I have been using Macs since '91. Never used a Palm, but am curious.
So I am in need of a new cell phone (and service provider) and have VZ's Treo 600 in my sights. Simply waiting until May 23rd to make the leap (hoping VZ drops the 600 price further now that the 650 is available). I recognize the 650 offers better features - but I can get by just fine (I think) with a cheaper 600 (no need to do any web stuff - simply need a phone and a PDA and would rather not carry 2 devices). That said, I would prefer an Apple version of a similar device... but... well...
Anyway, in no particular order, I have some questions. Figure I'd just post some here as I get conflicting responses from VZ reps, Treo users, other forums, etc. Thanks in advance for reading thru and/or posting replies. Great resource you offer here, Chris.
• How well does the 600 and OS X communicate? In particular, how intuitive and simple is the syncing process? Drag 'n drop?
• Do any of the iApps sync with Palm's apps (calendar/iCal, music/iTunes, contacts/Addressbook, e-mail/Mail, etc.)? I have a .Mac account and just love the simplicity of having all my shtuff sync'd no matter where I go. Enter data in iCal once, then sync. Viola! Easy cheesy. In going the 600 route, am I then opening myself up to some frustration of having my iCal info and Palm's calendar info as two separate calendars - meaning I have twice the data to enter when making an appointment (one in my 600 and then one back at my Mac)? I'm not to interested in creating more busy work for myself here (if possible). Is Missing Sync the key?
• Will the 600's SD card show up on the Mac desktop as a standard storage device (like a digi cam, iPod, memory stick, etc.)? If so, can I drag 'n drop files to and from the SD card (ex: I have some mp3 or pics on this card that I want to import into iTunes or iPhoto later - possible?)? If I take a pic with the 600's camera, can I later save that image to my Mac? Is this too a Missing Sync thing?
• I have a 300GB iTunes Library (all MP3, no AAC). Can I play any of these on my Treo? If so how? How is quality? User experience/interface? Is this where Pocket Tunes Deluxe comes in handy?
• Is there either a Palm OS-based app or a 3rd party app that will allow me to doodle on the 600 screen and save that doodle as some sort of text or image file (basically an app that would trace the path of the stylus - no, not like Graffiti)? As an example: to scribble a quick idea (either text or illustration), that can later be entered via QWERTY keys, or saved in a way that I could later open on my Mac via Preview or TextEdit or something...
• I know a few 600 users who broke (read:cracked) their screens within the first 2 weeks (or eventually). I get conflicting reports form VZ: some reps say for roughly $5/mo. I can get insurance that covers a 600 - "no mater what." I find that hard to believe. Thoughts? I do plan on acquiring a nice case to help protect, but still, I would not mind paying a small fee to insure such an investment (for me).
That's all for now. Thanks again.
lazyrighteye