The Best PDA Yet!
Pros:
Lightweight, powerful, batteries last long, easy to develop applications
Cons:
none
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Overall Rating:
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Author's Review
After browsing through a number of epinions about the Palm VII, I've found one similarity among the people who are downing it - they're comparing it to a regular computer.
Handheld computing as is a separate form of computing, with its own design rules. It's meant to give easy access to important information and functions, not replace laptop or notbook computers. As far as the speed argument is concerned - show me a cellular-enabled PC that gives better performance. They don't exist; for now, 14.4 is as good as it gets.
Moving on, in my particular case the VII has given me greater management ability than I thought possible. Aside from the ability to check stock quotes, buy tickets, browse eBay, etc., the Palm VII's development options make it an excellent development platform with a ton of options.
I've designed several useful applications for the VII - one of which lets me use my device as a wireless credit card terminal (great for out of the office sales calls), another allows me to view/edit/solve technical support issues through trouble tickets, send text messages to employee's cellular phones and pagers, order computer components and accessories, and securely access our customer database. All without having to make a phone call or boot up a computer.
In short, the VII's internet connectivity and open development capabilities have given me the ability to "run the company" whether I'm on the beach, sitting in traffic, or anywhere away from my office. All of my sales reps now carry VII or VIIx's, as it allows them to accept credit card payments for services they solicit, and set up new accounts in our database before they even leave the customer's office.
No other product on the market can give a business owner, support group, or sales force this many options in a device that fits inside a jacket pocket. Additionally, the "folding keyboard" which retails around $100 US is a nice accessory. While stored, it's about the size of the Palm - open it up and you have a keyboard with full size keys, comparable to a laptop/notebook keyboard. It even has a built in cradle for the Palm.
