Comments on: Palm Powered Holiday Gift Guide

Fueling the gadget-giving frenzy this holiday season are today's cutting-edge technology toys, but what are tech-savvy "giftees" looking for in a gadget? Choosing the right smartphone or wireless handheld for that special someone on your list means finding the perfect balance of size, performance, and features. Check out the top 10 picks for the latest and greatest Palm Powered gear for work and play that are sure to thrill this holiday season and beyond.
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Do NOT buy PPC

mikecane @ 11/26/2004 5:38:14 PM #
You'll. Be. S.o.r.r.y.

(Despite what Foo Fighter went and did. His doc tells me he has an aneurysm that makes him act crazy-koo-koo sometimes...)

RE: Do NOT buy PPC
drw @ 11/27/2004 1:22:33 AM #
What's up with all these dvd players on the market.. Get Pocket DVD studio for Palm and mmplayer. Rip DVD's and put them on SD cards.

---
David
RE: Do NOT buy PPC
AyDb @ 11/27/2004 2:35:23 AM #
Funny, Mike, more people are buying PocketPCs than Palms, and they are perfectly happy. Your continued insistance that everyone hates PocketPC, and that a HUUUUGE backlash is *right around the corner now* just makes you look even more like a lunatic living in his own reality.

RE: Do NOT buy PPC
Wolfgard @ 11/27/2004 3:13:05 AM #
What's wrong with PPCs? PPCs now have better build quality and overall performance compared to Palm devices! The only thing that's holding me back is the OS, but that's just my personal preference. If they come out with a good small VGA device with good battery performance, I wouldn't mind switching.

pen & paper -> m515 -> Zire72 -> TH55
RE: Do NOT buy PPC
KayAU @ 11/27/2004 8:44:39 AM #
> What's wrong with PPCs?

Well, for me, the one major thing keeping me from buying one is MS. I don't like what they've done to the home computer market, and I'd hate to see the same happen to the handheld and console markets. Unfortunately, with their virtually unlimited funds, they could very well do it if given a chance. At least I will not have had any part in it.

Just my opinion, no flames please.

Kay

RE: Do NOT buy PPC
mikecane @ 11/27/2004 10:08:22 AM #
>>>Your continued insistance that everyone hates PocketPC, and that a HUUUUGE backlash is *right around the corner now* just makes you look even more like a lunatic living in his own reality.

Ah, I can always count on you not to be able to properly parse a sentence. Keep up the grand work, schmuck.

RE: Do NOT buy PPC
Gekko @ 11/27/2004 10:25:39 AM #

MikeCon really thinks he's smarter than the average bear.



RE: Do NOT buy PPC
AyDb @ 11/27/2004 1:26:20 PM #
"Ah, I can always count on you not to be able to properly parse a sentence. Keep up the grand work, schmuck."

And I can always count on you to miss the point by a couple of miles. Reality really doesn't enter into the equation for you, does it?

RE: Do NOT buy PPC
vesther @ 11/27/2004 3:07:05 PM #
I admittedly test-driven certain Pocket PCs, but I really pity the Pocket PC Platform mainly because I have to re-learn the handheld from scratch, causing me to take more time to relearn what I have learned from the Palm-Powered Platform since I first touched a Palm-Powered Device back in 2002. So far the latest Tungsten Handheld, the Tungsten T5, is laden with a lot of bugs, so I can't recommend the Tungsten T5 to anyone other than businesses thus far.

I don't know what to say, but for those of you who had some experience with Windows Mobile Devices, how many crashes you had?

I really can't stand using Windows Media Player, Internet Explorer on my handheld mainly due to security holes. Second, because Windows Mobile was made by Microsoft, I am unaware how many security holes may be existent at the time of this post.

Powered by Palm OS since March 2002

RE: Do NOT buy PPC
mikecane @ 11/27/2004 4:08:12 PM #
Gekko, why aren't you counting your alleged money? You still have to unload those verboten Kurggerrands, I hear.

AyDB or whatever your dumb handle is. Go re-read what I originally wrote. Then look at your alleged reply. The two do not connect -- except perhaps in your little psychosis, you madman.

RE: Do NOT buy PPC
klam @ 11/27/2004 4:17:53 PM #
Vesther, in response to your comments. I've started on a Palm IIIxe, then Vx, then Toshiba PPC, then an iPAQ PPC, and now back to the Palm side with a Treo. The two devices that caused me the most crashes have been the Toshiba PPC and Treo. The iPAQ (h2215) just preceding my Treo was rock solid as far as PocketPCs go. I was extremely satisfied with that iPAQ and would continue to use it, but felt that I needed the "smartphone" capabilities of a Treo and was not content with any of the PocketPC Smartphones at this time.

Furthermore, security holes are a non-issue, whether it is Palm or WM2003. Just because the applications share the Microsoft trade names of "Internet Explorer" and "Windows", does not necessarily mean they are vulnerable. The biggest threat to your PocketPC (or Palm for that matter) is if you forget it, lose it, or have it stolen without your private data encrypted or password protected.

RE: Do NOT buy PPC
klam @ 11/27/2004 4:24:12 PM #
An additional comment about build quality.

My HP iPAQ is the best built PDA I have ever owned. I used it daily and never had a single hardware concern. Everything just worked as it should.

Even as far back as my IIIxe and Vx, my Palm hardware has been less robust in my opinion. The build quality by their OEM manufacturer has been less than satisfactory and in my opinion inferior to the product HP is turning out. My Toshiba PPC was a piece of crap however.

If you browse any Treo forums you will also read countless examples of how shabby some Treos are built. Knock on wood, but my Treo has not been plagued with any of these problems, dead speakers, buzzing in the phone, dead screens, broken keyboards.

Do NOT buy PDAs
Foo Fighter @ 11/28/2004 11:34:54 AM #
>> "(Despite what Foo Fighter went and did. His doc tells me he has an aneurysm that makes him act crazy-koo-koo sometimes...)"

Well at least I don't pull a Kirvin and proclaim it to be the be all/end all product, and ultimate winner among all mobile devices, like Jeff did with the Zire 71...Tungsten E...and now Zodiac. :-)

Here is my advice to everyone: Forget about PDAs. Why buy a technology that's on its way out? Give your friends and family a relevant gift they can use (and love); buy them an iPod, or a digital camera, notebook, DVD player, HDTV, etc. PDAs are a niche product category (read: toy) for geeks. Destined to join the ranks of other dead or declining technologies like ebooks, zip disks, and CRTs.

The war is over folks, and both sides lost. Windows Mobile reached parity with PalmOS and now overtakes it in market share. You can debate which platform is superior until your fingers turn blue, but the bottom line is nobody cares anymore.

-------------------------------
Editor, http://Pocketfactory.com
Contributing Editor, http://digitalmediathoughts.com

RE: Do NOT buy PPC
mikecane @ 11/28/2004 1:49:59 PM #
>>>The war is over folks, and both sides lost.

Baloney. The battlefield has shifted. It is now NOKIA vs. palmOne vs. PalmSource vs. Microsoft. Oh, and throw in Sony-Ericcson and all those other phonecompanies I can never recall (no pun intended). Plus the alleged "eleven" POS/Cobalt licensees to unveil next year.

RE: Do NOT buy PPC
Foo Fighter @ 11/28/2004 1:54:23 PM #
>> "Plus the alleged "eleven" POS/Cobalt licensees to unveil next year."

Pffft! I'll believe that when I see it. These small Taiwanese licensees aren't growing the market. PalmSores (intentional spelling) needs some top-tier licensees or they aren't going to be around to celebrate the next new year, especially if rumors are true that P1 is shopping for a new OS to add to its product line. If they license Windows Mobile, the mobile industry and the stock market will lose confidence in PalmSores, resulting in spiraling decline and eventual irrelevance of PalmOS. Although some may argue that is already happening now to some extent. On the other hand... if Nokia were to license Cobalt, that could result in a dramatic reversal of fortunes. But we know that's not going to happen.

-------------------------------
Editor, http://Pocketfactory.com
Contributing Editor, http://digitalmediathoughts.com

RE: Do NOT buy PPC
Gekko @ 11/28/2004 2:16:32 PM #

Hey! "PalmSores" is my joke!



RE: Do NOT buy PPC
Foo Fighter @ 11/28/2004 2:24:40 PM #
Wha? You too? Damn, thought I had a Trademark there. Ok, how about I do like PalmOne and use hacker speak; Pa1m5orZe?

-------------------------------
Editor, http://Pocketfactory.com
Contributing Editor, http://digitalmediathoughts.com
RE: Do NOT buy PPC
Gekko @ 11/28/2004 2:28:51 PM #

How about PalmCon?

RE: Do NOT buy PPC
Gekko @ 11/28/2004 2:30:23 PM #

PalmCon = PalmOne, PalmSores = PalmSource

Although MikeCon might get offended that we are procuring his name/profession.



RE: Do NOT buy PPC
mikecane @ 11/29/2004 9:14:13 AM #
This is what Gekko considers wit.

So let's see... The World According to Gekko:

Divine Intervention gave us Dubya.

The rich are smarter than the rest of us.

Gekko thinks he's a clever clog.

RE: Do NOT buy PPC
Kesh @ 12/25/2004 11:51:02 PM #
I just wish you'd all shut up. Geeze. None of you can post here without intentionally starting a flamefest.

My top picks for the Holiday Season

vesther @ 11/27/2004 2:59:29 PM #
Busy Mom, Busy Dad--palmOne Zire 21/31
Lawyer--palmOne Tungsten T5
Professional Traveller--Garmin iQue family, palmOne Treo 650
Gamer--Tapwave Zodiac family
Music Lovers--palmOne Zire 72, Tapwave Zodiac Family
Business Owners--palmOne Treo 650, palmOne Tungsten T5
Student--palmOne Tungsten T5
Photographer--palmOne Zire 72
Doctors--palmOne Tungsten T5
Physicians--palmOne Tungsten T5
Construction Workers--palmOne Treo 650, Garmin iQue Family
Executive Management--palmOne Treo 650, palmOne Tungsten T5
Secretary--palmOne Zire 21/31
Warehouse Workers--palmOne Tungsten T5

That's all I can think of for now, but feel free to display your picks for each needs. Oh, please limit the picks to Palm-Powered Hardware. Thank you.


Powered by Palm OS since March 2002

RE: My top picks for the Holiday Season
ackmondual @ 11/27/2004 3:09:43 PM #
KEY:
[models not offered by P1 anymo]
(replacements to your listings)
additions to your listings

Busy Mom, Busy Dad--palmOne Zire 21/31
Lawyer--palmOne Tungsten T5, [t3]
Professional Traveller--Garmin iQue family, palmOne Treo 650, t5
Gamer--Tapwave Zodiac family, tt3

Business Owners--palmOne Treo 650, palmOne Tungsten T5
Student--palmOne Tungsten T5, tt3, zod, zire series

Photographer--palmOne Zire 72 [z71] Altho a "real photographer" woulnd't touch a digicam integrated PDA

Physicians, Doctors--palmOne Tungsten T5 [tt3] tr6zx


[signature0]the secret to enjoying your job is to have a hobby that's even worse[/signature0]
[signature1]My PDAs: Visor --> Visor Neo (blue) --> Zire 71.... so ends the "marathon", for now[/signature1]

RE: My top picks for the Holiday Season
mikecane @ 11/27/2004 4:09:41 PM #
Everyone who is sick of the limitations of PDAs (PalmOS *and* WinMob):

Sony U750P
OQO

RE: My top picks for the Holiday Season
klam @ 11/27/2004 4:28:10 PM #
A PDA is a different animal than a mini-sub-micro laptop like the OQO. You cannot have the same expectations from something that is smaller and costs a less than a third of the price.

For the price of a the OQO you could get a 3lb. ultraportable notebook that will do even more than the OQO. What the OQO is, is a new niche defining device. It is creating a new niche between high end PDAs and notebook, but does not compete with either.

RE: My top picks for the Holiday Season
svrontis @ 11/27/2004 4:30:07 PM #
vesther, I don't think the T5 is the best choice for a lawyer.

Sure it has some compelling features. The huge memory size is a big plus. Drive mode is looks great too, for taking files home or when visiting clients. (I once used Card Export II, with my trusty TE, to give a document to a client - they thought it was great!)

The lack of a voice-recorder is not a problem - we all use dictaphones and most legal secretaries can do shorthand. (I never used the voice-recorder on my T2.)

Bluetooth? Well I can't think of any reason to use this in day-to-day practice.

Of course, document and spreadsheet support with Documents to Go is as good as it gets, but this is not unique to the T5.

The bigger screen is certainly an advantage for editing Word documents - but the reality is that serious editing is usually done on hard copy - I print the document, scribble on it and give it to my secretary, who then marks up the changes for me. (NB clients normally want to see mark-ups, and this is tricky to do with Docs to Go). So while the bigger screen looks like a great feature, its utility is limited.

The downside of the T5 is the physical size of the thing. It's nearly 3/4 of an inch thick, for goodness sake, and it's heavy. When you put it in your jacket pocket, it looks like you're packing a piece. Not a good look down at Court.

No, I think the good old TE is the best choice for a lawyer. It's a great little unit and its light on useless gimmicks. So much so that I have purchased a spare TE for the dreadful (but inevitable) day when my first one 'shuffles off its mortal coil'. (My T2 is gathering dust somewhere or other.)

RE: My top picks for the Holiday Season
Gekko @ 11/27/2004 4:34:01 PM #

Crack Addict, Crack Whore--palmOne Treo 650, T5



RE: My top picks for the Holiday Season
vesther @ 11/27/2004 6:15:40 PM #
svrontis

My apologies if I forgot the Tungsten E--it does have its uses.

Those who want a robust handheld but at a budget--Tungsten E, Zire 31 (I recommend the Tungsten E, though)
Businesses that don't REALLY NEED connectivity--Tungsten E

Yes svrontis--I have to agree with you not recommending the Tungsten T5 to any lawyer and/or attorney--In fact, I think that the Tungsten E should suffice to any Lawyer and/or Attorney--furthermore, I don't think that Bluetooth and/or Wi-Fi is something that a Lawyer and/or Attorney would want.

ackmondual (SP?)

Lawyer--palmOne Tungsten T5, [t3]

I should also include Attorneys as well. I have to go with svrontis with the fact that the Tungsten E should suffice--I don't really think Bluetooth and/or Wide Screen is really needed unless necessary. Typically, a lawyer needs a 320x480 Wide Screen for Word Documents IMO, but Bluetooth is something that a lawyer/attorney MIGHT NOT NEED, so the Tungsten E would be the minimum.

Professional Traveller--Garmin iQue family, palmOne Treo 650, t5

Kind of disputable since the palmOne Treo 650 has both Bluetooth and Cell Phone service, I'm not sure if the Tungsten T5 would do any justice.

Gamer--Tapwave Zodiac family, Tungsten T3

I don't recommend the Tungsten T3 to any gamer mainly because of the weird button form-factor--I used to have a Tungsten T3 and I had a difficult time using its weird and bizarro button factor while I was playing Zap 2016.

Student--palmOne Tungsten T5, tt3, zod, zire series

I recommend a palmOne Tungsten T5 to students mainly because of the Thumb Drive Orientation. The Zodiac is OK if the student is into a lot of gaming. Zire....eh I think that's doable depending on the needs of a student. I'm not sure whether it should be more Tungsten or more Zire for the student, though, but the Zodiac should also be OK for the student.

Photographer--palmOne Zire 72 [z71] Altho a "real photographer" woulnd't touch a digicam integrated PDA

Figures. I think a real photographer would rather have a "stand-alone" camera, since it has better features than the Zire 72.

Physicians, Doctors--palmOne Tungsten T5 [tt3] tr6zx

I think that in this case a Treo 600/650 will fit the needs of Medical Personnel much better than the Tungsten series of handhelds, though the Tungsten C used to fit the needs pretty well.

I'm not sure what kind of handheld will a police officer, and a government official might need.


Powered by Palm OS since March 2002

RE: My top picks for the Holiday Season
Foo Fighter @ 11/28/2004 12:12:54 PM #
Your picks are laughable and out of touch with reality, typical Palm zealotry.

Here's a bucket of reality to soak your head in:

>> Busy Mom, Busy Dad--palmOne Zire 21/31

How about nothing? PDAs are not for the average user. It might actually help if you find out whether your parents even WANT a PDA instead of attempting to force your disease of Palm lust on someone else like a fanatical Amway salesman.

>> Lawyer--palmOne Tungsten T5

Uh...I don't know if your familiar with the lifestyle of legal professionals, but a lawyer isn't going to have much need for a PDA. For actual work (preparing legal documents, taking notes, etc.) a Notebook PC is the primary tool of choice, followed by cell phone or other communication tools. As far as mobile devices go the best choice for a Lawyer would be a RIM Blackberry 7100, or possibly a Treo 600/650.

>>Professional Traveler--Garmin iQue family, palmOne Treo 650

BWAHAHAHAHAH!! If by "professional" traveler, you are referring to the outdoors/camping/hiking type, you are so out of touch with reality it's scary. A handheld GPS receiver is the best choice, not a PDA. If you're referring to tourist travelers abroad, then you're even more out of touch. Again; nothing you described is necessary or of any value. This is a classic case of prescribing technology for technology's sake. When I go traveling, I don't carry anything with me but the items I NEED; suitcase, clothing, passport, currency, itinerary, maps, etc. Unless a PDA can store my clothes and toiletries, it isn't coming with me.

>> Gamer--Tapwave Zodiac family

ROFLMAO! Since there are so few game titles available for Zodiac, it hardly makes sense to buy a Zodiac for gamers..don't ya think? No, for gamers you'll want to buy something USEFUL...like the new Nintendo DS which I might add costs far less ($149) than the Zodiac. Next...

>> "Music Lovers--palmOne Zire 72, Tapwave Zodiac Family"

Oh dear God. You really need to stop looking at the world through Palm colored glasses. If you think a PDA is a great gift for music fans, you are sadly mistaken. What every "music fan" wants, if they don't already have on, is an Apple iPod...or some other HD based digital media player like an iRiver or Creative Zen, which can hold an entire music library..not just a few tracks on your whimsical little flash storage cards.

>> "Business Owners--palmOne Treo 650, palmOne Tungsten T5"

Not sure why you think a Business owner needs an ultra expensive Smartphone other than to look important, but...

>> "Student--palmOne Tungsten T5"

A $400 PDA for that can easily be lost/stolen/broken? Not something I would send my student off to school with.

>> "Photographer--palmOne Zire 72"

hehe. In the words of Ronald Reagan..."There you go again". What photographer would want a PDA for taking photos? You think a digital camera might be more useful? I think so. Or maybe buy them a nice iBook running iPhoto for managing their large photo library and albums.

>> "Doctors--palmOne Tungsten T5"
>> "Physicians--palmOne Tungsten T5"

Uh...if my doctor walked into the examination room carrying a T5, my next step would be to prearrange my funeral. I wouldn't trust a T5 with my personal data, let alone my life. Physician, heal thyself.

>> "Construction Workers--palmOne Treo 650, Garmin iQue Family"

HAHAHA!! How about something more practical, like a DeWalt cordless drill...a new toolbox for their pickup, or a cooler for the case of beer they drink on their lunch break. Most construction workers I know are more like dirty talking sailors rather business professionals. PDAs for these guys? Pfffft!!!

>> "Executive Management--palmOne Treo 650, palmOne Tungsten T5"

Uh..Execs have something even more advanced and far more attractive than any PDA. It's called a Personal Secretary. They come in all shapes, sizes, or color. And you can take them out for a drink after work.
>> "Secretary--palmOne Zire 21/31"

Most secretaries will tell you what they really need is a good vacation. Or a bigger computer screen to do their daily work. Going from a nice 17" LCD to a tiny 3.5" PDA screen makes little sense, unless you're trying to punish your secretary.

>> "Warehouse Workers--palmOne Tungsten T5"

There is a little company name Symbol that makes PDAs designed for inventory tracking, etc. A factory is no place for a high-end Tungsten in the hands of blue collar workers.

Vesther, I think you should change your name to Jester.

-------------------------------
Editor, http://Pocketfactory.com
Contributing Editor, http://digitalmediathoughts.com

RE: My top picks for the Holiday Season
abosco @ 11/28/2004 1:40:55 PM #
Here's a pick:

Broke gadget freak: Treo 650 + Cingular SIM Card and try your best to get it to work.

-Bosco
NX80v + Wifi + BT + T637

RE: My top picks for the Holiday Season
mikecane @ 11/28/2004 1:48:34 PM #
klam: re-read what I said. I said *limitations*. Hello? As for a 3lb-subnotebook: gee, can that fit in a shirt pocket? Next!

RE: My top picks for the Holiday Season
Gekko @ 11/28/2004 2:32:45 PM #

foo - excellent counter-post. you do realize, however, that you are probably corecting the blurry thoughts of a 15 year old Spanglish kid?



RE: My top picks for the Holiday Season
Foo Fighter @ 11/28/2004 6:08:47 PM #
>> "you do realize, however, that you are probably corecting the blurry thoughts of a 15 year old Spanglish kid?"

Well that would explain a few things.

-------------------------------
Editor, http://Pocketfactory.com
Contributing Editor, http://digitalmediathoughts.com

Shrinking Choices

Foo Fighter @ 11/28/2004 7:33:35 PM #
This PalmOS gift guide is a depressing look at the diminished choices and overall decline of PalmOS in general. It looks more like a Mac holiday gift guide:

For students: PalmOne

For Teachers: PalmOne

For consumers: PalmOne

For Business: PalmOne

PalmOne..PalmOne...PalmOne. And yes, and don't forget PalmOne. It reminds me of the old Ford motto regarding the lack of color choices in the Model T: "You can have any color you want as long as it's black"

PalmOne is prominently displayed in this guide because they are now the sole proprietor and last left in the platform.

It may be happy holiday, but it's going to be a sad pathetic new year.


-------------------------------
Editor, http://Pocketfactory.com
Contributing Editor, http://digitalmediathoughts.com

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