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Treo 650: Widely Anticipated and Almost Here: Page 2 of 2

On the software side, the 650 includes an upgraded version of PalmOS,
version 5.4. In addition, the packaged e-mail application is now
Palm's VersaMail, which includes support for POP and IMAP (the latter a
welcome addition for me) as well as improved support for Exchange
connectivity. Many of the leading third-party e-mail vendors wasted no
time in announcing that their offerings now are supported on the 650.
That should make RIM a little nervous. For those looking for some
entertainment value, the system also includes an integrated MP3
player.

Repeating a market trend with the Treo 600, Sprint will be the first
cellular carrier to offer the 650, probably within the next several
weeks. The device supports the CDMA 1x standard, but it does not
support the newer, high-speed EV-DO technology offered by Verizon.
The news is a little better for GSM users. Although you'll need to
wait a little longer to get one, probably first through Cingular,
the 650 not only supports GPRS but also the faster EDGE data standard.
That should result in a notable performance improvement. But given Cingular's current
pricing strategy for this service, sticking with Sprint, which
offers unlimited data for $15 per month, may be a better decision.

Dave Molta is Network Computing's senior technology editor. Write to him at [email protected]