Sometimes it's the small things that count!

Ever since the Treo 680 was released I have had a yearning for a new Treo. But like many others I found the mediocre spec increase of the 680 not enough to make me want to switch up.

Well being a gadget-head and always pining over the newest cool thing, I couldn't take having my older 650 after I bought my wife a new I-Phone. While the I-Phone is a fantastic device and perfect for my WIFE (especially after I hacked it), it just isn't right for me.

So having AT&T and refusing to use a Windows Mobile device, I took another look at the Treo 680. Here's what I liked superficially:

1. Color ... I wanted a Copper, but would be almost as happy with a Crimson.
2. 3 Times the internal memory
3. Better Data Network functionality
4. Upgraded Bluetooth
5. Slightly Smaller Form Factor
6. No Antenna

Here's the Bad I had heard:

1. HORRIBLE ... not bad, but HORRIBLE battery life. (less than half the power output of the 650 battery)
2. Worse Cell reception than the 650

So I found a great deal, decided like usual I could buy the 680, sell my 650 and make out either even or slightly ahead ... so why not.

Here is what I found

1. Loved the colored phone, but it made it more difficult to choose cases
2. The greater memory is fantastic. All of the apps that I had running off the card with Zlauncher could now be in main memory. Also I could now install all of the extra icons I have for Agendus.
3. Better Data Network functionality. The data network is night and day compared to the 650
4. The Bluetooth on this is improved ten fold over the 650.
5. The clarity on a headset, speed of connection/pairing, and
6. My bluetooth stereo headphones work GREAT now with Audio Gateway
7. (before it was really touch and go).
8. Also a far better bluetooth hotsync speed.
9. While the form factor is smaller, I almost find this a problem. The lack of bulk makes it a little harder to hold on to.
10. No Antenna is actually very nice ... it does lose a bit of the classic TREO look though.
11. PERSONALLY I use the phone quite a lot and have no issues with the battery. I charge it every night and some nights it's at 20%, others it's at 75%. It's a smaller battery ... I can except that.
12. My cell reception has been FAR BETTER than with my 650. I get perfect reception everywhere I used to with my 650 AND places I NEVER had reception with my 650.
13. Because of the increased RAM size Tom Tom works better than ever
14. Unexpected but the change that made the switch TOTALLY worth it was a GREATLY
15. improved signal to noise level on the audio output. The Treo650 is horribly noisy, especially
16. when listening with headphones. The 680 is crystal clear.

The Not So Good:

1. 1. Slower OS speeds. Changing catatgories, rebooting, touchscreen responsiveness are ALL noticeably slower. This is a fine trade off to me for what has been improved even if it's a bit curious.
2. SD Card door is kinda flimsy. I use Card Export II for my transfers to my 8 GB SD card more now so I am not constantly opening and closing the flimsy little side door for the SD Card.
3. Really wish they would have upgraded the camera still, but the quality still seems a bit better than the 650 especially in lower light.

Well that's about it. Loving the new Treo680 and finding I made a wise switch.