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	What You're Missing by Being a Palm OS User

Last update: 01-18-2006	Submitted by Ed Hardy



No matter how long you've been a Palm OS user, whenever you upgrade your handheld it's only human nature to at least consider the idea of switching to Windows Mobile. The next time this happens to you, there are a few things you should know about. No Entry-Level Handhelds Because of the hardware requirements, there's simply no way to make a Pocket PC for less than $200. The last device I can remember that tried to reach out to the low-cost market was the iPAQ rz1715. It cost $280 when it debuted and most people immediately rejected it for its poor performance and an inadequate amount of memory. Anyone looking to get their first Windows Mobile device can only dream of something like the Palm Z22's $99 price. Better Learn to Love Outlook When you unwrap your next Palm and go to install the desktop software, one of the first questions you'll be asked is which program you want to synchronize your data with. Pocket PC users aren't given a choice. If you want to use a Windows Mobile device, then you had better like Microsoft Outlook. Out of the box, this is the only option. If you want to do something crazy -- like synchronize your handheld with your Macintosh -- you'll simply have to buy a third-party application. My Way or the Highway If you own a model made by Palm in the last few years, I assume you are familiar with the Agenda view in the Calendar application. This combines a list of your upcoming appointments, tasks, and unread email messages. Let's be honest, this is flat out stolen from the Pocket PC's Today screen. The problem with Microsoft's approach is that the Today screen is essentially forced down your throat. It's a useful way to see some important information, but Pocket PCs don't make it easy on you if you'd prefer to do it another way. This is an area where Windows Mobile licensees have had to fill in the gaps in what Microsoft offers. Many -- but not all -- of them bundle an application that essentially simulates the application launcher from the Palm OS. This is true only of Pocket PCs. If you are using a device running Microsoft's operating system for smartphones, then I don't think you have a choice but to use the Today screen. Something Called Software Ought to Be Easier to Use When was the last time you were synchronizing your Palm with your PC and all your files were erased? I'm not just talking about from your handheld, but also from the PC. This nightmare scenario, while not common, does occasionally happen to Pocket PC users. Thankfully, after many years Microsoft has finally managed to work most of the bugs out of ActiveSync, but there are few long-time Pocket PC users who don't feel a qualm whenever they ActiveSync. This is because they remember that time years ago when a bunch of documents were irretrievably lost for no apparent reason. And don't get me started on the Connection Manager. Not a Call to Arms To wrap this up, I want to make it clear that I don't think Windows Mobile devices are incurably flawed. That position would obviously be insupportable, as I've written numerous editorials in the past asking PalmSource to add many of Windows Mobile's features to the Palm OS. But, after all the editorials I've written recently criticizing the Palm OS, I don't want you to think that I believe that the competition is perfect. As I've pointed out here, it has quite a few problems. Both the Palm OS and Windows Mobile have their strengths ands weaknesses. The best advice I can give you, when choosing between the two, is to research them and pick the one that best fits your needs.