I remember my first PDA...if you can call it that. It was some Sharp Wizard flip-top organizer. I thought it was the best thing in the world. No touch screen, everything was entered through the keyboard. No scroll wheel or D-pad so you had to navigate using the 4 arrow keys. Gray-scale with an awesome Timex-style backlight (it was "cool" to enter data with the backlight on). And if I remember correctly, it could connect to your computer using a serial connection to "back-up" your organizers information, not to sync anything, just to back it up. The memory wasn't huge, but enough to hold your friends info and calendar items. I seriously had to be the coolest kid on the block since I owned this. Ok, so that's a stretch, but it was still a cool gadget!

Soon after realizing what these little devices could do, I wanted something a bit more powerful with more options. I wanted to move away from the "organizers" and get a real "PDA". Then I was introduced to the Palm III. A new world has begun - with customizable options, a touch screen an stylus to enter data and navigate through the PDA, downloadable software and games, and a cool little cradle. And even though this device served me well, I was still yearning for more power, more options, and a bright and crisp colorful screen.

Welcome to the world of the Pocket PC. This was like the geeky-gadget fanboys dream ( at least in my teenage years). A boatload of customization options including skins and themes, a gazillion downloadable apps, storage card expansion slot(s), wifi capabilities, portrait/landscape mode, built in microphone and speakers...the whole shabang. What could be better? It was everything I needed in a PDA. Or so it seemed.


The fact that I had to carry both my Pocket PC and a phone was a bit cumbersome. Some people prefer it, and that's perfectly fine. Had no problems during school - I could throw my Pocket PC in my backpack and keep my phone by my side. But the times I didn't have my bag, outside of school or going to work, it was a bit harder trying to keep this thing with you. Keeping it in your pocket sometimes reminded you of carrying a brick because of it's size, The belt clip idea is good and functional but I've always been the type to carry my phone on my belt...so didn't want to get the "utility belt" look by having multiple devices on me.

And so came the smart phones. This device seemed to solve my dilema of carrying two devices that I use very often (or three, if you include the low resolution camera capabilities for those out and about shots). this thing really is great and is very functional. I've been using them for over 2 years now and I couldn't imagine going without it. Being able to check your contacts, calendar, shopping and bills to pay list, the ever important birthday list, and customizing this thing to hell and back... all on the same device that you can make your calls and send/receive text messages on with a reasonable size screen has made things sooo much easier and quicker.

I actually have to use 2 smartphone devices right now, the first is my personal XV6700 and the second is my work assigned Blackberry Pearl. For functionality and customization I still favor the Windows Pocket PC over the Blackberry, but both have served great for my PIM, phone, and email/messaging.

In the coming weeks I'll try to showcase some of the software that makes my XV6700 tick...

Boy have personal organizers and PDA's come a loonngg way...

My 1st PDA was an Apple Newton ! I wish I still had it...Now im on a Palm Life Drive.

I had an ipaq for years, until recently I got the Cingular 8525 made by HTC. It has 3G (unlike iphone) and wifi and has a beautiful screen, and It's also my phone. 400mhz dual core with a 200mhz for phone functions. I love it

the XV6700 has a 416MHz processor.

lol

The 8525 is a nice phone and so is the XV6700, but i can't afford those. By the By the XV6700 isn't a smartphone, its a pocket pc phone. Smartphones use the smartphone version of WM5, whereas the XV6700 uses the pocket pc version.

The moto Q is a smartphone. you can't install as many apps, and there normally isnt a touchscreen(sometimes but not normally).

I couldn't live without my contacts apps, and mileage log all in my pocket, it helps though its a phone and camera.

I have an HP iPaq hx2750, which has a 624Mhz CPU. Man that thing is fast. Too bad i never use it

I'm getting myself an i-mate K-jam soon, so that will be my PDA and my phone.

I had (and still have) a Sony Clie SJ20 based on PalmOS4.1, Sharp Zaurus SL-5500, and now have been plugging away on a Sharp Zaurus C3100. I really like the clam shells and having 4gigs local storage is nice.

Quote: Originally Posted by s1ugh34d the XV6700 has a 416MHz processor. lol The 8525 is a nice phone and so is the XV6700, but i can't afford those. By the By the XV6700 isn't a smartphone, its a pocket pc phone. Smartphones use the smartphone version of WM5, whereas the XV6700 uses the pocket pc version. The moto Q is a smartphone. you can't install as many apps, and there normally isnt a touchscreen(sometimes but not normally). I couldn't live without my contacts apps, and mileage log all in my pocket, it helps though its a phone and camera.

Thanks for catching that!

The HTC models are pretty popular around here too, thats what our consultants use.

I'm pretty happy with the xv6700...although I do have to soft reset it a few times a week...just becomes second nature now lol. Anyone else have to do that?