Durable PDA?

[sparky 134]

I've been using US Cellular for the past 4 years. I love the service but their selection of phones is somewhat limited.

I, too, am at the point of wanting/needing a PDA. I carry two phones now, 1 business 1 personal.

My brother just got a Blackberry from work and so far he is happy with it. I'm on my way to the local US Cellular store to see what's available.

I've got a great phone package (1500 minutes, 49.99/month). They don't offer this package anymore !! But I would need to add the 'Blackberry' package to get email, web, etc. 29.95 or 49.95/month. What the heck, it's a business expense, right ?!

UPDATE ! Just found out that if I purchase a Blackberry or Moto Q I HAVE to purchase a data plan or the phones will not work at all. Not even for regular cellular service. That doesn't sit well with me.....

 

[~Shado~]

I have been using a Treo 700w....yep....not the wx...for 2 years. Everyday in the field, no problems so far, even after a few tumbles out of my pouch. Only use a leather case it came with.
Its great because of the extra software i can put on it;
- SBSH PocketWeather - can check for future scheduling of work, etc..
- Pocket Quicken - keep my account current as I purchase materials, etc...
- PhatPad - can jot down numbers, make a diagram of job, etc...
- SPB Mobile Shell and SPB Pocket Plus - keeps things clean and organized
- SPB Diary - great organizer, etc...
- AutoFilePlus - track fuel, service, etc...
- several other programs installed...
- no data plan, but can access internet if need to for a few cents per kb.
- syncs with outlook, contacts, xcel, word sheets i have created
- camera not the best, but works for needed purposes...
- like desktop, can customize looks, etc...

am considering upgrading to Treo 800, will see when i can play with it a bit...

 

[khixxx]

UPDATE ! Just found out that if I purchase a Blackberry or Moto Q I HAVE to purchase a data plan or the phones will not work at all. Not even for regular cellular service. That doesn't sit well with me.....

Thats why I purchased a centro.

 

[stickboy1375]

UPDATE ! Just found out that if I purchase a Blackberry or Moto Q I HAVE to purchase a data plan or the phones will not work at all. Not even for regular cellular service. That doesn't sit well with me.....

Its kind of the whole point in getting a PDA phone...

 

[rogue]

treo 800w

treo 800w

just picked up my new treo 800 w
had treo 700wx for two years worked great and still does
just wanted a new phone ( takes better jod site photos)
i receive all e mails and faxes directly to my phone
also have sprint pcs card for internet acess from laptop to home computer for printing sales recpts and estimates could run applications from phone by my eyes arn't getting any better

 

[quogueelectric]

I have resisted the urge until now, but the handwriting is on the wall. It looks like a PDA is in my future. I have an old Palm, mostly to run certain lighting control and PLC software, but it's not quite up to modern standards. The iPhone seems like the latest and greatest, but I'm somewhat concerned that a 500 dollar PDA might not jive with everyday jobsite conditions. Of those who own and use PDA's every day and also work with tools, what do you use? How's it working out for you? Ideally, I'd mostly like to sync in my Outlook contacts and calendar, along with receive my email.

I have had a palm 700w windows based for 2 yrs and sometimes it is indespensible and sometimes an overpriced pos I cant wait for the contract to end. Almost 200 a month with all the bellsand whistles crap I tellyou.

 

[jrannis]

Marc,
I would suggest checking out the Blackberry Curve. Att has it dirt cheap.
I would avoid the Iphone unless you are a teenager working at a mall.
Blackberry is the backbone communication of the real world. Avoid windows CE platform and other windows PDAs at all costs. They lock up at least once a day and do not push Email like Blackberry does.
I have had them all and will not ever go back to windows or the limitations of Palm.

 

[TOOL_5150]

Marc,
I would suggest checking out the Blackberry Curve. Att has it dirt cheap.
I would avoid the Iphone unless you are a teenager working at a mall.
Blackberry is the backbone communication of the real world. Avoid windows CE platform and other windows PDAs at all costs. They lock up at least once a day and do not push Email like Blackberry does.
I have had them all and will not ever go back to windows or the limitations of Palm.

Now, this is the truth. My friend has one of the windows phones and is always cussing at it for doing something he didnt want it to.

My BB Curve has given me little to no trouble, and I dont see myself having any issues, since its a good company, with a good product.

~Matt

 

[khixxx]

My centro locked up once in 2 months. The sales guy tells me when it locks up lots you need to empty old data.

Marc what did you buy.

 

[jrannis]

Now, this is the truth. My friend has one of the windows phones and is always cussing at it for doing something he didnt want it to.

My BB Curve has given me little to no trouble, and I dont see myself having any issues, since its a good company, with a good product.

~Matt

It has a full qwerty keyboard too. I made some really strange comments and replys using the predictive text mode with the partial keyboards. Try to spell "cool" it gives you "book"

 

[mdshunk]

Well, I went and made a decision a few weeks ago, and I couldn't be more pleased so far. I got an iPhone 3G.

It's really intuitive to use, since it sort of runs like Windows. Within about 2 minutes of poking on the thing, I typed in the web address and password of my Exchange server, and it synced all 4300 of my Outlook contacts, all my Outlook calendar appointments, and all of my email address to the phone. Super cool! It's been working flawlessly. I even get my emails on my phone a good 2 or 3 minutes before they hit my desktop machine.

I've downloaded a few applications to run on the phone, such as a dedicated iPhone JOTT application, and a time keeping application that are really helpful. The darned thing has internet access, and I can download and read PDF's on the phone; really helpful when working on unfamaliar equipment.

I have no complaints so far, and the thing has been working out flawlessly for me. As to durability, time will tell. I got a decent case at the AT&T store for it, but I'm waiting for an Otterbox case. They're taking a waiting list for the Otterbox case for the 3G version of the iPhone, and I'm on the list.

Typing messages is very easy. Even if you make mistakes, 99% of the time the darned thing automatically corrects them, so you don't even have to concentrate on hitting the exact right key. I can't tell you how handy it's been to be able to send and receive emails from the phone on my hip.

Short story, I couldn't be more pleased with the iPhone. Check it out if you need the features it provides. Years ago, I swore I'd never own an Apple product (long story), but I'm 100% sold on the iPhone.

 

[Jhaney]

Marc,
Make sure once a week you sync it up to your computer so that you have the most recent firmware and a good back up. I have the earlier version so its a little slower on the internet but I still love it. I've only had 2 problems the first one was the screen discoloring I sent it in and had another back in 3 days flat including shipping, the second was it locking up which is why I recommend syncing to your computer once a week. If it does lock up on you syncing it to your computer will let you do a backup and fix the issue.

Congrats on the phone.

 

[bobbyho]

Well, I finally got rid of the Treo 700wx. They gave me a 2nd one and that was worse than the 1st. After a daylong negotiation with Verizon, I got a Curve. I can't get my email synched to it yet but that will resolve itself shortly I am sure. I still think I will make the shift once my contract is up and go to the Iphone. Marc, be sure to let us know the progress. I have been asking anyone with it if they think it is a robust phone. In terms of synching with Outlook. It's nice to hear the number of contacts you have and there is still no trouble with it. I often wondered if that is what dogged my Treo down.

 

[peter d]

...and it synced all 4300 of my Outlook contacts...

That must take a while to plan a party.

 

[tyha]

way to go mark. i was seriously considering the I - phone but i didnt like the idea of having to type out e-mails with the touchscreen so I got the at&t tilt which has the slide out tilting keyboard. its about a step or two down from the I-phone. that 3g service is pretty nice if you can stay in it. of course I can just use the wifi option or get on someones router if availible. good luck and keep us informed of any real issues because I may go with the i-phone one day..... maybe

 

[jrannis]

Well, I went and made a decision a few weeks ago, and I couldn't be more pleased so far. I got an iPhone 3G.

It's really intuitive to use, since it sort of runs like Windows. Within about 2 minutes of poking on the thing, I typed in the web address and password of my Exchange server, and it synced all 4300 of my Outlook contacts, all my Outlook calendar appointments, and all of my email address to the phone. Super cool! It's been working flawlessly. I even get my emails on my phone a good 2 or 3 minutes before they hit my desktop machine.

I've downloaded a few applications to run on the phone, such as a dedicated iPhone JOTT application, and a time keeping application that are really helpful. The darned thing has internet access, and I can download and read PDF's on the phone; really helpful when working on unfamaliar equipment.

I have no complaints so far, and the thing has been working out flawlessly for me. As to durability, time will tell. I got a decent case at the AT&T store for it, but I'm waiting for an Otterbox case. They're taking a waiting list for the Otterbox case for the 3G version of the iPhone, and I'm on the list.

Typing messages is very easy. Even if you make mistakes, 99% of the time the darned thing automatically corrects them, so you don't even have to concentrate on hitting the exact right key. I can't tell you how handy it's been to be able to send and receive emails from the phone on my hip.

Short story, I couldn't be more pleased with the iPhone. Check it out if you need the features it provides. Years ago, I swore I'd never own an Apple product (long story), but I'm 100% sold on the iPhone.

Marc,
Does it "push" email to the Iphone or do you have to set it up to retrieve email?
How is the battery life? Does it make it through the day?
Is there a way to send files as an attachment?
Can you edit Word or other documents?
Can you use it as a modem for a laptop on the road?

Thanks,
John

 

[mdshunk]

Marc,
Does it "push" email to the Iphone or do you have to set it up to retrieve email?

I'm not sure what you mean, exactly, but I get my email on the phone even before my desktop machine knows I have new email.

How is the battery life? Does it make it through the day?

Yes, it makes it through the day, even when I use it hard. Surfing the net over the air (not WiFi) seems to suck battery

Is there a way to send files as an attachment?

I'm not sure. I know I can forward attachments and receive attachments.

Can you edit Word or other documents?

I know I can read Word docs on the phone, but I don't know about editing them

Can you use it as a modem for a laptop on the road?

I don't know. I doubt it.

 

[tyha]

im sure you can do those things because my tilt can. and I remember when i bought mine I was looking at the first I-Phone and the only real difference was the keyboard for the tilt and the i-pod for the --- well u know

 

[mdshunk]

im sure you can do those things because my tilt can. and I remember when i bought mine I was looking at the first I-Phone and the only real difference was the keyboard for the tilt and the i-pod for the --- well u know

I'm trying not to get too attached, since I'll probably break it anyhow, but it sure is nice. Compared to my last phone, it's like going from a Chevette to a Rolls-Royce.

 

[ramsy]

..it's like going from a Chevette to a Rolls-Royce.

Hey Marc, I have a business booster for your Rolls-Royce. To boost my business with your customers.

Paraben's CSI Stick Copies Data from Cell Phones

http://www.physorg.com/news139460365.html