Palm planning budget Treo as Q-killer?
updated 12:20 pm EDT, Mon June 11, 2007
Palm Gandolf Leak
Palm is readying its first truly low-cost smartphone, according to a photo and specs leak. So far codenamed the "Gandolf," the handset would still include a QWERTY keyboard but would trim prices by using a regular 320x240 LCD instead of the Treo's historical touchscreen; the smartphone would also be the first to use Windows Mobile 6 Standard rather than version 5 or the costlier and touchscreen-friendly 6 professional, the source claims. In spite of the changes, the phone will reportedly include all the media functions of newer handsets, such as Bluetooth, a microSD slot, and a camera, placing it in direct competition with the Motorola Q but using newer software.
The photo shown reveals Vodafone branding, pointing to the phone's release in at least European territories on GSM networks and possibly including Internet support for carriers with EDGE or HSDPA data access, suiting it to US carriers such as AT&T and T-Mobile. A version has also been expected for CDMA networks that may include EVDO Revision A and work with both Sprint and Verizon. Pricing may be as low as $200, making it less expensive still than the Treo 680. Release windows for the phone and its sub-variants are unknown. [via Palm InfoCenter]
