(Just to clarify this thread isn't mean to be a general comparison, but one specifically for my interest

1. What PDA and/or mobile phone do I use today?

No PDA at the moment. I retired my Palm III awhile ago and I've been biding my time for a hybrid that I wouldn't be disappointed with. Using Nokia 8260 as a phone.

2. Are locked into a mobile carrier (i.e. Verizon Wireless, Sprint PCS, etc.), or do you prefer a particular carrier? Do you know if one carrier has better coverage in places that you need to be?

Using AT&T, not locked in, not thrilled with coverage in general. After I find out a bit more on my options I'll research what I can for coverage in the S.F. Bay Area.

3. Where are you based? Do you stay in one place or travel a lot? Do you travel internationally... how much and where? Do you intend to use your pdaPhone there?

San Francisco, USA. I travel somewhat domestically. No Int'l travel anymore.

4. Do have a preference of Palm, Pocket PC, Symbian, etc.?

Not specifically no.

5. Are you likely to run it the way it came out of the box, or do you intend to load a whole lot of extra applications and stuff on it? Do you know of anything now that you will need to run?

I'll likely need to add applications to gain the functionality I'm after. I'll type out a list below.

6. How important is data, and what would you use data for (i.e. web, email, remote terminal, etc.)?

Data is important. All of those features interest me.

7. Do you do SMS messaging a lot?

At the moment, no.

8. Do you need a GPS for mapping and navigation?

Need? No. Want? Yes.

9. What is your size preference.. very close to the smallest cellphone, or you don’t care.. function over size?

The smaller the better, however screen size has to not feel too cramped so as to loose usefulness.

10. How will you carry it... pocket, belt, purse, etc.?

Pocket preferably.

11. Do you prefer a particular form factor… flip-phone, candy bar, etc?

Flip seems nice, but not so much as to sway my decision.

12. Do you prefer a QWERTY keyboard, or are you cool with a stylus?

Handwriting recognition or a software keyboard work fine for me.

13. Do you want to play a lot of games? What kinds?

I'd only check out what games were available AFTER I had selected and purchased a device.

14. Do you want to listen to music? What kind... mp3, streamed, etc.?

mp3, streamed, ogg etc.


15. A bit extra:

Primary concerns:

* Finance/Expense tracker that is reasonably in depth and supports either a) synching with Quicken type program or b) exports into formats readable by such a program. Obviously synching would be much preferred.

* Synchable email client. My company uses Netscape as an email client.

* Synchable planner/calendar. Just something that works well, right now I'm not tied to a specific application.

* Synchable address book. I could probably settle for just the ability to easily back this up to an external source, otherwise synching with Netscape client for contacts would be preferable.

* Bluetooth headset support. (Other bluetooth support is nice, but not required).

* GPS Support.

* Easily expandable memory (preferably able to be used simultaneously with GPS and/or Bluetooth headset)

* MP3 ringtone support (P900) is definitely nice and could sway my decision, although it's less important than the others listed above.

* Device cost. Unimportant (within reason) so long as I get the features I need.

* If the phone can be used on a network providers network although not purchased directly through the provider then strong community support would be important.

* Decent warranty coverage etc.

*Availability. The sooner the better. Preferably before the end of the year.


I realize that many of the above are application type questions, however I haven't been able to find solid answers on those questions in general and since this involves 2 different platforms that makes it even more confusing, so I added them into the mix. If you are aware of applications that suit my needs then please feel free to name them (Publisher names would help also) then I'll head out and do the homework. No need for you to waste time hunting up threads for me, I just need a direction

I think I'm slightly more appreciative of the P900, however it's Symbian platform and the greater questionability of whether or not a US provider will pick it up are not small issues.

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Symbian in the US is tough... no carriers so far are picking up the more robust Symbian devices. The P800 never got picked up, but there are people using them. You can order them through our store and use them on T-Mobile. There are also not as many apps as Palm and Pocket PC. But, that doesn't mean you can't be successful. I know there is no good GPS/Mapping app for the P800... I was going to buy one of those for a while and that was one of the things that lead me to not get it.

Of the current devices out there, the only one that does Bluetooth cleanly is the P800, so that is a good reason to include it... if that is important to you. You have been doing your homework, because the XDA II is capabable, but you'd want to wait for a US carrier version probably.... although not required if you can get one unlocked.

For email, is it behind a firewall, or is it a POP3 email server?

Most of the other stuff you are asking about are good for Palm and Pocket PC. I'm not sure if there is an app for Quicken on Symbian.. there are several on the other two... including a Quicken app.

Given that you don't have a preference for a particular platform, you may want to spend some time in a store like CompUSA where you can play with them and see how integrated the PDA and phone are... and how you move around and stuff.

Size is also something that you should experience. The T-Mobile Pocket PC Phone Edition is out now and that will give you a feel of size... should be the same as the XDA II for the most part, minus the antenna.

Each platform as a variety of browser and email options, and also a variety of calendar and contact applications. A lot of that is personal preference.

I think you need to explore a little bit more to narrow things down. If you stay with bluetooth native, then you don't have a lot of options. Thus far, I don't think that add-on Bluetooth has worked all that great.

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Mike - Been Converged?

Yeah, that was my main concern with Symbian. App support and carrier support. Although I noticed that some people had used the P800 here in the US I wasn't sure what was involved with making that happen and whether or not there were limitations.

As for the app support, which site would you recommend for reviewing pocket pc apps etc? I'm sure I could find a handful of sites, but if you have suggestions that would be appreciated.

As for the email. I'd mainly just be interesting in synching the email clients for work and then using web/pop3 to nab personal emails.

GPS is important. It wouldn't receive daily use, but it's an option that I would want availble for roadtrips/travel etc.

Due to App support and US availability I'll likely end up going with the XDA II, but if it was announced that the P900 worked well with a US provider then I'd revert back to being indecisive, which is fine for me, the longer I take to decide the better stuff they'll come out with

Thanks for the response and info.

Bluetooth headsets are really what is going to be tough. The P800/900 is really the only one I know for sure does them well. Even if the XDA II has Bluetooth, they will need Pocket PC profiles for the headsets. But, as I said, there are no GPS/Navigation solutions for Symbian... other than the Nokia 9210 Communicator. You will have to decide which of these is more important. I think if you go with an SDIO capable device, then the option is there for Bluetooth. I don't care for Bluetooth headsets, so it isn't an issue to me. Im cool with the wired headsets.

As for using the P800 with a US carrier, my understanding is that it works fine with T-Mobile. I think you can get information from Sony Ericsson to help configure it automatically, but I haven't actually done it.

You still didn't say whether your company email was behind a firewall?

Why are you ruling out Palm devices?

For seeking Pocket PC Apps, you could nose through the forums here with creative selection of forum and search words. Also, you could hit PocketGear. They have a well organized way to check them out. If you decide to buy anything, please remember our affiliate links available from the Shop drop down menu.

One suggestion I'd make before you dump a ton of money into the latest and greatest device. Why not pick up a used T-Mobile Pocket PC or Samsung or Kyocera Palm based phone to get your feet wet. For a couple hundred bucks, you could get a device to start exploring how you REALLY will use it. Then when you decide, you could resell it used and only be out a small amount to learn. This would be a good way to avoid being disappointed with your $600 pdaPhone.

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Mike - Been Converged?

As far as bluetooth goes, I suppose I could live with a wired headset, I'd just prefer bluetooth, especial since the pda/phone will be a large device and when I'm on the move it'd be easier to stick the thing in my notebook bag etc. and not worry about fishing it out for a call or keeping it tethered to my ear.

As for email, it's behind a firewall, but I'd be synching it up from within the firewall.

Not ruling out Palm devices all together, I'm just more interested in the newer generation that's 'nearly here'. The Treo isn't entirely unsexy either.

As for buying a used device...it wouldn't really be the same for me, also I get extremely lazy when it comes to stuff like selling off my old technology. I tend to stash it away, so in the end it wouldn't save me much I may consider picking up a P800 though and checking it out with a T-Mobile account. It'd allow me to check the coverage area of a diff provider and get a feel for the device as well.

For Palm.. the Treo 600 is pretty sexy, as is the Samsung i500... very different devices, but both very small. The i500 could easily be confused for a regular clamshell phone its so small.

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Mike - Been Converged?