I would like to combine my Tungsten T3 and my cellphone into one device. Yeah, the iPhone [1] got me thinking. There is no way in the world I am going to get one, but a smart phone would be nice. So I started looking around. I’m on Verizon and I’m a Mac user so what’s available for me? The PalmOne Treo [2], that’s what. It runs on Palm OS and it available on the Verizon network. Cool.
However, I don’t want to pay Verizon for internet access, I’d rather use my WiFi at home which I’m already paying for. Sorry, no go. The Treo’s switched to Windows Mobil with the Treo 700’s. To get Windows Mobil to sync with my Mac I’d have to buy additional software. So that limits me to earlier models. While the Treo 650 runs on Palm OS, it does not have built in WiFi capability. You used to be able to get a card that plugs in and then some hacked drivers to get WiFi on it, but a firmware update killed that.
So my options for a Mac compatible, WiFi-enabled smart phone that works on Verizon are essentially nil. This came as a real shock to me. It doesn’t seem like I’m asking for a whole lot here.
Updated: Oh, by the way, I’m an idiot. There is a Palm Treo 700p that runs on Palm. It is available through Sprint but is a CDMA phone and so it should work on Verizon. However, it was much more than I spent on my 650 so I’m a happy and not poor idiot. :)