Treo pda cell phone on T-mobile

masraum · 07:59 PM

My wife is wanting an organizer. She'd like one of the integrated cell phone models. She's not technically savy, so she needs one that is reliable, easy to use, and she doesn't need a ton of functions. Probably the primary uses will be to keep lists and as a calendar. I've looked at a few and the Treos seem like they are easy to use and more geared towards what she's looking for than something like a blackberry that seems mostly geared towards pop and corp email. She doesn't need email to be mobile.

Any thoughts, experience, etc...?

Oh, and if you didn't gather from the subject, we are on T-Mobile and won't be changing.

I've told her that she could probably get a separate, inexpensive pda for less and just have two devices. I'm thinking that for $99 she could get a pda instead of a $200-$300 pda/phone.

jkarolyi · 12-16-2005, 08:36 PM

I have a Treo 600 on T-Mobile for the past year and am addicted to the service. I have all my phone numbers, addresses, and appointments in one device and it all backs up onto my computer! Plus it's great for text messaging Having one device beats having to keep track of/lugging around two different devices. And it's very easy to use.

She'll love it.

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

I had a 600, now have a 650. But i do not use it as a phone...I hate the form factor (too big/heavy and I prefer clamshells). I have a Moto v600 for my phone, and use the 650 as a data device. The Moto goes everywhere with me, the 650 some places (when I want/need email/web/chat capabilities).

cantdrv55 · 12-16-2005, 10:13 PM

I have the 600 on Verizon. Love it as a phone, can't live w/o it as a PDA. Great for text messaging but tough to use for emails. Most emails are lengthier and have attachments so for that I still use my laptop.

JavaBrewer · JavaBrewer's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by nostatic
I had a 600, now have a 650. But i do not use it as a phone...I hate the form factor (too big/heavy and I prefer clamshells). I have a Moto v600 for my phone, and use the 650 as a data device. The Moto goes everywhere with me, the 650 some places (when I want/need email/web/chat capabilities).

So, is that the next logical step for iPod? With the same UI I'm looking, probably waiting, for that device...

JavaBrewer · JavaBrewer's Garage

Phone, calender, contacts, mp3, and 40GB of data storage, iPod UI, now that's what I'm talkin bout.

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

the iPhone has been rumored for some time. The Moto phone with iTunes that was released was a joke and Apple knew it...but notice that it wasn't an Apple product.

Steve said there wouldn't be a video iPod for years. We now have a video iPod. In that case, he had to negotiate the content deals before the device meant anything.

A phone is trickier. The cell business is in huge transition right now as the major backhaul carriers and the public sides try to figure out how to make money. Nokia has been in the dumps for over a year. Moto is just recently getting back on track, and that was at the expense of their chip business. I don't think Apple wants to branch into the cell phone market *unless* it becomes a major content/entertainment distribution mode. To day, content on cell phones (something beyond ring tones) has made almost no penetration. If that changes, then I'd look for the possibility.

But in this case, the proper content just isn't there. Creating compelling content for a phone screen/environment is different that creating for tv/film and even web. I'm teaching a class on portable video at the cinema school next semester...it'll be interesting to see what the students make for their projects (we're targeting iPod, PSP and cell phones).

kaisen · 12-17-2005, 05:11 PM

I've had a Treo 650 since they came out about a year ago. Use it 3000+ minutes per month phone and ALL the time for everything else, including email. Love it. No problems.

E

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

Treo 700 is coming out with integrated wifi. T-Mobil has only been offering the Treo 600 which does not have blue tooth which means no wireless headset. The Treo (600, 650, 700) are lousy phones. Better than Blackberries, but still. The Bluetooth headset makes my 650 reasonable. Everything else I love about the 650 and it's a can't live without it.

Todd: If you like the 650 and you carry the V600, why not just get a Lifedrive?

masraum · 12-17-2005, 09:40 PM

It's weird, reading reviews online I see people who complain about the OS/phone (treo 600 and 650) being unstable and crashing and the touch screen dying or permanently losing it's calibration, and then there are others like Kaisen who say they've never had a problem. I guess I'll fork out the cash for my wife to get a 650 since the screen/graphics are so much better. What the hell, it's Christmas after all.

cantdrv55 · 12-17-2005, 10:38 PM

I've never had any problems with my 600. I bought it used and subscribe to Verizon for 2000 minutes/month. I use nearly all my minutes since my cell phone IS my office phine.

masraum · 12-18-2005, 12:39 AM

cool, thanks, bought a new one off of ebay tonight. She didn't want a used, ah well, it's only money, and it is X-mas. Hopefully I get one of the good ones. I suppose as long as she doesn't use it as a coaster for drinks or a Ninja throwing star it'll probably be fine.

All of this research has made me want one, but I think it would collect dust if it was mine, besides, it doesn't make the miata any faster...

CamB · CamB's Garage

I've got a 650 - don't buy the Palm cradle. And don't drop it - if you do it enough times the screen will crack. So, my screen still works, but is cracked...

I'm not super-happy with mine - the OS is pretty unstable. It seems to like resetting in really hot weather, and is struggles to deal well with a weak signal. I do love having my email/contacts/huge txt history and music/photos/video (on an SD card).

Disclaimer: Still on the original firmware - too lazy to upgrade...