[12/6/01]
Handspring's Hybrid Treo
BY RICH TEHRANI
Although I briefly experimented with a Handspring
Visor when it first came out, I've never used the device for any
length of time. However, I get the opportunity to speak with
Handspring at Planet PDA and was blown away by the expandability of
these devices.
Of the 60 Springboard modules available, I was able
to use and experiment with a few dozen of them. I was particularly
interested in the camera, a presentation module with remote control
for PowerPoint presentations, the WiFi and Bluetooth modules, and the
MP3 module. There is a CF adapter, which means the entire realm of
CompactFlash cards can now be used on this device.
What
really caught my eye was Handspring's recent announcement of the Treo,
which is a nice PDA/cell phone hybrid. It comes in 2 models, the 180g
with Graffiti, a rechargeable battery and the 180 with a keyboard --
both models are due out in January 2002.
The size of the devices is 4.3" x 2.7" x
0.7" and their weight is 5.4 oz. The screen size is a bit
smaller than the Palm V and the business card size keyboard needs some
adaptation to use effectively. I suppose those familiar with
Blackberry's popular device should pick up this keyboard more quickly
than me.
My biggest problem with Treo is their Palm OS
because is it doesn't multi-task. However, the design of the Treo does
allow you to talk and work simultaneously. And although the exhibit
hall was very noisy, we were able to hear a conversation quite clearly
through the included speakerphone -- very impressive. Another much
needed feature is a switch at the top of the unit that allows you to
go from vibrating to ringing alerts.
There is a built-in wireless access based on GSM
with promised GPRS software upgrades in the future. The Treo also
comes with software that allows users to e-mail and browse the Web. Of
courses, users will also be able to SMS as the company expects it to
be a killer app for the Treo and I can hardly disagree. Perhaps these
devices will revolutionize SMS here in the states. We'll see.
Another interesting market differentiator is a
clamshell case that has transparent plastic allowing you to see the
screen while simultaneously protecting it. My gut tells me that people
drop cell phones more often than PDAs. Since this device will be used
as a cell phone, I think this is a good design move.
Two other features worth noting are that the Treo
feels light and I'm told that it has 80 hours of standby time.
Handspring is targeting the Treo at the enterprise market and I have a
feeling it will be embraced by the consumer crowd as well. When you
realize that the ability to convert the Treo into a push device like a
Blackberry exists through third parties, it seems that RIM may face
stiff competition. After all, the device is not much larger than a
Blackberry, offers the familiar Palm OS and telephone calling to boot.
I was of the opinion that the convergence of cell
phones and PDAs will be short lived. My personal preference is to have
a small cell phone and a PDA with a large screen. The Treo is a
compromise but its outstanding features position it to be a huge
seller. I am sure that a large portion of the existing Handspring
consumer base will upgrade and many corporations will likely
standardize on this device as well. So in closing, I think the Treo
may make me eat my words.
