Palm T3 vs iTouch?

[ackmondual]

Loosely considering switching to an iTouch. It's only a matter of time before my T|T3 goes on the fritz. I'm happy with my T3, but this may be one of those "ignorance was bliss" things where an iTouch may be more suitable for my uses.

Anyone have experiences with an iTouch and suggestions about how to decide? At some point, I'll go to a store and try out a floor model.

[Hook]

It depends on your uses.

There are a number of threads in the Apple forum by people who made the switch from Palm to an iTouch.

You might also want to check other platform fora for folks switching from Palm to other platforms. JRakes just went form a T3 to an HTC Touch Pro 2. There is a lot of good information here.

[questionfear]

Agreed with Hook: Share your needs and we can help you determine how to fit them into a modern device.

[ackmondual]

What I do on my T|T3 now.....

Essential
PIMs: Datebook5; Memo; Address XT

other:
Parens (I like the conversions and stat features); generic calculator; BankBook3 (budget/banking to keep track of checks you write and credit card expenses)

time apps:
-Khronos (not as useful since I always wear a watch with a Stopwatch feature, and Khronos has fatal errors every now and then)
-Big Clock (more reliable for stopwatch, but also has countdown timers which I use alot). If I could ever rack up more ambition, I'd learn how to do pOS programming to improve on this (IIRC, this is opensource)

Lots of games
I've deleted and reinstalled many games, but those in the lines of N.I. Games, various Astraware titles, etc.

May decide to get a Nintendo DS, but that's moreso for another topic. And even then, it figure it'd be like those who have an expensive SLR vs a relatively crappier compact P&S. The latter is convenient b/c you can carry with you everywhere whereas the former is serious stuff, but it's a commitment to carry it around.

What I'd like in an iTouch, from most important to least important
-Decent selection of Freeware apps (games and otherwise)
I'm willing to spend $$ on stuff I need, but I'd like to be able to find stuff without getting charged $5 each time. That can REALLY add up. However, some of this is unknown, as if it turns out I can get everything I need at a decent price, all the better

-games
Better selection, better graphics, and more "meaty games" such as those you'd find on DS or PSP (RPGs, action games, games that take longer than one sitting to play through). While card games and puzzle games are OK, I'd like to try "bigger, better" things.

-reference material
Chinese <--> English dictionary, mixing drinks, etc.

-better image viewer = I know iTouch does this. I'm aware the one that came with the T3 doesn't zoom in and such. I just never got around to installing a better one on there
-music player = I know iTouch also does this, may be nice to replace 4th gen ipod that's also on the fritz. If I stick with my T|T3, I may just upgrade to a new ipod

Not as important, but it'd be nice to have
-Office documents = I could keep certain documents and refer to them on the road. Don't use this much with my T3. Documents To Go isn't as practical as it seems
-video = I don't travel alot so this'll be a "not needed, but good to know it's there" kind of thing.

-internet access (gotta be free. Otherwise, I can wait to get home to check everything else)

[Hook]

It sounds to me that the iTouch is just right for you. The PIMs will be a letdown, even with Pocket informant, compared to Datebk6, but you are going to face that problem on any new platform-- no one does PIMs as well as Palm Garnet, especially with 3rd Party apps.

[ackmondual]

It sounds to me that the iTouch is just right for you. The PIMs will be a letdown, even with Pocket informant, compared to Datebk6, but you are going to face that problem on any new platform-- no one does PIMs as well as Palm Garnet, especially with 3rd Party apps.

Hmmm, PIMs have been an important part of my pOS experience. I'll have to try them, out for myself someday at a kiosk to see if this is really an issue for me. BTW, you did note that I use Datebook5 (five), NOT Datebook6 (six)? I've never used Datebook6, but I hear it's got many nice improvements from both front and backend perspectives

[Hook]

Hmmm, PIMs have been an important part of my pOS experience. I'll have to try them, out for myself someday at a kiosk to see if this is really an issue for me. BTW, you did note that I use Datebook5 (five), NOT Datebook6 (six)? I've never used Datebook6, but I hear it's got many nice improvements from both front and backend perspectives

Doesn't matter. Most platforms out there don't come up to Datebook3.

WinMo with Pocket Informant is probably the closest in terms of PIMS. The iTouch also has Pocket Informant, but I don't think it is as feature rich.

[brickman65]

From your description, you will certainly be happy with all things with the iPod Touch! IMVHO, I would check out the games for the iPod Touch before I got a DSi. You may really like what you see. You can also pick up games "On Sale" quite often for Free or $1.00. I just picked up some "Zelda Type" games and some FPS (ie. Doom) games on Black Friday for $1.00 or less.

Hook is correct in that the PIMs for the iPod Touch.iPhone are not up to the standards of DateBK or Palm. OTOH though they have come a looooong way recently. PocketInformant just got a BIG update recently. There is Agendus and many others. There is even Omni Focus that is probably the most feature rich and is closest to Palm-like, but it ain't cheap.

Unfortunately you will not be able to see these on any demo unit in the store and the stock PIMs are weak at best. A quick look/search through iTunes will give you all the information that you need though.

The question for you will become "Does the Touch do so many things better that I like, that I can overlook the weaker PIMs and is there an app that can fill my PIM needs well enough? Am I willing to possibly give a little to get more?""

[ackmondual]

EDIT to original post, I've also added internet access (preferably free) to my preferences, altho that's at the bottom of the list.


..... huh.... 3 different capacities. There are no SD slots on these things right? I'm guessing if you're gonna go for lots of videos, music, and/or large apps, then get at least the 32GB model? 8GB sure as hell ain't enough when I know I'll need to set aside up to 20GB for music. I'm assuming large apps take up to several hundreds of MBs each alone.

[questionfear]

Actually the apps are fairly trim. The worst I've seen are in the 10-20mb range.

I am a big PIM lover, and I've struggled to make the iPhone work for me...the newest update to Pocket Informant helped A LOT though.

As an overall package you're going to find more of what you need through the iPod Touch than any other platform; there's lots of low priced and freeware games, plus the multimedia experience will blow you away compared to the TT3.

I can take screenshots of my PI setup if you want to see how that looks vs your datebk. I was never a fan of datebk on Palm for various reasons, but I like PI. Keep in mind that 3rd party PIMs require wireless sync, usually to google calendar and a todo sync like toodledo.

As for free internet, the iPod Touch has wifi, so anyplace there is free wifi you are all set.