Top Ten Hand Helds and PDA Systems

Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Wireless Connectivity
Stay connected easily when you're on the go with the built-in Wi-Fi wireless connectivity (802.11b), which enables you to access email and browse the Web at hotspots such as at coffee shops and in airports, or in your office if you have a wireless LAN network. You can even retrieve documents from your main computer with the included WiFile LT software. The Palm TX also comes the following enhancements:

• Added ability for the device to scan for available networks
• Improved connection logic to automatically connect to available compatible networks
• Three steps to easily set up a new network connection
• A free 30-day subscription to all T-Mobile Wi-Fi hotspots

For mobile professionals, the Palm TX provides all the conveniences of managing email on the road. With Wi-Fi access or Bluetooth technology, you can check corporate or campus email as well as personal accounts; download, read and edit a Word or Excel report on the fly; synchronize Outlook contacts, calendar, tasks and memos; and work with Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync, using VersaMail software, to synchronize email and calendar

Expansion Capabilities
The expansion card slot for MMC, SD and SDIO formats lets you insert a memory card from a digital camera and view photos on the large, color display; you can even can add transitions between photos and present them as a slideshow. The Palm TX handheld's compatibility with SD Cards up to 2GB lets road warriors carry a few favorite home videos and be entertained on long trips.

Support for Word, Excel, PowerPoint and PDF files
With the included DataViz Documents To Go software, you rehearse your PowerPoint presentation discreetly in an airport, make last-minute changes to a Word document, and check the numbers in an Excel spreadsheet and update them on the spot. The Palm TX comes with support for native Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files. And with the included Adobe Reader for Palm OS, you can download and view converted Acrobat files.

Multimedia
The Palm TX comes bundled with Pocket Tunes MP3 player for playing music files or Podcasts, which allows you to create and edit play lists, shuffle songs and navigate by album, artist or genre. The Palm TX also includes built-in software for viewing digital photos and video clips. And with MobiTV software (sold separately), you can view a wide range of television programs, including news, sports and entertainment, directly on the Palm TX handheld.

Operating System and Software
Veteran Palm OS handheld users will immediately notice the new Favorites view, which provides easy access to applications, files, and folders. The installed Palm OS 5.4 also introduces the Files application, which enables easy navigation among folders and files. It uses the intuitive and easy-to-learn Graffiti 2 writing software to input data into the handheld (as well as an on-screen keyboard). Windows users can synchronize their calendar, contacts, tasks, and notes with Microsoft Outlook. The Palm OS features the following organizer applications:

• Contacts: Lets you store several addresses for each contact, and with new fields for more phone numbers, multiple e-mail addresses, instant messenger IDs, and Web sites.
• Calendar: Use the new Agenda view to see upcoming calendar events, tasks due, and important e-mail, and color-code your events to provide an easy way to reference your calendar in the Agenda, Day, Week, and Month views. Take more notes, or synchronize more details from your desktop, in the larger Memos and Notes fields.
• Tasks: Use tasks with alarms and repeating tasks to set reminders for important commients.

This handheld features a 32 MB of flash memory (20 MB accessible for file and software storage), Palm OS 5.4 (Garnet), a fast 200 MHz ARM-based processor, and an internal rechargeable battery (that can be charged via the included AC adapter or via the USB cable connected to your PC).

Weighing just over 3 ounces and about the same size as a deck of playing cards, the Palm Z22 is compact and stylish with a white front and translucent blue backing. Small enough to fit into any purse, backpack or back pocket, it boasts a bright, 160 x 160-pixel color touchscreen display, which provides easy readability of names, addresses, and appointments. You can even color-code appointments for improved organization, and view and carry pictures of friends and family wherever you go.

Operating System and Software
The installed Palm OS 5.4 uses the intuitive and easy-to-learn Graffiti 2 writing software to input data into the handheld (as well as an on-screen keyboard). Windows users can synchronize their calendar, contacts, tasks, and notes with Microsoft Outlook. The Palm OS features the following organizer applications:

• Contacts: Lets you store several addresses for each contact, and with new fields for more phone numbers, multiple e-mail addresses, instant messenger IDs, and Web sites.
• Calendar: Use the new Agenda view to see upcoming calendar events, tasks due, and important e-mail, and color-code your events to provide an easy way to reference your calendar in the Agenda, Day, Week, and Month views. Take more notes, or synchronize more details from your desktop, in the larger Memos and Notes fields.
• Tasks: Use tasks with alarms and repeating tasks to set reminders for important commients.

Compatibility
The Palm Z22 is compatible with PCs running Windows Windows 2000 (SP4) and XP (Outlook synchronization requires MS Outlook 2000, 2002, or 2003; sold separately), and with Macs running Mac OS 10.2.8 to 10.4.

Never be late again to your appointments as your calendar and contact info will be handy. With built-in Wi-Fi, you can also check your email at any hotspot to make sure there hasn't been a change of plans. Bluetooth is also supported, allowing you to go online and connect to your Internet-enabled mobile phone if Wi-Fi is unavailable (requires Bluetooth-enabled phones with supporting Internet service plan). Bluetooth accessories such as headphones and keyboards can also be connected for added functionality and ease of use. The HP iPAQ 111 Classic Handheld is backed by a 1-year warranty.

The Nokia N810 adds a slide-out QWERTY keyboard that makes it easy to compose email and quickly chat with your online buddies.

In addition to Internet access and GPS, the N810 also offers wide compatibility for digital audio and video playback.

The 4.1-inch touchscreen has an 800 x 400-pixel resolution with up to 65K colors. You can access controls and an onscreen keyboard, or slide-out the physical QWERTY keyboard at the bottom for even easier typing. The N810 provides 2 GB of onboard flash memory and 128 MB of RAM. It also offers a single expansion slot that is compatible with Secure Digital (SD), MultiMedia, miniSD, and microSD memory cards with a size limit of 2 GB. (Adapter required for miniSD and microSD.) You can add up to 8 GB of memory when using Secure Digital High Capacity (SDHC) cards. You can also connect the N810 to a PC using the included USB cable to update software and transfer files from the PC to the a memory card.

For multimedia playback, the N800 is compatible with MP3 and WMA digital audio files, Real Audio streams, and video files encoded as AVI or MPEG4 (see specifications below for full compatibility list). The N810 has two integrated speakers as well as a 3.5mm headphone jack for personal listening.

The main form of connectivity is Wi-Fi (802.11b/g), and hooking up to a network is as simple as connecting with a laptop. You can also use the integrated Bluetooth wireless connectivity to hook up with a cell phone that is compatible with online data services. When connected to either a WLAN network or to a cell phone, you can make calls using the built-in Internet telephony application as well as conduct video conferencing with the built-in Web cam.

The Nokia N810 is powered by maemo Linux-based OS2008, which offers a highly customizable user interface and contains various features such as a Mozilla based browser with Ajax, Adobe Flash 9 and RSS feed reader, Bluetooth headset support as well as enhanced video and audio features. The refreshed Video Gizmo, Skype and Rhapsody applications highlight some of the most popular downloads available while Boingo Wireless, Earthlink and The Cloud enable Wi-Fi connectivity across thousands of different locations globally.

Perfect for use on the go, the N810 includes an integrated GPS receiver and comes with preloaded maps that enable you to browse detailed locations, search for street addresses, find various points of interest (POI) as well as nearby Wi-Fi hotspots. You can also purchase an optional subscription to the Wayfinder Maps application for enhanced mobile navigation. Other features include

• Integrated VGA web camera
• Support for IMAP4, SMTP, and POP3 email
• Games: chess, blocks, mahjong and marbles
• Integrated desk stand

Universal Plug and Play (UPnP)
Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) technology means that the Nokia N810 will discover, interact with, and control other compatible home electronic devices. This includes PCs, media centers, home entertainment systems, new smart appliances, home automation systems, networked peripherals, and Web-based services. With compatible equipment, you can stream video from your Nokia device directly to your TV, or hear music tracks stored on your PC through your living room's sound system.

Specifications

• Internal memory: 2 GB
• Memory expansion: SD memory cards up to 2 GB, MiniSD and MicroSD cards (used with extender), and SDHC cards up to 8 GB
• Battery life: Up to 4 hours of continuous usage with wireless LAN on; up to 10 hours of music playback (Wi-Fi turned off)
• Wi-Fi: 802.11b/g
• Bluetooth: Version 2.0 + EDR (profiles supported: HID, FTP, DUN, GAP, SPP, HSP, SAP and OPP)
• Video formats: 3GP, AVI, WMV, MP4, H263, H.264, MPEG-1, MPEG-4, RV (RealVideo)
• Audio formats: MP3, WMA, AAC, AMR, AWB, M4A, MP2, RA (RealAudio), WAV
• Playlist formats: M3U, PLS, ASX, WAX, WVX, WPL
• Keyboard language support: English, German, French, Italian, Spanish-Portuguese, Scandinavian and Russian
• Dimensions: 2.83 x 5.04 x 0.55 inches (LxWxD)
• Weight: 7.97 ounces

Stay connected to your world via the Web, streaming Internet radio, and the latest RSS news feeds.

The main form of connectivity is Wi-Fi (802.11b/g), and hooking up to a network is as simple as connecting with a laptop. You can also use the integrated Bluetooth wireless connectivity to hook up with a cell phone that is compatible with online data services. When connected to either a WLAN network or to a cell phone, you can make calls using the built-in Internet telephony application as well as conduct video conferencing with the built-in Web cam.

The N800 provides 256 MB of onboard flash memory and 128 MB of RAM. It also offers two expansion slots that are compatible with Secure Digital (SD), MultiMedia, miniSD, and microSD memory cards with a size limit of 2 GB. (Adapter required for miniSD and microSD.) You can also connect the N800 to a PC using the included USB cable to update software and transfer files from the PC to the a memory card. For multimedia playback, the N800 is compatible with MP3 and WMA digital audio files (as well as AAC, M3U, and WAV), Real Audio streams, and video files encoded as AVI or MPEG4. Additionally, with the UPnP media server functionality, you can share your music, video, and photos with others on the same Wi-Fi network. The N800 has two integrated speakers as well as a headphone jack for personal listening.

Access the web using the N800's Opera web browser, which provides Flash 7 multimedia support. Other applications include an RSS feed reader (for accessing all your favorite news sources), a PDF reader, image viewer, Internet radio player, and instant messenger with voice and video conferencing capabilities (using the Jabber and Google Talk services).

Chat with friends and business associates using built-in chat programs and easy-to-use onscreen keyboard.

The 4.1-inch touchscreen has an 800 x 400-pixel resolution with up to 65,536 colors. You can access controls with your fingers or use the included stylus, and the N800 provides intuitive handwriting recognition and a full-screen finger keyboard. The rechargable battery provides up to 10 days of standby time and up to 3 hours of continuous Web browsing or media playback. Other features include:

• Integrated desk stand for on-table use
• Zooming, full-screen and panning display functionality
• Auto connection to saved Wi-Fi hotspots or through Bluetooth compatible phones
• More applications: Clock, Sketch, Notes, Backup
• Dimensions: 5.7 x 2.95 x 0.5 inches (WxHxD)
• Weight: 7.27 ounces

Compact and versatile, the HP Ipaq Pocket PC lets you take your favorite songs, videos, and Web sites everywhere you go. View larger.

Equipped with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technology for reliable connectivity.

HP ProtectTools lets you use a PIN or password to control access to your Ipaq.

USB 2.0 desktop synchronization cradle makes it easy to transfer files to and from your PC.

Special Features
The Ipaq features wireless connectivity with integrated Wi-Fi 802.11b and Bluetooth, as well as an expansion slot compatible with Secure Digital (SD) cards. It's powered by an Intel PXA270 processor running at 520 MHz. It also features the Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 premium edition software for Pocket PCs. To help you enjoy more vivid music videos and movies, the 3.5-inch display features 16-bit color transflective for more than 65,000 colors. The Ipaq also contains 256 MB total memory, so there's plenty of room to store all your data. The integrated microphone, speaker, and stereo headphone jack offer a clear, enjoyable audio experience. Plus, the Lithium-Ion (1440 mAh) battery is both removable and rechargeable, which saves you money.

How to Get the Most Out of Your Ipaq
Ipaq offers a world of personal, professional, and entertainment options at your fingertips. View and edit Microsoft Office documents like Excel charts and Powerpoint presentations, including custom animations and slide transitions. Save time and remain up to date by using the USB 2.0 desktop synchronization cradle, which enhances file transfer speeds and synchronization of information between your PC and Windows Mobile-based device. The persistent store feature lets you protect data when your device runs out of battery power, while the HP ProtectTools (in collaboration with Credant Technologies) lets you use a PIN or password to control access to your Ipaq with encryption so that your data is protected should your Ipaq get misplaced or stolen. Enjoy images and slide shows using the HP Image Zone software for Pocket PC, and wirelessly print documents, e-mail, brochures, and photos to a Bluetooth-enabled printer. You can also easily transfer files to your Ipaq by communicating with other Bluetooth-enabled devices, and create personal area networks using peer-to-peer communication.

Additional Benefits
The Ipaq, with its soft, rubber sides and slip-free grip, is easy to carry. You will also appreciate the faster, more flexible playback with enhanced audio and video file formats using Windows Media Player 10. While surfing the Web, get where you want to go fast with the five-way navigation button and four application launch buttons. Expand your capabilities as your needs grow, using the Secure Digital (SD) card slot, and keep the display clear and free of scratches with the included plastic flip cover.

Warranty and Customer Service
The Ipaq comes with a one-year limited warranty. You can also rely on HP's renowned total care service and support, which J.D. Power and Associates has recognized as consistently providing "an outstanding customer service experience."

Compact and versatile, the HP Ipaq Pocket PC lets you take your favorite songs, videos, and Web sites everywhere you go. View larger.

Equipped with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technology for reliable connectivity.

HP ProtectTools lets you use a PIN or password to control access to your Ipaq.

USB 2.0 desktop synchronization cradle makes it easy to transfer files to your PC.

Special Features
The Ipaq features wireless connectivity integrated Wi-Fi 802.11b and Bluetooth, as well as an expansion slot compatible with Secure Digital (SD) cards. Plus, its built-in, serial-infrared, integrated, biometric fingerprint reader provides convenient security for all your documents and data. To ensure optimum enjoyment of videos and other images, the Ipaq also offers a backlit, 3.5-inch, LCD screen, with power-save mode. It also features a user-available memory of up to 144 MB, which means there's plenty of room to store all your important data. The integrated microphone, speaker, 3.5mm stereo headphone jack, and MP3 stereo (through audio jack and speaker) ensure a high-quality audio experience.

How to Get the Most Out of Your Ipaq
Ipaq offers a world of personal, professional, and entertainment options at your fingertips. View Microsoft Office documents like Excel charts and Powerpoint presentations, including custom animations and slide transitions. The Premium edition of Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 for Pocket PCs, specifically designed for handheld devices, helps ensure that your system runs smoothly. Save time and remain immediately up to date by using the USB 2.0 desktop synchronization cradle, which enhances file transfer speeds and synchronization of information between your PC and Windows Mobile-based device. The persistent store feature lets you protect data when your device runs out of battery power, while the HP ProtectTools (in collaboration with Credant Technologies) lets you use a PIN or password to control access to your Ipaq with encryption so that your data is protected should your Ipaq get misplaced or stolen. Enjoy images and slide shows using the HP Image Zone software for Pocket PC, and wirelessly print documents, e-mail, brochures, and photos to a Bluetooth-enabled printer. You can also easily transfer files to your Ipaq by communicating with other Bluetooth-enabled devices, and create personal area networks using peer-to-peer communication.

Additional Benefits
The Ipaq, with its soft, rubber sides and slip-free grip, is easy to carry. You also will appreciate the faster, more flexible playback with enhanced audio and video file formats using Windows Media Player 10. While surfing the Web, get where you want to go fast with the five-way navigation button and four application launch buttons. Expand your capabilities as your needs grow using the Secure Digital (SD) card slot and keep the display clear and free of scratches with the included plastic flip cover.

Warranty and Customer Service
The Ipaq comes with a one-year limited warranty. You can also rely on HP's renowned total care service and support, which J.D. Power and Associates has recognized as consistently providing "an outstanding customer service experience."

HP rx1955 with included stylus

3.5" TFT display with 64,000 colors

Portable Efficiency
Go on the Internet at your local Wi-Fi hot spot or at home using the integrated 802.11b wireless LAN. Add speed and agility with Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 Premium for Pocket PC Professional. You'll be able to view and edit Microsoft Office documents, including working with Excel charts and Powerpoint presentations with custom animations and slide transitions.

Stay in touch with your business and personal contacts using the integrated personal information manager (PIM) software. You'll get where you want to go fast through the five-way navigation button and four application launch buttons, and be able to protect your important data when your iPAQ runs out of battery power with the persistent store feature.

Not Just For Work
Enjoy music and videos in MP3 (or WMA or WMV) format; transfer fresh music and video to your iPAQ as your mood dictates via Windows Media Player version 10. You can easily store music and videos on SD/MMC memory cards using the built-in SD slot. Listen to your tunes privately--in stereo--via headphones (sold separately) through the 3.5 mm headphone jack. View color snapshots in both portrait and landscape modes on the 3.5-inch TFT display (64,000 colors).

When you've finished up everything on your "to do" list, you can always challenge yourself to the included games from Microsoft and download other popular titles. HP provides a 90-day warranty on the RX1955, covering parts and service.

The enhancements and improvements in Microsoft's Pocket PC 2002 operating system make the iPAQ 3765 even more powerful and easier to use. You'll get improved handwriting recognition, more reliable synchronization, increased security, and the ability to chat via MSN Messenger. It also features new Pocket versions of Outlook, Word, Excel, and Internet Explorer.

Work hard, but play hard, too. The iPAQ 3765 can play digital audio files (both MP3 and WMA) using the Windows Media Player software. It's also compatible with audible.com files, for listening to audiobooks, radio broadcasts, and more. You also get the Microsoft Reader e-book software.

The color TFT screen produces 4,086 colors, and you can view the screen from many angles and in a variety of lighting. Using the optional expansion jacket, you can add memory and modules--such as modems and cameras--using CompactFlash cards.

Other highlights of the Compaq iPAQ include a microphone and a speaker, as well as an audio-in jack. It features an infrared port for wireless data transfer. The Compaq iPAQ uses five buttons plus a five-way joystick. The iPAQ connects to either USB or serial ports. The iPAQ allows you to input data in your own handwriting, by soft keyboard, or by voice recorder. Both audible and visual alarms alert you to a scheduled event.

At 5.11-by-3.3-by-0.62 inches and weighing 6.3 ounces, the iPAQ 3765 is sporty and small, fitting in your hand or sliding into your pocket with ease. Compaq has also built in utilities so that frequent actions--such as switching between tasks, adjusting volume, and changing backlighting--are only a click away.

The iPAQ 3765 has a built-in lithium rechargeable battery that gives up to 12 hours of battery life. It also comes with a docking cradle, AC adapter for battery charging, and a USB connection cable. Compaq offers a one-year warranty on parts and labor.

What's in the box

• iPaQ 3765
• AC adapter
• 950 mAh lithium-polymer battery
• USB cradle
• USB connection cable
• Two styli
• Vinyl slipcase
• User manual

HP's iPAQ Mobile Media software transforms the RX3115 into the ultimate digital entertainment media device by eliminating the need to stand in front of a TV or PC to browse and access media content. Using the deviceÕs integrated wireless capabilities, you can stream content from a PC to play on the HP iPAQ or to a TV or stereo to share and enjoy in any room of a home. You can also wirelessly download music libraries, movie collections and vacation photos from PCs to the HP iPAQ.

The HP iPAQ RX3115 also includes Nevo Home Control software, allowing control of most home and office audio/video equipment with a single device. With the ability to control hundreds of consumer electronic devices, the RX3115 is the only universal remote control you'll ever need.

Powered by the Professional Edition of Microsoft Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition software for Pocket PC, the RX3115 enables you to easily manage personal information--from your calendar and appointments to your contacts and inbox--while on the go. Additionally, you can easily transfer files to, or access files from, Secure Digital and MultiMedia Cards via an integrated SD slot. Sync the iPAQ with a PC at home and photos and videos are automatically transferred between your PC and handheld using HP Image Transfer with ActiveSync.

Featuring the Microsoft Windows Media Player 9, the iPAQ RX3115 allows you to watch and hear your favorite video and music on the go. The ability to view content in landscape mode on the 3.5-inch transreflective LCD (in addition to portrait mode) ensures a wider screen for playing favorite videos and games.

The new range of iPAQ is available in two versions. The iPAQ 3765 is much like the popular 3635 model, but has the new OS on board. The iPAQ 3835, our review unit, is similar in body, but adds a few extra features.

The 3835 is driven by Intel's fast StrongARM processor, which runs at 206 MHz, and is outfitted with a healthy 64 MB RAM. The Pocket PC 2002 OS itself is stored on the 32 MB flash ROM, so you should be able to easily install OS updates as they come along. The screen quality is superb and can show over 65,000 colors--a greater color depth than the 3765.

Most hardware expansion is provided via an optional CompactFlash expansion jacket, with CF cards and modules from previous iPAQs largely compatible with the iPAQ 3835. Note, however, that this does not carry through to hardware add-ons that use the docking port (such as keyboards), as the connector on the 3835 is different than on the 3635 or 3765.

Additionally, there is now a built-in expansion slot onboard that enables you to add both software and hardware to the iPAQ without the need for the CF expansion jacket. This slot is compatible with both Secure Digital (SD) and MultiMediaCard (MMC) memory cards.

The iPAQ's design and build quality are superb; this is still the best-looking Pocket PC around. The docking station is both USB and serial--this "one size fits all" approach is intelligent and user friendly. Data input has also been improved, including the ability to register more than one button press at a time, making speedy gaming possible as some light relief from all the serious work you can set the device to.

Overall, Compaq's new iPAQ 3835 beats the rest for looks and performance. The built-in SD/MMC expansion card slot is a plus, and the iPAQ becomes an even more powerful productivity machine with the addition of the optional CompactFlash jacket. --Sandra Vogel

Pros:

• Expansion card slot for SD and MMC cards
• Fast processor and good amount of onboard memory
• Bright screen with great color depth
• Latest Microsoft operating system--Pocket PC 2002

• Use of CompactFlash cards requires optional expansion jacket

The Axim X5 is equipped with Microsoft Pocket PC 2002 Premium and pre-installed with familiar applications like Pocket Word and Pocket Excel, along with a calendar, contacts database, voice recorder, and a number of other built-in features.

With an integrated Type II CompactFlash card slot and a Secure Digital/MultiMediaCard slot, the expansion capabilities seem endless. And with its removable, rechargeable battery, the Axim X5 is never tied to its cradle--simply leave a spare battery charging in the cradle, and swap your battery when it's low.

The Dell Axim X5 features a backlit, 3.5-inch, 16-bit, touch-sensitive, transflective TFT color LCD display capable of displaying 65,536 colors at 240 x 320 resolution.

The Axim X5's audio capabilities include 16-bit stereo, full duplex record and playback, and an integrated microphone and speaker. The Axim also features a headphone jack.

The Axim X5 comes with a rechargeable, removable 1440 mAh lithium-ion battery. A rechargeable, removable 3400 mAh lithium-ion battery is optional.

What's in the box

• Axim X5
• Stylus
• Sync cradle
• AC Adapter
• 1440 mAh Lithium-Ion Removable, Rechargeable battery

Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Wireless Connectivity
Stay connected easily when you're on the go with the built-in Wi-Fi wireless connectivity (802.11b), which enables you to access email and browse the Web at hotspots such as at coffee shops and in airports, or in your office if you have a wireless LAN network. You can even retrieve documents from your main computer with the included WiFile LT software. The Palm TX also comes the following enhancements:

• Added ability for the device to scan for available networks
• Improved connection logic to automatically connect to available compatible networks
• Three steps to easily set up a new network connection
• A free 30-day subscription to all T-Mobile Wi-Fi hotspots

For mobile professionals, the Palm TX provides all the conveniences of managing email on the road. With Wi-Fi access or Bluetooth technology, you can check corporate or campus email as well as personal accounts; download, read and edit a Word or Excel report on the fly; synchronize Outlook contacts, calendar, tasks and memos; and work with Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync, using VersaMail software, to synchronize email and calendar

Expansion Capabilities
The expansion card slot for MMC, SD and SDIO formats lets you insert a memory card from a digital camera and view photos on the large, color display; you can even can add transitions between photos and present them as a slideshow. The Palm TX handheld's compatibility with SD Cards up to 2GB lets road warriors carry a few favorite home videos and be entertained on long trips.

Support for Word, Excel, PowerPoint and PDF files
With the included DataViz Documents To Go software, you rehearse your PowerPoint presentation discreetly in an airport, make last-minute changes to a Word document, and check the numbers in an Excel spreadsheet and update them on the spot. The Palm TX comes with support for native Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files. And with the included Adobe Reader for Palm OS, you can download and view converted Acrobat files.

Multimedia
The Palm TX comes bundled with Pocket Tunes MP3 player for playing music files or Podcasts, which allows you to create and edit play lists, shuffle songs and navigate by album, artist or genre. The Palm TX also includes built-in software for viewing digital photos and video clips. And with MobiTV software (sold separately), you can view a wide range of television programs, including news, sports and entertainment, directly on the Palm TX handheld.

Operating System and Software
Veteran Palm OS handheld users will immediately notice the new Favorites view, which provides easy access to applications, files, and folders. The installed Palm OS 5.4 also introduces the Files application, which enables easy navigation among folders and files. It uses the intuitive and easy-to-learn Graffiti 2 writing software to input data into the handheld (as well as an on-screen keyboard). Windows users can synchronize their calendar, contacts, tasks, and notes with Microsoft Outlook. The Palm OS features the following organizer applications:

• Contacts: Lets you store several addresses for each contact, and with new fields for more phone numbers, multiple e-mail addresses, instant messenger IDs, and Web sites.
• Calendar: Use the new Agenda view to see upcoming calendar events, tasks due, and important e-mail, and color-code your events to provide an easy way to reference your calendar in the Agenda, Day, Week, and Month views. Take more notes, or synchronize more details from your desktop, in the larger Memos and Notes fields.
• Tasks: Use tasks with alarms and repeating tasks to set reminders for important commients.

This handheld features a 32 MB of flash memory (20 MB accessible for file and software storage), Palm OS 5.4 (Garnet), a fast 200 MHz ARM-based processor, and an internal rechargeable battery (that can be charged via the included AC adapter or via the USB cable connected to your PC).

Weighing just over 3 ounces and about the same size as a deck of playing cards, the Palm Z22 is compact and stylish with a white front and translucent blue backing. Small enough to fit into any purse, backpack or back pocket, it boasts a bright, 160 x 160-pixel color touchscreen display, which provides easy readability of names, addresses, and appointments. You can even color-code appointments for improved organization, and view and carry pictures of friends and family wherever you go.

Operating System and Software
The installed Palm OS 5.4 uses the intuitive and easy-to-learn Graffiti 2 writing software to input data into the handheld (as well as an on-screen keyboard). Windows users can synchronize their calendar, contacts, tasks, and notes with Microsoft Outlook. The Palm OS features the following organizer applications:

• Contacts: Lets you store several addresses for each contact, and with new fields for more phone numbers, multiple e-mail addresses, instant messenger IDs, and Web sites.
• Calendar: Use the new Agenda view to see upcoming calendar events, tasks due, and important e-mail, and color-code your events to provide an easy way to reference your calendar in the Agenda, Day, Week, and Month views. Take more notes, or synchronize more details from your desktop, in the larger Memos and Notes fields.
• Tasks: Use tasks with alarms and repeating tasks to set reminders for important commients.

Compatibility
The Palm Z22 is compatible with PCs running Windows Windows 2000 (SP4) and XP (Outlook synchronization requires MS Outlook 2000, 2002, or 2003; sold separately), and with Macs running Mac OS 10.2.8 to 10.4.

Upgrade Features The Zire 31 offers the following improvements to the Zire 21: Color display (versus the Zire 21's monochrome screen) 16 MB of Memory (versus the Zire 21's 8 MB) MP3 digital audio capability Palm OS 5.2.8 (versus 5.2.1 for the Zire 21). Display The Palm Zire 31 features a 160 x 160 color STN screen that displays thousands of colors and features contrast and brightness controls. Audio The included RealPlayer for Palm OS enables you to listen to MP3 music files stored on optional expansion cards via the built-in speaker or optional headphones/ear buds. RealPlayer for Palm OS makes it easy to transfer your personal MP3 music collection to expansion cards and organize your songs by creating and editing playlists right on your handheld. It also offers an auto-dimming capability to help conserve battery power.

The Zire 31 features a 160 x 160 color STN display with contrast and brightness controls.

Connectivity and Expansion The Zire 31 uses Multimedia Card and Secure Digital expansion cards, which instantly add software applications, additional memory, large databases, and more without taking up built-in memory space. You can synchronize to your desktop PC via the mini-USB connection on the side of the handheld. Operating System and Software The Zire 31 is powered by Palm OS 5.2.8, which provides higher performance, enhanced multimedia features, and enterprise-class security. It useses the intuitive and easy-to-learn Graffiti 2 writing software to input data into the handheld (as well as an on-screen keyboard). Windows users can synchronize calendar, contacts, tasks and notes with Microsoft Outlook.

Compatibility
The Palm Zire 31 is compatible with PCs running Windows 98, NT 4.0, 2000, Me, and XP, and with Macs running Mac OS 9, version 9.1 or higher, or Mac OS X, version 10.2 or 10.3.

First, just the technical facts:

• Palm OS 5.2.1
• 32-bit, 400 MHz Intel XScale processor
• 64 MB internal RAM, with 52 MB usable for applications and file storage (an improvement over the T2's 29 MB usable RAM)
• Bluetooth wireless connectivity
• Secure Digital memory card expansion slot
• 4.3 (closed) x 3.0 x 0.66 inches, 5.5 ounces

The T3's Stretch Display

Overall, the Tungsten T3 isn't that much smaller than the Zire 71, but it does feel nicely compact in the hand and its larger navigation button is easier to manipulate with just your thumb. However, the "wow factor" comes into full force when you slide down the bottom of the T3's case to reveal the full screen mode. And it gets even better. The standard "silkscreened" Graffiti input area (so-called because its icons and borders are printed onto the screen's glass) is now replaced by a digital version, which can be hidden to reveal an even larger screen. We found this useful when writing long notes in Memos and viewing an expanded daily calendar view. You don't actually need the Graffiti writing area to input data into notes or Calendar items. With the Full-Screen Writing preference turned on, you can write Graffiti characters anywhere on the screen (you'll even see an outline traced on the screen as you write). But the crowning display enhancement is the ability to rotate the screen to landscape view, which was especially handy when viewing downloaded movie trailers (using the included Kinoma video player). If you're left-handed, you can change the orientation in landscape view so that the status bar and Graffiti input area are more accessible to your own orientation.

The T3 includes the familiar suite of Palm applications (Calendar, Contacts, Memos, and Tasks) as well as a number of third-party software title (ranging from Acrobat Reader to RealOne Player for listening to digital audio). Calendar has been given an Outlook-friendly makeover, adding an Agenda view that consolidates all of today's appointments, tasks, and new e-mails. With full-screen mode on, Calendar's month view now displays smaller calendars for the previous and next months.

Bluetooth wireless functionality is built in, and the Tungsten T3 still includes the BlueBoard and BlueChat for sharing information with other Tungsten users. For Web communication, Palm includes VersaMail and WebBrowser Pro, both of which can be used along with a Bluetooth phone. Additionally, VersaMail can access a corporate e-mail account, including Microsoft Exchange and Lotus Domino servers.

Java has also now entered the Palm OS arena, expanding the application development opportunities. The T3 comes with a few sample applets (including a periodic table that would be handy at our local pub's trivia night), but we'll have to wait for more development before Java becomes a full Palm OS tool.

Our only complaint, design-wise, is the placement of the Voice Memo button, which as been placed toward the top of the left side of the case, below the on/off button on the top panel. When turning on the device, our left hand's thumb continually triggered the Voice Memo app when attempting to turn on the T3. Note that you can also turn the T3 on by pressing one of the application buttons surrounding the Navigator, or by sliding the bottom case open. Overall, the Tungsten T3 is a Palm powerhouse, blending its traditional information management strength with new multimedia and connectivity functionality (both wired and wireless). It's about as perfect a personal productivity agent for professional settings as it gets. --Agen G.N. Schmitz

Pros:

• Crisp, bright color screen
• Fast processor, ample internal memory, and expansion slot to boot
• Digital Graffiti input area can be hidden for full screen display
• Screen can be rotated to landscape view
• Access to corporate e-mail and Bluetooth wireless connectivity

Con:

• Voice Memo button gets in the way of turning on and off

See a detailed diagram of the PalmOne Tungsten T5's features

Internal Flash Memory Built for today's mobile professional, the Tungsten T5's 256 MB of memory actually provides 215 MB of user-available memory (55 MB for built-in applications and 160 MB of internal flash drive memory). Connect it to your PC or Mac and use it as you would a USB flash memory drive to transfer data and multimedia files from work to home. To access files stored on the handheld, simply select Drive Mode on the handheld and plug the included HotSync cable into a USB port. To add files, just drag and drop them from your PC desktop to the new File Transfer application (installed with Palm Desktop; Windows only). A live desktop window gives you instant access to data and information stored on the handheld's internal drive--without the need for synchronizing the handheld to move files.

Multimedia
The included RealPlayer for Palm OS enables you to listen to MP3s stored on optional expansion cards via the built-in speaker on the Tungsten T5 or, for stereo sound, on optional stereo headphones or ear buds. The updated Media application lets you view (and show off) transferred photos and videos.

Display
Unlike the Tungsten T3, which required you to slide the handheld's bottom open to activate the screen's landscape mode, the Tungsten T5's screen offers widescreen viewing at all times. The bright 320 x 480 transreflective TFT color display supports more than 65,000 colors. You can easily switch between portrait and landscape view, as well as open an active input area at the bottom of the screen.

Connectivity and Expansion
With built-in wireless Bluetooth connectivity, you can synchronize the Tungsten T5 with a Bluetooth-enabled computer from across the room (within a range of 10 meters, or approximately 30 feet). But that's just the start. Using a compatible Bluetooth-enabled phone, you can send and receive e-mail and connect to the Web, send multimedia (MMS) or text (SMS) messages, and even automatically dial any number in your handheld's Contact's application. You can also synchronize data the "old-fashioned" way via the USB connection at the base of the handheld.

The Tungsten T5 uses MultiMedia Card and Secure Digital expansion cards, which instantly add software applications, additional memory, large databases, and more without taking up built-in memory space.

Operating System and Software
Veteran Palm OS handheld users will immediately notice the new Favorites view, which provides easy access to applications, files, and folders. The installed Palm OS 5.4 also introduces the Files application, which enables easy navigation among folders and files. It uses the intuitive and easy-to-learn Graffiti 2 writing software to input data into the handheld (as well as an on-screen keyboard). Windows users can synchronize their calendar, contacts, tasks, and notes with Microsoft Outlook. The Palm OS features the following organizer applications:

• Contacts: Lets you store several addresses for each contact, and with new fields for more phone numbers, multiple e-mail addresses, instant messenger IDs, and Web sites.
• Calendar: Use the new Agenda view to see upcoming calendar events, tasks due, and important e-mail, and color-code your events to provide an easy way to reference your calendar in the Agenda, Day, Week, and Month views. Take more notes, or synchronize more details from your desktop, in the larger Memos and Notes fields.
• Tasks: Use tasks with alarms and repeating tasks to set reminders for important commients.

What's in the Box
This package contains the Tungsten T5 handheld, a built-in rechargeable battery, a carrying case, a USB HotSync cable, a power cable, a stylus, a CD-ROM with Palm Desktop 4.1 software for Windows and Mac (as well as bonus software), and a printed Getting Started guide.

Tech Talk: Flash Memory
Flash memory, a form of electronic memory, is used for easy and safe information storage. Its low power consumption and light weight make flash memory ideal for mobile devices. In addition, flash memory holds information without a charge or power, just like a memory card saves pictures when not connected to a digital camera. The flash memory in the Tungsten T5 handheld will maintain its data even when power is exhausted. Simply charge the handheld again and the data is there.

The Palm Vx handheld offers the same improvements to its screen that were made to the Palm IIIx. These updates since the Palm III handheld include a far sharper screen and contrast-variable backlighting, which makes the Palm Vx handheld much easier to use in low-light conditions. Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, which charge while the unit sits in its HotSync cradle, make battery life a nonissue.

You can synchronize Palm handhelds with your computer so that you can carry all your appointments, notes, contacts, and e-mail with you. The simple one-touch interface makes sense to new and seasoned computer users alike. For owners that prefer Microsoft Outlook to keep tabs on folks for business and pleasure, rest easy. With the simple installation procedure, and Outlook support out of the box, you can transfer the data you have in Outlook, or start fresh with the Palm Desktop software. In addition, there are thousands of applications for the Palm operating system available on the Internet that make your Palm handheld work as everything from a universal remote to a digital book and restaurant guide.

We had no trouble setting up the device, synching with our PC-based Netscape e-mail, using the Graffiti character-recognition software, or working with the address book, date book, memo writer, to-do list, and all the other applications that put the Palm OS on the map. All in all, this is a great upgrade to an already strong product. If this is your first Palm, it's a great way to start.

Pros:

• Palm OS interface is simple to use
• Easy to install and set up
• Uses rechargeable batteries
• Sleek, solid design can take some punishment

• Not expandable (has a closed case)
• Case cover opens too easily