650 vs 700 Treo

[kdallen]

Does the 650 offer this?

The 650 on its own doesn't offer it, however, there's a free app called SharkMsg, apparently written by a 15-yr-old whiz kid, which does this for you. You can check it out here: http://www.freewarepalm.com/utilities/sharkmsg.shtml

[chris]

Well as I thought (and do appreciate), some more questions have just popped up on these two phones. You mentioned on the 700, how you can go into a contact screen, bring up the contact and then choose if you want to call, email etc. that contact. Can you do the same with the 650 or no? I guess what I'm asking is as for making phone calls, I assume that both phones give you a list of contacts to bring up and call. For me, being in sales, I will have a "Business List" of contacts and a "Personal List" (friends, family, etc) to contact, just like on my Palm Pilot. I'd like to have the ability to go into these "lists" I set up and be able to very simply go in and call. Is this even possible? I mean if your telling me that with the 700 I can go into these lists and either call or email them (provided an email acct is set up for each of them in the phone right?) that would be fantastic. I cant do this with the 650?

Sorry I haven't been able to get my review posted, as it provides comparisons between the 650 vs 700 across the board. It should be done sometime this week. In the meantime, I'll do what I can to answer your questions.

1. ou mentioned on the 700, how you can go into a contact screen, bring up the contact and then choose if you want to call, email etc. that contact. Can you do the same with the 650 or no? Yes, you can do this on the Treo 650. In fact, the Speed Dial favorites is better on the 650 than the 700. While on a Speed Dial button on the Treo 650, you can press the space bar bring up all other phone numbers for that specific contact. What I like specifically about the 700w was it's implementation of phone,email,text options into the contact record. In terms of making calls, both offer the same capabilities.
2. For me, being in sales, I will have a "Business List" of contacts and a "Personal List" (friends, family, etc) to contact, just like on my Palm Pilot. I'd like to have the ability to go into these "lists" I set up and be able to very simply go in and call. Is this even possible? That's very easy. On the 650, you'll acess contacts and select the drop down menu for your Business or Personal List. The 700w is similar. You "filter" based upon Personal, Business, etc. Same end result.
3. I mean if your telling me that with the 700 I can go into these lists and either call or email them (provided an email acct is set up for each of them in the phone right?) that would be fantastic. I cant do this with the 650? That's correct. There is third party software that would allow a similar feature. TakePHone comes to mind. As I mentioned, one of the cool features of the 700 is when you access a contact record, a simple up/down of the 5 way navigation allows you to phone home, work, mobile, text or email. Very well done.

If you have questions or need comparisons, feel free to post your questions. I hope to have the review completed in the next day or so, but would be happy to help provide you with the information you need to make your decision.

-Chris

ps.- as mentioned SharkMSG offers the same functionality included in the 700w where you can send an SMS when away from the phone.

[skibum1]

This is insane. I go into 2 Verizon stores, one of them sold out, the other, the salesperson says to me, "I dont really know how the 700 works other than its off Windows and its really fast. People have been buying it." Oh thats great. Nice customer service. She hands me a 700 and I'm standing there trying to figure this out. I have no idea. Then I look at the 650 and I feel more comfortable with it right off the bat. Meanwhile theres that typical line of people putting their names on lists trying to get the next salesperson to switch their phones around. AHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!

[skibum1]

Chris I just read your reply and I gotta give it to you. Your knowledge of these phones is really incredible. You work for Palm? I think I should hit a Verizon store maybe mid day during the week and just grab one of the salespeople and demand they show me how to use BOTH the 650 and the 700 inside and out so I can then make a decision.

ps Whats the story I read about battery life? Is the new 700 running out of gas quicker than the 650?

[chris]

Chris I just read your reply and I gotta give it to you. Your knowledge of these phones is really incredible. You work for Palm?

No, just run this website.

Whats the story I read about battery life? Is the new 700 running out of gas quicker than the 650?

I read and replied to a post regarding that issue earlier today. I haven't noticed anything out of the ordinary, but I haven't done any specific tests (specific # of calls + email, etc).

I did use the 700w extensively yesterday while writing my review and didn't notice any battery issues. It did run out of juice overnight as I had it set to check for email every 5 minutes.

I don't want to sound like I'm a super proponent of the 700w over the 650. I have found comparing the two to be interesting. Some not so good points (like the speed dial) and some real good points....
I was checking email today on the 700w and it allows you go about your business checking your calendar, viewing contacts, etc. That's a nice plus.

Any questions regarding the two...let me know.


-Chris

[skibum1]

Sounds like I should just put my "fear of the unknown" aside and take the plunge with the 700.

[chris]

Wait a day or so and I'll have my review posted. It's just my view, but might clear up any questions you have regarding the two.

-Chris

[Antoine of MMM]

You got me wanting to read this review more and more Chris. Can't wait.

[chris]

You got me wanting to read this review more and more Chris. Can't wait.

I want to be finished with this review! I feel like I've been writing for the past three days -- and in between my battles with Virtual PC, I have.

Shouldn't be much longer. I basically sat here with both Treos and compared them feature by feature. Not only has it been interesting to compare them, it's also allowed me to learn Windows Mobile 5.

Some good. Some bad. I hope to have the review in it's entirety on the site by tomorrow.


-Chris