Z2: Initial Impressions...

[Pride Of Lions]

We all know there's not much going on with Palm Blvd.'s Zodiac boards. I just thought I'd try there in case any of us had any solutions.

I found out the hard way that the Z2 doesn't have any flash. While my HotSync issues are many and varied, there are times when the sync will allow an install, but freeze up afterwards. During these lucid periods, I had managed to install a bunch of files (and whatever I couldn't install via HotSync, I just sent/beamed from my "old" T|3) including the Brayder suite.

After a ton of "Critical Failure's" and hard resets and Kern Panics and such, finally I got an error message that said that there was no flash memory and that the Brayder suite wouldn't work on the Z2. With 128MB's of RAM, it was plain greedy of me to seek to milk my "ROM" when I still cannot fill up the Z2. (Maybe once I get the HotSync issues under control, I can install some movies and then we'll see how I fill up the Z2.)

An interesting point , the default launcher only displays in the horizontal mode and then there are 2 display configurations. (I'm a SilverScreen kinda guy, but this default launcher is starting to grow on me.) The default launcher is optimized to accept input via the joystick. It's kinda complicated, but here we go...

There is HomeScreen2 (HS2) where all of the app's are listed horizontally and alphabetically and the joystick moves the cursor one app at a time, while the buttons on the right control the "page scroll" functions. Then you find what app you want with the joystick and click on it.

HS1 uses a more interesting approach where you can pick up to 8 of your most used folders in the Home screen and drag/drop them into little placeholders arranged in the 8 directions of the joystick. Then you can just move the joystick in that direction to open up that folder. And the trend continues in that folder where you can place up to 8 of your most used app's in the joystick directions and open them by pressing the joystick in that direction. In all the the folders, if you have more than 8 app's there, the remainder of the app's will list themselves on the right side.

It's a different way of thinking. As much as I love SilverScreen's functionality, I find myself using the default launcher for it's quirky usefullness.

I said all that to say that if you want vertical/portrait use of the PDA, your 3rd party launcher will have to suffice. With SilverScreen open, the screen can rotate and there is indeed the virtual silkscreen area for writing. The difference here is that the cap's are on the far left, the lower case letters are in the middle and, of course, the numbers are on the right.

<Whew.>
It's pretty cool as a PDA. It's small for a gaming console (though I'm not much into gaming), and it's big for a PDA. I like the full-time tablet-ness of it. I have a leather case for it and in it it's huge compared to my other cases (the "crappy plastic shield" for the T|T and the stock leather flip-thingy for the T|3) and it kinda looks like an eyeglasses case. I cannot wear it in my front pocket like I could with my other PDA's. Not if I want to bend over and tie a shoe or pick up money from the ground. I could do it, but it'd be uncomfortable. Maybe I just need new pants with fuller thighs. (Or to finally lose that spare 20 pounds.) (Nah, new pants it is.)

I'll try to find sites for you to check out the specs and other people's reactions. So far, I've been visiting Tapland (http://www.tapland.com) and it does OK for what it does. I think because the Zodiac is such a new PDA and marketed for such a niche segment of our society, that the fan base just isn't as built up as the more "traditional" PDA sites.

More to come at some other point in time. Until then, take care.
POL9A

[Telyx]

Excellent, and thanks for confirming my thoughts--and making me want to go buy one NOW instead of waiting. (How to slip it under my wife's radar... hmmm...)

[Pride Of Lions]

...Upon reading the post again, that I made it sound like the Z2 just will never let you go vertical. It's just that the default launcher doesn't do vertical.

The app's themselves have the ability to go portrait, but that just seemed weird to me to go from horizontal to vertical and back and forth all the time. I've just arranged my PDA usage to accept horizontal as a way of life.

Go, Telyx, go. Stop by CompUSA on the way home. Tell your wife it's urgent (or something.) My GF was surprisingly calm (but maybe that's because she's my GF. I have the feeling that it will all change if she evolves into my wife. That's why she's still my GF.)

There are online "deals" that claim to cut the retail price down to $315.00 or something. I foundthat out after I bought mine at CompUSA, but I still like the fact that I could buy mine at a regular bricks-and-mortar store. I could play with the demo, hold it in my hand, talk to the salesperson (just kidding, why would I want to bang my head against THAT brick wall?), and return it if it doesn't work out for me (even though they have that pesky 15% "restocking" fee.) So, you do have options that might make the transition slightly easier, but sometimes I just don't trust those fly-by-night online "discounters."

Looking at "My Precioussssss" now. (I'm just kidding. The thing is huge, though. In that leather case it looks like a mini-briefcase.) I'll look into trying to post pics for y'all to see.
POL9A

[Telyx]

When she becomes your wife, it WILL be harder for you to buy stuff like this. Believe me. I'm going to save up at least half the price and "borrow" the rest against my weekly spending money (using the credit card) so as not to throw the budget too far out of whack.

I'd rather pay a bit more at a "bricks and mortar" store than get a discount buying online--like you, I like the option of an easy return/exchange if something is wrong. My TE taught me that. (I ordered it from the Palm Store and paid with reward points from work, but the battery wouldn't hold a charge overnight. My brother bought a TE at Target and we switched 'em, then he returned the dud. Kind of sleazy, I suppose, but in light of what I've read about Palm's support in the last year I'm glad I went that route.)

[Pride Of Lions]

I wouldn't worry about the ethics re: the switch. The important thing is that you got a PDA that worked, and that PalmOne got the dud back. It worked better that way than to go through the headache of trying to get it solved the "Palm" way.

What is PalmOne doing wrong when there are so many PDA's with significant problems in each new release? Has the merger with HandSpring (and the subsequent split of PalmSource) done more harm than good?

BTW: I'm resisting my GF's constant hypnosis and subconscious suggestions re: marriage, but I think I'm starting to break. The "Marriage Force" is STRONG within her.

Withering.
POL9A

[Pride Of Lions]

I like the dual LEDs of the Power button. When connected, the orange signifies charging, while the green means it's fully charged.

I like the dedicated BT button (with it's requisite blue LED). It makes the toggling of BT much easier and the light reminds one to turn it off when it's not being used (to save battery.) I can't remember how many times I forgot to turn the BT off on my T|3 even though the little onscreen icon was lit. This dedicated button eliminates the need to enter any additional menus at all.

I don't like the archaic OS. I miss writing on the screen, and the requisite onscreen toggle icon. I miss colored Date Book entries associated to my different categories on my Palm Desktop. I wonder if I can update the OS with app's from my T|3...

I don't like that it doesn't come with a cradle, but I do like that I can HotSync with the cable without having to take the behemoth out of it's leather briefcase.

More to come...
POL9A

[Telyx]

I noticed the Z2 has the "older" PIM apps (Date Book, Address Book, etc.)-- you went from a T3 to the Z2. Did your PIM data sync over without a problem? (I should ask--are you using Palm Desktop or Outlook?) I know the older conduits would have to be enabled and certain fields wouldn't sync to the handheld, but I just wondered if the old PIM apps can read the databases for the new PIM apps on the T3/TE.

[Pride Of Lions]

Yes the Z2 uses the older PIM app's. They caused initial consternation with the HotSync process (and I'll write a more complete review of the HotSync trials over here. (http://www.pdastreet.com/forums//showthread.php?s=&threadid=50847) )

I use Palm Desktop with the Mac, so my issues might not be in line with the PC user of either Palm Desktop or Outlook.

Another thing I didn't like last night was that the stylus is held in place by 2 little rubber grippers on the back instead of a dedicated slot somewhere. I've seen pics of the inside of the Z2 and I know that there wasn't any room inside for a slot stylus, but I miss that coming from the T|3 world. I also think that more companies should look into expandable styli, the design fo them is just perfect.

Another thing is that the reset button is completely covered by the case I hav it in and whenever I need to reset, I have to pull the Z2 out of it's briefcase. Again, not a biggie (and it's more of a complaint against the particular case I bought than against the Z2), but it's kind of a drag.

I really should put some pics up here so people can see what I'm talking about. Anyone have any ideas re: how to put up links to pics? I see that other people put them up all the time, but I'm not a saavy as they in that regard.

There was another thing I liked about the Z2 last night, but I can't remember it now. It was something about something, and it wasn't too insignificant, but I'm tired and fighting a cold so my head isn't so clear right now. I'm also busy trying to encode movies to play on this wonderful multimedia beast.

And so it goes...
POL9A

[Pride Of Lions]

I also really dig the card reader program on Missing Sync that turns the PDA into a card reader. It makes so much sense. USB 1.1 is kinda slow for these movies and such I'm uploading, but it works great if you have patience, and it doesn't cause undue wear and tear on the contacts of the card by constantly inserting and removing from the PDA and a separate card reader.

I know that there are 3rd party programs that do the same thing, bt I'd never tried them before and now I don't have to. So, for all you PC users out there who want to experience the joys and raptures of Missing Sync, just go out and buy a Mac and then this missing Sync Program and read my post about HotSync-ing and then plunge in.

Or just get the 3rd party card reader program and save yourselves a few thousands of dollars. I leave the choice up to you.
POL9A

[Telyx]

Did you just have to change to the old conduits and sync? If so, cool. I just had nightmares (OK, minor misgivings) about trying to sync and having it say "Your PIM databases are in the new format but I'm not" and leaving me unable to read my PIM stuff on the Z2 unless I beam over the new PIM apps from my TE. I haven't used the enhancements of the new apps much, so I won't really miss them.

[Pride Of Lions]

It took me forever to realize that the Z2 uses the older PIM conduits instead of the newer ones for Palm Desktop. It seems only natural to assume from the PIM app. names on the Z2 that it would be so, but here I was thinking that the software would make the decisions for me and smooth everything out. Wrong. Now we know, and knowing is half the battle.

Another thing I like about the Z2 is that one can turn the backlight off. At the lowest setting I can muster, it is dimmer than the lowest setting on the T|3 ("Lighthouse", I believe) and at its highest setting it comparable to, but not as bright as, the highest setting of the T|3 (Jealous Sun", I believe.)

Also, the sound has the On/Off option as well as a slider like the light setting where you can dial in the volume of choice. It's not just the "high-Medium-Low" settings of the T|3 world. I haven't tried the vibrating alarms yet, but I'll get to it someday.

Still sick.
POL9A

[Telyx]

Sounds great!

[Telyx]

By the way, I've read that WebPro doesn't work on the Zodiac. Do you know if VersaMail works? If not, I'm gonna have to think about a T3 instead of the Z2--don't want to, but VersaMail is how I check my e-mail on the road.

[Pride Of Lions]

I haven't ried either WebPro or Versamail yet on the Z2. I have both app's ready to install from the T|3 CD, but I'm having slight issues with my computer right now.

After a quick trip to MicroCenter today (and probably installing Mac OS X 10.3) I think that I'll be back to normal and I'll install those app's (and network my Z2 with my mobile phones, another slacking thing on my part) and I'll see tonight what's the real deal.

I know how it is to have a killer app. that either makes or breaks a deal, esp. when you can HotSync your mail (if you're a PC user.) I'll try it tonight and report back to the fold.
POL9A

[Telyx]

I use VersaMail with my cellphone (infrared connection) and TE to dial up to Earthlink. It will probably work with the Zodiac, but I paid for Web Pro and would like to be able to use it too. (Actually, I don't use Web Pro much, but if I need a Yahoo Map while on the road, it's really handy. If the browser packaged with the Z2 will get me there in a reasonable amount of time, I'd be OK, I guess.)

[Telyx]

One thread on Tapland's forums says that WebPro will work fine on a Z2 but only in 320x320 mode. I could live with that. Now, I just need to know that VersaMail works--I don't care if it HotSyncs or not because I don't sync it anyway. I leave copies of e-mails on the server.

[Pride Of Lions]

I had major work done to it to get it back, but now it's better than ever.

I just realized that, although I can install WebPro from the old CD's, VersaMail isn't like that on the CD's. It comes with an installer that (presumably) will pop out the requisite .PRC's and .PDB's that will install the app. onto the Z2. I tried doing it last night, and they didn't install. I have the feeling that because I'm a Mac guy and I'm using a 3rd party HotSync solution, that the VersaMail install process didn't recognize the "Missing Sync." Right now, I'm charging up my "old" T|T (it has the same OS version as the Z2, the T|3 has newer version and it might not be compatible) and plan on sending the app. to the Z2 forthwith.

Even if Versa Mail doesn't work with the Z2, I'm sure that there are other e-mail solutions that will, most notably SnapperMail (http://www.snappermail.com/wireless/email/). Once I get my Z2 and my phone a-talkin', I'll try the trial version of SnapperMail and see if it's a worthy replacement for VersaMail.
POL9A

[JohnKes]

The web browser that comes on the Zodiac CD is terribly slow. Sure it does 480x320 but sometimes I can't tell if it has frozen or if it is just being slow. I'll bet WebPro is much faster. Wish I could get a copy to try it out.

HotSync and web browsing via Bluetooth is pretty slick.

LauncherX looks pretty good on 480x320 landscape and portrait mode. Since a Z has a separate video chip, speed is unaffected by landscape vs portrait. I heard that a T3 slows down by half in landscape mode. (I almost bought one myself though.)

[Pride Of Lions]

Hey All,

I've decided to e-mail TapWave with a few observations of mine own, but unfortunately I forgot to mention the VersaMail or Web browser experience. Maybe if we come together with a few more ideas, I'll send an addendum to the e-mail I sent to them. A lot of it also depends on whether or not they even read the e-mail and show a willingness to hear from their customers.

But anyway, here's the thread. (http://www.pdastreet.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=52066)
Enjoy.
POL9A

[PalmTealLover]

I'm actually "excited" about hardware again, after resigning myself to just worry about software apps and stick with the T3. I've got 3 quotes from POL to ask about:

1. The difference here is that the cap's are on the far left, the lower case letters are in the middle and, of course, the numbers are on the right.

2. I miss writing on the screen

3. Yes the Z2 uses the older PIM app's. They caused initial consternation with the HotSync process

OKAY: #1: I'd think that was more intuitive (for me anyway) and HATE middle caps even though I enabled it in TealScript and picked "dead center." Left Side for starting a word makes sense.

#2: No screen writing? Even with TealScript "write anywhere?" I suppose the graffiti area on the bottom would be okay and you wouldn't "scratch up" the whole screen as happens with the T3. If you have the "view" set vertical, graffiti area is on the bottom? And there's no "write anywhere?"

#3: Perhaps most critical. How did you sync the new PIMS to the old PIMS? Would just "beaming whole category" from T3 to Z2 work or are the "PIMS" bad there too? I'd imagine that would work (when beamed) because that's why Palm left the older ones as "vestages" in the OS.

Any thoughts appreciated POL . . . thanks for the extensive review as I can't find "real info" on the Z2 and I'm "on the verge" of buying one very soon and skipping the "spare T3" idea.

[Pride Of Lions]

heh heh.

Anyways, yes, with the screen oriented in portrait mode the graffitti area goes ABC, abc, 123's and it pretty useful. I mostly use the Z2 in landscape mode so the graffitti area goes from top to bottom ABC, abc, and 123's. It makes writing something less arduous, but I miss my Palm Ultra-Thin Keyboard, and though they have a wireless version (and supposedly a BT version in the works) I liked how the T|3 fit into the keyboard with a satisfying click and stayed in place on airplanes or on laps in cars, trains,... I'm afraid that the IR version, if it doesn't secure the PDA somehow, might be more of an imposition.

Maybe TealScript's "write anywhere" of the other pre-T|3 softwares would allow someone to write all over the Z2, I just miss that it was supported withinthe T|3 OS. I know that there might be no issue at all with using a 3rd party soluton, but a lot of what I miss in the T|3 is the little menubar where I could toggle BT, graffitti, and check my battery and memory status all without having to enter into the world of preferences and such.

Now the PIM's were a bit of a "sticky wicket" (did I get that right?) at first until I realized that the information isn't in the conduits and vice-versa. That is to say that the PIM info. is always wherever it is, just that the method of accessing it differs slightly from the T|3 world to the Z2 world. I'm not certain what PC users making this transition did, but for a Mac user like me who has to rely on Mark/Space's (improving steadily) Missing Sync software, I was told on my first HotSync that 2 or more conduits are capable of accessing the same database and was given the option of choosing which one. After some fiddling (with very little help from Mark/Space because they thought I was crazy) I found in the Home-Library-Application Support-Palm Hotsync folder (on a Mac) that I could move the "updated" PIM conduits ("Contacts", "Calendar",...) from the "Conduits" folder to the "Disabled Conduits" folder and move the "older" PIM conduits ("Address Book", Datebook"...) from the "Disabled Conduits" folder to the "Conduits" folder. Then a few very long HotSync's later, and my PIM's were back in business.

I have the feeling that PC users might have it as easy as just installing the included CD and just HotSync-ing. It wouldn't surprise me because, as a Mac guy, there always seems to be some kind of hurdle when my OS isn't supported by certain developers. Maybe some of the PC Z2 users could tell of their HotSync process. (I have the feeling that because I haven't seen ANY threads about people trying to sync their Z2 to their PC's that it's probably a non-issue.)

And then, there's always the popular "beam everything" solution and I would've tried it too if I couldn't get the conduit situation under control.

But, yeah, watching movies is a joy on my Z2, especially with the stereo speakers. It can get loud enough that you need to turn it down. And the screen is nice and bright and wide and I'm just a-convertin' my clips into bored-at-work wonderfulness.

And I'm also getting into playing video games as another time-killer. And reading iSilo articles in landscape mode (without worrying that the screen might accidentally slide closed) is a joy also. For whatever reason my GF said (quite out of the blue) that she's happy I'm reading in landscape mode and that she didn't like it when I read in portrait mode (not in those words, of course.)

So PTL, join us. We rise each night at sunset and drink blood an...oh, uh, I mean, uh, We...uh...enjoy the Z2 life. Or something.
Anyway, hope you're all well.
POL9A

[Telyx]

Sounds like all us PC users would have to do is enable the old conduits and disable the new ones. Cool!

I will join the secret society as soon as I can save up the dough.

[Telyx]

Six months later, I've ordered my Z1 from J&R Music and Computer World (via amazon.com) and should have it by July 7. My Tungsten E continues to work well, but battery life has never been its strong point AND my wife miraculously agreed to kick in $50 toward my "new toy." (The fact that she had just spent $165 to get her hair colored, cut, and permed may have had something to do with that!) With 20 MB of RAM available, I'll be making use of LauncherX's "bundling" feature like never before, but I couldn't beat the price-- $199 new, same as CompUSA's recent sale.

(POL, have you gotten married yet?)

[Telyx]

My Zodiac will be delivered today. Knowing my luck (and the fact that work is 50 miles from home), I'll have a yellow sticker on my door. Fortunately, our local UPS facility isn't very far away anyway...

[Pride Of Lions]

Hey Telyx. Welcome to our ranks. We are legion.

I see you over at Tapland, so I know you're plugged-in to the Zodiac-specific brains over there. I've come across a buncha different tips/tricks/hacks/cool app's over there. I also go to zodiacgamer.com for their Zodiac-specific games and such.

I'm glad your wife was so understanding to let you get a gadget that will last you for years after she got a tune-up that lasts for months. I'm not married yet, but already I'm noticing that my GF (or ex or whatever, we kinda broke up. I think.) is pretty liberal with my wants and desires because she treats herself frequently with reckless abandon. I've gotten a lot of comics that way in the last 5+ years (plus cars and clothes and TV's and PDA's and...) Maybe I should rethink this "broke up" thing? I mean what's so bad about some constant nagging when I get all this cool stuff in return?

Kept.
POL9A

[Telyx]

Sorry to hear about the break-up, unless it was your choice. "What's so bad about constant nagging when I get all this cool stuff in return?" I agree... I've gotten quite a few tools when my wife has projects in mind that require them.

I told her about the CompUSA sale and how I didn't grab a Zodiac then because we didn't have the money, then she went and got the hair job and let it slip that she would contribute some funds. (Felt a little guilty or maybe sorry for me, I guess.) I thought I'd have to wait for another sale, but just for fun I checked Amazon.com and found J&R selling the Z1 for CompUSA's sale price.

I'm 99% happy with the Zodiac so far. Had to get a new beta of YAHM so I could keep using FontHackV, and WebPro 3.01 (and 3.5, for that matter) wouldn't run on the Z. And the stylus is pretty bad compared to my TE's stylus. But the Frodo C64 emulator supports the joystick. I played a little Impossible Mission yesterday using a joystick for the first time in many, many years. AND VersaMail works fine in portrait mode. AND no random crashes, hard resets, screen whine, "LifeDrive issues," etc.

Now, I just have to keep my nweb purchase secret for a little while...