Once upon a time, there was Palm and Access Linux. Palm had them building the new linux operating system for Palm devices. For reasons beyond my comprehension, Palm decided it wanted to do its own thing and this once again delayed any kind of new Palm OS for its loyal but tired and impatient fans.  What about Access?  Well, they decided to continue building a new Linux Operating system for mobile phones!  This OS should see some production before this year is out.

Well, we were supposed to see the Everex in stores yesterday!  Opppssss!  Delayed again!  This time until 2/21/08!  But it really must be close because a few persons are getitng their hands on some units as this video shows an unboxing of the device.

 Its been about 20 hours now since I ordered the new TyTN II.  How have I occupied my time awaiting its arrival?  Well, I found a manual online and downloaded it!  Typical Windows Mobile Manual!  270 pages worth!  I have made to page 180, but yes, I have read 180 pages of the manual so far!  Then I headed to ebay to check on some accessories that I am sure that I will need.  Basically stuff around charging options. So I picked up a spare battery, an auto Charger and a spare AC cable, as well as a charging cradle that charges from both USB and AC.  This cradle also charges a spare battery.  I plan on placing this one on my nightstand.  No more accessories until I get the device and use it for a few days!  But these were things I knew I was going to need, so I didn't care to go ahead and take the plunge.  Look for future reviews!

Other accessories that I will probably grab on down the line might include a high capacity battery!  But adding a larger battery requires a new cover and adds weight to an already heavy device.  So I am going to use the included battery along with the spare I picked up to see if this is really necessary or not!  Screen protectors and spare styli are also strong possibilities. Cases?  Man, at the options!  I plan to start with the included leather case and see how well it meets my needs.  From my Treo days, I know its hard to beat a horizontal leather case.  Not perfect, but certainly functional, while protecting the device adequately while housed within it . . . .

I have also been gazing at software!  I have a list!  The closest thing I have been able to find that at least sounds compatible to Chatteremail for the Treo is an app called Flexmail .  I trial version of this will probably be one of the first 3rd party apps I grab!  It supports IMAP4 with IDLE  which is important for me and my mail servers.  In reading the manual it appears that I won't have to buy another license of PdaNet, because this one comes with the software necessary to turn my GPRS connection into a gateway to the internet for my laptop.  PdaNet on my Treo has been the type of app that I haven't used often.  But when I have needed it, it has been awesome!  Also, for the Treo, I had to purchase a back up app.  The manual is telling me that the TyTN II ships with an app called Sprite back up!  NICE!  

Also I have been anticipating having a full blown GPS unit on my phone!  And also looking forward to the touchflo interface, as demoed on this video.

I did it!  I just ordered a new HTC TyTN II! I haven't even received my tracking information yet!  But the PayPal transaction is complete anyway!  But I just didn't stop with the TyTN II!  The ebay seller I went through offered a 4 gig micro SD card with Tom Tom 6 maps! Yea, it was extra for them, but still much cheaper than going through someone like Expansys, or Mobile Planet. So now, its sit back and play the waiting game!  I will probably occupy my time by looking over software options, and reading reviews of said software.  Also, I thought I might look for a manual online to go ahead and maybe get me up to speed somewhat on the new education I am going to be going through.  Till this auction ends, here is a link to the item .

UPDATE 2/15/08: My TyTN is sitting on a truck in Gainesville, GA.  

UPDATE 2/17/08:  My TyTN is sitting on a Truck in Atlanta, GA

UPDATE 2/18/07 My TyTN is sitting in Knoxville, TN 

UPDATE 2/19/08 My TyTN is about 20 minutes from my house! 

 I have vented here at Just Duke many times about how Palm innovates . . . .  They take a ten year old Operating System, and offer it with the same hardware, only in a different Color. Eventually, your color choices are probably going to clash!  As is evident when Boy Genuis Report unpacked Palm's latest Centro scheduled for release 2/19/08 with AT&T. I can just see those guys in Palm's tech lab now.  Mixing White and puke green, and someone saying, "Dude, thats its!  This will make us totally stand out against that boring iPhone!" 

Most are expecting this to appear for $99.  Along with the "unique" color scheme, Palm adds . . . .  nothing!  We are still sitting with EDGE data, and Garnett OS!  A two year agreement is a long time to live with this color scheme!  Personally,  I would hold out for the purple skin with the pink keys . . . .

 So in my quest to find a new device, I couldn't help but notice that the AT&T Tilt has the same form factor as the TyTN II.  And its all over ebay advertised as the TyTN II. The Tilt can be had for $400 with a Two year agreement!  The TyTN is sitting at around $750 unlocked, and no contract!  But that is only on the Surface!  When you get to looking at the TyTN II you soon realize there are several differences in what HTC offers with its own branded TyTN, vs the Tilt that it builds for AT&T.  Below are the differences that jump out at me when I compare the two.

So $350 is a big difference, one can't argue!  But what $350 gives you is:

• an unlocked device!  In other words, I am not tied to AT&T at all!  If they make me mad, I cancel the contract and head to another GSM carrier.  So piece of mind is worth something, is it not?
• Two Year Manufacturer's warranty.  Twice as long as AT&T's, and you CAN'T buy insurance on AT&T for a PDA phone!  So that Warranty is very important to me!
• Front Camera for Video conferencing: How cool will it be when I am sitting at Starbucks talking obnoxiously loud to my Skype pals and I am looking at them and they are looking at me FROM MY PHONE!  
• TouchFlo:  The ability to use my fingers as an option is a very cool ability!  Without it, I may as well have a Treo . . . 
  
• Business card Scanner:  Alright, I confess, I probably won't use this feature!  But if I ever need to , I will have the ability to scan a card, let the TyTN read it and put the appropriate stuff in my contacts, and that is a very neat feature.
• Remote Desktop:  This used to be common stuff with WM devices I understand. For some reason Microsoft stopped Supporting it, and HTC said, then we will include as part of our offerings!  Very cool HTC! 
  
• Free Tom Tom 6 Taster Version:  I already have a Tom Tom that I love but think that having the feature on my phone will be even better! And HTC is giving me a free map to get me started!   Looking forward to exploring this option fully!
  

Its official!  After  weeks of rumors  it looks like AT&T will also have a very low cost Palm OS device to offer its customers!  I am betting lines will form in front of AT&T stores like it did a few months ago when Apple leaked similar news!    Ah, the excitement of new Palm OS hardware! 

My Sarcasim aside, this has proven to be a very popular Palm OS device, and its great to see this thing show up on this side of the pond on a GSM carrier.   So mark your calendars for Feb 19th gang!  And no shoving when the doors open, OK?

Back in November, I shared with the world my frustration with the Palm OS.  Don't get me wrong . . . I don't hate the platform, but as time has gone on, I have expected more.  My frustration doesn't have anything to do with how the OS works,  other than it hasn't advanced much at all since the Treo 600 days . . . . 

Along comes all these new devices!  Apple introduced a very sexy, very thin model!  But I look at $$ Vs performance, and I just can't get excited about a $500 device that I can't expand, or do anything more than use apps through the internet on an EDGE connection.  (I know Apple fan boys, that this is about to change, so no hate mail ok?)  BlackBerry?  As far as hardware goes, I like the design!  But past that, Blackberries just don't do it for me for some reason . . . .  HTC seems to be on the cutting edge! They are throwing out some incredible devices both for the Carriers and as their own branded devices.  And if there is one device out there that I find myself lusting for its that HTC TyTN II.  Integrated GPS, High Speed Internet, WiFi, The second camera . . . . . . .  

But what about my favorite email application on the Palm Treo; Chatteremail?  Is there something out there that good? What about weather?  I have loved Treo Alarm.  IM+ is just cool . . .  What will similar apps be like on a Windows Mobile platform? 

Well, I am about to find out!  After much pondering and studying, I am ready to leave the Palm Treo 680 and the Palm OS for a Windows Mobile 6.0 fully loaded HTC device. I have taken the first step . . . I have dedicated funds into an account, and am shopping for a TyTN II!  I have contacted a couple of ebay sellers with questions and will soon push the button to pick one up!  

 I am a little nervous!  I am worried about the learning curve that comes with any device.  But for someone who has been using Palm for 10 years, I figure I am going to have to go through some unlearning before I can fully get my hands around Windows Mobile. But I think from a blogging perspective, maybe I can offer some insight into those who are making similar moves.  Just today I read that Palm rates last in Customer Satisfaction .  I don't totally agree with that survey, but I can see where many feel the same frustrations that I have been feeling.  So I am figuring that some will be pondering similar leaps of faith, and maybe I can offer some insight into what a hardcore Palm user might expect when they leave a familiar hardware/software package for an entirely new one. 

So look for a new direction here at Just Duke!  The search is on right now for an HTC TyTN II!  I will keep you posted as to when I find that special deal and when I recieve it and of course the on-going posts of what living with it will be like!  I am sure there will be things I like better and things I just absolutely will hate. There will be endless comparisions to the Treo!  Lets see where this goes . . . .