The following post is from the Deal Seeking Mom Project Administrator, Mandi Ehman:
Two weeks ago, I told you how I was using the Palm Pre Plus to get organized.
When I first started reviewing the Palm Pre Plus, I wasn’t sure I would keep it once the review was done since there is an additional monthly fee compared to a regular cell phone. However, so many of the features — browsing the internet, accessing my Google contacts & calendars and scheduling our DVR to record a show even when we’re not home — have made everyday tasks more convenient, and while it’s certainly not a necessity, it’s a splurge that we think is worth the cost.
I’ve found myself using these features the most:
:: Camera. I’ve taken a ton of pictures with my phone, and I think my mom appreciates the chance to see more everyday moments with our baby girl — cuddling with momma while I work, her first time in the exersaucer, her first taste of banana, and so on. And the best part is most of these pictures are great quality, so I don’t feel guilty about not pulling out my nicer camera!
:: Internet browsing. Even though we live in the boonies and don’t get a strong enough cell signal to browse the internet at home, my husband has been enabling the WiFi feature to be able to keep tabs on the NFL Scouting Combine and the start of free agency.
:: Calendars & schedules. Last week we unveiled the Deal Seeking Mom calendar to help you keep track of when deals and roundups are posted. I’ve added these calendars to the personal and business calendars I already have synced with my phone so that I can quickly access my entire schedule wherever I am.
:: Music. I mentioned on Twitter that I’ve never had an MP3 before, and it’s true. Two of my girls have MP3 players and my husband has one, but I’ve never had one or even used theirs. However, I do love music, and I always have a music station playing on the TV or my computer. But with the Pandora app, I’m able to listen to the music I want to listen to right from my phone. And unlike an MP3player, I don’t even need speakers!
Verizon Wireless wants to hear from you too! Enter for a chance to win a $50 Visa gift card just for answering any of the following questions or responding to someone else’s comment. Enter as many times as you’d like as long as all of your comments are relevant to the conversation:
- Which feature of the Palm Pre Plus most appeals to you?
- How would you use it to get or stay organized?
- How do you use technology for streamlining and organizing your life?
The giveaway will be open until Wednesday, 3/10 at 4 p.m. EST and is open to all U.S. residents 18 years or older. I’ll use Random.org to select the winning comment. Winners will be notified by email and listed on my Giveaway Winners page. Winners must respond within 48 hours of notification to claim their prize. Good luck!
Verizon provided me with a Palm Pre Plus at no charge so that I could review its features for the Deal Seeking Mom readers.
Debi
Calendars and organizational tools is #1 in my book.
I could have used the camera feature today!
I am always losing my appointment cards or forgetting appointments. Being able to organize that would be worth the purchase of the phone!
I do my banking online, much of my shopping, anything that I can do online, I do. I think I’ve pretty much forgotten how to write a check.
Shannon @ Mommie Cheapest
Pretty much all the features of the Palm Pre appeal to me, but internet access would be the biggest one. I run my own blog and posting while out — whether it’s because I find a hot deal in the stores, or while trying to maximize my time while waiting at the doctor’s office — would be a huge help.
Sharon Ram
Calendars would be the best thing for me – so I don’t forget appointments! Looks like a fantastic phone – really impressive!
Shannon @ Mommie Cheapest
I would be very interested in using the calendar feature… I’ve never used a computerized calendar before! I am very low-tech at home and I use an old fashioned paper calendar! I think having a calendar at my fingertips no matter where I am would be great.
Lynn N.
I would be so lost without my planner but it’s much more efficient to carry around a smartphone.
Shannon @ Mommie Cheapest
The biggest way I use technology in my life is definitely email! I keep in touch with EVERYONE via email… it is so much more manageable and time-efficient than the phone! I also have a personal blog to share family photos with my friends and family. It is a easy and efficient way to keep everyone abreast of how our family is growing and changing.
Deborah
I would love the camera feature! Having a camera with me to catch those cute moments would be great!
Lynn N.
Oh, I just love Pandora! would love Pandora on-the-go!
Deborah
I would love to be able to check my email anywhere I was! That little bit of technology is my favorite! I am able to keep in touch with family and friends from across the US!
Bren
I know it sounds like a cliche but I have about forty-eleven calendars and I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to have ONE place where everyone’s comings and goings are recorded AND portable! I mean, I can write everything on the “master calendar” that’s on the fridge, but do I really need to take that giant thing with me?
Leighanne
I would enjoy having something more handy to take photos of my girls with rather than the bulky camera we currently have!
Janet
What a great way to stay connected to all of your posts!!!!
Trish
I think having internet browsing capabilities would be awesome. My current phone does not have this and I know it would be helpful.
Diane P.
I have been a palm user for years. My current phone is a palm treo. I love palm products and use my phone currently to keep up with three busy kids’ schedules. What most appeals to me about the palm pre is just updating a good thing. I am not sure how you would improve on my treo but I would love to find out.
mona
The best feature the Palm Pre Plus which most appeals to me is the palm profile for automatic updates and backups.
combining my multiple calenders together would be great to stay organized
Diane P.
How do you use technology to streamline life? With calendars and internet access. Have you ever seen other phone’s ideas of what a calendar is? When I show my friends my calendar they all tell me what a fancy phone it is (my palm treo) and I agree, it is pretty cool. I would love to see what the new palm pre can do.
Deanna
I would use a Palm Pre Plus to organize my entire life. I love how this cell phone is like i mini computer that can fit in your hand. I would use to Pre Plus to stay updated with my calendar and check e-mail. Having this phone would make my life much simpler and allow me to better manage my time. Plus there are so many cool apps!
Christina Burrell
The internet capabilities appeal most to me.
Tonya
I would use the Palm Pre to consolidate all 3 of my calendars in to one. It would also make it easier for me to share all of those dates with my husband.
Kelsey
I am still in the dark ages and haven’t gotten an iPod yet so this would be great since you listen to music on the go. We have pandora on our blu-ray player and I love it so it would be nice to have it anywhere I go.
Lynn N.
Oh, same here, Shannon. e-mailing is addicting!
Tonya
I would also use the Palm Pre to help me plan/schedule my meals. That would then help me develop a shopping list. It would be great to do this “on the go” – such as waiting in line to pick up my children, waiting at the doctor’s office, etc…
Kelsey
I agree with Lynn N. too. I am always checking “mommy blogs” and it would be nice to be able to do it while waiting at the doctors office or in line at the post office and other places. My only thing is, how much extra does the internet cost a month? I have some on my phone now but I just worry it would get pretty pricey using it everyday.
Wendi P
I NEED a user friendly calendar (especially if I can sync it with my home computer unlike the sucky one on my current phone) and I really like the wireless capability of the Palm Pre, too.
Adina
I would love the calendar feature- being able to organize my life where-ever I am. I think I would aslo like to be able to check my e-mails, which is not currently part of my plan.
Cindy C.
I love love love the camera feature. Your baby girl looks so adorable and the picture quality is amazing. I would also use the palm pre as my unofficial student organizer agenda as I’m going back to get a degree in Management!
Nina
The camera and internet is very useful.
Tamara
I would love to be able to access my calendar and the internet from my phone. Once upon a time before I lived in mommy-land I used a Palm Pilot and loved having my schedule and contacts at my fingertips. This sounds like a great phone that would combine scheduling and internet accessibility all in one.
Mea Linan
I would love being able to have reception no matter where I am. I love using my storm. Though an upgrade is definantely needed. I have to have my phone to stay in contact with everyone in my life.
Carrie
This looks neat and has some features I could see myself using! An organizer would be so handy!