Why a PDA

[Adrenochrome]

Since smartphones and laptops seem to be squeezing out PDAs, I thought I'd just post what I use my little T2 for, and why it isn't going to be replaced by a laptop or a phone any time soon.

Alarm - I wake up to soothing, chanting monks via Palmary Clock.

Workout - I track my weight and exercises using the spreadsheet in Docs to Go. Listen on headphones to Pocket Tunes to about 250 songs on my 1gig card.

Diet - I plan my meals and count calories with Calorie King.

Commute - I use Pocket Tunes piped into the car's stereo via a cassette adapter.

On the work desk - Palmary Clock displays a nice clock with photos beside my computer screen. All data gets backed up.

Working - voice recorder records interviews. Wordsmith lets me take notes. All the PIM functions, including all my appointments throughout the day. Invaluable.

Reading - I read ebooks with eReader while rocking the baby to sleep.

Astronomy - star charts and latptop programs can't compete with 2Sky on the palm; not when you're out in a dark field trying to starhop around.

Guitar - tune it using aeroTuner, look up chords with Chord Buddy, occasionally use a metronome program, and could record something for later reference with voice recorder.

Writing - I'm a writer by profession, so I use Wordsmith with a Stowaway keyboard whenever I have a few random moments to write. Journal as well.

Shopping - Handyshopper lets me make a note to get toilet paper or light bulbs next time I go grocery shopping. Used for Christmas lists, home repair lists, books to read lists, and every other kind of list you can think of.

Home Improvement - Use Notepad to scribble diagrams or measurement notes. Converter is a must-have for converting measurements. Compound Angle Finder is a must-have for calculating complex miter cuts.

And that doesn't include city maps, photos of the family, address info, birthdays, the calculator, the memo pad, or a password vault.

All that, and I don't even use it online because it has no wifi. If it did, I'd be listening to streaming audio, checking the web and email wherever I am in the house, and who knows what else. And I wouldn't smirk at a built-in camera, either.

So before pa1mOne decides that the PDA is dying and that people just want smartphones, I wish they'd remember that some of us like a big screen and a flat form factor. All I wanted from the T5 was a wifi-ed T3. Was that so hard?

[seascape]

Interesting: Mow that you mention it, I don't often see this kind of post, and I agree with your opinion fully. Here's a little of how a PDA fills gaps for me:

Work -- References. I have several thick books worth of work references that I use every shift. Essential memory extender. Includes interactive aids like drug interaction checkers.

Contacts and Calendar -- use them several times a day to help stay in contact and stay organized.

Boating -- Navigation, inventory, seasonal to-do lists (essential), photo albums, carrying files to and from the boat.

Family business -- spreadsheets, reminders, holiday planning, keeping on top of the kids' schedules.

Volunteer work -- tracking my assignments and contacts.

Writing -- portable keyboard to add to my reference material at conferences and meetings, or to prepare documents over a cup of coffee away from home.

Presentations -- Margi PTG and similar presentation gear makes it easy to give presentations at the drop of a hat. I've even done given an old talk to fill a void when another speaker could not appear.

Hobby -- Celestial navigation. Astronomy and CN software, reference materials.

Games -- to turn off the mind for a while, especially in the dentist's chair.

[Adrenochrome]

Presentations -- Margi PTG and similar presentation gear makes it easy to give presentations at the drop of a hat. I've even done given an old talk to fill a void when another speaker could not appear.
Now that is cool. And this is no doubt this is the kind of thing pa1mOne is aiming for with their T5.

Hobby -- Celestial navigation. Astronomy and CN software, reference materials.
Have you tried the latest version of 2Sky? It's fantastic.

[Vidge]

I use my PDA for:

Business - I run my own business. My daily use of my PDA includes a heavy dose of the PIM functions using DB5, spreadsheets via QuickOffice and DTG, word processing via QuickOffice, Wordsmith & DTG, project management via Bonsai, time management via a series of databases I built using SmartList to Go, email on the go via SnapperMail, financial calculations using powerOne Finance.

Personal - Shopping lists in Bonsai, MP3s via PocketTunes, some games (mostly Championship Spades Pro)

Edit - how could I forget my recipes??? As I sit here cooking Thanksgiving dinner, my T3 is on the counter with all my recipes in it (that I only use once a year ;) )

I am never without my PDA :D

[MrNako]

I use my PDA for:

Business - I run my own business. My daily use of my PDA includes a heavy dose of the PIM functions using DB5, spreadsheets via QuickOffice and DTG, word processing via QuickOffice, Wordsmith & DTG, project management via Bonsai, time management via a series of databases I built using SmartList to Go, email on the go via SnapperMail, financial calculations using powerOne Finance.

Just wondering, why do you use all those different programs for word processing and spreadsheets?

[TMann]

I have a slightly different opinion about this subject than many of the hard-core PDA users that I see here on these forums, in that I find the idea of using a "smartphone" to be very enticing. However, I have not yet found one that meets all of my needs, so I continue to use a separate PDA and BT cellphone.

But what if PalmOne started selling a device with the following specs:

-Wi-Fi
-Bluetooth
-HVGA screen
-Removable battery
-No thumboard
-Cellular phone/GPRS (with the ability to be switched off.)
-Price around $500

Would any of you buy such a device? I know I would! I am currently carrying around two devices, (either my Tungsten T3 or Dell x50v, AND my SE T610.) With those two devices, I have all of my usual PDA functions, plus I have internet access via Wi-Fi hotspots, or my T-mobile connection. It seems likely to me that somewhere in the near future, someone will soon come out with a "smartphone" that will put all of those functions into one device. An "uber-Treo", if you will...

TMann

TMann

[SqrtZero]

As a (future) new PDA user I find this thread very informative. I hope others will chime in. Thank you all for the great posts.

[Adrenochrome]

I have a slightly different opinion about this subject than many of the hard-core PDA users that I see here on these forums, in that I find the idea of using a "smartphone" to be very enticing. However, I have not yet found one that meets all of my needs, so I continue to use a separate PDA and BT cellphone.

But what if PalmOne started selling a device with the following specs:

-Wi-Fi
-Bluetooth
-HVGA screen
-Removable battery
-No thumboard
-Cellular phone/GPRS (with the ability to be switched off.)
-Price around $500

Would any of you buy such a device? I know I would! I am currently carrying around two devices, (either my Tungsten T3 or Dell x50v, AND my SE T610.) With those two devices, I have all of my usual PDA functions, plus I have internet access via Wi-Fi hotspots, or my T-mobile connection. It seems likely to me that somewhere in the near future, someone will soon come out with a "smartphone" that will put all of those functions into one device. An "uber-Treo", if you will...

TMann

TMann
I'd buy it. I'm not anti-smartphone, I'm anti-tiny screen and underpowered. I would like something somewhat like the iPaq 6xxx (whatever the number is). It's big, but I don't use a cell phone all that much, and I'd like to carry just one device instead of two.

If Palm mixed the best aspects of the T5 and Treo and stuck Cobalt in there, I'd pay a hefty price because it would fill every need I'd have.

[Vidge]

Just wondering, why do you use all those different programs for word processing and spreadsheets?

They each have their strengths and weaknesses. I started with QuickOffice for spreadsheets and Wordsmith for word processing. (Plus, I like WS's integration with the memo program.) When I got my T3, it came with DTG. DTG does native file formats a bit better than QO but I've used QO longer so I'm more apt to create spreadsheets in QO, although I'm more likely to view previously created spreadsheets in DTG. SnapperMail's integration with QO is also a reason I keep QO.

[intellidryad]

I have a slightly different opinion about this subject than many of the hard-core PDA users that I see here on these forums, in that I find the idea of using a "smartphone" to be very enticing. However, I have not yet found one that meets all of my needs, so I continue to use a separate PDA and BT cellphone.

But what if PalmOne started selling a device with the following specs:

-Wi-Fi
-Bluetooth
-HVGA screen
-Removable battery
-No thumboard
-Cellular phone/GPRS (with the ability to be switched off.)
-Price around $500

Would any of you buy such a device? I know I would! I am currently carrying around two devices, (either my Tungsten T3 or Dell x50v, AND my SE T610.) With those two devices, I have all of my usual PDA functions, plus I have internet access via Wi-Fi hotspots, or my T-mobile connection. It seems likely to me that somewhere in the near future, someone will soon come out with a "smartphone" that will put all of those functions into one device. An "uber-Treo", if you will...

TMann

TMann

I would still prefer a seperate PDA and phone because...
1.I would at least expect a screen thats as great as my NX73, which is 320*480, but it wouldn't feel good to hold such a big thing to your face just to talk. (the size of my friend's sony ericsson P900 is already annoying me)
2.I don't think you would get such a feature packed gadget for that price.
3.The thumboard comes in handy when you use your handheld as a dictionary or whenever you just don't want to use a stylus, but it is annoying to dial a phone number.

And FYI, I'm still happy with my black and white sanyo phone(although on color, it can download news and send/read pure text emails)
:)
------------------------------------------------------------
Alright back to what this thread was about:
I use my NX for
1.music
2.net surfing
3.PIM
4.News with Avantgo
5.dictionary
6.taking snapshots
7.wordprocessing and spreadsheet
8.alarmclock
9.picture viewing
10.document(eg. pdf) reader(great for reading slideshows from class)
11.calculator
12.email
and much more...
PDA standalones are still great. :)

[The WB]

I went with a handheld over a laptop or smart phone for several reasons:
1) Size
2) Features
3) Durability
4) Ease of use
5) Color screen - the size.

I used my first Palm unit almost 4 years ago. I was not a believer of them, but I like the features. They lacked the power back then. I now have a T5 - yes, I know, but it serves me very well. A major upgrade to my old Handspring Prism, which my wife now has.

Having the ability to carry a baby computer with you practically anywhere has a lot of appeal to me. I don't need alarms or WiFi capability, just more to go wrong. I need to access documents, contact information and a powerful date book. I found this in my palm handheld(s).

Yes, my T5 has issues, but the benefits grossly outweigh the other problem issues, many of which you have already read about. A lot will resolve very quickly - palmOne is good about that. Look at the T3 and the SD card issue last year.

I know a number people who have "smart phones" and they absolutely swear by them. I look at the cost, size and when one componant breaks, the balance of the unit will shortly be replaced. To sink that kind of $$$ in on very fast changing technology is hard for me to swollow. The T5 was a jump for me, but I wanted to remain in the game for a few years.

One more point for seperate phone/pda - what if your smart phone is lost or misplaced? You have some pretty sensitive info floating around out there - my clients would not be very happy with me! My PDA is big enough that I would miss it very quickly, since it is in my briefcase all the time. I take it out when I need it and put it right back when I am done. A MX 220 or something like it could be lost and you may not know about it for some time. Besides, I cannot access MS Word documents on the MX 220.

Just my $0.02 worth to this discussion.

[Adrenochrome]

I almost forgot one of the most important features that I use every day - it's a flashlight! After getting out of the shower in the morning, I have to get dressed in the dark because my wife and babies are still asleep. Can't turn on any lights, so I find my way around with Palm in hand. It's just enough to see by without waking anyone up, though more than once I've arrived at work with one blue and one black sock.

[Antoine]

I have to agree with the above posters in terms of use. With my PDA it has largely been business first, and then personal contacts and appointments, then music and games, then whatever else there is to do. I look forward to getting a T5 (or similar PalmOS handheld) so that doing email on the go (12 email accounts currently) would be easier to manage.

[BetweenTheLines]

Only 3 words, " paper doesn't beep". Something I read from a couple of years ago.

[Possum]

I'm yet another "Not really against smartphones, just what's available now" person.

A larger screen and at least support for the wi-fi card would be enough to make me seriously consider a Treo. I would rather have the larger screen than a hardware keypad and it shouldn't have to be much bigger to support that. i use a bluetooth headset so I wouldn't be holding it up to my ear most of the time anyway. Support for a bluetooth headset would also be important.

As long as the current offerings do not provide the features I'm looking for, I'll stick to carrying my SE T610 and T3.

There has been some very misleading information recently regarding smart phone to PDA sales comparisons. Not only is the line not clear as to what should be considered a smart phone and what should be considered a PDA, but I have yet to see it mentioned even once the difference in how smart phones are sold compared to PDAs.

With a PDA, you have to pay the entire cost of the device. With a smart phone you usually only pay a fraction of the cost, with the rest of the cost being covered by the money you pay in the future for your phone service plan. When you do see a smart phone that does cost as much as a comparable PDA with similar features you have to know that the manufacturer is raking in a bunch of extra money because they are being sold with the phone service contract.

The current offering of phones has fewer and fewer phones that are not smart phones. Pretty soon, not buying a smart phone will mean that you are buying a cheap piece of junk, simply because that will be all that is available that is not a smart phone, so people are beginning to buy smart phones not for the features but for the quality of the phone. I have friends who have smart phones who do not use it for anything but a cell phone.

As the serious PDA users keep looking for something that's just a little better we are plagued with bad market research which assumes we don't want all the extra features because we buy Palms instead of Pocket PCs when what we really want is either a Palm with better hardware and Pocket PC functionality or a Pocket PC that isn't bug laden and is a bit smarter about how it quits programs that are not being used.

[indigenous]

I first started using a PDA a few years ago. I was a Palm M100 that had been sitting in the box unopened for a year. It was a gift to my wife from a family friend, but she didn't have any need ... and for a while she wouldn't let me use it. Finally when I started making noises about getting one, she said, "What for? There's one sitting unopened in the closet." I actually wanted something better, but I wasn't sure I would really use the darn thing. I began with entering contact information for people I'd meet at work and I'd save their email addresses and extension numbers. Then I started taking notes at meetings after I got used to Graffiti.

Since the memory was so small (2MB total), I was limited to simple games such as Blackjack and Yachtzee. But then I discovered eBooks. It would only hold one book at a time, but I used it every day for reading at lunch and bedtime. I stopped buying paper books. I've even gone back and read old classics available free online via the Guttenburg Project.

So when I realized I was using the PDA everyday for everything from reading, taking meeting notes, keeping track of action items and appointments and jotting down story ideas ... not to mention games ... I decided it was time to move up to a newer device with more memory and a hi-rez color screen.

So now I have my T5 and couldn't be happier. My job prohibits having WiFi, voice recorders or cameras for security reasons ... so I was going to get a T|E ... but the T5 came out just in time :)