For the last few weeks, we have been comparing Blackberry devices,
Pocket PCs, and Palm Pilots. This week, we continue looking at what
these cost and the new PDA/mobile phone combo devices.

Both the Pocket PC and Palm devices are accessories dreams or nightmares
depending upon how you look at it. Many only come with 1 stylus, the
synchronisation, and charging cradle. This means that you are left to
start buying things like protective cases, extra styli, memory or
expansion cards, 3rd party software, extra sync or power cables for
travel, thumb keyboards, full size folding keyboards, and screen
protectors. Some PDAs have optional digital camera add-ons (make your
PDA a digital camera), GPS devices, 56K modems, Bluetooth or 802.11
cards, and more. If you need any of these things, and you probably need
at least a carrying case and some software, you could possibly double
your initial purchase in accessories!

I read a lot of lukewarm reviews on devices that are your PDA and mobile
phone in one, so I opted to not purchase one this time around and
instead keep my current tiny Samsung GSM phone and buy the Palm i705.
But if that all-in-one solution is what you need, here are some of your
current options (all prices USD, mail order, and current as of June
2002).

Samsung's SPH-I300 runs around $500 and is a 256-colour Palm device that
is also your Sprint mobile phone. With the standard battery, it weighs 6
oz. and measures 4.9" x 2.28" x 0.82". The Kyocera (formerly
QUALCOMM's) QCP-6035 is also a Palm phone for the AMPS 800 CDMA 800/1900
networks. This phone is heavier and larger than the Samsung, and runs

The Blackberry 5810 looks just like the 857 and 957 but has a headset
jack; you cannot hold this phone to your head. It's available for AT&T
and VoiceStream in the US and Rogers in Canada, and currently costs
$500. Note that voice service and typical Blackberry data service are
two separate plans.

Handspring makes three models under its Treo name. The 180 comes in
"keyboard," which looks like the Blackberry, or "graffiti" flavours. The
"g" model has no thumb keyboard, and you are expected to hand write
everything. These are monochrome and run $399-599 without GSM service.
The Treo 270 is colour, which will cost you $100 more.

Pocket PC phones are supposedly coming this summer to the USA.
VoiceStream will be offering one, but does not yet show what the unit
will cost or what service plans a user will need.

If you're serious about any of these options, you will at least need to
get a headset. It will be tough to use the item as a PDA while talking
on the phone, which you could do. You could be taking notes, looking up
contacts, and entering appointments... but certainly not while you're
holding it to your head!

And so, we wrap up the Mobile Data Hardware Options series. I strongly
recommend that all managers be familiar with these options, and make all
IT staff familiar with them. Your IT staff could end up managing or
recommending mobile devices for your department, another department, or
clients. The whole department should know the pros, cons, and costs of
each so that the best matches can be made for each user.

» posted by ITworld staff

ITworld

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