Blackberry v. Palm Treo

[firkat]

Hello. I will be returning to work after an extended maternity leave and I am in the market for a mobile phone that can retrieve email. Interested in any comments on the Blackberry or Palm Treo or other similar devices.

 

[Honu]

I have and use both, my job doesn't support Palm. I detest the phone on both of them. I feel like I'm trying to communicate from the moon. The Treo is better if I use the bluetooth. There is no comparison as far as functionality and programs though, Treo wins hands down.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

I do foreclosure side work that requires me to be able to instantly get my email (it's how I retrieve my work before anyone else nabs it).

From what I've been told, Blackberry is the only phone that has instant email capability. The others have a little bit of a lull (not too much, but even seconds are critical for me); I think my Verizon rep told me the others refresh every ten minutes or so. With the Blackberry, as soon as your Outlook at home (as an example) receives it, you get the notification on the phone as well.

I HATE the Blackberry that Verizon sells, but Cingular seems to have better selections of them.

I plan on going Tuesday and looking them over.

 

[Florida_Mom]

I have the Treo 650 and love it.

 

[TheDoctor]

I have the blackberry 8700 from Cingular and love it. When I am in my office and have the phone on vibrate, I can see e-mails hitting it before they hit my office system.

 

[Missy Mouse]

Hello. I will be returning to work after an extended maternity leave and I am in the market for a mobile phone that can retrieve email. Interested in any comments on the Blackberry or Palm Treo or other similar devices.

Hi, I can help. I own a Verizon phone and work for Cingular. I have a Palm Treo 650 myself. I can tell you, if you're main purpose for the PDA is email, you want a Blackberry. They use push technology and as soon as the email hits your inbox it hits your blackberry. With a Treo, if you want to retrieve email you have to sync with your computer then use pull technology to pull out the emails. If you don't do this you'll never receive your new messages. They have new software called goodlink which can make a Treo have Blackberry-like technology, but nothing beats a Blackberry for email...especially since you can have up to 10 email accounts. However, the Treo's PDA functions FAR outweigh the Blackberry, and you can store a lot more third party applications on it. If you have Cingular, look into the Blackberry 8700...whatever service you have, stay away from anything Blackerry "71**" it may be 7100, 7130c, 7125....you want something that has the QWERTY format on it for typing if you're using email a lot.

 

[firkat]

I appreciate all the info. Concerned about a 10 minute lull in getting emails on the Treo. Otherwise, it sounds like it is definitely got some good features. What kind of features to y'all rely on most on your Blackberry/Treo . . . other than than email and phone?

I have the bluetooth earpiece. Is the phone on both of these that terrible?

 

[helenabear]

I don't use e-mail on my Treo, at least not really. I just don't find it as practical as my computer.

I do use the calendar, address book, microsof office (iSilo) software. I like the phone on the PDA... I seem to do okay with it.

I use the internet quite a lot on my Treo (I have the 700p) and my favorite so far is my IM. I get notifications instantly of AIM on messaging w/o charging any text charges (it comes through as an e-mail, not as a text).

I've also used my picture mail quite a lot. That one I get instant notifications as well. It's not my standard e-mail, but I can keep in touch.

I know there is an extra charge for blackberry (at least with sprint) and it just didn't have all my functions I wanted.

I do also use my pTunes and eReader on my phone a lot more than I would. Through iSilo, I also have a complete version of the WDW menus and a guide (listing all bathrooms included) for when I go on vacation.

I've had PDAs for years though, so when it came time for a new phone, the Treo 700p was the only one that erally fit the bill for all I have and use.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

Hi, I can help. I own a Verizon phone and work for Cingular. I have a Palm Treo 650 myself. I can tell you, if you're main purpose for the PDA is email, you want a Blackberry. They use push technology and as soon as the email hits your inbox it hits your blackberry. With a Treo, if you want to retrieve email you have to sync with your computer then use pull technology to pull out the emails. If you don't do this you'll never receive your new messages. They have new software called goodlink which can make a Treo have Blackberry-like technology, but nothing beats a Blackberry for email...especially since you can have up to 10 email accounts. However, the Treo's PDA functions FAR outweigh the Blackberry, and you can store a lot more third party applications on it. If you have Cingular, look into the Blackberry 8700...whatever service you have, stay away from anything Blackerry "71**" it may be 7100, 7130c, 7125....you want something that has the QWERTY format on it for typing if you're using email a lot.

I have a Tungsten PDA that I use primarily for my Supra Key and find that I never even bother with its other functions - so that part of the Blackberry isn't a concern to me.

I have a quick question for you, if you don't mind!

When I get these particular emails, I have to click on a link inside of them and it directs me to a website where I can accept orders. Is this something that I'll be able to do as quickly as if I were on my laptop? Is it that easy to use?

 

[tmt martins]

I have a WORK Nextel Blackberry . I do most of my work on it rather then the laptop now .

The E-mail and PIN feature( other blackberry) is most of the time instant. We are on Direct connect or the phone most of the day (in feild service) with either each other or our customers.

 

[tmt martins]

I have a quick question for you, if you don't mind!

When I get these particular emails, I have to click on a link inside of them and it directs me to a website where I can accept orders. Is this something that I'll be able to do as quickly as if I were on my laptop? Is it that easy to use?

I know with the BB kinks come up very quick and web-sight input goes very smooth .I even use it to do the SWA 24hr check-in while away on business.

It really depends on how the web-sight is set up for Log-on and so forth.

But we do many things on our BB that takes the same or a bit more time then the laptops now as it's always connected ( if a good signal).

 

[MoniqueU]

I hate the rounded buttons on my Treo for texting. Drives me nuts with my nails.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

Well gee, I wasn't the OP, but I think y'all helped me just as much! Thanks!

BTW, the nail thing? I hate that!

 

[Honu]

I hate the rounded buttons on my Treo for texting. Drives me nuts with my nails.

ITA. The RIM keys are much easier to text with.

 

[lukemccoy]

I have a Treo 700w and use it for email and messaging. I don't mind the keys at all yet my fingernails aren't that long either. Also if you are using a Microsoft Exchange email you can get push email on it. I actually get emails on my phone faster than I get them to my Outlook which is also setup to the same Exhcange Server. I use 4smartphone.net and they host the email service which makes it all very easy.

 

[firkat]

If I purchase one of these devices before our trip to WDW, will I be able to access DIS or TGM on it? There is loads of info, esp. on TGM, that I would like to take in the parks without having to print it all out. . .

 

[Galahad]

I've had my Blackberry 8700 for about a week now. I think it's great! From IM to web access to instant e-mails to Google maps. I see why they call it a Crackberry. I really like that you can use it as a wireless modem for your laptop. No more buying interent access at hotels!

 

[Galahad]

If I purchase one of these devices before our trip to WDW, will I be able to access DIS or TGM on it? There is loads of info, esp. on TGM, that I would like to take in the parks without having to print it all out. . .

Yes. I DISed on mine over the weekend.

 

[lesroi]

I appreciate all the info. Concerned about a 10 minute lull in getting emails on the Treo. Otherwise, it sounds like it is definitely got some good features. What kind of features to y'all rely on most on your Blackberry/Treo . . . other than than email and phone?

I have the bluetooth earpiece. Is the phone on both of these that terrible?

My husband has a Treo 650 and I am a reforming Crackberry addict myself. I finally gave it up this year though! We use VersaMail on the Treo and have not found an issue with a lull in getting email. Yes, you do have to press "get" if you want to refresh, but you can also set it to get the email in certain intervals. I think it will never be as fast as the Crackberry, but that's ok for him. He uses it in the Emergency Department so not too much for email.

As far as the Treo goes for Realtors, (Am I There Yet), you can use it as your Supra key as well as accessing the MLS. When I renew my Supra key I am going to get another Treo. Right now, as I am sure you can appreciate, I am lugging my car keys, my cell phone, my Supra key, my laptop, etc. Any slimdown of items will be appreciated! LOL!

Tracy

 

[firkat]

Has anyone used it to access TourGuideMike while in the parks? I suppose my question is how easy is it to navigate large websites? My husband brought home a work PDA and the screen was so small that it was very difficult to use the internet.

Do y'all think Blackberry or Treo is better for internet? Also, do they both act as wireless modems for the laptop? If yes, do you just connect them with a cable or what?