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I was hoping that there might be some really technologically-masterful, kind-hearted people out there who could finally shed some bright light on this subject. I work for a law firm that subscribes to Sprint (we get to keep the phones we choose, even if we leave the firm). While the firm will pay for the service, we must pick up the tab for the phone. In my case, that means $249.00. This PDA-type smartphone is/will be my first and I had to make the transition to a PDA-type smartphone because I was strongly advised by ALL of the people in my office that a smartphone would make my job (and life) much more manageable.

So, I called Sprint and spoke to a representative. I explained my needs and the rep recommended the Treo 800w because it was released only a week earlier and was one the “top-of-the-line phones on the market.” I asked about Blackberry, but he said the Treo 800w would be better than the Blackberry Curve for my purposes. I have the option to send it right back within 30 days – no questions asked – in exchange for any other phone in Sprint’s lineup. The Treo 800w just happens to be the most expensive in Sprint’s lineup, so I have the option to choose any other phone they carry. To make a long story even longer, I ordered the 800w despite advice from cazed, impassioned Blackberry and Palm Treo fans in my office. I just chose to order the 800w (and have now had it for 2 1/2 weeks) because it was the most recently released and because the rep told me it was superior to the Blackberry Curve, for my needs. I list my requirements below with the hope that some really super-mega-knowledgable good souls can provide me and others with some really sound advice.

So the following are the most important features to me on a PDA-type smartphone:

(1) fast, reliable, and genuinely useful internet service on the road;
(2) the ability to generate documents from the device itself;
(3) reliable and accurate GPS, and
(4) a good camera with video functionality since I often need it to take pictures and/or videos in connection with my work.

Now, lemmee just finally tell ya’all about my experience with this phone in the past 2 1/2 weeks so I can determine whether I got “a piece,” whether I just need to spend more time with this thing and learn how to use it (yes, I’ve read the manual), or whether I should send it back for a Blackberry.

I post this long question with the hope that the answers will help many others in the same position who must rely on devices such as this one to make life a little less chaotic and to make a living.

I have now been using the Palm Treo 800w for approximately 2 1/2 weeks and have observed that while it was initially and still is fairly difficult to use with regard to the features and functions of the phone (hardware and software), it appears to be an extremely feature-rich phone that works well and quickly, but learning how to use it proficiently seems to be a pain.

The primary difficulty with the phone seems to be maneuvering the complicated Microsoft Mobile Pro 6.1 operating system which many claim is more adaptable and easier to use in professional networking than Blackberries. I know nothing on this topic, so I defer to the experts that will respond. While I am fairly proficient in computers, I have no clue as to how that translates into smartphones. It just seems that performing any simple function on this phone isn’t so simple and requires too many steps. AND, the multiple steps a user has to perform to utilize the function he/she needs to acccess leave programs running in the background which must be closed to maintain the operational efficiency of the system. Also, if people find this bit of information important, the 800w speaker produces horrible sound in my opinion and crackles more than a bowl of Rice Krispies in ice cold milk.

Since this is my first smart phone, I’d like to know whether this is just part of the natural transition from a small flip-type cell phone to a smartphone, or whether Mircrosoft Mobile 6.1 Pro on the Treo 800w is worth the effort to learn. Also, is one really technically better (as between the Treo 800w and Blackberry Curve) or more likely to be more-widely used by industry in the future?

Thanks a bunch in advance for any well-informed information regarding this issue. I hope some of the information discussed in this posting will be helpful to others who have to make a living using these phones. Thanks again for reading!!!

Thanks so much for your responses thus far. Alas, after spending almost 3 weeks with the Treo 800w, I have concluded that it is simply to difficult to use. Even if one reads through the manual (as I have) and is somewhat technically savvy (as I am), this operating system just needs to made more simple. Additionally, the speaker on the phone distorts and crackles sound, there is no flash, battery life is extremely poor, and the lack of a conventional 3.5mm jack for a conventional earphone/headset really makes matters even more difficult. This phone is indeed feature-rich and has remarkable capabilities, but if one is not able to use those functions efficiently, then the entire utility of the phone is diminished. I’d still like to hear any additional comments regarding the 800w, but for my part, I think I am going to return/exchange it for the Blackberry Curve 8330.
Hello there, and thanks so much for taking the time to write. How long have you had your 800w? My dilemma is really the following in the simplest terms. I like the form factor (appearance) of the 800w, and it appears, strictly from a technical specification standpoint, that the 800w is superior. While the Treo has more memory (256MB) than the BB Curve, better resolution, document programs (MS Word), independent Wifi, and yes, the stylus, which I actually like as well, the BB Curve just seems easier to use. However, after having read through the 800w manual and actually having used it “out in the field” for almost a month, I still find it extremely frustrating to operate. For me, the configuration of the MS Mobile 6.1 system on the 800w is not intuitive. My other issues are some more basic: crackling speaker at high levels, lack of an earphone jack, lack of a flash (which can often be used as a flashlight), and voice dialing issues. I hope this info helps others. Thanks!