Thanks for the review. I am thinking about switching from "The Q" to the Treo 700w but am having a hard time making a decision. Your review might bring me back to "The Berry" which I got rid of long ago. Thanks.

You really haven't been pushing "send/receive" on your Treo to get email have you? For anyone else that has not figured out the Treo is way superior and that there are other email programs besides Versa Mail - take a look at: www.chatteremail.com

Thanks for the review Matt,

I have a few comments for your cons:

*"Too many clicks required to call or email someone from the phone book."
>Once in the phone book, when you open the menu while highlighting a contact you will have the following menu items: Email [Contact Name], Call [Contact Name], SMS [Contact Name], MMS [Contact Name]. That's just two clicks. I don't think they are too many ;-)

*"There are more things, but I think it's that last one that I consistently struggle most with. It requires too many clicks to go from my email to an address book (and since I want the left-side convenience key to manage my profiles (ring, vibrate, silent), as I switch between these all the time, I can't have it for my address book, which is the other speed key I need)."
>There is a feature that allows you to switch applications with a few clicks just like ALT-TAB in Windows. It is ALT-ESC, try it and you will see that you will be able to switch between applications with as fewer as one click

Nice to see a comparison between both devices. I been using a blackberry for a while and recently started using a treo 700p. I think they're both good devices. I guess it depends on which one provides the most addiction to when it comes to 'picking the best one'. You didn't mention anything about the weight of these devices and battery life.

On the blackberry you can try using the Enter key instead of clicking the wheel to save some clicks.
You can use alt + esc keys to get the same functionality as alt + tab on the pc.. that way you can switch from one app to another without having to go back to the home screen.

I picked up a Treo 680 yesterday from Cingular and planned on evaluating it against my current Berry 8700. Cingular told me Palm had the Blackberry Connect software available so it will synch w/the BES server at my company but i couldn't find it on the web - Palm tells me they don't know when it will be available . .arggh!! Does anyone have any info on when this will be available or are there other programs that can link me to my BES server. I will check w.chattermail.com as Sam suggests.

Matt,
Your list is so long that it would take an equally long response here to address some of the "cons" you note, but here is a general thought for you. I was a Palm user until 6 months ago when I bought my BB 8700g, and I started with Palm back when the original Palmpilot was released owning a Treo 600, 650, etc. The simple reality of that aging OS, as much as I loved it, is that it nowhere near compares with the stability and operation of the Blackberry OS. As you spend a little more time, you'll find that there are programs like PocketDay Professional that can address your program switching issue, and there are simple "one-click" maneuvers to write an email or call someone right from the address book. There are great programs like Berry411 and BBCorrector that will make your life so much better. It is just a learning curve on your part, and it took me awhile as well. Welcome aboard!

Want to share the feature on the web browser of the "Treo 650" that returns you to the page you were browsing. Goto: Browser > Menu > Preferences > Page > Start With (drop down menu) choose "Last Page Viewed." This will take you back to the page you left off on.

I used a Black Berry for a while but its does lack a few of the nicer features of the Palm device. I think each device has their share of pro's and con's. Heavy email users may really appreciate the BB for the scroll button and immediate delivery of emails. The Treo 650 does have an auto delievery feature but it takes about 5 minutes or so before it sends and receives. The "Treo 680" is said to have the same immediate email feature "EDGE" as the BB. The volume on the BB is much better than the Treo but the Treo's keys are easier to type with. I also agree with Matt on the lack of ease on getting from one application to another on the BB.

Unfortunately, Palm does have a lag in their production and retail process so I'll try to report back if I ever get one...

I hate them both, Treo, Berry, who cares? I hate all the smart phone PDA's out there.

HELP. I am about to buy my first smartphone (on Verizon) and I think the most important thing to me is that the stylus allow me to write (graffiti style) rather than have to use the thumbpad. Will the 700p allow me to write e-mails, edit docs, etc. with the stylus? Are there any other smartphones that are able to do that? What would you guys recommend? Thanks.

I've been telling you this for months
http://weblog.infoworld.com/openresource/archives/2006/06/i_am_in_a_techn.html

http://weblog.infoworld.com/openresource/archives/2006/03/uptime_weak_app.html

Careful - hotsync does not work with Office 2007.

I just began using the Pearl, though it's not available through anyone but T-Mobile around here.

GREAT device. I've never been interested in the Blackberry because the looks and lack of applications. The Pearl corrects almost everything on your "cons" list.

One note, the typing takes a bit to get use to, but I'm finding myself typing on it almost as fast as a full QWERTY keypad now. Patience pays off.

Several of the things you didn't like with your Treo 650 are *completely* fixed with the Treo 680. The sound quality on the phone is excellent, now. And when you launch the browser the caching has been fixed so you always return to where you left off. The new slimmer enclosure and lighter weight are bigger improvements than most people realize before getting it in their hand. It's finally something you can carry in your pocket.

BTW, You've got way more push email options on the Treo than you do on the BlackBerry (and don't necessarily need a service for it). Thankfully, "push" email isn't the default configuration!

I was not a huge fan of the 650, but after 5 weeks with it I'm getting quite hooked on the 680.

Just bought my first Blackberry Pearl after two Palm Pilots and two Treos. Does anyone know which program is best to import data from the Treo 650 using Palm software to the Pearl? I haven't used Outlook or any other software, just Palm. Thanks.

I own a palm treo 700p, I use the new blackberry pearl for work. Hands dowwn the treo 700p is the better unit. My sevrice is through sprint and among other things the sprint tv feature is the best. The email, messaging, internet are all a click awat and very easly to use. I can go in check all my eamil and place the unit back in the holster in the time its takes to wheel and click a few more times just the get to the email I need to check. It's the phone not the that sold me and nothing else.

If I'm most concerned about maintaining contacts and a calendar (eventually email but not most important now) which smartphone would you recommend. I am going to be starting a small service oriented business and want to be able to enter appointments, details (notes) and maintain contacts.

I would like a strong operating system, ease of use, and not too bulky.

I've heard both Treo and Blackberry get strong reviews. I'm guessing it's a matter of opinion and patience to learn shortcuts.

I wish Verizon carried the BB Pearl. I use Verizon and would like to stick to Verizon. Any suggestions? (I've used the old school Treo PDA)

When I forward emails from my 700w they are forwarded as attachments. Any way to change this?

I have always liked the Palm platform and have enjoyed their hardware since my first Palm VIIx. I have had two Treo 600s over the last 5 years and although there have been many improvements, I have taken the point of least resistance and stayed with my tried and true 600. I agree, there are thousands of programs available for the Treo and many even free.

I think now the realization is sinking in that the Palm platform is suffering a slow death. There have not really been many substantial modifications in years. Palm as a hardware company has aligned with Microsoft and even one of their leading sub-contractors is releasing their own branded equipment now. Who even knows who will own the rights to the software or hardware side of Palm in a year or two?

I have always had problems with the synchronization to my Windows desktop. I am not necessarily a Chapura fan and heaven forbid that you throw Plaxo into the process. Like Microsoft or hate them, they are the 900lb. gorilla. The question seems to be today, do you follow the 50%ish of the market and go with a Blackberry; or do you convert to a Windows Palm? Will Windows, with their critical mass, erode the Blackberry early lead? I think the only thing for sure is that a Palm Treo with the Palm operating system is on the verge of extinction.

all the comparisons i've found so far talk mostly about email. i'm looking @ the treo or BB b/c i currently carry a zire 72 and a phone. i am a HEAVY to-do list and 'memo' user. thus far, i've found these functions cumbersome on the BB compared to the palm. comments?

Anybody know if you can import your address book from a Treo 650 to a Blackberry 8703e?