[Nieuws] Eerste uitgebreide review van Treo 680 verschenen

however, still shows signs of life regardless of any common sense

The device delivers good receiving quality.

Overall Impressions

Outside of unlearning and relearning a few things, the Treo 680 is both uninspiring and inspiring at the same time. If your expectation is an upgrade to something much better than the Treo 650, you will be very disappointed. The specs are not much better in terms of hardware (though the extra memory is getting put to use). And if you are used to the software side of things, you might find that you will not like some of the different ways that the 680 does things.

However, if you use a Treo 600, or have never used a Treo or other smartphone before, you will be pleasantly surprised. The software, stability, and well thought out-ness of the entire package is just that compelling.

Summary
Since I received my Treo 680 I have mainly focused on learning how it differs from my Treo 700p so I can decide if I want to stick with my 700p or start looking at changing phones (and changing carriers unless Palm releases a CDMA version).

From a hardware standpoint, I definitely like the look and feel of the sleeker Treo 680 with its internal antenna. It just feels nicer in the hand than my Treo 700p with its external antenna. It also feels thinner and lighter.

If I were not already a Treo user, the Treo 680 would be a great choice because you can't get anything comparable for the price, and it offers loads of benefits over a regular phone.
But if you are like me and already have a CDMA Treo 700p, there is no reason to switch to the Treo 680, especially since you will have to change carriers. While there are a couple of benefits such as slightly more internal memory and a smaller form factor, there are tradeoffs such as the lower-resolution camera and the hassle of changing phone plans.



Pros

* Slimmer and lighter than the Treo 650/700p and feels much better in your hand
* The new Phone application makes the phone and phonebook functionality of the Treo 680 much more accessible to first-time Treo users upgrading from a normal phone.
* PocketTunes doesn't seem to suffer from the same stuttering problems seen on the Treo 700p

Cons

* Stylus is more difficult to remove than on the Treo 650/700p and is not compatible with third-party versions sold for the Treo 650/700p
* SD card cover is a bit loose
* Battery life is somewhat shorter than on the Treo 700p
* Changes to the Phone application are a mixed bag for users upgrading from a Treo 650 or 700p. Some changes are just different while others result in reduced functionality or flexibility.

Bottom Line: The Treo 680 delivers the same touch-screen, processor, memory, keyboard and screen as the Treo 700p. It adds improved browsing in a smaller, lighter, more balanced package without forcing the move to mini-SD cards. The UI has been tweaked to be the easiest Treo to navigate; add in the 90-days of unlimited free tech support by a dedicated Treo 680 staff, and the overall experience and package are going to appeal to people who have been intimidated by smartphones up to now.

The only caveats are a lower-powered camera (same as the 650), and no support for 3G. However, as I said, the 680 was tuned to squeeze every bit of speed out of EDGE, and it does that with aplomb.
The code name ‘lowrider’ is a disservice to the Treo 680. It is full-featured, powerful, easy to use, competitively priced and compromises on nothing.

Full Review: 1 week is not enough time to provide you with a proper review. Also, this device is aimed at the non-tech marketplace. With that in mind, I will be handing the 680 off to a father and son who currently are Cingular customers. The father is a consultant, who has never had a smartphone or PDA. The son is a student at Yale, who’s only smartphone was a Treo 600. They will provide me with the point-of-view that matters: people who are considering buying a Treo 680. Their thoughts, experiences and opinions will be the basis of my in-depth review in 2 weeks time. Look for it!

Pros
# updated apps
# form factor
# price point
# more storage
# feature phone competitive
Cons
# battery life
# 0.3 MP VGA camera
# tough choice for 650 users

Conclusion

If you have a GSM Treo 650 that's getting long in the tooth and you're out of contract (or you have a GSM Treo 600), the Treo 680 is a worthwhile upgrade, though definitely not mandatory. If you find your battery talked down at the end of the day, that is a factor that you would do well to consider -- again, the Treo 680 gets about 2 hours less talk time than the Treo 650.

The 680, however, is primarily intended for new smartphone users and feature phone upgraders. If you're one of these people, the Treo 680 is a great match. The limited battery capacity is unfortunate, but shouldn't be an issue if you don't talk much or are good about charging your phone every night or so.