Windows Treo + Mac

[tbanucci]

Hi-

I'm currently using a Treo 650 and love it, but want to upgrade my Treo soon to a Windows version for two major reasons:

1. EVDO capabilities (this 56k-type access I have on the Treo now is too slow).

2. Slingplayer Capabilities (only runs on Windows version of Treos).

Has anyone been using a Windows version Treo with their Mac? How has your experience been? I am curious for one how the change from Palm OS to Windows was for you. Also curious if you can still use your Treo as a Bluetooth modem for your Mac like the 650 was able to. Finally, is synching the same with the Windows version to the Mac?

Thanks! I'm sure Chris has played with this...

Ted

[chris]

Hi-

I'm currently using a Treo 650 and love it, but want to upgrade my Treo soon to a Windows version for two major reasons:

1. EVDO capabilities (this 56k-type access I have on the Treo now is too slow).

2. Slingplayer Capabilities (only runs on Windows version of Treos).

Has anyone been using a Windows version Treo with their Mac? How has your experience been? I am curious for one how the change from Palm OS to Windows was for you. Also curious if you can still use your Treo as a Bluetooth modem for your Mac like the 650 was able to. Finally, is synching the same with the Windows version to the Mac?

Thanks! I'm sure Chris has played with this...

Ted

Okay, lot of questions here. Yes, I've spent quite a bit of time with a Windows device with my Mac. The first half of this year, my primary device was the Treo 700w. I jumped to the Treo 700p just as Mark/Space released a solution for Mac users. Missing Sync for Windows Mobile works very well. I still use this to sync my Motorola Q and you are able to sync with all of the iApps. I'm syncing via Bluetooth on my Powerbook without issue. I'm currently using 2.5.1, but they have updated to 3.0. I haven't looked at what's new.

I've also used Slingbox and had mixed experiences with it. At times, it's pretty amazing. I found navigating my TiVo to be a it cubmersome on the Q. I eventually returned my Slingbox because they did not have a Mac client. This has changed and has me once again thinking about the Slingbox. One of the problems I had with Slingbox was the output on my TiVo. I have a HiDef Tivo and SlingBox requires 480p output (versus 720p/108oi) that I was sending to my TV. So, in order for Slingbox to work, I had to switch the output of the signal. This made Slingbox a "cool technology", but not necessarily an easy technology. They have a new box that supports HD conversion, but there are extra cables, etc required.

EVDO capabilities are available on the Treo 700p, but there isn't a compatible mobile version of SlingPlayer. That leaves you with a choice between the 700wx or the soon to be released Treo 750. The latter will run on GSM through Cingular.

Palm vs Windows is a big debate. I have a few Palm apps that I cannot live without and it was tough doing so while using the 700w. The Windows Treo also requires a bit more menu navigation to get to things. The Palm OS, despite being a bit long in the tooth, still is the easiest OS out there. I did numerous comparisons between the platforms in my Treo 700w review.

Hope this helps.

-Chris

[kabeyun]

Just to reinforce something Chris mentioned: as far as I know, you must get Missing Sync for Windows Mobile of you intend to hot sync a Windows Treo with a Mac. i.e. the native manager won't work.

Also, tbanucci, your avatar is really weird. I love it!

Cheers,

-K

[tbanucci]

Wow! Thank you for all the great info, Chris. As usual, you are the man and have really given me some great info.

They now have Slingplayer for both "Windows Mobile Smartphones" and the Mac, the model they use to show it off on their page is a Treo actually, so I assumed that the 700p would be able to use it. Is this not the case?

You are right though, I will probably be waiting for the next Verizon branded Treo that supports Windows, as Cingular is not reliable in my house. I'm glad to hear that all of the syncing is a breeze though.

What about using the Windows Treo as a modem via bluetooth with the Mac? Still not an issue? I had read there was an extra charge for this but I thought someone might have hacked it for the Mac.

Ted

[tbanucci]

Hah- thanks for the comments kabeyun. That avatar is "Flat Eric". He was in a few videos for the techno guy that made him (Mr. Oizo) and Levi's picked him up to do a series of ads for a while in Europe- you can Google them, they are pretty funny!