What phone to replace the Palm?

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stuffed

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Ultimate Geek

#49966 21-Nov-2009 10:57

My wife and I have used a Palm since they were introduced way back about 1898…………….. They have been great for keeping track of family and friends contact details but appreciate a phone will now handle this. We prefer Nokia.

A couple of questions (appreciate to you phone buffs that this will be obvious but us oldies probably only replace phones every 55 years or so!)

What sort of software do they provide for inputting details like address, notes etc?

Looking at a Nokia 6121 for both of us (http://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_6121_classic-2011.php) - would this be a suitable replacement for the Palm – as well as being a phone?!

Thanks

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freitasm

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#274932 21-Nov-2009 10:59

Ok, I assume you meant 1998 ;) but actually the Palm came out a lot earlier - I had one of the first US Robotics Pilot models back in 1995.

But you didn't tell anyone here WHAT NETWORK YOU ARE PLANNING TO USE THIS ON!!! I assumed (again) this is on Vodafone since that model is 900/2100 3G?

In any case, there won't be a touchscreen on that device, if you are used to that.

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stuffed

288 posts

Ultimate Geek

#274935 21-Nov-2009 11:14

Sorry - Vodafone - current phone does not have a touch screen - just a handle on the side.......

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NZtechfreak

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#274937 21-Nov-2009 11:34

If you'd like to continue using particular pieces of Palm software then I know that both Windows Mobile and Symbian operating systems have the Styletap Palm OS emulator, which may be something to factor in. I believe the Palm Pre does also, but I don't know whether similar solutions exist for either the iPhone or Android OS.

EDIT: I see the phone you're asking about is Symbian V2, I don't think Styletap is available for that iteration of the OS (being quite old now). Whats your budget?

EDIT 2: Quick n dirty research - apparently no Palm OS emulator available for Android. Styletap have announced they are bringing it to iPhone, and although there are screenshots floating around on the net, it is not not yet noted to be available for iPhone at the Styletap homepage. Users more familiary with iPhone/Android may be able to offer more advice, that info is from a quick Google search and visit to the Styletap homepage, so don't consider that authoritative by any means.

EDIT 3: Regard your questions on addresses/notes - addresses can be input into your phone contacts in any smartphone platform as far as I'm aware - most of them come with software that can sync your contacts from Outlook. Thats generally the most comfortable way to manage contacts, entering them on your desktop/laptop and then sync'ing them to the phone. They all have note applications, no need to worry there. Furthermore, Windows Mobile phones have word/excel/powerpoint with editing capability built in, and in the Symbian OS the E-Series phones also have this (other symbian phones can purchase the software called Quickoffice to enable this).

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stuffed

288 posts

Ultimate Geek

#274955 21-Nov-2009 12:47

Thanks ? that was really helpful. Ok then ? suggestions for a touch screen phone ? about the $400 range?

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NZtechfreak

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#274961 21-Nov-2009 13:23

Applying the filters at Pricespy yields the following options for touchscreen phones that can run Palm OS emulators around your price range (click on them to link to GSMarena for specs):

Nokia 5230 $412 from Phones Direct (I've purchased from them before, they were good to deal with)
Nokia 5530 $349 at E-Infotech (also purchased from them before, was fine, please note no 3G on this one)
Nokia 5800 $438 at E-Infotech - for the extra money you get both 3G AND WiFi connectivity, which I think easily makes the few extra dollars well worth spending

You can compare handsets side-by-side at GSMarena to see how they all fare head to head.

There are a few options in Windows Mobile flavors if you stretch to around the $500 mark, you can find them at Pricespy by setting the filters in the mobile phones category as I've done, and then check them at GSMarena for specs and comparisons.

The 5800 is great value for money - you're getting an mp3 player, GPS unit, Palm, WiFi device (many applications for this capability), phone, and even a passable camera for casual shots. A real step up from Palm devices - which means getting the most from it will entail a learning curve (basic telephony etc is intuitive, like most Nokia devices). There is plenty of help available here though, and at other helpful communities the forum at nokiausers.net, or symbian-freak.com

Hope that helps.

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AndrewTD

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#275046 21-Nov-2009 22:42

I still use a Palm OS based phone, in fact I recently upgraded to get one with Bluetooth support. I bought a second hand Palm Treo 650. (My previous phone was a Palm Treo 600) I have not been willing to give up my Palm OS apps - like Splash ID, and I wanted to keep all my contacts etc.
I don't like the idea of a Windows Mobile based device - not as reliable as Palm OS (or Symbian) in my view.
So why not try staying with a Palm based device. There are still plenty of Palm devices available on TradeMe, and one day the Palm Pre will be available here.

kind regards Andrew TD

stuffed

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Ultimate Geek

#275103 22-Nov-2009 09:24

Thanks guys ? appreciate the comments ? and yes agree that the Palm OS is very good and reliable!

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dman

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Ultimate Geek

#275146 22-Nov-2009 12:48

to the list of nokia phones at about $400-ISH or there abouts, I'd like to include the N82. An awesome phone

GPS
Wifi
Symbian
5meg camera with xenon flash
etc etc...

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NZtechfreak

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#275168 22-Nov-2009 13:50

Windows mobile is perfectly stable unless you mess with the registry too much...

N82 is a very good phone, still one of the best Nokia has ever produced, only reason I didn't mention it is because Palm emulators are better on touchscreen based phones.

I'd steer well clear of all the Treo's, the hardware on those things is ridiculously dated and yet they remain pricey. Since you can have all your Palm software on Symbian or Windows Mobile, there is no reason to go for something that is such poor value for money like the Treo.

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dman

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Ultimate Geek

#275192 22-Nov-2009 14:35

Would you also call Palm's Window Mobile the Treo Pro poor value for money?

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NZtechfreak

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#275245 22-Nov-2009 18:39

Yep, its still relatively bad at its asking price. Windows Mobile runs like tar in the artic on that amount of RAM and a 400mhz CPU, and on top of that you're getting a 2mp camera, low res screen, when in the same price range you're looking at 16GB i8910s, N97's, Satio's, and others with significantly better hardware.

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dman

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Ultimate Geek

#275250 22-Nov-2009 19:01

hmm... as I just bought one, but I didn't really have much choice about it as I had to buy a telecom one as I'd got the money (a bit over $700) from insurance and thus it had to go towards a replacement from a telecom store

thus it was either spend a bit more and get the Palm Treo Pro or get the HTC Snap

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