Pelicanheads, tell me about you PDA/smart phone

[scottmandue]

I felt the Origami thead was getting over run with comment about other mobile devices. I was on the verge of getting a Blackberry when the whole legal flap began.
So much to look at... Blackberry/Treo/Pocket PC/etc. and of course they all claim to be the be all do all, however I hear stories "great phone, sucky PDA" or "great PDA but the phone doesn't work!". I poke around CNET for reviews before I buy but like anything on the Internet you sometimes get conflicting opinions (on the Internet, no way!).
I'm with T-mobile and pretty happy with their service, they have something called a MDA that looks interesting but a little pricey.

MDA

Interesting that that phone is rated mediocre by CNET staff but excellent by users.

Anyway, I dare you to tell me all about PDA phones!

[RANDY P]

I have a TREO 650 from Cingular. All I can say - is that if you're a heavy user, it'll get annoying quick. I've gotten used to it however and it's a godsend esp. if you're traveling - get email anywhere..

The phone section is clumsy and unreliable at best. Small buttons, finicky controls, tendency to simply go "beep" and shut off when attempting a call. Battery life is decent even at 4,000 minutes + a month.

From a PDA standpoint, works well - Palm OS has a gang of cheap software, and the calendars and database management is decent. Interfacing it with a Windows machine with Outlook is good - reliable.
Software can be found and downloaded anywhere. There are more accessories for this phone than all the others out on the market - probably has the heaviest support of all the PDA phones.

http://blog.treonauts.com/

Attachments -Will reciever standard picture extensions, and PDF -Technically the phone can view .PDF files, but that requires a special conversion process so if you do that (I do) be prepared. You have to get it converted on your desktop computer, then upload it into the phone. If you need native .PDF (like if in email) then you're screwed. No way to do it.

Email - Mine came with Versamail and it does a reasonable job of interfacing with 4 POP3 accounts I use, and you can actually do some pretty good work with it. Forward attachments, include attachments, and it's reliable.

All you need to really set up a Treo are two programs - "Volumecare" - out of the box the Treo has terrible handset volume - fixes that and "stopdim" - prevents the screen from shutting off during calls so you can still use the buttons. "Butler" is cool if security is an issue - you can text msg. your own phone and it'll erase itself and lock up so it's unusable.

Internet access is OK, but you're not going to be reaching for the phone to surf if a computer is available. You can enable cookies so you can post to Pelican OT Since you're on TMobile you'll probably need an unlocked Treo since they don't offer Treo on TMobile - I'm assuming it works since both are GSM. If you're gonna switch service, they just released the TREO 700 but it's Windows OS instead of Palm - faster internet connection but who knows if it works right?

No WiFi in these things yet, but to most no big deal. Bluetooth is built in and works well.

rjp

[imcarthur]

What do you want it for? Phone? Email? Surfing?

I use a Blackberry 7750 - non-BlueTooth. Great for email. OK for phone but for clarity you need a headset. You can hear fine, but callers complain about noise without one. Not good for surfing because frames etc slow it down or make it virtually useless. I understand the latest models are much better. Buttons are OK once you get used to them but you will start replying in short form like the rest of us users.

I can't really understand the value in surfing on a micro screen anyway. My eyesight ain't that good.

Ian

[scottmandue]

What do I want it for?
In order of functionality (is that a word?)

#1 Phone
#2 Calender
#3 Email
#4 Light surfing = sports scores, looking up addresses
The new phones are coming out with wifi whereas I have not been interested in web surfing on the phone it may become more interesting. Just think I could post to PP while having a cold one at the local wifi pub!

[Halm]

Smartphones are GREAT devices. They are so good that we have change the direction of our consulting practice to focus on them.

Ok, now that you have identified that your #1 use is phone, forget about the PDA style devices. Go with a Smartphone like a Cingular 2125. Question #2 needs to be "what are you going to sync with?" If it is corporate and you are running an Exchange server then you are really in luck. Not only will your calender sync automatically but email, contacts and tasks as well.

No corporate Exchange server? Then depending on what you really want, and for between $5-10 per month, use an Exchange hosting service like 4Smartphone.com .

PM me with any questions. I may not be able to help you with your 944, but this is what we do for a living!

[imcarthur]

btw I am with Bell Mobility in Canada but my Blackberry use is in southeast US when I'm on the road.

The thing that separates Blackberry is the instant email. That is what I like. If I have cell service, I have email service. Lately, I have been telling my customers to email me, not phone. I keep it on vibrate, so I can ignore it when I'm in front of a customer but I'm aware it arrived. I always think the height of ignorance is taking a call when you are 'on'. Then when I hit the rental I can read & respond.

And I don't have to look for WiFi. Or go through the quirks that every hotel has.

It also syncs seemlessly via cradle with my contacts, calendar etc on my home based office computer.

But the web sucks on it.

Ian

[Halm]

Originally posted by imcarthur
. . . The thing that separates Blackberry is the instant email.
Ian

Ian, with an Exchange backend, you have the same thing. The only question is if it is SMS triggered or "direct push".

[campbellcj]

I have an iPaq 5455 but frankly it has been more of a PITA than a useful tool...maybe the later versions of Windows Mobile have improved (it has 2002), I dunno.

My phone is a Sony Ericsson T637. It is the best phone I've had so far. My main priority in a phone, besides good signal/voice quality is small size, i.e. small enough to go in my pants pocket and barely be noticed. For that reason the bulky pda/phone combo devices are zero interest to me. This phone has email, web, bluetooth, camera, calendar, games, etc. and is about half the size of an iPaq, Treo or Blackberry type of thing. It syncs with Outlook as well.

I have my big laptop with me nearly all the time so I just don't need to duplicate all that capability in another device that won't fit in my pocket and has a useless tiny keyboard.

[scottmandue]

Halm T-mobile seems to have their version of the 2125, any other smartphones you like?

Tmobile repacaged 2125

[imcarthur]

Hal

I figured as much, but I'm drifting away as a techie so I don't follow the new technologies anymore. I'm too old . . .

I stopped carrying a laptop because of nuisance - weight, security & connection hassles. I don't miss it on the road. I travel very light.

Ian

[nostatic]

My treo650 is great for email and IM. I don't do push though, preferring to use Snapper (an imap/pop client). I do not use it as a phone though unless my other one has gone missing. I find the formfactor to be too big and bulky for everyday carry on my person. I do carry it in my computer bag though, or in a backpack if I'm out and about.

For phone I've always been partial to Moto. My v600 was great. although I recently moved "up" to a V3X (next generation razr). Has a 2pm camera, does video, and a decent form factor. It's ok, although the dtsn mini screen on the outside is useless compared to the only monochrome one on the v600. The interior screen though is big and bright. Can do im, email and web in a pinch, but for anything other than the occasional message you need either stylus/text recognition or a keyboard. It doesn't yet sync with iSync, but I have managed to wean myself away from exchange and instead keep my calendar in iCal, syncing with .mac. I anticipate support for the v3x as soon as they are actually sold in the US.

[Halm]

Guys, the new Smartphones are first and foremost the BEST phones I have ever had. I'll look up for what T-Mobile calls their version of the phone. We don't have T-Mobile in NC but I know they carry it, just not the name they use. In any case, the 2125 and several other versions are all made by HTC, a great mfg. As for Treo's, the 700w by Verizon is another favorite. More of a "2nd cousin" than a successor to the 650.

Convergence, gentlemen, convergence!!!

[imcarthur]

Originally posted by Halm
Convergence, gentlemen, convergence!!!

- INSERT PRIMAL SCREAM HERE -

I'm trying to escape technology as well as utilize it. My brain is too slow to process it all, so I only need it when I need it.

Ian

[nostatic]

i've heard nothing but bad things about the treo 700...big step backwards.

[911skb]

Thought I'd move my post over here from the Origami thread.

I use a Pocket PC 6700 from Sprint.

Windows Mobile 5
ActiveSync to our Exchange server (email, contacts, calendar)
EVDO-around 400kbps or 1xRTT-around 70kbps
WiFi
Bluetooth
Slide out QWERTY keboard, much better than Treo or BB
Mini SD card up to 1Gig (possibly 2Gig now)
Windows Media Player for songs, videos.
Camera, video recorder.
Mini USB port.
You can control it from our PC via the mini USB if needed.
I'm sure you can find an external keyboard via mini USB or Bluetooth.
Battery life is one full day with heavy data useage.
Full MS Office suite.
Lots of programs out there to install.
I bought Microsoft Pocket Streets mapping sw, even was able to load maps of Germany and the 'Ring (just in case I happen to go someday).

Best thing is, I can read and post to Pelican BBS anywhere. At the clothing store waiting for my wife, airport, waiting room, etc.

[cantdrv55]

Originally posted by nostatic
i've heard nothing but bad things about the treo 700...big step backwards.

What have you heard? I'm about to upgrade to the 700 from the Treo 600? I don't want to make a $499 mistake so please elaborate or steer me in the right direction.

[nostatic]

the main issue is the screen resolution (down to 240x240 from 320x320). Camera is better but still crappy. Runs windows mobile so if you're into that, then the 700 is an ok choice. I don't think they make very good phones though...had too many friends have issues with straight phone usage (odd freezes, reboots, etc).

[cantdrv55]

My 600 freezes once in a while. I thought it was because I had purchased a used and slightly abused Treo to begin with. The 650 does have a way better screen than the 700 plus I really like Palm OS. I just thought I should go with the 700 because the trend seems to be going towards Windows on PDAs and I didn't want to end up with an obsolete machine in a year or less.

I think I'll go for the 650 and save $200. Thanks for the heads up.

[Halm]

Originally posted by nostatic
i've heard nothing but bad things about the treo 700...big step backwards.

Can't completely agree with you on this one.

1.) It is only the Palm biggots that bought it without any research and then whine because it isn't a "Palm". The 700w is not the successor to the 600/650. It is a whole new branch of the family tree and is an attempt by Palm to draw new users (read Windows users) into their camp.

2.) It is great only if you have great Verizon coverage. Verizon as a business is very heavy handed with what they allow and don't allow. For example, they make you buy a WiFi card instead of building it in. HTC is the actual manufacturer for the 700w and most of the other WM devices in the US and they include it in all their products. But, Cingular did the samething with the 2125. Go figure. . .

Then again, I agree with Todd on one major point. Palm has a design problem and ActiveSync dies after a few days. If you want to sync with a computer then you pretty much have to use Bluetooth, but there are reports of that crapping out too. The only sure sync right now is OTA with Exchange. Since our customers run Exchange, they are very happy but I can see an individual not having the same feelings.

Finally, keep in mind that WM5 devices are first and foremost "business" devices intended to go after Blackberry. Yes they have a lot of other cool features that will attract the phone enthusiast but that is not their primary role. You really need to understand what you want and then what you are buying.

[ChrisBennet]

According to a couple of people I work with, the phone part of the Samsung 730 isn't that great.
-Chris