HandSpring Treo 90
Reviews from All Over the Internet
(If I have left your name off by accident, and you want
credit for your review, I will be happy to add your name, or delete your
remarks, whichever you prefer.)
Two Strikes And You're Out, December 15, 2002
Reviewer: An electronics fan from Perry, MI United States
The Treo 90 has some great features: great screen color and
resolution - compact size - built in keyboard. My wife loved it until the
backlight went out after about a month of light usage. After a fair amount of
hassle she was able to get a replacement unit from the store she purchased the
original from. Shortly after getting the second new unit, it began to turn on
by itself - just sitting on the table! No wonder she was frustrated at
constantly needing to recharge it. It's hard to tell how often it turned itself
on and off when in her purse. Also when it was in use, she had it
"toggle" between programs for no apparent reason. Today we ended her
struggles and returned it once again - This time for a new Palm - M515. Sorry
Handspring; you've got a good idea, but it sure needs some work!
Excelent for first time users, February 17, 2004
Reviewer: awwent from OH United States
Its a long review so here's the short:
Good: Battery, Price, Memory, Color Screen, keyboard, Easy
to set up and use, compatability (freeware), expansion slot
Bad: Only basic software included, Palm includes Word and
Excel To Go.
Cheaper to replace then repair (which could be good as you
get a new one in days rather than the old one in weeks, and not uncommon in
gadgets like this)
This is my first Handheld. I received it as hand-me down
from someone who found they didn't use it much since they had a laptop. Its low
price and great features make me glad I started with this one. A less capable
handleld would have frustrated me and turned me off to the Idea of handhelds.
Typing on they keyboard seemed much more appealing than
learning to use the PDA shorthand for character recognition. A benefit for
first time users. It might not be as difficult to pick up as I though.
The color backlight display is a must have for my future
purchases, I only wish the keyboard was lit some way also. I did find a
replacement stylus with a light to solve that problem though.
I never had a need for the expansion slot, the 15 Meg of
memory hasn't been past half full even with a Word compatible editor and quite
a few documents.
I love the calendar, notepad, and e-mail. It comes with its
own appointment program, and also syncs with Outlook. The sync setup is easy,
and has worked without complications for me.
There are quite a few free applications that you can
download to add other features, such as MS Word and Excel compatibility. The
freeware apps are a bit crude but get the job done. The freeware apps for word
compatibility convert the .doc file into its own format, then needs to
re-convert back to word when you are done. Sometimes using cut and paste into
the Note Pad can be just as easy. You can purchase Word To Go, but these are
included in the purchase of Palm PDA's and might make buying them a better
bargain if you need full compatability with MS Office.
I had it for six months and used it constantly at work and
home until I dropped it, and the backlight went out, and then while seeking
replacement, it wouldn't boot at all. Since it was a secondhand item, it wasn't
under warranty, and the $99 service charge sent me shopping again. Comparable
handhelds were twice the price, and didn't have the keyboard. Palm does include
the documents to go, and quite a few applications that made them a tempting
option. Not ready to move on to the handwriting recognition or the additional
investment, I replaced it with another Treo90.
As mentioned in other reviews, I am constantly finding the
Treo on when I pull it out of my pocket. This is because the buttons all across
the bottom turn the device on (a feature I could live without). They all stick
out enough that they get hit by everything, the leather cases for them might
provide enough clearance for the buttons, or just as likely would get
miss-aligned and constantly hit the buttons. In spite of the unit being on
quite a bit, I have never had a problem with it keeping a charge. I charged it
and sync at my workstation at work, and have no problem going the weekend
without additional charge.
My next purchase will be a close call between the Palm
(Tungsten) and the Treo.
Poor battery life, February 16, 2004
Reviewer: An electronics fan from Alexandria, VA United
States
After 15 months of ownership, my TREO90 will no longer turn
on. One month ago, it began having problems holding a charge (despite reading
the Handspring FAQs, and getting rid of any drain to power). PalmOne's minimum out-of-warranty
repair charge is $99. (Am neurotically careful with my "stuff" --
this thing was babied.) Instead of repair, PalmOne advises considering a
replacement. No thanks: my next purchase will be a 'DayRunner.'
Terrible, Terrible Customer Support, January 22, 2004
Reviewer: An electronics fan from San Diego, CA
I really wanted to have a keyboard on my PDA. Since the Treo
90 was the least expensive PDA with a keyboard, I decided to go for it. Now, if
I could go back in time, I would never have bought the thing; it's just not a
very good gadget. Let me tell you why.
The cover is held in place by two plastic protrusions that
quickly wear down because of friction. Amazing how cheap this design feature
is.
It is very difficult to find a good case for the Treo. And
you must have a case because the Treo 90 is made with such soft plastic, your
fingernails can scratch it. If I could buy another PDA, I would go for a Palm
because Zero-Halliburton makes cases for a couple of the Palm models.
The box for my Treo 90 mentioned that some very important
software called RecoEcho was available for free from the Handspring web site.
This is necessary in case you ever need to do some data entry in the dark when
you cannot see the keyboard (no, the keyboard is not backlit). But the software
wasn't there because they're pulling back the offer. Guess my box was out of
date. To Handspring's credit, I was able to obtain the software by writing to
Customer Support. But I'm not sure that you would be able to get it for free
now.
The screen on my Treo 90 has a bright spot in the upper
right-hand corner. When it first appeared, the PDA was still under warranty so
I sent it back to Handspring for repair or replacement. I was astonished when
it arrived back at my doorstep a week later with the bright spot just as it had
been. Worse, some poorly trained technician at Handspring had tilted the on/off
button and messed up the keyboard. Each button now makes a metallic ping when
it's pressed (in addition to the clicking sound that it's supposed to make).
After the unit had been returned to me unfixed, I decided to
call somebody at Handspring to ask about it. A very ditzy man told me that his
Treo 90 also has a bright spot in the screen and that there was nothing to
worry about. He also ignorantly mentioned that the unit could be turned on with
any of the front buttons, so it shouldn't matter to me that the on/off button
had been dislocated. (Problem with his suggestion is that whenever you power up
with a front button, you wind up in the associated application. What if you
were playing a fun game before the PDA turned off?) At that point he tried to
sell me some accessories.
Later, I wrote Handspring Customer Support to tell them that
the unit had been returned to me unrepaired and that it had been further
damaged at the repair center. This resulted in a call from some bully who left
me a surly message that he had "received my latest complaint," and
that I should call him back (presumably to be convinced that the PDA was
perfectly sound and that their service was great).
I would advise staying away from this product. The
technology is old and Handspring's Customer Service is barbaric. Either wait
for the Pocket PCs to come down in price, or get a Palm or Sony without a
keyboard.
FLIP COVER FOR SCREEN, January 19, 2004
Reviewer: c.bryce thomas from jasper, texas United States
I BOUGHT A TREO 90 JUST OVER A YEAR AGO. WAS VERY SATIFIED WITH UNIT AND USE IT DAILY
BUT THE FLIP COVER BROKE, ONE OF THE HINGE TABS JUST BROKE OFF AND NOT ABLE TO
GET A REPLACEMENT, ACCORDING TO THEIR WEB SITE. TRIED TO CALL BUT NEVER GOT ANY
RESPONSE OR REPLY. JUST AFTER I BOUGHT THE UNIT I TRIED TO PURCHASE A COVER
THAT WOULD FIT IN SHIRT POCKET, NONE WAS AVAIABLE SO I MADE ONE OUT OF
LEATHERETTE AND NEEDLE AND THREAD, WHICH WORKS VERY WELL, HAS VELCROW SNAP.
Handspring, not very customer friendly, January 15, 2004
Reviewer: barbbpierre from APO, AE United States
After eight months of having my Treo 90, it totally went
blank on me, with no apparent reason. I used it lightly and it was pretty much,
still new. I contacted Handspring for assistance because my PDA was still under
warranty. However, they told me that they could not help me because I was
located at a military installation. After much running around and persistence,
I returned it back to where I bought it and got a refund. If a product goes out
before a year,it is still under warranty, and a company does not make any
effort to help in the matter, it's not worth buying their product. I guess it is their loss. I was really
contemplating on getting the newest Handspring, Treo 300. Now, I am shopping
elsewhere. Buyers, beware!
Quite functional but has needed replacement twice in 6
month, January 13, 2004
Reviewer: Charles M Roberts from Waban, MA USA
The unit is highly functional and I love it's keyboard
although it is slightly small for my fingers. However, despite it's nice design
I am giving it 1 star because it failed about 2 months after I got it and then
the new, replacement, unit failed after 3 months (would no longer turn on
without performing a full reset of the unit). Even though the unit was under
warranty PalmOne (Handspring) charged me $25 each time to replace the unit and
also charged me $20 for telephone service to determine that the unit was
defective. Thus, I am now on my 3rd Treo 90 in the last 6 months, have paid an
additional $70 in fees, and have spent countless hours trying to restore my
data from back-up (not to mention two 20 minute telephone waits despite a
recording that the "estimated wait time is 1 minute"). I bought this
because of the great design but now I see why PalmOne (Handspring) is losing
market share - poor construction and lousy customer service.
Simple, elegant, excellent., December 17, 2003
Reviewer: 6packproductions from United States
In bullets, here is why the Treo 90 is excellent:
* Color screen. Yet affordable.
* Keyboard works...takes a few days to get used to it, but
you won't miss Graffiti at all.
* Palm OS. If you like Pocket PCs, I don't understand you.
For the rest of us, a simple, fast and stable OS is the way to go.
* Reliable. 2 years of use. Dropped many times. Plastic is
faded, beat up, scratched. No problems at all.
* Small and light. You won't even feel it in your pocket. No
carrying case or holster needed here.
Wonderful & useful PDA, December 6, 2003
Reviewer: Juan Sanchez
from Lima, PERÚ
I bought one of this in May of this year and it's been a
part of me I can't let go. It has helped me to build useful worksheets in Excel
and transfer them to my Treo (using a non-included software). That's the
biggest reason I bought one of these, the speed is also good and the weight...
wonderful, you'll be able to carry it wherever you want. You can syncronize
almost everything, but I think the memory card is a little bit small. If it
were a 32 MB memory, I would've given to it 5 stars. I know extra memory cards
can be bought, but that's not the point.
You can also syncronise Word Documents, Pictures (jpg, gif,
bmp, etc.), Power Point slides, even read PDF archives! The built-in keyboard is one of its greatest
features, no more words to explain it, just look at it. You can access to a
function (4 different) pressing only one buttom. Good ilumination, you can work
even at night without problems. I've
been expecting for a tool like this, and finally I found it. I haven't used
another PDAs but I don't need to, I've found the best. Actually, my calification for this one is
4.5 stars!
Worst repair service, December 1, 2003
Reviewer: howardtaras from San Diego, CA
I broke the flip lid of the Treo 90 -- and called to get a
new one. Palm-One and Handspring are not only back-ordered on this item, they
will not even take new orders for flip lids. The flip lid is the first thing to
break. And without one, one cannot protect the Treo in one's front pocket (or
other small spaces). Leather cases are too large.
Time to get a Sony!
A Day Without Graffiti
The day has come. A PalmOS machine without the staple input
scheme: Graffiti. The trend is starting and I think it will continue. With the
popularity of the BlackBerry RIM devices and their mini-keyboards, we’ve been
seeing an explosion of add-on mini-keyboards for all our PDAs. Handspring came
out earlier with a PDA/phone that discontinued the use of Graffiti – this
device, the Treo 180, was the first of its kind. Yes, Handspring also released
a version of it, the Treo 180g, that still had the familiar Graffiti input
system, but now things are starting to change. Sony has also released a PDA
only device (the NR70) that has both a mini-keyboard and Graffiti built-in. The
Treo 90 throws Graffiti out the door and goes straight for the keyboard input
style. It does not have the cellphone/pager that its new brother (the Treo 270)
has, but has everything else. Does the mini-keyboard input system work?
I’ll have to say “yes.” I’m pretty darned fast with
Graffiti, heck I sometimes even slip up and take paper notes using Graffiti.
But the drawback of Graffiti is that I scratch up my screen and sometimes the
recognition – no matter how good I am with it – is not up to par. So, I’ve been
looking forward to a PDA that had a built-in keyboard. I have an add-on
mini-keyboard for my Sony PEG-N610C, but it’s cumbersome and makes the
PEG-N610C unwieldy. My previous day-to-day PDAs, before the Treo 90, were the
Visor Prism and the Palm m125. The Prism has a beautiful color screen that I
love and the m125 is rugged. Neither of these machines was tiny by any means.
The Visor Prism is just plain heavy and the m125 is bulky. But, that does not
make them unusable, just a bit bigger than the Treo 90.
Exterior
The Treo 90 is tiny; its exterior measurements are 4.2 x 2.8
x 0.65 inches. The Treo 90 weighs just 4 ounces. In my hand the Treo 90 feels
tiny, smaller and lighter than any PalmOS device I’ve ever held. The exterior
of the Treo 90 is bronze. The plastic that makes up the unit feels sturdy,
though not sturdy like the m125. The feel of the Treo 90 is generally sturdy. I
have not felt or heard any creaking from the machine yet. When I hold the Treo
90 in my hands it feels good. Not too small like the Sony Clie PEG-T415 and not
too big like the Sharp Zaurus SL5500. The screen is a bit on the mushy side,
but that’s OK because the mini-keyboard is the way to enter information – the
screen only being used to select things.
The Lid
The Treo 90 comes with a nice flip-up lid that has a
see-through window that lets me see the whole color screen. The flip-up lid is
a wonderful item; I’ve always loved how Palm did the flip-up lids for their
III-series and m-series handhelds. By attaching the lid to the machine, I don’t
have to hold anything when I use the machine – unlike the Visor-line of
handhelds where I either had to hold a case or hold a take-off lid. The window
that lets me see the whole screen is quite useful. With the m125 the window on
the flip cover was only to show the clock. With the Treo 90 the window lets me
see the full screen. To add to this functionality is the fact that all the
standard Palm buttons are accessible with the lid flipped down. I can push the
datebook button and see my day without flipping open the cover, this is a huge
benefit. Also I can look for a number without flipping the cover.
Screen
The screen on the Treo 90 is a STN transreflective screen.
If you don’t know what that means, don’t worry, I didn’t either till I
researched it. The STN screen is different from the TFT screens used on some
other PDAs (like my Sony PEG-N610C or the Palm m515). The STN screen technology
is less expensive than the TFT screen, that’s a benefit. The drawback is that
the STN screen technology refreshes slower than TFT screen technology. So if
you’re going to play any action games, like Zap 2000, on the Treo 90, it will
not look as good as if you played it on a Visor Prism. But for my purposes, the
STN screen is fantastic. It is bright and very readable. The comparable machine
for the Treo 90 is the Palm m130, and the m130 also uses a STN screen.
Transreflective just means that the screen is backlit for indoors use and can
reflect ambient like for more illumination. When you are outdoors, the screen
actually reflects like so that you can still read the screen. My experience with
the screen is that it works great indoors and works just OK outdoors. Outdoors
the screen is readable, but still strains the eye a bit. The screen itself is a
12-bit screen, able to display 4096 colors. This is in contrast to the Visor
Prism that can display 64k colors. Pictures at 4096 colors are not bad, but
they just don’t look as good as they do when they are shown in 64k colors. The
screen on the Treo 90 has the “standard” (low) resolution of 160x160 pixels.
Interior
Inside the Treo 90 is a Motorola Dragonball processor
running at 33 MHz -- not as fast as the new Sony Clie NR70V, but not a slow
poke either. The Treo 90 also has 16MB of RAM built in, that is more than I can
really use (I can only read so much AvantGo content!) But, that's not it; the
Treo 90 also has a SD slot on top for expandability. Currently the slot does
not support the SDIO format though. So this means that I won't be able to use
SD cards like the Bluetooth SD card. Maybe Handspring can patch the OS for SDIO
support soon. Right now I have a 32MB SD memory card in the slot and use it to
backup my Treo 90. I also use the card to store my ebooks, which I can then
read with my PalmReader Pro.
Accessories
The Treo 90 does not come with a cradle. Instead it comes
with a USB sync cable and a travel charger. The travel charger can plug
directly into the USB sync cable to make for easy charging while syncing. I am
considering the cradle that Handspring sells on their website, but I think I
will be better off with just another travel charger – I hate plugging and
unplugging the travel charger from the back of my computer desk.
Software
The Treo 90 comes with a paltry software suite (especially
when compared to the Sony Clies). The Treo 90 software package includes the
standard Palm Desktop 4.0.1. It also includes Blue Nomad’s WordSmith. WordSmith
is a great tool; it lets you sync up your Microsoft Word documents to the Treo
90. You can then use the Treo 90 to edit those documents. There is no tool to sync
up your Microsoft Excel files though. Palm and Sony both bundle DataViz
Documents-to-Go with their handhelds, this software lets you sync up both MS
Word and MS Excel files to the handheld. The one thing that WordSmith has over
Documents-to-Go is that it is a full-featured word processor for the PalmOS. It
has some features that the word processor in Documents-to-Go does not; for
instances a spell checker, thesaurus, and the ability to create a new document
on the handheld (with Docs-to-Go you have to create the actual Word document on
your PC first).
On the Treo 90 itself it has a stripped down version of
DateBk3, it’s named DateBk+ on the Treo 90. This enhanced DateBk application is
great, but I would recommend that you get the full version of the application
(DateBk5) which has more options than the one on the Treo 90 itself. The
Contacts application replaces the standard PalmOS Address Book application.
This new Contacts application now lists all phone numbers associated with a
contact, rather than the one that you choose as the primary. I can see how this
is handy for a Treo 180 or 270 because this will let you pick the number that
you want to dial. But, personally I don’t find it too helpful because it just
makes scrolling through names that much longer. I would rather have the
original Address Book application – though it really doesn’t matter now because
I’m using DateBk5. What is nice about the changes that Handspring has made to
the PalmOS is that it lets you look things up instantly. For instance in the
Contacts application, I can type the first two letters of a contact that I want
to look up and it will find the closest matches for me. This is a very useful
feature. The same can be done in all the built-in applications.
Who Erased The Graffiti?
The missing Graffiti is something that I need to get used
too. Not only because that’s the way that I’m used to interfacing with the
machine, but also because the mini-keyboard now covers up the Graffiti area.
With that covered I have no more access to the four hotspots in the Graffiti
area: Home, Find, Calculator, and Menu. The biggest thing I miss is the Home
soft key. I find myself trying to tap that with the stylus all the time. In
order to do some things on the Treo 90, you’ll need to use the blue option key
in combination with another key. For instance to get to the Applications app
(where you launch your different apps), I have to push the option key plus the
Menu key. That’s two button pushes just to get to a point where I can launch an
application. I got so frustrated with this that I finally just remapped my Memo
hard-key to be the Applications key. I wish that Handspring would have had a
separate key just for the Applications app instead of forcing me to push two
buttons to get it. The other combinations are not too bad, but you’ll want to
use the Keyboard app to learn the new shortcuts.
The mini-keyboard will take me some getting used to, but I
think it will be heads and tails better than Graffiti. I have big thumbs, so I
end up typing with the very tips of my thumbs, which is not too bad. I will
learn how to type faster with the mini-keyboard as I get more practice. One
thing about the way the keyboard is laid out is that the option key is where
the shift key would be. I find myself constantly punching in the wrong
character because of this. The benefit I see with the mini-keyboard is that it
makes the unit very accessible to those who do not want to learn Graffiti – and
there are a lot of these people out there. I know sales guys at work who have
been using their Palm Pilots since the release of the units and they still use
the onboard keyboard. Graffiti is nice, but not everyone is going to take the
time to learn and use it.
Conclusion
So the question is: Should you get a Treo 90? I have used a
lot of PDAs. Each one either replacing the next one as a day-to-day machine or
just going back to the store for a refund (or for those that I don’t use
day-to-day but love, they go in my special PDA drawer). The Visor Prism was a
great unit, its display was second to none, but it was a bit unwieldy at times
and for travel it was big. It has gone back for a refund. The m125 I still like
a lot because of the replaceable batteries, so it is going in my special PDA
drawer. The Treo 90 is going to be my day-to-day organizer for a long time to
come. The mini-keyboard is a revolutionary change for the PalmOS platform –
much like the HighRes screens on the Sony Clies. But, unlike the HighRes
screens on the Clies, I actually have found good use from the mini-keyboard. I
almost went back to getting a Sharp Zaurus SL5500 because of its built-in
mini-keyboard, but I hated the idea of how the built-in PIM on the Zaurus
worked (or did not work). I’m glad that the Treo 90 came out when it did.
Compared to the Sony NR70, the Treo 90 is tiny. I like the Treo 90 form factor
more than the huge NR70 – though the NR70 has the benefit of the HighRes
screen, MP3 playback, and on the NR70V a built-in camera. But, for my needs, I
just need a nice PalmOS device. I highly recommend the Treo 90 if you are
looking for a small PalmOS device. The missing Graffiti maybe an issue with
some staunch Palm users out there, but I’m ready to move on. Graffiti is nice,
but I like the keyboard more.
Treo 90
I only noticed pluses
by Paul Smart
System Requirements
Operating System: Windows 98 or later, also supports MAC.
Processor: Pentium or better
Memory: 64MB or better
Hard Disk Space: 75MB
CD-Rom: Yes
I have been a Palm user for some time, and rarely leave home
without it. It was no hardship to store my Palm away and replace it with the
Handspring Treo 90, it used the Palm operating system and once I had installed
my address and CD databases on it I only noticed pluses.
My own Palm is the 5x and this has less memory and a mono
screen. I have never been a master of handwriting modules such as Graffiti so
tended to use the soft keyboard for anything of more than a few characters. The
Handspring comes with a real keyboard, small in size but by clever design even
my chubby fingers can press the required letters on the 34 key qwerty
keyboard.
Getting battery life figures from Handspring is rather like
asking a politician for a yes or no answer. The only quote is ten days of
normal use, whatever that may be. However if you have the supplied power supply
attached when you synchronise via the supplied USB cable then in theory anyway
you should always be charged. A full charge from a totally discharged state takes
up to 90 minutes. During my three week review I never came near to draining the
battery. This time included several days of use away from the charger.
Installation is straightforward providing other Palm devices
do not coexist on the same PC. Insert the CD into the PC and follow the prompts
there is even a small getting started guide with illustrations. The only point
when you are left rather hanging is when you are told glibly to carry out your
first synchronisation a few sentences as to how to do this would be useful for
the novice.
There are several extra programs supplied such as Word Smith
a word processor to enable compatibility for Word files and a font program to
allow extra fonts on the Handspring. One item missing from the Palm 4.1
operating system (my device uses v3.5) is a full address program; instead you
get a phone number package. I always used Intellisync as this allowed the
display of items by Company rather than name. Without the address module this
was left rather in limbo but a quick search of the Internet found an excellent
shareware package that links in a reads the data that comes from my PC at
synchronisation time. I still use Lotus Organiser on my PC as I love its notes
field which can be as long as required.
My other very large database is created on File Maker on the
PC and read by File Maker Mobile on the Treo. My own Palm takes more than five
minutes via serial connection to synchronise this while the Treo takes just
over a minute to synchronise the same data via USB.
Lots of Palm device users enjoy beaming information via
infra red and this is still possible on the Handspring Treo.
The size is smaller and lighter than the Palm, this offering
has 16MB of ram (my Palm has 8MB) and also has an expansion slot that can take
extra memory or program modules. The screen is 160 pixels x 160 pixels and is
5cm square whereas my Palm is 5.5cm square with the handwriting area below.
However if like me you use the soft keyboard this uses the screen area.
With ever declining prices the Handspring Treo 90 costs less
than my Palm, it has more memory and expandability and of course colour. A
simple question would I swap? A simple answer, yes.
Handspring Treo 90 Review
By Ed Hardy
7/1/2002
Overview
The Treo 90 is priced for the mid-range but is still loaded
with features. It has a color screen, an SD/MMC slot, and a built-in keyboard.
It has 16 MB of memory and runs Palm OS 4.1.
Don't be confused by the Treo name; this isn't a smartphone
like the rest of the Treo line.
Screen
The Treo 90 is the first new Handspring product to come out
with a color screen since it introduced the Visor Prism in October of 2000.
The screen is 12-bit, instead of the 16-bit screens we've
become accustomed to. This means it can display fewer colors, 4,000 instead of
65,000. Does this matter? Depends on what you want to use your handheld for.
I loaded a couple of 16-bit color images onto a Treo 90 and
an m505 for comparison and while there was a difference, it wasn't huge.
However, if you frequently use your handheld to show people pictures of your
latest vacation or houses for sale or something like that, you might want to
consider a 16-bit, high resolution screen. If you just want a color screen to
play a few games or make eBooks look better, you'll probably be happy with the
Treo 90.
I ought to point out that the colors it does show, it shows
very well. All the colors are strong; none are washed out or weak. Its whites
are nice and white, making a good background for reading text.
At least, that's true indoors. Outdoors is a whole new
kettle of fish. The Treo 90's screen depends on being backlit. If the ambient
light is brighter than the backlight, the screen becomes unreadable. Now the
Treo has a good backlight but it isn't brighter than the Sun. Therefore, it is
difficult to use the Treo 90 outdoors. With a lot of playing around you can
usually find an angle that will let you see the screen but I don't think you'll
be using it outdoors a lot.
Like the rest of the Treo line, Handspring was able to
reduce the size of the entire handheld by slightly reducing the size of the
screen. However, there aren't any fewer pixels; it is still the standard 160 by
160. The pixels are just smaller and closer together.
I know there are some people who find this unacceptable but
I'm not one of them. Heck, I had the Treo 90 for almost a day before I even
remembered the screen was a bit smaller. Actually, the smaller screen helps
compensate for the lack of a hi-res screen. The smaller pixels make images and
fonts look smoother.
Lots of people have asked what the exact screen size is so
they can compare it with a Palm m130, which also has a slightly smaller than
normal screen. Turns out the two are almost exactly the same size, roughly 1
7/8 inches.
Keyboard
Though not the first handheld to do this, the Treo 90 is
still unusual for depending on a keyboard for text input, rather than Graffiti.
If you are a long time Palm user, this will be a bit of an
adjustment. It took me a while to stop pulling out the stylus whenever I wanted
to enter some text or open a menu. However, I think first time buyers will be
able to get quickly up to speed with the Treo 90 without having to go through
learning Graffiti.
Of course, with a keyboard only 2.5 inches across, there can
be no question of touch typing. Instead, the Treo is held between the two hands
and you type with your thumbs. That's why people call it a thumboard.
After about a week of practice, including writing most of
this review with it, I've become pretty good at it. In fact, I can already
write 15% to 20% faster with the keyboard than with Graffiti, partially because
I made fewer mistakes.
Based on that, I think it's a good replacement for Graffiti,
though not for everyone. It is at least as good as Graffiti for short notes and
better than it for mid-length notes. My hand gets tired after writing a
paragraph or two in Graffiti but not with the Treo 90's keyboard. However, I
don't think either are best if you are planning to write thousands of words. In
that case, you should get a full-sized keyboard.
One thing I've been thinking about is, why is there so much
resistance from long time Palm users to this model's built-in keyboard? I
finally decided it was the learning curve. For these people, it is going to
take some time working with this keyboard to get as fast as they are now with
Graffiti. If you never put in more than a few words into your handheld at a
time, then learning to use a new input method is a waste of time. But if you
write a lot on your handheld, it pays off. However, first time users will get
started much faster without having to learn Graffiti, which is harder than
getting used to a smaller keyboard.
Cramming a keyboard into a tiny handheld isn't easy and
Handspring definitely had to make some compromises. The keys are small and
close together, which can make typing tough if you have really big hands.
Of course, they have to limit the number of keys so the ones
they have need to do double duty or more. Of course, each key handles both
upper and lower case. Punctuation and other special characters are typed by
pressing an Option key then the appropriate letter key. Don't worry, the period
has its own key.
There still aren't enough keys for all the special
characters but the Treo can handle that. I think I can explain this best by
example. Pressing Option S types a (. If you then hit yet a third key, which is
marked ... for some reason, a pop up window appears on the screen which will
allow you to pick from (, <, [, {, or ‹. It's a little cumbersome but it
let's you use 34 keys to type about 200 characters.
One of the things I miss is a set of directional keys. If I
want to go back just a few letters, I have to pull out the stylus and tap on
the screen.
The keyboard takes the place of the Graffiti area so there
are no silkscreen buttons. There are keyboard equivalents but they aren't as
easy to use as I'd like.
My main complaint with this is you have to press two buttons
to open the application launcher. There was a reason why all other Palms have a
silkscreen button that does this in a prominent place; because you do it all
the time. The Treo 90 makes this too hard.
The new Treo 270's backlight shines behind the keyboard,
making it easier to use in the dark. The Treo 90 doesn't have this feature. I
have no problem with this. While it is occasionally useful to be able to work
in the dark, the rest of the time this is an unnecessary drain on the battery.
SD/MMC Slot
What's a new handheld without a bit of controversy?
Handspring leaving out the Springboard slot and putting in an SD one is a
little like Ben & Jerry giving up on ice cream putting out a line of salad
dressings.
I don't want this to turn into an editorial but I agree with
this decision. I think Handspring has accepted that the Springboard wasn't a
big success. Modules were never as small as Handspring hoped they would be and
most were too expensive. It was a great idea that didn't pan out.
If this makes you angry, think about it from Handspring's
perspective. No one wanted more for the Springboard to be successful than the
people at Handspring did. If they can accept that their handhelds are better
off without it, so should you.
For me, it came down to one thing: Including the Springboard
slot limits how small a handheld can be and the Treo 90's small size is one of
its best features.
The SD slot allows the Treo to store huge amounts of
applications and files. Storage is limited only by your budget in buying SD or
MMC cards.
The Treo doesn't come with a file manager. It depends on the
Palm OS's ability to run applications off memory cards and individual
applications' ability to store and access files from them. However, several third-party
file managers are available.
I thought using an SD card was a little sluggish so I tested
it with VFSMark, which benchmarks the speed of common tasks VFS memory cards
perform, like reading, writing, creating files, etc. My hunch wasn't wrong, the
Treo 90 uses its SD slot about 20% slower than an m500, which is VFSMark's
default device. Not a big deal but I thought I'd point it out.
One thing I think is a bit disappointing about this model is
it doesn't support SDIO. This means it won't be able to use the new Palm
Bluetooth SD Card or any other non-memory card. This is too bad as I think a
Treo 90 and a mobile phone connected with Bluetooth would be an excellent
mobile way to access the Internet and get email.
Update: Handspring has released an update for the Treo 90
that adds support for SDIO. This means it can use the Palm Bluetooth card.
Casing
The overall impression I get from this model is smallness.
Looking at the measurements doesn't make it seem very much smaller than any
other handheld but in my hands it feels tiny. It's great. I have no problem
carrying it in my shirt pocket, which I don't do with any other handhelds.
To get down to the details, the Treo 90 is 4.2 by 2.8 by .65
inches (10.8 x 7.1 x 1.6 cm). It weighs only 4 ounces, making it the lightest
Palm OS handheld available.
Sound
One thing that caught me off guard about the Treo 90 was the
loudness of the internal speaker. It must have the loudest alarm sound on any
Palm OS handheld to date. I found myself keeping it on the low setting just for
comfort.
Buttons
Like all Palm models, there are buttons on the front for
launching applications and which applications these open is set by the user.
Handspring, however, has gone the extra mile with this. Pressing the Option key
on the keyboard, then the To-Do button, launches CityTime and Option-NotePad
opens the Calculator. Sadly, there isn't a way to change these. (Developers,
are you listening?)
An additional use for the buttons is for games. On the Treo
90, the buttons are right at the bottom, which isn't the best place for gaming.
However, there wasn't a lot of space left over after the screen and the
keyboard went in. Like I said, it’s not optimal but still usable.
The flip cover doesn't cover the buttons, which means the
Treo might get activated in your pocket accidentally. Fortunately, Handspring
thought of this. Holding down the Power button for two seconds locks all the
buttons, including the keyboard. Only holding down the Power button again will
reactivate them.
I was very sad when I discovered that the Treo 90 doesn't
have a jog dial like the rest of the Treo line. I really thought Handspring
understood how much easier a jog dial makes using a handheld. Like my mother
used to tell me, I'm not angry, just very disappointed.
Still, they added some nice software tricks to try and
compensate for not having a jog wheel. When you are in the application launcher,
you can scroll through the list of applications with the Up/Down buttons. When
the app you want is highlighted, pressing the Space Bar or Return key will open
it.
Motherboard
The Treo 90 is the first Handspring model ever to use Palm
OS 4.1. All the others, even the new ones, are using OS 3.5. I suspect
Handspring made the jump with this one because all the code necessry for the SD
slot was already included in OS 4.1 but not earlier versions of the operating
system.
The Treo 90 has 16 MB of memory, which I think is great. I
was afraid Handspring would be chintzy like Palm did with the m130 and only
give it 8 MB. All this memory plus the SD slot allows it to be competitive with
even high-end devices.
It doesn't have Flash ROM, which means the operating system
can't be upgraded. This is no big deal because there isn't going to be anything
to upgrade it to. OS 5 requires an ARM-based processor and the Treo 90's 33 MHz
Dragonball VZ isn't one.
I wouldn't be too concerned about the fact that this device
won't run OS 5. I strongly suspect that OS 5 handhelds will be high-end devices
for a good while after the first ones come out. If you are interested in the
Treo, you are probably pretty price conscious and this model is a good deal.
Update: Turns out that the Treo 90 actually does have flash
ROM and, to prove it, Handspring released an update that reflashes the ROM. As
I said earlier, this adds SDIO support but also does some bug fixes. If you get
a Treo 90, I'd suggest you add this patch.
Battery Life
The Treo 90 has a very impressive battery life, especially
for a color handheld.
With the backlight on full, the Treo got 3 hours and 55
minutes before the first battery warning. With it on half power, it lasted 10
hours and 5 minutes. I was going to see how long it would last with the
backlight on low but the screen is too dim to be usable that way unless you are
in very dim light.
I tested battery life by installing an application called
UpTime. This tracks the amount of time a handheld is on. Then I used the Treo
normally, reading AvantGo pages, playing games, looking up address, and that
sort of thing. I think this is a very realistic test as it takes into account
that handheld batteries are designed to be used intermittently.
Software
Instead of the standard Address Book, the Treo 90 comes with
an app called Contacts 4.1H. It is very similar to the standard address book
but with a few more features.
When listing your contacts, the names and phone numbers are
on separate lines and all the phone numbers are displayed, not just a default
one.
Also, if you begin typing a name, it will only display all
the contacts that don't match what you've put in. For example, if you are
looking at the full list of all your contacts and you type in "B" and
then "I", Contacts will only display people whose first or last name
begin with "BI", like someone name Bill Smith or Karen Billingsly.
It can directly dial numbers on some mobile phones via
infrared.
It has Date Book+, an enhanced version of Date Book that
includes some extra features, like floating events, an improved weekly view, a
yearly view, and a list view.
The Treo 90 is bundled with a copy of Blue Nomad's WordSmith
word processor, which I reviewed a while back. This is a good app but don't try
to use the High Resolution font feature. This takes advantage of the fact that
on color screens each pixel is actually made up of three sub-pixels. This is
supposed to improve the perceived resolution of the fonts but on the Treo 90
they just look fuzzy.
Stylus
I'll give Handspring credit, they tried to use a good
stylus. It is partially metal and very sturdy. Problem is, the stylus slot
let's it fall out if you turn the Treo upside down. This happens so often I'm
surprised I haven't lost it yet.
This isn't just mine, either. I've heard from numerous
people who complained of the same thing. Eventually, I took some advice from
one of them and put some tape inside the slot until the stylus was less loose.
This isn't perfect but it is much better.
The stylus is about a half inch shorter than the standard
one. Not a big deal but it might be a problem if you have big hands.
Flip Cover
The flip cover reminds me of the one from my old IIIx,
except this one has a clear window in it. This lets you know what alarm has
just gone off without having to open the cover. I'm not sure I like the window.
I don't worry about the screen getting scratched but now I worry that the
plastic window will. Covers are supposed to get beat up but I'm afraid
scratches will really show up on the clear part.
Handspring will probably sell replacements, though. It is
supposed to be removable but it isn't easy. I gave up trying to remove mine
when it seemed like it was about to break.
Cables
The Treo 90 doesn't come with a cradle. Instead, it has a
USB cable for HotSyncing and a separate power cable. The power cable plugs into
the USB cable, allowing you to both charge and HotSync your Treo at the same
time.
I don't like the lack of a cradle but I can accept it as a
cost-cutting feature. You can buy one separately but I think handhelds should
be in the hands, or at least the pockets, not hanging around in cradles.
The best feature about the power cable is it can also plug
directly into the Treo. This means you can use it as a travel charger. The
prongs on the wall plug even fold down to save space.
Conclusion
I really like this model. It's small, the screen is good,
and the keyboard is faster than Graffiti. If all that weren't enough, the price
is great. If you are looking for a good deal on a color handheld, the Treo 90
is an excellent possibility.
Handspring Treo 90
Some say goodbye, some say hello
by Shawn Barnett
May 28, 2002; 3:01am
Some won't like the latest PDA from Handspring. There are
many changes and there is some confusion that will come with the new Treo 90.
Yet more will love it, and while a lot of features have said goodbye, many more
are welcome indeed. No matter how you look at it, Handspring's Treo 90 is
another big change for the handheld maker as it works its way into what will
hopefully be an innovative push into profitability.
Dichotomy of the merged unmerged
To write or opine about a given item, one has to break it
down into both general statements and detailed analysis. Up until now, Palm OS
devices have been relatively easy to explain, because they evolve subtly over
time. The Handspring Treo 180 represented a radical evolutionary leap, as it
took the simple pen-based Palm OS device and integrated cell phone and pager
functionality, offering these new functions without extra cost. The name Treo
suggested Trio, since it was pronounced the same, and connoted three devices in
one. It also introduced an integrated keyboard to the Palm OS world.
So as I look at the Treo 90 I'm tempted to get frustrated.
All it has that makes it anything like a Treo is the Palm OS, the small size,
and the keyboard. It is not a combined device, it is no communicator; this is
not a "treo" of anything. Indeed, it will be confusing to tell
someone that you've purchased a Treo, yet it has no phone or built-in wireless
data ability (I'm not sure it's wise to dilute the brand this early before
name-recognition has gotten its foothold). It's from Handspring, yet it has no
Springboard slot. It's a Palm OS device, with a stylus, but it has no Graffiti
area. Contradictions abound. "It's a step ahead as a Treo, and a step back
as a Treo," I mutter as I look at the specs.
But that all dissipates as I take the Treo 90 in my hand.
Four ounces. Slim, smooth, subtle curves with a flat, handsome, understated
flip lid. Press any of the four application buttons and you can see the basic
information without even flipping up the lid, because of the clear panel and
bright color screen. Raise the lid and you find the keyboard, identical to the
Treo Communicators.
Unlike the Treo Communicators, the screen is framed with
shiny dark black plastic. Instead of being mounted on a fat round hinge, the
Treo 90's lid is recessed and hinged on pins that sit in divots molded into the
plastic housing.
On the left there is no scroll toggle, as is found on the
Treo Communicators, only a lanyard point with no lanyard included to attach
there; Sony does this too, and I'm mystified why they'd think to include the
lashing point yet no lanyard. The back is simple and sleek, with a few marks
and a serial number and barcode. This is the first time we've seen external
approval marks on a Handspring device; in the past they've taken pride in
hiding these marks under doors or behind the Springboard module. The Treo 90 is
just too sleek and simple to hide these marks anywhere.
On the top the simplicity finishes with a power button on
the user's top left, a centrally mounted SD slot, the IrDA port, hidden behind the
plastic oval surrounding the SD slot, and the shorter, Treo-sized stylus.
The Treo 90 comes with a charger and HotSync cable; no
cradle is included, which is also true of the other Treos. Both cables can be
easily disconnected and brought along for mobile charging and HotSyncing. The
HotSync button is integrated into the Treo side of the connector. The bottom
has the same connector as the rest of the Treo line, compatible with the
optional cradle, though it doesn't rest against the back of the cradle. Users
will have to align the connector a little forward for it to mate with the
cradle properly.
Screen
The Treo 90 has the same screen as the new Treo 270, a
transflective color STN that displays 4,096 colors. This is a less-expensive
alternative to reflective TFT, as well as the Transflective TFT seen in the
Sony T615C or the newer NR70V. Indoors, it's a little more than twice as bright
as the reflective and transflective TFTs I have here (Palm m515, Compaq iPAQ,
Sony NR70V), and outdoors it is a little dimmer, wanting a different angle from
the reflective TFTs for easy viewing. It's strange, but whereas the reflective
TFTs are flat and contrasty, the color screens on the new Treos appear to have
depth. It's as if the icons and letters are small plastic objects suspended in
a nearly-clear wax substrate. The effect is interesting. What's most important
is that the screen is easily used indoors or out, something that was a
shortcoming in the first two color Palm OS devices, the Palm IIIc and
Handspring Visor Prism, whose screens went black in direct sunlight.
The screen on the Palm m130, which also has a transflective
CSTN screen, doesn't display this mysterious depth. I bring the m130 into the
discussion because it is in the same price range and as I noted in my original
review its one flaw as a color device was its slow screen refresh for action
games like Zap 2000. Slow refresh is a standard problem with color STN screens.
The Treo 90's screen seems to be a bit faster than the Palm m130. There isn't as
much ghosting, though play seems a bit faster on the m130. Both are fuzzy with
action games, however, so serious gamers should consider this when shopping for
a color device. TFT will be clearer for action games. Slower games like
Bejeweled are just fine on these bright and vibrant backlit displays.
One note: Pictures are good, but not fantastic on the Treo
90's 4,096 color display. 4,096 is a lot more colors than 256 (Palm IIIc), but
a lot fewer than 65,536 (Palm m515, Visor Prism). As a result subtle gradations
like skin tones turn into color zones, especially on faces. Close-ups of faces
often look like "paint by numbers" paintings rather than photos. It's
not terrible, just not as photo-realistic as competing 64K color machines.
Current monochrome users will like the Treo 90 for it's
versatility in many lighting situations, and its superior brightness indoors
(superior to other reflective/transflective designs, that is), not to mention
its smaller size and low weight.
Key combinations
Palms have long since gone beyond the four function buttons
that appeared on the original US Robotics Pilot. So Handspring uses the
built-in keyboard's little blue option button make the ToDo and Memo buttons
launch CityTime and Calculator. Of course, that's not all you can do with the
option button. In fact, you're going to have to learn a lot of new keystrokes
and key combinations, because making a 34-button keyboard emulate a modern 84
button keyboard is a bit complicated.
First off, the scroll buttons don't behave as you're used
to. They jump from one program or item to the next, presumably so you don't
have to get the stylus out so often. You can also type the first character of
the item you're looking for, like P for Preferences. If you want to scroll like
before, you press the shift key, then the scroll button.
All of these shift keys, by the way, are "sticky"
meaning that like the shift and punctuation shift in Graffiti you just press
them once to tell the Treo that you want the next character affected; there is
no need to hold the button down, as we've seen on the Sony NR70. On such a
small keyboard, this sticky shift is essential to keep one from injuring
oneself in a game of finger "Twister." Press the option and shift
buttons twice, and the shift is locked, necessary for number and all-cap entry.
Many characters are not displayed on the keyboard at all.
These are accessed in a non-obvious way. For most symbols, you first press the
option button, then the key where the character is hidden. Naturally you have
to know which one you want. Let's say the ampersand character (&). This is
"behind" the + character, so press that. Then you press the
"..." key, which doubles as the zero key. This brings up what's
called the List View. Now the plus character has a pull-down menu attached,
from which you can pick your character. In this case, the only other option is
the ampersand, and it's already selected, so all you do is tap on it with the
stylus or press the space bar. If the list has more characters, you scroll down
with the scroll buttons, then select with the space bar. The most in any one
list appears to be seven, though the keys that conceal more characters are
randomly scattered across the keyboard. Even the List View button itself
conceals two characters. Accented characters are accessed without the option
button, and even formerly essential characters, such as the shortcut stroke,
are buried, in this case under the S key. Shortcut is now not so short: Type S,
then press List View, then hit the down scroll button three times (or up
twice), then press spacebar. Sheesh.
Users will do well to read the manual and the Welcome
program, and explore the device themselves. As was true with Graffiti, there's
a lot more than meets the eye, and some experimentation and study will allow
users to make the most of their purchase. Though the keyboard takes away the
complication of learning Graffiti strokes, it adds the new complication of
learning key combinations and remembering where characters are located. In
applications that accept typing input, Command G will bring up the keyboard
help screen, which includes copious tips and a complete list of the symbols and
where they reside.
Stylus or keyboard: both
I think a lot of existing Palm OS users are going to give
the Treo 90 a try, so I'll continue to bring up the differences working with a
keyboard instead of Graffiti. The keyboard is both blessing and curse to the
experienced Palm OS user. I've discussed this at length with a few readers, and
I'll give it another try here.
With these two new Treos they've taken steps to remove our
dependence on the stylus, something they worked for years to get us comfortable
with. I've already mentioned the use of the scroll button to select
applications; the same is true with memos in the Memo Pad. Traditional Palm OS
devices scroll the list and rely on the user picking the individual memos with
the stylus, but this new Treo method allows users to avoid removing the stylus.
Unfortunately with a long list it also takes longer.
To make this shorter, I'll just say that most users switching
from another Palm device will find themselves shifting between left hand
holding for viewing, both hands for typing, and back to one hand again when
they remove the stylus to start tapping again.
The power switch is badly placed at the top left by the way.
It's only really easily turned on with the index finger when in the right hand,
which should please lefties. Otherwise it's cumbersome. Until users get
accustomed to the all-button method, it'll be a bit of a juggling act. It's not
bad, just new.
Menus are accessed by pressing the command stroke button on
the lower right. Hawkins and his team tried a number of different symbols to
replace the command stroke, but in the end the Graffiti symbol for the command
stroke worked just as well as any. One can move from pull down to pull down
without touching the screen by pressing the scroll up button, and pressing the
scroll down button selects the menu options.
There are still instances when you'll need to tap on the
screen, like when you're in Preferences and you want to pull down the top right
menu. You'll have to get out the stylus at that point, or just tap with your
fingernail, a less accurate option. There may be another way to jump to this
menu, but I haven't found it yet.
You can move the cursor back and forth in a line of text by
holding the Option button and pressing the scroll up and down buttons, and most
affirmative buttons, like "OK" and "Done" can be selected
by pressing Option + Enter.
Also, it used to be very simple to re-center yourself on
your Palm OS device by tapping on the silk-screened Applications button in the
Graffiti area (the small house icon). Re-centering now requires pressing two
buttons all the way across the keyboard from one-another: the option button and
the command button. It's not that problematic, but it does require both thumbs
and isn't as easy as tapping on the formerly ever-present house icon.
I'll say again that the keyboard is surprisingly easy to use
for basic typing. Many seem to think that thumb typing will be clumsy because
they're so big and infrequently relied-upon by humans for precise manipulation
or work. But angling the thumbs downward slightly makes selecting each key
simple. As I said in the Treo 180 review, it does usually involve both thumbs
and both eyes to seek out each character, which is a little less casual than
Graffiti can be to the trained user, but it will be preferred by those who for
whatever reason didn't like Graffiti.
It's a shame that the keyboard is not backlit like the keyboard
on the Treo 270. A color device is a natural for use in darkness, but not if
the main interface we're being trained to use is accessed visually and made
completely unavailable by darkness.
Flip lid
I prefer PDAs with flip lids or other built-in screen
protection, so I really like the Treo 90's slim, well-integrated lid. It is
attractive and adds hardly a millimeter to its thickness while completely
covering the screen and keyboard. But Handspring knew from experience that some
wouldn't like it at all. So they made it removable, and also thought to include
a keylock. Just hold down the power button for two seconds and the keys are
locked. Repeat the action and press OK onscreen to deactivate the keylock. The
unit does look quite a bit better with the lid, so most users will likely leave
it. Many cases will of course require removal of the lid.
One minor problem with the Treo 90 is finger smudges. Not
only will you get them on the screen, but on both the inside and outside of the
flip lid. As I say, it's minor, but it is unattractive and annoying, and
completely unavoidable.
Communication
While the Treo 90 is not a Communicator, Handspring has not
left it without wireless options. The first is available from
http://www.thesupplynet.com/searchresults.cfm?mySearch=mfg&prodMadeBy=275
in the form of a cell phone connection cable. Many popular data-capable phones
are supported and it is only US$29.95.
Because it uses Palm OS 4.1H, the Treo 90 will be compatible
with things like Web Clipping, so Handspring has not left it without options.
Compatibility
It's been getting harder and harder to sync more than one
brand of device with your computer due to the many USB HotSync drivers, and the
Treos are no exception. In fact, when I installed the Treo 90 before the Treo
270, I was shocked when the latter's software disabled the former's. I was informed
by Handspring that the Treo 90 is the newer version of the software, and
designed to work with all Treos. Sure enough, reinstalling the Treo 90 software
has made both devices able to work on the same computer (I'm told this software
is also available for download from the Handspring site).
Otherwise, the Treos are backward compatible with most
programs and data sets. I've not come across any that don't work. I will
reiterate that the Treo 90's SD slot will only work with SD and MMC memory
cards, not SDIO cards, and not most pre-loaded SD format cards (cards with
commercial software). Commercial MMC cards seem to work. Handspring tentatively
plans to roll out SDIO compatibility when and if more SDIO cards become
available.
Goodbyes
Gone is Graffiti, gone is Springboard. Nearly eliminated is
the stylus. Likely on the way out are monochrome screens. Missing is integrated
Bluetooth. Also gone is excessive weight and size. The Visors were criticized
for being a little too big and some said unattractive.
Say hello
Arrived is Hawkins' prediction that "if anything these
things are going to get smaller." The Treo 90 is the smallest, slimmest,
and equal to the lightest PDA out there: the monochrome Palm m500; only the
Treo 90 is color, and that low weight includes the flip lid. When I say it's
the slimmest, I don't mean thickness, I mean width as it sits in the hand. It
has more of a bullet shape than the m500 series, and it is shorter than all
others as well, with a short stylus to fit. Some in our office have said the
plastic back looks cheap, others have said it looks elegant. I'm pretty pleased
with the whole package, and side with the elegant votes save for one slight
blemish: the mold seam just below the SD slot. Hopefully that will be smoothed
on production models.
Yes, the metal of the Palm m515 and magnesium of the Sony
NR70V are nice, but light weight and low cost are also important virtues. The
Treo 90 is comfortable stashed just about anywhere and is hardly noticeable in
a shirt pocket, jacket pocket, or even front pocket. It approaches the RIM 957
in size and its tapers soften the feel.
What nearly all PDA shoppers want is present in the Treo 90:
light weight, slim profile, a good color screen with integrated screen
protection, easy data entry, removable storage, fast HotSync, a slick look, and
a good price for all of it. I predict it will be very popular. US$299.
HandSpring Advertising Blurb...
It's sleek. It's slim. It's super-lightweight. But our
Treo?90 organizer is so much more than just a pretty package. With its built-in
keyboard, color screen, 16 MB of memory and Palm OS compatibility, it's our
latest—and greatest—organizational tool.
It's got the power.
Forget compromise. Handspring's Treo 90 gives you everything
you want in an organizer: 16MB of memory—enough space to hold thousands of
records, all kinds of Palm OS applications, even databases and documents—Palm
OS 4.1, a vivid color screen, built-in keyboard, super-fast processor and SD
expansion capabilities—all in one super-sleek device. And it's rechargeable.
What more could you want?How about a built-in mobile phone, Internet access and
email? Get all three in our Treo 180 communicator.
Light, bright
For starters, the Treo 90 organizer is the smallest color
Palm OS organizer on the market today. And at only 4 ounces, it's one of the
lightest, too. Just slip it into your pocket or purse—you'll barely know it's
there. The removable flip lid protects the full-color screen and built-in
keyboard. Of course with Handspring's award-winning design, you won't want to
hide it away for long?BR>See just how small it is
The keyboard is key
Take notes. Enter information with ease. Find contacts
quickly—in 3 keystrokes or less. All built-in applications have been optimized
for thumb keyboard navigation so now it's just as easy get to where you need to
go as it is to enter everything you need to remember—without having to learn
Graffiti. Plus, our special key lock feature lets you avoid accidentally
turning on the organizer when it's in your pocket, bag, or briefcase—saving
precious battery power.
Store more
SD expansion lets you store—and quickly access—tons of data.
Or add all kinds of content—including games, photographs, video files,
databases and more. Or back up your entire device. At any time, and without
sacrificing size. And with a whole host of compatible Secure Digital (SD) and
MultiMedia Cards (MMC) already on the market, you'll have all kinds of interesting
options.
All this and more?
The Treo 90 organizer also comes with a FREE copy of
WordSmith (a $29.95 value) so you can carry, access and edit your Word
documents while you're on the go.
Tiny and terrific
December 9th, 2002
Pros: size and weight are great, 16mg memory built in plus
expandable
Cons: terrible toll call customer service, business hours
only.
The Bottom Line: Smaller but more functional than previous
PDA's
I traded up from a Sony Clie 710C primarily for the keyboard
and to reduce the size and weight in my shirt pocket where I am used to
carrying my PDA.
The only possibly worthwhile feature that the Treo does not
share with the Sony is the ability to play audio files. Unimportant to me.
When I hotsynced the Treo with my computer and the leftover
files from the Sony, I ran into Fatal error/fatal exception screens which
required a hard reset. Finally after a session with tech support which yielded
little more than a language barrier and a toll call, I determined that some of
the Sony specific software was confusing the Treos operating system. I finally
synced the minimums and reloaded my software from scratch. The important things
like contacts and date book synced without a hitch.
I'm enjoying some of the minor but nice improvements to the
built in applications particularly the contacts basic screen which now shows
all related phone numbers to each listing.
The Treo does not come with a cradle which I thought I would
miss. Because of an intelligent design there is only one cable to plug in for
both hotsync and battery charge. You can easily separate it and take only the
charging cable on trips.
Included free is a full version of "Wordsmith" a
popular word processing program that integrates fully with Microsoft Word.
Installation of wordsmith can be set to work with and modify the memo app.
Strangely certain memo app and menu features act differently after the
modification, for example you can no longer use the hard scroll keys to move
between memos.
Also included is "Chapura" which integrates MS
Outlook as a source for datebook, contacts, memo and expense applications.
Overall I am very happy with this little device.
Treo 90 Review -- you might want to wait
The features are good since it runs the Palm OS, but the
letter input is ridiculously clumsy. Probably a step up for some using the
exhausting Grafiti function on their Palms. Problem is the buttons are too tiny
for fingers (of a full grown carbon based humanoid) and too stiff for the pen
to depress. They are also plastic - not rubber as you would expect so the tip
of the pens constantly slips off of them. You'll find yourself wanting to
abbreviate evrythg so u dnt hv to w8st yr tym!
Come on, when are any of these engineers going to "get
it"? You test it until everything works and is proven an evolutionary
advancement. Guys, if you are using a pen, why not make the keys concave or
pinholed so I can just tap in there? An even better idea (yes I just invented
it right here) is to make the keys magnetic and have a metal ring near the tip
of the pen actuate the sensor so you don't have to monkey with getting each key
to push down causing double strokes when repeated depressed. I find myself
using the backspace WAY TOO MUCH. Anyone else? This is a mere toy, not much
better than those $2.99 pocket organizers you get from subscribing to Time
Life. It is however in color. That's a plus. If you want to connect to the net
you'll need a special cable and added service to your cel if it is even
compatible with your model. While everyone else is touting thier compact Treo
300 communicators you'll be juggling a treo and a cel cabled together like a
pair of jumper cables. Maybe they'll come up with a bra shaped pouch for it
LOL!
Of course after I bought mine the communicators came out -
and now it's even on sale for $199 everywhere. Most likely because it's just an
appetiser to the real deal.
I also hate the fact that you need to tap the power button
at light speed to turn it off - otherwise it will just keep locking and
unlocking your keys. Battery life is awesome. You can use it for DAYS without a
charge. Very impressive to say the least. Just wish my laptop was so fortunate.
To do list and schedule as awesome and don't require a computer user to read
any instructions. After a little plinking you get the hang of it. I am very
happy that I have finally eliminated the pile of scrap papers all over my desk
by entering it into this thing. I also like how it saves as you go and never
needs any prompting. Just wish they could make it right and make it now. I'm
tired of glitsy second rate products when the real gold isn't even planned for
release until we're all in our 50's.
I expect more from our Genuis super race of technophiles!
Submitted by: Cash R
I used to have a M125. Now I have a Treo 90 and have no idea
why I ever bought a black & white palm pilot. Great Quality. Super Fast and
already have over 300 things on it no problem. Silver Screen is beautiful on
it!
Submitted by: Dave
Perfect for school and work
I just got my Treo 90 a couple of days ago, and have not
been able to put it down. I use it for my school & church notes and it's
just awesome. The qwerty keyboard makes taking quick notes a lot easier than
graffiti. Good solid display and good startup memory too.
Submitted by: Ravyn
not quite there
the small size is about the only good thing i can think
of about this pda. i bought it and returned it the
same day. the materials are cheap. my m130 has much
better color and the backlighting of the m130 is much
more even. the keyboard is useless. took a 15%
restock fee and learned a lesson. stick a fork in
handspring. they are just about done
Submitted by: michael
Great device! Get one that works.
I bought the Treo 90 and loved it from the moment my greedy
little hands opened the package.
The color screen was great although not as sharp as the Sony
Clie NR-70. I thought I'd like the keyboard more than I did since I'm no
grafitti pro. But there are still a few apps that require the silkscreen keys
which the Treo doesn't have. Not a deal killer, just something you should know.
The 16 megs was plenty fine even when I'd loaded up all my
goodies. All in all, it was a great size, comfortable, and incredibly useful.
BUT...it broke a week after I had owned it. And when I told
the details to customer service, they agreed and told me to send it back.
Bottom line. I loved the Treo 90. Disappointed that mine
broke but Handspring's service was great. And I don't have any bad feelings
since I think I'll upgrade to the 270 anyway.
Submitted by: David Shih
Very good but could be improved
Just bought the Treo since it is the smallest on the market
(in my opinion) and has a built in keyboard. Its been extremely useful so far
and is very light.
The one drawback (pretty big in my eyes) is that the
contacts can only be sorted by first or last name. They can't be sorted by
company (anyone know of an app that I can buy to make it sort by company would
be much appreciated :))). Otherwise, I love it.
Enjoy.
Submitted by: steve
Date Added: 2002-06-12
Handspring's Treo 90 is the replacement for the Visor Prism.
It is a PalmOS-based organiser with colour screen but, unlike the other Treos,
no built-in GSM or GPRS.
It also dispenses with the Graffiti pen input area on most
other Palms in favour of a tiny keyboard that you can use with your thumbs. You
still need the stylus, though, to tap on-screen icons.
Power is supplied via a rechargeable battery, and syncing is
done via USB, with a sync button on the cable that plugs into the Treo. There's
also a Secure Digital (SD) card slot, recently updated to SD/IO, allowing you
to use things like Bluetooth cards.
As well as the usual PalmOS apps, there's Handspring's version
of Datebook 3, giving more views on your calendar; the Blazer web browser;
Onetouch email and Wordsmith, an excellent PalmOS word processor.
With its 16MB of memory and 33MHz processor, the Treo 90 is
fairly nippy and makes light work of large apps such as Tomtom Citymaps, and
the SD slot means you could store a lot of data on here.
Seasoned Palm users, though, might miss Graffiti, and those
with chunky fingers may find the keyboard a little cramped. We'd recommend
downloading the free Newpen software, which allows you to write Graffiti
anywhere on the screen, making Treo more Palm-like.
The STN colour display is still only 160 x 160 pixels, and
the backlighting was uneven on our sample; it's also only 4,096 colours,
compared to the 64,000 of the old Visor Prism. We would have liked to have seen
high resolution and more colours.
The Treo 90 is very compact, with the great ease of use of
Palm OS. But set against the similarly priced Sony Clie SJ30 and Palm m130 its
only real plus points are its size and the keyboard.
Colin Duwe September 24, 2002
Handspring's Treo 90 may lack the cellphone and
wireless-data features of the more expensive models in the line, but its thumb
keyboard provides a unique alternative for those looking for an affordable colour
Palm OS handheld. Some of the Handspring faithful may cry ‘foul’ when they
learn that there's no Springboard expansion slot. But if you don't like
Graffiti, the slim Treo 90 is a great choice.
The built-in thumb keyboard sets the Treo 90 apart from all
other Palm OS devices. Unlike Sony's CLIE PEG-NR70V, the keyboard replaces the
Graffiti writing area, which makes the screen appear smaller than those of most
Palm OS devices. Although the keyboard -- which is identical to the ones found
on Handspring's other Treos -- has a good, tactile feel and is easy to use, it
doesn't emit a click each time you press a key. This is not a major drawback,
but some users may miss that little sound.
Handspring has put a lot of effort into devising ways to use
the Treo 90 with only the keyboard, but you'll eventually need to reach for the
stylus and tap the screen to use almost all applications -- a transition that
some users will find annoying. RIM's BlackBerry devices don't use a
touch-screen at all, relying on the keyboard and a jog dial to control every
aspect of the device.
The £249 (inc. VAT) Treo 90 and the £499 (without
connection) Treo 270 look nearly identical, with grey cases and well-designed
flip covers protecting the screens and keyboards. The 113g Treo 90 is a touch
smaller than competing products such as the £195 (inc. VAT) Palm m130. We
criticised the m130 for having a tiny, 2in. screen, so we were happy to see
that the Treo 90 has a 2.75in. colour screen. That may not sound like much of a
difference, but it makes this Handspring much easier to use.
If you're counting, you'll discover that the Treo 90's
12-bit screen is capable of displaying only 4,096 colours; all other current
colour Palm devices have 16-bit screens that can display 65,536 colours. You
may be able to spot the difference if you look carefully at photos, but
otherwise, you're not likely to notice. The Treo 90's screen is also
transflective, meaning that it is backlit for use indoors and in dimly lit
situations but also reflects ambient light, making it viewable outdoors in
sunlight. Even so, we could not read information on the screen in bright
sunlight as well as we could with some other handhelds.
In most respects, the Treo 90 is similar to other Palm
devices. It runs Palm OS 4.1H, uses a 33MHz Motorola DragonBall VZ processor,
and has 16MB of internal RAM to store contact and calendar info, additional
applications and data. Although that's likely to be plenty of space for most
users, there's also a Secure Digital (SD) card slot on the top of the device.
This means that you can add even more storage -- however, the slot does not
support SD input/output devices such as the Palm SD Bluetooth card and the
Margi Presenter-to-Go SD VGA adapter (for giving PowerPoint presentations). A
rechargeable Li-ion battery provides approximately 10 days of use, according to
Handspring.
To synchronise with your computer, Handspring provides a USB
cable (rather than a cradle) and the Palm Desktop software for Mac and PC.
Chapura's PocketMirror is included for syncing Outlook on your PC. Handspring
doesn't give you much in the way of bonus software: Blue Nomad's WordSmith (a
word processor); the Blazer Internet browser; a Palm SMS messaging program; and
One-Touch Mail. In addition, Handspring provides a one-year warranty.
Handspring's Treo models with built-in cellphone capabilities may grab a bit more of the spotlight, but the Treo 90 is a great option for those who don't care for an integrated device. At £249 (inc. VAT), the Treo 90's main competitor is the Palm m130, but we like this Handspring a bit more because its screen is larger. But even people who might previously have considered buying a more expensive device, such as Sony's CLIE PEG-T625C or Palm's m515, may opt for the Treo 90 because of its built-in keyboard.