Help with deciding on new pda...

[ocanyc]

So Sprint tells me that they can give me 500 sms and unlimited internet for $10 extra a month. Question is can I use this on a pda and have all the features I need or are they trying to pull a fast one on me. At the same time they are trying to get me for another 24 months. What should I as for, and what pda should I go for. I do prefer the keyboard with windows. Oh yeah, and how does the black berry differ as far as plans? Would anyone recommend a blackberry or totally different type of pda with plans?

[olddog]

This could possibly be a good deal. I have the PPC 6700, which is Windows based and has a keyboard. The basic powervision plan is $15 per month(this is all you will need on the PPC 6700) and text messages are extra. So if they are offering you both for $10, it could be a great deal. just remember this is PowerVision, not vision. Also at this time I think you could get a great deal on a PPC 6700, probably in the $100-200 range as there are rebates, etc. I dont know what the blackberry plans are like at all. And many people are enjoying their Treo 700wx, which I believe is Windows based. Good luck!

[Cody]

blackberry plan WILL be more. like $40-$50 a month more.

I had the 6700 and now have the wx. I think windows mobile is the way to go.

[ocanyc]

blackberry plan WILL be more. like $40-$50 a month more.

I had the 6700 and now have the wx. I think windows mobile is the way to go.

Do you like the treo much better than the 6700? I got a couple of questions, does this treo come with wifi so you can use hot spots. Also with the the unlimited internet or as the other name for it power vision, can I stay logged on to aim, check all emails, and be alerted when a new message or email arrives? Can I browse from where ever basically and can I get picture mails etc.

[EDGE23]

Do you like the treo much better than the 6700? I got a couple of questions, does this treo come with wifi so you can use hot spots. Also with the the unlimited internet or as the other name for it power vision, can I stay logged on to aim, check all emails, and be alerted when a new message or email arrives? Can I browse from where ever basically and can I get picture mails etc.
treos dont have wifi but you could get a wifi card or something like that. as for messaging and pics on treos i dont know. now the 6700 you have to do a little mod to be able to send pics but nothing major thou :) . i havent got to the messaging part on the 6700 yet, all i have is pocket msn which lets you know if you have a new email but there are others app.. both the 6700 and the wx are good choices for PDA's

[mbarthicus]

Basically what it comes down to is if you want a divice that has everthing included by Sprint, or a device that requires mods and 3rd party software not supported by Sprint.

The 700p basically has everthing included, picturemail, on demand, sprint tv, and a content manager to download content (ringtones) charged to your sprint bill. Uses versamail for email and ptunes for music. To take advantage of Sprint tv and picturemail, the cheapest vision pack is the plus pack for $20

The ppc 6700 and 700wx are very simular. The wx is basically a 6700 in a treo's body. They both don't do picture mail without a mod, wx has on demand, don't do Sprint tv, don't have a content manager for downloads. All downloads are 3rd party, (not supported by Sprint, not charged to Sprint bill). Both use Pocket outlook for email.

The blackberry is basically just an email machine. Its main feature is to push email to your phone right after its sent. Plan is $39.99 which does include phone as modem. If a qwerty keyboard is what you are looking for don't get the blackberry. Also doesn't do Sprint tv or pic mail.

My advice: Try either the 6700 or wx first since they are simular. If you aren't happy with windows mobile 5, get the 700p, is a bit easier to use but not the familiar windows os.

[ocanyc]

Appreciate everyones feedback. I guess the Treo wx is a nice lil machine, just have a few more questions hehe. Can I use aim,msn,yahoo instant messenger as a mobile user, can I receive email from yahoo, gmail and be notified. Oh yeah, how about lotus notes, so I can get email from work? Can I attach say pictures and/or video and send it out with email as an attachment without that sprint picture mail service?

[eman]

Appreciate everyones feedback. I guess the Treo wx is a nice lil machine, just have a few more questions hehe. Can I use aim,msn,yahoo instant messenger as a mobile user, can I receive email from yahoo, gmail and be notified. Oh yeah, how about lotus notes, so I can get email from work? Can I attach say pictures and/or video and send it out with email as an attachment without that sprint picture mail service?
You can attach any kind of file to your email. Videos, pictures, documents, etc. As well as receive them.

[ocanyc]

Ok, how bout the messenger and email questions. Thanks :)

[mbarthicus]

If you have lotus notes connected to a Domino server, you would need bcpe (business connections personal addition) email unless its a pop account. Yahoo cannot recieve/send email on any device unless you go directly to the Yahoo's website and sign in or pay them $20.00/year to use thier pop servers. Notifications can be set but all three devices don't have push technology unless you set up on bcpe. So you can have them check for mail every hour and notify you if new message arrive on all three devices. The 6700 and wx have a msn client built in to get msn mail. As far as im, there are many 3rd party programs that work http://sprint.handango.com.

[ocanyc]

Just found out I cant do external email forwarding with the lotus notes at my job. I guess there goes that. Can you get gmail with no problem, if so does it work with outlook on the pda side?

[dalexiou]

gmail does work with outlook.....I download my gmail account to my 700wx.

[ocanyc]

Ok, thats good news. Being able to browse the internet whenever I want is also something I'd like. I'm definitely leaning towards the treo 700wx. Also, it can take a wifi card which is a plus.

[ocanyc]

Oh yeah, does anyone with the treo 700 wx have the sero plan with it? If so, is this a good deal?

[applerokr]

the 700wx isn't being offered on the SERO site currently... although I suspect it will be on there soon. Inphonic seems to run behind the new updates, etc.

[akijikan]

You could buy the phone in a store and then call CS and get switched over to SERO

[ocanyc]

If you have lotus notes connected to a Domino server, you would need bcpe (business connections personal addition) email unless its a pop account. Yahoo cannot recieve/send email on any device unless you go directly to the Yahoo's website and sign in or pay them $20.00/year to use thier pop servers. Notifications can be set but all three devices don't have push technology unless you set up on bcpe. So you can have them check for mail every hour and notify you if new message arrive on all three devices. The 6700 and wx have a msn client built in to get msn mail. As far as im, there are many 3rd party programs that work http://sprint.handango.com.

Well, tonight I found out that I can create a rule in lotus notes and it will forward to gmail or hotmail. I tested it out and it worked, I mean this would be sufficient for me. At least I'd be kept in the loop at work or in case of an emergency email. Wont be needing that bcpa afterall, thanks. :clap:

[ocanyc]

Another question. Is there a reason why I should totally not consider a blackberry? I mean, is multimedia that limited on the 8703? Other than that, can I surf, email and IM, sms the same?

[mbarthicus]

If email is important and you need it pushed to your phone, the blackberry is the way to go, the 8703 does have a full qwerty keyboard, (the 7130 does not). It doesn't do much as far as multimedia (no sprint tv, no picturemail). The email can view and store a number of attachments: jpg, bmp, gif, tiff, png, doc, xls, ppt. It does have a blackberry 4.1 web browser. It does have sms, Im not sure about im though. The only downfall is you have to pay $39.99/month for a blackberry plan (does include phone as modem).

[ocanyc]

If email is important and you need it pushed to your phone, the blackberry is the way to go, the 8703 does have a full qwerty keyboard, (the 7130 does not). It doesn't do much as far as multimedia (no sprint tv, no picturemail). The email can view and store a number of attachments: jpg, bmp, gif, tiff, png, doc, xls, ppt. It does have a blackberry 4.1 web browser. It does have sms, Im not sure about im though. The only downfall is you have to pay $39.99/month for a blackberry plan (does include phone as modem).

39.99 better include anywhere minutes hehe. Oh IM is a must, and will it just send me the emails and notify me, or do I have to push a button? I mean, the way the devices handle emails is the big difference here huh. I wonder if sero can be applied to blackberries, cuz if its an extra 40 bucks for blackberry service.......

[mbarthicus]

The $39.99 is just for DATA, and doesn't include voice. The emails do come directly to the phone and notify you when they come through. The way email works on a blackberry is you put in your email settings at http://sprint.blackberry.com. The blackberry uses Sprint's internet to connect to the Blackberry webmail server. Once the email is sent, it reaches the webmail server which pushes it directly to your phone. This setup would work for gmail. Thats why the data plan is $39.99 because your paying for Sprints internet and blackberry services. For lotus notes, you can use a blackberry redirecter. Its simular to bcpe where the redirector runs behind your companies firewall and sends you the mail from Lotus Notes. Doesn't cost any extra to use. I have no Idea about IM on the blackberry. I assume you can set it up where you get notifications through sms when someone messages you.

[osbornem]

Another thing that you will get with Blackberry is absolute CONSISTENCY from both the device and the Intellisync software. It is highly engineered precision device that works all the time, every time without requiring constant fiddling with to operate and sync. No hard or soft resets needed...ever...it just works ...like it is supposed to. The phone, email, and basic pda function absolutely flawlessly. Another benefit to me is I no longer need to wear my reading glasses with the 8703e, as the screen is so much easier to read. So while the WM5 devices (700wx) have many more multimedia capabilities, the BB is a perfect fit for someone like me who just needs it to work WITH me ...and not against me... for the basic business functions. I have owned both and side with BB for my personal needs. I also like the form factor as it is extremely lightweight and comes with its own BB designed holster that is superior to anything I have seen on any device. The BB keyboard and screen backlights automatically disable when holstered. But yes you would have to live with the extra monthly charges (approximately +$20). Well worth it IMO. No offense to anyone....but I just believe there is a device for everyone, and you will just have to find out which one works best for you...it took me about 10 weeks to do so.

[osbornem]

yes BB does surf, email, IM and SMS extremely well

[bluchp]

Thinking about switching from 6700 to a 700wx. Major decision point is does anyone use sprint business connect personal edition on 700wx? I don’t see the 700wx on the BC download page.

[itsastckup]

If you have lotus notes connected to a Domino server, you would need bcpe (business connections personal addition) email unless its a pop account. Yahoo cannot recieve/send email on any device unless you go directly to the Yahoo's website and sign in or pay them $20.00/year to use thier pop servers. Notifications can be set but all three devices don't have push technology unless you set up on bcpe. So you can have them check for mail every hour and notify you if new message arrive on all three devices. The 6700 and wx have a msn client built in to get msn mail. As far as im, there are many 3rd party programs that work http://sprint.handango.com.

I recieve my yahoo mail directly into pocket outlook. Yahoo has an application called Yahoo Go which you just install on your ppc or treo wx. Outgoing email is sent when you hit the send button. Incoming email is downloaded automatically every hour OR if you want, you can manually download email anytime you like. Works wonderfully. Best part about it is-Its FREE.

[itsastckup]

I used to have a blackberry 7520, and the even older monochrome 6510. I never used the web browser on the 6510, but the 7520 web browser was severely lacking. There were more websites than not that could not load.