Click to See Complete Forum and Search --> : New phone - have opinions


dee.bee
01-12-2004, 10:41 PM
I bought one of these jewels about a week ago, and I have developed several opinions about it.

First, I think it is very cool. I like that I can use it as a phone, a web access device, an MP3 player, and a palm device. I've had palm devices for about 5+ years now, and I use them to store shopping lists, password lists, and contacts.

I tried to port over a bunch of apps that I was used to using, and as a consequence I have had to do about 20 hard resets on the device over the past week. I'm getting pretty good at hard resets and reloading apps and data. But I will miss some of the apps I have grown fond of.

There are apparently a number of apps that not only don't run on this thing, but when you try and run them they have the potential to take the phone DOWN HARD.

Specifically, I've had problems with DateBk5, and with STRIP (Secure Tool for Remembering Important Passwords). At one point, my Treo was turning itself off (Wireless mode) anytime I'd turn it on. I'd activate wireless mode, and within about 25 seconds it would do a reset and turn wireless mode off. And becuase I didn't notice it at first. I was wondering why I wasn't getting any calls. Hello hard reset.

I've also had a lot of trouble with a newer app called NewPen. It advertises that it will let you use graffiti on this device, but I can only get it to work for about 2 lines of text in Memo, then it just quits working.

There are a couple of issues that UNDERWHELM me about the Treo. One that is most bothersome to me is the lack of a graffiti. I sorely miss using the pen.

Another is the silly design of the headpohne jack. To put a pair of headphones on the Treo, you have to use this clunky adapter. It works OK, but it is clunky - it's large, my phone doesn't fit in my belt holder with the adapter on it, and it's one more thing to keep up with and to lose.

As far as battery power is concerned, I'm withholding my conclusion as I collect more data. My last phone/pda was a Kyocera QCP 6035. My wife has a Samsung SPH-i300 . Both of these phones/pdas have an external battery so it is easy to stay in charge in almost any situation. I wish the Treo 600 had a similar battery to these other phones. I know that you can get (or can soon get) an add on battery external pack - this may work out OK, but it sure looks large, bulky, and clunky.

I've called Sprint PCS tech support a couple of times with questions. What a waste. They look it up in the users manual and read you the answer. They are clueless about this phone.

My biggest worry - that I will drop this thing and the screen will shatter.

Any recommendations on the best protective cases? Or any recommendations on extended warranties that may be available that will cover screen damage?

My two cents. . . . . . .

d.b

dave99
01-14-2004, 01:45 PM
I had one and sent it back!

* Loved the phone intergation, the way email and the browser worked, and especialy loved the SMS applications...

* Phone was great in itself, loved the dialing options and call logs

* Loved the sheer volume and versitiluty of third party software avialable.

* Loved it's looks.

But....

* Very scared I'd drop it (which nearly happened on a number of occasions. Is so easey to lose grip when using the keyboard!)

* I'd thought I'd get mugged using it - rather obviuous it's a bit of a flashy gizmo

* Couldn't warm to the way you navigate round the thing and it's software. If I'd kept it, I would have to puchase some kind of launcher software.

* Camera is pointless! Buy some crayons and paper.....better results

* No alarm clock???? Dohhhh!

* No file manager software???? Double dohhhh


I guess is was a loveable thing, but flawed...

amell
02-24-2004, 05:10 PM
I am seriously contemplating buying a Treo 600 (currently use a Palm T3 and a Motorola v60 phone) - several questions:

(1) I have heard conflicitng reports on whether one can use thrid-part graffitti pograms (eg. Graffitti Anywhere, Newpen or Jot) - what's the word?

(2) I have heard a rumor that Palm will be releasing a newer Treo version (630 or 660?) soon, with a better screen and other fixes - anyone hear anything about this?

(3) GSM vs. CDMA - any thoughts? I am still wary of switching to GSM, until the coverage is better (I am rarely out of the U.S.)

(4) Is it worth waiting for the Samsung SGH i505?

Much thanks,
amell

ncc1701p
02-24-2004, 07:27 PM
[QUOTE]Originally posted by amell
[B]I am seriously contemplating buying a Treo 600 (currently use a Palm T3 and a Motorola v60 phone) - several questions:

(1) I have heard conflicitng reports on whether one can use thrid-part graffitti pograms (eg. Graffitti Anywhere, Newpen or Jot) - what's the word?


I can confirm that graffitti anywhere does work. I tried it on my Boss's Sprint Treo 600. He loved it.

Im getting my Treo 600 here hopefully soon since I preordered it.

jonnyauk
03-04-2004, 02:10 PM
Yup, thats double confirmed, Graphiti Anywhere has been working day in day out with no problems for a few weeks now. I had trouble with NewPen, and didnt try Jot.

Gonna be a while til they launch anything new, although if you can wait a few (3-6??) months im sure you will be rewarded very highly indeed with an amazing phone (320x320 screen, bluetooth, that kinda stuff-who knows!)

The Samsung would be amazing - but I've heard nothing of a UK release, are you in the US?

dee-bee - Yup, when you are trying out loads of apps, you are gonna have to reset...thats half the fun (humph....). What Ive done is got a good collection of apps together, then performed a hard reset, blanking the Treo.

Remove everything from your profile folder completely and put it in a safe place, then open palm desktop. It will create the default blank folders and files - have a look and see, its only for the core applications (Calender etc). Restore back ONLY those original files from your backup, and sync - there, all the simple stuffs back (phew, feeling sweaty!).

Then go back to all your original downloaded zip files and installers, and put your apps, games and utilities on in groups. Ive found I freed up a load of memory from orphaned and scrap app files, it seems to run smoother, and not ONE even soft reset since Ive done it...lovely! Thats with Zlauncher, Graphiti Anywhere and Crystal Popup Suite running, and I use my palm alot!