Palm Treo 755p Review

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The Treo 755p is the latest smartphone from Palm and is available through Sprint Wireless.

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Introduction

Over the past year and a half , Palm has been releasing a steady stream of Treo smartphones. The different models offer a myriad of features, running different operating systems and available through various wireless carriers. Over the past year and half, we've seen the introduction of seven new Treo smartphones, all of which are still available for purchase.

• Palm Treo 700w (Windows Mobile/CDMA/Verizon) - Treo 700w review
• Palm Treo 700p (Palm OS/CDMA/Sprint and Verizon) - Treo 700p review
• Treo 700wx (Windows Mobile/CDMA/Sprint)
• Treo 680 (Palm OS/GSM/Cingular) - Treo 680 review
• Treo 750v (Windows Mobile/GSM, Vodafone)
• Treo 750 (Windows Mobile/GSM/Cingular) - Treo 750 review

Last week, Palm added the Sprint Treo 755p (CDMA) to the lineup. For consumers, the decision on which Treo to buy has become more and more confusing.

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User Interface

A quick trip to the Info menu in Application reveals the Palm Treo 755p runs Palm OS Garnet 5.4.9, also found on the Treo 700p released in June of 2006. In October of 2006, Palm introduced the Palm Treo 680 (GSM, Cingular), a Palm OS based smartphone designed for "first time smartphone users". Understanding the hurdles that face first time smartphone owners, Palm included a revised Phone application. The new Phone application featured a tabbed interface allowing easy access to the dialer, contacts, call log and your applications. Sadly, the Treo 755p includes the older Phone app (version 2.5). According to Palm, this version caters more to "power users". Some might debate the usefulness of the new Phone application, but I found the improved GUI (graphic user interface) and ease of use to be a great improvement. Including it on the Treo 755p would have been a plus. If Palm was concerned about power users, perhaps they could have offered an option in the application. Simple view or advanced view allowing the end user to decide.

Treo 680 Phone app

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Treo 755p Phone application

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Focus On Treo Experience Centers Around Software

Palms recent advertising campaign "Not just a cellphone, a Treo" earmarks how the focus has shifted from hardware design to software applications and improving the Treo experience. For the most part, the applications that are bundled with the Treo 755p are third party applications that are readily available to any Treo owner. GoogleMaps, Docs To Go, Bejeweled, PocketTunes and VoiceMemo are all fantastic applications in their own right, but easily added or already included on the Treo 700p. Stalwarts such as VersaMail, Blazer and PIM applications remain the same.

Treo 755p volume buttons

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Treo 755p camera sports a 1.3mp camera

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Built-in IM

One welcome addition is the Instant Messaging application known simply as IM. The application is not pre-installed, but selecting the icon quickly generated a download from Sprint. I was quickly greeted by a home screen that featured icons from AOL IM, Yahoo! and Windows Live Messenger. Just prior to this, the application warns of potential data charges. I'd recommend avoiding this application unless you have an unlimited data plan. Upon selecting an icon, I was prompted to enter my login information. Setup on all three services was a breeze. Some interesting notes about the new IM application.

Palm's IM app will offer a warning regarding data charges

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• You can be logged into all three services at the same time
• AOL IM supports iChat users (dot mac support)
• You can leave the application and still recieve messages
• Includes smilie support

Palm IM supports AIM, Messenger and Yahoo!

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Chatting on Palm Treo 755p IM

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Palm has also included QuickText. Those familiar with the SMS program on Palm Treos, this allows users to quickly select from a preset list of messages.

IM will alert you of an incoming message

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Do You Google

GoogleMaps, released last year, comes preinstalled on the Treo 755p. This application is readily available for all Treo users, but is worthy of including in the ROM of the Treo. GoogleMaps uses the data connection to generate maps and directions based upon the user input. The Treo 755p does not come with built-in GPS, but this mapping feature can be useful.

GoogleMaps comes pre-installed on the Treo 755p

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One of the more handy utilities is the "Find Nearby Businesses". For business travelers, you could enter your current address and ask GoogleMaps to find "restaurants". I tested this feature and sure enough Google provided very accurate results. It offered 9 restaurants in my area, including Runyon's which is literally in walking distance. Nothing new here with GoogleMaps, but a worthy inclusion on the Treo 755p.

GoogleMaps allows you to find restaurants nearby

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Treo 755p Review continued on page 2 of 4