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Bob Russell · 10-09-2004, 11:27 AM

Serious problems with the new PalmOne T5 are being reported .

So bad that changing the default view in the built-in calendar app can force a hard reset. And a hard reset apparently clears all the internal flash memory also. That also means backup files better be kept on an external card.

One T5 tester there was very frustrated after over 11 hard resets. (Don't know if they were all related to this one bug or not.)

Hard to tell if it's a sign of big problems or if it will be fixed with a simple software patch, but there are some other signs that the device was rushed out. For example it seems to indicate vibration alarms, which are not available on the T5. Even the marketing papers said it had a voice recorder, which it doesn't.

Have they rushed this out too fast and created some junk? Or maybe they planned to use Cobalt and had to pull back to Garnet late in the game?

If they don't resolve the complaints, I'll have to consider passing on the T5 (even though I'm a buyer desperate to upgrade.)

Seems like my alternatives are:
* Buy a Zodiac2. Only problem is that it doesn't have a slim case that fits in my pocket. Plus other little annoyances like the clips to hold the sylus.
* Wait for the next round of PalmOne devices or Zodiacs next year.
* Buy a Dell Axiom X50 PPC when it comes out.

To be honest, as much as I love the Palm platform, I'm seriously considering PPC if these T5 problems don't go away. I see only signs of danger ahead -- cutbacks at PalmSource, delays in Cobalt, problems with T5, focus on smartphones not traditional PDAs I want, signs that programmers think PPC is easier to code for, many more apps on PPC like ReplayRadio player and emulators and games and VOIP phone, etc etc.

I like PalmOS. I'm excited about up and coming stuff like Sunrise. I want Palm companies to succeed, and I think it's the better platform with a better philosophy. I'm even willing to stick with them even if they're a product cycle or two behind on price and hardware. But if they just can't get their act together, I'll have to look elsewhere until they do.

Of course, to add some balance, we don't know if this is a big problem or not. They might be able to fix it soon and make the T5 stable, Then all my other concerns are not show stoppers because I like PalmOS enough to bear with some deficiencies or concerns about the future.

Gee, just when I thought my waiting was almost over for a new PDA. Now I have to wait not just for availablility of a T5, but to see if it's any good. If an x50 comes out soon, I might get it because I'm sick of waiting. It would at least hold me over until I find out if PalmOne or Zodiac has anything for us in the future.

I'm very, very frustrated and impatient!....

10-09-2004, 11:27 AM	#1
Bob Russell Recovering Gadget Addict Posts: 5,381 Karma: 676161 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Device: iPad	Serious Bugs in T5 Software Serious problems with the new PalmOne T5 are being reported . So bad that changing the default view in the built-in calendar app can force a hard reset. And a hard reset apparently clears all the internal flash memory also. That also means backup files better be kept on an external card. One T5 tester there was very frustrated after over 11 hard resets. (Don't know if they were all related to this one bug or not.) Hard to tell if it's a sign of big problems or if it will be fixed with a simple software patch, but there are some other signs that the device was rushed out. For example it seems to indicate vibration alarms, which are not available on the T5. Even the marketing papers said it had a voice recorder, which it doesn't. Have they rushed this out too fast and created some junk? Or maybe they planned to use Cobalt and had to pull back to Garnet late in the game? If they don't resolve the complaints, I'll have to consider passing on the T5 (even though I'm a buyer desperate to upgrade.) Seems like my alternatives are: * Buy a Zodiac2. Only problem is that it doesn't have a slim case that fits in my pocket. Plus other little annoyances like the clips to hold the sylus. * Wait for the next round of PalmOne devices or Zodiacs next year. * Buy a Dell Axiom X50 PPC when it comes out. To be honest, as much as I love the Palm platform, I'm seriously considering PPC if these T5 problems don't go away. I see only signs of danger ahead -- cutbacks at PalmSource, delays in Cobalt, problems with T5, focus on smartphones not traditional PDAs I want, signs that programmers think PPC is easier to code for, many more apps on PPC like ReplayRadio player and emulators and games and VOIP phone, etc etc. I like PalmOS. I'm excited about up and coming stuff like Sunrise. I want Palm companies to succeed, and I think it's the better platform with a better philosophy. I'm even willing to stick with them even if they're a product cycle or two behind on price and hardware. But if they just can't get their act together, I'll have to look elsewhere until they do. Of course, to add some balance, we don't know if this is a big problem or not. They might be able to fix it soon and make the T5 stable, Then all my other concerns are not show stoppers because I like PalmOS enough to bear with some deficiencies or concerns about the future. Gee, just when I thought my waiting was almost over for a new PDA. Now I have to wait not just for availablility of a T5, but to see if it's any good. If an x50 comes out soon, I might get it because I'm sick of waiting. It would at least hold me over until I find out if PalmOne or Zodiac has anything for us in the future. I'm very, very frustrated and impatient!....