From: zonereyrie	Date: January 10th, 2007 08:00 am (UTC)		(Direct Link)
	Re: treo vs. iphone

Part of it is that I've been using PalmOS for 9 years or so now, and I rather like it. I don't know if I'd like to learn a new OS. I've played with Windows Mobile and hated it. But Apple generally does a better job of UI design, so maybe I'd like it if I played with it. It seems interesting at least.

But the thing that turns me off the most is the virtual keyboard. I've used devices with a virtual keyboard before, and typing with no tactile feedback bugs me. I like the keyboard on my Treo, I can tell that I'm pressing the keys correctly because of the feel. Typing on an unyielding, smooth surface just hasn't been comfortable in the past. And I use my Treo for work and regularly write long email replies from it. So a good typing interface is important to me.

I do really like the overall design, and the 480x320 screen is nice. That's one of the things I miss about my Sony Clie NZ-90, which had a screen of that resolution. Though the Treo's 320x320 isn't shabby.

As far as communication goes, my Treo 650 is a Quad-band phone too, as is the new 680. The 650 is GSM/GPRS, but the 680 adds EDGE like the iPhone. (Doesn't look like either does UMTS/HSDPA. The iPhone has BlueTooth 2.0 - while the 650 is 1.1 and the 680 is 1.2. Not sure that's too big a deal.

The iPhone has WiFi, which is something the Treo is lacking. But, honestly, I don't miss it. When I'm using wireless data it pretty much means I'm out and about, and not somewhere with a hotspot. But I'm sure some would get use out of it.

The iPhone has radically more storage - 4GB/8GB - compare to 32MB (650) or 64MB (680). But the Treo has an SDIO slot, and the 680 can support 4GB and 8GB SDHC cards if you need that kind of storage.

The iPhones camera is certainly better - 2MP compared to .3MP. But I haven't used the camera on my phone in over a year. I have a 5MP camera that I use for photos. I had a 2MP camera on my NZ-90, and didn't use it much after I got over the novelty factor.


Now, all of that said, if they came out with an iPod based on this with at least 60GB (the size of my current iPod), I'd snap it right up. And if they came out with an iPhone that used a 60GB+ drive instead of the 4/8GB of Flash, I would seriously check it out. And if it worked OK, I'd replace my Treo and iPod. But I value having all of my music with me, and that's close to 50GB worth, so I would not replace my iPod with only 4/8GB.

From: zeeke42	Date: January 10th, 2007 03:04 pm (UTC)		(Direct Link)
Re: treo vs. iphone

I agree with most of what you said in this post. I'll also add that I don't want to switch providers or have the much slower data speed. I have a Treo 700P on Sprint, which is an EVDO phone. I understand Apple wanting to go GSM for the global market, but high speed data in the US is light years ahead on CDMA. Also, I pay $15/month for unlimited data on Sprint. How much more would I have to pay on Cingular? If they come out with a UMTS version that will work on the stuff T-mo is rolling out, I'll think about it then. If they come out with a Sprint EVDO version, I'll buy it immediately if I can live with the "keyboard".

	From: zonereyrie	Date: January 10th, 2007 09:02 pm (UTC)		(Direct Link)
	Re: treo vs. iphone

Cingular has UMTS/HSDPA in a number of major cities, with an aggressive build-out going on. So they're closing the gap on 3G performance. Of course, the iPhone has WiFi, so if you're in a city you're probably next to a Starbucks or Panera or something with a HotSpot.