Palm Treo 680 Smartphone

In a highly-anticipated press conference on Thursday, Palm released its first Treo handset targeted at the rapidly growing base of mainstream smartphone users. The Treo 680 occupies a space between the now-inexpensive 650 and the newer 700/750 models, but should also have appreciated new design elements. Conspiciously, the 680 sheds a considerable amount of the bulk of the 650 and 700, dropping slightly in overall size and internalizing the antenna. The PalmOS-based phone has also been modernized with EDGE broadband support on GSM-equipped models, a faster web browser, and Internet radio streaming.

To liven the phone and appeal to buyers outside Palm's normal business sphere, the company says it will ship the Treo 680 in four colors: crimson, graphite, orange, and silver. Pricing and availability have yet to be determined and will vary by carrier, but a key indicator of its likely cost is the reduction of the camera to VGA (0.3-megapixel) resolution from the 1.3 megapixels of the 700. The 680 will be the lowest-priced Treo ever, says Palm. Click through for a gallery of the four available colors.

By Electronista Staff