Taking the plunge, I am now teaching all Smartphones

You know me!

You know how I work!

Still on the 700P.

Is the Pre for me or will it be the iPhone?

When are you going to bring that class to Baltimore?

Margaret

Margaret,

Yes I know you and know how you work! I talked you out of the iPhone a few months ago. I am not ready to endorse the Pre as the best ever but I will tell you to keep using your 700P for a few more months.

As far as return trip to Baltimore, you have my number and would be honored for a return trip to the big crabcake!

Dick

Well, congratulations, Dick...I think. And good luck with the expanded sessions. As for me, I'll adhere to my "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" credo, and stay with my 755...seems to do all I need, reliably.
I will be watching to see if there's anything out there really worth switching to, and have referred a couple friends to this thread to learn for themselves before they commit.
So again, good luck, and let us know when you'll next be in western TN.
Frank Salowitz
ePro, GRI, SRES, EcoBroker
Prudential 1st Southern Real Estate
Dyersburg, TN 38024

Frank,

Thanks for the congrats! I agree with you and your credo of if it ain't broke, as I depend on the same Smartphone I have been using for 2 years. We did have conversation with your folks last year about a return to western TN so maybe you can put a word in for me.

Dick

Why did you talk her out of an i-phone which features do you think do not work for Realtors?

Christine,

I am just getting into the iPhone and there are some features with the iPhone at this point I need help to find a work around. Biggest concern which has been echoed here is the keyboard. I know we should never text and drive but many do and the on screen keyboard leaves much to be desired. A few members of this room have said they are thinking about switching phones just because of the keyboard. If you work in an area that has Supra I-boxes the iPhone will not open them meaning carrying another device. I am big in time management and the iPhone does not come with a task or to do list, yes there are add ons including one to work with Outlook Task, but again not a factory installed program. Some areas are going to the SafeMLS key which can be loaded on some but not all Smartphones, so there is another thing you need to carry. In the beginning my goal was to have one device that does everything in the life of a REALTOR. Yes some Smartphones do have apps that that are amazing, like Shazam that you hold your iPhone up to a speaker and it tells you the artist and the name of the song. But how does that help you in your career?

My point has always been, learn how a Smartphone can help you work your business then select one that gives you the most tools for your business. Factors you must consider are learning curve, ease of use (keyboard) and programs to help manage your day to day life.

If the iPhone fills your needs then buy one, if Blackberry fills your needs then buy one, if a Palm or Windows device fills your needs then buy one.

Remember one size DOES not fit all and there is not one Smartphone on the market today anybody can say is the best one for REALTORS. Each of you have your own list of what you expect from your Smartphone so shop wisely!

Dick

Dick, the biggest problem I am finding with the BB Storm is the touch keyboard as well (and the lack of navigation keys.., left, right, up, down) and let's face it, one of the most important aspects of computing is 'data input'... (and we all know that garbage in is garbage out... ;-)

While I am getting much quicker with the Storm's keyboard, it is really not made for someone who wants to enter a lot of data (be it texting, eMaiing, or just entering contacts, appointments...) and without a lot of typos..

We have a saying at InternetCrusade..., "What is the best PDA (or any technology)? The one you'll use ;-)

I started with a treo 650. I went through 3 with problems and then verizon sent me a new one in a box. I had had enough so I took it to one of their stores and exchanged it for a pocketpc 6600. I upgraded to the 6700. I liked the touch screen but not the phone feature. The volume was awful. The battery life was not great. I read a lot about the improvements in the 6800 and tried it for a month. My problems with the 6700 had been corrected and I was able to use it as an ekey although it failed once and I had to reinstall the software. Thank goodness I still has my display key.I had a problem syncing my 4 email accounts and tech support couldn't help so I returned it and used the 6700 until the storm came out. The keyboard does take getting used to. I have found that if I visually divide the qwerty keyboard in half and use my right and left thumbs on the corresponding half That it works much better. The battery life is great. The software works well. No crashing. I don't care about the ekey. My pda is al l I use for calendar, contacts, notes and tasks. I sync 4 email accounts. I am happy with my storm. Lisa Rosenfield I

Dick, will you be teaching any classes in the Mesa/Phoenix Az. area anytime soon?

I have the Treo 700p for about a year now. While I like the phone when it's working I do have periodic problems with it crashing. Not as bad as the 650p was, but perhaps having a better understanding of the phone may help. I try not to add any additional software to the system, as when I called Palm they don't recommend 3rd party software. They say it can cause the phone to crash. I also use the phone for my lockbox eKey and have wondered if that software is causing the phone to crash. No one seems to have an answer for me on this. When my 700p is working, I LOVE it! When it's not, it frustrates me. Karen Simms