I got the Treo about 4 weeks ago through the Handspring web site. I had been planning to get a PDA, but I really didn't want to carry around two electronic devices in my pockets. I figured the the Treo would save me the trouble of carrying around both a cell and a PDA. I got the unit for $399 with Cingular access. When I bought it, they only offered a Cingular deal, but they now offer Voicestream as well. The Treo is quite small for a PDA and a bit large for a cell phone, and it fits in the front pocket nicely.

I have seen a few complaints about Cingular on various Treo-oriented sites, and can't see what the fuss is about. I have driven all over L.A. and all the way up to Napa, CA so far, with no reception or connection problems whatsoever. The only complaints I have are:

-The phone, even at max volume, is a bit weak. It also has echo problems periodically when I use the speaker phone.

-The battery life is pretty short. This is especially noticeable when you use the PDA often.

On the other hand, the PDA has decent memory (16 megs), and the seamless integration between the contacts list in the PDA, the cell apps, and the PC I sync with is great. I haven't had a dropped call or busy network since I started using the phone, and I commute regularly straight through Los Angeles from Pasadena to Irvine (about 50-60 miles, 80-100 km). Of course, I don't know anything about the quality of Cingular access anywhere else.

Anyway...back to the original question: in order to trigger the cell mute line, what do I have to do? Is it as simple as applying 12V to the cell mute wire?