OK. Here's my issue. I am currently with Sprint service for my cell phone. I do not get good service at all at my house. I am thinking about switching to Verizon. My problem is that I am still truly not sure which smartphone PDA to get! I have been looking into getting either the Treo 700w or the Treo 700p. I really like Windows applications, so I was leaning towards the 700w, but now I have another problem! I gues they came out with the Treo 700wx which has 3 times the memory the 700w has, but I think it's only for Sprint. They also are coming out with the Treo 750v which I think is only a Palm version and it might exclusively be with Cingular and it has a whole new look.

Which one do you recommend?

I suggest you first call your local association and see if they have any integrated suprakey software with any of these things.

In some areas you can get an integrated PDA phone that will let you search for listings, get photos and info and open lockboxes all using the PDA Phone.

If none of that is available, sit down and really define what you want to do then find software that does it and see what your options are.

I started off with a Palm device (Well... I actually started out with a Newton but that is an old and dead story) and my current Treo is Palm based.

However, I am sort of re-evaluating all my tools and software right now to see where I can get the biggest bang for the buck and I am no longer convinced that Palm is as dominant in what I want as it once was. In addition, Vista is supposed to have some pretty awesome integration features specifically for PDAs running the windows software .

Before you begin, sit down and write up what you want out of the device. You can get demos and/or simulations of most PDA software at the websites for the products.

Ask yourself what desktop applications you really need your PDA to talk to. Are you using Outlook? ACT?, Maximizer?, etc.

You want all this stuff to just work. For me, the big thing is being bluetooth enabled so that when my device gets within range of my desktop, they just sync up without me even having to worry about plugging in cables or sticking things into cradles.

Sorry I can't just give you an answer here. Once you figure out the above, then you should look at what providers give the most coverage in the area you work. That was a huge limiting factor for me when I discovered that there was only one provider whose towers would allow my phone to work while I was at home.

R

I believe all of the above models will act as a lockbox key with the bluetooth. They are all the newest models.

I have the 650 and it works great. Our MLS is switching to the all infrared key boxes so we'll have the option of getting all listings on the phone. They told us in the latest information that the 700W was just removed from the certification list because it slows down with 3rd party applications.

She mentioned having no problems with the 700P or the 650.

I also use the Tom Tom Navigator on the phone and it's GREAT! Once our MLS switches so everyone has to use the Infrared Keyboxes I'll be down to just one tool plus a Tablet PC.

It's a great product ... good luck with the decision.

That's another reason why I asked. Our MLS is switching to the iBox lockboxes right now. Actually, I better get down there and trade my lockboxes in for the new ones. Today is the last day. They will give us new infrared ones for our older electronic lockboxes.

Ours switches the first 2 weeks in October. I'm going to hold onto my regular Supra Key and make sure that all the agents have switched their Gray boxes out before I go completely Treo for the e-key.

With my luck there'll be an old-timer that doesn't switch out his/her lockboxes and I'll be screwed with my fancy Treo and no way to access the home!

Let me know what you find out with your switchover -- do you find that most/all the agents switched their keyboxes out?

funny thing you ask that. we had "no-warrantied" lockboxes way back where we could buy them from the association cheaper because they were used. they were exactly the same and worked fine. i found out today when i went to the exchange that i couldn't exchange the "no-warrantied" box that i had. pretty stupid if you ask me. so now i am stuck with one of the old ones. i guess the ekeys won't open the old ones anymore either now. so i called the association and they told me that they are doing another exchange for the "no-warrantied" boxes in a few weeks. so i guess i will hold on to this old one and buy a few new ones for now. they are $100 for the new iboxes! pretty expensive.

We switched to infra red about 18 months ago. Did not give up my e-key because as Heading for the Top 20 states, there will be agents out there who are procrastinators or set in their ways. Our e-key works with either the old Supra lockboxes or the new GE infrared ones, so there is flexibility.

We have now been handed a SAFEMLS pass key for access to the MLS. We now have to use virtually three passwords to access our MLS system.

Well I don't like that ... I was hoping that I could get rid of one of the tools ... but you're finding that 18 months later people are still using the old ones?

I guess $100 is a lot ... but for the security of the box and the fact that you know when and who someone accessed your home ... I think it's worth it.

i was able to get that information when i had the older boxes. these new ones just have the infrared.

I use to use an older palm phone but signal sucked it had alot of isues thru sprint. I think it depends on what software you wnat on phone, I use a great rela estate software on a regular not phone palm pilot, and switched wireless companies. The pda phone they had was compatible it used Microsoft not palm, and I love this software to much to loose it, keeps track of everything my personal assistant, for only $100 it has helped me alot with reminders, keeping track of lockboxes all buyer info, all details on listings etc. Love it. Called Realty Juggler if anyone is interested in it...If you have palm pilots and realotr, best software you can have for it...Keeps everything organized for you...It covers-Prospects,buyers,sellers,closings,CMA's,commissions,expenses...

i have few Non Warranted grey lock boxes also I was told that i'm basically stuck with them. lol I was thinking of rubbing the NW off from the back by using a magic marker remover and get them exchanged.

what company are you with? the glvar told me they will be exchanging the NW boxes sometime soon.

Anyone try the Motorola Q (Verizon) yet?
An associate of mine just got it and I was about to purchase one of my own. However, she's been complaining that it's been powering itself off and the only way to get it to turn back on is if you remove the battery and put it back in. Ironically, this is the same exact problem I had with two Motorola Razor phones before giving up on them and getting a diff. phone. It's making me hesitant to buy one, but being that I have a contract with verizon i don't have many other options.

Any positive feedback on the Motorola-Q?

you could purchase the treo 700p or the treo 700w with verizon. i think im going to try the 700w.

I was leaning towards the q because it has the wheel and i don't think i'd like the stylus on the palm. However, it may be worth a try. Thanks for the suggestion.

Ok, haven't got it all figured out yet but I'll just give you preliminary opinion on the Treo and the Q.

My husband got a Q about 3 weeks ago. We found it really difficult to use. He figured there was a "learning curve" so didn't return it within the 14 days period (should have).

I just got my Treo 700P yesterday. So far, it is awesome. It's so much easier to use than the Q. I just read an article in SmartMoney that compares these two and it "hits the nail on the head"....the Q takes 2 extra steps to get into any program you want to use.

He orginally bought the Q as the Treo is so much more expensive. But the Q is going on Ebay and we're ordering another Treo to replace it.

oh, and you don't have to use the stylus to make calls. The tip of my finger works fine on the touchpad.

I am right in the middle of trying to buy a Treo. I have Verizon and want to keep the service to keep my number. I did my research and want the Treo 700w, however, it does not come with wifi!!! You can get a wifi card for another $80 . . . it looks like the best deal I can get at the moment is a Treo 700w for $399 and then the wifi for $80. I will be able to keep my verizon number and all . . .commentes? Suggestions? Opinions?

Thanks

You can keep your phone number no matter what company you are with. They passed that law that allows you to take your number with you.

The Treo 700p allows you to tether (WiFi) with your laptop.

The 700wx has the best upgrades, but it is only for Sprint! Sprint sucks at my home!

700P is the best I've found so far. I have it with Sprint (you get a REALTOR Benefits discount with Sprint). I did a lot of research on the 700W, Q, PPC-6700 (or XV6700 depending on which service you use), and 700P...played with all of them, got a feel for them, and compared plans on all of them. The Q's thumb-wheel is nice, and definitely has a cool style to it - but everything I've read is that it's clunky to use. It also runs on the Windows SmartPhone system, rather than Windows Mobile...which is a much different OS. The 700W is really nice but the windows platform is still buggy (it's still new...you know how Microsoft is about releasing things before they're really "done"...) and shuts down on a lot of people (maybe not YOU, but in general, more than it should), the 6700 is really cool with the slide-out keyboard, but makes for difficult one-handed use. The 700P has support for tethering without extra charges (bonus), the palm OS also supports push-email (similar to blackberry, but slightly different way of doing it), and sprint doesn't charge extra for this service (verizon charges an extra $40/month if you want to tether your laptop...that's in addition to your normal "unlimited data" charge for the palm unit). Sprint doesn't charge extra for this, and you get a realtor discount to boot.

My previous setup was through Verizon and I had 3 phones, plus the cellular internet card (total of four separate plans)...was running me about $250-300/month. Now with Sprint I have 2 phones and the 700P (phone & internet) and my costs are about 25% less on average. 700P is fast, has support for the new iBoxes (there's a patch for the ekey software that lets it run on the 700P) and lets me handle pretty much anything with one unit. I personally love having the ability to use the stylus/touchscreen as well (you can do everything without using it if you want to, but sometimes it just makes things easier).

That's my take on it. I bought my 700P before the 700wx came out - so I don't know too much about that one, but I've been very happy overall with my 700P.

-Josh

So what I gather is:

You can keep your number wherever you go for service . . .

If you use the Sprint/Realtor discount, you can tether to your laptop and get wifi that way . . .

Sprint sucks . . .(I just checked cell service in my area and Cingular has the most coverage . . . BUT you can't get any kind of Treo with Cingular . . . is that correct?

Josh: Why do you prefer Palm OS to Windows?

ok, now I am confused again. Searching on the web,I see that the 700p can be used with a laptop to go online. That is not what I want. I want to be able to use the Treo to go online if I am in the field and see something I want to look up on the MLS. Please advise.

Palm OS (according to the message boards I've read) is more stable than the Windows Mobile OS - also, the Palm OS supports tethering which is huge... (while some agents are twiddling their thumbs waiting for people to show, I can have my laptop open, be working on a virtual tour, doing research, inputting a new listing into the MLS, etc etc). Also, as far as I'm aware, Top Producer doesn't support the Windows Mobile OS...but does support Palm's OS (but i'm not sure about that one...it's possible you can get into TP7i from the version of IE that comes with WM5...someone who knows, please chime in).

As far as accessing the MLS through the Palm, that's a service available through GE/Supra (depending on your local MLS/Board). Go to www.supraekey.com for more info on that. There are two versions of the software, basic and pro. Basic allows you to use your palm to get into iBoxes, Pro allows you to do that as well as search the MLS, view who's going in to view your listings, access records of any other agents in your MLS, etc... Both the 700P and 700W are supported by the new eKey software.

-Josh

I'm a little confused too Change Agent. I can get onto the internet and read my email without a card on the Treo 700 P. But I do pay for a data plan through Verizon which is rather pricy ($44 a month unlimited). Perhaps when you say "wi fi" you're referring to picking up free access in a major city?

Here's the link to smart money mag (hopefully) which swayed me to buying the P version rather than the windows.

http://www.smartmoney.com/mossberg/index.cfm?story=october2006

Thanks for the link (the suprakey didn't work, but I googled and got the site . . . ) anyway, I am more confused than ever. It seems with gazillion realtors on the planet, there would be more informaton, such as buy this, this and this . . . but it is all so mysterious. NAR has no info . . . the NAR deal features Sprint, but in my area, the Sprint coverage does not look good . . . the suprakey information is also sketchy. It says you can sign up for e-key, but that you don't get the MLS access with basic service (and I couldn't find any information on expanded service - what it is or what it would cost). At this point, I want to know if it is possible to access the MLS through any smartphone (700p or 700w), what the associated costs are - since Sprint doesn't seem to be an option, then it would be Verizon, and I understand there is at least one charge associated with Verizon to make the phone a modem, but are there other charges as well. For me, making the phone a modem is not the attraction - I want to access the MLS directly through the phone if I am with a client and see another property and need showing info, etc.

Also, with all of the reviews, I still do not get a good feel for the differences between the "p" and the "w" operating systems . . . sheesh. No wonder everything takes so long to do.

it's not a pda at all, but i love my Sprint Katana. i'm currently scouting around for a microsized laptop to drive around with. i had the treos, then the ppc's, and the screens are just too darn small to rely on for any mls, or other, browsing.
i giv up relying on a phone as a mini pc.

I've never heard of a microsized laptop. What will they think of next!

Correct...you don't get MLS access with the basic service...you get to access lockboxes with the basic service. If you want the Pro software, you can access the MLS and view showing data for your listings - however that's an extra fee. Call your local association board for details on the cost (not sure if it's different depending on region). There's an extra $40 some odd dollars/month charge for using the pda as a modem with Verizon that you do not have to pay with Sprint.

Your next course of action would seem to be deciding whether you want the Palm or Windows based Treo (search "700P vs 700W" and you'll find some stuff), and then you should call Verizon and go over the possible plans/costs, and then you should call your board and ask about the e-key software, the different versions & costs associated with them, and then you'll be ready to rock and roll.

www.treocentral.com is a great resource for information.

-Josh

--Sony has a microPC called the Vaio UX - see it here if you want... http://dynamism.com/ux/main.shtml?gclid=CN3x0O6E2YcCFQk8UAodIys-nw

JOSH i didn't even know about that new Sony vaio model, and its real micro size! darn, i can't afford that yet, do you know of anything alittle less brandspankingnew and less expensive?

I have the Motorola Q. I had the Palm 600 and got fed up with Palm. I like the Q. I haven't had the power problem. It does the blue tooth, but don't think it supports supra yet. For the most part I like it, just taking some getting used to Windows mobile versus palm.

www.geekzone.com. - this may be a good site for many of your electronic decisions. Just found it last week.

My associate can access the local mls from her motorola q.

I have the Palm Treo 650 that I got when it was new to Verizon. About 5 months later the 700's came out. I absolutely love it!!! Yesterday I just got the new supra e-key for it. It's neat. I got the Professional version which is about $25 a month. $14 more than the display key key pad. The benefits are that I can see all the listings in the mls and it's local to the phone. I will be getting/giving feedback on my listings/ones that I've shown automatically on the phone. When I sync the phone on my laptop -- I get any new listings/roster info as well as send/receive any feedback that I've given/been given by other agents. I don't need/have the data package as I don't really need to get my e-mails all the time and/or surf the web on the small screen.

Additionally on the phone I recently got the Tom Tom GPS for it. It comes with a GPS receiver that wirelessly connects to the phone and it locates me and find destinations anywhere in the US and Canada. The cost on that was $270 plus I'm getting a rebate of $100 back on it.

All in all ... for the cost make sure that you are going to be using the features on the 700 before you pay for it. You can get the 650 which has most of the features -- the main difference is the quicker internet connection -- you can get bursts of up to 2 meg online. Again, if you aren't using the internet ... the benefits are more limited ove r the 650.

Good luck!

I think motorola q is good too.
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Just got my new Blackberry 8703e

It has mobile broadband, GPS and works as a modem for my laptop. Blackberry just keeps getting better.