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Starting to plan for life in a post-Palm OS world
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Posted by Ken
Feb 17, 2009 at 11:14 PM
While it was nice to see that Palm has announed their new Web OS, I was sad that they pulled the plug on their current OS. And while I use Ecco and several other desktop programs on my PC’s, I relied very heavily on my old Sony Clie with DateBk5, Bonsai, and HanDBase. In light of the Clie’s age, I am now starting to think about how I will replace it at some point in the future.
I am not really interested in a smartphone because the cost of a data plan for one of these phones is way more than I care to spend. And, as I am PC based, Mac-only software that works in conjunction with Apple’s iPhone/iPod Touch is not an option. WiFi is certainly nice in this day and age for “cloud computing” and two-way synching of data, but I also want applications that will work off-line. So, at present, I am seeing two possible options - an iPod Touch or a Nokia N810 ( I could consider a Windows Mobile PDA, but the few that remain are awfully expensive). You would think that both devices would have good PIM software available, but that is not exactly the case. I have found a few pieces of software for the iPod Touch that could help me try to replicate my current stable of programs, but replacing DateBk is going to be very hard. Take a look at the following at let me know what you think.
Calendar Options:
Google Calendar synching to iPod calendar via NuevaSync; or,
Google Calendar synching to Saisuke calendar via Saisuke
Both options allow me the ability to view my calendar from any device with an internet connection, but also allow me to have my full calendar on the iPod Touch when I am off-line. Also, I am assuming that the iPod can alert me to appointment reminders.
Contact Address Options:
Google Contacts
Plaxo
HanDBase for the iPod
I have no idea if any of these proposed solutions will work and could use some guidance.
Task Options:
?
There are many web-based task managers, but I could use some recommendations for a program that, like the above programs, will offer two-way synching as well as operate in a stand-alone mode when off-line.
As you can see, I am in the early stages of planning this migration, so any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
—Ken
Posted by Gorski
Feb 18, 2009 at 12:33 AM
Google just added the ability to synch its calendar and contacts with the iPhone and iPod Touch.
http://www.google.com/mobile/apple/sync.html
Posted by Ken
Feb 18, 2009 at 12:49 AM
Mark wrote:
>Google just added the ability to synch its calendar and contacts with the iPhone and
>iPod Touch.
>
>http://www.google.com/mobile/apple/sync.html
>
>
Hi Mark,
Yes, I forgot they now have their own synch option as well. IIRC, Nueva Synch offered a bit more options than Google. But, both of these programs synch with the built-in calendar app. Saisuke seems to offer a bit more flexibility and customization as a calendar program. Its not quite DateBk, but it does offer some similar features.
I just wish that some killer PIM apps would jump out at me so I can feel good about a possible transition. Program-wise, I just feel in some ways like I am taking a step backward. Granted, I will have reasonable WiFi access, but any PDA replacement needs to stand on its own since I am not always on-line.
—Ken
—Ken
Posted by Alexander Deliyannis
Feb 18, 2009 at 08:00 AM
Re the Nokia N810; I have no direct experience myself but its operating system (a Linux variation) is one of the many supported by the excellent outliner NoteCase ( http://www.virtual-sky.com/ ). The files are the same no matter what OS you use, so you’ll be able to exchange them with your PC with no problem. NoteCase has got very good task management features, is continually developed, and you’ll find plenty of tips and tricks—including using it as a calendar- in its recently started forum ( http://groups.google.com/group/notecase-pro ).
That said, there’s much more you’ll have to choose from if you delve into a Linux-based system like the Nokia Maemo.
Though you did say you are not interested in smartphones, I do suggest that you take a look at what else Nokia offers, for example in its E range. They are Symbian OS based, provide excellent value for money and are very sturdily built.
Nokia provides the free Nokia PC Suite which syncs your phone with Outlook (contacts, tasks & calendar), photos and even selected files among others. The Suite works with many non-smartphones but obviously the more featured a phone is, the more it will be able to connect to the PC.
Posted by Alexander Deliyannis
Feb 18, 2009 at 08:03 AM
Oh, and if you are online you’ll be able to sync the phone with Google calendar through http://www.goosync.com/ (this works with a very large choice of phones)