Travel Technology - Cingular 8525 and Treo 680/750

Any thoughts on the supposed upcoming release of these phones on Cingular.
I am considering getting one but totally confused as to the phones and Cingular plans. Specifically whether you need the more expensive 40$ pda plan or can use the 19$ data plan..

If you use the phone primarily as a phone with some email and limited web browsing with fair amount of international travel which would you choose?

Would you buy phone without contract or with 2year committment?

A couple of folks here have the TyTN, which is the same machine as the 8525. I think it's widely regarded to be superior to the Treos. You will need the more expensive plan for both of them.

I've been using a Treo 680 for a while now (yes I know it is not released yet :D ). It is more or less a 650 in a smaller package with more memory and improved apps. It is supposed to retail for around $200, which means Cingular may give it away for free with a 2 year PDA plan not too far in the future. Also, if you don't want a plan, $200 isn't too much to pay for a PDA.

I've been using a Treo 680 for a while now (yes I know it is not released yet :D ). It is more or less a 650 in a smaller package with more memory and improved apps. It is supposed to retail for around $200, which means Cingular may give it away for free with a 2 year PDA plan not too far in the future. Also, if you don't want a plan, $200 isn't too much to pay for a PDA.

Are you using the 680 on Cingular or TMobile? I am torn here...I am a Sprint user, but their Treo units have these big antennas that makes the phone too big to carry around in the pocket.

Cingular has good coverage, but horrible voice quality and slow internet (edge vs 3G)

TMobile has faster internet, good voice quality but horrible coverage

Is the 680 alot smaller than the 7xx series? Or is just the missing antenna?

I believe the 680 will only be available on Cingular in the US. I've used it mostly on Cingular and occasionally T-Mobile.

Speed is only as fast as the phone is capable. The 680 only has EDGE, no 3G.

I have the 680 sitting next to the 650 here. Dimensions of the 680 is just slightly smaller, but quite a bit thinner (not Q thin, but thinner). It fits in my jeans pocket without the "are you happy to see me" jokes.

I believe the 680 will only be available on Cingular in the US. I've used it mostly on Cingular and occasionally T-Mobile.

Speed is only as fast as the phone is capable. The 680 only has EDGE, no 3G.

I have the 680 sitting next to the 650 here. Dimensions of the 680 is just slightly smaller, but quite a bit thinner (not Q thin, but thinner). It fits in my jeans pocket without the "are you happy to see me" jokes.


stopped in cingular company store today... Told that they have no idea when (680)it will be available, hopefully before holidays. I asked thanksgiving and they said no holidays. (great answer)

I also asked about international data and emails.. Told that the only choice would be a blackberry that 680 only would work with pay per use and they said that is very expensive..

I thought blackberry connect would be avail from cingular on 8525 and 680 or a similar international roaming plan.

i know that stores are not the best place but this was from two people at the store on 51st and park.

The best guess for 680 is just before Christmas; FCC site has just listed the model.

For my 650 and 680, I have the unlimited data plan $39.99 on top of voice. I have not yet used it overseas so I can't comment on whether it works and how must it costs when roaming.

One word about Cingular - if you buy the phone from another vendor unlocked, sign up with Cingular over the web or call center and either order a cheap $1 phone or just tell the salesperson you have your own phone (tell them it's a RAZR or something similar) - by doing it that way, you can avoid the $40/month PDA data plan they force on anyone using a PDA style phone.

Just get the $20/month Mediamax (or whatever they call it) and you will get the same service for half the price.

When I tested a P910, I was able to do this without a problem and received the same data service.

Also - if you buy the phone unlocked, you can request a 1 year contract instead of their standard 2 year deal.

Indurain has covered the bases pretty well on all our types of phone -- the generic HTC TyTn, the Cingular branded version called the 8525, the Palm 680...but didn't mention the 750, which is the Windows Mobile version of the 680 (well, in physical form factor).

The way I see it is that all the choices are good, the big issue is if you want the 'exposed' keyboard of the treo. It's fairly difficult to use the TyTn/8525 with the keyboard one handed, whereas I can peck out answers on the Treo. That said, the Treo sacrifices screen size for that keyboard.

Steve

Ok, it's time to upgrade to a phone and I have Cingular.....I am looking at the Treo 680. I have an old HP Pocket PC PDA that is on it's last leg and I thought that perhaps I could get a phone/pda together. I more than likely will not use the e-mail (CIngular's lowest plan is $19.99 per month) but I would like a phone that has a Quad-band for use when we travel out of the country.

For those that have used it, is this a good choice for the first time Smartphone user? After rebates and signing my life away, I can get the phone for under $100.

Thanks for your in=put:)

From what I have been reading, the 680 will not support 3G, which means sloooooow internet (GPRS or Edge only). The 750v, currently only available by signing a big check over to Vodafone or an importer, *could* support 3G, but currently does not because of a firmware issue. A fix is proposed, but not confirmed - I wouldn't buy this phone ($700+) until the fix is done and people have reported their experience using it on Cingular.

From the Sprint side, the reviews showed the Windows version of the 700 had worse screen resolution and also suffered far more typical Microsoft crashing/freezing than the Palm OS version. People also complained that the Palm OS has not been updated in far too long and is getting abit long in the tooth. I think the same complaints will befall the GSM versions as well.

I think I will wait to see the HTC Libra for Sprint before I make a final decision on which phone/pda to buy and which provider to switch to

True, Edge is not 3G, but unless you're hooking up a laptop, it's decent enough for the built-in handheld functions.

Thanks for the info, I bought the phone and love it, my only complaint is that I have to charge it constantly..... Yes the internet is slow but I am not using it for work. Works fine with my bluetooth headset, and I got the phone for under $100 dollars so it was worth the money for me.^

Thanks for the info, I bought the phone and love it, my only complaint is that I have to charge it constantly..... Yes the internet is slow but I am not using it for work. Works fine with my bluetooth headset, and I got the phone for under $100 dollars so it was worth the money for me.^

Any further comments on the Treo 680 from someone who's been using it for a few weeks? I've already am a Cingular customer but am due to upgrade my phone. I'd be most interested in:

Coverage
Ease of use (have realized I hate that Palm handwriting junk) in terms of the keyboard
Ability to receive or make calls on phone overseas, in a pinch
MP3 player ease of use and features

Thanks in advance ...

Any further comments on the Treo 680 from someone who's been using it for a few weeks? I've already am a Cingular customer but am due to upgrade my phone. I'd be most interested in:

Coverage
Ease of use (have realized I hate that Palm handwriting junk) in terms of the keyboard
Ability to receive or make calls on phone overseas, in a pinch
MP3 player ease of use and features

Thanks in advance ...


Coverage will be the same if you stay with Cingular.

By "Palm handwriting junk," if you're referring to actual writing on the screen (Graffiti) on some PDAs, that is not built in to the 650 or 680. The Palm 650 and 680 do have touch screen (something lacking in some other smart phones.) The built-in keyboard is generally faster than Graffiti anyway.

International roaming will work in many countries, but the rates are high--might be fine just for occasional use. The GSM version (such as on Cingular) will allow you to change SIM cards and save money when traveling internationally. But the phone will have to be "unlocked." Cingular will usually give you the unlock code if you are traveling internationally and have been a customer more than 90 days--at least on phones bought somewhere else and not with a subsidy discount from Cingular. Or, there are companies selling unlock codes for around $20.

The 680 comes which a limited version of Pocket Tunes (can be upgraded), which plays music nicely. You can use your PC to transfer songs onto the memory card. Kinoma Player is also a good program for streaming audio and video.

If you buy a 680 and e-mail is important to you, one of the best programs available is Chatter e-mail. It will give you "push" e-mail to you'll get your messages almost immediately.

For e-mail and the Internet, you'll also need a data plan which will cost extra.

Also, for Windows Mobile (vs. Palm) fans, the Treo 750 is rumored to be released by Cingular next week.

So lots to think about, good luck with your decision!

For e-mail and the Internet, you'll also need a data plan which will cost extra.

Also, for Windows Mobile (vs. Palm) fans, the Treo 750 is rumored to be released by Cingular next week.

So lots to think about, good luck with your decision!

Just some advise - don't let the Cingular reps strong-arm you into signing up for their pda data plan. You can get by just fine on their Medianet plan for regular phones - their pda plan costs double and is only meant to gouge pda/smartphone customers.

if you buy the 680/750 from Cingular they will know you have a smartphone/pda and you will need to be very pushy to get them to back off forcing you on the pda data plan. If you buy the phone unlocked from Palm directly (also, the only way to get the other colors), you don't even need to tell them what phone you have - when signing up for the service, just give them the model of a standard internet-ready flip phone and you won't need to fight with them over Medianet.

The Palm 700 series for CDMA with Windows suffered from a low resolution issue - I am not sure if the 750 GSM version of the phone has lower resolution than the Palm 680 version - this is worth investigating before making a purchase. Also, like all Microsoft products, you will find bugs and crashes far more prevalent on the 750 than the 680 - although Microsoft offers more features with slightly better usability. It's a trade-off.

The other benefit of buying the phone from Palm and not Cingular is you can demand a one-year contract from them instead of two. If you don't need mobile-to-mobile minutes, you can even demand a no-contract deal. If you go this route, make sure you contact business sales over the phone - store reps will refuse to do one yr/no contract deals.

Just some advise - don't let the Cingular reps strong-arm you into signing up for their pda data plan. You can get by just fine on their Medianet plan for regular phones - their pda plan costs double and is only meant to gouge pda/smartphone customers.



Very true.

There are some reports of VPN connections not working on Medianet, but working on the more-expensive data plan. But for web browsing, e-mail and just about everything else, Medianet is fine.

It is my understanding that PPTP VPNS don't work on the cheap plan but that IPSec does. I have not tested this. I'm just relaying what I heard.

Coverage will be the same if you stay with Cingular.

By "Palm handwriting junk," if you're referring to actual writing on the screen (Graffiti) on some PDAs, that is not built in to the 650 or 680. The Palm 650 and 680 do have touch screen (something lacking in some other smart phones.) The built-in keyboard is generally faster than Graffiti anyway.</QUOTE>

Glad you've found the built-in keyboard to be faster than Graffiti. I've had a Palm T/X for the past year and not only find the graffiti to be slow but parts of my screen are "dead".

[QUOTE=videomaker;6963024] International roaming will work in many countries, but the rates are high--might be fine just for occasional use. The GSM version (such as on Cingular) will allow you to change SIM cards and save money when traveling internationally. But the phone will have to be "unlocked." Cingular will usually give you the unlock code if you are traveling internationally and have been a customer more than 90 days--at least on phones bought somewhere else and not with a subsidy discount from Cingular. Or, there are companies selling unlock codes for around $20.</QUOTE>
Good advice re: using the GSM version abroad. We only travel abroad once or twice a year (regrettably) so changing SIM cards would likely be the answer for us. BTW--Right now I'm looking at a Cingular 680 on eBay rather than an unlocked version since I'm already a Cingular customer.

[QUOTE=videomaker;6963024]The 680 comes which a limited version of Pocket Tunes (can be upgraded), which plays music nicely. You can use your PC to transfer songs onto the memory card. Kinoma Player is also a good program for streaming audio and video.</QUOTE>
Glad to hear this.

[QUOTE=videomaker;6963024]If you buy a 680 and e-mail is important to you, one of the best programs available is Chatter e-mail. It will give you "push" e-mail to you'll get your messages almost immediately.

For e-mail and the Internet, you'll also need a data plan which will cost extra.</QUOTE>
[QUOTE=videomaker;6963024]If So I've heard and from what I've seen, it's not cheap.:( Also, for Windows Mobile (vs. Palm) fans, the Treo 750 is rumored to be released by Cingular next week.

So lots to think about, good luck with your decision!

Coverage will be the same if you stay with Cingular.

</QUOTE>Glad you've found the built-in keyboard to be faster than Graffiti. I've had a Palm T/X for the past year and not only find the graffiti to be slow but parts of my screen are "dead".

Good advice re: using the GSM version abroad. We only travel overseas once or twice a year (regrettably) so changing SIM cards would likely be the answer for us. BTW--Right now I'm looking at a Cingular 680 on eBay rather than an unlocked version since I'm already a Cingular customer.


For e-mail and the Internet, you'll also need a data plan which will cost extra.</Quote>
So I've head and from what I've seen, it's not cheap.:(

<Quote>Also, for Windows Mobile (vs. Palm) fans, the Treo 750 is rumored to be released by Cingular next week.

So lots to think about, good luck with your decision!

Coverage will be the same if you stay with Cingular.

</QUOTE>Glad you've found the built-in keyboard to be faster than Graffiti. I've had a Palm T/X for the past year and not only find the graffiti to be slow but parts of my screen are "dead".

Good advice re: using the GSM version abroad. We only travel overseas once or twice a year (regrettably) so changing SIM cards would likely be the answer for us. BTW--Right now I'm looking at a Cingular 680 on eBay rather than an unlocked version since I'm already a Cingular customer.


For e-mail and the Internet, you'll also need a data plan which will cost extra.</Quote>
So I've heaRd and from what I've seen, it's not cheap.:(

<Quote>Also, for Windows Mobile (vs. Palm) fans, the Treo 750 is rumored to be released by Cingular next week.

So lots to think about, good luck with your decision!

Just some advise - don't let the Cingular reps strong-arm you into signing up for their pda data plan. You can get by just fine on their Medianet plan for regular phones - their pda plan costs double and is only meant to gouge pda/smartphone customers.

if you buy the 680/750 from Cingular they will know you have a smartphone/pda and you will need to be very pushy to get them to back off forcing you on the pda data plan. If you buy the phone unlocked from Palm directly (also, the only way to get the other colors), you don't even need to tell them what phone you have - when signing up for the service, just give them the model of a standard internet-ready flip phone and you won't need to fight with them over Medianet.

The Palm 700 series for CDMA with Windows suffered from a low resolution issue - I am not sure if the 750 GSM version of the phone has lower resolution than the Palm 680 version - this is worth investigating before making a purchase. Also, like all Microsoft products, you will find bugs and crashes far more prevalent on the 750 than the 680 - although Microsoft offers more features with slightly better usability. It's a trade-off.

The other benefit of buying the phone from Palm and not Cingular is you can demand a one-year contract from them instead of two. If you don't need mobile-to-mobile minutes, you can even demand a no-contract deal. If you go this route, make sure you contact business sales over the phone - store reps will refuse to do one yr/no contract deals.
Don't worry ... I'm used to dealing with Cingular's aggressive reps but thanks for the advice.

My wife wanted the pretty copper 680. i wasnt happy with any htc based phones i found in u.s. so i got an orange spv m3100 shipped from the uk. almost the same as 8525. the copper 680 only comes unlocked from palm. so we had the choice of cingular, t mobile or att wich i believe is cingular now. the unlimited internet(for me only) wasnt available from cingular unless you get their phone. so we went with tmobile plus they are cheaper. well the 680 battery is the worst ever. lasts one day. always has to be on the charger. it is basicly a palm product. palm os is easy to use. no notepad(boooo) no wifi(boooo)and tmobile service with 680 is very poor. verry very poor. my wife hates it but it is so pretty huh. 400 bucks for a crappy pretty phone. the spv m3100 though, not to bad. it is built for a phone company in uk so there are downsides to that. a tool bar on the side is designed for that provider and there are features i cant use because of that. but alot of the other restrictions are overidable if you are good with gadgets. geting used to the os is taking time. my previous pda was a life drive so windows mobile is a big change. battery life is ok and signal strength is just ok also. not as bad as 680. weird but true. the spv m3100 ( equal to an 8525) is hands down better than the 680. but the 680 is still a cute phone and its a palm so its easier to use.