Essential Treo Applications

I'll provide links to these tomorrow, but here are some applications I really cannot live without. I've gone through several Treos, starting with the 600, then upgrading to the 650 and then the 700 and a replacement 700...which was a bit of a nightmare. I stuck with Palm's OS even though it clearly seems to be dying out. In that time I've found that I need the Treo to do certain things, and when it doesn't, I get cranky. You wouldn't like me when I'm cranky...

First, the bundled apps: Versamail, Docs to Go, and Pocket Tunes. These really are great programs.

It took me a long time to get Versamail to work with Gmail the way I needed it too, but I'm happy now. I'm actually writing this post with it right now. There are things I wish Versamail did, but being able to send and receive email is a necessity and it gets the job done.

Docs to Go I wasn't too happy with until it added the ability to create text files. Things stay nice and problem-free with plain text. But at the same time, DtG can create word and excel files when needed (and I guess Powerpoint, but I never use it), and it can open full word docs which can be handy as hell.

Pocket Tunes: My Treo came with these snazzy stereo headphones that double as a headset. (I don't do the Blue Tooth thing. I always think of that guy who followed Lando around in Empire Strikes Back.) These things help make the Treo a fine MP3 player. I tend to load up some podcasts and lots of music I haven't listened to yet that I can check out while waiting in line at the grocery store.

If you upgrade Pocket Tunes to deluxe (for $30) you can plays subscription tracks as well - which is actually another great music discovery tool - just throw in a bunch of suggested tracks to try out some time. Even better is the ability to listen to internet radio stations. If you have broadband signal, these work really well...but they'll drain your battery pretty quickly. Either use a high capacity battery or be ready to charge your phone.

Quicknews- This is a full featured RSS feed reader. I set mine to update at 6am all on its own so that I have my info there when I want it. Even better the program can download podcasts as well, putting them right into a folder for PTunes. This program cost me $15 and I feel it's worth every cent. I've had some issues here and there with it and Stand Alone Inc's support has always been terrific.

Toccer - The free version of Toccer is a nice and simple instant messenger. I guess there's a newer version that costs money, but I don't need it. The great thing about Toccer is that it uses AIM's server, unlike Causerie, which I used to use (and paid for, damn it) - but it used its own unreliable servers. Horribly frustrating. Toccer is great if you need to step out of the office for a bit but also need (or want) to remain in contact. Here's a tip: no chatting while driving..

Google Maps: I initially wondered if I'd ever use this program when I first installed it. I was glad Google was providing such a service to use lowly Palm folk, but for some reason I thought it'd be extraneous. Boy was I wrong. While not as Magellanific as GPS, Google Maps has gotten me where I needed to go several times. It's a terrific application that should be on your phone - especially if you're prone to getting lost.

I had an iPhone user show me this function months after I had been using it. His eyes were wide with wonder as he beheld his Jobsian Whizbang. Macnuts are so cute...