Palm developing more affordable Treo smartphone
updated 03:45 pm EDT, Fri September 22, 2006
Palm Developing Treo 680
Palm has always regarded its Treo line of smartphones as a component of its larger PDA line and priced the individual models, including the newer Treo 750, as high-end devices. The rapid shift towards smartphones in the market has left Palm reeling: challengers like HTC can offer simpler, less expensive smartphones that appeal to more users. Palm recognizes this and will soon introduce a budget Treo model, according to company CEO Ed Colligan. Dubbed the Treo 680, the new model would resemble the newer Treo 750 (pictured) but would strip the less essential features such as Bluetooth and WiFi, and would reduce the camera quality from its original 1.3-megapixel quality to a basic VGA resolution. EDGE support would remain, however, potentially creating one of the least-expensive smartphones capable of mobile broadband. Sources speaking to Palm news site Brighthand indicate that the 680 should be available in the US as soon as October via Cingular at prices of $200 or less without a contract.
