What's on my Treo 650

My current favorite addition to my Treo is a two part one. I added a Stereo Bluetooth Headset (the BTST-9000D from Cellink) and Softick's Audio Gateway, which, togther let me listen to stereo music from my palm, or use the phone, both hands free with no wires! I love this! I listen to audio books while commuting and music on my motorcycle. In eaither case, I can answer the phone if it rings, talk hands free, and resume my listening when done!!

Programs I have installed and use

Free Utilities

Adobe Reader - display pdf files
AfterSync - Select a program you want to run after each sync. I use it to return to the clock/date display.
Big Clock - Large screen clock
Converter - Measurment converter
Directory Assistant - Phone Directory lookups
EzFTP - FTP client for palm
Filez - lets you manipulate and transmit files
Flight Status - Airline flight lookups
Keycaps600 - eliminates the need to keep pressing shift and option to type. An excellent program!
Minutes Plus - phone usage tracker
Mobipocket Reader - ebook reader
NetClock - set and adjust clock from internet time servers
Palm Puke - notifies you if your SD card ejects
Reader (EZ Reader) - scripture and ebook reader
Stoic - Keep your screen on in the cradle/charger
TuSSH - SSH client for the Palm
Yaps - Yet Another Password Safe - a great way to keep a copy of all your passwords.

Commercial Applications

Audio Gateway - This enables the use of Bluetooth wireless A2DP headphones to listen to stereo music!
BackupMan - backup your treo to your sd card! This program saved me the very next day after installing it on my Treo 600!
Card Export - Mount your MMC/SD card as a drive on your computer.
Chatter - - email program that does true push with imap servers!
pTunes - - MP3 player (requires a mmc or sd card)
Splash Shopper - shopping list manager

Stuff I am considering/evaluating

PalmHandZipper Lite - zip utility

BlueRemote

My top five recommends - What I'd most hate to lose!

Free

Commercial

No longer in use

MMPlayer - Works OK, I just don't need it enough to pay for it.
PAF viewer - Great for what it does, but just not something I was using.
Treo Helper - just not needed on my 650

Customization

Custom Overlay files

These are files you can load that will change the appearance or function of the system

Phone_ATT_Custom.prc file - This file customizes the phone startup and shutdown splash screens. I have built a customized version that shows this splash screen when the phone starts and a similar one when the phone shuts off. If you are interested, the following forum threads discuss how to do this, and have some pre-built custom splash files: ayasin's how-to thread with many CDMA pre-built files, anhill's thread on GSM versions.

Note: If you want this without trying overlays, you can do this (apearantly) with a program called Skinner for Treo 650/700p if you are willing to choose from their selection (pretty good) of premade "skins".

Firmware

(reconfiguring the way the phone boots - NOT for the faint of heart)

My phone, when purchased, was an unlocked Cingular unit, but I am using it on T-Mobile. What I really needed was a generic Unlocked GSM phone. Using jamesgangut's Custom ROM Tips and Tricks I was able to customize the ROMs, turning it into an Unlocked GSM, and then removing some of the stuff I didn't want (such as VersaMail - Chatter is MUCH better!). I can also add things to the ROM so they are there at bootup, even if I completely erase all memory!

While I don't recommend this to everyone, if you are interested, start reading about the process at this TreoCentral Forum. Be prepared to spend hours of reading to understand everything before starting!

I recently rebuilt my ROM again and replaced RealPlayer with a newer version and added filez and the splash screen mentioned in the Custom Overlay Section above so that if my phone is stollen, even if they totally clear memory, it still says it is mine!

NOTE: This is an inherently risky thing and it is possible that you could cause your phone to become non-functional (called bricking it, since it effectivly becomes an expensive brick) though carefull users should be able to make many modifications with little or no problem. You are hearby warned!)

Hardware (What accessories are used with my Treo!)

WOW!I have recently gotten a new headset. It is Cellink BTST-9000D headset that features both phone and stereo. This is cool, as I can use softick's Audio Gateway and listen to stereo music on my wireless headphons and then use the phone without changing anything!
US Modular 2 GB SD card - from Tiger Direct - Tiger Direct is a great place for electronics such as this. On Feb 21, 2007, I see 2G cards as low as $19.99.
Insten Treo 650 Multi-Function Cradle - This is a USB cradle that syncs and charges. It does NOT need a seperate power supply, but draws power from the USB port. I have one at the office and one at home.
2 in 1 Retractable Adapter Headset for Treo - $34.95 from Seidio - Yes, it sounds expensive, but with this, I use any pair of headphones I want for both phone and audio. No little adapter plug needed. Great sound quality. It is worth it to me!
Belt Clip Holster - $24.95 from ProClip - No more leather case that I have to constantly remove to use. This unit lets me keep the Treo on my belt with only the back exposed, but leaves it uncovered when I want to use it.
Sony/Ericsson HBH-PV700 bluetooth headset - I love this, it practically lives in my ear.
PowerUp USB Bluetooth/USB adapter (for my computer) - This allows me to transfer files, sync via Bluetooth, and more.

What's on other people's Treo 650

Michael Connick of The Connected PDA
Marc Orchant at theofficeweblog
Everything Treo forum with many posts of what people have on their 650's
Leo Notenboom of AskLeo!.

Usefull Treo and Palm sites

My Palm Portal site

http://themcgees.org/scott/palm/

This page has been accessed many times since Feb. 22, 2007.

Page maintained by Scott McGee
Scott@theMcGees.org.