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  1. #1
    Robert A. Fink, M. D.
    Guest
    My wife's PDA (an ancient Palm m515) has finally gone to heaven and
    her RAZR v 3 phone is showing signs of senility. She is considering
    replacement with a "smart phone" of some type, and I might just go
    along as well (I use a RAZR and a Palm Tungsten C PDA which is still
    working OK).

    We have looked at several units and nothing appears to be "just
    right". Our impressions to date:

    1. The Treo phones (using the Palm OS) are somewhat long in the tooth.
    The future for the Palm OS is also questionable. We like the Palm OS,
    but it seems to be "moving on".

    2. The units running the Windows Mobile system, I am told, are slow
    and kludgy.

    3. The Blackberry units are difficult to type on, and again, there is
    an OS problem. Are the operating systems interchangeable (for example,
    if we buy something other than a Palm-based unit, will we be able to
    synch all of our present Palm data onto the new unit)?

    4. The Apple iPhone appears to be a nice piece of equipment, but it
    has several shortcomings, including having to work through iTunes,
    battery replacement problems, a "mediocre" phone (by report), not
    compatible with 3G service (I use ATT's Laptop Connect service); and
    it remains relatively pricey.

    Any thoughts from this Group?


    Many thanks,

    Bob

    Robert A. Fink, M. D., FACS, P. C.
    Neurological Surgery
    2500 Milvia Street Suite 222
    Berkeley, CA 94704-2636 USA
    510-849-2555

    "Ex Tristitia Virtus"



    See More: Replacement of PDA and phone




  2. #2
    SMS
    Guest

    Re: Replacement of PDA and phone

    Robert A. Fink, M. D. wrote:

    > 4. The Apple iPhone appears to be a nice piece of equipment, but it
    > has several shortcomings, including having to work through iTunes,
    > battery replacement problems, a "mediocre" phone (by report), not
    > compatible with 3G service (I use ATT's Laptop Connect service); and
    > it remains relatively pricey.


    The iPhone is actually not all that pricey, but it's limited in
    functionality. Definitely wait for the new 3G model if going with the
    iPhone.

    The best choice is the HTC Tilt 8925 / TyTN II (Kaiser). This is far
    more fully featured than the iPhone, with 3G, voice-dialing, GPS, and a
    better OS. It's about the same price as the iPhone because you get a
    discount for a contract renewal.



  3. #3
    Kurt
    Guest

    Re: Replacement of PDA and phone

    In article <[email protected]>,
    "Robert A. Fink, M. D." <[email protected]> wrote:

    > My wife's PDA (an ancient Palm m515) has finally gone to heaven and
    > her RAZR v 3 phone is showing signs of senility. She is considering
    > replacement with a "smart phone" of some type, and I might just go
    > along as well (I use a RAZR and a Palm Tungsten C PDA which is still
    > working OK).
    >
    > We have looked at several units and nothing appears to be "just
    > right". Our impressions to date:
    >
    > 1. The Treo phones (using the Palm OS) are somewhat long in the tooth.
    > The future for the Palm OS is also questionable. We like the Palm OS,
    > but it seems to be "moving on".
    >
    > 2. The units running the Windows Mobile system, I am told, are slow
    > and kludgy.
    >
    > 3. The Blackberry units are difficult to type on, and again, there is
    > an OS problem. Are the operating systems interchangeable (for example,
    > if we buy something other than a Palm-based unit, will we be able to
    > synch all of our present Palm data onto the new unit)?
    >
    > 4. The Apple iPhone appears to be a nice piece of equipment, but it
    > has several shortcomings, including having to work through iTunes,
    > battery replacement problems, a "mediocre" phone (by report), not
    > compatible with 3G service (I use ATT's Laptop Connect service); and
    > it remains relatively pricey.
    >
    > Any thoughts from this Group?
    >

    I went from a Treo 650 to an iPhone and never looked back. I use the
    WiFi for data much more that I do the phone data connection. Have found
    data speed to be fine for web browsing and email. Going through iTunes
    is so much easier than the old Palm Desktop, especially when you factor
    in that you get regular system updates through it. Also syncs nicely
    (with no additional software) Entourage. It was a breeze to convert my
    Palm contacts into Entourage and then sync all with the iPhone.
    There are a couple ways to to do this.
    Keyboard (when you need it) is nice and big. *****checker function is
    cool. Big screen and enlargement function make web browsing practical.
    Had mine since last July and battery is fine. Charges quickly.

    Bottom line, much more fun and intuitive to use. My wife was so happy to
    get a phone where she could actually use all the functions.

    --
    To reply by email, remove the word "space"



  4. #4
    Jeffrey Kaplan
    Guest

    Re: Replacement of PDA and phone

    Previously on alt.cellular.cingular, SMS said:

    > > 4. The Apple iPhone appears to be a nice piece of equipment, but it
    > > has several shortcomings, including having to work through iTunes,
    > > battery replacement problems, a "mediocre" phone (by report), not
    > > compatible with 3G service (I use ATT's Laptop Connect service); and
    > > it remains relatively pricey.


    [snip iPhone]

    > The best choice is the HTC Tilt 8925 / TyTN II (Kaiser). This is far
    > more fully featured than the iPhone, with 3G, voice-dialing, GPS, and a
    > better OS. It's about the same price as the iPhone because you get a
    > discount for a contract renewal.


    I thought you said it had a better OS, it runs WinMob...

    --
    Jeffrey Kaplan www.gordol.org
    The from userid is killfiled Send personal mail to gordol

    "Civilization has supplanted natural selection through legislation and
    medical technology. We now have people in positions of responsibility
    and authority who are so stupid that two hundred years ago they would
    have been eaten by something on their way to the outhouse." - 'Poe's
    Theorem of Evolution'



  5. #5
    SMS
    Guest

    Re: Replacement of PDA and phone

    Jeffrey Kaplan wrote:
    > Previously on alt.cellular.cingular, SMS said:
    >
    >>> 4. The Apple iPhone appears to be a nice piece of equipment, but it
    >>> has several shortcomings, including having to work through iTunes,
    >>> battery replacement problems, a "mediocre" phone (by report), not
    >>> compatible with 3G service (I use ATT's Laptop Connect service); and
    >>> it remains relatively pricey.

    >
    > [snip iPhone]
    >
    >> The best choice is the HTC Tilt 8925 / TyTN II (Kaiser). This is far
    >> more fully featured than the iPhone, with 3G, voice-dialing, GPS, and a
    >> better OS. It's about the same price as the iPhone because you get a
    >> discount for a contract renewal.

    >
    > I thought you said it had a better OS, it runs WinMob...


    I should have used a more descriptive word than "better."

    Windows Mobile allows you to run thousands of applications, includes
    Exchange support (yes I know it's being added to the iPhone soon), and
    lets you create and edit Office documents.

    It's true that the iPhone OS is more stable and its limited
    functionality makes it easier to learn and use. If stability and ease of
    use is more important than functionality, then indeed the iPhone OS is a
    better choice.

    For someone needing a true PDA, the HTC Tilt is the best choice on AT&T.
    For needing just a web browser, music player, and quad-band phone, but
    not needing PDA functionality, the iPhone is a better choice.




  6. #6
    Todd H.
    Guest

    Re: Replacement of PDA and phone

    SMS <[email protected]> writes:

    > Robert A. Fink, M. D. wrote:
    >
    >> 4. The Apple iPhone appears to be a nice piece of equipment, but it
    >> has several shortcomings, including having to work through iTunes,
    >> battery replacement problems, a "mediocre" phone (by report), not
    >> compatible with 3G service (I use ATT's Laptop Connect service); and
    >> it remains relatively pricey.

    >
    > The iPhone is actually not all that pricey, but it's limited in
    > functionality. Definitely wait for the new 3G model if going with the
    > iPhone.
    >
    > The best choice is the HTC Tilt 8925 / TyTN II (Kaiser). This is far
    > more fully featured than the iPhone, with 3G, voice-dialing, GPS, and
    > a better OS. It's about the same price as the iPhone because you get a
    > discount for a contract renewal.



    I have the 8925 Tilt and use it primarily for travelling on
    business. It is Windows Mobile 6 based. The data rates are
    outstanding, people I talk to on the speakerphone report that it
    sounds outstanding (though the weenie speaker is prone to distortion
    on the listening end). On the downside, the camera sucks, and
    it's a touch screen PDA first, and a phone second with all the
    attendant user interface issues.

    As for using it was a PDA, it includes outlook and does that
    brilliantly. I've yet to pay for the software to convert over my Palm
    Desktop datebook into Outlook so it can sync to it, but I'm getting
    ready to as I start to use the phone more. Integrated GPS + Google
    Maps makes the Tilt a lot of fun.

    Being able to run wififofum on the Tilt and look for wireless access
    points, and log their GPS location is kinda novel. War driving in a
    calculator, if you're so inclined.


    BUT, when I'm at home, I much prefer to carry my Motorola Krzr instead
    of the Tilt just because the size difference, and I prefer to have an
    exposed keyboard on the phone and not have to slide or deal with a
    touch screen for dialing and hanging up, etc.

    The iPhone which I've also used is a far more satisfying interactive
    experience verus the Tilt with the speed of the display and
    responsiveness, and such, but its apalling lack of HSDPA data support
    makes it pretty worthless for tethering. Once the iPhone has
    integrated GPS and 3G data support though, the Tilt will feel like an
    also ran.

    If my company forces the BlackBerry Curve on me, I won't be too
    upset. I like its keyboard versus the Tilt in that you dont' have to
    Tilt it to get at it, but obviously the BlackBerry isn't nearly as
    flexible a device, lacks GPS, doesn't have an 802.11 radio in it,
    isn't as open a software platform, etc.


    --
    Todd H.
    http://toddh.net/



  7. #7
    Jeffrey Kaplan
    Guest

    Re: Replacement of PDA and phone

    Previously on alt.cellular.cingular, SMS said:

    > >> The best choice is the HTC Tilt 8925 / TyTN II (Kaiser). This is far
    > >> more fully featured than the iPhone, with 3G, voice-dialing, GPS, and a
    > >> better OS. It's about the same price as the iPhone because you get a
    > >> discount for a contract renewal.

    > >
    > > I thought you said it had a better OS, it runs WinMob...

    >
    > I should have used a more descriptive word than "better."
    >
    > Windows Mobile allows you to run thousands of applications, includes
    > Exchange support (yes I know it's being added to the iPhone soon), and
    > lets you create and edit Office documents.


    So does Palm. I'm currently a Palm user (Treo 680), and have been
    since the IIIx was top-of-the-line. My next device will probably be an
    iPhone, unless there is no software I want for it. I have some minimal
    requirements on available software that I MUST have, including a
    encrypted data keeper (passwords, bank account info, etc), decent
    calendar like DateBk6, and a few others, all self-contained and NOT a
    so-called "web app".

    Unless the next-gen iPhone, rumored to be released sometime around
    June, has at least 30G of storage, I'm not that interested in using it
    as a media player though (I have over 17G of music files), as I already
    have an iPod Classic.

    > It's true that the iPhone OS is more stable and its limited
    > functionality makes it easier to learn and use. If stability and ease of
    > use is more important than functionality, then indeed the iPhone OS is a
    > better choice.


    That statement makes me chuckle. What good is a bazilion features and
    programs, if the thing constantly falls over due to stability issues?
    Stability is Function Number 1.

    --
    Jeffrey Kaplan www.gordol.org
    The from userid is killfiled Send personal mail to gordol

    "You were standing in the middle of the plaza yelling that the day of
    judgment was coming." "Did it?" "Not that I know, but I may have
    missed a staff meeting." (Mr. Garibaldi and Amis, B5 "The Long Dark")



  8. #8
    Kevin Weaver
    Guest

    Re: Replacement of PDA and phone

    "SMS" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    news:[email protected]...
    > Robert A. Fink, M. D. wrote:
    >
    >> 4. The Apple iPhone appears to be a nice piece of equipment, but it
    >> has several shortcomings, including having to work through iTunes,
    >> battery replacement problems, a "mediocre" phone (by report), not
    >> compatible with 3G service (I use ATT's Laptop Connect service); and
    >> it remains relatively pricey.

    >
    > The iPhone is actually not all that pricey, but it's limited in
    > functionality. Definitely wait for the new 3G model if going with the
    > iPhone.
    >
    > The best choice is the HTC Tilt 8925 / TyTN II (Kaiser). This is far more
    > fully featured than the iPhone, with 3G, voice-dialing, GPS, and a better
    > OS. It's about the same price as the iPhone because you get a discount for
    > a contract renewal.


    Costco has the tilt, Comes with 12V cord leather case and a Bluetooth
    headset which was the moto rechargeable one that was selling for 79.99.

    The complete kit was 249.99 after rebate. Add all that to the iPhone, and
    the iPhone is over twice the price.




  9. #9
    Kurt
    Guest

    Re: Replacement of PDA and phone

    In article <[email protected]>,
    "Kevin Weaver" <[email protected]> wrote:

    > "SMS" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    > news:[email protected]...
    > > Robert A. Fink, M. D. wrote:
    > >
    > >> 4. The Apple iPhone appears to be a nice piece of equipment, but it
    > >> has several shortcomings, including having to work through iTunes,
    > >> battery replacement problems, a "mediocre" phone (by report), not
    > >> compatible with 3G service (I use ATT's Laptop Connect service); and
    > >> it remains relatively pricey.

    > >
    > > The iPhone is actually not all that pricey, but it's limited in
    > > functionality. Definitely wait for the new 3G model if going with the
    > > iPhone.
    > >
    > > The best choice is the HTC Tilt 8925 / TyTN II (Kaiser). This is far more
    > > fully featured than the iPhone, with 3G, voice-dialing, GPS, and a better
    > > OS. It's about the same price as the iPhone because you get a discount for
    > > a contract renewal.

    >
    > Costco has the tilt, Comes with 12V cord leather case and a Bluetooth
    > headset which was the moto rechargeable one that was selling for 79.99.
    >
    > The complete kit was 249.99 after rebate. Add all that to the iPhone, and
    > the iPhone is over twice the price.


    Both are chump change compared to monthly phone/data/tax charges.
    You could pay that in one month's usage.

    --
    To reply by email, remove the word "space"



  10. #10
    Kevin Weaver
    Guest

    Re: Replacement of PDA and phone

    "Kurt" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    news:[email protected]...
    > In article <[email protected]>,
    > "Kevin Weaver" <[email protected]> wrote:
    >
    >> "SMS" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    >> news:[email protected]...
    >> > Robert A. Fink, M. D. wrote:
    >> >
    >> >> 4. The Apple iPhone appears to be a nice piece of equipment, but it
    >> >> has several shortcomings, including having to work through iTunes,
    >> >> battery replacement problems, a "mediocre" phone (by report), not
    >> >> compatible with 3G service (I use ATT's Laptop Connect service); and
    >> >> it remains relatively pricey.
    >> >
    >> > The iPhone is actually not all that pricey, but it's limited in
    >> > functionality. Definitely wait for the new 3G model if going with the
    >> > iPhone.
    >> >
    >> > The best choice is the HTC Tilt 8925 / TyTN II (Kaiser). This is far
    >> > more
    >> > fully featured than the iPhone, with 3G, voice-dialing, GPS, and a
    >> > better
    >> > OS. It's about the same price as the iPhone because you get a discount
    >> > for
    >> > a contract renewal.

    >>
    >> Costco has the tilt, Comes with 12V cord leather case and a Bluetooth
    >> headset which was the moto rechargeable one that was selling for 79.99.
    >>
    >> The complete kit was 249.99 after rebate. Add all that to the iPhone, and
    >> the iPhone is over twice the price.

    >
    > Both are chump change compared to monthly phone/data/tax charges.
    > You could pay that in one month's usage.
    >
    > --
    > To reply by email, remove the word "space"



    The Tilt uses 3G which is 30.00 a month unlimited use. Add 5.00 a moth for
    200 text's if needed. He was talking about the cost of the Iphone as to the
    tilt being almost the same price. The Tilt is less then half the price of
    the Iphone and does much more the the iPhone both now and later on down the
    road. Even If apple were to add 3G and Microsoft apps. You can replace the
    battery and add more Flash mem when ever you want.




  11. #11
    Todd H.
    Guest

    Re: Replacement of PDA and phone

    "Kevin Weaver" <[email protected]> writes:

    > The Tilt uses 3G which is 30.00 a month unlimited use.


    And make that $60/mo if you want to do tethering.

    I paid about $300 after $100 rebate for mine, but was an early
    adopter.

    --
    Todd H.
    http://toddh.net/



  12. #12
    Kurt
    Guest

    Re: Replacement of PDA and phone

    In article <[email protected]>,
    "Kevin Weaver" <[email protected]> wrote:

    > "Kurt" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    > news:[email protected]...
    > > In article <[email protected]>,
    > > "Kevin Weaver" <[email protected]> wrote:
    > >
    > >> "SMS" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    > >> news:[email protected]...
    > >> > Robert A. Fink, M. D. wrote:
    > >> >
    > >> >> 4. The Apple iPhone appears to be a nice piece of equipment, but it
    > >> >> has several shortcomings, including having to work through iTunes,
    > >> >> battery replacement problems, a "mediocre" phone (by report), not
    > >> >> compatible with 3G service (I use ATT's Laptop Connect service); and
    > >> >> it remains relatively pricey.
    > >> >
    > >> > The iPhone is actually not all that pricey, but it's limited in
    > >> > functionality. Definitely wait for the new 3G model if going with the
    > >> > iPhone.
    > >> >
    > >> > The best choice is the HTC Tilt 8925 / TyTN II (Kaiser). This is far
    > >> > more
    > >> > fully featured than the iPhone, with 3G, voice-dialing, GPS, and a
    > >> > better
    > >> > OS. It's about the same price as the iPhone because you get a discount
    > >> > for
    > >> > a contract renewal.
    > >>
    > >> Costco has the tilt, Comes with 12V cord leather case and a Bluetooth
    > >> headset which was the moto rechargeable one that was selling for 79.99.
    > >>
    > >> The complete kit was 249.99 after rebate. Add all that to the iPhone, and
    > >> the iPhone is over twice the price.

    > >
    > > Both are chump change compared to monthly phone/data/tax charges.
    > > You could pay that in one month's usage.
    > >
    > > --
    > > To reply by email, remove the word "space"

    >
    >
    > The Tilt uses 3G which is 30.00 a month unlimited use. Add 5.00 a moth for
    > 200 text's if needed. He was talking about the cost of the Iphone as to the
    > tilt being almost the same price. The Tilt is less then half the price of
    > the Iphone and does much more the the iPhone both now and later on down the
    > road. Even If apple were to add 3G and Microsoft apps. You can replace the
    > battery and add more Flash mem when ever you want.


    Yes, but the bigger picture bottom line is overall cost and the
    functions you need.

    --
    To reply by email, remove the word "space"



  13. #13
    Todd Allcock
    Guest

    Re: Replacement of PDA and phone

    At 27 Mar 2008 11:33:40 -0400 Jeffrey Kaplan wrote:

    > I thought you said it had a better OS, it runs WinMob...


    Personally I love WinMo, but it's an OS that I'd only wish on both my
    dearest friends and my worst enemies.

    It'sthe most versitile mobile OS out there, but it's finicky and requires a
    bit of TLC.

    On the one hand, there are thousands of apps for it that will allow a PDA
    to be essentially a full PC in terms of functionality, but in return you
    get a clunky device (touchscreen "brick-sized" WinMo phones are far more
    functional than the slimmer "smartphones" like the Moto Q) poor battery
    life and a bit of a learning curve.

    But a WinMo device can replace a laptop in ways no other phone on the
    market can. I rarely take a laptop on trips any more- my WinMo phone is my
    media player, e-mail/Outlook/internet device, and I can remote into my
    desktop when necessary for the rare odd task my phone can't handle.





  14. #14
    Todd Allcock
    Guest

    Re: Replacement of PDA and phone

    At 27 Mar 2008 12:13:11 -0400 Jeffrey Kaplan wrote:


    > > It's true that the iPhone OS is more stable and its limited
    > > functionality makes it easier to learn and use. If stability and ease

    of
    > > use is more important than functionality, then indeed the iPhone OS is

    a
    > > better choice.

    >
    > That statement makes me chuckle. What good is a bazilion features and
    > programs, if the thing constantly falls over due to stability issues?
    > Stability is Function Number 1.


    I disagree- functionality is function number 1, stability is number two.
    My old Nokia candtybar dumbphones are the most stable phones I've ever owned,
    but I require more than phone calls and texting.

    My WinMo device handles memory rather poorly- the amount of available RAM
    decreases throught the day requiring the occasional nightly reboot to
    reclaim it- that's a level of "instability" I'm more than willing to put up
    with in return for carrying a "laptop" in my pocket.






  15. #15
    Jeffrey Kaplan
    Guest

    Re: Replacement of PDA and phone

    Previously on alt.cellular.cingular, Todd Allcock said:

    > > That statement makes me chuckle. What good is a bazilion features and
    > > programs, if the thing constantly falls over due to stability issues?
    > > Stability is Function Number 1.

    >
    > I disagree- functionality is function number 1, stability is number two.
    > My old Nokia candtybar dumbphones are the most stable phones I've ever owned,
    > but I require more than phone calls and texting.


    But if the thing constantly falls down, it's hard to use those
    features.

    > My WinMo device handles memory rather poorly- the amount of available RAM
    > decreases throught the day requiring the occasional nightly reboot to
    > reclaim it- that's a level of "instability" I'm more than willing to put up
    > with in return for carrying a "laptop" in my pocket.


    Close your apps, don't just switch out of them.

    --
    Jeffrey Kaplan www.gordol.org
    The from userid is killfiled Send personal mail to gordol

    Tips for the Innocent Bystander: 37. If mysterious strangers appear at
    the birth or adoption of your child and make epic proclamations about
    him/her, listen.



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