MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - I Hate Convergence. No wait!... It's Really Nice!

Bob Russell · 06-20-2005, 06:07 PM

I've had a few weeks with my new Treo650 now, and I must say it has really changed my mind about convergence. I used to think that the compromises of a smartphone were so horrible that it would drive a power PDA user crazy, and that the dominance of the wireless carrier's demand for revenues would destroy the functionality.

Well, I was partly right... there are compromises (like small screen, less memory, high price) and the wireless carrier's influence (or at least Verizon, which I have for the moment) really does make the device less useful and expensive. I don't really try to do as much on my Treo as I'd like to.

But what I didn't expect was how much I really appreciate a converged device. The obvious thing is that I have a phone and a pda in one pocket. That would have been enough for me, but even the way it's combined in the Treo is very nice. It is integrated but separate. I'll try to describe that if I do a mini-review of it. And the pda is quite good, also to my surprise.

I'm delighted with it, and wouldn't consider anything else out on the market now that I've gotten used to it. Never thought I could feel that way, but this little smartphone has won me over!

Unfortunately, that may be mostly true because PalmOne did a fantastic job with the Treo650. (Not perfect, but very good!) But it is definitely enough to convince me that it's a great idea. If you've followed my comments, you know that's a big change of perspective for me. And if a smartphone can be great now, how much better when the technology catches up, and you don't have to make so many size, weight, memory and cost tradeoffs in the future?

But don't think I'm saying that smartphones are the answer for everyone. If I didn't feel compelled to carry around both a phone and pda, I'd hate it. Instead I'd have a LifeDrive or something like a Dell x50v, or even just a great phone if I didn't want a pda. But right now, I want both, and I'm very happy to be a Treo user!

So I'm curious -- Has anyone else recently surprised themselves by becoming a fan of smartphones!?

06-20-2005, 06:07 PM	#1
Bob Russell Recovering Gadget Addict Posts: 5,381 Karma: 676161 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Device: iPad	I Hate Convergence. No wait!... It's Really Nice! I've had a few weeks with my new Treo650 now, and I must say it has really changed my mind about convergence. I used to think that the compromises of a smartphone were so horrible that it would drive a power PDA user crazy, and that the dominance of the wireless carrier's demand for revenues would destroy the functionality. Well, I was partly right... there are compromises (like small screen, less memory, high price) and the wireless carrier's influence (or at least Verizon, which I have for the moment) really does make the device less useful and expensive. I don't really try to do as much on my Treo as I'd like to. But what I didn't expect was how much I really appreciate a converged device. The obvious thing is that I have a phone and a pda in one pocket. That would have been enough for me, but even the way it's combined in the Treo is very nice. It is integrated but separate. I'll try to describe that if I do a mini-review of it. And the pda is quite good, also to my surprise. I'm delighted with it, and wouldn't consider anything else out on the market now that I've gotten used to it. Never thought I could feel that way, but this little smartphone has won me over! Unfortunately, that may be mostly true because PalmOne did a fantastic job with the Treo650. (Not perfect, but very good!) But it is definitely enough to convince me that it's a great idea. If you've followed my comments, you know that's a big change of perspective for me. And if a smartphone can be great now, how much better when the technology catches up, and you don't have to make so many size, weight, memory and cost tradeoffs in the future? But don't think I'm saying that smartphones are the answer for everyone. If I didn't feel compelled to carry around both a phone and pda, I'd hate it. Instead I'd have a LifeDrive or something like a Dell x50v, or even just a great phone if I didn't want a pda. But right now, I want both, and I'm very happy to be a Treo user! So I'm curious -- Has anyone else recently surprised themselves by becoming a fan of smartphones!?