Poll:If Apple introduced a PDA that could sync with iCal, Address Book, Cell Phone, Would you buy it

[MacRumors]

Vote: Poll:If Apple introduced a PDA that could sync with iCal, Address Book, Cell Phone, Would you buy it? (http://www.macpolls.com/?poll_id=38&ref=forums.macrumors.com)

[CountZero]

Why are people still want a PDA only device? If the device is PDA+Cell Phone (i.e. Nokia 9000 series, or SonyEricsson P800) then I would buy it straightaway. Why 2 devices when 1 will do? :)

[strider42]

not a chance. I won a PDA from work, it sat there until the battery died. I never could find anything useful to do with it. A small note pad would be easier and faster to use. Maybe integrated with a cell phone I'd consider it, but I'm still waiting for cell phone service to get as cheap as land lines until I start using them.

[rt_brained]

Yes...only on the condition that Apple would charge a membership fee for the use of iPDA, the only feature-packed service that allows me to really enjoy my PDA. And I would expect it would sync wonderfully with my .mac account...for a nominal additional fee.

[BigBurd]

To me, a PDA doesn't have to do to much more than one of the basic Palm models does. If an Apple PDA could do those things, at a competitve price, then I would buy one.

I really think, however, that Apple wouldn't want to "create" a PDA that would be so "uncreative". I'm sure they would want to create something that would draw "Ooohs" and "Ahhhs", and would cost a pretty penny, also!

As for a combination PDA/telephone .......... I think the cost of such a device, if created by Apple, would be way too prohibitive (for most buyers) to become a tremendously profitable item. I kind of hope Apple proves me wrong, though!

[d3h872]

Okay, first we need to figure the items for which a pda is useful. I don't use my Handspring Visor -- at all. But I use my Blackberry all the time. Why? Simple: how it gets its information. It has a keyboard and it gets data through automatic wireless (via Outlook sync).

What info is good to carry with you? Contacts and their info, notes you might have (e.g., to do lists), your schedules. . .what else? (The Handspring Tréo can show pictures. Who cares? It's pretty rare that we would want to use such a feature.)

How about Web access ? Well, we're a little ways off from making that useable, but the ability to get data wirelessly would be handy. What about GPS? Then combine that with maps downloaded wirelessly (and automatically) after you've indicated your arrival address. How about MP3s? Okay, tangents, yes, but you can see that their are whole realms of possibilities here.

But it starts with INPUT. Wireless sync is what it's all about. I won't put my phone and Visor and Blackberry each in their respective cradles every time I update my address book. No. I want wireless Bluetooth syncing -- between all of them! When I want to make a call, I want to use my PDA to look up the number, then I want to hit "Call," which should try my phone a beepin'. I want a separate device for my MP3s, which should have a completely different interface from a PDA, though they may sport overlapping technologies.

Heck, give me that overlap! Just don't make me re-type (or re-cradle) my devices. Separately, each device is useful. Together, they actually enhance our lives.

In sum, if Apple makes a phone that syncs with useful info like iCal and Address Book, I'll gladly pay every dime I can afford.

On a separate note, I want an airport-equipped car-console MP3 player that syncs whenever it's in range unless the computer is in use.

Okay, off the soap box.

[peterjhill]

I will never purchase another Palm device ever again. Handspring has the right idea, making a phone pda combo, but their form factor sucks. My ipod now has my contacts and calendar. I would rather have a PocketMac, than a limited palm clone. I already carry a pager, a cellphone, and my iPod everywhere I go, I dont have enough room for another portable electronic device.

Oh yeah, I also have my Powerbook with me about 60% of the time

[d3h872]

You're not paying attention, Mr. Demi-God. The form factor of a PDA on a phone will always "suck." If it's big enough to use as a PDA, who the heck wants to press that against their ear? If it's small enough to be a phone, it's not big enough to use as a PDA.

We need communication and appropriate integration. Bluetooth promises that I can use my PDA as a "phone dialer" that operates my headset-only, hands-free "phone."

Wouldn't it be nice if your PDA were a pager, and the bulk of your cell phone, your address book, calendar, and wireless email?

Separate as necessary. Integrate as appropriate. The Palm world has ignored this mantra.

Now that, my friend, is "form factor.":p

[dotcomlarry]

Hrm. A neural interface will solve all those form factor problems, since you won't need a screen ;)

[Switcher2001]

I currently own a Kyocera QPC 6035 (http://www.kyocera-wireless.com/kysmart/kysmart_doc.htm) that I bought for only $100 after a $50 rebate. I don't mind the size at all; in fact, I really like the fact that it's bigger than a pack of gum! I can actually hold it between my head and shoulder if I need to, just like a regular phone. I use the Palm features of the phone constantly, because I have an ever-changing schedule and I'm always working "in the field." I use iSync to sync it with iCal and Addressbook, but I have to be very careful, because iSync still doesn't always work right yet.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to buying the Kyocera 7135 (http://www.kyocera-wireless.com/showroom/showcase/coming_soon.htm) when it comes out, but I'm kinda hoping Apple might come out with something better. I give them a month or two. If they don't come out with something by MWSF, I'm going to go with the Kyocera 7135. At least I know it will work with my carrier (Sprint). I would have to pay an early severance fee if I backed out of my year-long commitment to Sprint before July. I don't relish the idea of changing carriers just to use an Apple "SmartPhone," but I might do it if they really blow me away with something far superior to the Kyocera SmartPhone. And no, I don't work for Kyocera. I'm just tired of carrying around both a Palm PDA and a mobile phone, and Kyocera is the only company that makes a Palm phone that I like. The only other option is the Samsung SPH-I300 (http://www.samsungelectronics.com/mobile_phone/wireless_terminals/cdma_pcs/sph_i300_features.html) —if you want to spend $450! No thanks!

Oh yeah, and there's the Treo. At $500. I can wait.

[scem0]

No. It would be overpriced, and I couldn't afford it even if it was underpriced.

:: Tear rolls down cheek ::

[cubist]

... didn't see any Kyocera QCP-6035's for $100, though; I might have gone for that. It is easy to find Palm-III's used for $50 or so, and they use regular AAA batteries, and they have enough memory to be useful... so they are good enough. I can't imagine a compelling reason to change to anything else.

I do have a Newton 2100 I am trying to get working, though :D

[scem0]

but who wants a crappy $50 palm?????????

[aafuss1]

I'd suggest this would be target at business. Well, in fact years ago, CHOICE tested cellaur phones-although in Oz/NZ we call the mobile phone.I'df wouldn't wat it with a ARM cpu(motorolla?).And make it opriced like a Palm PDA(say $800/$350 US)

[Stelliform]

I have gone through multiple PDA's until I got a Blackberry. I sync it every once in a while, but typically I just recieve and answer e-mail on it. I also put in appointments, and sync once in a while to back it up.

It would be very cool if iSync would work with the Blackberry. I have been switching all my clients with PDAs to Blackberries. I haven't had a single complaint (except about Cingular's service) and everybody is still using them.

I guess what I am saying is that Apple needs to work on wireless syncing, since it is the way I imagine PDA's going.