Off-the-cuff suggestion for specific PDA requirements, not smartphone

[brickman65]

I'm pretty decided on not going to the cloud, SGosnell. Understood that this limits options, especially if I insist on the non-PDA host app being Outlook (too bad Blackberry doesn't make a phone-less PDA).

I appreciate the info about the close dependence between Android native apps and Google cloud.

You may look at BB Playbook. They say with the new 2.0 it will have it's own Email client. Staples has them for as low as $200 now (16Gig) The 64Gig is only $300. It will not have the PIM of anyone else but it's another thought. My brother ha sone and it is nice. He is doing some PIM stuff on it but mainly in the Cloud, but he works in the Cloud so no big deal for him.

[GoodPDAuser]

Yes, sorry, I refer to each of the four apps as instances of a PIM (the calendar is a personal information manager, the contacts list is, etc) and to them collectively as PIMs. It's just how I learned it way back when and am too old to change now.

To clarify further, Android PIMs are native apps that sync only with Google. They are not web apps. Android only has 2 built in PIMs, calendar and contacts. To-do and notes have to be gotten from 3rd party apps.

I appreciate this further confirmation (especially the bit about Android only having a native calendar & contacts, anything else being 3rd party).

By the way, rather than milk this thread, I thought I'd post a thread asking about the difference between Android's calendar/contacts -- in particular, the deficiencies and advantages compared to, say, iOS's, Outlook's, and Palm Desktop's. Then I thought, well why not milk the thread, if you don't mind. I know you said it wasn't very good, but just wondering what you found lacking. If it's not something that I use, it might not be so bad (though I will have to use something for notes, maybe one of your previous suggestions).

[GoodPDAuser]

How about a Nokia N810 or Nokia N900? Both are PDA(ish) with a slide out keyboard. Not sure how well it works with Outlook but it meets your physical description.

Nice looking PDA! A bit of surfing on the N810 didn't uncover built-in PIMs that cover calendar, notes, and contacts (though i wouldn't be surprised if they existed). However, they are mentioned for the N900, as well as stereo speakers and a voice recorder (N900 Voice Recorder Apps - maemo.org - Talk. And GPS.

I never realized that a slide-out keyboard added so much thickness, but it's certainly tolerable.

Thanks for putting that on my radar! I got conflicting info about whether it syncs with Outlook on Windows 7 (Outlook 2007), but I'll surf a bit more.

[GoodPDAuser]

You may look at BB Playbook. They say with the new 2.0 it will have it's own Email client. Staples has them for as low as $200 now (16Gig) The 64Gig is only $300. It will not have the PIM of anyone else but it's another thought. My brother ha sone and it is nice. He is doing some PIM stuff on it but mainly in the Cloud, but he works in the Cloud so no big deal for him.

A number of my friends have playbooks. It's a nice machine. However, it's a bit big. With an auxiliary keyboard, it could pass as a netbook.

Appreciate the suggestion, though.

[Hook]

I appreciate this further confirmation (especially the bit about Android only having a native calendar & contacts, anything else being 3rd party).

By the way, rather than milk this thread, I thought I'd post a thread asking about the difference between Android's calendar/contacts -- in particular, the deficiencies and advantages compared to, say, iOS's, Outlook's, and Palm Desktop's. Then I thought, well why not milk the thread, if you don't mind. I know you said it wasn't very good, but just wondering what you found lacking. If it's not something that I use, it might not be so bad (though I will have to use something for notes, maybe one of your previous suggestions).

The contacts app is fine, other than the fact that it only syncs with Gmail. It also doesn't use categories (like most Google apps, the philosophy is that you use tagging and search). The Calendar app (also only syncs with Google Calendar) is just terribly under-featured. However, for folks who don't mind syncing with Google Calendar, there are very good Calendar replacements, many for free. Two that I like that are not free are Calengoo and Pocket Informant, both available on iOS as well. PI on iOS syncs with Outlook. The Android version will eventually.

[GoodPDAuser]

OK, thanks for that, Hook.

[early_cheryl]

FWIW I am still happily and productively using

Local Sync - Simple Apps
https://market.android.com/details?i...also_installed

for wifi, non-cloud, complete syncing between Outlook 2010/Win7 and my Android device (Archos 43IT). It has been reliable, and almost completely trouble-free. Syncs calendar to the native Android calendar, contacts to native contacts, tasks and notes to author-provided simple applications. Not quite the full-featured solution Palm sync was, but pretty close. Note - I do most of my editing on Outlook, and use the device to carry it with me - there are possibly issues I haven't uncovered, or simply overlook because they are non-issues for me.

It's free on both Android and desktop. However - it does require a careful reading of the website to figure out how to set it up correctly! The documentation on the website is thorough, but not necessarily modern user-friendly.

Cheryl

[GoodPDAuser]

Thanks, Early Cheryl.

[T.P. Reitzel]

Personally, I'll likely NEVER own a smartphone. I'm always looking for new PDAs with updated capabilities. I'm STILL using my Palm LifeDrive! LoL

I can't understand the craze about carrying bulky tablets, etc. or the craze with high definition video unless you're home-bound.

Personally, I think the markets are ripe for a new assault from handheld PDAs with updated capabilities, e.g. increased screen density which allows playing DVDs (720x480), etc. The eye can resolve approximately 300 pixels/inch at a maximum. In a handheld, a manufacturer could cram about 1024x768 pixels into such a device at ~ 300 pixels/inch.

Also, VOIP capability needs to be an integral aspect of updated PDAs either with internal hardware or via a standard USB port which allows the connection of external USB devices such as NetTalk's Duo.

Manufacturers need to get with the program of offering new PDAs with updated capabilities.

[GoodPDAuser]

I couldn't agree more about *my* need for a phone-less PDA. I'm sure there are many who want a device, but not a data plan.