1SRC Podcast Thirty

[Jeff Kirvin]

Automated backup with freeware, rumors of the RAZRberry and the new Tungsten T7. [details (http://www.1src.com/?m=show&id=1114)]

[tungsten t5]

I still belive this is fake! but if it were relesed I would say earlier since they are switching there name to palm again, with the T5 price droping at least $30. also I bet there is STILL no LED. and I still hate palmOne going with this design again! The E, E2, T5, and now T7!

And yes jeff, We know you dislike the T3. But I'm getting a Zod! not a T7!

[tungsten t5]

i also say it will be no more than 256mb, otherwise the price would be to much.

[jjesusfreak01]

Maybe it will have an oled screen, and a graphics processor with open documentation.

[Dick Tracy]

Will be interesting to hear of everyone's experience with freeware backup, OS 5.4.x and TextPlus... Separately, I have heard of a USB-powered personal fan which may help keep you cooler while making your podcasts.

[soccrnj80]

Hey Jeff, I just added your 1src podcast to the podcast directory in itunes. Hope I didn't overstep my bounds, it should get your podcast seen by more people, it makes it easier to subscribe to with the new verison of itunes with podcasting built in. I entered it under category: technology, subcategory :gadget.

[Tam Hanna]

Congratulations to the thirtiest Podcast!
BTW, the TamsPalm team sometimes has an addendum to the Podcast(we had addendums to the last two)-so better look at TamsPalm every now and then!

[jjesusfreak01]

Congratulations to the thirtiest Podcast!
BTW, the TamsPalm team sometimes has an addendum to the Podcast(we had addendums to the last two)-so better look at TamsPalm every now and then!
In that case I better listen to it. I'll go grab my headphones now.

[tungsten t5]

In that case I better listen to it. I'll go grab my headphones now.

If you had a zod you could listen to it in stereo without headphones :)

[Joel_public]

Hey Jeff, I just added your 1src podcast to the podcast directory in itunes. Hope I didn't overstep my bounds, it should get your podcast seen by more people, it makes it easier to subscribe to with the new verison of itunes with podcasting built in. I entered it under category: technology, subcategory :gadget.
I've also added the podcast the minute I saw the submit option (and in the same category too). However, it seems that Apple reviews all submitted podcasts before they're added. It's not there after more than 24 hours... I guess they're not ready for the deluge of submitted podcast urls.

Joel
(from a public terminal)

[jjesusfreak01]

If you had a zod you could listen to it in stereo without headphones :)
Hmm, I could listen to it in bad quality stereo, or really good quality stereo with my headphones. What should I do?

[Cyker]

Maybe it will have an oled screen, and a graphics processor with open documentation.

Oh look! An airborne porcine quadraped! :eek: :p :D


Ahh, maybe one day, but something like that is just not Palm's style - Palm's designs have always had the emphasis on Functional and Boring.
I can believe the T|7 rumor because it would fit Palm's modus operandi - They typically evolve their designs very slowly with only incremental changes.

Fast integration of cutting edge stuff on the Palm platform was only really done by Sony (Who are good at innovating but always seem to throw out the proverbial baby with the bath water while they do it, hence the often bizzare design decisions present in a lot of the Clies...).

We may see something like that from Palm one day, but if they follow their usual trends it would have to evolve to that stage over a veeery long time, by which time nobody would notice the 'innovation' because it took so long. ;)


JJF, T|5 - I would like to condecendingly point out that Jeff's podcast is a Radio-Quality Mono transmission. :p :D

[jjesusfreak01]

JJF, T|5 - I would like to condecendingly point out that Jeff's podcast is a Radio-Quality Mono transmission. Well, then my TH is just as good as his Zodiac for the purpose. What were we thinking anyway, podcasts are almost exclusively mono. Of course, in Tylers interview podcast with me, we almost had it recorded as a stereo conversation where I was on one side, and he was on the other. We decided that would sound kinda weird if one person went on a rant.

[iDean]

is 1src's Podcast registered with Apple's new iTunes podcasting section of the store?

[Jeff Kirvin]

It will be. Several of us, it seems, have submitted it, but Apple hasn't approved it yet.

[Jeff Kirvin]

Going all the way to the top of the thread (can't quote in the mobile version of the forums): Mitch, what's wrong with the Tungsten E/T5 design? It's slim, solid and professional-looking. It seems to me that this form factor sells rather better than others PalmOne has tried. The E and the similarly-shaped Palm Vx were by far Palm's top sellers. The market has spoken.

[tungsten t5]

but,but, I have a yamaha audio chip so it's better :D

[tungsten t5]

Going all the way to the top of the thread (can't quote in the mobile version of the forums): Mitch, what's wrong with the Tungsten E/T5 design? It's slim, solid and professional-looking. It seems to me that this form factor sells rather better than others PalmOne has tried. The E and the similarly-shaped Palm Vx were by far Palm's top sellers. The market has spoken.

The E sold well becuase it was cheap. not the design. Just cheap. I personally like the life-drive design. LED's (I really like the read/right LED), Big Buttons, Screen rotate, headphone jack on the bottom.....

and the zodiac design! it's sweet!

[JAmerican]

Another device... no keyboard :(. Palm is just pushing further and further away. Congrats on 30th Podcast.

So what is this about Windows Mobile Smartphone not supporting Windows Mobile Software?? Never knew that.

The T7 is like a late UX50 w/o the keyboard.

JAmerican

[soccrnj80]

oh yeah, CONGRATS Jeff on the 30th podcast!! I can't believe it's been that many already. Keep up the great work.

[Jeff Kirvin]

The E sold well becuase it was cheap. not the design. Just cheap.

So explain the V, the Vx, the m500, m505, m515, the T5... This simple and slim tablet design sells, period. When I bought my E, it wasn't because it was cheap, it was because it was just about the perfect size and shape.

[Jeff Kirvin]

Another device... no keyboard :(. Palm is just pushing further and further away. Congrats on 30th Podcast.

So what is this about Windows Mobile Smartphone not supporting Windows Mobile Software?? Never knew that.

The T7 is like a late UX50 w/o the keyboard.

In relative order since I'm using my sister's laptop and don't have a proper mouse...

JA, most handhelds aren't going to come with integrated keyboards, and those that do will mostly be Treo/TC/Blackberry style. The Sony experiment with the clamshell design was a market failure, your preferences notwithstanding.

Thanks.

The RAZRberry uses WM5 Smartphone Edition, which indeed can't run programs designed for the Pocket PC. And it doesn't come with Word Mobile, Excel Mobile, etc. It can run software designed for the Windows Mobile Smartphone, but there really isn't a whole lot of that.

I'm impressed with the T7. Add a BT Stowaway and it's a heckuva device. Just not enough to get me to spend $400 when I already have a T5.

[Jeff Kirvin]

but,but, I have a yamaha audio chip so it's better :D
A chip that like four programs support. Lack of third party acknowledgement of the Zod's unique features was one of the reasons I ditched my Zod for my T5.

[JAmerican]

Kirvin, what about the HTC Universal, that has Office Mobile in it (Word Mobile, PPT Mobile, etc). I just don't see how computers have keyboards, laptops have keyboards, phones have touchpads and handhelds don't or the majority don't. The fastest way to input data is through a hardware keyboard. So why not create handhelds with this instead of handhelds without it. I just don't understand that. Using Graffiti 2 only further scrathes your screen and wears the digitizer.

JAmerican

[Jeff Kirvin]

Kirvin, what about the HTC Universal, that has Office Mobile in it (Word Mobile, PPT Mobile, etc). I just don't see how computers have keyboards, laptops have keyboards, phones have touchpads and handhelds don't or the majority don't. The fastest way to input data is through a hardware keyboard. So why not create handhelds with this instead of handhelds without it. I just don't understand that. Using Graffiti 2 only further scrathes your screen and wears the digitizer.
I agree, which is why I use Fitaly. As fast as any thumbboard (heck some people are faster with Fitaly than I can touchtype) but takes up no hardware space.

Phones have keypads because a lot of people dial by touch patterns. I have seen a few handsets that were basically all screen and voice activated, but they didn't sell well. Laptops and PCs can spare the space for a keyboard (though not all, ie. slate factor Tablet PCs). On a PDA, it comes down to a balance, a trade-off, between input speed and device size. All things being equal, you can have a big screen or a thumb keyboard, but not both. Otherwise the device gets too big to be easily pocketable. This is starting to change a bit with slider models like the XDA4, but then you're adding a lot of manufacturing cost and complexity that somebody (the carrier or the user) is going to have to pay for. Devices like the HTC Universal (a true Pocket PC rather than a Microsoft Smartphone; Smartphones in the MS parlance don't have touchscreens and have a greatly simplified designed to work on a 176x220 screen) are nice, but rare. That kind of swivel hinge is unreliable over time, as many Sony NX series owners know.

[JAmerican]

I wish I could try Fitaly but it doesn't work on the UX.

http://www.1src.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=3519

JAmerican

[Jeff Kirvin]

I wish I could try Fitaly but it doesn't work on the UX.

http://www.1src.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=3519

Well, by definition if you have UX, you don't need Fitaly, do you? You have a roomy thumbboard (and a tiny 3.2" screen). Most devices don't have this, which is where Fitaly comes in handy. You only really need one or the other, unless you really like Graffiti. I'm okay with Graffiti 2, but only use it when I have just a word or two to write. Anything from a sentence on up is either Fitaly or worth breaking out my IR keyboard so I can touchtype...

[jjesusfreak01]

Well, by definition if you have UX, you don't need Fitaly, do you? You have a roomy thumbboard (and a tiny 3.2" screen). Most devices don't have this, which is where Fitaly comes in handy. You only really need one or the other, unless you really like Graffiti. I'm okay with Graffiti 2, but only use it when I have just a word or two to write. Anything from a sentence on up is either Fitaly or worth breaking out my IR keyboard so I can touchtype...
Well, I have a TH, and I cant run Fitaly correctly with ClieSkinner installed. What we need is a Fitaly Silk Plugin.

[Jeff Kirvin]

Well, I have a TH, and I cant run Fitaly correctly with ClieSkinner installed. What we need is a Fitaly Silk Plugin.

And if there were more than five or six TH-55s out there, it might be worth the time to make one... :p

[JAmerican]

Well, I have a TH, and I cant run Fitaly correctly with ClieSkinner installed. What we need is a Fitaly Silk Plugin.

Oh, ClieSkinner might have been the problem. I guess. Also, I wanted to TEST Fitaly out, not use it for daily purposes. I love my roomy keyboard and what you consider a "tiny screen". Look at my prior devices, the UX has the largest screen out of all of them :).

At least I can do what can type while walking, which occasionally is the case (emails, instant messaging).

JAmerican

[strider_mt2k]

Great 'cast Jeff!
Freeware backup solution -good! :D

And if there were more than five or six TH-55s out there, it might be worth the time to make one... :p

That's okay Jeff, we're also the five or six folks that can surf WiFi for longer than two hours and still go the rest of the week on a charge. :p

Seriously though, the T7 sounds like a worthy successor to my TH55.
The lower Mhz CPU makes no diff to me because my "poor" TH maxes out at 123Mhz anyway. So it would still an upgrade for me! :)
Used with an app like "warpSpeed" this thing might have really long legs.

[jjesusfreak01]

Were waiting for Dmitry's dynamic clocking app, and then it may be worth it to get a T7.

[JAmerican]

Were waiting for Dmitry's dynamic clocking app, and then it may be worth it to get a T7.

I would consider a TH55 if I liked Fitaly, if I could even try it. BTW strider, are you serious about surfing over WiFi for 2 hours and still go the week on a single charge?

JAmerican

[JAmerican]

In relative order since I'm using my sister's laptop and don't have a proper mouse...

JA, most handhelds aren't going to come with integrated keyboards, and those that do will mostly be Treo/TC/Blackberry style. The Sony experiment with the clamshell design was a market failure, ...

It was a market failure, not to me. It probably was, in a broader sense, because of the mistakes SONY made with it. First of all ,the UX was the first handheld to run the HHE engine. SONY underestimated their DSPs. 1st Mistake. They must of though that the HHE would save so much more power that the battery could be shortened. They were wrong. They thought that taking away screen space to place an indication of Wireless status was important - 2nd Mistake. 3rd, They lied saying the screen setup was due to an antenna that went to the top of the screen when in reality, its in the cylinder next to the audio jack. 4th, They placed defective motherboards in a lot of these devices. It could have also been that the HHE was conflicting with the WiFi. 5th, they placed 3 buttons instead of 4 on the front. Sony made a lot of mistakes with the UX. It's not the clamshell that caused the market failure, its Sony's own misconceptions.

I love the Clamshell design and will stick with it. I bet the HTC Universal will sell a lot because it looks like it will be marketed and prepared correctly. I hope that I get one to do a review on both UX and HTC Universal.

The TH55 was a hit because SONY fixed their mistakes with it. They made the indication LEDS smaller and set them not to blink. They streched the screen across the device. They made the battery bigger, while keeping the HHE engine and DSPs saving even more power. The only problem I can see with the TH is the screen cover. I actually like it for watching movies, looks cool, but it looks like it could break off. Also, the removal of Backup Media and Int. Media was another negative to me. The VZ90 was even better because the battery was bigger + the HHE was still in there and the OLED screen saved even more power. So we see a natural cycle of improvement. The UX is not that great at managing power, the TH is better at it and the VZ is the best. I wouldn't expect it to go any other way. So imagine the VZ being in the UX position w/ a regular LCD display and the UX with a keyboard and a OLED display, the UX would be a hit because of it would be power efficient.

So again Clamshell has nothing to do with this.

JAmerican

[nkendric]

The portion on the non-metal cases smacked of pure Palm apologist to me. They did not go to a plastic case on the T5 for its wireless capabilities. Why? because it has no further wireless capabilities than the T3 did.

And, doesn't the LifeDrive have an aluminum case AND it has wi-fi / bluetooth?

egads... if the RAZR series can have metal, so can P1 for the amount of ducats the T5/T7 costs.

[rolandrsr]

Jeff, sorry to tell you this, but as of last year there was a Palm Store in the Garden State Shopping Plaza in Paramus, New Jersey. 10 miles from NYC and at least 20 miles from the nearest airport.
RSR

[Cyker]

I do wish Sony and Palm had worked together more, just for things like this - The Silkplugin system is simply awesome - I mean, it's a totally modular VG area! No doubt when Palm finally come up with something similar you'll hail it as yet another Palm innovation, but Sony were far far ahead of them...

Man... if Sony were a more open company and Palm weren't so cautious, the standardising of all the cool Sony extensions into PalmOS might have progressed faster.

I do wish had coded their system to run through the SilkPlugin system instead of using the weird overlay hacks they currently use in the TH55 version...

[Mobile Stream]

palmOne already has silk plugins in T|T3, T|T5 and LifeDrive (silk plugins are called pinlets). The problem is that the interface is not documented and allows ARM-native plugins only.

[Maticek]

I can't share your view on T7 not having a voice recorder and vibrating alarm. While I wouldn't miss vibrating alarms much, I sure would the voice recorder. Maybe putting a voice recorder into the T7 could even persuade Skypefolks to make a palmos port of Skype.
On the other hand I do see your point in having a modern BT phone with voice recorder, but a built in voice recorder adds functionability. And I want Palm Skype so badly (sadly it's probably never going to happen).

[Tam Hanna]

Oops, we did it again...
TamsPalm has a short addon to the podcast covering:
bluetooth
sector sizes
target market

[strider_mt2k]

I would consider a TH55 if I liked Fitaly, if I could even try it. BTW strider, are you serious about surfing over WiFi for 2 hours and still go the week on a single charge?
JAmerican

No I wasn't serious, but it wouldn't suprise me. ;)
EDIT
OOPS!

Congrats, Jeff on Podcast 30!
Here's to the Podcast that got me into Podcasts!

[jjesusfreak01]

No I wasn't serious, but it wouldn't suprise me. ;)
EDIT
OOPS!

Congrats, Jeff on Podcast 30!
Here's to the Podcast that got me into Podcasts!
On an absolutely full charge, you could use WiFi for two hours, and unless you did not spend the rest of the week playing Arvale, it would likely work.

BTW, Congrats. You got in early on the PDA podcast thing, and you are ahead of the pack.

[PDNet]

I first learned about podcasts from jeff, so thanks and happy 30 :)

If you have a LifeDrive you have the best Podcast solution you don't need an iPod anymore, what palmOne trying to achieve with the LifeDrive was complimented by the new iTunes, checkout my guide (http://www.palm-dubai.net/001/2005/06/podcast_with_yo.html)...

[Jeff Kirvin]

The portion on the non-metal cases smacked of pure Palm apologist to me. They did not go to a plastic case on the T5 for its wireless capabilities. Why? because it has no further wireless capabilities than the T3 did.

And yet, it has better wireless performance than the T3 did. Plastic casings interfere less with Bluetooth and WiFi. Deal with it.

And, doesn't the LifeDrive have an aluminum case AND it has wi-fi / bluetooth?

Actually, if you'd read the article I linked to on Writing On Your Palm, you'd know that the LifeDrive casing is in fact mostly plastic. It has a very thin facade of metal (perforated) on the back, and a small metal bezel on the front. By volume, I'd say well over 75% percent of the LifeDrive's shell is made of plastic.

And do not call me an apologist. We don't tolerate name-calling here.

[Jeff Kirvin]

I can't share your view on T7 not having a voice recorder and vibrating alarm. While I wouldn't miss vibrating alarms much, I sure would the voice recorder. Maybe putting a voice recorder into the T7 could even persuade Skypefolks to make a palmos port of Skype.
On the other hand I do see your point in having a modern BT phone with voice recorder, but a built in voice recorder adds functionability. And I want Palm Skype so badly (sadly it's probably never going to happen).

Exactly. Lacking PalmSkype, isn't the voice recorder on your phone good enough? Why should Palm spend more money (and pass that cost on to you when so many people already complain that Palms are too expensive compared to Dell) to duplicate a feature you're probably already carrying?

[Jeff Kirvin]

I first learned about podcasts from jeff, so thanks and happy 30 :)

If you have a LifeDrive you have the best Podcast solution you don't need an iPod anymore, what palmOne trying to achieve with the LifeDrive was complimented by the new iTunes, checkout my guide (http://www.palm-dubai.net/001/2005/06/podcast_with_yo.html)...

Wow, that's a great and suprisingly elegant solution. Wish it worked on my T5...

[Alan G]

Jeff,
as usual, another fantastic podcast! I broke my own rule of not listening to the 1src or Max. Geek podcast while driving and broke out laughing a few times. T3 Cultists? "Come on say it with me...". :D

Anyway, Ill have to test out the back up solution, it sounds cool, and I'm sure there are a few people in my office who'll want to use it.

I also liked your discussion of the T7. I can't agree more, this device will sell briskly. The Palm V form factor has a proven track record. I've personally purchased a Vx, an m505, the Tungsten E, and I'm currently using the T5.

Alan G

[applejosh]

I will say that the T5 form factor (and all previous incarnations) is arguably the best (I like it more than most others I've had). However, after finally getting a replacement T5 that works and updating it to the latest ROM, it's still not as great as the T3 was (in terms of speed, stability - not form factor; although Jeff, none of my screws are loose or missing (on the T3 - my brain is another matter)). It is a much needed improvement, and I am quite thankful for the ROM update. It's still not as fast as my T3, but it's a helluva lot better. (Jeff is right, everyone. Upgrade to the latest ROM.) I still wish I had the T3 inards in a T5 form factor (well, plus wireless capable of doing WPA-PSK).

Now, who's in charge of torturing the PalmOne engineers until they actually talk to the developers? ;)

[Alan G]

More like, who's in charge of torturing palmOne until they talk to (third-party software) developers!

Alan G

[dm9876]

I have long dreamed of linking palm alarms to phone hardware via bluetooth. And now with no Vib in the LD want this more than ever. Is there a good way to do it short of syncing the palm to the phones own calender (which would just be a PITA and does not cater for non calender alarms)

[Robyr]

If anyone is still *****ing abotu Plastic vs. Metal casings, know that materials that have water in them (IE: The hand the unit is in :P ) stop wifi signals almost cold. Metal has a little effect, but plastic is almost the same. Also, if you really want good wireless preformance, external antennae = the way to go ;)

[PDNet]

Wow, that's a great and suprisingly elegant solution. Wish it worked on my T5...

The last update for the T5 brought it's version to the LifeDrive version, right? If anyone who have LifeDrive and T5, please try the LifeDrive Manager with your T5 and tell us if it work?

[Jeff Kirvin]

The last update for the T5 brought it's version to the LifeDrive version, right? If anyone who have LifeDrive and T5, please try the LifeDrive Manager with your T5 and tell us if it work?

I have LifeDrive Manager on my PC and my patched T5 does not sync folders. Alas.

[PDNet]

I have LifeDrive Manager on my PC and my patched T5 does not sync folders. Alas.

It's about time to get a LifeDrive ;)

[JAmerican]

No matter the space, if it don't got a keyboard, it ain't worth it. Its like an iPod, it has 20GBs+ but has no big screen display. Cannot play videos. Basically can only play music. I understand the iPod is set to the more audiophiliac audience, I still see it as a device and a poor one at that due to my own preference. The UX might be low on RAM but I manage. I've also noticed that I'm more efficient with my apps as well because of the limited space. Not sure if anyone notices but the more space you have, the more wasteful you become.

I have a 120GB hard drive in my current PC and in about two years (PC built in Aug 2003), I've formatted my PC once and filled it currently has only 20GB left. 100GB of stuff. Some important, some not. I also have a TV tuner (which I find to be way better than getting the Sony Recorder thing - I watch Family Guy episodes on my UX). The TV Tuner takes up a lot of space due to it records in MPEG-2 format.

JAmerican

JAmerican

[PDAJah]

Jeff, in your next Podcast I wonder if you could say something about the frec copy of Pocket DVD that is available with the LD in some countries. For me, here in the UK, if I had waited three weeks before buying my LD I would have the Pocket DVD s/w for free. Anyway - I bought the app for $32 (I think) and used TCPMP on my LD. The results are amazing! This I think is an unstated killer capability of the LD - superb video from a device that uses flash memory!

[Tam Hanna]

Well, I have another reason why I dislike metal housings: coldness. It can get damn cold in austria, and then the housing is ice cold!

Also, one has to post the cost and weight question...
Most PPC's dont have metal housings IMHO, but nobody really cares!

[Alan G]

Ok, after living with my T5 for a little bit over a month, I no longer miss the metal case, the voice recorder (never really used it anyway), or the vibrating alarms. Let me say it again, the T5 is one of *the* best devices to come out of palmOne...as long as you patch it to ROM Version 1.1/Palm OS 5.4.8. This is coming from a recovering T3 Cultist.

Alan "My digitizer never drifted" G

[Cyker]

Metal housings are overrated.

[applejosh]

I don't mind the missing metal housing all that much. It did add a bit of class to the whole thing, but it wasn't exactly a deal breaker. I do miss the voice recorder, but I'm getting over it. All in all, I'm beginning to not mind the T5 that much. I still find it slow sometimes (most notably after a HotSync), but it is loads better than it was pre-ROM 1.1.

I still like my T3. It does have all its screws, and the digitizer never drifted. (I think that was the original Sony screen that had the drifting problems.) It does buzz quite a bit, though (yes, even with the utilities to adjust clock speed and such). The T5 is much much quieter.

[Robyr]

I almost didn't buy the TJ27 since it had a plastic case, but now that I am used to it, it feels real nice. I wish I had enough cash to buy a UX or a TJ37, because I'm beginning to lose faith in Palm :/

[strider_mt2k]

If anyone is still *****ing abotu Plastic vs. Metal casings, know that materials that have water in them (IE: The hand the unit is in :P ) stop wifi signals almost cold. Metal has a little effect, but plastic is almost the same. Also, if you really want good wireless preformance, external antennae = the way to go ;)

Not to mention the fact that with a little RF creativity, one could make something like a rear metal panel into the reflector element for an antenna, especially at 2.4Ghz, where WiFI AND BT live.

Metal mostly reflects, meat (us, animals) mostly absorbs, so putting the signal where it can get around both is one of the engineering challenges.

So it's not just about metal/no metal, it in HOW and WHERE that metal is used.

I'm not hung up on what something is made out of so much, just as long as it's WELL MADE.

EDIT
Big, ugly external antennas will always work the best.
(I love them, personally. 73s DE N2NLQ) :)

However, your average Joe Mundane doesn't like to look at 'em, and will break 'em off any other time.
Making an antenna smaller (same idea with speakers too) will ALWAYS incur a hit in performance. Hiding said small antenna incurs a further hit in perfomance until we've compromised ourselves into little or no antenna at all!

My first choice (given it) would be to always have not only an external antenna but a removeable one, so that external antennas can be used to boost performance.
Well, the general ignorance of most folks about RF, not to mention some silly FCC rules make that stuff unlikely at best for a handheld, and that's getting past the tech/design issues for the handheld!

Some wireless routers offer that feature, and it's very cool to have. (if you're into that kind of thing! ;) )

[Robyr]

Agreed totally. I could care less what its made of as long as I am comfortable with the construction, and if the engineers took the time to think through problems.

[smoothjordan]

I prefer plastic over the metal cases. Lighter, lowers costs, and still looks cool. My T|5 doesn't look or feel plastic, but I know it is. Same with the T|E, there were huge debates on whether or not it was plastic or metal. Some said it was plastic (Which it is, if you scrape the paint off) but some said it was metal (Like when a user dented the corner... How this happens on plastic is beyond me ) But like many users have already stated, it's how it feels. IT's sturdy yet light, which I"m satisfied with.
**Side note- Mr. Kirvin, you made me laugh so hard when you did your "voice imitation" towards the end when you were talking about wifi in the T|7... I had to rewind like 2 minutes after that because I couldn't stop laughing.... Keep up with the podcasts, I look forward to them every Wednesday :) **

J-Shep

[jwm]

Hey, Jeff - just listened to Podcasts 29 & 30 back-to-back, and although I’ve said it before, its worth saying again – good work! Informative, interesting and even humorous at times.

Keep ‘em coming…

[PhiberOptik]

This is my first post and after listening and reading this thread I just had to say "Well done Jeff". I have listened to all of your podcasts all the way back to #1.

I have to agree with you that the T7 will be very successful and that even though palmOne is not inovative they make one of the few well made PDAs on the market. I have the unfortunate ability to buy a new PDA as they come out and I have done so. It must sound pretty good to be able to do that but at times it becomes frusterating. I have seen first hand the evolution of the PDA from virtually every major maker and I can say that Palm as a whole up until the release of the Life Drive, has kept the heart of the Palm OS PDA relativly un-changed. If you look at all the other PDA makers including Sony, they are (were)struggling to stay in the PDA business. HP has the added benifit of "blackhole" deep pockets and with Microsoft surely siphoning money to them they can keep producing PDAs until they actually get it right. If you look at HP they are doing exactly what Sony did, release a rediculous amount of new iPAQs all with different features and doing it differently then anyone else. IMO they are still trying to find that sweet spot in design and functionality. They will probably never fail because Microsoft won't let it happen. But, after 10+ years and upwards of 30+ PDAs I always come back to a PalmOS unit. I spent about 2 religious years using a Pocket PC and I can tell you it still isn't there. IF by some act of God Microsoft can get Windows Mobile 5.0 right then we may be able to look forward to better Pocket PC's but until that day it still falls short.

I currently have a Treo 650 and I noticed as others have mentioned that the less memory you have for programs the better off you are. I only have SplashID loaded and the rest works fine. I do however miss the days when I carried a phone and PDA, along with Bluetooth I was a wireless freek. For once I have not layed hands on the newest device and that would be the life drive. This would be the perfect device for my wife or son but not me. I have no doubt that the T7 will be the device that brings me back to 2 devices.

Jeff, once again, you are doing what most of us would love to do but don't have the stones to or are just to worried about making a fool of our selves. You are one of the last true Palm blog/caster that actually knows WTF you are talking about. I check you sites 5-6 times a day looking for new material you have writen or recorded. I loved your bit about the Colligan effect. I am pretty sure you are on the money with what is going to happen.

I look forward posting in the future.

Luke D

[Jeff Kirvin]

Thanks, Luke. I appreciate the support.

[Sjweise]

I also enjoy your casts Jeff, I look forward to listening to them each thursday on my way to work (sometimes I have to drive slow or take an alternate route if the cast is running long :D ). The T/xx in itself sounds pretty cool, I loved my m515 and raged about how I just wanted a full screen m515 before I got the T3. However, I was never impressed that the TE et al was longer than the m515 (even though I know its not a huge difference). I also really do like the vibrating alarms (mainly 'cause my wife threatens to smash my handheld each time the Imperial March sounds off for a calendar alarm). I could see myself buying this unit if the screen technology had actually improved (to perhaps oled but I won't hold my breath). My two biggest complaints with my T3 are the screen not being too good in sunlight and the battery. Now I swapped my 900 battery out for the 1200 and with Fullpower the T3 runs strong all day for me but the damn screen in daylight! It might as well be my vampire handheld for as useful it is in bright sunlight. And for the record, I have no digitizer drift, I don't realy use the recorder though I like having it and am only missing one screw. ;)

[strider_mt2k]

Looks like LG is that licensee after all, Jeff!
Buhahahaha!
;)

[smoothjordan]

LG... they have some innovative designs when it comes to phones... I loved the 325 (The Bluetooth Slider Phone) and the the 545 (Which has Sprint MM capabilities and BT) so I say they should bring some much needed innovation to the smart phone world.

[Alan G]

It would be really cool if LG and PalmSource can pull of a transition from feature phone to Palm Powered smartphone. LG would make more money from handset sales and PalmSource would get more Palm OS phones out there. The cell phone market is huge (duh!) and PalmSource really needs to get out there.

Alan G