Organizer

[Son of Clyde]

I was thinking about getting a Blackberry phone from T-Mobile but what I really want is an organizer and a way to receive email and to maybe have  internet access. I hate the small keypads on most mobile phones and considered a Blackberry which is apparently still being sold.

Can someone recommend a relatively inexpensive device to perform these tasks?

Thank you.

[aikorob]

Palm Treo 650

Pro--GSM, quad band so it will work worldwide
       Available programs to sync with all MS Office applications (including Outlook)
       Stable Palm operating system
       No pesky patent infringement lawsuits

Con--QWERTY keyboard, but not for big fingers
        Still pricey unless you really shop around


If you do go with a phone based unit, I would strongly advise an UNLOCKED   GSM model. Send me a PM if you want more details.

[Shadow]

HP 6900. If you want you can buy a folding keyboard for it. Runs on Windows Mobile 5.0 so all standard Microsoft errors are included 

[aikorob]

Treo also has built in camera, MP3 Player, bluetooth.
You can get GPS and WiFi cards, as well as its own nifty folding keyboard.


Keep everything important together in one compact, handy unit. That way, you only have one item to lose/break/get stolen/replace.



Don't ask how I Know :seething:

[Son of Clyde]

Don't ask how I Know :seething:

Are you the president of the company? 

[Turboguy]

I have the Blackberry Clyde.  You can do a lot of the things you want with it.  The lawsuit by the way was settled a few months ago.   The orgainzer part takes a separate program you can buy.  I have not done that yet but may.  I can check and answer e-mail from Yahoo.   I can read my hotmail but have not figured out how to answer on hotmail yet.  I know it can be done.  I just have not had time to play with it.  I can even read and post here with it and have done that.  Programs that come with it are a to do list, calendar (which is sort of a mini organizer, Phone quality is outstanding.  It is GSM so it is worldwide service.  Bluetooth with wireless headset.  You can check the programs that are available for it from a link on their website.

I have mine through Cingualar.  If you go that route I would stay away from Cingular and go with T-Mobile.   I sort of got my Blackberry for free through a promotion (the program was mis-represented)  but I pay enough extra for Cingular Service that I could have more than saved money buying the one from T-Mobile for $ 249.00.  (I am paying about $ 20.00 more per month for the 24 months of the contract.   Cingulars service sucked too.  I will never deal with them again after my contract is up.

I am not saying there are not better options.  I am just saying that the Blackberry will do pretty much what you asked about.  I wish I had posted here before buying the Blackberry.  I might have tried something else.   I would love the folding keyboard that is not available.

Going back to Cingular, the deal on my phone was it was $ 249 with a rebate of $ 249 but it is such a pain the way they set it up I don't even think I will bother sending in the rebate papers.   You have to wait 180 days to apply for the rebate and if you don't apply within 210 it is forfeted.  they can have my money but when my two years are up it is the last they will ever get from me.

[Shadow]

Treo also has built in camera, MP3 Player, bluetooth.
You can get GPS and WiFi cards, as well as its own nifty folding keyboard.


Keep everything important together in one compact, handy unit. That way, you only have one item to lose/break/get stolen/replace.



Don't ask how I Know :seething:

HP6900 has camer, MP3, bluetooth, GPS and WiFi built in...no need for added cards. And they can do a blackberry client, or other push mail or pull mail solutions.
Blackberry itself is a great organizer and works well for mail and agenda, but added applications are difficult to get.

[Michelangelo]

I am on my 3rd Blackberry; i get a new one each time a new model comes out.  I swear by cingular service and the new 8700 blackberry model...it works perfect in Ukraine and you get free instant email with their international plan (about 40 bucks a month for unlimited data).  And the we browser works great even with RWD! The calendar, email, and appointments sync with my computer.  And google local is great for walking or driving directions.

T-Mobile?  Service is not as good and you roam a lot. The cingular blackberry is a quad phone which helps a lot in the US...

[Michelangelo]

I am on my 3rd Blackberry; i get a new one each time a new model comes out.  I swear by cingular service and the new 8700 blackberry model...it works perfect in Ukraine and you get free instant email with their international plan (about 40 bucks a month for unlimited data).  And the we browser works great even with RWD! The calendar, email, and appointments sync with my computer.  And google local is great for walking or driving directions.

T-Mobile?  Service is not as good and you roam a lot. The cingular blackberry is a quad phone which helps a lot in the US...

[aikorob]

SoC---I wish!!!

No, the external headphone jack on the Treo is in an odd place--I have snagged the headphone cord twice now and screwed up the jack. I haven't found a bluetooth headset that works as or is as comfortable as my Sony head phones. Palm has excellent customer service though; just $27 to replace my unit with another.

Bottom line--get what YOU want. Check out your friends and co-workers, see how different models feel to you.
Check out www.gsmworld.com for service frequencies and coverage maps in the area you are want.

Turbo, original lawsuit was settled (big$$$$$$), but there are more now

[Son of Clyde]

I am with T-Mobile at least another year so maybe I will get a Blackberry phone.
Somehow they fouled up my upgrade. It was slated for July but when I added a phone to the family plan my upgrade was extended.

My life has been so hectic, I need some sort of handheld organizer so I will not forget appointments. I tend to forget my appointments and remember my wife's and step-son's appointments.