Newbie Questions from Mac User

[lazyrighteye]

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

[jamespaulritter]

I opened your thread but it was to long to read, I'll wait for the condensed version to come out on cassette

[chris]

I have been using Macs since '91. Never used a Palm, but am curious.

I've been a Mac user since 1985. I'm dating myself. I bought my first Mac in 94/95 -- a PowerMac 6100. I've been using a Palm since I can't remember. Suffice to say... a very long time. :rolleyes:

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).

Well, that all depends.. the 650, IMHO, offers Bluetooth and a hi-resolution screen. Both are key attributes and big time positives for anyone deciding between the two. I have a 600 and it's a great PDA/Phone --- but I'm upgrading as soon as my contract runs out or I have extra $$ in my gadget fund. Right now, a Powerbook is next in line. In terms of price, the Cingular Treo 650 is $229 compared to Verizon's $199 for the Treo 600.

That said, I would prefer an Apple version of a similar device... but... well...

If Apple made refrigerators, I would buy one. I don't see a PDA unless they buy palmOne. The closest thing will be the Motorola iTunes phone and that will be more MP3 music player/phone than PDA. However, the Treo is very Mac-like and that's why I gravitated to it in the first place. It's a beautifully designed product -- it's just not white. :rolleyes:

How well does the 600 and OS X communicate? In particular, how intuitive and simple is the syncing process? Drag 'n drop?

Very simple. You put your Treo in it's cradle and press the sync button. No where near as fast as say an iPod...but then again, you're not transferring as much data. You can extend the communication between the two (your mac and your Treo) by getting the very excellent Mark/Space Missing Sync
It will allow you to drag & drop your MP3's from iTunes to your Treo.

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?

You set these up to synchronize -- so an entry in your Treo appears in iCal. FWIW, I'm not a big fan of iCal --- Palm Desktop is an easy and great application. It hasn't changed much since the days of Claris Organizer, but it's solid and a good way to keep organized between your Treo and your mac. Missing Sync is a more rubust solution for iTunes/iPhoto and using your SD card (for storage of these items on your Treo).

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?

Yes, with Missing/Sync. Sorry for sounding like a broken record. :D

s 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...

Not sure about this. There are plenty of scribble type apps for the Treo -- just not sure about getting them back into the mac in Preview or TextEdit.

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.

Wow, what are they doing to their Treo's? :eek: Some providers do not offer insurance (Cingular). If your provider of choice provides insurance, then it might be a good idea. You can get replacement screens for a Treo 600, but not yet for the Treo 650.

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).

We have a large selection of over 60 cases for the Treo at the Everything Treo Store. $5 per month sounds like a good idea for piece of mind.

Let me know if you have more questions. Good luck.
-Chris

[lazyrighteye]

Thanks for the thorough reply Chris.
I now realize MissingSync was pretty much my MissingLink (aka: the answer to about 80% of the questions I asked). LOL.

FWIW, I was playing with both the 600 and 650 in-store yesterday... doing a little A/B. Man, that 650 screen really is a lot nicer... and I hate wires. So the BT option have me salivating as well. Stupid, more expensive, temptation.

Do you really think Apple would need to buy/acquire palmOne to make a PDA?? I feel they have all the tech in-house, being used in several different areas - just not in one device. Not sure just cause they can, they will. But I do hear a lot of people say the PDA market is dead... and I simply think about the mp3 player market when the iPod hit. If anyone could revive/redefine a supposed dead PDA market, it would be Apple.

About the doodle feature: to open "doodles" in Preview and/or textEdit is not necessary. I really just want to be able to jot down a quick memo and save that for later viewing on the Treo. Possible? Seem so...

Most unfortunately, I will have to go with VZ (the most expensive option, dangit) as nearly all my regular contacts are on VZ... and I would save $$ by getting under VZ's IN program. So they say...

Just for kicks, I may wait until WWDC and see what Steve has up his sleeve. Would so be kicking myself if I got a Treo now, under a 2-year contract, only to see some Apple take on a similar device in 2 weeks...

Well, thanks again for your time,
lazyrighteye

[Wolfie]

Have spent about a month geeking out on the 650. We actually have 2 in our house. Have OSX 10.3.9. We were sharing email using multiple accounts inside one "user" with an old version of outlook express.
Now have upgraded to Entourage, and split the computer into two identities.

Now. I have also installed Missing Sync. Have NOT installed anything Palm OS from my Verizon CD...

Do I need to?
If so, do I need to uninstall the Missing Sync first to prevent conduit chaos?
I am really uncertain of the role the Palm OS will play in this whole deal.
Help Chris!
Thanks.

[chris]

Do I need to?
If so, do I need to uninstall the Missing Sync first to prevent conduit chaos?
I am really uncertain of the role the Palm OS will play in this whole deal.

I shouldn't need to install Palm OS. Have you tried to perform a hotsync yet using Missing Sync? If you are using Entourage, you'll need to get the Entourage X Handheld Synchronization Installer.

Now have upgraded to Entourage, and split the computer into two identities.

Setting up individual users in the Mac OS is the way to go (for many reasons).If it works for one, it will work for both.:D

Either way, stop back and let us know how you make out.

-Chris

[Wolfie]

the Microsoft Handheld Syncronization for Entrourage X ...
"Installation failed because microsoft component plugin not found"

I did do all the recommended updates prior to attempting the sync install.

Office v. 11.1.1 (050207)
Entourage v. 11.1.0(040913)

This "Microsoft Component Plugin" does reside in the "Office" folder inside the Microsoft Office 2004 parent folder. (it's version 11.1.1 (050201))

What do you thing I need to do? Move this plugin file elsewhere?

Thx.