Sprint Treo 700w by end of February?

So a bunch of guys over at Bear Stearns, who seem to be even more creepily obsessed with the consumer electronics/media/communications industries than we are, have broken into several overseas manufacturing facilities to discover that the WM5-powered, EV-DO-packin' Treo 700w may be introduced by Sprint as early as the end of Feburary. This contradicts earlier information which pointed to a late-March release, and would also go against the traditional three to six month exclusivity contract that carriers and manufacturers usually sign (Verizon just dropped the 700w on January 5th). By the way, that breaking-and-entering comment about Bear Sterns analysts Ted Chung, Bill Hand, and Andrew Neff is completely false- they got their info the old fashioned way, based on research, networking, and so-called channel checks (unless those are like body checks, in which case we totally stand by our slanderous accusations).

[Thanks, Brad; Pic credit: Zack]

[Fred @ Feb 7th 2006 11:24AM]

I called sprint last night and they said the 700 will be out within a month but the lady had no idea palm or windows. I'm hoping palm, if not, then I hope it drops the price of the 650 and I'll grab that :).

[Post4Sale @ Feb 13th 2006 8:34PM]

I currently have the HP Ipaq 6315 from T-Mobile and let me tell you I will never use a windows mobile device again. The HP Ipaq 6315 is so badly built even with patches and tweaks I have to erase it monthly and start over. Very slow and unstable.

I am out of a contract so I am debating between Verizon and Sprint. To me mobility is important, I travel 8 months out of the year and heavily rely on remote access to my server (www.logmein.com) and email.

Which provider do you recommend as well as a product that will keep up with my pace?

[werdmodo @ Feb 17th 2006 5:06PM]

The 700p has been in the phone labs at Sprint last rumor I heard. I am hearing conflicting information about whether they will just have the 700p, or both 700p and 700w.

[Skye @ Feb 18th 2006 5:56PM]

All these people with comments below this are a bunch of whiners.

[Post4Sale @ Feb 20th 2006 11:37PM]

So any more updates on this? I am with Tmobile now and want to drop them as soon as possible. They truly sux. Not sure if its worth holding out or just getting 700W from Verizon wireless.

[Musa @ Feb 25th 2006 8:40PM]

Question....

Will the Treo700, when introduced into the Sprint family of phones, havre the walkie talkie feature like the potentially defunct Blackberry?

Please say yes and mean it!

[sineblue @ Feb 26th 2006 10:54PM]

Windows Mobile has a long way to go. For example, why can't they design the OS so that after you "close" a program (hitting the ok button) you really close it (instead you have to go to the memory app and shut it down manually, unless you use an app like spb pocketplus, which still dosen't close the programs completely!) arrggh. Very poor design because the background processes suck up memory and resources. It seems to me that windows took the same buggy design they've been spewing to us for years from the desktop to the pda. Plus, when the hell is Palm going to give us dedicated Treo users what we really want like a higher resolution screen, built-in wifi, more internal memory, less crashes (although after the latest sprint patch my treo 650 runs pretty solid, even though I have tons of third party apps loaded on it). Even comparing the way the 650 and 700 sync with your pc. Windows wasn't even smart enough to allow you to password protect notes! Palm Desktop allows this! Sorry for the ranting and raving but I sincerely hope that we can find a happy medium to all of this madness! Frustrated Treo owner 600, 650 and 700, oh yeah I also have a Blackberry 7250! Please reply with your thoughts...

Good night...

[Post4Sale @ Feb 28th 2006 9:04PM]

I not sure if $50 more a month and $300 more upfront for a phone is worth it by going to verizon vs. Sprint.

I need for for PDA capabilities so faster the mail download and browsing capabilities the better. Any recommendation? Also any phone recommendation? I have an IPAQ 6315 from Tmobile and it sucks.

Any recommendation between Treo 650 from Sprint vs. Treo 700w from Verizon?

[Greg P @ Feb 28th 2006 9:37PM]

will the Sprint 700w be compatible with MacOS???

[Zoggy @ Feb 28th 2006 10:23PM]

Well, it's the end of Febuary...and no confrimation of a Treo 700 coming from any of the Sprint reps I've talked to today.

[Dave @ Mar 1st 2006 2:03PM]

March 1st and still no Sprint 700W. ????????????????

[Tommy @ Mar 7th 2006 12:47PM]

Just spoke yesterday with my business account rep. He confirmed the release of a 700 is set between March 15 and 30.
What I did not understand is, that he said the device will work optional on both Palm or Windows. You chose your platform. Don't know if he knows what he was talking about but he seamed to be very optimistic about it.

[David @ Mar 8th 2006 2:00AM]

Well...lurking on Sprint's home page hoping to see this available for puchase I've always noticed that all offers for rebates and discounts for the Treo 600 and 650 will all end on 3/11 so my assumption would be that on that date or shortly thereafter the 700 will be available. We'll see...but I wanted to actually put this out there to immortalize myself ;-)
lol

[a7ias @ Mar 8th 2006 4:55AM]

man...i really hope it comes out soon. my cel batt lasts about 10 mins talk time now. i was so ready to get the 6700 until i heard the 700w was coming out the end of Feb...but obviously that didn't happen. anyone think i should still get the 6700 over the 700w?

[Dave @ Mar 12th 2006 7:06PM]

I spoke with a friend who works for Sprint, she tells me the 700 will be out at the end of April or beginning of May. She tells me that there will be a windows 700 and a palm 700. I geuss we will wait and see.

[Monty @ Mar 18th 2006 3:53PM]

I just got back from Best Buy in San Jose and they claim they are no longer able to order new Treo650 on Sprint. At this point they are trying to get rid of their inventory, which according to the sales person means they are coming out with a new version within a couple weeks. Anyone know anything about this?

[j @ Mar 18th 2006 9:41PM]

Why is everyone hatin' on windows mobile? I refuse to go back to a treo.
I've owned a sidekick, siemens sx56, ipaq 6315, nokia 9500, and a treo 650. The ipaq with wm 2003 is my favorite so far.
Maybe it's what's easiest for me, but, synching outlook and wm is way easier than palm software.
People constantly hate on Windows, but it makes my life so much easier (or should I say spoiled?)
If the qwerty on the 700w was spaced a little further than I'd be on it. The T-Mobile mda was my next investment, but due to shipping problems and expensive rates, I'm on a personal T-Mobile boycott. If the MDA was available for Sprint, I'd be happier than Gilmore...

[J.P. @ Apr 3rd 2006 11:56AM]

my phone has stoped working and i dont know wich one to get the troe 700w treo 700p or the ppc-6700 . can anybody help me out please!! i need to know.

[Dave Sommers @ May 11th 2006 3:47PM]

The 700w for Sprint is what I'm hearing (from CompUSA) is still planned to release as soon as mid to late May 2006. I don't think Wifi is a part of the package, but increased memory (128 MB) and 1.3 pix camera is. I haven't heard if EVDO high speed connection is a part.

I have found informant of HP's Ipac MSm 2003 one of the most powerful programs I have ever used in a mobile device. I hope the Treo 700w can come somewhat close to what this calendaring/contacts/alarms/notes/tasks program offers.

Making Palm more compatible with MS programs sounds like a smart move to me.

soms

[David Sylvian @ May 14th 2006 8:17PM]

I spoke with my Sprint Service provider today and also stopped by one of the sprint stores. The stated that Sprint plans to offer the New 700 by end of May. I failed to ask if it was a Windows or Palm OS version.

[A.R.C.H. @ May 25th 2006 3:45AM]

I would like to know when will sprint get the Treo 700w.

[Jeff @ Aug 7th 2006 6:15PM]

It's all a red herring, Sprint will have a 700w when their saels margin is right, and only then.

[Zack @ Jan 31st 2006 7:43PM]

And what happened to the 700p again?

[Mike @ Jan 31st 2006 7:53PM]

I tried one of these at the Verizon store over the weekend and remembered why I HATE Windows Mobile. It requires you to use the stylus (or touch the screen) way too often.

With my Treo 600, I NEVER have the use the stylus except to play games. A properly designed OS should allow me to make calls and perform core business functions using the keypad.

After 10 minutes I was frustrated and put the thing down... deciding to wait for the 700p (or whatever they end up calling it).

[jacob @ Jan 31st 2006 8:09PM]

The Treo 700p doesn't exist and will never be released Mwahahahahahah, the microsoft empire strikes again.

[jacob @ Jan 31st 2006 8:21PM]

oh, and Mike, you hate windows mobile because you have to use the device like, hmmmmm, I don't know, a pda? Is that a valid reason for hate? Isn't the touchscreen the only intuitive method of input on pda's? Isn't hate too strong a word :)

[Daryl @ Jan 31st 2006 8:22PM]

I really hope that Palm starts using linux, I love my nokia 770 because of all the cool stuff I can do with it. There is no other device that I would want to use cause either the software sucks or the screen has such low res. How nice would it be if a palm based device had an 800x480 screen with a real browser, and it ran Linux.. Man life would rock. SCREW WINDOWS CE

[Zadillo @ Jan 31st 2006 8:56PM]

Jacob, the main difference I think that he is pointing out is that the Palm OS on the Treos has been optimized a lot more for operation with the 5-way controller........ since this has been a common device on Palm OS devices the past few years, it's also fairly common to find a lot more third party software that can be navigated with just the 5-way controller (we're mainly talking here about things like scrolling, navigating to different buttons and links on the screen, etc.). I only have a Treo 650, but it sounds like what he is saying is that the problem with the Treo 700 is that the 5-way controller isn't as useful for some parts of Windows Mobile (which isn't surprising, of course). Generally speaking, it's true that the stylus is still the most efficient way of navigation, but with a smartphone especially, quick one-handed operation can be pretty handy, and it is nice to be able to quickly whip out your Treo and navigate around it with just the controller without having to take out the stylus and use your other hand as well. I'm sure though that Palm will continue working on this, and if the Treo 700 does prove popular, hopefully Treo-specific support in third party Windows Mobile apps will become more common as well.

[Brandon @ Jan 31st 2006 9:27PM]

That picture doesnt even look real. the sprint logo is crooked

[agent lead @ Jan 31st 2006 9:43PM]

lol i work at bear sterns...

those guys are SEROIUS about their treos...

[JBaxt @ Jan 31st 2006 9:54PM]

the photoshop is god-awful

[Popularo @ Jan 31st 2006 9:55PM]

This is a great phone, unfortunately like most phones it is priced very high right now. Once it hits Sprint it should be priced more reasonably.

[R @ Jan 31st 2006 10:02PM]

It's the old logo too.

[Frank @ Jan 31st 2006 10:02PM]

... and the display has the "Verizon Wireless" banner.

[matt @ Jan 31st 2006 10:30PM]

I'm more interested int the 3 new models that palm is supposedly going to release in early 2006 (perhaps a windows mobile powered device that is more akin to the side kick? ) maybe we'll here something at ctia?

[Evan Blass @ Jan 31st 2006 10:39PM]

Geez, guys, I only had five minutes to mock it up. If I was any good at image manipulation, I'd be a graphic designer. Anyone that can improve on my admitedly half-ass job is welcome to submit their pic for replacement.

Best,
Evan

[Kevin Williams @ Jan 31st 2006 10:39PM]

I have a feeling they saw a 700p, and not a 700w

[shaniac @ Jan 31st 2006 10:46PM]

The release timeline has the Treo 700p for Sprint in March. There is nothing on the timeline for the 700w.

[johnny @ Feb 1st 2006 1:54AM]

i like nokia 7610 model which has lot of features with
good camera..

Check out : http://www.gadioc.com/gadgets/apple-expands-itunes-podcast-service/

[supersocialist @ Feb 1st 2006 9:14AM]

#2 makes some very good points--all the reasons I switched back to Palm after my first Pocket PC. Nice to know that in these cultured, high-falutin' days of Windows Mobile 5, MS still can't get it right. Guess I'll wait for the 700p or settle for a 650.

Or PPC6700... mmm, Nethack in landscape...

[Eagle117 @ Feb 1st 2006 10:00AM]

#2) Just because you don't know how to use the device without a stylus doesn't mean that it can't be done. I just finished rolling out 12 Treo 700w devices in my company and after 10 minutes of playing with it I never needed the stylus again. You can easily do all of the Windows features without the stylus at all. Contacts, calendar, settings, dialing, and more can all be done with only the physical buttons. I'm sure some 3rd party software will require you to use the stylus but all of the normal functions can be done without it.

Granted, previous PocketPC devices required that you used the stylus but Palm did a great job in making the Treo 700w stylus free.

[Gus Brown @ Feb 1st 2006 10:47AM]

Man o'man. I don't know about the rest of you but I need some fresh 700p rumors. I'm trying to skip from the 600 to 700p but my 600 is getting pretty crusty...

[Jack Slice @ Feb 1st 2006 11:06AM]

Note the calendar appointments on the Treo from this picture http://www.engadget.com/2005/12/19/verizons-treo-700w-to-launch-at-ces-in-january/

That was back in December :)

[Seth Porter @ Feb 1st 2006 11:48AM]

I was told by a sprint representative at their store that the treo 700w would be out on sprint by february. However, i do beleive this image is photoshopped because it is blurry around the sprint logo, and whoever made this forgot to take off the Verizon connection text off the screen. Also, the new sprint logo would of been used, not the old one.

[Big Al @ Feb 1st 2006 1:30PM]

I'm still not sure that the 700w is superior to the 650, aside from EVDO, BT 1.2 and exchange syncing. If the 700p drops, it needs to include a higher res screen, multitasking abilities, BT 2.0 with A2DP and headset activated voice dialing, and a great e-mail program. Otherwise, most people will buy the 700w and the Palm OS will be in big trouble.

[Diggie @ Feb 1st 2006 2:41PM]

I REALLY REALLY REALLY hope that the 700p is coming out for sprint and not the 700w. The screen resolution sucks on the 700w and the palm OS is way better, I mean come on what is is called PALM treo, not MICROSOFT treo, them coming out with microsoft OS is the dumbest thing ever and to reduce screen resolution when sony ericsson and other manufacturers are coming out with 265K resolution touch screens? Not a good idea palm

[Zack @ Feb 1st 2006 3:59PM]

Here's a better looking Sprint 700w that I made quickly.

http://img460.imageshack.us/img460/3412/700wsprint6sn.jpg

I hope it's never true, though.

[Jim @ Feb 1st 2006 11:18PM]

I do think a 700p is coming to Sprint soon. In fact, I'd be willing to put money on the fact that it's near final. Palm got a lot of hype around CES with the 700w. As much as I'd have liked to see a 700p at CES, it wouldn't have been in their best interests to do so. Most reviews and CES impressions said the 650 is better than the 700w. With reviews like that, having a 700p at CES would have destroyed both their and microsoft's hype on the 700w.

Personally, after seeing the Motorola Q at CES (think I played with it every day), there's no phone I'd more like to have. I think the form factor and the Blackberry like scroll wheel will work very well with the WM5 software. The UI looks like it still needed some fine-tuning, but hopefully it'll be solid by the time it comes out.