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Should I get a PDA phone?

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I have a PPC-6600 through SprintPCS. It's my third PDA Phone. The difference between my three phones (Toshiba 2032 > Hitachi G1000 > Audiovox 6600) have been huge. I'm a complete PPC Phone convert.

I do not like Palm phones. I hate the OS. They sent me a Treo 650 that I had to use for a week one time and it and I had serious communication issues, but that's probably because I've been using Windows Mobile for 3 years. I would not buy the 700w though. I hear it sucks major booty. I would wait for the 700p if you want that form factor.

I have not switched to a 6700 because I don't want to downgrade the screen size. It seems a lot harder to use one handed and I stream video from my PC using Orb all the time.

For those asking for new Sprint PPC phones, the Samsung i830 will likely be out soon, sometime this quater... i730 - WiFi + GSM = i830. There will be a WM5 update for the i730 sometime this quater, and the i830 will supposedly ship with WM5 pre-installed.

Sometime this year, it's practically a certanity that both Sprint and Verizon will get the HTC Universal. I'm kind of split as to wether or not I like the phone. The Sharp W-Zero3 is rumored to be coming, but I've seen nothing that indicates a US version of that phone. I would love it though. A 3.7" VGA screen with a sliding keyboard instead of the rotating like the Universal would get me to switch.

I wouldn't buy one PPC phone over another due to the OS. WM2003SE and WM5 are both still perfectly good. WM5 seems to run quite a bit slower than WM2003SE. A lot of apps are still written with WM2002 in mind.

Anyways, I love my PPC-6600. If Sprint gets around to releasing an EVDO update for it, I probably won't get rid of it for another year or so. One thing about PPC Phones is that it is an expensive habit. The latest & greatest comes out every year (Q3 for Sprint and Q1 for Verizon typically) and after your first one, you'll have to shell out full retail for the phone since you'll be in the middle of a two year contract.

I pay $10 a month for Sprint for unlimited data access and text messaging. I'm grandfathered though. That same plan is $30 now.

If you want to read up on paticular phones, check out www.pdaphonehome.com
 
i love my treo650 and use it most everyday
it has useful apps for biz pharmacy/medical progs
good calendar/memo/tasks (if you actually buy something better than the crap loaded on it)
wish it had evdo
data rate is ok
its my mp3 player
can watch movies when i remember to load them on a card

i'm on sprint btw, and i put my fam under my plan, 4 phones 2000 anytime min, nites/wknd start at 7pm, unlimited text, unlimited internet & unlimited pcs-pcs for $200/mo, pretty good to me
 
I'm using a Qtek 9100 (HTC Wizard 200) on Cingular and loving every minute of it. Someone just leaked the beta version of AKU 2, which adds true push e-mail for Microsoft Exchange - eat that Blackberry users.

Works awesome, btw. If I've got Outlook open on my computer and send myself a test message, I get the new message notification faster on the mobile than I do on the computer. 🙂
 
Originally posted by: ShadoWing
PDA phones are kinda bulky :

I'd hate to carry one in my pocket all day and look like im talking into a huge rock
Click to expand...

This is the most common complaint against them (other than price maybe) but it's actually the #1 reason I like them. I HATE the super small tech craze. It's inconvenient most of the time. I can fit the 650 easily into any pocket, and hardly notice it, though I seldom do because I had a custom carrier made for it.
 
Originally posted by: TerryMathews
I'm using a Qtek 9100 (HTC Wizard 200) on Cingular and loving every minute of it. Someone just leaked the beta version of AKU 2, which adds true push e-mail for Microsoft Exchange - eat that Blackberry users.

Works awesome, btw. If I've got Outlook open on my computer and send myself a test message, I get the new message notification faster on the mobile than I do on the computer. 🙂
Click to expand...
AKU2 works as an installable patch? I thought it would only work with certain WM5 devices and had to be loaded into the rom by the manufacturer. In that case, I'm almost definitely getting a new TMo MDA when they come out...half the reason I was considering the hw6915 was that it's going to come with AKU2. The GPS is nice, but I can always get a BT GPS receiver for the MDA.
 
The one thing I will mention is that almost all PDA phones are going to sound like you are on a speaker phone because of the way they place their mics. If your promary objective out of a cell phone is for talking, then a PDA phone may not be for you, however if your promary use is internet, email, etc, then yeah, get one.

I had one of the Verizon XV6700's for a few days and liked it except for the speakerphone problem, I didn't want people to have to listen to that when I was talking to them, so it went back to the store.
 
Originally posted by: mAdD INDIAN
Originally posted by: Looney
I've been itching to get the Blackberry 8700... but unlimited plans up here really aren't unlimited... 25mb, and they'll charge $7 per meg over that. WTF? Why call it unlimited then?
Click to expand...

the 8700 is pretty awesome. But only if you are interested in a) email b) calendar/task/etc.. functionaility c) web browsing

don't expect to find a multitude of apps for it to try to get it to play your favorite videos or anything.

oh and its pretty damn compact too!
Click to expand...

There are plenty of apps from the partner community.
 
I use the Treo 650 for work. Use it everyday to keep track of meetings and appointments. The camera sucks on it, so i rarely use it. I have the unlimited data plan from Verizon...though i rarely use it. Once in a while i'll surf the net with it or play games when i'm waiting at the doctor's office or something. For you guys that use it for email, what VPN software do you use?
 
I rolled out about 10 Treo 650's with GoodLink here at work and they have been great. We use the Sprint total wirless business plans that include unlimited data and nights at 7:00pm. So far everyone loves them. We have had a couple of keyboard failures, but that is about it. I use mine mainly for email and calendar with the occasional mp3.
 
I use my treo 650 for 3 things (other than phone calls) everyday:

Chattermail (push e-mail blackberry style)
Scheduling/reminders
Verichat (AIM, ICQ, etc)

These are the 3 major uses that I've found work great.

Web browsing and tethering to your laptop for internet access are ok, but not what I'd consider great.

All other uses (mp3 player, camera, games etc) are not important or aren't up to snuff for me on the treo.

The service (attws) is part of a family plan (4 phones) for 100$/month. Part of that is a 15$ unlimited data service.
 
Originally posted by: loup garou
AKU2 works as an installable patch? I thought it would only work with certain WM5 devices and had to be loaded into the rom by the manufacturer. In that case, I'm almost definitely getting a new TMo MDA when they come out...half the reason I was considering the hw6915 was that it's going to come with AKU2. The GPS is nice, but I can always get a BT GPS receiver for the MDA.
Click to expand...

Almost anything can be hacked on a WM phone. There are some people now who are very close to getting WM5 to work on a HTC Harrier. The HTC Blue Angel, the GSM version of the phone, already has a WM5 installer.
 
Originally posted by: loup garou
Originally posted by: TerryMathews
I'm using a Qtek 9100 (HTC Wizard 200) on Cingular and loving every minute of it. Someone just leaked the beta version of AKU 2, which adds true push e-mail for Microsoft Exchange - eat that Blackberry users.

Works awesome, btw. If I've got Outlook open on my computer and send myself a test message, I get the new message notification faster on the mobile than I do on the computer. 🙂
Click to expand...
AKU2 works as an installable patch? I thought it would only work with certain WM5 devices and had to be loaded into the rom by the manufacturer. In that case, I'm almost definitely getting a new TMo MDA when they come out...half the reason I was considering the hw6915 was that it's going to come with AKU2. The GPS is nice, but I can always get a BT GPS receiver for the MDA.
Click to expand...

No, it's a new ROM but it's already out there.

You can use any Wizard ROM on any Wizard, so long as you do the CID unlock. A good resource for all things PPC is XDA-Developers.

You'll be able to load the test ROM on your MDA.
 
Word on the 700p is that there are no "wi-fi drivers"... this according to the "pre-production" model someone on treocentral got their hands on.

Does that driver-thing definitely mean no support for a wi-fi card like the 700w has ?
 
Originally posted by: rh71
Word on the 700p is that there are no "wi-fi drivers"... this according to the "pre-production" model someone on treocentral got their hands on.

Does that driver-thing definitely mean no support for a wi-fi card like the 700w has ?
Click to expand...
I couldn't imagine them making it without wifi, probably means they just haven't made Palm drivers for the wifi card that they're using.

In other news, I've 100% decided I'm getting the new TMobile MDA when it comes out. That thing is sweet!
 
Originally posted by: pulsedrive
The one thing I will mention is that almost all PDA phones are going to sound like you are on a speaker phone because of the way they place their mics. If your promary objective out of a cell phone is for talking, then a PDA phone may not be for you, however if your promary use is internet, email, etc, then yeah, get one.

I had one of the Verizon XV6700's for a few days and liked it except for the speakerphone problem, I didn't want people to have to listen to that when I was talking to them, so it went back to the store.
Click to expand...

Not at all true...at least not with treo's. I know a number of people that have older models, as well as 650's and 700's. None of them have the slightest reduction in call quality over other cell phones.
 
Originally posted by: loup garou
Originally posted by: rh71
Word on the 700p is that there are no "wi-fi drivers"... this according to the "pre-production" model someone on treocentral got their hands on.

Does that driver-thing definitely mean no support for a wi-fi card like the 700w has ?
Click to expand...
I couldn't imagine them making it without wifi, probably means they just haven't made Palm drivers for the wifi card that they're using.

In other news, I've 100% decided I'm getting the new TMobile MDA when it comes out. That thing is sweet!
Click to expand...

Argh...stupid TMobile corporate account rep. Telling me the MDA doesn't come out until next month. I know it comes out on next Tuesday, genius. And now he tells me I should call customer care to order one once they're out. Bastard. Last rep cut us all kinds of deals on handsets. This guy must be new. :|
 
Why don't you buy a Cingular 8125?

http://www.cingular.com/8125_consumer

I'm assuming you're going to be paying full price for the phone and not getting a subsidy from the carrier.

IMO, the 8125 looks a lot better than the new MDA, especially the keyboard. The MDA still has that kind of 'playful round-ish' look that screams $600 toy. The 8125 has that more squared serious look that screams $600 tool.

They're both HTC Wizards, but the main difference is the processor. The 8125 has a 200mhz TI OMAP, the MDA has a 416mhz Intel PXA.

If you really like the look of the new MDA, you could always snag a Qtek 9100 from somewhere. Rub off the logos with a sugar cube and no one knows the difference.
 
Originally posted by: bearxor
Why don't you buy a Cingular 8125?

http://www.cingular.com/8125_consumer

I'm assuming you're going to be paying full price for the phone and not getting a subsidy from the carrier.

IMO, the 8125 looks a lot better than the new MDA, especially the keyboard. The MDA still has that kind of 'playful round-ish' look that screams $600 toy. The 8125 has that more squared serious look that screams $600 tool.

They're both HTC Wizards, but the main difference is the processor. The 8125 has a 200mhz TI OMAP, the MDA has a 416mhz Intel PXA.

If you really like the look of the new MDA, you could always snag a Qtek 9100 from somewhere. Rub off the logos with a sugar cube and no one knows the difference.
Click to expand...
Because, like I said, I have a corporate account with TMo and usually our reps cut us deals.
Both devices use the OMAP processor.
I hate the 8125's keyboard, one of my friends was beta testing a Sprint Apache (same KB) and I snagged it for a couple of days to play with. I like some space between the keys.
I agree the 8125 looks much better overall. I like the "nonslip" back of the MDA though.

Maybe we'll change over to Cingular anyways, my boss has been jonesing for an Blackberry 8700 and TMo is taking their sweet time with that one as well.
 
I wonder whats going on with TMobile? It used to be that if you wanted the latest and greatest PDA phone, you went looking a TMo's website first...
 
Oh man, I got my MDA on Tuesday, this thing is GREAT. So much better than any smartphone I've used before. Loaded the QTek test ROM with AKU2, did a couple quick hacks and Push email works great and it is as easy to use 1 handed as my Blackberry was.

Yesterday I used it as if it were my Blackberry, emails all day, a dozen or so 5-10 minute calls, occasional edge browsing, PLUS about 2 hours of video streaming and browsing via WiFi. I had unplugged it from the wallcharger at 7am and when I plugged it in when I went to bed at 11:30PM, it had almost 40% battery left. Incredible! I love this thing.
Oh yeah, Opera Mobile rocks as well! Soooo much better than PIE.
 
Looking to buy a PDA type phone.

I'm with Verizon.

Which is the best choice?

From what I see, there is the Treo 700/650, Samsung SCH-i730, Blackberry 7250, and Blackberry 7130e.

I want the best option, thanks.
 
I've had a HP 6515 for a week and love it. The keyboard is the perfect size and having a GPS/PDA/phone device is VERY cool. It comes with a free download of Pocket Streets and 1 city map that works with the GPS feature. If you're planning to use GPS in your car, get a car charger and a window mountable holder or you'll have a wreck watching it.
 
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