Phone / PDA Help

[Digital Oracle]

Hi

I am after a new phone and PDA, either combined or separated. Also, I've never own any sort of PDA in the past, but I have been looking at a few and a few combi's too. From what I have seen out there so far, this is the short list I have come up with, which I was hoping the famous peeps of Neowin could help me narrow down.

i-Mate PDA2K (Also Known as - O2 XDA 2s, T-Mobile MDA3, Orange SP2000)

I like this as it is a combi, large screen, importantly has wifi and has a Qwerky slide Keyboard. But what I am not sure about is the software. I know the bad rape MS get on their software, but its usually useable, had a large software based and looks pretty too. The system is a hybrate phone too with Cam (1.3 MP) and runs MS Pocket PC 2003 SE Mobile Edition.

i-Mate JAM (Also Known as - O2 XDA 2 Mini)

I like this as it is a combi, but I am not sure about is the software, connectivity and the use of on screen keyboard. Plus what is hand-writting rec like? Software wise, I think its identical to the one above.

Nokia Communicator 9500

The mother of all PDA Hybrate Based Phone, and its like a brick too. I heard thou, the system isn't as sterdy as a brick, but u could say that about any of these thingys. Any, its a bit like the one mention about, has all the same features, but a much bigger Qwerky Keyboard although its not touch sensitive. In my opinion Nokia brings out great phone, which are usually well designed adn thought out too, this being the 4th or 5th gen of this type of phone PDA. But like above, what the software like and how dose it preform.

Sony p910

Similar software to the Nokia and similar features to both. Its smaller, but is it leaner and how easy is to use. Is this worth getting or should I get an all in one.

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Well that my short list of PDA Hybrite phones, but other things I am considering are, kool factor, looks, usability, steability (Don't want whats on there to get nick if the phone is) or should I consider something with bluetooth built in and just get a separate PDA / Phone thingy. If you recommend this, which phone and which PDA do u recommend.

Oh and lastly, there two other things I wish to mention. I want general organiser functions, like what u might see in a decent Personal Information Manager or in something like MS Outlook 2003. And for price, they sky's the limit, as I haven't decided. What do u think is the best bangs for my buck and has plent of bells on it :-P ?

[Silverity]

My friend has an i-Mate JAM, usability is as usual PocketPC PDA (you can use it as PIM, sync with Outlook, GPS, play games, read e-books, etc.). screen size is a bit small for me, though. But it's slick and compact. And you can get external keyboard, if you need to type alot. Anyways, I like it more than other ones you listed.

Edited April 25, 2005 by Serenis

[mrp04]

you can also use an on-screen keyboard, you dont need handwriting recognition.

[Digital Oracle]

you can also use an on-screen keyboard, you dont need handwriting recognition.

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yup, thats one also something I am not too sure off. Don't know what its like typing on a screen keyboard. Whats it like? And Compared to a thumb based keyboard, like those mini built in qwerky keyboards?

[enigma-penguin Veteran]

Typing on the onscreen keyboards is easy as pie, I do it all the time with my a1000. Of those phones I would probably be suggesting the imate jam or the p910 simply because ive used both phones before and they are pretty darn good.

Each phone has fairly decent software support behind it so you wont be disadvantaged by choosing one or the other. The p910 does have its flip keyboard that might give it an edge for you if you dont like on screen keyboards or recog, but I must say I dont miss having a keyboard. I know you might have been a bit ragged on the jam not having wifi, but the addition of sdio is a really big advantage and give you more options that you'll get with most phones.

[Digital Oracle]

Typing on the onscreen keyboards is easy as pie, I do it all the time with my a1000. Of those phones I would probably be suggesting the imate jam or the p910 simply because ive used both phones before and they are pretty darn good.

Each phone has fairly decent software support behind it so you wont be disadvantaged by choosing one or the other. The p910 does have its flip keyboard that might give it an edge for you if you dont like on screen keyboards or recog, but I must say I dont miss having a keyboard. I know you might have been a bit ragged on the jam not having wifi, but the addition of sdio is a really big advantage and give you more options that you'll get with most phones.

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Thanks. I tried the Jam in shop and the PDA2k. The Jam only has 1 SD slot, and not as much memory as the PDA2k which has wifi. For what it cost for addition money, the PDA2k seems a better deal for me.

Jam - ?400

PDA2k - ?500

But there is the sony, which I have heard it top heavy and doesn't have very good hand writing recognistion. Plus the memory stick for it are a lot mor expensive and propriatary too. But it does cost me ?300 to purchase and has Bluetooth, for which I could like it to a better PDA. If that all I want it for. For which I might as well just get a phone with Bluetooth :-S

I'm not sure, but thanks for the heads up on text inputtin:) :)