I am enjoying my combined electronic organizer and smart phone as my main communication device and personal digital assistant. I have noticed some areas where given the opportunity, I would like to have better features, faster connection to the Internet, a bigger screen with better resolution, and just plain newer better technology. But having said that, I am getting along fine and in fact better than I was with the separate communication device (MOTORAZAR maxx Ve) and separate electronic organizer (Palm Treo 700w).
About this time, Verizon sends me a coupon for $100.00 off on any new smart phone upgrade and I start to seriously .check out their options. I have made several qualifying decisions at this point. I have decided the platform I go with will be the Android operating system. I have and will for the foreseeable future been very partial to Motorola - their quality and reputation for building very good hardware. I have been looking at the Motorola Droid 3 because I like the slide out keyboard (it has both the virtual and the slide out), but it is a 3G device and since one only usually upgrades once every two years, I have a concern going with trailing edge technology while Verizon is bring the 4G technology online in my area and coming online fast across the country.
I have been to the Verizon Wireless store several times but now I am ready to make a decision so off to the store again. I am looking at the Motorola Droid 3 and the store associate comes over to help. We discuss the Droid 3 and then I ask about the 4G technology sticking with Motorola. It turns out the Bionic has just hit the market and It looks very attractive in not only slim design, but it is feature rich. The 4G choice is more money that the 3G as one would expect, but I decide to go with the leading edge personal communication device for my new electronic organizer and personal digital assistant.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Saturday, November 19, 2011
The Palm Treo 700w – 4
I am enjoying my move to this electronic organizer and smart phone - the Palm Treo 700w. This communication device has brought my cell phone and personal digital assistant together in one single device and that is very convenient. One of these benefits I notice is that the personal organizer / communication device at my side on my belt. I have always had my phone there, but the personal digital assistant has always been in my shirt pocket - I never ware a T-shirt because they don’t have shirt pockets. Now that the combined functions are on my belt, I am not so confined by shirts with pockets.
I also start to notice the size of the screen on the 700w. It is much smaller than my Palm T/X, approximately half the height and somewhat smaller side to side. The screen also appears to be grainy in when compared to the T/X. While I can see the information I need to see from Calendar, Contacts, Tasks and notes, I am used to seeing more of the information and not scrolling up and down so much. This is not prohibitive in the use of the Palm Treo 700w, but it not as convenient and pleasant to the eye as the larger screen.
Perhaps the most noticeable issue is the connection speed to the internet – or lack of speed connecting to the internet. I do get my emails on this older communication device which is very helpful, but surfing the net it is very slow to connect to and very slow to navigate.to a site or from site to site. In fact, it is so slow that I do not try to use the Palm treo 700w to surf the internet. I don’t know if it is an old device interfacing to new 3G or 4G technology Verizon is using or something else, but it is not very functional or convenient and my personal organization is not complete with this older device.
I also start to notice the size of the screen on the 700w. It is much smaller than my Palm T/X, approximately half the height and somewhat smaller side to side. The screen also appears to be grainy in when compared to the T/X. While I can see the information I need to see from Calendar, Contacts, Tasks and notes, I am used to seeing more of the information and not scrolling up and down so much. This is not prohibitive in the use of the Palm Treo 700w, but it not as convenient and pleasant to the eye as the larger screen.
Perhaps the most noticeable issue is the connection speed to the internet – or lack of speed connecting to the internet. I do get my emails on this older communication device which is very helpful, but surfing the net it is very slow to connect to and very slow to navigate.to a site or from site to site. In fact, it is so slow that I do not try to use the Palm treo 700w to surf the internet. I don’t know if it is an old device interfacing to new 3G or 4G technology Verizon is using or something else, but it is not very functional or convenient and my personal organization is not complete with this older device.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
The Palm Treo 700w – 3
Ok, the day has come and I have called Verizon and have now switched my phone service from my old Motorola MOTORAZAR maxx Ve to the somewhat younger Palm Treo 700w. I am actually live with a newer personal communication device from the smart phone family. I have already preformed a “sync” and all of my contacts from my outlook are in this smart phone.
As I start to make calls and check out the operation of this smart electronic organizer, I notice that if I enter the phone number from the dialing pad, the contact name associated with the number appears, telling me who I am calling – a very nice feature. I also make a call using the contact list and find I am able to select between the home, work and cell numbers under the same contact (if that information has been previously entered) – also very nice. In addition I notice that at the end of a call my phone prompts me to save the number or update a contact record – I am liking the way this personal digital assistant is thinking. Then, I receive a call from one of my contacts and their name is displayed as the person calling me – this is not so new as I had this feature in the older phone, only without the benefit of the information being the same as in my outlook contacts.
After several days of use, I am really enjoying the integration of the calendar, tasks and note functions along with keeping my contact records up to date through constant use of the borrowed (from my brother Ronald) communication device. This is definitely helping me to improve my personal organization as well as my productivity. I can see how easy it is to get hooked on this electronic organizer and smart communication device class of phone.
As I start to make calls and check out the operation of this smart electronic organizer, I notice that if I enter the phone number from the dialing pad, the contact name associated with the number appears, telling me who I am calling – a very nice feature. I also make a call using the contact list and find I am able to select between the home, work and cell numbers under the same contact (if that information has been previously entered) – also very nice. In addition I notice that at the end of a call my phone prompts me to save the number or update a contact record – I am liking the way this personal digital assistant is thinking. Then, I receive a call from one of my contacts and their name is displayed as the person calling me – this is not so new as I had this feature in the older phone, only without the benefit of the information being the same as in my outlook contacts.
After several days of use, I am really enjoying the integration of the calendar, tasks and note functions along with keeping my contact records up to date through constant use of the borrowed (from my brother Ronald) communication device. This is definitely helping me to improve my personal organization as well as my productivity. I can see how easy it is to get hooked on this electronic organizer and smart communication device class of phone.
Saturday, September 3, 2011
The Palm Treo 700w - 2
I have taken my newly acquired well used electronic organizer, my brothers Palm 700w, and installed the software on my computer, hooked up the phone and have performed my first sync. Since I have not called Verizon to have the phone turned on yet, I am using this time to learn the personal digital assistant portion of this communications device.
One of the first things I notice, is the mobile windows look and feel as I skim through the contact, calendar, Tasks and notes functions. It is very similar to the outlook software I am using on my desk top and it contains all of my personal organization information. Because of the similar “look and feel” the Palm 700w has, I am able to find my way to everything I look for. The first thing I start to use is the tasks or to do feature. I have recently acquired a new business and I take personal organization time each morning and plot tasks that need to be done both one time and also on a regular reoccurring basis. I then enter these tasks into the software and the due date. I do find this very helpful in keeping myself productive and on task when I work on my business.
I have also started using the calendar on this mobile communication device. I have previously been using the calendar function on my Palm TX, and notice that again, the windows mobile version is very similar to the desktop version – again making the use of this mobile calendar very intuitive. It is easy to enter my upcoming events and appointments on the 700w electronic organizer.
This initial start-up for me using my brothers Palm 700w electronic organizer has been very easy and intuitive. This personal digital assistant is handling my personal organization very well. I will now be adding the communication device function now to my Palm 700w.
One of the first things I notice, is the mobile windows look and feel as I skim through the contact, calendar, Tasks and notes functions. It is very similar to the outlook software I am using on my desk top and it contains all of my personal organization information. Because of the similar “look and feel” the Palm 700w has, I am able to find my way to everything I look for. The first thing I start to use is the tasks or to do feature. I have recently acquired a new business and I take personal organization time each morning and plot tasks that need to be done both one time and also on a regular reoccurring basis. I then enter these tasks into the software and the due date. I do find this very helpful in keeping myself productive and on task when I work on my business.
I have also started using the calendar on this mobile communication device. I have previously been using the calendar function on my Palm TX, and notice that again, the windows mobile version is very similar to the desktop version – again making the use of this mobile calendar very intuitive. It is easy to enter my upcoming events and appointments on the 700w electronic organizer.
This initial start-up for me using my brothers Palm 700w electronic organizer has been very easy and intuitive. This personal digital assistant is handling my personal organization very well. I will now be adding the communication device function now to my Palm 700w.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
The Palm Treo 700w - 1
As I continue to look at possibilities to combine my personal digital assistant with my communication device, I am visiting my brother who has just upgraded his phone from a Palm Treo 700w to the shiny new Motorola Droid X and he offers to let me take his older phone and see how I like it. This sounds like a good idea, since I have used Palm products before and am familiar with them.
Several things I notice as I look it over and start getting the touch and feel of the personal organization device. This electronic organizer has an exposed keyboard on the face and the 700w means it is a Windows mobile device – compatible with my Windows computer and also Microsoft Outlook. I like this possibility. You might remember from an earlier post that whatever the communication device I upgrade to, I am looking for a solution to sync with my Microsoft Outlook and all of the features of Outlook I use – Contacts, Calendar, Tasks and Notes. So before I ever hook it up to test out the possibilities, I have some high hopes for this older personal digital assistant.
The Palm Treo 700w offers a 16 bit color 240 X 240 touch screen display as well as a QWERTY keypad for input. One difference from the 650 is that the keys are more square and not so oval in shape. The CPU is an Intel 312 MHz processor with XScale technology and has 128 MB of non- volatile memory. It has built in Bluetooth (1.2), a 1.3 megapixel (1280 X 1024 resolution) digital camera with a 2x digital zoom and video camera capability and also supports SD, SDIO and Multi Media Cards for additional memory.
As I evaluate my future personal organization, this older electronic organizer, at least on the surface, has some appeal to me as a communication device and personal digital assistant – I think I’m going to enjoy this test drive!
Friday, May 13, 2011
The Droid 2
Another solution I am now looking into, as new personal digital assistant and communication device, is the Motorola Droid 2
. Up to this point in my personal organization, you might remember, I have kept my electronic organizer separate from my cell phone. Technology has moved forward and I am now ready to join the leading edge. This choice would also mean a different operation system – an android.
. Up to this point in my personal organization, you might remember, I have kept my electronic organizer separate from my cell phone. Technology has moved forward and I am now ready to join the leading edge. This choice would also mean a different operation system – an android. One reason to consider an android phone is this survey found at businessinsider.com http://www.businessinsider.com/smartphone-survey-results-2011-4
According to their published search results, over 50% of the 2000 smart phone users use an android device and most users say they will either stay with the android device, while some say they might switch from the iphone platform to android.
Given this information, I have looked into the personal organization applications I consider my foundational building blocks. I have been a Motorola communications device fan for many years, feeling quality is one of their hallmarks (my current communication device of over four years is a Motorola MOTORAZAR maxx Ve). I have found that with in the available apps marketplace I can find all of those building blocks – a calendar / appointment program, a contact manager, a task manager and a notes program as well as an email handler and social media manager. All of these critical components will sync to my personal computer. Another important basic feature that draws me to the Motorola Droid 2 is the slide out keyboard. I much prefer a physical keyboard to a touch screen version.
is the slide out keyboard. I much prefer a physical keyboard to a touch screen version.With Android devices being such a leading dominate player in the personal digital assistant market place and a longtime leader of communication devices, this Motorola electronic organizer, the Droid 2
, is worthy of my consideration for my future personal organization.
, is worthy of my consideration for my future personal organization.The Palm Pre 2 or HP Pre 3
I am now looking for a new personal digital assistant and communication device. Up to this point in my personal organization, I have kept my electronic organizer separate from my cell phone. I’m not sure I can give a detailed explanation for the decision, I just felt for myself that was the best practice. Technology has moved forward and I am now ready to join the leading edge. One choice I am considering is the Palm Pre 2
or soon to be released Palm Pre 3. It is a natural inclination for me to consider the Palm solution – after all I have owned a palm since the first Palm issue.
One reason to stay with Palm is they still offer the four basic programs I consider the foundation of my personal organization. The Palm.com website is showing that there is a Calendar / appointment program, a Contact manager, a task list manager and a note feature (and others). In addition the website also shows the new communication devices should and will manage multiple email accounts, and all of the social Medias.
According to engadget.com (http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/09/palm-pre-2-vs-hp-pre-3-whats-changed/) here is how the Palm Pre 2 compares to the HP Pre 3:
A physical feature I require is a slide out keyboard which comes with both the Pre 2 and the Pre 3. My own assessment of this personal digital assistant comparison is heavily favoring the HP Pre 3 electronic organizer to move my personal organization into the leading edge communication devices.
or soon to be released Palm Pre 3. It is a natural inclination for me to consider the Palm solution – after all I have owned a palm since the first Palm issue.One reason to stay with Palm is they still offer the four basic programs I consider the foundation of my personal organization. The Palm.com website is showing that there is a Calendar / appointment program, a Contact manager, a task list manager and a note feature (and others). In addition the website also shows the new communication devices should and will manage multiple email accounts, and all of the social Medias.
According to engadget.com (http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/09/palm-pre-2-vs-hp-pre-3-whats-changed/) here is how the Palm Pre 2 compares to the HP Pre 3:
Palm Pre 2 | HP Pre 3 |
Dimensions | 59.6 x 100.7 x 16.9mm | 64 x 111 x 16mm |
Processor | 1GHz TI OMAP 3630 | 1.4GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon MSM8x55 |
RAM | 512MB | 512MB |
Display | 3.1-inch 480 x 320 | 3.58-inch 800 x 480 |
Camera | 5 megapixel with VGA video capture, no secondary | 5 megapixel primary with 720p video capture, VGA secondary |
Storage | 16GB | 8GB or 16GB |
Cellular radio | GSM / HSDPA or CDMA | GSM / HSPA+ and CDMA |
WiFi | 802.11b/g | 802.11b/g/n (dual-band) |
Bluetooth | 2.1 + EDR | 2.1 + EDR |
Gyroscope | No | No |
Accelerometer | Yes | Yes |
Touch-to-share capability | No | Yes |
Battery capacity | 1,150mAh | 1,230mAh |
A physical feature I require is a slide out keyboard which comes with both the Pre 2 and the Pre 3. My own assessment of this personal digital assistant comparison is heavily favoring the HP Pre 3 electronic organizer to move my personal organization into the leading edge communication devices.
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