[shiphen@gmail.com]

Hi Any Advice?

I am looking for a top-of-the-range PDA phone for business use.
(within reason, money no object).

I need:
1. Something easier to bang text in at speed (i.e. QUERTY keyboard I
guess), for emails.


2. Good Calendar function
(to synch with Outlook2003/ WinXP)
e.g. Can it show titles of everything I need to do this week in text
on 1 screen?
e.g. Can it transfer category/colour of entries?
e.g. Must synch properly so that I can delete/edit emails on either
my phone OR my PC


3. Web Browser
e.g. Can it *zoom* so able to see whole web pages even though
looking through low res (e.g.320x240) screen.
e.g. able to see dynamic web pages (.aspx etc, not just .html)


4. Also must have the basics:
Must have Blue tooth (for headset/car use),
fit inside fairly small trouser pockets, reasonable battery life.


5. I like: scrollwheels, and touchsensitive screens, and some sort of
scratch protection for the screen (although they seem to have gone
slightly out of fashion). 3G sounds fun but not critical. GPS
unlikely
to work well enough to be useful. Camera likewise not much use unless
v good...


- any thoughts?


Phones I am considering
=======================


HTC Tytn II vs. Backberry 8820 vs. Nokia E90


Yes the HTC Tytn II looks interesting but:


1. It's a bit heavy (at 190g - whereas the Blackberry 8820 is 134g)
2. It's a bit fat (at 1.9cm - whereas the Blackberry 8820 is 1.4cm)
3. It doesnt have separate number keys.


Does anyone know if you can zoom using the browser
(on either of these phones? - iit's just that I imagine viewing
a web page on screens that are quite so low resolution [i.e. 320 x
240]
would be a real pain!


To be hones if I'm going for something that fat and that heavy
I would be tempted to go for the new Nokia E90 Communicator
(210g and 2.0cm thick), which has a clam-shell design and a much
wider internal screen (800x352). I gather it's keyboard may be no
easier to use though despite being much wider in design because
they are rather stiff.


Of course what I dont know is how well the various software
all works in practice! I am committed to using Outlook2003 on my PC
and it would
be nice to be able to synch properly with that (e.g. category/colour
of dairy items being transferred?).


Any thoughts?


Ship
Shiperton Henethe


P.S.
I have been using a Sony Ericsson P910i for a couple of years, but
its synching software was *diabolically* unreliable so I dont want
to go do SE ever again.


PPS.
Built in camera & GPS would only be of marginal use to me. But I am
UK based, and what I cant quite work out is what networks I will be
able
to get where I live... Any one know how I can check 3G, GPS, HSDPA[?]
availability)

[DaBlackberryBoy]

Welcome to blackberryforums.com! I prefer the "Blackberry", but will defer to you

[DaBlackberryBoy]

Seriously, the device that you are looking for solely depends on what you want it to do. Blackberries do what they do, email, along with messaging, pim functionality. Software is limited for the blackberry, but is improving daily. Others will chime in I know, but go with the device that will "accomodate" all of your needs!

[Defiance]

Wirelessly posted (8300: BlackBerry8300/4.2.2 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/102)

The HTC phone looks sweet. It however lacks push email :(.

[ladydi]

I really only know the BB devices. You won't get the category colors on the BB, the browser on the 8800 is very versatile, with an overview mode and a desktop mode. also, if you don't like the default browser, many people really like Opera mini. It has the requisite full qwerty keyboard and is easy to type on.

I'm not sure what sort of syncing you wanted - The BB will do wireless for your e-mail with the redirector, but calendar, contacts and tasks will have to be synced manually. If you are a business and have an exchange server, you might consider installing a BES - that is where the BB becomes the most powerful - full wireless sync.

I hate activesync with a passion, but a windows mobile device may be the most friendly for you - as I think it will do your calendar categories.

I really like the GPS in the 8800 - works like a charm with google maps.

[dc/dc]

Originally Posted by Defiance

Wirelessly posted (8300: BlackBerry8300/4.2.2 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/102)

The HTC phone looks sweet. It however lacks push email :(.

Microsoft Direct Push = push mail.

[Dubdub]

I prefer the BB as do probably 99% of the people here, since it is a BB Forum. I do not like Windows Mobile or Palm for the OS as they tend to randomly crash and reboot for no reason, whereas the BB OS is very solid.

If you do get the BB, I wouldn't carry it in your pocket. The track tends to pick up lint and dirt which makes it stop working correctly.

[rambo47]

I have an E90. Phenomenal device, but you'll get a hernia carrying it around. And you'll spend easily $800 on it. Maybe more. I think the best calendar of the bunch you mentioned is the Blackberry in Agenda View. The Nokia calendar is basically the WM calendar, and they both suck. With the Nokia, however, you can get some pretty good aftermarket calendars like Papyrus. There's probably a bunch of replacement calendar apps for Windows Mobile as well. If you ask me, the Blackberry is tops. Big surprise, huh?

[fatbike]

The Nokia looks like an incredible device. I cant imagine spending that much money on a handheld though. At least it doesnt use the Windows Mobile OS, which is nowhere near as stable and reliable (not to mention fast) as the BB OS.
After having been around the handheld block a time or two, I always come back to the good ol' Blackberry.

Your mileage may vary of course.

[shiphen@gmail.com]

Originally Posted by Dubdub

If you do get the BB, I wouldn't carry it in your pocket. The track tends to pick up lint and dirt which makes it stop working correctly.

Crickey - how else are you supposed to carry the thing?

(Btw, when you say "The Track", what precisly do you mean? It that the tracking ball thing?)


Ship

[shiphen@gmail.com]

Originally Posted by rambo47

I have an E90. Phenomenal device, but you'll get a hernia carrying it around.

But if I cant carry it in my pocket it doesnt really matter HOW light it is!

Originally Posted by rambo47

And you'll spend easily $800 on it. Maybe more.

I'm still in negotiation but Carphone Warehouse have made *so* much money from me that they are going to give me a pretty good deal! (e.g. any Blackberry I choose... for free).

Originally Posted by rambo47

I think the best calendar of the bunch you mentioned is the Blackberry in Agenda View. The Nokia calendar is basically the WM calendar, and they both suck. With the Nokia, however, you can get some pretty good aftermarket calendars like Papyrus.

Can you tell me more about calendars - what's wrong with them exactly in your view? And what does "WM" stand for?


Personally the main thing I want is to be able so see everything I've got to do this week as TEXT.
Buy I am a very visual person and I would like to be able to colour-code my calendar/task entries - so that if I change the category of a task/appointment in my phone it appears changed my PC (has to be Microsoft Outlook2003) after I synch.
How hard can this be?


The other thing is Internet browsing. I run a website and it would be extremely useful to be able to surf occassionally when I'm on the hoof. But I am cautious that if you cant ZOOM out, surfing could be extremely difficult on most websites, due to the small resolution (320x240?) of all the above phones, except the plan-like Nokia...


Ship
Shiperton Henethe

[Mr. Opportunist]

Originally Posted by dc/dc

Microsoft Direct Push = push mail.

Microsoft direct push = garbage

I'd kill myself if I had to put up with that over BES again.



to the OP:

I went from a blackberry 8700 to a tytn back to a blackberry 8700 and regret ever leaving the blackberry platform. PIM functionality along with email is far superior to any competition. I think you will be happy with the 8820 if that is the route you choose.

Originally Posted by shiphen@gmail.com

And what does "WM" stand for?

WM = Windows Mobile

Originally Posted by shiphen@gmail.com

The other thing is Internet browsing. I run a website and it would be extremely useful to be able to surf occassionally when I'm on the hoof. But I am cautious that if you cant ZOOM out, surfing could be extremely difficult on most websites, due to the small resolution (320x240?) of all the above phones, except the plan-like Nokia...

With the new opera mini 2 beta you are able to view the full size page and then zoom in on specific sections.

[Dubdub]

Originally Posted by shiphen@gmail.com

Crickey - how else are you supposed to carry the thing?

(Btw, when you say "The Track", what precisly do you mean? It that the tracking ball thing?)


Ship

I meant to say Trackball. Sorry for the error.

[shtekler]

Originally Posted by shiphen@gmail.com

Hi Any Advice?

I am looking for a top-of-the-range PDA phone for business use.
(within reason, money no object).

I need:
1. Something easier to bang text in at speed (i.e. QUERTY keyboard I
guess), for emails.


2. Good Calendar function
(to synch with Outlook2003/ WinXP)
e.g. Can it show titles of everything I need to do this week in text
on 1 screen?
e.g. Can it transfer category/colour of entries?
e.g. Must synch properly so that I can delete/edit emails on either
my phone OR my PC


3. Web Browser
e.g. Can it *zoom* so able to see whole web pages even though
looking through low res (e.g.320x240) screen.
e.g. able to see dynamic web pages (.aspx etc, not just .html)


4. Also must have the basics:
Must have Blue tooth (for headset/car use),
fit inside fairly small trouser pockets, reasonable battery life.


5. I like: scrollwheels, and touchsensitive screens, and some sort of
scratch protection for the screen (although they seem to have gone
slightly out of fashion). 3G sounds fun but not critical. GPS
unlikely
to work well enough to be useful. Camera likewise not much use unless
v good...


- any thoughts?


Phones I am considering
=======================


HTC Tytn II vs. Backberry 8820 vs. Nokia E90


Yes the HTC Tytn II looks interesting but:


1. It's a bit heavy (at 190g - whereas the Blackberry 8820 is 134g)
2. It's a bit fat (at 1.9cm - whereas the Blackberry 8820 is 1.4cm)
3. It doesnt have separate number keys.


Does anyone know if you can zoom using the browser
(on either of these phones? - iit's just that I imagine viewing
a web page on screens that are quite so low resolution [i.e. 320 x
240]
would be a real pain!


To be hones if I'm going for something that fat and that heavy
I would be tempted to go for the new Nokia E90 Communicator
(210g and 2.0cm thick), which has a clam-shell design and a much
wider internal screen (800x352). I gather it's keyboard may be no
easier to use though despite being much wider in design because
they are rather stiff.


Of course what I dont know is how well the various software
all works in practice! I am committed to using Outlook2003 on my PC
and it would
be nice to be able to synch properly with that (e.g. category/colour
of dairy items being transferred?).


Any thoughts?


Ship
Shiperton Henethe


P.S.
I have been using a Sony Ericsson P910i for a couple of years, but
its synching software was *diabolically* unreliable so I dont want
to go do SE ever again.


PPS.
Built in camera & GPS would only be of marginal use to me. But I am
UK based, and what I cant quite work out is what networks I will be
able
to get where I live... Any one know how I can check 3G, GPS, HSDPA[?]
availability)

I see you have the BB8800 so the 8820 is the same machine just some extra stuff that not make it deferent.
on my iphone I don't know yet but I get my e mails faster and the way they look it's better then the BB8800,but not secured,
so I am walking with 3 phone in each pocket,
the HTC is a very nice phone I am looking into it too,but will wait for price drop 1st.

[shiphen@gmail.com]

Hi, OP here

I have just spent a while talking to a salesman at Vodaphone who seems to know what he's talking about and knows all 3 cameras quite well.

I think the big problem with touch screens is that if they are on the outside of the phone, they tend to get scratched they become hard to use. So that pretty much rules out the HTC TyTn. To may way of thinking, the Nokia E90 'clamshell' design is fundamentally better than the Blackberry, simply because it has a much larger keyboard and larger screen area.

The big problem with the E90 however is that it's pretty heavy and also fat, making it difficult to keep in your pocket.

He was clearly one of you BB enthusiasts (it's *so* hard to get an impartial view on this stuff, btw!).

His killer arguments where:
- Much better synchronisation with the BB and with ms Outlook.
- Much more robust/reliable/bugfree software
- And of course the smaller size in the pocket than the other 2 phones.

So I'm now pretty much sold on Blackberry. BUT he says the 8310 which was only released a few days ago in here the UK (1st Sep 07) is the best phone to go for. The big new thing being that the 8310 (unlike the 8300) has 3G.

Of course it also has GPS and a reasonable phone which might be of some use (although both slighltly marginal in my case...)

- Any views on 8820 vs 8310 ?


Ship

[rjlawson]

Originally Posted by shiphen@gmail.com

The big new thing being that the 8310 (unlike the 8300) has 3G.

8310 hasn't got 3G, the main difference is the addition of GPS to the 8310.

[rjrojass]

1000% Vote for BB8320