My MLS is switching over to new ekey system that will allow use of several different smartphones to open lockboxes. I was looking to get a new phone anyway but am completely in the dark as to what service/phone to get. The only 2 service providers that work consistently in my rural area are AT&T (which I have now) and Sprint. As I understand it, this new system will allow you to search our MLS on the phone without an internet connection. The main things I want my new phone to do is search the MLS, e-mail & of course talk.

Any advice welcome on best operating system (palm/windows)& service providers & phones.

Think about this: If you phone is your ekey and you lose your phone or it dies - then you lose your ekey too.

The TREO phone is a popular smart phone; somepeople use a separate Palm PDA for the same thing.

REALTOR Benefits come into play with Sprint - I have a Palm 700P that I use as an e-key and have been pretty happy with it. You will need the internet plan in order to make use of email on your palm.

i use a HTC 8525 it is windows based and prefer it to the palm because i ca keep stuff like gps, expenses, maps, weather, etc. Be sure to choose something on 3g network as that makes a big differnce in synching key. Synchs at night automatically. I have never lost a phone but have dropped them. Look at the clear shields from zagg, they are excellent. google sprints sero plans too, if you go with them.

I use Samsungs Blackjack and it works great for me. Just don't get the iPhone and you'll be okay.

Sprint Mogul is the only way to go. Windows based.

Supra Ekey works best on a Palm based phone, there are problems with it running on Windows based phones.

I have had an Ekey for several years and really like having it. It is handy for finding quick info on a particular house when you are driving by it, I also like the agent roster on it for looking up agents quickly and then dialing their phone numbers. It will update the key automatically at night, but it will not update your MLS info automatically, you have to do this separately. I do mine a couple of times a week and it takes about 5-7 minutes.


I have a new Palm Centro on Sprint in Red. Like Crash said above, get a case for it. I dropped my phone after 6 days and shattered the screen, thank goodness I had the insurance plan. By the way, the insurance, it's $50 deductible if your phone gets damaged.

Enjoy the new features!

I ended up going with the Palm Treo 680. I got the Palm because the Supra trainer did say it worked better with the Supra Ekey software. I really like having the MLS info and agent roster at my fingertips. It has come in handy. I also like not having to carry a phone & key device around. I was going to go with Sprint but decided to stick with AT&T because I like my existing plan. Thanks to everyone for their input & suggestions!