Advice on handheld wireless email device?

[AndyMenard]

I am curious (before I go out and spend money on one?) what you guys are using for wireless email??

Anyone here have the Blackberry device --> www.blackberry.net ??

Or do you any of you have the Palm with the wireless modem??

I have an older model Palm already, but I am in the market for a device which can do the following?:

1) wireless email (US wide coverage)
2) contacts (address book)
3) phone (maybe??) - only if it integrates well with address book and Outlook?
4) To-Do (tasks)
5) calendar and scheduling

Recommendations and/or impressions?, especially on the Blackberry device? also, if you have one, which model do you have and do you use the phone feature?

TIA!

[BostonRocket]

Andy,

I have used the Blackberry RIM 950 before and I thought that it was great. Besides the small size, I loved the fact that it integrated so well with an Outlook e-mail server. Although i used it in the context of work (enterprise e-mail server), I have heard that it works really well on a personal-use level. The service coverage was very good too. Especially in the big cities.

I hope I helped.

'Rocket

[bobafett]

Andy,

I've been goign through the same questions and decided that I want to wait for the SonyEricsson P800 and combine all functionality that way.

I am already on cingular/Voicestream (which is the network blackberry uses), so I see no particular advantage to going with the BB models.

--Dan

[lear]

Hey Andy,
Hope all is well with you and your Ford.
I use a Palm i705. I love it. I used to have the VII and went to this. While you will hear some gripes about it I have not had any problems. It pushes my messages to me in a timely manner. It is my understanding that it is on the Cingular network. I have not had many problems getting coverage, and I have been to many different regions around the US! I am even able to use it to send messages while cruising up at 39 thousand feet. If any of you guys show this to the FAA I will flat out deny it though.
My only prob was that msn mail is not available, something about microsoft security standards. My way around that is my sprint phone. It is tough writing an email with a phone pad but I have found it to be the most effective alternative available.
While the internet browsing is slow I have read this board from it. The web clipping apps are great though for scores and headlines, etc.
Let me know what you decide.

[AndyMenard]

Lear,

thanks for asking. The Cobra R is doing quite well! I am set to do some track events in October.. TWS and the new track in Iowa at MidAmerica Motorplex.

So, you like the new Palm huh??

Anyone else have anything different?? how about the Compaq "iPaq"???

[Aussie2U]

Andy, I can't comment on the Ipaq's performance, but the price has sure dropped. Check out the latest batch of rebates and this thing looks really nice:

*** iPAQ 3835, Sep 23 ***
This is a popular blow out item as the newer 39xx series is shipping. The 39xx series cost around $600. It uses the newer Intel Xscale processor, so applications are being optimized for the new cpu. Save some money by staying off the cutting edge.

Office Depot has the Compaq iPAQ 3835 64MB Color Pocket PC PDA for $449.99 - 10% coupon from our coupon section - $200 in rebates = $204 shipped free. Item 132176

The 2 Office depot rebates accept copies of UPC. The Back to school rebate takes original UPC, Summer rebate takes original serial number/model number bar code.

Jandr has it for $349 but without all the rebates, so after you get the unit in from Office Depot, you can call and ask for a pricematch to save even more! Or buy with American Express Rewards Gold and pricematch using its Best Value Guarantee.

Rebates: http://209.69.149.201/sku/showrebate...fficedepot.com

[pdiack]

I've got an Ipaq 3950 with a sierra wireless aircard 555 (for the Verizon network).

Seems to me if you are used to Outlook, this is the best way to got for items 2,4 and 5. Outlook on the device is just like on a PC.

The 3rd item (phone) works very well with Outlook - kind of cool using a PDA as an actual phone. Just choose the person and dial - simple. Although at 35 cents a minute on my plan, I don't use it.

The 1st item (email), again is Outlook - so if you use Outlook - this is the same.

Coverage seems to be good with Verizon's Express Network - but is certainly not nationwide.

Surfing the web is at a speed which seems similiar to a dialup connection - although with these tiny screens, takes some getting used to.

The way you pefer to input seems to be a differentiator - the keyboard on the blackberry is brilliant - Palms and Ipaqs are something you have to get used to.

Philip

[AndyMenard]

Originally posted by pdiack
I've got an Ipaq 3950 with a sierra wireless aircard 555 (for the Verizon network).

Seems to me if you are used to Outlook, this is the best way to got for items 2,4 and 5. Outlook on the device is just like on a PC.

The 3rd item (phone) works very well with Outlook - kind of cool using a PDA as an actual phone. Just choose the person and dial - simple. Although at 35 cents a minute on my plan, I don't use it.

The 1st item (email), again is Outlook - so if you use Outlook - this is the same.

Coverage seems to be good with Verizon's Express Network - but is certainly not nationwide.

Surfing the web is at a speed which seems similiar to a dialup connection - although with these tiny screens, takes some getting used to.

The way you pefer to input seems to be a differentiator - the keyboard on the blackberry is brilliant - Palms and Ipaqs are something you have to get used to.

Philip

Thanks for the info. everyone! I think I'm going to take a closer look at the Blackberry devices...and start from there. I already have a PALM (an older model) and although the iPaq looks cool, the Blackberry thing looks very intriguing. By the way, I am already on Verizon for my mobile phone.

Thanks again!!