Palm Treo 800w Review

I’ve got a little confession to make: I’m one of the unwashed masses who has never handled a Treo device before. I was tempted last year by the Treo 700wx when I was looking for a suitable upgrade path for my Motorola V3m, but decided in favor of the Samsung SCH-i760, the only Pocket PC phone with Windows Mobile 6 available from Verizon at the time. In any case, permit this neo-Treo user to share his thoughts on the new Treo 800wx Pocket PC phone via Sprint.

Read on for more information on this new Windows Mobile offering from Palm.

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Sprint’s HTC Touch Diamond: September 14 for $249

According to an article a PC Magazine article on Yahoo, the Touch Diamond will be available on Sept. 14 from Sprint for $249.99 with a two-year contract and $100 rebate. This pricing info and date were leaked out by the Wall Street Journal folks who reviewed the phone. I won’t talk about this laughable review though. Anyhow, Sasha Segan from PC Magazine had this to say…

The Wall Street Journal broke the news today about Sprint’s version of the HTC Touch Diamond, a Windows Mobile smart phone with a touch screen and a new, 3-D interface.

The Touch Diamond is a small, slab-style smart phone with a 2.8-inch high-res VGA screen, and it puts a cuddly interface of large icons over Windows Mobile’s PDA-style home screen. TouchFlo 3D isn’t just a home screen, either; HTC and Sprint have written a custom YouTube application, a customized version of the Opera Web browser, and a customized media player to try to make Windows Mobile more palatable to consumers.

I don’t really care what the WSJ has to say about something not made by Apple and I hope that you would do the same before casting judgement on the HTC Diamond.

International Use Of AirCard Cost Family $20,000

Sometimes it is hard to remember that Canada is another country and that there is “international” billing

PORTLAND, Ore. — A Portland family racked up nearly $20,000 on their AT&T bill, local station KPTV reported.

The Terry family said they wished they would have received some kind of warning before receiving their 200-page bill in the mail for $19,370.

In July, their son headed north to Vancouver, Canada, and used a laptop with an AirCard to send photos and e-mails back home. The bill showed he used the service 21 times, but because he was out of the country, the activity added up to thousands of dollars in charges.

AT&T said the AirCard allows users to connect to e-mail, the Internet and business applications while traveling, but the company told the family that international use wasn’t included in their cell phone plan.

The Terry family said they asked an AT&T employee about the service before their son left the country. They said they were told nothing about international fees.

Dave Terry also said they were never contacted by the company to be alerted of the high fees.

“(We) have a bill that runs normally $250 to $300 for our cell phones,” Terry said. “When AT&T saw the numbers getting over $1,000, I would think it’s their responsibility to inform us that something was amiss because that card could have been stolen.”

An AT&T representative said they’re treating the matter seriously and looking into it. According to the company, they hope to have an answer for the family in the next few days.

http://www.wnbc.com/money/17390103/detail.html

Network Settings Lock on Windows Mobile 6.1 Devices

Did you know that Windows Mobile 6.1 adds a new level of locking to your device?  There is now a lock for the carriers data network settings. What does it do?  In effect it prevents you from modifying the carriers pre-loaded data settings.

There are folks that want/need to modify those values and if you are one then head over to Mobile Jaw and find out a little more about it and how to easily UNLOCK IT!

As an aside, if you are one of the folks that just upgraded your BlackJack II ROM, you might well be very interested in this post…..

Windows Mobile 6.1 For The BlackJack II Online

It’s here. Yes it’s finally here!

Where Do I Obtain Windows Mobile 6.1 For My SGH-i617 (BlackJack II)?
Samsung has released a software upgrade for the SGH-i617 (BlackJack II) which is recommended to be installed. This update includes an upgrade to Windows Mobile 6.1 and numerous software enhancements. The update may take between 10-15 minutes to complete if the system is already set up.

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AT&T Offers Free Phones to Gustav Evacuees

Thanks AT&T, this is one heck of a gesture. There aren’t that many phones, but anything is great. It’s really nice to see big companies helping others.

AT&T Inc.  today announced the availability of at least 2,000 GoPhone devices with $15 in air time to residents who have been ordered to evacuate their homes due to Hurricane Gustav. The phones will be made available on a first-come, first-serve basis while supplies last to residents who live in any area that government has declared a mandatory evacuation area  

The phones will be available at all company-owned AT&T retail locations in Houston and San Antonio, both cities seeing large numbers of incoming evacuees from Louisiana and far southeast Texas. AT&T is rushing extra shipments of GoPhones to the Houston and San Antonio stores, and they are expected to be available as early as Monday evening. AT&T company-owned stores can be found at http://www.wireless.att.com/find-a-store

“In times of crisis, the ability to connect with family and friends is a necessity and, at the same time, comforting,” said Chris Penrose, vice president and general manager for AT&T’s wireless unit in south Texas. “Hopefully, this offer will allow many of those forced from their homes by Hurricane Gustav to take care of critical needs or simply reconnect with loved ones.”

In addition to providing Go Phones to Evacuees, the press release put out by AT&T also offered some tips…

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AT&T Motorola Q Global with Windows Mobile 6.1

This past Tuesday, AT&T and HTC released the Windows Mobile 6.1 ROM for the AT&T Tilt and two days later and revamped Motorola Q with Windows Mobile 6.1. Not a bad week, I’d say.

This is a revamped silver version of the Motorola Q that we have all learned to either love or hate, but this one is the 1st Q Variant to come with Windows Mobile 6.1 out of the box. Earlier this month, a Windows Mobile 6.1 update for the Motorola Q9h hit Motorola’s support site.

I think the silver color is nice looking. Even though I’d hate to have to buy a Q to upgrade to 6.1, for those that don’t already have a Q, $149.99 is a great price.

Here is the Press Release…
Motorola and AT&T Inc. today announced the availability of the MOTO Q Global with Windows Mobile 6.1, one of the first devices featuring the latest mobile software on sale to the public. Available exclusively to AT&T customers, the new MOTO Q Global has a bold pinstripe design with eye-catching metallic edging and a robust feature set, including Motorola’s patented CrystalTalk technology for clear calls, assisted GPS via the AT&T network for quick, accurate location fixes, and threaded SMS for chat-like texting.

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AT&T Expands International Data Offerings for iPhone

AT&T Inc. today announced expanded international data offerings to help keep iPhone customers connected around the world. Beginning tomorrow, AT&T will offer two new plans that accommodate iPhone customers’ increasing reliance on data services while traveling abroad. The two new plans, which offer 100 megabytes (MB) or 200 MB a month, can potentially save customers hundreds of dollars compared to pay-per-use international data roaming charges.

For discounted international data usage in 67 countries,¹ the 100 MB iPhone plan is available for an additional $119.99 a month, while the 200 MB plan costs an additional $199.99 a month.² These new plans are in addition to existing plans for smartphones, including iPhone, which offer 20 MB and 50 MB in the same countries. There are no long-term commitments required, so customers can add or remove these plans to their existing packages on an as-needed basis.

“AT&T has worked diligently to provide affordable options for international roaming because the feature-rich mobile experience of iPhone is indispensable to users,” said Bill Hague, executive vice president of International for AT&T’s wireless operations. “With these new international data plans, iPhone users can access more data in more countries for less cost.”

With the largest global footprint of any wireless provider, only AT&T customers can make and receive calls in more than 200 countries and send e-mail and browse the Web in more than 150 countries, including more than 60 countries with high speed third-generation (3G) coverage. AT&T also offers voice and data coverage on 120 major cruise ships.

iPhone 3G is one of more than 40 world devices AT&T offers, more than any other U.S. wireless service provider. AT&T customers can take their new iPhone 3G devices around the world, including Japan and South Korea, which require a device that operates on 2100 MHz.

With access to full HTML e-mail, visual voice mail, enhanced Web browsing and other feature-rich applications that can use a significant amount of data, iPhone users may need more than they think while traveling abroad. Just 2 MB of data use at pay-per-use data rates of $0.0195 per kilobyte would cost almost $40, making these new plans very valuable for customers traveling outside the U.S.

iPhone customers can also save money by following some simple tips, including keeping data roaming in the preset off position, using Wi-Fi when possible, turning off automatic checks for e-mail and setting the usage tracker to zero at the beginning of a trip to monitor use.

To help travelers stay connected and manage their wireless costs, AT&T offers a variety of resources. AT&T’s Travel Guide (www.att.com/travelguide) allows customers to create an itinerary with rate information for up to 10 international destinations as well as review discounted voice and data packages.

For more information about international coverage and rates, customers can visit www.att.com/wirelessinternational or call 866-MOBILITY.

AT&T and HTC Release WM 6.1 for the AT&T Tilt

The tipster was right on with the 26th being the date, I kind had a hunch since I had a little insight from HTC as well. :)

Anyhow, I was in training for work today when it hit and the emails started coming in that it was online now, so I made a post to discuss it on Tiltsite. Make sure to use the forums to discuss upgrading as well if you have tips or any problems.

Kris has promised to bring us more info as well, once he gets his flashed and all. Kip has posted a piece on the differences between the Bloat on the ROMs too.

So here it is, download it from HTC here.

Download: AT&T Tilt Windows Mobile 6.1 Software (ROM Version 3.57.502.2 WWE)
Date Updated: 08/05/2008
File Size: Approximately 88 M

Why Update:
This ROM update is intended for the AT&T Tilt only and users should not load or attempt to load this version on any other device as it may cause serious issues/damage.

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T-Mobile 3G Launch Plans at BGR

While AT&T has 3G coverage in most “Major” Cities already, T-Mobile is trying to catch up fast. Boy Genuis Report has some info about cities involved in their 3G rollout in 2008. I wish I could get 3G from either carrier in my city…

The following markets have already launched, or will launch on the specified date:

• Austin / San Antonio
• Baltimore
• Houston
• Las Vegas
• Los Angeles
• Minneapolis (launches today)
• New York
• Phoenix (9/16)
• Portland (9/18)
• Sacramento (9/17)
• San Diego (9/15)
• San Francisco (9/24)
• Seattle (9/23)

The following markets are scheduled to launch in 2008, no launch date available:

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HTC Android Phone to T-Mobile As Early as October

I caught this 1st on the Yahoo Aggregator site but according to the New York Times, we can expect T-Mobile to come to the table with the 1st Android phone, HTC’s offering. This should be what people are calling the HTC Dream.

The high-end phone, which will be made by the world’s top smartphone maker High Tech Computer Corp, is expected to challenge Apple Inc’s iPhone as well as other smartphones that run software from Palm Inc, Research in Motion, Microsoft Corp and Nokia Oyj.

According to “people briefed on the company’s plans,” the HTC phone will go on sale in the US “before Christmas, perhaps as early as October.” The NYT’s sources also say that the 5-row QWERTY slider from that Dream video (embedded after the break) matches the HTC device that T-Mobile will sell.

Source: Engadget

UK looking forward to Touch Pro

I am sure there are some very happy folks in the UK today because Engadget Mobile is reporting that the UK has a target window to start saving for. It appears that Vodafone has indicated that the HTC Touch Pro may well just arrive sometime in August.  So US folks may be disappointed but look at it this way; you know it will arrive here soon after ( we hope).

You can read the original link at CoolSmartPhone

California Judge Says Early Termination Fees Illegal

This is only for one State and the appeal in inevitable, but Early Termination Fees are a blight to consumer advocacy. They say it is to subsidize handset prices, while others say it is to lock consumers into a provider regardless of satisfaction and price gouging.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The fees that cell phone carriers charge customers who break service contracts took a big hit in a California courtroom when a judge said such charges by Sprint Nextel Corp. likely violate state law.

The judge, in a tentative ruling issued late Monday, said Sprint will have to pay $18.3 million to customers who sued over the fees and credit $54.8 million to those who were charged but did not pay the fees.

The same judge is considering other lawsuits against telecommunications companies over their so-called early termination fees, which can range from $150 to $225. This month Verizon Wireless agreed to pay $21 million to settle an identical lawsuit just as trial was starting.

Alameda County Superior Court Judge Bonnie Sabraw rejected Sprint’s argument that a state court had no business deciding an issue the company said should be left for federal authorities. And while her ruling isn’t legally binding outside the state, it cut to the heart of an ongoing debate in other state courthouses and in Washington, D.C., over the fairness of the fees.

Who would have believed that a San Francisco Judge would have made a good decision? :-)

(of course it is an anti-business ruling, so perhaps that is why)

Link

T-Mobile Sidekick 2008 Review

If you are a T-Mobile user and like the Sidekick then head over to Gizmodo and check out the review that Jason Chen has posted.  For $149 with two-year contract and packed with a slew of features, it is a pretty neat device. 

So how did Gizmodo like it? They give it a “thumbs up” and say “if you’re a current Sidekick owner and you’re happy with the platform, you’ll want to upgrade to this for its improved features and reduced size. If you’re not a current Sidekick user but have always eyeballed the series, it’s a good time to jump on”. 

They really liked “the reduced size, and at 4.7 x 2.3 x 0.7 inches, it’s as long as the iPhone, slightly narrower, but about twice as thick. The second most important feature on a SK is the keyboard, and remains pretty much the same as before: chicklety. If you liked previous iterations, you’ll like this one”.

A nice design, intuitive applications, great call quality and decent video.  Check it out here at Gizmodo.

Treo 800w Review

It has been quite some time since Palm has come to the table with a new Windows Mobile Professional device: enter the Treo 800W, WM 6.1. At first glance it doesn’t appear all that different than its predecessor, the Treo 750W. But there are some subtle and not so subtle differences.

The new Treo is much thinner, the screen is the same size, there is a Sprint logo on the top, there are two new hardware buttons—one for mail, one for calendar, the keyboard keys have a new look and feel-they are flat instead of rounded and therefore seem to have less definition.

A quick glance at the bottom made me quiver with delight for I thought that at last Palm has gotten rid of its goofy, proprietary connector and opted for the more universal mini USB connector. But my hopes were quickly dashed upon closer inspection because it was what they call a micro-USB connector, which is far from standard. This means that you can’t use the old Treo cradles, and you have to pack yet another cable and charger when traveling—not a good thing.

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