Wireless PDAs for Email Access

It looks like we are definitely getting some sort of PDAs that allow for remote access of email next year (which is coming up soon).

Looks like the three most viable options in this category are the PalmOne Treo (hopefully the 650 will be out by then), the RIM Blackberry (not sure which version is most stable) and the Danger HipTop2.

Out of all the available PDAs, why these 3? They all have keyboards which is essential for remote emailing. Yeah, you could use an iPaq with wireless or a smart-phone, but sending emails with those devices is a chore at best and these are for lawyers.

The most likely candidate is the Blackberry simply because that seems to be what most law firms are using. Only problem with the Blackberry is that in an enterprise situation (basically more than 5 users) it requires an expensive add on server software component for access to Exchange.

Not sure how the other PDAs I've listed access Exchange, but I know that Microsoft has added Outlook Mobile Access for these types of devices, although, I have yet to play with it, even though I now have the service installed.

So where to get started? First off, I need to figure out what vendors I can work with to get the devices. From what I can tell, they are mostly sold through cellular providers like AT&T, Cingular, T-Mobile, etc. Which brings up the question of which provider do I choose? I have often heard that Verizon has the best coverage, but since their phone system is CDMA and not GSM, anyone who travels overseas would be unable to use their PDA. Most likely choice is between AT&T and T-Mobile.

Looks like T-Mobile is a good choice since they offer all three PDAs. Would probably talk to them to see if I could get some in for testing.

Whatever option we chose should have good phone quality, ease of use, good ergonomics (I think the Blackberry is best here) and be able to of course connect to the Exchange server through the cellular network/internet.

Any information that is out there would be much appreciated.

Comments

[john]

We use both Blackberries (7230s) with the Blackberry Enterprise Server and Treo 600s with GoodLink (http://www.good.com) for Exchange integration. Both devices have their plusses and minuses. We went with T-Mobile for the global roaming but we will also be working with Verizon for the better national coverage, for those employees who either don't travel internationally or know they don't get good T-Mobile coverage.

Good luck.

[Alex Scoble]

What do you see as the pluses and minuses of each?

How many people are you supporting of each?

You don't find it problematic or too complex to manage two different connector types?

[Alex Scoble]

Oh, and thanks for the info. :)

[john]

Biggest negative of the 7230 - no speaker phone.
Biggest negative of the Treo - terrible battery life.

Best feature of the 7230 - incredible battery life.
Best feature of the Treo - speaker phone.

I think you see the dilemma. :-) I'm still waiting to test the Blackberry 7100t from TMobile that is supposed to make the BB a better phone but I still have my doubts about that keyboard. Full qwerty keyboard is a must, in my opinion.

For us the deciding factor on needing to support both was that we will be rolling these devices out to our sales organization who is using salesforce.com. There are a few vendors who provide that application on both devices but in all cases the application rendered much better on the BB. If it hadn't been for that we may have gone with all Treos. In the end we decided choice was a good thing and we are making sure we are in a position to support both.

We currently have about 30 devices deployed - potential target is 200 or so.

[Alex Scoble]

BTW do you happen to know what the battery life numbers you have seen are?