Zire 72 questions

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"John" <johnw_94020@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1110383233.06f087873ffa9c1051c90771ab77c4c0@teranews...
> I have been using a Palm VIIx for a long, long time and I think that
> maybe its time for a upgrade. Before I make such a big move let me ask
> some questions.

A good idea.

> 1) Those of you that have used the Zire 72 tell me how well does it
> work with OS 9.1? Do photos, music, and MS Office files sync, or does
> this require OSX?

I can't field this one...

> The unit has a built in camera, Mp3 player, and has Docs to go I
> believe. It would be useless if it did not work with OS 9.1

Or this one.

> 2) Is it a good handheld? Does the battery last, or does it burn out
> after a year? My VIIx gives me about a month of usage. I am not a
> heavy user. I do not use a keyboard because I use a handheld PC or
> laptop for notes.

Is it a good handheld? I believe so. The battery is on the low end of
"acceptable" (lasts about 4 to 5 hours of continuous use). If you use it
just as a PDA, that should probably get you about a rock-solid week (maybe
two) between charging. The lack of a cradle is a PITA, but it's not too bad
once you get used to it. I never thought I'd find much use for the voice
memo function but I use it constantly now. It records QUITE clearly. It
has problems recording when there is heavy background noise, but otherwise
it's fantastic.

The camera is 'so-so'. I've used it for the odd "Oh -- wouldn't so-and-so
be interested in this" shot. I've also used it as an impromptu photo-copier
(point it at a page and click). Don't expect to capture "precious moments"
with it.

> 3) Will I be able to transfer all my old programs and data to the new
> handheld?

PROBABLY. MOST older programs work. I've only found a few REALLY old games
that had some problems.


> This is what I love about Palms and despise about PocketPC's.

And me.

> 4) Lastly if you were me would you upgrade or would you remain with the
> VIIx?

Hard to answer. If your VIIx meets your needs, why upgrade? If it doesn't,
go for it!

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"John" <johnw_94020@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1110394178.cd8cb2acc27432d6e1cd44f2aaaf9b26@teranews...
> In article <P3GXd.14258$OU1.9158@newssvr21.news.prodigy.com>,
> "John Ryan" <jrusenet@removethis.greenquark.com.removethistoo> wrote:
>
> > Hard to answer. If your VIIx meets your needs, why upgrade? If it
doesn't,
> > go for it!
>
> The problem is that it does meet work needs. However it does not meet
> entertainment needs. The reason I'd buy it would be for the MP3 player,
> the photos, the camera, and the ability to use Woprd and excel. However
> my PC is my primary work machine. I have some documents on the Mac, but
> not enough to upgrade Office98.
>
> I want to upgrade but am hesitant. I may, but a lack of a cradle may
> keep me using the VIIx.

IMO, not having a cradle is better. The unit trickle charges through the
sync cable, so all you need to do is have one cable plugged in. You can pick
it up and use it whenever you want, and it is still charging.

Also the battery issue as you say I need to
> repalce it every 4-5 months. That right there will keep me using the
> VIIx.
>
> I also liked how the VIIx used to have wireless Interent, and really
> PQA's met most of my needs. I could get driving directions, yellow
> pages, email, store information, hotels, and other good information.
>
>

It had bluetooth built in, if you happen to have a BT phone. Otherwise,
there is a $149 WiFi card available.

>
> John
> --
> 1Cor. 1:18 6 For the message of the cross is foolishness to
> those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it
> is the power of God.
> (Read John MacArthur's "Ashamed of the Gospel" when the church becomes
like the world).

Archived from groups: comp.sys.palmtops.pilot,comp.sys.mac.system (More info?)

Christian Fauchier wrote:
>
> Unfortunately, the Zire 72 cannot be charged through the sync (USB)
> cable, unlike the Zire 71. With my Zire 71, I used to travel with only a
> small Zip retractable cable, and I charged the Palm from the USB port of
> my iBook. With my new Zire 72, I now have to take the charger (and find
> a wall plug) everywhere I go...

Well, maybe you have some broken hardware because all the Zire 72 users I know
charge through the sync cable, including me.

//ff

Archived from groups: comp.sys.palmtops.pilot,comp.sys.mac.system (More info?)

In article <1110383233.06f087873ffa9c1051c90771ab77c4c0@teranews>, John
<johnw_94020@yahoo.com> wrote:

> 1) Those of you that have used the Zire 72 tell me how well does it
> work with OS 9.1? Do photos, music, and MS Office files sync, or does
> this require OSX?

There's a Palm Desktop version that works with OS 9.1 and the Zire 72.

Third party apps are a different matter as they may or may not have a Mac
OS 9.1 counterpart.

> The unit has a built in camera, Mp3 player, and has Docs to go I
> believe. It would be useless if it did not work with OS 9.1

I'd check on Docs to Go but the others should work fine. JPGs and MP3
files can be transfered directly via a USB card reader/writer.

> 2) Is it a good handheld? Does the battery last, or does it burn out
> after a year? My VIIx gives me about a month of usage. I am not a
> heavy user. I do not use a keyboard because I use a handheld PC or
> laptop for notes.

It's certainly a popular handheld. The battery should last several years
which is how long such battery types last.

IF you're asking about time between charges, then it's probably between 4
to 5 hours of continuous use. That's largely because of the power required
by the display.


> 3) Will I be able to transfer all my old programs and data to the new
> handheld?

Depends on how well-written the programs were.

> 4) Lastly if you were me would you upgrade or would you remain with the
> VIIx?

Up to you ...

Archived from groups: comp.sys.mac.system,comp.sys.palmtops.pilot (More info?)

Wyrenut wrote:
> On 9-Mar-2005, nospam@nowhere.com (Christian Fauchier) wrote:
>
>
>>Unfortunately, the Zire 72 cannot be charged through the sync (USB)
>>cable, unlike the Zire 71. With my Zire 71, I used to travel with only a
>>small Zip retractable cable, and I charged the Palm from the USB port of
>>my iBook. With my new Zire 72, I now have to take the charger (and find
>>a wall plug) everywhere I go... but no more sync cable though, as I now
>>hotsync with Bluetooth.
>
>
> Dead wrong on that one Christian. I can watch the charge percentage climb
> when I plug in my USB cable to my Z72. Are you basing your incorrect
> information on the green charging light not coming on? It doesn't when
> charging via USB...

Or.... My new iPod came with several warnings that some USB ports leave
out the power function.

---
John W. Kennedy
"Compact is becoming contract,
Man only earns and pays."
-- Charles Williams. "Bors to Elayne: On the King's Coins"