New Treo, still no Wi-Fi

John Chan | Sep 12, 2007

We don't want to keep dwelling on it, but Palm won't let us stop. Sure, it's a completely new approach to the Treo, with a screen that isn't touch-sensitive and all, but seriously, Palm, why can't you just give us the connectivity option no other smart phone maker dares to miss out?

Like the Treo 750v, the new Wi-Fi-less Treo 500v is exclusive to Vodafone. It runs on Windows Mobile 6 Standard, similar to what you will find on smart phones like the Asus M530w and Dopod C730. Its features include 3G data connectivity, Bluetooth, a 2-megapixel camera and the inability to connect to 802.11b/g networks at hotspots.

Admittedly, the Treo 750v had one of the best implementation of Windows Mobile with the user-friendly modifications and addons Palm made. It'll be best if that will apply for the 500v as well. Hopefully, it will also dull the pain of having to incur data charges everytime you need the Internet or emails on your 500v.

So, Palm wasn't lying when it said today's launch is not the Centro. It is actually the Gandolf as leaked in an earlier rumor. The 500v will first be available in Europe from October, and will come in white or gray. There is still no news yet on its Asia availability and pricing.