It looks like my wife's Palm m130 is biting the dust. I replaced the battery, but after a few weeks, the unit loses its charge very quickly (you can watch it go down after a recharge). I opened up the unit last night and made sure the battery was connected securely. But I don't have much hope.

We homeschool our three kids (ages 17,14,8) and my wife and kids are very busy. She uses her Palm all the time and relies on it to track all of their schedules and her contacts. The palm syncs easily with the Mac Palm Desktop software, and has never caused a problem. Heck, our old IIIxe still works; I even sync'd up all her info into it the other night -- it took almost 2 hours, but it's all on there! Got the Serial-USB drivers from keyspan for OSX and it all worked!

Looking at current Palm offerings, and knowing where the portable market is going, makes replacing it a tought decision. She has a Moto RazorV3, and needs a small PDA to carry with her. Nothing large with massive keyboards. iPod screens are too small, and iPhone/iTouch is overkill. Palm's E2 came out over 3 years ago. The TX has some good reviews, but is kinda pricey. After hassling with the battery on the m130, I long for the 2AAA power sources of the older palms.

What have you readers out there done to help track active family schedules?

---

---
bradsdad
---no signature required

In your situation, I can't imagine not seriously considering the iPod touch.

You've heard the news--it's not hype...

Apple's site gives zero indication of the iTouch's functions for scheduling and contacts. It touts the Music, Movies, and such, and those items are not desired in the least. If its scheduling is like the calendar on an ipod, that's no good. Can I add items easily? See an entire day at a glance? I have never physically seen a Touch, so I don't know how it handles these functions that she would use.

---

---
bradsdad
---no signature required

i heartily recommend the Palm TX. i went from the m130, to a Zire 31 to the TX. i have programs on the palm that the iPhone/iTouch can't replicate unless i pay for a data plan. i use the palm desktop software and that's always been enough for me. i also homeschool and i even have a neat quiz program on the Palm in addition to audiobooks and ebooks. the wifi capability allows me to check email, googlemaps, and listen to Internet radio when there's free wifi. it's pricey but worth it.

I have the TX also and it does work well. I synch with Missing Synch to iCal and Address book with no problems. I also bought one for just a bit over $200 new. However, it's a bit large. What I would like, and I bet your wife also would like, is a much smaller phone with the ability to synch to iCal and Address book. Then we'd have only one device to lug around. I know the iphone is the thing, but it's ATT!

I went from the Zire 21 to the Palm Centro to combine phone and PDA. The keyboard is small, but usable and its great not having to pack multiple devices around. Got mine with Sprint on the SERO $30/mo plan which includes 450min/mo, texting, e-mail, no roaming, etc. Only found one program that wouldn't port from the Zire and that was the Palm Expense app. Located another similar program that actually is much better, so I'l good to go now.

My iTouch syncs perfectly with my PC Outlook calender and contacts. As an added benefit I can sync with iTunes on my Mac and Outlook on my PC. I'm not sure how it interacts with the Mac counterparts. I love it, it works great, but if you're wife is use to Palms I wouldn't recommend it. A new PDA or Blackberry would be better. Although, if I can hit wifi the iTouch is generations ahead of the Blackberry at internet surfing.

If she's homeschooling all those kids she deserves a Blackberry.

I went with a Palm T|X when they were $199 at Christmas. They hit near that price point every couple of months. Unfortunately Palm is barely ticking along with their PDA market- the smartphone devices have mostly replaced PDA's. If your wife isn't completely devoted to the Palm interface (like I am, so I stuck with it- my handwriting is very close to Graffiti, and all my detail memory is stuck in the Palm format files), then consider a smart phone like an iPhone or Blackberry.

But the change from handwriting to finger-typing can be annoying.

I also took advantage of the $199 T|X over the weekend after Thanksgiving. It was to replace my Tungsten T that was slowly dying after serving me well for over 4 years. I really like the T|X. However, once the next gen iPhone comes out, I'll probably be looking to sell it on eBay. If you are still in the market for one, send me a message.

Quote
bradsdad
Apple's site gives zero indication of the iTouch's functions for scheduling and contacts

I believe those aspects are covered in the tours for the iPod touch / iPhone. The best way to understand the platform is to get one of the devices in your hands.

Quote

If its scheduling is like the calendar on an ipod, that's no good.

It's not at all like the other iPods.

In any case, you'll be able to choose from many third-party supplied variations after June.

Quote

Can I add items easily?

Definitely.

Quote

See an entire day at a glance?

Yes, you can.

Quote

I have never physically seen a Touch, so I don't know how it handles these functions that she would use.

There is quite simply nothing in a handheld device that compares to the iPhone / iPod touch. Not even remotely close.

What is this "June" date? Two people have mentioned "June". Is this some rumor or something firm? FWIW, we have ATT/Cingular for our cell service, so an iPhone would be a possibility.

June: Do you mean the JVM from Sun for the devices?

---

---
bradsdad
---no signature required



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 03/15/2008 05:57PM by bradsdad.

locally a guy is selling a Palm TX for 145 on craigslist. New is $250 at amazon. Good deal? [spacecoast.craigslist.org]

---

---
bradsdad
---no signature required

Think used or go iPhone.

I got my Luddite wife a Palm 7135 Smart Phone a year or two ago and got it activated on Prepay cell (she doesn't use the phone much).

I still have my 6035 B&W Palm, but also have a 7135 to switch too in storage.

A Treo or the new cheapy Palm phone (forget the name0 should be supported.

I am surprised that the iTouch and the iPhone are both smaller than a Palm TX. My wife is always looking to having a smaller purse to carry around... So we could remove her V3 RAZR and her Palm and replace them with a smaller device that does more... for under $300... We could use another cellphone here... and we use ATT/Cingular. And we are Mac folks... 7 or 8 in the house now. Sounds like a good deal. Is there a downside?

---

---
bradsdad
---no signature required

Quote
bradsdad
I am surprised that the iTouch and the iPhone are both smaller than a Palm TX. My wife is always looking to having a smaller purse to carry around... So we could remove her V3 RAZR and her Palm and replace them with a smaller device that does more... for under $300... We could use another cellphone here... and we use ATT/Cingular. And we are Mac folks... 7 or 8 in the house now. Sounds like a good deal. Is there a downside?

does more is relative. right now, the iPhone doesn't have equivalents to the apps i run on the TX unless i pay for a data plan. this may change in the future but it's a dealbreaker for me right now. if your wife doesn't need any Palm OS based products and/or your budget allows for a data plan, then the iPhone would work for you. otherwise, I'd look at the Palm Centro or Treo offerings.

Quote
bradsdad
June: Do you mean the JVM from Sun for the devices?

There will be no JVM for the iPhone / iPod touch. That's just wishful thinking on Sun's part.

In June, Apple will release an update for the iPhone (free) and iPod touch (nominal cost) that will allow the devices to directly download and install third-party applications.

[seekingalpha.com]

I said earlier that you had heard the news. Apparently, I was wrong.

Quote
graylocks
right now, the iPhone doesn't have equivalents to the apps i run on the TX unless i pay for a data plan. this may change in the future

Oh, that will change in the near future--big time.

It starts happening after June...

When June hits, the iPhone/touch will have options that keep your warranty intact.

I went from a PalmOS Sony CLIE to an iPhone. I miss the better PDA software a little bit, like a real to do list. I make do with the Notes feature, but it does not sync with my mac (something in the final beta build of Leopard but omitted in the shipping version. Hopefully that will reappear).

What I really miss is the CLIE keyboard. Seems to me that's not a big deal to.

I was going to recommend considering a third option for your wife. The Treo smartphones are getting very cheap, and then run your palm OS software. That would buy you time until past June - after all, the first apps will have some issues, either alone or in conjunction, on the iPhone.

Or consider the TX - it IS a good PDA. But that product market is dying, so support may become an issue in a year or two.

The June updates AA mentions will include putting Apple's App Store on 'Phones and Touches (with the nominal fee for the latter). This will be the portal for legitimate apps to be installed on those devices.

There will be *many* apps developed by then, with more to follow.

How many will make Apple's cut, I don't know. But there will be some great apps in the future.

You can go to iTunes and get the SDK Apple Event and see the future, now. Or you can stream it online.

I'm thinking I may *need* at least 16G in a 'Phone.



[ax.phobos.apple.com.edgesuite.net] or [www.apple.com]

---

I am that Masked Man.

All you can do, is all you can do.

There’s trouble — it's time to play the sound of my people.

Your boos mean nothing to me, I've seen what you cheer for.

Insisting on your rights without acknowledging your responsibilities isn’t freedom, it’s adolescence.

I've been to the edge of the map, and there be monsters.

We are a government of laws, not men.

Everybody counts or nobody counts.

When a good man is hurt,
all who would be called good
must suffer with him.

You and I have memories longer than the road that stretches out ahead.

There is no safety for honest men except
by believing all possible evil of evil men.

We don’t do focus groups. They just ensure that you don’t offend anyone, and produce bland inoffensive products. —Sir Jonathan Ive

An armed society is a polite society.
And hope is a lousy defense.

You make me pull, I'll put you down.

I *love* SIGs. It's Glocks I hate.

Quote
sekker
I went from a PalmOS Sony CLIE to an iPhone. I miss the better PDA software a little bit, like a real to do list. I make do with the Notes feature, but it does not sync with my mac (something in the final beta build of Leopard but omitted in the shipping version. Hopefully that will reappear).
..clip...

Or consider the TX - it IS a good PDA. But that product market is dying, so support may become an issue in a year or two.

I see a local craigslist add for a Verizon Palm Treo 650 for $80. Can a Verizon 650 be moved to AT&T (old Cingular)? The 650 is almost a full inch thick compared to smaller units, but it would function as a cellphone too, thus removing the razr from her purse. It would also be cheaper than a used TX for $145 locally on craigslist. Any opinions?

---

---
bradsdad
---no signature required

Quote
bradsdad
Any opinions?

So is the point that for one-fifth the price, I get the same amount of stuff? Or that I get a real keyboard with the Treo? High tech comes at a price?

---

---
bradsdad
---no signature required

For one-fifth the price you get a used device made by a company upon which the sun is rapidly setting.

For one-fifth the price, you get a device with one-tenth the functionality, 1/100th the usability, and poor synchronization compatibility.

For one-fifth the price, you get a device with a clumsy, slow, error-prone, overloaded keys.

For one-fifth the price, you get an already obsolete, low capacity device that is thick and heavy and has a small, low resolution screen.

But hey--no need to trust my word on this. Find out for yourself. Get both devices in your hands. When you do, I think you'll understand. If you decide to proceed with the Treo or like device, I suggest you ensure your spouse never touches an iPhone or iPod touch...



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/18/2008 11:56AM by Article Accelerator.

For doing only those tasks that the Palm does, which device does it better? The media, pictures, music, and other nice techie stuff will not get used. Trust me on that.

Given all that, a friend has a touch that I tried out today and it was quite impressive: small size, nice virtual keyboard features, and given its networking abilities, some of those may get used (maps, email, weather,etc.) . At $229 for a refurb, it is quite competitive with a Palm TX (new or used). And it's smaller. So, it looks like we'll see if my handiwork inside the m130 fixed the power issue on it, and if not, then we'll have a decision to make.

Thanks to all for their inputs, and AA, I appreciate you taking the teasing and responding in kind! That's what I appreciate a lot about us Apple folks: intellect and humor is always present.

---

---
bradsdad
---no signature required

No problem. Good luck.