Between phone pad input and the dying and inefficient Palm Graffiti, it's no wonder that the mini-keyboard that RIM innovated is showing up on more devices and becoming more popular. The keypad, pictured in Figure B, is a great feature of the Treo 180 and facilitates the easy use of SMS, chat, and mail functions.

FIGURE B


The keypad is a great feature of the Treo 180. Roll over picture for a larger image.

The Treo and phones like it will open up SMS as a way to "chat" without having to "dial in." This can be an advantage given the cost of airtime and other issues. However, very few people are capable of using SMS on their existing phones, so it will take awhile for this trend to increase as it has in Japan. To prove this, I took a group of five random co-workers and sent them SMS messages to see if they could respond. None of them responded. Some didn't find the interface usable. Others experienced quirks like reply not working because the return number was lost as the message went from Cingular to ATT. Others called me or didn't find the message, wondering what the cute little envelope on their phone meant.

Conclusions
The Treo is a great device that has changed the way I work. There are some limitations, such as the cost and mail function, but overall I like the device. In some ways, I also miss the Blackberry, however, especially for mail. Maybe with the right feedback, Handspring will get together with RIM, share technology, and take a lead in the fully integrated communicator space. Until then, I look forward to the evolution of the Treo and the networks that support it. I also think that, considering how many providers are required to connect me to a single mail message, some consolidation in the industry may be in order, as well.

Chris Guella is a business consultant in financial services and lives and works in Charlotte, NC. He can be reached at cguella@mindspring.com.