Until recently, I was still toting around my six year old Dell Axim X5. Which was hobbled together from two other Axims I had (my orginal one, and one I got on ebay refurbished (both had dropped and broke, but between them, I had a working unit). The Dell was falling apart, so a friend from New Freedonia (link in right margin)sent me his old one to get me over the hump. I was in further distress because my 5 year old (also hobbled together) Columbia PDA/phone case was faded and looking like crap, and no current model cases have the right cross of features (sturdy/easy-fast to access) and room for a phone, PDA, pen, flash drive(s) and extra batteries in a pinch. It was kind of funny to see the look on peoples faces when I pulled it out, the usual comment was "What the heck is that?" .... that is since PDA's fell out of favour.
Don't get me wrong, I love my Axim... it actually replaced all the functions of a laptop and was only a hair short of doing everything I had previously done on a laptop for work. While the Dell could DO a lot of stuff well (contacts, notes, and calendar, office apps), some stuff it didn't do so well (like music, pictures, network connectivity, syncing with something OTHER than Outlook).
My Mrs had been on me to replace my Columbia case and if my Axim was still "viable" about the time I started seeing more and more on the iphone/ipod touch being the best "unintentional" PDA replacements (again, New Freedonia and elsewhere). I started looking and saw the Google sync integration, ereader capability (ereader updates your library to ipod format for no charge) and Documents 2 Go give me almost everything I use the Axim for (not to mention the largest library of apps since Palm's heyday). So I hinted to the Mrs that a touch might be my next PDA, so for our anniversary, she went and got me one (8 gig from Sam's Club). Had a little finagling to do to get my data from the Axim to the Touch because I'm still using Office 2K which Apple does not support syncing with iTunes.
*sidebar* I actually borderline HATE Office '07 ...because Microsoft does not have the option to bring the old menus back FORCING you to use the ribbons. Aftermarket apps are making $30 a pop to give Office '07 users their old menus back, and while there are plenty Office '03's out there, many places that have it are charging MORE than for Office '07, I'm not paying for either... Not to mention the legions of business and schools that can't open the new file format because they haven't upgraded or installed the patches to open the new format. *end sidebar rant*
I ended up exporting my data to Google contacts and calendar, but that left me with gobs of handwritten notes that I had created in the Axim's Notes app over the years including schematics, drawings, passwords, IP addresses, etc, that I've scrawled over the last 6 years. Once again, New Freedonia to the Rescue with the suggestion of Evernote It took a little bit of doing, but for FREE, I was able to transfer all my notes to the Touch, have an online copy of them on my Evernote webapp page...as well as a desktop version. Very Slick. I've found I've been using it even more with the Firefox plugin which makes grabbing things like tech info, maps, and anything else on a webpage available offline on my touch with just a few extra clicks while browsing. This still left me without a way to hand write notes or drawings when I need to for work. There are a number of drawing apps out there, but the one that filled the bill was Fastfinga which completed my PIM replacement requirements for the Touch (note: I have since procured a Touch stylus that utilizes conductive foam as a stylus tip, it's much better for writing and drawing than your finger on the Touch. Your thinking: "Why don't you just type your note?" .... No time at work when things are crazy. I need essentially an electronic piece of paper, and this does it.
ereader for ipod took care of my electronic reading needs, which with the reverse screen option is (IMO) better looking that either the Kindle or Sony ereader screens...and doesn't require an external light source!.
I haven't popped for Doc's To Go yet, as using Goodreader I was able to convert my pocket Word, Excel, and PDF's to be opened on the Touch. Seeing that I hadn't created a Pocket Word, or Excel document ON the Dell in ages (was just using it to view archives of reference ones for work info). I didn't really NEED Doc's To Go yet....we'll see down the line.
I had still been using flexwallet, but Ilium software cut me a deal to upgrade my version to the current eWallet ipod and desktop version for $10 (can now sync multiple desktops and ipods). This app is a necessity for sensitive information as well as passwords and the like. I've been using it since my Handspring days.
No really good list app (like ListPro), but I found a freebie called To Do's that's filling in fine for now, ListPro for iphone has been "coming" for almost a year now (don't hold your breath).
Other PIM plugin apps like Fast Add make the built-in apps faster and easier to use. I'm almost 99% sold on using the built in PIM because of the Googlesync options, ease of use, and multiple backups (ipod, iTunes sync, and Googlespace). The only area I've found lacking is you can't copy and paste events like you can in Outlook or Windows Mobile (very convenient when making your vacation schedule), other than that, no hitches yet.
Didn't think I'd use the Photos app....and I wouldn't be.....if it wasn't so darned fast and easy to use. Same for the Mail and optional Google Mobile App The Wifi integration is invisible and rock solid. Too bad the Bluetooth is headphones only (though there are some BT printing apps as well). It would be sooOOOooo cool to be able to send/recieve contacts, photos, and songs from my phone via BT. Too bad Verizon and Apple both have it locked down.
At this point, it's so useful as it is, I'm not interested in Jailbreaking it, unless I run into a brick wall utility-wise...or when the warranty runs out :D .
Oh....MUSIC...yea.....it plays... MUSIC....
Currently I've got about 5 pages of apps going now, I've discarded about three pages worth that were duds, I may start covering the ones I like here if anyone is interested... and probably will even if you're not ;) .
BTW, my ipods "name" is PDA Replacement.
No really good list app (like ListPro), but I found a freebie called To Do's that's filling in fine for now, ListPro for iphone has been "coming" for almost a year now (don't hold your breath).
Other PIM plugin apps like Fast Add make the built-in apps faster and easier to use. I'm almost 99% sold on using the built in PIM because of the Googlesync options, ease of use, and multiple backups (ipod, iTunes sync, and Googlespace). The only area I've found lacking is you can't copy and paste events like you can in Outlook or Windows Mobile (very convenient when making your vacation schedule), other than that, no hitches yet.
Didn't think I'd use the Photos app....and I wouldn't be.....if it wasn't so darned fast and easy to use. Same for the Mail and optional Google Mobile App The Wifi integration is invisible and rock solid. Too bad the Bluetooth is headphones only (though there are some BT printing apps as well). It would be sooOOOooo cool to be able to send/recieve contacts, photos, and songs from my phone via BT. Too bad Verizon and Apple both have it locked down.
At this point, it's so useful as it is, I'm not interested in Jailbreaking it, unless I run into a brick wall utility-wise...or when the warranty runs out :D .
Oh....MUSIC...yea.....it plays... MUSIC....
Currently I've got about 5 pages of apps going now, I've discarded about three pages worth that were duds, I may start covering the ones I like here if anyone is interested... and probably will even if you're not ;) .
BTW, my ipods "name" is PDA Replacement.
My Mrs gets the best gifts.....
No comments:
Post a Comment