The Palm Treo 650 smartphone rang in the new year with top scores on our ratings list in innovation, performance, ease of integration, ease of use, functionality, and value. This device earned the number one slot in our Mobile Products of the Year award for PDAs and smartphones.

If the Treo does one thing well, it integrates the many tasks of a mobile professional by combining the features of a cell phone, e-mail, an organizer, messaging and Web access in a single device. Each of the Treo's features is accessible by a QWERTY keyboard and the device supports Bluetooth technology, which enables it to connect wirelessly to other Bluetooth-compatible devices such as headsets and GPS navigation systems.

A database of phone numbers is a QWERTY touch away or, if they prefer, business users can access their contacts using an on-screen dial pad. Other phone features include speakerphone, speed dialing, conference calling, call history and caller ID. Managing contacts on-the-go is simplified because Treo users can synchronize calendar information and contacts with their computer via built-in Microsoft Exchange Server ActiveSync. Business users can also view, edit, and create Word- and Excel- compatible documents, or pull up PowerPoint presentations for review.

Catering to the lighter side of a mobile professional's life, Palm's Treo 650 includes an MP3 player and a digital camera that captures video that can be displayed on its 320x320 color screen. Users can also use a Treo 650, which is powered by the Intel PXA270 processor, to send text messages as well as e-mail messages with video clips and photos attached.

While combining so many features in such a small package is handy, there are extras to look out for. Support for e-mail, messaging, and Web access require data services from a mobile service provider at an additional cost, and ISP support pricing varies by service provider.

Mobile professionals can expand the functions of their Treo 650 smartphone by adding applications available for Palm Powered devices, or by using the MultiMediaCard/SD Card expansion slot, which will let them add SD cards for pictures, music, books, games and memory. The Treo 650 expansion cards are sold separately.

Amanda Mitchell