Rating  - Cingular $100 phone rebate takes forever
It was time to change my phone and I chose Treo because of its compatability with the Mac. My issues are :
1. Battery life is really short. Even if I don't use the phone the whole day and its just on stand by, I need to charge it everday.
2. PocketTunes. You have to convert your iTunes to mp3 format to be able to play on your phone or you have to buy the PocketTunes software to be able to play most file formats. Why can't they just all get along and set one standard? (I guess thats why theres the iPhone).
3. Camera is only 1.5 pixel. I know this is a phone not a camera but most phones now have at least 2 megapixels (nokia has 5).
4. REBATE: the 3 items above I can live with. I got the Treo because I need the calendar and phone book feature from my old Palm. I don't really need web access so pay per use is fine with me. I was told that inorder to get the Treo I had to sign up for the unlimited data plan of $49.99 and I can cancel this once I get the $100 rebate. I sent my rebate 2 days after getting the phone and guess what I would have already paid $100 of data plan and still no rebate. Lesson learned. I should have gotten the unlocked version, gotten my choice of color. I assume this is the same with all the other phones (Samsung Blackjack, Blackberry Pearl) which requires a data plan. So if you don't need web access, maybe it would be better to just buy the phone outright and not be tied to a 2 year agreement since you'll probably end up paying for the same amount. I paid $199 for the phone (does not include the $100 rebate so its really $299). The unlocked version is $399. I wonder if I sent the rebate via Priority Mail if that would have made processing faster? I got a text message 4 weeks after I mailed the rebate that they just received my rebate and in the process of "processing" it.
Rating - A disappointing upgrade
I traded in a Treo 650 for this phone welcoming the slimmer, lighter design. Unfortunately, the usual Palm reliability had me replacing it during week 1. (I had to replace the 600 twice and the 650 once in the first month I had each).
I was disappointed to find that there were hardly any real upgrades. No stereo bluetooth and the new battery life is a joke. This phone should come with a permanent cord rather than a battery, the battery life is that short. The 650 would last for days, this phone barely makes it through the day before needing to be recharged. And don't even think about using Cingular xpress for email as it will drain your battery even faster.
If you want to use this phone as a poor man's iPod you can, but not without some challenges. At least the 680 comes with an mp3 player installed. (That is one upgrade from the 650) Unfortunately you still have to use a clunky adapter to listen to stereo. You even have to use the clunky adapter to listen to mono sound from audio books. You would think the mono sound would play through the bluetooth headset, but no such luck. You have to connect the headset to the external port with the clunky adapter even to listen to mono books.
In gereral a good phone, but not a great phone.
Rating  - So disappointed
I really wanted to love this phone. I am longtime Palm user and decided to try the Treo instead of carrying two devices. I use my Palm for just about everything: calendar, music, ereader, web, email, etc.
As noted by other reviewers, the battery life leaves a lot to be desired. It drains even when you turn EVERYTHING off. Thinking it was a bad battery, I bought another one. Same problem. I googled the problem and found this a common complaint. I found a posting that suggested a "soft reset," which entails removing the battery for a few minutes and then recharging. This resulted in a slight improvement, but nothing significant.
The touchscreen is either too sensitive or completely unresponsive. I've recalibrated the stylus too many times to count. Using the center button may or may not work. While in phone mode, I couldn't get it to stay the on-screen dial pad. Sigh.
I guess it's back to two devices.
Rating  - where are the other service providers on this item?
I passionately wanted this product after extensive reviews show it to be about the best Palm unit there is out there right now for the combination I need. But after Cingular changed my rate plan and tripled my monthly service charge without any notification early last year, then was quite rude on the phone as I cancelled my plan entirely (thank goodness THAT was possible), I would NEVER go with a Cingular plan ever again. ever. It's too bad. Why can't Cingular learn from some of the great service-models out there like LL Bean, the US postal service, and certain other service providers...? If your experience with Cingular is universally good, then go with this. otherwise, don't take the risk.
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