New iPod touch - How to make it a Palm Pilot

Question

OK. My new iPod Touch (16GB) is on order (ordered on day 1) - I have my Mobile Me account up and running and my iCal and my Mail accounts are synced.
My reason for buying the new iPod touch is to replace my Palm Pilot (Tungsten E). I was able to export/import 6 years worth of Palm data to iCal – now I need to be able to use iCal on the iPod touch to see/edit my daily schedules on the road – and to sync and see them on several Macs at home and in the studio.
I just watched the new Apple video about the new iPod touch – and, frankly, it came across as a 1) a teen-age game machine, 2) a movie player, and 3) a music box. Nothing in the video promo spoke to iCal on a Touch – or using the iPod touch as a business tool – other than Safari and email.
There are a million new apps available, but I don’t have time to test them all. This is what I need:
1) A iPod Touch version of Docs To Go. I want to make a document (file- text –letter) on my Mac (in Word, for example) – and then download it to the touch to read (and edit) on the road – and then re-sync changes made on the Touch with Mobile Me and my Macs.
2) To Do lists that sync between Mobile Me – my Macs and the Touch – with the ability to make/edit the To Do from the Mac or the Touch.
3) Search capability to find events, To-Dos, and documents (such as a letter) in the iPod Touch. That is a great feature of the Palm Pilot – I can see when I was last in a city with a simple search – or find a calendar entry with a customer’s name – even from several years ago.
And:
4) a Forum that addresses how to use the iPod Touch as a business tool – rather than as a game/music/video machine – essentially how to replace a BlackBerry or a Palm Pilot with and iPod Touch.
I have ZERO AT&T coverage where I live and work – so the iPhone is a no go for me. I will keep my Verizon cell phone and get rid of the Palm Pilot – if I can make the Touch behave as a tool rather than as a toy.
So – What APPS should I get ready to use?

Answer 1

Hi,
I have done the transition from a Palm Treo to the iPod Touch. As has been said the Apps are not as mature as with the Palm. You do need to be creative. I went with OmniFocus, both the ipod app and the desktop app. The desktop app will sync with iCal but I feel it should be the master. Not the cheapest route but very solid.
Direct MS Word compatibility I haven't seen yet. It will be there I am sure. The Notes app works fine for writing and you can email notes to yourself and copy the text out to what ever program you choose. No cut Copy Paste yet either so real word processing is not a reality. Docs to Go was pretty good.
There is CSV touch that will load any CSV file. Excel sheets. Also the idb Datamaster pro. Worth looking at. It is a database system that can import and export again in csv.
I have PocketMoney to record financials. It will sync through QIF files with Quicken. I say sync but it really just imports and exports QIF files. Takes some creative handleing not to end up with duplictae transactions. I figured out a work around and it saves keeping the paper around till I get to my computer.
File Magnet is really great. Drag anything to it and it will be loaded for viewing ( only) on the Touch.
The sync with iCal, Email and Contacts is excellent. I use this system daily for all my appointments and work schedules.
I don't bother with the games but it is cool to listen to music in the car with one device.
Having real internet in your hand instead of the klunky Treo browser is so much better. Safari is functional enough to do my online banking.
iFlix is really functional for Netflix. My Weather for weather forcast. Gives local animated radar.
So.. It is a new platform. It will have growing pains but it is functional and innovative.
Browse the App Store. Most are cheap enough that you can try without costing too much. The reviews are mostly helpful if you weed through the jokers.
I carry mine all the time. It finds internet all over without me doing anything. Battery life is acceptable for the most part. Just listening to music it lasts plenty long. Wifi and constant browsing or apps will run it down quicker. Consider that like watching a video. I use it in my car with a TransPod FM adapter. It charges the battery while it is playing. Works out fine that way. I get a full day of use and then the night always on without any worries. The ride to work charges it up enough.
Hope this helps. I love mine.
Greg