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 . . . . 

Who knows how much of this hype is accurate, but it looks like the new Xperia User Interface is a sweet one as this video represents.

Here is my latest Template!  I am building a new web site for a Chiropractor.  At our first meeting, he showed me a couple of web sites that he liked. Most were soft blues.  The end product uses top level navigation, but for this template, I matched the side menus to blend with the rest of the soft blue.  As always, its available here for anyone using Joomla Content Management Systems! Its the only thing I can do to give back to the wonderful Joomla Open Source Community!  If you haven't explored Joomla, let me encourage you to do so.  Head on over to their web site and explore the many things that are available to build really incredible open source web applications. 

Wow!  I had been hearing (reading) of some rumblings for a while now about Sony Erricson bringing a new GSM to market!  Most of the news bored me as most of the Sony's to this point were just that to me: BORING!  So today I learn that Sony Ericcson's XPERIA has been introduced!  Most notable on the hardware side of things is the Arc-sliding keyboard to give you a better angle for veiwing.  But once its slid open, check out the 800 X 480 screen!  Thats right!  800X480!  HSDPA for high speed internet, WM6, GPS, and FM Radio!  No word on price, but if its typical of Sony, I am betting it will make the iPhone look like a bargain!  Minus the AT&T two-year of course . . . 

The bottom line here is that on the surface anyway, this phone looks to include it all!  Remember the Sony Clie's?  Remember how they took Palm and improved upon it?  Kind of how HTC is doing now with WM06?  I have my fingers crossed that Sony will do something to make the UI a little different!  This could be a phone to watch!  The full qwerty keyboard to me anyway, loaded to the hilt, GSM quadband and nice looking!  I bet its considerably lighter than the similarly equipped HTC TyTN II but we will ahve to wait and see to be sure . . .  

Below are the specs taken from the SE web site

 So it looks as if Asus really started something with the Eee PC.  Everex is set to debut its Low cost Linux system 2/15/08 to a Walmart near you and now it looks as if a company called Pioneer Computers is showing off its version of a low cost Lappy!  Seven inches of LCD, 1 Gig processor and 1 Gig Ram.  You choose between Linux, XP or Vista, but know that it starts at $469 (Quite a bit more than a Eee or a Cloudbook) and those other OS choices bump the price toward the sky. Also note that the base model doesn't even offer WiFi!  So its interesting, but with the price and no WiFi, I don't think this is going to be a treat to the King of the low cost laptop mountain, Eee . . .   But lets see where Pioneer Computers takes this concept.  Who knows, version two might add some key missing pieces and figures out how to drop the price .  . . . .

"This one I just can't understand . . And let alone afford.  This is one time when I am glad I am not rich!  Because I might have more money than sense when it comes to such purchases. This has to be one of the most appauling cell phones I have ever seen in my life!  And the price? Over $3,000!  I just love how the aritlcle is written:

Dubai, UAE - February 6th, 2008: Givori, the luxury accessorizor specializing in mobile art, today announced the launch of the new 'Serendipity' collection of hand-crafted mobile phones.

The exclusive collection is made up of fifty individually numbered pieces, each of which is meticulously handcrafted to ensure that no two phones are alike. Designed by a renowned international jewellery designer, the individual pieces feature vintage 1930's and 1940's intaglio Czech stones sprinkled with tiny specks of Aventurine gold.

Givori's 'Serendipity' collection is a truly unique product. The use of genuine rare vintage stones, some of which are over eighty years old, reflect a bygone era of glamour and romance. With only fifty pieces made worldwide, the new Givori 'Serendipity' collection is the perfect gift for your loved one with each phone beautifully gift-wrapped with a complimentary box of exquisite chocolates.

 The Limited Edition 'Serendipity' collection is now available exclusively at Harvey Nichols and select outlets. The phone retails at AED 11,300 and is available on both the Nokia 8800 Arte and Nokia N76 mobile phones. For more information on this product, please contact the call centre: 800 4885."

Now, to me, "jewells" are not shiney stuff glued to a Nokia, but probably a software app that runs flawlessly and is used daily on my Phone.  Of course, Chocolate is Chocolate and who can argue with that?

NOTE to self:  Email Palm and tell them that they can turn it all around if they would only include complimentary Chocolates with every Treo/Centro Purchase.