How many use an iPhone as PDA

[Glennjh]

http://www.theiphoneblog.com/2009/04/14/app-review-fctasks-franklincovey/
10 indispensable iPhone apps for IT administrators
http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/10things/?p=1270&tag=nl.e101

Let me know how you use your iPhone as a reliable PDA. I think it is
becoming the de facto standard device. Everyone of my favorite sites
is full of iPhone literature.

Most of the tech site editors are using them now with Evernotes. Every
old Palm user has switched to it or a Blackberry. I just have not
heard of people really working on their iPhones in the same manner I
am accustomed to. I can still keep my Palm T3 with a wifi card and
also now use a BB8820 with SplashWallet, Music with an 8Gig SD card,
Docs to Go, iSilo, Alarms, GPS, Olive Tree Bible just update and is
great now. Also now using google apps.

I do like the touch and that is something I think I l would like.
Music and ebooks with a fantastic browser via wifi is attractive to
me.
The blackberry 8820 with it's wifi is almost perfect except for the
browser and the 2.5 inch screen size. Our technolust is never dead.

[Donald E. Stidwell]

I use my iPhone far more as a PDA than as a phone. From PIM info using Pocket Informant to Bible Study with various apps including Pocket Bible and Logos to eBook reading with Stanza and eReader. I also have an outliner that can read my outline files from OmniOutliner and naturally, I use Evernote (which has become far more useful now that all notes can be downloaded to the local device).

I can say confidently that the iPhone is the best PDA I've ever used, albeit just a so-so phone.

Don

> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Writing On Your Palm" group.
> To post to this group, send email to wo...@googlegroups.com.
> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to woyp+uns...@googlegroups.com.
> For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/woyp?hl=en.
>

[Bert Latamore]

Just FYI: Not "every old Palm user" has switched to an iPhone. I am certainly an 'old Palm user" both in the sense that I used Palm PDAs for quite a long time, going back into the early 1990s, and in the sense that I am 63 years old. I do not use an iPhone or iPod Touch, and given that several of my favorite PDA applications do not run on them I am unlikely to do so. Eventually I do hope to move from the "classic" iPod to a Touch but mainly for music. At present I use a Windows tablet as my PDA, and probably will continue to do so.

Advantages of the table include: It is a real computer that can replace a laptop. It runs all the applications I need with me, not just the ones that Apple has decided to allow. It has USB ports and runs Adobe Flash, so I can use standard third-party peripherals and see all Web sites. It provides a clear path forward that is not dependent on a single manufacturer, since several suppliers offer Windows stablets of various designs, form factors, etc.

Bert

--
Bert Latamore
Editor, The Office Technology Report
Freelance Writer and Book Doctor

[Donald E. Stidwell]

Bert, I think I've been more fortunate than you in the sense that having moved from Palm to WinMo many years ago, every critical application that I used on the WinMo platform has been ported to the iPhone and in an application that is superior to its WinMo counterpart. Evernote replaced PhatNotes for me long ago and even though Phatware now has an iPhone app, I'm "married" to Evernote now and see no reason to go back to PhatNotes.

I have a netbook, which while not as portable and without the touch screen of your UX, still serves me well for a Windows mobile platform with all the advantages that you mention for the UX. (Although Windows is not my primary computing platform - Mac OS X is).

When you do go for the iPod Touch though, I think you may be surprised at how ultimately functional it is as a PDA as well as a music player. Honestly, I prefer my 160 GB iPod classic to either the Touch or iPhone for music. It allows me to carry my entire iTunes library and I find the scroll wheel much more useful for navigation than the touchscreen interface. I don't even carry music on my iPhone.

Don

[Jesper Anderson]

I basically use an iPod Touch V3 8GB as a make-shift ereader and a
PDA. It also doubles as a training assistant and a Japanese language
study tool. I keep it with me all the time, and abandoned a perfectly
functioning VGA Loox with WM 6.5 on as it well and truly sucks by
comparison. Sad really, the screen on the Loox is fantabulous, but the
OS completely blows and the applications tend to work as if they were
made for a netbook.

The only thing I'd want on the iTouch would be a mic. A gps would be
nice, but I don't miss one nearly as much as I miss a mic.

But an iPhone? I don't see myself getting one of those. Maybe an
Android phone, once Google fesses up that buzz is evil, and atone for
it. Until then I'm working my way out of my dependence on Google. They
shattered my trust in them, and so far aren't doing a damn to rebuild
it. Rather the contrary, actually.

Jesper

[Michael Van Orman]

While I have switched to the iPhone (original) and am mostly happy with it, my wife still uses her T3.  And there are essentially two reasons I haven't encouraged her to switch to an iPod touch (she doesn't need the phone):

1. Alarms.  When an alarm goes off on her T3, it keeps going off until she finally acknowledges it.  That nagging ability doesn't seem to be available on the touch lineup.
2. Recurring appointments.  She uses a lot of these, and adding an appoint for, say, the second Tuesday of every month is not something the iPhone handles natively -- you have to do it on the computer, and sync it to your iPhone.  I've played with pocket informant (the free version) and it was clunky and buggy, and I just couldn't gain the confidence that it would be reliable.

While there is certainly a learning curve, she'd get through that.  Her T3 is aging, and when it dies, she'll probably switch to my now unused T5 unless either the iPod touch resolves those issues or android comes out with a non-phone device that does.  But a 'PDA' that isn't also a phone is hard to come by, and we can't rationalize the cost for the phone portion when we're now only paying a few dollars a month for her pre-paid phone that is more than enough for her infrequent use.

I keep my phone in my pocket, and sit at a computer for work all day, so I managed to get by with the limitations mentioned above (though I experience the occasional annoyance).  I otherwise really love my iPhone.

[Donald E. Stidwell]

Michael, PI has come a long way since it was first released and while not at feature parity with the WM version yet, it's pretty complete and I now have a far greater level of confidence in it than I did during the 1st few versions.

As far as repeating alarms that's a limitation of the OS and something Apple really needs to fix. But considering that the iPhone OS is over 2 years old and they've not put in yet, I think it's probably something that's not even on their radar.

I sync PI with Google Calendar and Toodledoo. Both have worked flawlessly for me.

I think the iPad Touch would make a perfect PDA for your wife except for the repeating alarms. (And that's because they're handled by the flawed notification system).

Don

[Michael Van Orman]

My experience with PI hasn't been quite as positive as yours.  I've tried it recently as well.  I wonder if the full paid version works better than the lite free version.  I just didn't want to dump the money on it without a better confidence -- but I continue to watch it for updates, and may eventually move in that direction (also syncing with google).

But yes, the alarms issue is a big one.  She especially uses it to remind her when she or kids need to take medication, and since she generally keeps the T3 either in her room, or in her purse, the paltry iPod touch notification system just doesn't cut it.  I see so little discussion about it that I agree it likely isn't on Apple's radar.  Apple just doesn't seem to care about the PDA functions quite as much as the online, media and games functions -- and nobody else is making a newer device without a phone in it.  And she actually could move to a smartphone if I could plop her ol' AT&T pre-paid SIM card in and disable the cellular data.  But forced data plans also seem to be the way of the future...

Ah well... another year or so (if we're lucky) for her T3, and a couple years on my old T5 gives us time to hope.

[Bert Latamore]

Don,

Interesting thoughts about the iPhone. Of course given that I don't travel much at all any more and that I get terrible cellular reception in my home/office, I would never get an iPhone as opposed to the iPod Touch.

Certainly when I do get a Touch (if I do, after reading your comments on it as a music player) I would explore the available software, and there is a tremendous lot of it these days. But it does not have (and as far as I can tell may never have) Pimlical (the successor to Datebk) in part because Apple does not allow any app that accesses the iPhone's base databases, and because CES Dewer does not trust the situation in which Apple can at any moment pull any application it doesn't like out of the App Store, and that is the end of that app. He has expressed himself quite clearly on that point several times.

And second, it probably will never have ShadowPlan, basically because the developer (who, btw, also has a Sony UX) is at this point not interested in doing any further work on Shadow. And I use that for my daily diary. Any replacement would have to be able to read all those files going back years, which is unlikely. So there we are.

However, I am moving increasingly into the Cloud. I now use Google Docs as my main writing platform. if I could find a reasonably priced SaaS personal budgeting system that can import Quicken files I would probably move to that, and if CalorieKing ever offers a SaaS version of its Diet Diary I would definitely move to that. The advantage for me is that then I am totally platform independent and can work on any of my four working computers, and my data is in many ways more secure, particularly in the area of backup and recovery, which is always a concern of mine. I don't know what to do about all those Shadow files, however.

So if I ever get everything up into the Cloud I might find a Touch much more useful.

Bert

--

You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Writing On Your Palm" group.
To post to this group, send email to wo...@googlegroups.com.
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to woyp+uns...@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/woyp?hl=en.

[Donald E. Stidwell]

Oh, I'd be you can find a way to import your Shadow files into another application. I loved Shadow, but when I moved to WinMo and Macs I had to leave it behind. (And honestly, I've never found ANYTHING else as good as Shadow). Fortunately, I did find a set of Applescript scripts that were able to convert my ShadowPlan outlines into OPML which I could import directly into OmniOutliner on the Mac and the iPhone app I use can read the Omni files directly. It's actually quite amazing that files I developed on the Palm with ShadowPlan are now being used on my Mac and iPhone! I'm sure there're comparable solutions for Windows as well especially if you can get the Shadow outlines to OPML.

Michael mentioned quite correctly that Apple doesn't care about PIMs and both the Mac and the iPhone/iPod Touch are pretty weak PIM platforms and Apple's Nazi-like approach to dealing with communication with it's native databases make 3rd party PIMs all rely on kludgy workarounds. No PIM on Apple's products will ever be as good as they are on other platforms because of Apple's blindness regarding PIMs. Again, Michael correctly assessed that they're more focused on multimedia and games. Troglodytes like us that actually want to use our devices for work and organisation just aren't important to Apple (i.e. - they aren't going to make a bunch of $$ off us).

I perfectly understand CESD's reluctance to buy into the iPhone, especially in his case where he's a one man shop.

I'm not that in love with cloud computing, even though I utilise it extensively and certainly appreciate it's usefulness. But if any part of your cloud goes belly-up (and many have), then what? Not so much an issue with big cash-rich companies like Microsoft, Google and Apple, but a lot of the smaller players that we depend on (like Remember the Milk and Toodledo and Dropbox, and even Evernote) may not be as durable. Also, even the big companies have outages (the famous Mobile Me fiasco comes to mind, as well as outages with Google and even RIM). I didn't start having full confidence in Evernote until they allowed you to save all your notes locally on the device and in fact, had even considered going back to SoHo Notes because of this lack of ability to save notes locally. Fortunately, Evernote stepped up to the plate and now makes saving of notes locally available to Premium clients (which I am).

In this modern world of mobile tech, we're always making compromises of some kind or another. And believe me, I have plenty of issues with Apple and their focus and way of doing business. But for now, their products best meet my needs so I put up with the stuff I hate about them to utilise the stuff I love!

[Bert Latamore]

>Troglodytes like us that actually want to use our devices for work and organisation just aren't important to Apple (i.e. - they aren't going to make a bunch of $$ off us).<

That is one of my major problems with the iPhone (and other handhelds) in general. I basically want a personal organizational and information management tool. I don't play computer games on any platform (they often literally give me a headache). And I am uninterested in trying to watch movies or TV shows on a tiny screen. I find it interesting that the same people who want huge screens in their livingrooms then seem to want to watch movies on handheld sized screens. Personally I like the big screen in my livingroom and am quite happy reading a book or magazine for entertainment much of the time in any case.

So Apple's focus really isn't on what I want, and anything they offer is really accidental. The same is true of course for other smartphones -- plus I want a PDA, not a smart phone. I have some hope for Android -- that is I hope someone will come out with an Android PDA at a reasonable price that will support the functionality I want. CESD has carefully avoided saying anything about what handheld platforms he is porting Pimlical to, but Android is probably going to be an easy target. But meanwhile the one platform that does support everything I want and provide handheld PDA-like devices is Windows. Not that I am in love with Microsoft, but there you are.

Bert

--

You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Writing On Your Palm" group.
To post to this group, send email to wo...@googlegroups.com.
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to woyp+uns...@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/woyp?hl=en.

[Ryan Waldon]

In my case, it's an iPod Touch (16GB, 2nd Gen). I use it more as a PDA than as a mediaplayer. I never leave home without it!

--ryan

[Mauibro]

I find it funny how so many complain about what the other platforms
don't do and continue to act like Windows Mobile was never invented.

The fact is most people prefer the Iphone and Android because PIM use
is an afterthought for the majority. They never cared about PalmOS
like us.

I said it before, I understand when people like the New OSs. I do not
get why PalmOS people who don't like those options, refuse to consider
Windows Mobile.

So many who were disappointed in Palms WebOS wanted something similar
to traditional Palm OS only with multitasking and a better look.

I believe that if Palm OS morphed into what Windows Mobile 6.5 looks
and acts like, the kind of Palm user who doesn't like Iphone and
Android would call it "perfect".

BTW it is of interest that MS is committed to continuing 6.5x for the
traditional user, while 7 is going after the Apple /Android crowd.

>> woyp+uns...@googlegroups.com <woyp%2Bunsu...@googlegroups.com>.

[Kristin Pilotte]

Guess I'll throw my 2 cents in.  I bought an iPod Touch when my Axim died, since I knew that a lot of the WinMo apps I liked were available on the app store.  I use it primarily as a calendar device, though I'll be the first to say that being able to play games or read books while waiting in lines or waiting at doctors offices is nice.  Since I have a Kindle, I'm particularly fond of the Kindle app.  It's not great as a PIM device, especially for repeating appointments that don't repeat daily or weekly or yearly (if I remember correctly, there's an option to make something repeat every 2 weeks but not every 3 weeks, which one of my standing appointments does), so I do use Outlook a lot and syncrhonize it through my computer at home.  I also hate, in the calendar in particular, that I can't copy an entire appointment.  But, it does what I need it to do, which is provide me my schedule when I'm running around, so that's that.

 

I do enjoy playing games on the Touch but man oh man do I dislike it as an audio device.  I think Don brough it up, too, about preferring to use a wheel, ESPECIALLY when I'm driving.  Even when sitting at my desk, it annoys me that it takes multiple keystrokes to pause my music if somebody walks into my office and wants to talk.  Driving, it's very difficult to do without taking my eyes off the road.  I think it handles podcasts pretty poorly, and constantly loses my place in them. Don't even get me started on audiobooks and how poor it is for them. It amazes me that it takes a $2 app to make audiobooks even slightly bearable, and it's still not that great.  Thus, I use my 60 gig video iPod (5th generation) for music. When it dies, I'll probably switch over to a Nano (I'd love to see a 32 GB Nano, that would let me keep a good chunk of my music with me, plus a book or two and whatever podcasts I listen to).

 

It works.  It's not as elegant as it could (or arguably should) be, but it's another case of Apple wanting me to do it their way. Apple and Google are very similar in some respects, they want the experience to be what they think it should be, even if that's not what I want.  Do you know how long I've wanted an option in Google to automatically open up my next unread email when I delete the currently open mail?   Silly little things...

 

kristin

--
GO TERPS!
Nav Space: http://kristin.seidelmann-owners.com/
Blog (sometimes updated): http://gimpygal.blogspot.com
"Well-behaved women rarely make history."  -Laurel Thatcher Ulrich

[Bert Latamore]

Two or three times I have been sent WinMobile PDAs to try out. I have never been able to get them to work. So the chances that I am going to pay the kind of money they want for a WinMobile PDA is zero. For the price, I am better off with a Windows tablet. It runs real applications, not the cut down stuff the Microsoft provides for WinMobile, and it actually runs, more or less.

On Wed, Feb 17, 2010 at 1:19 AM, Mauibro <mau...@gmail.com> wrote:

[Bert Latamore]

Thanks for the warning about trying to use a Touch as a music device. I guess I will stick with my "classic" iPods, since music, podcasts, and audiobooks are my main use for it.

And I am right with you on Gmail. Going through my Yahoo mail is so much easier because when I read and delete one email it automatically displays the next one. On the other hand I like Gmail's grouping emails by conversation so I can go back to earlier emails and see what we are talking about. So neither service is really perfect.

All the best,

Bert

[Ryan Waldon]

Strangely, I've had virtually no problems with using my Touch for audio. I listen to 5-8 podcasts every night at work and then Audible books to fill in when the podcasts are done. I've never had any issues with keeping my place in them. Also, the latest OS versions added even more options/functionality for spoken word content.

As to the PIM apps, I think there's a lot more funtionality available to Mac users that to those using Windows. It's kind of a reversal of the usual situation I encountered as a Mac-centric Palm user: pay full price for software that gave me only half the features the Windows users got, while the developer promised that Mac features were coming - someday...

--ryan

Sent from my iPod Touch

[Kristin Pilotte]

Odd. I know I've had significant issues with podcasts and books losing my place, and have talked on Twitter with other users who've had the same. Also, I've found that if I download a podcast from iTunes on the Touch, it doesn't always show up on my Touch when I sync it to my computer. I have an episode of gdgt on my Touch that I can't delete since it doesn't show up when I hook it to my computer.  Audiobooks, in addition to losing my place, I think are clunky, especially if I go from using my big iPod while I'm at the gym to listen to a book and then want to listen on the Touch, the way it breaks up the chapters, etc, is just silly.  Also, it's hard to precision rewind on the Touch. 

 

And, I'll admit, that most of my complaints are related to the interface in general that requires more visual cues and gestures than a regular iPod, which is an annoyance when I'm at work, difficult to the point of not futzing with it when I'm at the gym, and downright dangerous when I'm driving (and I do a ton of listening while driving).

[Glennjh]

I bought my BB8820 on ebay. You can place the sim card in any BB and
have pda and phone with out data. Wifi Blackberries bypass a lot of
the Data requirement. Crackberry,com has a whole section about people
using them without the BB Plan or any Data plan. My grandkids use it
as an excellent texting device. My paridigm is still with the Palm as
I keep all my work notes on Memos in Outlook.

And she actually could move to a smartphone if I could plop her ol'
> AT&T pre-paid SIM card in and disable the cellular data.  But forced data
> plans also seem to be the way of the future...
>
> Ah well... another year or so (if we're lucky) for her T3, and a couple
> years on my old T5 gives us time to hope.
>
> On Tue, Feb 16, 2010 at 12:41 PM, Donald E. Stidwell <
>

> > > On Tue, Feb 16, 2010 at 20:03, Bert Latamore <bert.latam...@gmail.com>

> >http://www.theiphoneblog.com/2009/04/14/app-review-fctasks-franklinco...

> > > >> > 10 indispensable iPhone apps for IT administrators
> > > >> >http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/10things/?p=1270&tag=nl.e101
>
> > > >> > Let me know how you use your iPhone as a reliable PDA. I think it is
> > > >> > becoming the de facto standard device. Everyone of my favorite sites
> > > >> > is full of iPhone literature.
>
> > > >> > Most of the tech site editors are using them now with Evernotes.
> > Every
> > > >> > old Palm user has switched to it or a Blackberry. I just have not
> > > >> > heard of people really working on their iPhones in the same manner I
> > > >> > am accustomed to. I can still keep  my Palm T3 with a wifi card and
> > > >> > also now use a BB8820 with SplashWallet, Music with an 8Gig SD card,
> > > >> > Docs to Go, iSilo, Alarms, GPS, Olive Tree Bible just update and is
> > > >> > great now. Also now using google apps.
>
> > > >> > I do like the touch and that is something I think I l would like.
> > > >> > Music and ebooks with a fantastic browser via wifi is attractive to
> > > >> > me.
> > > >> > The  blackberry 8820 with it's wifi is almost perfect except for the
> > > >> > browser and the 2.5 inch screen size. Our technolust is never dead.
>
> > > >> > --
> > > >> > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
> > > >> > Groups "Writing On Your Palm" group.
> > > >> > To post to this group, send email to wo...@googlegroups.com.
> > > >> > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to

> > > >> > woyp+uns...@googlegroups.com<woyp%2Bunsu...@googlegroups.com>

> > .
> > > >> > For more options, visit this group at
> > > >> >http://groups.google.com/group/woyp?hl=en.
>
> > > >> --
> > > >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
> > Groups
> > > >> "Writing On Your Palm" group.
> > > >> To post to this group, send email to wo...@googlegroups.com.
> > > >> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to

> > > >> woyp+uns...@googlegroups.com<woyp%2Bunsu...@googlegroups.com>

> > .
> > > >> For more options, visit this group at
> > > >>http://groups.google.com/group/woyp?hl=en.
>
> > > > --
> > > > Bert Latamore
> > > > Editor, The Office Technology Report
> > > > Freelance Writer and Book Doctor
>
> > > > --
> > > > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
> > Groups
> > > > "Writing On Your Palm" group.
> > > > To post to this group, send email to wo...@googlegroups.com.
> > > > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to

> > > > woyp+uns...@googlegroups.com<woyp%2Bunsu...@googlegroups.com>

> > .
> > > > For more options, visit this group at
> > > >http://groups.google.com/group/woyp?hl=en.
>
> > > --
> > > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> > "Writing On Your Palm" group.
> > > To post to this group, send email to wo...@googlegroups.com.
> > > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to

> > woyp+uns...@googlegroups.com <woyp%2Bunsu...@googlegroups.com>.

> > > For more options, visit this group at
> >http://groups.google.com/group/woyp?hl=en.
>
> > > --
> > > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> > "Writing On Your Palm" group.
> > > To post to this group, send email
>

> ...
>
> read more »

[Bert Latamore]

Glen,

How are the touchscreens on BBs these days? What I heard about the original touch screen model was discouraging, but perhaps that has improved since then. I am allergic to those tiny thumbboards that so many of the smart phones (e.g., the Palm Pre) have. I also am not in love with the virtual thumbboard Apple has gone with. I have much more precise control with a traditional pen (a.k.a., stylus) and am honestly more comfortable with it since I have been using it since 1953.

Another question for the iPhone/Touch users? How is the device as an e-boo reader? I know that this has become popular and that several of the publishers (B&N, Amazon, eReader among others) support it with software. What are your experiences? What is the battery life like when reading for several hours? Do you experience eyestrain? How is the backlight in low light situations? And would the increasingly inexpensive low-end Touch have enough guts to work as a handheld reader?

All the best,

Bert

To unsubscribe from this group, send email to woyp+uns...@googlegroups.com.

For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/woyp?hl=en.

[Glennjh]

Sorry Bert, I have never seen a Storm or met anyone that had one. My
experience with BB is on the corporate level mainly. I have set them
up to sync with Exchange and Lotus Notes. Same as with the older
Palms. I have set up my Blackberry just like my Palms; except for
pocket quicken.
I have a question for you though. On the tasks screen on my T3. There
is a little icon in the lower right corner. It resembles a teardrop, I
can't remember what it is for the life of me.

[Glennjh]

http://www.smartphoneroundrobin.com/

You can check all the latest phone by different experts. I am turning
61 next month and really stuck in my ways.

Blessings

Glenn

On Feb 21, 11:30 am, Bert Latamore <bert.latam...@gmail.com> wrote:

[Bert Latamore]

Glenn,

I'm sorry, I don't know either. I retired my Palms well over a year ago.

Bert

--

You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Writing On Your Palm" group.
To post to this group, send email to wo...@googlegroups.com.
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to woyp+uns...@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/woyp?hl=en.

[Stewart]

I'm using my Android phone (previously an HTC Magic and now a Google
Nexus One) as a PDA. My old Palm 1000 had Contacts, Calendar, Notes;
my Nexus has Contacts, Calendar, (Ever)Notes. All of my data gets
synced over the air and I can enter new information either on my phone
or on the desktop and it all automagically gets synced up.

I have an iPod Touch (1st gen.) and an Archos 5 Internet Tablet, and
both of those are now gathering dust due to the flexibility of the
Nexus, which has the same 800x480 screen of the Archos, but is faster
and has more uses.

I must say I still prefer the user experience of the Apple device but
the hardware just hasn't kept up with that of other manufacturers. In
particular, I prefer the higher-res 5MPx camera of the Nexus,
especially since its flash allows me to use it in many more
situations.

[Kristin Pilotte]

It's odd you mention that the user experience of the Apple device and that the "hardware hasn't kept up."

 

I agree 100% but I still use an iPod Touch as a PDA (the battery on my Axim x51v having finally gone kaput for real), and will switch to an iPhone in October when my current phone contract is up for 2 reasons:

1) The keyboard/touchscreen on the Nexus is unusable in my opinion, the on-screen keyboard even more than the touchscreen in general. The Droid has the hardware keyboard but an even crappier touchscreen (based on playing with both for an hour).

2) The app environment. I have some apps I really like on the iPod Touch and have yet to find an equivalent on the Nexus. Part of that is because I can't see the full app catalog for the Android devices UNLESS I have an Android device, which I refuse to do until I can see the apps available.

 

I hope that the iPhone gets a better camera, that's the one thing I think the Nexus truly excels at. I know everybody talks about multitasking on the Android devices, but that's of little concern to me in my use of the iPod Touch yet.  I rarely listen to internet streaming anything, which is all my friends can say that they like the multitasking for. 

 

We'll see, October's a long way off, but unless an Android device can fix my big 2 issues, I don't see myself switching to one...though I do use the iPod Touch (and will use the iPhone) as a PDA.

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Writing On Your Palm" group.
To post to this group, send email to wo...@googlegroups.com.
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to woyp+uns...@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/woyp?hl=en.

--

[PhilippeR]

I have used Palms and WM devices, and now use an iphone as a PDA.
Because of PocketInformant, it works almost as well. PI lacks a
connection to Contacts (that is coming) and a Notepad, but otherwise
it works fine (and, BTW, it allows for all kinds of repeats, including
3-week repeats). It also is developing a direct sync to Outlook (for
those of you, like me, who use Outlook). In short, I do not miss
either Palm or WM, as the independent app developers have made up for
the irritating behavior of Apple. You should also be aware that major
businesses, including major law firms (I am a lawyer) are allowing
employees to use iphones, something they would not do unless the
iphone functioned as a pda.

[Kristin Pilotte]

Actually, the biggest problem I have using the iPod Touch as a PDA is a problem I have with a lot of things this day and age--the vendor (in this case, Apple), wants me to do things their way.  Sometimes, I have a way that works better for me, but it doesn't mesh with "their way" and I'm forced to change.

 

As an example, I primarily need a PDA for a good calendar.  I have a lot of meetings (for work) and a lot of doctor appointments, and I try to schedule them all so that they don't interfere.  I have a meeting that repeats once every 3 weeks.  As far as I've found, the Apple Calendar app on the iPod Touch won't let me schedule one that repeats every 3 weeks.  Every 1 or 2 weeks is fine, as is every month. Therefore, I have to put the meeting onto my calendar in Outlook (on my personal computer, since my company does not (yet?) support iPhones--only Blackberry) and then sync it up.  A problem?  Not a big one, but certainly an inconvenience.

 

Alas, my PDA needs are fairly straightforward and basic, so luckily I can usually make it work.

 

k

--

You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Writing On Your Palm" group.
To post to this group, send email to wo...@googlegroups.com.
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to woyp+uns...@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/woyp?hl=en.

[Robin Taylor]

Hi folks. I know I don't post often, but that's due to very poor health and overly long hospitalizations and rehabs from surgery after surgery.  So, this subject might've already been discussed. If so, I'm sorry....

I want to upgrade my iPod (32gb) to a 64gb. But, then, I've been thinking of late - what about an iPad instead? Any advice?  If so, I'm all ears, and thanks. 

Robin T. 

Sent from my iPod

[Ryan Waldon]

I'm really loving my new iPad. I have the 64GB WiFi model, which has effectively killed my Linux powered EeePC-900. However, if you do rely on the extreme portability of your iPod, you may find the iPad a bit too "beefy" for your purposes.

--ryan

Sent from my Apple iPad

[Bert Latamore]

Robin,

We did discuss iPod vs Touch recently. The conclusion, which I think extends to the iPad as well, is that the Touch doesn't really replace the iPod. They are different devices designed for different uses. Those here who have iPhones or Touches report that as music players, while they can certainly play music files, they are not as good as the iPod because their interface is much more complex. It is harder to move from selection to selection or to access music at all. of course the Touch and iPad both do many things that the iPod doesn't do at all. but remember that the iPad cannot run multiple applications at once, so if you are using it to play music you will not simultaneously be able to surf the Web, jot notes, etc., with it.

On that basis I would say that you should get the new iPod. They aren't expensive these days. Then if you also want a tablet to do other things, you should certainly take a look at the iPad (but remember its limitations as well as its benefits) but as a different device for different uses, not an iPod replacement.

Bert

[Robin Taylor]

>
> Thanks for your quick responses. I agree that I am most likely to be
> happy just to upgrade the iPod to a 64 gb and to leave the idea of
> getting a new "toy" just because.

Next . . .

How can I get 3g or a similar idea so I can have Internet access when
away from my Wifi? Poor credit, so are there options?

Thanks,

Robin

[Bert Latamore]

Robin,

Actually our discussion of iPod vs the Touch happened because I remarked that I was thinking of buying a Touch to replace my iPod when it wears out, which should happen about a year from now based on my experience with my last two iPods. After the comments from those who own the Touch/iPhone I decided that I will stick with my classic iPod for music. And since the Touch (and iPad) will never have several of the apps that I use most on my handheld (Datebk/Pimlical, Shadow Plan, Fitaly) I have taken the Touch off my list for now. I may get a low-end one some day just to try out apps, particularly the various e-book readers, on it.

RE 3G specifically. That is a cell phone service. You can only access it by subscribing to a service that offers it such as Verizon or AT&T and getting a smartphone of some sort. However, if you don't really need near-universal coverage you can take a much less expensive option of getting a handheld WiFi device like an iPad, an iPod Touch, or a Windows tablet and depending on WiFi hotspots when you are away from home/office. Given your health issues I would suggest you inquire at your hospital and other medical facilities you frequent about whether they have pass-through wifi for patients and visitors, which would let you use it there. Some hospitals do, others done. But overall free WiFi hotspots are appearing in may places including numerous restaurant chains, most hotel lobbies, some public spaces, etc. This is my strategy and it has worked fairly well for me, although as a freelance writer I do not travel a great deal and spend most of my time on my home WiFi network.

Bert

--

You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Writing On Your Palm" group.
To post to this group, send email to wo...@googlegroups.com.
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to woyp+uns...@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/woyp?hl=en.

[Bert Latamore]

I have to say given the size of the iPad, I don't see it as a portable music player. I would certainly stay with the iPod for music/podcasts/audiobooks, and if I were to get an iPad use that for other things.

One use I am particularly interested in that doesn't get much mention that I have seen is e-magazines. There are several publishing platforms out there including Zineo.com and texterity.com, and they offer a variety of magazines, including some large mass circulation publications. They really can provide the full visual magazine experience, but only on a larger screen. I suspect the iPad would be an ideal platform for this growing list of e-zenes, whereas e-books, which are basically free-flowing text, would probably be easier to read on a PDA-sized device like a smartphone of the Touch just because the smaller device will always be easier to hold for long periods.

Bert

[Robin Taylor]

Thanks for your comments. Bert. 

I only have become concerned with upgrading is that just before my latest knee surgery (nearly six weeks with hosp and rehab - hosp has wifi but I experienced major difficulties with my heart so I was out of it until the day before being trans to the rehab (my choice) that has no wifi. So I kept up with email and did lot of web surfing on my cell phone, so I shouldn't complain. I'm just looking at options. 

My on/off and volume control buttons died suddenly - but there is a simple work around for those issues. But then, my iPod wouldn't do a complete charge or work without being plugged in. I fought with this before rehab for about a week or two in rehab and now it works perfectly - giving me a 100% charge and working a day or so between charges. 

If these problems stay as they are I can get the 64gb 3rd gen and give this to my son and informing him that I cannot calculate how much more time this will run. I have two Classics that I synch every couple of weeks in case any of our iPod Touches die (my girls each have one and if I upgrade it'll be 4). 

Robin T. 

Sent from my iPod

On Apr 5, 2010, at 12:10 PM, Bert Latamore <bert.l...@gmail.com> wrote:
I

[Brenda Wallace]

I like the android calendar much better than the apple iPod one.

However neither is as good as agendus was on my palm.  Gosh we're going backwards.  I suspect windows mobile would be the best now due to their experience as a PDA and calendaring being a core and intended function of the device. Anyone using win mob care to comment?

[Mauibro]

Every now and then I chime in about WM.

You are absolutely correct, heck Agendus HAS a WM vesion that uses the
standard DB just like Palm OS.
I find it humerous how people keep talking about how the "popular"
platforms dont do PIM like PalmOS, and ignore the ONE platform that
does PIM just as well. Heck, I like it BETTER for PIM.

One app, Pocket Informant has support for either 7 habits or GTD PIM structure.

I honestly think loyal PalmOS folks have developed an "anything but
WM" mentality that comes from the old platform wars. I personally had
such a bias for years.

As a PIM Neither the Iphone or Andriod can touch WM 6.5.

The bad news is that WM7 looks like it will lose this and will become
more Iphone/ WebOS like.

>> woyp+uns...@googlegroups.com <woyp%2Bunsu...@googlegroups.com>.

>> For more options, visit this group at
>> http://groups.google.com/group/woyp?hl=en.
>>
>>
>
>
> --
> GO TERPS!
> Nav Space: http://kristin.seidelmann-owners.com/
> Blog (sometimes updated): http://gimpygal.blogspot.com
> "Well-behaved women rarely make history." -Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
>
> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> "Writing On Your Palm" group.
> To post to this group, send email to wo...@googlegroups.com.
> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
> woyp+uns...@googlegroups.com.
> For more options, visit this group at
> http://groups.google.com/group/woyp?hl=en.
>
> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> "Writing On Your Palm" group.
> To post to this group, send email to wo...@googlegroups.com.
> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to

> woyp+uns...@googlegroups.com <woyp%2Bunsu...@googlegroups.com>.

[Ryan Waldon]

I'm a 15 year Palm OS veteran, was a DateBK power-user. However, I do prefer the Apple iCal/iPhone/iPad system over the best I ever had under the Palm. As a Mac user, I never got 100% of the feature set and functionality Windows users got from Palm calendaring apps. For instance, I could never get desktop alarms or schedule notifications. Now with the Apple system and MobileMe, all I ever have to do is enter something once, in one device and my entire network is populated with the change or entry. I like that, a lot!

--ryan

Sent from my Apple iPad

[Bert Latamore]

WinMobile, of course, is now in end-of-life as a product. Microsoft came out with a completely new OS for smartphones rather quietly (particularly for them) back in February. I don't know much about it, and of course there are no products yet), but I did interview someone (about something else) the otehr week who had seen a demo of the new WinMobile, and I haave read a couple of blogs from people who also have seen it and they are all very impressed. They say it is a completely new concept of an interface, and it is very good. So it sounds as if Microsoft may finally have gotten it right and we might see something very interesting from then start to appear on the market in the next few months.
       I have no idea whether it is backward compatible with WinMobile, but I suspect not. But still, chances are that third party developers who have been in the WinMobile camp will want to develop versions of their software for this new platform. And of course Microsoft, for all I complain about it sometimes, does have a clear market strategy of welcoming and encouraging third party developers, as opposed to another major company in the mobile sphere whom we all could name that is a corporate control freak.
   

Bert

[Ian Barton]

I am probably being very stupid here, but exactly who is the iPad aimed
at? I have an iPod Classic and my son has a Touch. They are both good at
playing music and podcasts. You can also watch video, but the screen is
a little on the small side to watch anything for a long time. Both
devices are pocketable.

As I understand it the iPad is an iPod Touch with a big screen. it's
definitely not pocketable. If I want to take something that size I juse
my Samsung Netbook. I can read ebooks, write using a decent keyboard,
listen to music, watch videos on a decent size screen. It multi tasks
and I have access to a whole raft of "normal" computer apps. Why would I
want an iPad?

Ian.

[Bert Latamore]

Ian,

Basically i agree with you. Why would I want to carry a clipboard-sized device that is not a full computer with me when I go places? If the iPad were a replacement for a laptop, then I could understand it. But it really isn't due to its limitations. What I find amazing is that all those years when I was saying that PDAs are a very useful tool, I felt like I was talking in a wilderness. Well, the iPad is basically a PDA in functionality, but it is much too large to put in a pocket.

But plenty of people are very excited about it. So we will see what happens. The big question is how many will still be used in six months and how many will be gathering dust in a closet somewhere -- or have been left behind in a restaurant, cab, hotel, or wherever and never claimed.

Bert

--

You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Writing On Your Palm" group.
To post to this group, send email to wo...@googlegroups.com.
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to woyp+uns...@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/woyp?hl=en.

[Bert Latamore]

Ian,

Basically i agree with you. Why would I want to carry a clipboard-sized device that is not a full computer with me when I go places? If the iPad were a replacement for a laptop, then I could understand it. But it really isn't due to its limitations. What I find amazing is that all those years when I was saying that PDAs are a very useful tool, I felt like I was talking in a wilderness. Well, the iPad is basically a PDA in functionality, but it is much too large to put in a pocket.

But plenty of people are very excited about it. So we will see what happens. The big question is how many will still be used in six months and how many will be gathering dust in a closet somewhere -- or have been left behind in a restaurant, cab, hotel, or wherever and never claimed.

Bert

On Tue, Apr 6, 2010 at 1:55 PM, Ian Barton <li...@manor-farm.org> wrote:

--

You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Writing On Your Palm" group.
To post to this group, send email to wo...@googlegroups.com.
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to woyp+uns...@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/woyp?hl=en.

[Mauibro]

Windoows Phone 7 is not going to be backward compatible with exising
apps, new versions must be made.

>> <pdra...@gmail.com><pdra...@gmail.com>

>> pdra...@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>> I have used Palms and WM devices, and now use an iphone as a PDA.
>>> Because of PocketInformant, it works almost as well. PI lacks a
>>> connection to Contacts (that is coming) and a Notepad, but otherwise
>>> it works fine (and, BTW, it allows for all kinds of repeats, including
>>> 3-week repeats). It also is developing a direct sync to Outlook (for
>>> those of you, like me, who use Outlook). In short, I do not miss
>>> either Palm or WM, as the independent app developers have made up for
>>> the irritating behavior of Apple. You should also be aware that major
>>> businesses, including major law firms (I am a lawyer) are allowing
>>> employees to use iphones, something they would not do unless the
>>> iphone functioned as a pda.
>>>
>>> --
>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
>>> Groups "Writing On Your Palm" group.
>>> To post to this group, send email to

>>> <wo...@googlegroups.com><wo...@googlegroups.com>

>>> wo...@googlegroups.com.
>>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to

>>> <woyp%2Bunsu...@googlegroups.com> <woyp+uns...@googlegroups.com>

>>> woyp+uns...@googlegroups.com.
>>> For more options, visit this group at

>>> <http://groups.google.com/group/woyp?hl=en><http://groups.google.com/group/woyp?hl=en>

>>> http://groups.google.com/group/woyp?hl=en.
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> GO TERPS!
>> Nav Space:

>> <http://kristin.seidelmann-owners.com/><http://kristin.seidelmann-owners.com/>

>> http://kristin.seidelmann-owners.com/
>> Blog (sometimes updated):

>> <http://gimpygal.blogspot.com><http://gimpygal.blogspot.com>

>> http://gimpygal.blogspot.com
>> "Well-behaved women rarely make history." -Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
>>
>> --
>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
>> "Writing On Your Palm" group.
>> To post to this group, send email to <wo...@googlegroups.com>

>> wo...@googlegroups.com.
>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to

>> <woyp+uns...@googlegroups.com>woyp+uns...@googlegroups.com.

>> For more options, visit this group at
>> <http://groups.google.com/group/woyp?hl=en>

>> http://groups.google.com/group/woyp?hl=en.
>>
>> --
>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
>> "Writing On Your Palm" group.
>> To post to this group, send email to <wo...@googlegroups.com>

>> wo...@googlegroups.com.
>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to

>> <woyp%2Bunsu...@googlegroups.com>woyp+uns...@googlegroups.com.

>> For more options, visit this group at
>> <http://groups.google.com/group/woyp?hl=en>

>> http://groups.google.com/group/woyp?hl=en.
>>
>> --
>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
>> "Writing On Your Palm" group.
>> To post to this group, send email to wo...@googlegroups.com.
>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
>> woyp+uns...@googlegroups.com.
>> For more options, visit this group at
>> http://groups.google.com/group/woyp?hl=en.
>>
>> --
>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
>> "Writing On Your Palm" group.
>> To post to this group, send email to wo...@googlegroups.com.
>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to

>> woyp+uns...@googlegroups.com <woyp%2Bunsu...@googlegroups.com>.

>> For more options, visit this group at
>> http://groups.google.com/group/woyp?hl=en.
>>
>
>
>
> --
> Bert Latamore
> Editor, The Office Technology Report
> Freelance Writer and Book Doctor
>

[John L. Cunningham]

Honestly, I find the iPad to be not even a little bit appealing. Of
course, being the freetard that I am, I concur wholeheartedly with Cory
Doctorow
( http://www.boingboing.net/2010/04/02/why-i-wont-buy-an-ipad-and-think-you-shouldnt-either.html ).

The thing that really bothers me, though, is that I have spent a good
part of my life attaining a certain proficiency with computers and
computing. This device ignores these hard-earned skills and reduces me
to poking at pictures with my finger like a monkey.

John

[Richard Cartwright]

Bert,

 

I actually think the iPad will multitask...of course its how Apple wants you to multitask that being you can listen to music and do other things at the same time.

 

Robin,

 

This could be an urban myth, but I have heard that you can subscribe to a data card a little easier than voice. Further and more to the point the deal Apple has with ATT for the 3g iPad is a no contract or commitment $20 something a month. This could be ideal for (hopefully) brief times you are in hospital. That said the iPad is weighs more than the Touch, which may have some fatigue issues for holding it but reports say you can read it from a flat surface the same way you do a book or magazine. I have to say while I normally reject Steve Jobs and all his works I find the iPad....interesting.

Richard D. Cartwright
901-493-6612

__________________________________

If Dante had known about daytime television the Ninth Circle of Hell would have TV sets.

[Robin Taylor]

Thanks, Richard. I see my surgeons again next week, so I've decided to go with what is working - my Touch. I have a couple of issues with it, but after having reset to factory settings, it is at about 90% - with the loss of the buttons - but I found easy work-arounds. 

I use my Touch for music, email, reading, gaming, and other things. But when I head out to another hospitalization, I always carry my Classic because I have a subscription to Audible - for several years now - and that's a sizable library if I only had my Classic available.  I also have my Bible and a ton of Bible-related material on the Classic. (And thousands of songs!) 

So, at this rate I will use the Touch until it dies, and upgrade to a 64gb then. 

Oddly enough, I don't watch movies on my devices - although I have purchased a dozen or so over the years. should I decide to change that, I have a stand for the Touch.

Thanks for all the advice, however, because I now know I wouldn't have been happy with an iPad.

I'll check out the ATT data card. Sounds good!  

Robin T. 

Sent from my iPod

[Bert Latamore]

I'm not really interested in taking it apart and rebuilding it. But I do think the device is pretty limited. i just saw a demonstration of Time Magazine on the iPad that was very impressive, and in general I think it could be a great publishing platform for e-magazines that need a large, bright, fully color screen to provide the equivalent of the paper product. My only quibble is that you have to rub your finger along the screen to change pages, as opposed to tapping one side of the screen to go a page forward and the other side to go a page back. I wonder what the screen will look like after a couple of hours of that, particularly if you are eating something messy like ice cream at the same time.

But I am not going to buy an $800 device just to read Time Magazine (at $5 per issue, btw). I may well get a larger tablet eventually, but I want one that will multitask (among other things to allow me to have security software and Weatherbug running in background on it), that lets me surf any Web sites that I want (not just those that don't use flash), and that has a docking station/stand that lets me turn it into a desktop with keyboard, disk drives, etc., attached (which means that it needs USB ports. I definitely want to be able to use thumb drives!)

I am going to wait to see what the HP Slate offers. I am expecting basically a netbook without the clamshell keyboard, which might work pretty well for me.

Bert

[Bert Latamore]

Robin,

Best of luck with the surgeons. I hope you won't need more operations. You have my sympathy and support, believe me.

Bert

[Robin Taylor]

Thank you, Bert. In the last six months, I was in-patient for four of those months! I have had four major surgeries. Two knee replacements, which didn't work the way they did so they did a manipuulation of the left knee.  Now they have to decide if they need to do the same to the right knee. The right knee gave me/us terrors. It should have been a surgery with very minimal blood loss, but something went wrong, and I lost half my blood volume. Alll sorts of things happened. My blood pressure and hearrt rate were impossible to control, and I stayed so cold I shivered violently nonstop. The only cure for that was family members literally climbing into bed with me to share their body heat. So, I don't know if he plans to finish up the right knee - which is still literally more painful than I can bear, and this is nonstop,  (and the surgery was February 4) I hate opiates so I have way more pain than I should.

 

Lastly, I have a very serious back problem (spondylothesis) that was discovered during this whole time, and they say I need a spinal fusion as soon as reasonably possible.

 

I do believe in the power of prayer. I want more time before another surgery (they''ve succeeded in terrifying me  now.) I may have to take my prescribed Percocet (yuck - I like having a clear head!), if I wait longer for the surgeries.

 

Anyway, thanks again.

 

Also, it is good to be re-informed with the direction technology is headed. I think my later choice will be a tablet. My laptop is HUGE - 17 1/2 screen if that gives indications - so it is hard to take out when I want to use it (inpatient, of course), and to lock it back up - so I depend on my Classic and my Touch for my time when I am awake,

 

Robin