User Centered

Updated:based on the timeliness of her followup- I've just updated this post with her comments. Sorry if you're re-reading
Update 2 ok- sorry some of this is off-topic. We're actually working on a related/expanded post now that is basically a comparision of the two phones mentioned below.

Reader Shell writes...

"I mean, it just seems like they're mixing up the business and fun side of a phone just because they CAN."

...referring to the Treo 700w while discussing the difference between the Palm based Treo 650 vs the Windows based 700w. She further says:

650 is for business-folk, no frills no thrills, just a high level of functionality and ease-of-use- whereas the 700 is a multimedia toy, perfect for people who like a colorful screen and lots of various capabilities that they'll NEVER use.

On Syncing (note- this is likely going to be a different post after we can get a good, strong feeling about Windows Exchange server)-
She's mentioned sync problems with the 700w that don't provide a lot of realibility that you'll get your messages in a timely manner. She goes on to say that "the treo 650 connects with the "Goodlink" server and there's NO LAG whatsoever in receiving Outlook email through it - in fact, emails come to our phones BEFORE they hit even our inbox. The 700 uses Windows Exchange server...it doesn't sync up properly and you can delete an email from the phone but it doesn't delete from Outlook for like 10 minutes. 10 minute delays are unacceptable in the business world."

On Activity Centered Design-
I believe the point she was making with me is that the 700w has less thought put into the "activity centered" approach but focuses instead on having as many features as it can hold with little thought put into how they all relate and support each other...although they are nice features. MS Office at your fingertips. I guess. She points out that anyone spending 600 dollars on a smart phone likely has better devices nearby to work on MS Office documents....and further, the 650 already fits the bill with "Documents-To-Go" that is Office compatible- but they are an add on if you really need them- leaving them out of the equation since that's probably not the intended activities you're going to want to use this phone for.

I think what makes the Palm based versions so great is that they are designed with the "mobile user" in mind whereas the Windows version simply scales down the desktop OS and tailor it to add some useful mobile features. Of course, I've owned neither- so that's just based on a casual use, but she's in the business of Treo's and her thoughts seem to reinforce this.

Image from treotoday.com