Ex-Palm OS Treo users: Likes and Dislikes about the iPhone

[Scott R]

I just posted in the thread asking which phone iPhone users were previously using and saw a good number of ex-Palm OS Treo users. I suspect that the forums here may have a larger number of us ex-Palm OS Treo users than other forums do due to the affiliation with treocentral.com. Anyways, as someone who was a long-time Palm OS user (and user of various Palm OS Treo models) who was, by and large, a fan of the original "zen of Palm" OS/GUI, I'm curious to hear what other ex-Palm OS Treo fans/users think about their transition to the iPhone. What do you like better? What do you miss? Where do you think Apple can/should improve things?

I created a separate thread about a week ago talking about one of the hack-style apps I miss from my Treo. I used Hi-Launcher and created a bare-bones "recently used apps" pop-up menu which allowed me to quickly switch between apps on my Treo. I really dislike having to go back to the Home screen on the iPhone in order to switch between recently used apps. I do like the fact that the iPhone (which I understand may be related to the 3.0 upgrade) does a better job of caching and multitasking than the Palm OS Treo. So, for example, I can start to download a web page, go to the home screen, do something else, go back to Safari, and the page is now completely downloaded and doesn't auto-refresh it, nor do I have to sit and wait while it takes time to redraw the page from its cache. I also access my work's email via a web interface and on my Treo it would force me to re-enter my username/password every time I left Blazer and went back to it, whereas the iPhone remembers this for me (probably only so long as I keep the page open - but that's not a problem). If only Apple would build in a quickly-launchable recently-used apps list, that would make it even better. Better yet, I'd really like to see Apple allow developers to create all manner of hack-style apps and approve them for the App Store.

One thing I find myself using my iPhone for that I never really bothered to do much with my Treos is listening to music and podcasts. There are two reasons for this: First, Handspring/Palm made things difficult by not equipping the Treos with a standard 3.5mm jack. At one point I got one of those adapter cables for my Treo 600 and the jack ended up breaking after a while (a common problem). So, after that, I was gunshy about even trying it on my 700p. The other reason I take advantage of podcasts (specifically) on the iPhone is the fact that I can jump into the iTunes store on the iPhone and find and download a ton of free podcasts right there. No need to use my laptop. That said, I've had problems with my iPod Touch where downloading a certain podcast that way often resulted in it getting cut short. Haven't confirmed that yet with my iPhone so I'm not sure if I'll hit that problem still (and I don't know what the root cause was/is anyway).

[esquire1996]

I am contemplating the switch from my 755 to an iphone in the coming months. I believe I mentioned previously two items I will miss. The first is a sync with outlook of my task list. I rely on this, and currently there is no direct sync of the tasks to the iphone. The second is the ability to attach documents/photos to an e-mail sent from the iphone. Currently, I use chatter for this, and it works perfectly.

I won't miss the slugishness of the phone when it is checking mail, nor the occasional hard reset (as happened today for no reason).

[Brickman]

I came over from Sprint and the 755P. Two major reasons I left Palm fir the iPhone were Sprint and BT. Sprint's coverage in my area was not that good as was getting worse. BT on my 755P was terrible. Using a BT earpiece was next to impossible. The two problems were totally eliminated when I switch and for these facts alone I am a very happy camper.

Now I am not a power PIM user. I use PIMs all day. I run my own business with my iPhone, but some people are very serious about PMIs. I am not near that organized/AR. Give me date/time/what I need to do and I am good. That being said I have been able to replace all of the apps on my Treo with apps from the App Store. Plus some!

I really liked my 755P but my iPhone has become so much more than my Treo was or could have been for my usage. With MoMe pushing Calender/Contacts/email to my iPhone and Vice Versa, plus Appigo ToDo/QuickOffice and other apps, I feel I have the perfect business smartphone for Me. YMMY.

[cardfan]

Recently used apps would be great. Maybe just show up on spotlight without typing anything. I just double tap home button to open spotlight.

Wouldn't mind a clipboard to put pastings on..numbered. And perhaps when you go to paste something, "paste1" "paste2" "paste3" pop up.

[Scott R]

Originally Posted by esquire1996

The second is the ability to attach documents/photos to an e-mail sent from the iphone.

You can copy/paste photos into an email. You may already be aware of this and perhaps this doesn't meet your specific need, but just in case you didn't know, I figured I'd mention it.

[Brickman]

Originally Posted by esquire1996

The second is the ability to attach documents/photos to an e-mail sent from the iphone. Currently, I use chatter for this, and it works perfectly.

Did you see my response to your question in that thread? This can be done very easily.

[ohessyou]

After much delay and reviewing the Palm Pre, I finally surrendered after years with Palm and gave up my 755P for the iPhone 3GS. Overall I am very happy I finally made the switch, waiting for Verizon to support wifi on the Palm (or any other decent platform) was no longer worth it. The ringtones are not loud enough and I was missing calls so I finally ported over my Treo ringtone and pumped up the volume to solve that problem. The guys in the Apple store said "that's just wrong" when they heard my phone ring while I was there but hey, a man's gotta be able to recognize that his phone is ringing. The only thing I have been unable to adapt to is the weak and non-recurring alerts for meeting notices. Are you telling me this is the best Apple can do after 2+ years? Come on Apple, you gotta fix this..

[esquire1996]

Originally Posted by Brickman

Did you see my response to your question in that thread? This can be done very easily.

I did, and thank you for the information. But, if I recall (and I may not) your suggestions involved purchase/use of 3d party software to do same. I believe quickoffice and a splashdata program were mentioned. I was merely indicating that this would be something (which is intuitive with chatteremail) I would miss in my e-mail program.

I want to also add the use of multiple signatures would be missed.

[esquire1996]

Originally Posted by Scott R

You can copy/paste photos into an email. You may already be aware of this and perhaps this doesn't meet your specific need, but just in case you didn't know, I figured I'd mention it.

I did read this somewhere. Thanks, though, for pointing it out.

My problem is that you can't attach the photo, or a document, directly in the e-mail program.

[jhamilton3]

I like how texting is set up, I just wish their were options to customize it.