Nov

A PDA for Aagha

Posted by Jill

Yesterday I received a query from a member looking for a Palm PDA phone to match her needs. Fulfilling my promise to help a reader in need, I have trawled the latest Palm collections to find something suitable. Aagha wrote:

Jill — i’m gladd I found your site. [...] I’m about to start business school, and one of the things I want is something which can do everything my m500 can (to-do, address, etc. - I use Agendus, which I love, BTW), plus more, specifically, *_a_phone_* (email/web would be a HUGE bonsu!)! Now here’s the catch! I want to keep using grafetti! I *DO NOT* want to go to a keyboard.

Any ideas on what’s out there that might meet my need?! My ideal thing would be something like a T3 or LifeDrive, but with a built-in phone, web-browser, etc. Your help/thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

So…a Palm with a phone, internet, a touchscreen and PDA functions - no small ask! For anyone who would like the same capabilities but doesn’t mind the keyboard, I ‘d recommend the Palm Treo 650. If you’re using a PDA/Smartphone for lots of data entry (emails etc.) then the wee Qwerty keyboards are a lot faster. It can take a while to get used to them, but the are handy.

However, Aagha’s not a fan, which I can also understand. I did find a product to match your specifications, but it’s a smartphone with PDA functions rather than an organiser with a phone (see my smartphone review). It’s the Palm Xplore G8:

Now, I haven’t tried out, or even held one of these, but as far as the specifications go, it seems to fit your needs. It is the ’smallest and lightest Palm OS smartphone’ and has WAP connectivity.

If you would rather have a PDA with phone and internet connectivity, then I can recommend some from other manufacturers - HP’s iPAQ 6340 has Wi-Fi for faster internet connections, and a Quad band phone along with a Window’s mobile interface for all of your organisational needs. Around the same price there is the iMate Jam, which has similar capabilities and has the advantage of being teeny tiny!

I hope this is of use to you. I’m sorry I couldn’t find the exact specifications and since you are a self-confessed ‘Palm Enthusiast’ I’m not sure if you’d make the transition to a different brand, so have a look at the Xplore and see if it’s what you need. If you could live without the phone capabilities, then I’d go for the TX (review). It’s a classic Palm, with fantastic features for such a reasonable price. Let me know how you get on - and if you need anything else just ask!