IP: Motorola Envoy -- experiences to date

[Dave Farber <farber () central cis upenn edu>]

I have been using the Motorola Envoy now for almost a year. To remind folks,
the Envoy is a PDA based on General Magic software and Artis two way radio
service.


The unit is light and handy to pack in a small briefcase or hand carry all
the time. It survives drops with no damage and has skittered across concrete
floors safely.


Recently Motorola upgraded the software to ver 1.5 and now I would rate it
as industrial strength. The GM software is easy to use and whether you like
it or not is a religious issue.


Prior to the 1.5 upgrade, it was rather flakey but not now.


The mail system goes via RadioMail although in the 1.5 version ATT Wireless
mail is supported but no literature was included to give fees etc.


The RadioMail software while good has stood still for the past year and much
needed features are not there. For example you cannot see what mail is
waiting for you. You have to relieve it over the expensive radio  link ALL
OF IT. There is also no way of deleting queued mail at the RadioMail
facility except to call them. ATT mail seems to have both those services.


It would be sure nice if the RadioMail system had it also plus a wireline
ability to get mail -- again like ATT mail. 


On the other hand RadioMail is much better intergrated into the Internet
than is ATT Mail.


Back to the Envoy. Downers are still the battery life. One battery will not
do a business day. Display is average for non backlit displays. At least
mine seems to go dull when the transmitter is on and receiving.


Do I like it still. YES!!! I just wish there was a new model with better
battery life


Dave