One important fact to remember throughout this review is that the Treo 700w is targeted not as an upgrade to existing Palm users, but as a product for Palm to sell to entire new markets of Windows Mobile users.

The Treo 700w is tough device for us to review. From what perspective should one look at it? Compare it to the 650? Compare it other Windows Mobile devices? Just focus on the pure usability aspects without using a specific reference?

We feel that the 700w is a great machine. Sure, there are some things that needs improvement (more consistent 5-way support, less tapping to accomplish actions, threaded SMS… more on it later), but we have to remember that this is Palm’s first experience with Windows Mobile. As expected, the hardware being on the 6th generation is excellent; it is the software that needs some additional usability tweaking.

The Treo 650 was not created overnight (see the Trip down memory lane article), and it will take Palm some time to incorporate the usability lesson learned from the previous products into the Windows Mobile platform. They have a good start. We feel that Windows Mobile offers a contemporary and stable platform for the Treo to grow, and with future usability tweaks it will make an even greater solution.

As the first Windows Mobile product reviewed extensively on TreoCentral, we have gone in depth, not only in the hardware, but into almost all of the included software and operating system. At more than seven thousand words, this review is perhaps too detailed for some of our users; thus we have created summary paragraphs at the top of each page for all of our major sections. These can be read on their own as a mini-review, and contain the key take home points for each section.

Hardware

Windows Mobile and Phone

Messaging and Connectivity

Core apps

Multimedia and Camera

Everything Else

Conclusion

From TreoCentral

Shimafuji’s SEMC5701 is a palm-sized Linux-based PC. The size is 2-inches by 2-inches by 1.7 inches, and it has all the necessary functions of a PC. It has the VR5701CPU processor from NEC, 64MB SDRAM, and 16MB flash ROM. The kernel has to be downloaded and installed from a Linux site. It carries a CF card slot, 5V power source, speaker output, microphone input, LAN, USB, RGB (CRT), DIP SW etc. It is sold for about $1330, ouch.

Product Page [Shimafuji]

From Gizmodo

We gave the Sony Ericsson W810i Walkman Phone a thumbs up at CES this year, but how about those accessories? The company also showed the MPS-60 portable speakers and the MDS-60 Music Desk Stand.

The MPS-60s are just 1.9×2.2×1.66 inches and come in gray, white, orange and silver. Simply plug the speakers into any music phone and off you go. They’re actually powered by the phone.

The MDS-60 is 2.1×4.7×7.9 inches and comes in silver, white and orange. It can plug into the wall or run on batteries and can be folded up to take with you anywhere.

Product Page [Sony Ericsson]

From Gizmodo.com

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In the market for a super-expensive car but just can’t decide which beauty to purchase? It’s tough, I know. But you may want to take a quick look-see at the 2007 Mercedes-Benz S-Class sedan, which’ll be out in February, equipped with all kinds of seriously geeky shit. An onboard radar system, automated acceleration and braking controls, and a night-vision display are just a few of the tech-related devices you’ll find onboard, and the distance control feature is the first that can maintain distances between cars at a set speed. Add to this accelerated airbag deployment, and what more could you ask for? Except some extra cash to buy the car, of course.

The Ultimate Geek Car? [Wired]

from Gizmodo.com