iPod touch Going Palm-->Touch: What will I miss??

[suMMx]

Ok, I give. The Touch clearly doesn't meet your definition of a PDA. You win. I guess my point is that not everyone subscribes to your definition. The Touch is clearly not as capable as some other devices in many areas. It works great for me, but I'm not a 'power user' like you seem to be. It's clear that you feel very strongly about this, and I respect your opinion.

Specifically regarding Air Sharing, it sounds like you have a misconception about how it works. Think of it as a viewable storage device. While the Touch (or iPhone) is a client on a network it is an addressable storage device -- on your computer it looks just like any network drive (public/private access is controllable with password protection) and you can access its contents in a Finder (Mac) or Explorer (PC) window. You move files to and from the Touch by dragging and dropping and the files are loaded on the Touch itself. The files aren't hosted anywhere. You're right, you can only do this from the computer end, just as you would access any network drive from a computer, not the drive itself.

Once the Touch is off the network (when you're on the go) viewable files are available on the Touch itself, without being dependent on any other storage devices or connections to them (supported file types here). You can't initiate movement of the files to other devices from the Touch's interface, but if you connect to another network the files are again accessible to other devices on that network.

Hope that makes it more clear. My guess is that it doesn't do everything you think it should, but that's what it does do. Works nicely for me. I load files onto my Touch at home, and then can view them wherever I am (no data connection required). I can also share them if I want to by connecting to another network.

don't even bother, tosser's philosophy is that if he gets annoying enough combined with pointing out textbook rhetorical arguments then he can win any argument.

 

[Tosser]

don't even bother, tosser's philosophy is that if he gets annoying enough combined with pointing out textbook rhetorical arguments then he can win any argument.

Summx, just because you can't handle proper argumentation and get annoyed by it, doesn't mean annoyance even enter my mind as a "tactic". Secondly, if my argumentation is so "textbook", why on earth do you continue to ignore such basics? Oh, I know, it's easier to call people names and then pretend to be a victim with feeble attempts at rhetoric where you claim you never called anyone names, nor implied they were those things – a la this:

a) you sound like an idjit. Are you an idjit? You're comments sounds like your are a prick, and so on.

b) I never said you were an idiot or prick. Boo hoo, why are you targeting me? There are so many other people with worse set ups than mine. Boo hoo, ad nauseum.

c) add a few other personal attacks based on pure conjencture and ignorance, like the post I just quoted, just to emphasize how well you "take criticism", as you mentioned you did so well in the other thread.

Seriously, stop crying in a public forum and stop thinking you have a right to choose who responds to your posts in said forum.

 

[SaSaSushi]

I sold my Palm T|X when I bought my 1st gen 16GB iPod Touch and have not regretted it one bit. I use the calendar, web browsing, English and Japanese dictionaries and dozens of other apps and in particular much prefer the Touch as an ebook reader to the Palm. Stanza is an awesome application.

 

[HitchHykr]

So, the iPt has a 640x480 screen in landscape right? Or did I miss something? </heavy_sarcasm>

Because this x50v sitting here does 640x480 in landscape and, well, I can damned well see pretty much everything on the screen without needing to zoom in quite so much as I would on an iPt...

Yeah, enjoy your 64MB of installed RAM and your Wince OS

I know how the Wince ecosystem is, I lived it and suffered thru it and have never looked back since I got my iPod touch (other than for GPS navigation)

 

[HitchHykr]

I'm too old to be playing around and not getting things done.

Well, that about sums it up for you. As for me, I enjoy my time away from my computer and don't obsess with the calendar functions on the touch, I just need my appointments there, address book, maps and true web browsing.

 

[br0adband]

Yeah, enjoy your 64MB of installed RAM and your Wince OS

I know how the Wince ecosystem is, I lived it and suffered thru it and have never looked back since I got my iPod touch (other than for GPS navigation)

64MB? Pishaw... I've got the 64MB internally and 32GB in it right now (16GB CF and 8GB SDHC) with a ton of applications, music, and videos - 640 pixels wide ones, btw, that view at 640 pixels wide, go figure - and I can use it all for applications, music, videos, etc... the iPt draws from internal storage for that stuff just like PocketPCs do, but... I can add more, anytime.

How many apps can that thing hold, anyway, something like 148 max? <hint, hint>

As I said, each device has its particular uses. It's up to Apple to open that Bluetooth chip for expansion possibilities, unless someone with less patience actually figures out how to do it. I think a future firmware update will open it up; I seriously cannot believe the only reason they put that chip in their was for Nike+, that's just too stupid even for Apple.

... and true web browsing.

Uhmmm... no Flash support? No Java support? Exactly what does "true web browsing" mean, dear fellow? Explain it to us folks that have been "surfing" the Internet on mobile handheld devices for nearly a decade now, if you please. Sure would like to understand how what I've been doing is somehow not quite the same just because my mobile handheld device doesn't have an Apple logo on it someplace...

 

[HitchHykr]

Uhmmm... no Flash support? No Java support? Exactly what does "true web browsing" mean, dear fellow? Explain it to us folks that have been "surfing" the Internet on mobile handheld devices for nearly a decade now, if you please. Sure would like to understand how what I've been doing is somehow not quite the same just because my mobile handheld device doesn't have an Apple logo on it someplace...

By true web browsing I mean visiting general purpose web sites that are not specific to PDAs or mobile devices. Just because you had to walk to school in the snow, uphill both ways doesn't meant that you got better schooling than someone that was chauffeur driven. I'm sorry that you had to put up with PDAs for 10 years, I feel your pain, I have an iPaq so I KNOW what web browsing on it means. Flash? Java? Yeah, it would be nice but I gladly give that up if it means a better experience overall. In Regards to Apple I use both Macs and PCs equally so I'm not a fanboy of Ms or apple.

 

[Tosser]

By true web browsing I mean visiting general purpose web sites that are not specific to PDAs or mobile devices. Just because you had to walk to school in the snow, uphill both ways doesn't meant that you got better schooling than someone that was chauffeur driven. I'm sorry that you had to put up with PDAs for 10 years, I feel your pain, I have an iPaq so I KNOW what web browsing on it means. Flash? Java? Yeah, it would be nice but I gladly give that up if it means a better experience overall. In Regards to Apple I use both Macs and PCs equally so I'm not a fanboy of Ms or apple.

That's funny. You use the same argumentation and rhetorics as a fanboy, yet you claim you're not, because you supposedly use both. Hmm, what to believe, what to believe

 

[HitchHykr]

That's funny. You use the same argumentation and rhetorics as a fanboy, yet you claim you're not, because you supposedly use both. Hmm, what to believe, what to believe

So if claiming that the iPt has better web browsing than smart cell phones and PDAs makes me an Apple fanboy, so be it. Who am I to argue with the great soothsayer, Tosser, who stubbornly categorizes people and things based on his vast experience s a close minded idiot savant?

 

[P-Worm]

So if claiming that the iPt has better web browsing than smart cell phones and PDAs makes me an Apple fanboy, so be it. Who am I to argue with the great soothsayer, Tosser, who stubbornly categorizes people and things based on his vast experience s a close minded idiot savant?

Hey now. Let's try and keep the personal attacks to a minimum.

P-Worm

 

[jscalt]

Another current Palm user....

I've used a Palm of one sort or another for over ten years. Critical apps for me are syncing with Outlook Calendar & Contacts (on a Windows XP computer at work). Of course, I use other things a lot like documents2go, notes, avantgo, etc, but I feel I can work around the issues where the touch may come up a little short for now. I have an iMac G5 at home.

So, it's just about time to replace my Palm and I'd really love a touch. But I'm older and to tell the truth the music side of it, while nice, isn't crucial (I have my daughter's old nano since she got a new one with her MBP last year). It will be nice, though, to load music on the touch, which I assume I'll be able to do from my home computer (I tend to make copies CDs rather than download from iTunes store). So, yes, I'm looking at the Touch as a PDA replacement although I'll use it for other things.

Does anyone have experience syncing the Touch with Outlook on a PC? How much trouble is it? How successful is it, especially with calendar and contacts? To tell the truth, I'll avoid enabling accessing work e-mail - I don't want to be THAT accessible!

I know that some of this is redundant in light of above posts, but it will really help me out.

Thanks to all in advance!

 

[liferules]

Its not that difficult at all to sync via XP or Vista the touch with Outlook. The hardest part (for me) was switching my calendar from Palm Desktop (my favorite) to Outlook. You pretty much have to reinstall the Desktop to allow you to make the "decision" again as to where to sync the calendar. Once you get that done (or if you already sync with Outlook), its easy. Telling iTunes and the touch where to sync the calendar is very straight forward.

Personally, I don't like Outlook much at all, so I have moved to using Google Calendar, and have downloaded goog-sync which sync's Google Calendar with Outlook, which I sync with the touch. By using Google Calendar, I can make calendar entries wherever I am (as there is always a computer near by)...

I agree with you about music, I haven't even listened to music on my touch yet... guess I need to try it soon!

 

[Tosser]

So if claiming that the iPt has better web browsing than smart cell phones and PDAs makes me an Apple fanboy, so be it. Who am I to argue with the great soothsayer, Tosser, who stubbornly categorizes people and things based on his vast experience s a close minded idiot savant?

Excellent, HH. When your argument that the touch is pda is proved otherwise, then that's okay, because you "enjoy time away from" getting things done", you can't handle someone pointing out your argumentation is just like a fanboy's ditto, but a) whine about being categorised, and yet b) throw around comments like yours. Yeah, you surely aren't a fanboy of any kind

 

[Phrasikleia]

I figured I would report back with what I ultimately decided to do: stick with the Palm for now. When Apple puts real Bluetooth in the iPod touch, I'll buy one. It seems inevitable, since that would enable the use of an external keyboard (not to mention the use of a Bluetooth headset) and it would offer another mode of connectivity.

 

[hexonxonx]

I figured I would report back with what I ultimately decided to do: stick with the Palm for now. When Apple puts real Bluetooth in the iPod touch, I'll buy one. It seems inevitable, since that would enable the use of an external keyboard (not to mention the use of a Bluetooth headset) and it would offer another mode of connectivity.

Good choice. I have two 3G iPhones. Same features as the Touch except with a camera and phone. Should I say lack of features as many phones (and PDAs).

When you get down to it, the Touch is meant to be a MP3 player first and foremost with minor PDA features built in.

 

[woffles]

PDA Capabilities

Another application in the pipes is Pocket Informant. It will give the Touch a more robust calendar. I believe it syncs with its own desktop application.

 

[mackmgg]

Good question. Here's what comes to mind (in no particular order):

1) Dictionaries. I use my Palm's substantial dictionary apps for language reference while researching or traveling. (It looks as though those same apps are available for the Touch.)

2) Expense tracking/budgeting. I want to be able to record purchases I make as I make them in order to track my expenses. I don't necessarily need a desktop component for this purpose, but I wouldn't ever want to lose my data.

3) Lists. I make lists for all sorts of things (groceries, packing, writing ideas, etc.) and like being able to edit them on either my desktop or my PDA, so this does mean back-and-forth editing of synced files.

4) Contacts. I need them synced between the desktop and the PDA.

5) Calendar. I don't micromanage my days, but I do like having events in my calendar as reminders. I might have 10-15 items per month that end up on my Palm Calendar. Some of these are recurring events (meetings, garbage night, etc.). I need to sync these between the desktop and the PDA.

6) Text entry. I know I'm out of luck here. I have a portable, foldable Palm keyboard that turns my PDA into a wonderfully small laptop on which I can type about 60-70wpm. I create documents in WordSmith on the Palm and get editable RTF documents out of them when I sync. I mostly make (rather lengthy) notes on the Palm (while researching or attending lectures) and edit on the desktop, so I'm not doing a bunch of back-and-forth editing (unlike with the lists, no.3, above).

Those are what come to mind as potential problem areas. The other little apps I use should be quite the same on the Touch (BART schedule, Timer, Calculator, Converters, etc.)

1. Yes there are plenty of free and for pay dictionaries. WeDict is pretty good, I have the free one and it works well.
2. There are a few budget apps, but I have no experience with them.
3. There are some list apps, such as todos and grocery, but again I dont have experience there.
4. Built in, I used to sync mine with Address Book on my computer, but now I use www.nuevasync.com which syncs contacts over the air with Google Contacts.
5. Same as above, use iCal or NuevaSync and Google Calendar.
6. Notes, which is not the best for that, and MagicPad, a pretty good editor (idk about sync although some apps prly do) but there is no keyboard, although i have had my touch for a few months now and i can type pretty acurate and fast on the keyboard.

As for backup, iTunes auto backs up ALL of the settings and data on the ipod, exept music which can be easily synced back on.

Edit: woops accidentally went 2 the page in the history and it added this again.