Blazer is also included with the Treo. It is in ROM, so now we have another OS that ties in the web browser. Blazer 2 has a Speed Dial style of displaying bookmarks that I actually prefer to the Phone application. It is easier to tell which bookmark is selected because the complete button is inverted. The Phone Speed Dial puts () on the selected button, which is harder to see.

Data calls are modem calls, so they are pretty slow. The Treo is upgradeable to GPRS, which will allow much faster transfers. I wish Handspring would release that update soon, as VoiceStream already has it available in certain areas under the moniker iStream.

SMS

I was on a business trip in Malaysia earlier this year and saw people using SMS more than normal phone calls. Back home on my Nokia, I used its predictive-input method to send just a few SMS messages in the five months that I've owned it. I've already sent many times that with the Treo, which I believe has the ability to jump-start SMS in the U.S. Handspring has done a really good job with the SMS application. Pressing the New button brings up a drop-down listing that lets you search for a number or select a person whom you recently sent a message. The Boilerplate is not just saved text; the entries are dialogue boxes for quickly entering text. For example, tap "Running Late" and you can specify how many minutes late you are. It's nice touches like these that really makes using the Treo a joy to use. The only thing that I would like to see Handspring do is have an indicator icon on the Applications screen that indicates a new SMS has arrived, because if I get three messages while I'm away, I only see a notice on the last one received.

Usability

The Treo is the first smartphone that is actually usable. Dialing numbers is fast, and the keyboard makes the Treo very easy to use for new handheld owners. No Graffiti to learn! You still have to pull out the stylus sometimes (especially on the Applications screen), but most applications accept OPT Enter and other combinations. I also like that I can access menu items via the keyboard.

I must admit, I miss the Springboard slot. I want to have the Backup Module, my security blanket, with me when I travel. I have not had any hard resets with the Treo 270, and hope that that never happens when I am on the road.

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