Vale Palm -- I loved you well.

[LexLuther]

My T3 died a week or two ago and since then I have got it working after opening it up (Don't ask me how, I have no idea) but it led me on a rethink of my PDA habits until yesterday. Yesterday I saw in one device everything I have always wanted - phone, PDA, GPS, Media, 32gb of storage, AND wifi a/b/g. Add oddles of style and push email and you have the new Blackberry 8820. My dream come true.

Now, my heart says: "but what aobut those thousands of apps!". Well, I did an audit of my usage and the apps most dear to me. I admit the only one that I cannot replicate on a blackberry is Agendus. Docs to Go is a great aspiration app ("oh, yes Boss, I can construct a full DCF and project vlauation spreadsheet with monte carlo simulation during my lunchtime on my Palm") but I really only use it sparingly. Besides Docs to Go is coming out for Blackberry soon anyway if I am desperate. The rest of the apps I use are either already in BB version or have acceptable substitutes.

The final straw though is style. I don't mean to be a real philistine here but if RIM can put all of that in a BB size smaller and slimmer than a T3 than what is up with a Treo! No, as Marshall Mcluhan said, "the mobile is the message" (apologies Marshall) and you put a Treo beside a BB 8800 series and tell me which is a chick magnet. Now especially, tell me which is more functional. You know it!

So, I have an order in already for an 8820 here with my telecom insiders. I borrowed a BB 8800 to tide me over but I think the search is oer for the perfect convergent device - at least for me. Yes, a few tears, and yes I will use my beat up T3 around the house for a while but I think that basically the wait is over. Thanks for the memories Palm.

[The Palmster]

In Canada, Bell Mobility offers the 8830. I note from the specs, however, that it does not have GPS only GPS Nav compatible, which is very different from having built-in GPS. Also, the 8830 in Canada does not seem to offer built-in WiFi.

Just curious but what exactly were you using your T3 for in the past? Are you prepared to lose the PIM functionality of the Palm over the BB? Having never tried the PIM functions on a BB, I can't really comment either way.

Also, is there an e-reader available for the BB?

This could be a very interesting thread on Palm v. BB. Would be interested in hearing anyone else's views although possibly this thread should be moved over by the mods to the Treo-specific topic as Treo owners would be in a better position to chime in on this debate.

[Tam Hanna]

I have had a BlackBerry in my hands at the CeBit, and really disliked it. For me, the touchscreen is a crucial component when interacting with a smartphone.

My Treo 680 is currently broken, pushing me onto my backup N71. Yes, the N71 is fast and everything...but the lack of touchscreen simply SUCKS! Some things take three times as long...

[jamesgraylx]

I have a bb8700r from my time in canada as well as a tx and an ld. The blackberry was good at messaging and forums etc, google maps was cool with an external gps (like palm) the smaller screen was a pain after a palm - kinda like going back to a t2.

All the apps are pretty much external data dependant. all requiring a mobile data account - and you pay per kb.

my palms can operate without a data connection and i just update my rss's and news etc wi fi for free.

Now my BB has no contract and is ONLY a half decent phone. I cannot use any apps etc.

palm is cheaper, I can always use my apps it is easier to transfer files, and picts and music.