Motley Fool wake up about the Treo 700w

Hey all. I'm the guy who wrote the article for the Fool, and yes, I'm not the most tech savvy person around. I will admit that the article was composed during a period of particular non-functionality of my 700, but I do plan on a follow-up which is a bit more complimentary. And also highlight my own contributions to the problems I was having.

For example, the ear touching the screen and casuing programs to start--that's an actual problem that has occurred--but I was since shown that there is a simple check-off box that disables the touchscreen during phone calls. That is no longer an issue for me.

The limitations on text messaging, for example also, I've been told are common to all such phones, not just the Treo but that I just probably wasn't aware that my messages were being cut off before.

I still have the system bog down and hang up when I'm connected to the Internet and occasionally have to soft reset the system by removing the battery (yes, I have to remove the battery cover first), but in all I've improved my view of the 700.

However, I don't think that negates the fact that no-tech, non-power users who are still looking for functionality should at least expect their device to not have such issues out of the box. Or that I shouldn't have to become tech savvy to operate it.

Thanks for sharing your opinions, even those who thought I had an agenda. I'm not a Blackberry person, by the way, and purposely did not buy one. I have been a Palm buyer before, as I noted in my article, and I've always been satisfied. Perhaps this was just too much technology for me loaded into one device! :>

Rich Duprey

I agree with JNGold's assessment. Rich clearly made a statement that he is not making a scientific nor an expert review. In that regards, what he complains about is valid in my opinion because an overwhelming majority of Treo users would not have the kind tech skills found in forums like this one. Remember that his audience would probably have the same regards to functionality and out-of-box easy to use as he does.

When I help professional types who are educated and informed on general tech things, I am always surprised how little they know beyond the information found on the package. The average user doesn't want to dive into the technical details any more than a tech guy would want to know all the latin names of flowers and how to professionally arrange them. You'd be amazed at how apathetic people are to things outside of their immediate scope. It's not that people couldn't know, they simply don't want to face it - technology or otherwise.

I especially agree with the point that what software is loaded is important and therefore makes opinions more subjective. Rich and Dave could both be right at the same time.

Even in forums like this, opinions vary even if the device and software environment is the same. It is good though to hear the pros and cons from mulitiple sources and multiple experience levels.

I've never used a Treo 700 and would not consider myself an expert, rather an advanced tech hobbyist. (in keeping with the Motley Fool's disclosure policy)

You should not get any converged device unless you are prepared to put in the effort to learn how it works. None of these devices is perfect by any stretch of the imagination and I don't believe they ever will be. We keep requesting more and more features so things never settle down. This guys review makes things sound much much worse than it really is.

I wouldn't worry about what this guy has to say. As for new customers, the Treo is becoming (if it hasn't already) acheived iPod-like status amongst the cell phone community. It's now chic to own a Treo (regardless of the OS) and to many, that's all that's important. For those who are technically inclined and do their research before perchasing will obviosuly go to more reputable tech sources for information.

The HTC Wizard device have also been criticized for many things including having a "slow" processor. That also coming from many "tech" sites. For those that choose to do some homework, they know that for 90% of the things most people do, the processor is just fine.

Same concept holds true for the Treo.

I guess we are at the point in the tech world and blogs where anyone can write a review about anything. I guess that is why I don't go to Motley Fool for Tech advice and I don't go to Mobility Today for financial info (unless you have a tip!)
I have a good friend that hates his Blackberry with a passion.
It works great but he hates push email. "It's very annoying" he says.
I guess I should get him to write a review.

And there I am perfectly in agreement. If you're not into tech, then maybe you should be a little more careful with how you write reviews.
Or at least he could change his disclaimer from "... and while I'm by no means a power user..." to something like "I'm not a power user, but I do have extremely unrealistic expectations of complicated devices working exactly the way I want them to without my even reading the manual... preferrably throught the use of some dark art, but it doesn't really matter as it is fashionable to slam Micro$oft right now, even if this device could dress me in the morning, I will still most likely compare it, however unfairly, to some sort of catastrophe that is capable of taking human life (without hyperbole of course)."

Especially as most of his problems with the Treo are really based on the actual build of the device and not WM5.

I just think it is very dangerous to slam a device on a device that truly isn't 100 percent true. What does this do to new buyers who are thinking of buying the 700w? That their ears will turn on and off features of the device?

"Well Jerry I guess you are agreeing that WM5 is not stable? I can't agree with that whatsoever. My Treo700w since AKU2 has had never needed to be soft reseted.."

Not trying to pick on you here Dave, but how many people outside of these tech forums have any idea what AKU2 even is? I think its a little telling that your device took some work to reach its current level of stability. These things aren't ipods, and people now have that "out of the box" expectation.I'm expecting at least a month of teething pains with the 6700 thats en route, and I would consider myself pretty "with it" ;-). This guy just doesn't get WinMob, and thats fine if he doesnt want to take the time to MAKE a device work for him. I agree that he shouldnt go out slamming a device just because he doesn't know how to use it, but other people like him need to know that these things take a little time to get used to.
If you don't have a little patience dont get one!

That Was Easy....

"I am sure Microsoft and Palm are working on the next gen devices with an "easy button"

They can't. Staples aready has a patent on thiers! :)

I guess the point is that he is not a power user but a person that wants his device to work for him and it obviously doesn't. Whether he prefers or would prefer a Blackberry or a Palm OS device - I don't know.
Maybe he just needs a good phone with a little multimedia functionality.
When these devices become effortless to the average consumer, they will hit a bigger home run. Now, they are still a little quirky with limitations.
I am sure Microsoft and Palm are working on the next gen devices with an "easy button".

Oh and btw, if AKU 2.2 did indeed do away with the "available" memory/storage, that would be another major screw-up by MS! AKU2.0 does have it. MS already took away our Today Screen clock, now they take another piece of useful information away? Sheesh!

I will go as far to say that not every application that runs on WM5 is stable. There are memory leaks in many application. As for the OS itself, all one needs to do is read Mike Calligaro's article on WM5 and why it's performance varies from time to time.

Don't get me wrong, I am enjoying WM5 more than any other iteration of the OS. It's just that a WM5 owners needs to have patience and the willingness to understand the nature of the device in order to the get the best use of it. Unfortunately, that means being technically adept.

I don't necessarily believe that the Treo is a "converged train wreck". I have a feeling he would say the same for any WM5 converged device. But like I said before, coming from experience, some of his points are valid, regardless of the where the blame should be placed.

Well Jerry I guess you are agreeing that WM5 is not stable? I can't agree with that whatsoever. My Treo700w since AKU2 has had never needed to be soft reseted..

Dave,

Read the article again. His points are valid. Let's reiterate:

"I've had my Treo for several months now, and while I'm by no means a power user, I like my gadgets to work as advertised. But, as is typical for a Windows-powered device, it's buggy as all get out."

--This comment may or may not have merit based on the type of application this guy uses.

"When connected to the Internet through Verizon Wireless Broadband Access, the system will bog down or freeze; sometimes the Treo just won't start up. In both cases, you need to remove the battery to get it to reboot."

-- I see nothing wrong with this statement. Nothing at all. Heck, even my K-JAM locks up from time to time. Any WM5 that says to me that thier device NEVER locks up is full-of-it. I have been using WM devices for over 5 years now, there has never been a single device that hasn't locked up from time to time.

"That nifty touchscreen is a real boon, too -- except when you use the phone as a phone and it touches your ear. That causes it to set alarms, change time zones, and unintentionally bring up all sorts of programs."

-- Well, maybe the guy has big ears! This would be an issue for a Palm Treo too since the default PALM OS screen is an application launcher.

Overall, the guy does sound like a whiner based on his idea that convergence may "go to far". Like I said, there are some obvious design flaws with the Treo 700w but the breadth and scope of his article doesn't seem to be akin to a full, in-depth review, just a rant that he's not happy with the device.

I concur with 90% of what he was tring to convey.

Jerry I disagree totally. His points have no credibility whatsoever. He is blaming all of the issues due to Microsoft not the device itself. So are you agreeing that your KJam has the same problems for you? I dont think so, thats why this article has 0 credibility to me.

Also BTW Microsoft certifies all OS changes. So you point about not showing the remaining memory could be a new version of AKU2 which I can confirm the later versions of AKU2 do not show it. I just hate when editors jump out to trash something that they truly are not too familiar with.

The guy obviously made an ommission a left off the word "cover". His point is still valid regardless.

I just hope Palm learns from it 700w "mistakes" for its next WM device.

Heck, you can't even see the amount of available memory/storage on the cab installation screen. Palm needs to forget thier past Palm OS design mentality and begin to understand the nuances of being a WM OEM.

Yes you are correct but he clearly states that he had to remove the battery not the battery cover.

First off it doesnt sound like this guy is a Palm enthusiast. It sounds like he's a Blackberry guy, or at least a guy that likes multiple devices that each do one thing really well. As most of us on these sites know, there is a moderate learning curve to any WM device, but it doesnt sound like like the Motley Fool has the patience to figure it out.

To be fair though, I thought the 700 had the same battery cover design as the 650, meaning you have to remove the BATTERY COVER to reset the device, with is a retarding experience on my wife's 650 (god bless SEIDIO).

I never had to remove the battery at all nevertheless to reset it?

Rich Duprey needs to stick to investing and personal finance advice. While I agree that removing the battery to reset is annoying, it is the life of a WM device.

I agree with both of you on these topics..

"the system will bog down or freeze; sometimes the Treo just won't start up. In both cases, you need to remove the battery to get it to reboot."

He is definately right on the money here. His system performance is due to the lack of memory which in today's devices is a disgrace. As for removing tha battery, I too would be pissed off if I had to remove the battery to do soft reset. Sure, you can use a software program that soft reset's the device, but sometimes a WM device does lock up and you need to do a button press soft reset.

I have NEVER had to remove the battery from my Treo 700w, and I have NEVER had it unintentionally bring up programs while talking on the phone. This is one of the crappiest reviews I have ever seen. Just another diehard Palm OS enthusiast feeling threatened for good reason...