I Already Have an iPhone!
posted in Software |As I was writing my previous post about Apple’s iPhone strategy, I realized that in many respects, I already have an iPhone. How is this possible? Let me explain.
I’ve got a Treo 650 from Verizon Wireless. I know, I know. It’s not an Apple device, and it doesn’t have the design quality and features that Apple is likely to include in an iPhone. But here’s how you can make your Treo as close to an iPhone as possible.
Upgrade to zLauncher: zLauncher is a Palm OS app that has several system management capabilities, including themes.
Get Mac osX for zLauncher: This is one of the themes made for zLauncher. It makes your Treo user interface look-and-feel more like Mac OS X. Though it’s not as refined and elegant, it is a reasonable facsimile.
Sync with The Missing Sync: Forego Palm Desktop/Sync and iSync, and spend the extra cash on The Missing Sync for Palm OS. As you might expect, The Missing Sync connects your Treo with Address Book and iCal. It also includes conduits for iTunes and iPhoto that allow you to sync specific playlists and photo albums to your Treo’s internal memory or SD card. The Missing Sync also supports Address Book photos, matching Address Book groups to Palm categories, matching iCal calendars to Palm categories (and allows you to specify the same colors), and much more. The Missing Sync also supports most Mac/Palm conduits, like Quicken/PocketQuicken and LifeBalance.
Work with Documents to Go: As much as I like Pages and Keynote, I usually have to use Word, Powerpoint and Excel so I can exchange files with clients. Now I keep important Office for Mac files with me on my Treo, using Documents to Go from Dataviz, the conduit for which is supported via The Missing Sync.
There are many other applications that work with your Mac and Treo, like Filemaker Mobile and Adobe Acrobat. And Versamail can access your .mac or other email address quite well. Granted, I expect Apple to create a user experience and product design that far exceeds the Treo, but if you can’t wait, make your Treo an iPhone today.
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