The Treo's initial popularity was due in large part to its use as a mobile email client. Out of the box, the 700wx supports multiple POP3 and IMAP email accounts as well as push email from an MS Exchange Server as well as via the pre-installed Goodlnk application.
Email is handled by the Outlook mobile application. Outlook supports HTML email as well as attachments. Email can also be downloaded from and synched with Windows PCs via Active Sync.
SMS and MMS messaging is also supported on the Treo. Images and audio and video clips can be attached to MMS messages, provided that both sender and receiver have compatible cellular service.
The Treo's spacious keypad made messaging a breeze. This handset can be used tor serious email and text messaging with as much comfort as could be expected from a handheld device, though the lack of Wi-Fi connectivity does count as a strike against the 700wx as a mobile business communicator.
Sprint's EV-DO "Vision Network" provides a high speed data connection that allows for near-Broadband speed Web surfing and data services so long as you're within a network coverage area. Web surfing and Email on the 700wx was very speedy, though I did hit the occasional dead spot in Sprint's EV-DO coverage in the San Francisco Bay Area.
The 700wx does not include a WiFi antenna for 802.11x WLAN networking. However, the Treo's SD slot is SDIO compatible and supports the use of WiFi SD adapters. This gives the 700wx some much needed flexibility when going up against competing smartphones with built-in WiFi.
Internet Explorer handles Web Browsing duties, and works much like its desktop PC counterpart. Nokia's Web browser is the standard by which I judge all mobile browsers, and while IE doesn't quite measure up, it works very well on most web pages. A higher resolution screen would have made Web browsing a bit more fun, as well, as the 240x240 display meant a lot of scrolling, particularly when viewing Websites not optimized for mobile devices.
Smartphone aficionados will cry foul at the Treo 700wx's lack of WiFi connectivity. It's true - 802.11x connectivity is fast becoming a "must-have" for smartphone buyers, and many new models pack a WiFi antenna. However, Sprint's EV-DO network provides data transfer speeds almost on par with broadband in many areas, and the 700wx does support SDIO WiFi adapters.
Being a Windows Mobile device, the 700wx relies on ActiveSync for syncing of organizer, contact, and email data with Windows PCs. Syncing is supported over Bluetooth 1.2 and USB connections. Bluetooth also supports mono audio devices and file transfer, and dial-up networking is officially supported only though a Sprint add-on plan.
I tested the Treo 700wx with a Bluetooth headset and it worked fine, although range seemed to be a bit shorter than average. Voice Command functionality did not work over Bluetooth -- apparently this is a limitation of the application, not the Treo's Bluetooth profile.
The Treo 700wx has an SD card slot which supports removable SD memory cards as well as the SDIO protocol, including SD WiFi cards, as mentioned. No memory card is included in the retail packaging, but the handset does have 60MB of internal memory available for storage.
Next: Conclusion »
4.5
