The wait is over. PalmOne has officially released updater 1.13 (Firmware 1.28 / Software 1.13) for unlocked GSM Treo 650s. After leaked beta firmware versions 1.21 and 1.23, this is the first official firmware update to address problems including the infamous NVFS memory structure. I've only finished the upgrade about an hour ago so it will take me a while to notice other changes, fixes or enhancements. Betas 1.21 and 1.23 weren't as stable as the older official 1.15 and I hope 1.28 could improve in the stability area.

Now I truly hope some insider could release an SD card based updater of 1.13 so I could again create my own custom ROM image, getting rid of unused language files and wastes like RealPlayer while adding in modules like CJKOS, etc. Right now I have over 12MB of free RAM so I can live without a custom ROM. After all, let's hope this new version makes the already great Treo 650 an even greater smart phone!

UPDATE: I've been running my updated Treo 650 for two weeks now and it's been rock solid. While there's still no sign of an "official" SD updater I don't feel I need it so much as I have more than 12MB of RAM available and don't plan to add a lot of apps (no time to play games, hehe.)

SUMMARY: Firmware 1.28/Software 1.13 is well worth the wait. Get it if you still haven't.