21mm
• Weight: 154 grams

* The Treo 750v is HSDPA "capable" (up to 1.8 Mbps) as it uses the same QUALCOMM MSM6275 chipset as the JasJam/Dopod. However, HSDPA has not yet been "enabled" in any official ROM released by Palm, Vodafone or Cingular. HDSDPA on the Treo 750v can be enabled via a Hack – see http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=285270

A new ROM release, due in Q1 2007, is expected to officially enable HSDPA on the Treo 750v.

As the Treo 750v supports UMTS 850, it should work on the Telstra NextG Network.

It is worth noting that the Treo 750v uses the same Processor as the JasJam/Dopod, although the JasJam/Dopod is clocked to run at the faster 400MHz clock speed. Both devices are actually manufactured by HTC.

Treo 750v Unboxed

In the box:-

• Palm Treo 750v smartphone
• Rechargeable Lithium-ion Battery (1200 mAh)
• Stylus (non telescopic)
• AC Charger with International adapters
• USB sync cable
• Stereo headset
• Palm Universal screen protector (has to be cut to size)
• User Manual (110 pages)
• Quick Start Guide
• Getting Started CD (ActiveSync 4.2, Sprite Backup v5)

The Treo 750v does not have a Mini USB connector like so many digital devices these days, instead using a proprietary Palm connector for USB sync. Charging is done separately via another Palm proprietary connector. These connectors are identical to that used on previous Treo models so there are plenty of compatible third party accessories available. However, it would have been nice to be able to use any one of the multitude of Mini USB accessories I already own.

To further add to the disappointment, the USB sync cable supplied with the Treo 750v does not also charge as well. No doubt many will be forced to buy a third party, all in one USB Sync and Charge cable to overcome this shortcoming.

Other notable omissions usually found with such devices include a spare stylus and a basic case/pouch for protecting the Treo 750v.

Form Factor and Style The Treo 750v's form factor is best described by the newly christened term, "QWERTY Bar". Like the "Candy Bar" form factor typical of WM Smartphone devices, QWERTY Bar devices are rectangular in shape. While the narrower Candy Bar devices have a numeric keypad, a QWERTY Bar device like the Treo 750v has a full, exposed, QWERTY keyboard below the screen. The square, 240 x 240 resolution screen is a key element of the Treo 750v's form factor. By sacrificing 80 pixels of screen real estate from the standard QVGA 240 x 320 screen, Palm were able to add the exposed QWERTY keyboard whilst still maintaining similar dimensions (height wise) to most other 2.8inch QVGA devices such as the XDA II Mini and the JasJam/Dopod. I really like the design of the Treo 750v. The size and shape of the device feels very good in the hand and it has a stylish, sleek look about it. The "soft touch" blue paint on the sides and rear really works to give a comfortable feel while still looking very good. The metal-esque trim around the screen and buttons completes the stylish design. At its thickest point, the Treo 750v measures a quite thick 21mm, but the tapered/rounded shape of the back of the device (see left) ensures the Treo 750v fits snugly in your hand. It certainly does not feel anywhere near as bulky in the hand as the box shaped JasJam/Dopod.

Keyboard Despite the small keys on the Treo 750v, they are well shaped and spaced such that accurate typing, either by thumbs or fingers is quite easy (at least with my smallish hands anyway). You can comfortably hold the phone in one hand and type with that thumb for true one handed operation (without risk of dropping your Treo 750v). When holding the phone in my left hand and using my left thumb, the only real difficulty I find is in typing the letters A or Q or hitting the OPTION key. These keys require you to bend your thumb up a lot, which, with prolonged typing, could lead to fatigue or discomfort, but for a quick SMS or email, it is fine. In contrast to the one handedness of the Treo 750v, I found I could not hold the JasJam/Dopod in one hand and type on the entire keyboard with that thumb. I needed two hands on the JasJam/Dopod. When typing with two hands (or should I say, two thumbs), I found very little difference between the two devices in terms of speed, accuracy and comfort although I can understand many people would prefer the larger JasJam/Dopod keyboard.

Treo 750v Screenshots

Windows Mobile 5.0 AKU 2.3.2	Firmware version information
Available Memory	Wireless Manager – no WiFi
Splash screen when you turn on Phone Radio	Splash screen when turning off Phone Radio
Windows Dial Pad – only ever seen when entering PIN for SIM	Palm on-screen Dial Pad that you can bring up if you wish to dial on-screen
Default Today Screen – no speed dial plug-in	Today Screen with Speed Dial plug-in
Phone Network Type selection	Phone Band selection

Palm Tweaks

The excellent form factor is only one half of the story as to why the Treo 750v is such an excellent one handed device. The "Palm Tweaks", Palm's own customisations and enhancements integrated into Windows Mobile 5.0, are what make this device such a joy to use – especially as a phone.

Today Screen Dialling

The first Palm Tweak you will notice is the introduction of Today Screen Dialling. Virtually all phone functions occur right there on the Today Screen. There is no jumping off to some other phone pad screen in order to use your Treo 750v as a phone.

From the Today Screen, type "B" on the keyboard and the Treo 750v starts searching for Contacts in the Lookup Field on the Today Screen. Scroll down and hit the Green Call button or centre key on the D-Pad to call the desired contact.

The call then takes place right there in the Today Screen.

As you can see from the above screenshot, there is also an option to disable the Touchscreen while you are on a call in the Today Screen to prevent you accidentally activating your Today Screen while the phone is up to your ear.

With only 240 x 240 resolution, screen real estate is at a premium on the Treo 750v Today Screen, hence Palm does give you the option of HIDING the Lookup Field.

Cleverly, Palm does not force the user to choose between either having the Lookup field functionality or reclaiming the screen real estate. Instead, Palm gives the user the best of both worlds. You can hide the Lookup field, but as soon as you start typing on the keyboard, it immediately pops back up and starts searching for a match in your contacts.

After you have finished with the Lookup field, it disappears again, freeing up the space on your Today Screen.

Recently Used Contacts List

Another fantastic feature of the Treo 750v is that from the Today Screen, hitting the GREEN Call button brings up a list of the Contacts you have recently called, almost like a dynamic Speed Dial list.

You can select one of these Contacts to call them again. If they have multiple phone numbers on their Contact record, you are shown all their numbers, allowing you to choose which of their numbers to dial.

This function is particularly useful when you are trying to reach someone and they don't answer the first of their numbers that you try. No more repeating the whole Contacts lookup process just because you want a try a different number for the same Contact. Just hit the Green Call button and select one of their other numbers.

Today Screen Speed Dials

The Treo 750v also has a Today Screen plug-in for both Picture Speed Dials and Text Speed Dials.

Just tap the on-screen Picture Speed Dial or the Text Button to dial that contact. You can have more than 5 Picture speed dials and just scroll them left and right with the D-pad or the on-screen scroll icon that appears.

You can assign a hardware key to a speed dial, allowing you to dial that speed dial by simply holding down that hardware key. Twenty six of the thirty five keys on the keyboard (ie all alpha characters except "B" plus zero) can be used as a speed dial hardware key.

Naturally, removing the Speed Dial plug-in from your Today Screen does not inhibit the use of the hardware keys to activate your speed dials.

Keyguard

The Red End Call button on the Treo 750v also doubles as the power on/off switch. Of course, like all WM 5 Pocket PC devices, the power switch does not actually turn the entire device off, but rather turns the screen off and suspends the device (sleep mode). To wake the device and turn the screen back on, you can press either the Green Call button, the Windows Start key or the Red End Call button.

To prevent the device being accidentally woken up, the Treo 750v has a built in Keyguard feature. After waking the device, you must press the Centre button on the D-pad to unlock the Keyguard. If this is not done within 3 seconds, the Treo 750v automatically turns off again.

I like the auto turn off feature as it allows me to turn on my Treo 750v and quickly check things (eg battery level, signal or clock etc) and then my Treo 750v will turn itself off again unless I decide to unlock the Keyguard.

The Keyguard Settings allow you to configure how the Keyguard operates.

Keyguard can be set to activate immediately once the power is turned off, or only after 5 seconds or after 30 seconds. For those who don't like Keyguard, it can be disabled completely.

The delay settings mean that if you turn your Treo 750v off and then back on again quickly (ie within the delay time chosen) then Keyguard doesn't activate and you don't need to press the Centre button to unlock the device.

As you can see from the screenshots, the option to Disable the Touchscreen while you are on a call in the Today Screen is also set here.

Windows Start Menu

Given the reduced screen size, Palm have also tweaked the Windows Start Menu such that the first line on the menu now shows a row of icons for the recently used programs, rather than adding them as separate lines on the Start Menu as is normally the case.

This approach ensures the Start Menu fits on the screen whilst still giving quick access to recently used programs.

Threaded SMS

One of the most popular Palm tweaks is Threaded SMS. As you send SMS messages back and forth to a recipient, Palm's Threaded SMS application keeps all the messages together and displays them as a conversation.

Here, an SMS has come in from Fatty Vautin. If I select Go To, I can then enter my reply.

Once I click Send, my message is added to the conversation thread.

As replies continue to go back and forth, they are added to the Conversation thread.

The blue down arrow indicates incoming messages from Fatty and the green up arrow indicates outgoing messages from me.

You can click on the smiley button to add a smiley to your message.

Already, third party apps are springing up to copy Palm's Threaded SMS and bring it to other Pocket PC's.

Web Search field

Yet another Palm Tweak is the Today Screen Web Search field. This field is a Today Screen plug-in that can be disabled if required.

After selecting this field, you can then type your search request using the keyboard.

Pressing the Centre button on the D-pad fires up Internet Explorer and takes you to a Google search for the term entered.

Ignore with Text Message

When an Incoming Call comes in you have the option to Ignore the Call or Ignore with Text Message.

If you select Ignore with text message, the call is ignored and you are then taken to the SMS application to send a message to the caller.

Here you can type whatever message you wish to send, or for even faster response, you can use the Menu to bring up and choose one your preset "My Text" messages.

Add Caller to Contacts

Another of the Palm Tweaks is the option, after a call from someone not in your Contacts, to add that number to your Contacts.

This feature may not be to everyone's liking and fortunately, it can be turned off if it is not desired by clicking on the "Don't show this again" link.

Today Screen Right Soft Key Shortcut Menu

To aid the one handedness of the Treo 750v, the Right Soft Key on the Today Screen brings up a menu with shortcuts to useful functions such as Contacts, Call Log, Speed Dials, Wireless Manager, Phone Settings and Today Screen settings.

Ringer On/Off switch

On the top of the Treo 750v there is a hardware slide switch known as the Ringer switch. This switch allows you to mute your Treo 750v by simply sliding the Ringer switch to the right to turn off the ringer.

With the ringer off, all sounds, not just ring tones, are completely muted. This is a hardware mute as opposed to simply setting the System and Phone volumes on the device to zero. If you press the Volume buttons you can see the normal volume settings are retained. Thus the ringer switch cannot be overridden by using the volume buttons to increase the sound.

The Treo 750v gives one quick vibration as the Ringer switch is set to off which can alert the user in the case of an inadvertent setting of the Ringer switch to off.

In the Sounds and Notifications settings you can set whether the Treo 750v should Vibrate or not depending on the position of the Ringer switch.

Thus, you can set your Treo 750v to have a non-vibrating ring type, eg Ring or Increasing Ring, but then automatically switch to vibrate mode when the Ringer switch is off.

OK Button brings up Running Programs Task Manager

Finally, given the X Close Button on Windows Mobile 5 doesn't actually close programs, but rather minimizes them, Palm has configured the Treo 750v so that holding down the OK button brings up the Running Programs task manager screen.

This is a useful shortcut for those who choose not to install a third party X Button Closes app.

Availability

The Treo 750v is not currently available in Australia. My Treo 750v was purchased in Hong Kong. At the time of writing, Palm Australia had not yet indicated a possible release date despite the device being currently available in most of other countries, including New Zealand. Hopefully Palm Australia will get this fantastic device into the Australian market soon.

Summary

Pros

• Exceptional as a Phone, both in terms of user interface and sound quality
• Feature rich Today Screen dialling
• Threaded SMS
• Excellent one handed operation
• All the other Palm Tweaks, particularly Recently Called Contacts list.
• Beautiful form factor and sleek, stylish design
• Always available keyboard
• 26 hardware keys that can be used as Speed Dials

Cons

• No built-in WiFi
• No mini USB support for common sync and charging accessories
• Supplied USB sync cable does not Charge as well
• 240 x 240 resolution screen

Conclusion

A lot of people have dismissed the Treo 750v without really looking at it because of its lack of WiFi or square screen. To those people, I say "Look Again" as the Treo 750v, with all its Palm Tweaks, is an exceptional Phone and an above average PDA.

With 3G & HSDPA, the Treo 750v is perfectly suited for email and quick visits to the internet. For extended internet browsing, I have my WiFi laptop which, if I am in a Café or the Airport, I am more likely to want to use than a QVGA device with a thumb keyboard. If you must have WiFi on your device, you can always buy a MiniSD WiFi card for your Treo 750v.

While some people are trying to hack out or copy the Palm Tweaks for use on other devices you cannot beat the smoothness and stability of having the original Palm Tweaks on a Treo 750v.

In this review, I have tried to focus on the Treo 750v itself and avoid too many comparisons with the JasJam/Dopod. However, with such similar specs, comparisons are inevitable. On a straight hardware feature for feature basis, the Treo 750v is edged out by the JasJam/Dopod with its built in WiFi, bigger screen, better camera and larger keyboard. However, when it comes to one-handedness, the Treo 750v kills the JasJam/Dopod. Added to that, the Treo 750v is as usable as a phone as any dedicated phone handset I have previously used. It is these factors that put the Treo 750v way ahead of the JasJam/Dopod for my needs.

For more pictures of the Treo 750v and further detail on the Palm Tweaks, check out this review:-

http://www.coolsmartphone.com/index.php?option=articles&task=viewarticle&artid=698&Itemid=3

For some videos showing some of the Palm Tweaks in action, go to:

http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php?t=1076362

Zelig's Rating for the Palm Treo 750v:   9.4 / 10

(0.5 off for no WiFi and 0.1 off for no Mini USB)