Palm/Treo fanatics rejoice! Next week on January 5, 2006; the world will see the very first Windows Mobile-based smartphone from Palm, and that is the Treo 700w!

Pricing? From Verizon Wireless: 1-year contract – $549.99, 2-years contract – $499.99, no contract – $619.99.

This compact smartphone comes with a host of features:

• Runs on Windows Mobile 5.0
• 240×240 TFT touch-screen
• Back-lit QWERTY keyboard
• 1.3-megapixel camera
• EV-DO support for fast internet access
• Microsoft Windows Media Player 10
• Microsoft Pocket Excel
• Microsoft Pocket Internet Explorer
• Microsoft Pocket Outlook
• Microsoft Pocket Word
• Wireless sync
• Built-in Bluetooth
• 128MB Flash/60MB RAM
• Up to 280 minutes of talk-time
• Up to 360 hours of standby-time
• 2.30(H) x 4.40(W) x 0.90(D) inches (58.4 x 111.8 x 22.9mm)
• Weighs 170g

As we can see the phone lacks WiFi; perhaps EV-DO is the saving grace. Its 240×240 display could have been better as well. We shall see how well it scores when reviews start sprouting.

If you prefer Palm OS to Windows Mobile, then the Treo 650 is what you should stick to. Find one now on eBay.

[via Gizmodo, HowardForums]