advice on t3

[palmrocks]

hi im daniel im new here,i hope i could be welcome.well my issue is that i want to buy a t3 but i've read that it has problems with the battery,how long does it last in normal operations?is it true that it sucks??i mean compare with other plams is the same or worst??i've been dealing with this, 'cause is an expensive device....also it has a faster proccessor,another question for the owners is ,if it goes on instantly when u turn it on or it takes some time like a pc or such?or it just goes on with the touch of the button??i really appreciate if u can give me your answers and tell me more or less if it is worth buying it

thanks daniel
dsalas@cantv.net

[Moose Man]

Let's see:
Battery - I use a game as my benchmark for battery life and at 25% brightness the battery lasts 3.5 hours of continous usage which is just a shade under the other Palms that I've had. This should be sufficient for normal operations for a one week between charges. The Palm T3 uses a lithium ion battery which is easily recharged or cables can be purchased to charge it through a car cig lighter.

Palms are instant on, truly. Press the address book and all of your contacts can be scrolled through nearly instantly. Same with the other apps. There is no "boot" other than a few simple setup instructions that need to be addressed the very first time you use it, such as set the time and the location.

The 400mhz processor on the T3 is much faster than most and because of the instant on capabilities of the Palm software there is no wait time.

To answer the underlying question of is it worth it - that's a difficult question and here is what I think you need to ask yourself:

What are you going to use it for? If it's just calendar and address book then probably not. I'd suggest if this is the case just get the TE. If you plan on carrying spreadsheets and word documents then the larger screen of the T3 is a real plus especially on spreadsheets and the Landscape mode is definitely worth it. The bluetooth capabilities of the T3 is great if you have a cellular phone that uses BT - then you can search the web and check email via the phone. It then becomes close to being a "mini" laptop and you can leave your full size laptop at home - perhaps.

You can purchase one through the Palm store and they have a 30 day return policy and see if that's what you want. Be advised, that at this time the T3 has very little extra software available to it then the earlier Palms with regards to the calendar and address book applications.

The strength of the Palm units has always been the simplicity and available software compared to the Pocket PC's or Windows CE devices. The new Palm Calendar application - comes very close to not needing any enhancements to satisfy my needs. I use a program called Agendus that uses icons for views instead of the typical Palm "dots". Agendus has not yet been updated to handle the new application.

You might want to go to www.palmgear.com to veiw the many different applications for Palm units and then decide which unit you'll want. No matter what you decide - I suggest a color unit because there is a marked clarity difference compared to a monochrome or gray scale unit.

Hope some of this helps.

[egarc]

To add to Moose Man's very complete answer, I have used several Palms over the years and have been elated with the T3.

Palm has made subtle but important enhancements to the OS and core applications such as the addition of a Key Lock like on your cell phone. I get frustrated with my wife's T2 because I'm so spoiled by the Status Bar. Furthermore, when I bought the T3, I never imagined how much I'd use the voice recorder. I could not imagine a PDA without one.

I second the motion to get a color screen. You won't regret spending the extra money.

Good luck.

[radical_edward]

Like the other guys said, it depends on what you want it for. I switched to the TT about eight months ago after having stuck with my Vx for 2-3 years - basically I'd been holding out for a Palm that wasn't too much bigger than the Vx but with MP3 playback so I could ditch the Walkman :) I also wanted Bluetooth so I could get online via my mobile phone (checking out the reviews on imdb.com whilst skimming DVD titles in the stores - sweet!). I also didn't want a thumb keyboard, because I'd tried one on a Sharp Zaurus and not found it particularly useful.

I upgraded to the T3 pretty promptly because the TT had raised my expectations and then not quite fulfilled them - the modest memory and almost constant need to open the slider (or buy a compensatory app like SlideFree) made the T3's improvements irresistible.

When I buy a PC, I usually go for the most powerful model I can afford, on the grounds that it has at least a prayer of being useful for a couple of years before the software starts to become too resource-hungry for it. This isn't really a problem on the Palm, where the software usually lags behind the hardware (though support for the T3 is happening already - Agendus may not be there yet, but DateBook5 is, for example). If this is your first Palm, a cutting-edge model like the T3 may not be the best bet, as there are still bugs and software conflicts to be ironed out, but if you're looking for something future-proof, the T3 is as near as you're going to get - today.

[wghandorf]

Radical_edward

How well does datebk5 work? It crashes my Zire 71 a couple times a day. I'm getting a T3 tomorroow, and really want to keep datebk5. Notice any problems at all?

[palmrocks]

thanks for your replies guys ,well the prob lem keep on being the battery it scares me a bit,im sure that the one i want is the t3,but with the issue of the battery im kinda scare ,i want to use it at least to days without a charge with normal app and some mp3 playback(lets say 1 hour while i wait for the next class) while im in the university,do u think i will be able to do so?i know u said so in the last replies but have u been able to do such thing without having to charge it to much,an another question how is the quality of the voice recorder?,to record some classes u know guys:)

[Moose Man]

Daniel,

I don't play MP3 enough to accurately answer your battery question. I would say this - that during MP3 playback the screen will turn off after a predetermined time that you pick. The brighter the screen the shorter the battery life and MP3 playback doesn't require the screen to be on.

As I mentioned before - perhaps in you specific situation to get a "feel" for battery life you may have to purchase a unit and try it for a few days..

But don't plan on using the built in recorder for tapeing classes - you'll definitely run out of battery at that time - use a micro recorder. The palm recorder is just for vocal reminders - and the sound quality is good but the microphone won't pick up from across the room. :)

[radical_edward]

Originally posted by wghandorf
Radical_edward

How well does datebk5 work? It crashes my Zire 71 a couple times a day. I'm getting a T3 tomorroow, and really want to keep datebk5. Notice any problems at all?

You need to make sure you get the T3-compatible update from Pimlico - the link is on their site, or click here to download (http://www.pimlicosoftware.com/datebk5-v51a-s9.zip) the latest release. Otherwise it won't work with the Virtual Graffiti.

Haven't noticed any problems yet, but then I've been working on an IR problem that I think is caused by the keyboard driver, so I haven't actually been using my T3 day-to-day vey much.

[TheCartographer]

Hi!

I've got a Zire 71 and am considering buying a Tungsten T3, and have lurked on these forums for a few days.

My question is this: how high-quality is the voice recorder, and how dramaticly does it drain battery life? I can charge my Palm(s) on the go, so could I easily record an hour-long lecture (with a nearly full battery), then charge the unit for a while and record some more?

Thanks in advance for your help.

--TheCartographer

[wghandorf]

Radical

Do I need to completely delete my current DateBK5, then download the T3 update with a new version. Sorry, but I'm new to using 3rd party apps.

[palmrocks]

hi guys regarding the voice memo how is the quality more or less???an another question can i leave the voice memo "on" for some time without having to press it all the time??i mean, leave it there recording and regarding the battery it will last like two hours recording?and another thing can i play them in the itunes in my mac ,i mean can i extract the file to play them for example in an mp3 player then?? ,just asking

thanks for your answers

ohh i forgot to ask moose .....if i just run the app it will last 7 days according to what u said right ,and i wouldnt have to charge it,more or less right,i mean can i run for several days in normal app without having to charge it,i agree with what u said about giving it a try the problem is that i live in south america and for me that would be imposible because i have to ship it from usa and if i have to return it ,then it wont be affordable for me:( thats why im being so annoying asking this issues

[Moose Man]

Ok,

To record a voice memo - you must hold down the record button. I know of no work around for this issue. The recorder does tell you the max recording time on the screen while using. I suspect that you can use the recorder for easily 2 hours without worrying about battery life. However, the pickup microphone - you've got to have it fairly close - 6 inches or so away from your voice in order to have any quality.

Battery life just using the normal datebook, contacts and PIM functions - yes it should easily last one week without being charged. The great thing about the T3 is that it comes with a Keylock application that prevents errant button pushes from draining the battery. This is included as part of the on board software and it works great.

There is a power sled now available from Palm that can actually be attached to the universal connector and be charged and sync'd simulatneously using a cable rather than the cradle. It's $100 bucks but would probably give you 2 or 3 charges.

There is a mini-review from the

Gadgeteer (http://www.the-gadgeteer.com/juliesgear.html). Now this starts adding cost of course but again you may be able to eliminate the laptop.

I'd say at the moment unless your going to use the T3 for viewing documents and spreadsheets - you may be better off looking at the Tungsten E but it doesn't have the voice recorder so take the money saved from not buying the T3 then buy a good quality recorder. The screen is the same quality as the T3 but just not the same resolution it's only 320 X 320.

Keep asking - we'll keep trying to answer.

[palmrocks]

thanks moose for your replies i appreciate them,about the recording if i want to record something for 10 min i have to press the button all the time???its imposible my finger will die there:( ,well i dont really want to buy a recorder 'cause they are kinda expensive for the use that im going to give it,i think that if i can record 10 min without holding down the button will be fine:) another quaestion if i record the memo then can i listen to it in the desktop ,or create like an mp3 to tranfer it to itunes foe example...i mean can i have the file there in the desktop and play with a normal mp3 player???and last ...how long can i record???as much memory as i have??

[Moose Man]

Gotta hold down the button - I know of no work around or software that allows otherwise.

The Palm recorded file is transferred back to the desktop as a .wav file. So is you want to convert to MP3 format then that's not my area of expertise.

Length of recording is limited to memory either on the unit or to the SD card so in a sense , if you were to swap out cards then you've got unlimited recording.

On my T3 there is 42M free and it shows 180 minutes of available recording time. 13MB for 60 minutes - not bad but as I mentioned before since you have to hold down the button - you'll spend a fortune is scotch tape to keep the button down.

Also, although the quality of the recording is very good IMHO, your going to have to hold this thing close to the sound source. It's designed, IMHO, to be used while driving down the road and you can't write so you record yourself a quick memo or some similar circumstance. You won't set this down on the table in front of a professor and have them wandering all over the room giving their lecture and expect it to pick it up. The mic is not an omnidirectional - it's unidirectional so you have to be looking at it for it to record.

[palmrocks]

thanks moose...for your advice...they have been so helpful.although i read in the t3 script that i download form the palm site.and it says that u can acivate it with the hard button and then access it to record through an on-screen option without having to hold down the button,but im not sure since u are telling me this ...anyway if u know something let me know ok?thanks so much

daniel

note:i forgot to ask ,to play mp3 an must have the sd card ,if so which one would u recomend me??

[Moose Man]

Well you can ask the device to hold the recording without holding the button. It will work.

Just don't use the voice memo enough, so the when in doubt - read the manual.

[egarc]

Launch Voice Recorder, use your stylus and tap the record button. You can now set the T3 on a table and let it record until the memory runs out. The screen will even turn off and the LED flashes about every 4 or 5 seconds to let you know it is still recording.

[TheCartographer]

Thanks for all the info, Moose Man! I've got one last question - about the quality.

Let's say the guy giving the speech is speaking into a microphone. The sound then comes out of two places - speakers mounted on the walls and a pair of headphones in the sound room.

If I were to put the headphones around the T3 (with it flat on a table), and push the record icon in the app - how high (or low) quality would the result be? Like, enough to upload on a website and have people understand what he's saying?

Thanks again for all your help and advice.

--TheCartographer

[palmrocks]

thats a good question ...i hope moose can answer us ...i was thinking about recording things from the tv... anybody knows how it will sound???to bad??has anybody try it??/if not,can anybody try and listen how it saound,i lnow im asking a lotttt but it will be cool to know


note:moose can u recomend me a sd card for the t3 ,i 've heard of some. problems

[egarc]

The T3 includes a voice recorder designed for recording your voice. If you want to record a speech or TV and obtain reasonable quality, you need a recorder with a line-in and simply patch the source. The T3 does not include a line-in. Some MP3 players (such as iRiver) would work nicely.

[Moose Man]

Originally posted by TheCartographer
Thanks for all the info, Moose Man! I've got one last question - about the quality.

Let's say the guy giving the speech is speaking into a microphone. The sound then comes out of two places - speakers mounted on the walls and a pair of headphones in the sound room.

If I were to put the headphones around the T3 (with it flat on a table), and push the record icon in the app - how high (or low) quality would the result be? Like, enough to upload on a website and have people understand what he's saying?

Thanks again for all your help and advice.

--TheCartographer

The sound quality is going to be dependent upon the source. The recording capabilities of the T3 is such that you could upload to a web site (it records in WAV format). But this would take some experimentation to get the source sound correctly positioned near the mic on the T3. It can be done, IMHO, but I'd want to do some trial runs within the scenario you described in order to get it right. The mic is unidirectional - headphones probably wouldn't work as well as a headphone - single speaker placed either immediately on the mic or just a few inches away.

To sum up - the quality is good enough but you'll have to experiment to get it right.

[Moose Man]

Originally posted by palmrocks
thats a good question ...i hope moose can answer us ...i was thinking about recording things from the tv... anybody knows how it will sound???to bad??has anybody try it??/if not,can anybody try and listen how it saound,i lnow im asking a lotttt but it will be cool to know


note:moose can u recomend me a sd card for the t3 ,i 've heard of some. problems

TV recording - again you'll have to experiment - I can't at the moment and won't be able to for few days - leaving on a golf outing till Friday.

SD Card - I prefer Lexar and Panasonic over SanDisk. However, SanDisk seems to have two types out there - a High Performance which seems to be working well. The Lexar and Panasonic have higher transfer rates for reading.

The only problem I've had with the T3 and SD card is with a SanDisk card - every so often ( twice a week) I get an error message immediately after syncing that the Card Format is not recognizable. This error message lends a lot of people to believe that their card has been erased. In all of my instances - a soft reset of the device and the card again becomes recognizable. This occurs with a SanDisk 256MB card (not the High Performance type) that only has MP3 and photos on it.

I believe, in my email correspondence with Palm Support, that this issue is going to be fixed by a "driver" update for specific cards.

But be advised that some people are reporting that there cards are being erased as a result of this problem.

I don't think there is a bad card out there - it just transfer rates. Most cards are actually made by either Panasonic, Lexar or SanDisk regardless of their brand. You can tell because of a card id that's easily viewed on a Palm device.

With the new HP cards from SanDisk - they are matching or close enough to matching Lexar and Panasonic that now the only issue is price.

[palmrocks]

thanks a lot ....so helpful

[LaLongeCarabine]

Moose Man,

Since you're answering questions:

1. When people say the T3 eats SD cards they mean
it losses data, but in reality it doesn't? I mean from what
you wrote the files are still there, you just need to soft reset
to see them?

2. I now have a PPC (spit, spit) and I'm sick of Activesync,
it won't sync on two computers and I have to delete my
partnership each day and suffer a 25 minute sync at home. Will the T3 sync reliably?

3. I've had Palm PDA's in the past and the directories at
still there, can I down load this info to a T3 and then reset the device to sync with Outlook afterward? (I have a lot of old data locked up in Palm format, but all my new stuff is on Outlook.)

4. I like holster type cases, do you recoment one?

5. Lastly can you run applications from the memory card?

Thanks in advance.

JLK

[radical_edward]

I can answer some of those:

2. Yes
3. Maybe - I'm assuming you want to sync your most recent PIM info from Outlook but reinstall some old apps and their data? Depends very much on whether the app is compatible with OS 5 and/or the T3 - you'll probably need to check each program's website before trying it.
5. Depends - some apps won't run from card at all, but many will. However with 52MB of usable RAM, you should be able to fit most of your apps on the T3 with MBs to spare...

[jnw190]

You do not need to hold down the record button the entire time you are recording. If you push the button once it will bring up Vioce Memo or you may select it from the apps list. Once there click on NEW and click on the red record button. It shows the maximum time available and will record until you hit the stop button.

Hope this helps.

[palmrocks]

thanks for the answers guys

[Moose Man]

Originally posted by LaLongeCarabine
Moose Man,

Since you're answering questions:

1. When people say the T3 eats SD cards they mean
it losses data, but in reality it doesn't? I mean from what
you wrote the files are still there, you just need to soft reset
to see them?

2. I now have a PPC (spit, spit) and I'm sick of Activesync,
it won't sync on two computers and I have to delete my
partnership each day and suffer a 25 minute sync at home. Will the T3 sync reliably?

3. I've had Palm PDA's in the past and the directories at
still there, can I down load this info to a T3 and then reset the device to sync with Outlook afterward? (I have a lot of old data locked up in Palm format, but all my new stuff is on Outlook.)

4. I like holster type cases, do you recoment one?

5. Lastly can you run applications from the memory card?

Thanks in advance.

JLK

Back from Golfing:
To add to R.Edward's response:
1. In my case no data loss - I can't speak for the other cases for certain.
2. Yes - I don't have a Pocket PC but I have employees that do and we'd been more succesful syncing their Palms then their PPC when both are on their laptops.
3. During the installation - your given the option to sync with Outlook or the Palm Desktop - just choose the Outlook conduits and scrap your old data from your Palm folders unless they contain additional software that you might want to have on the Palm.
4. Not my gig - so I can't recommend this style of case since I don't have one.
5. Mirroring R.Edward's response - it depends upon the software and the developer. Some programs run totally from the SD card. Others load to the card but have to put a small amount of software onto the main memory before being able to run. Other's - very simple programs will only run from the main memory.

[palmrocks]

moose i have a last question...is it imposible to run mp3s without the sd card?

[Moose Man]

Originally posted by palmrocks
moose i have a last question...is it imposible to run mp3s without the sd card?

No, with a caveat - not with the bundled Real One Player and I don't believe that it's possible with other MP3 Players but I will reiterate - I'm not big on MP3's so there may be another program out there that might allow playing from the main memory but I'm not up on that.

The SD card is configured/formatted with predetermined folder structure. This structure allows most of the software developers to selectively and correctly place their "media" and this folder structure is "hard coded" for data type.

MP3 goes to an Audio folder
Pictures go to a DCIM folder
You can move files with a file utility such as FileZ if they are not of a default file structure but MP3 (Real one player codes them as a RMJ extension) can not be moved or copied to the main memory.

I've tried both moving and copying to the main memory with the Real One style file and the system won't allow it.

You might check the user manuals on some other MP3 players to see but the T3 owner's manual specifys that you must use an SD card with Real One Player.

[LaLongeCarabine]

I picked up a T3 a couple of nights ago and all
I can say is Wow!

The battery useage doesn't seem to be as bad as
many people say, perhaps I'm used to my PPC.
I used it all day yesterday at work and after on
my second job and it was down to 76%.

Being able to turn the screen sideways is great
due to all the spread sheets I make and view daily.

My friend after seeing it and playing with if a bit wants
to sell his Dell and get one!

I installed the software and did my first snyc and it only
took several minutes. I couldn't believe it, all my data was there.
What an improvement over PPC.

I kept hitting the record button when I removed it
from it's case, so I now use the key lock feature
with Power on when opened or closed.
When I open it, I hit deactivate keylock with
my thumb and I'm good to go!