Pros: Wi-Fi antenna, LED, SD/MMC slot, user programmable, OS stability
Cons: Just 8MB internal memory, SD/MMC currently restricted to content storage and applications.
The Bottom Line: For those who are looking for a Palm based handheld that is ready for the corporate user right out of the box, go for it, you've earned it.
For many of us, the wait for an ideal corporate Palm powered handheld is finally over. With the new Palm i705, it gives you the capabilities of wireless Internet without the hassle. The secret to it is the integrated Wi-Fi antenna on top of the handheld. With that antenna, you can receive messages and e-mails with confidence that you can access them with safety and security. At the same time, the designers at Palm have also retained the classic Palm capabilities like information management. None of this would have been possible if it weren't for some competitors' PDA/Phone in one unit, but there are people that would like to keep their phone and yet have a data management device like a Personal Digital Assistant at the same time.
Hardware
The Palm i705 is not much more unique than the m500 series, except that it has an integrated wireless modem to receive messages and respond to e-mail and check for news on the Internet. Of course, to receive to such service, buyers must subscribe to Palm.net for the handheld's full wireless potential. Once you have the service subscribed, you can access wireless ready websites for news updates, e-mails and many more. The screen and keypad layout is just like the ones that we're familiar with in the Palm based units, with a scrolling controller in the middle.
With the universal connector on the bottom of the unit, the Palm i705 also portrays the m500 series, m130 and m125 by being able to accept USB cradles. So for those that already have one of those units that I have just mentioned and share the same computer as the users of those units, you can even sell your cradle to those who are looking to buy an extra one. Since the Palm i705 is more of a corporate based handheld, the user might want to keep the supplied cradle in their office. However for USB compatibility, it requires the computer to at least have Windows 98/2000 and Mac OS 8.6. But for Windows 95/NT 4.0 however, you can purchase a serial cradle separately from your computer hardware store and it basically uses the same cradle for the m125 and m500 series. However the universal connector basically just means that any Palm handheld prior to the m125 or m500 series, their accessories aren't compatible with the connector, because they use a serial connector. Therefore it's a waste of money when it comes to buying the same accessories for the handheld if you were to upgrade from the older Palm handhelds. But in the long run, the universal connector will make faster data transfers and in no time at all, you can even synchronize your data back and forth to your computer.
To power the handheld, the Palm i705 features a Lithium Polymer Battery, which only lasts for a week on average use according to Palm. But if you're not going to use the handheld for receiving messages, the charge might last a little longer than that. But if your purpose of a handheld isn't for mobile Internet, by all means look elsewhere.
Like the m125, m130 and m500 series, the i705 can also be expanded for content storage by the SD/MMC slot on the side of the handheld. But right now, the expansion slot is confined to just content storage. This technology allows us to enable the fuller potential of the handheld by adding some spice into your work life. For example you can read a book without ever going to the bookstore to buy one, instead of bring yourself a Game Boy unit, you can still play a few games on the handheld like chess, Tetris. You can even replace your bulky dictionary and thesaurus with the dictionary/thesaurus card, or if you travel and don't really want to carry a series of maps, you can purchase a Travel Card. The possibilities are just endless when you want to increase the potential of your handheld. Don't forget, you still can back up your Palm i705 like you would for the m125, m130 or m500 series handhelds.
The Secure Digital and Multimedia Cards isn't confined to just Panasonic Digital products or Palm handhelds, you can even use the Secure Digital in some camcorders, handhelds, MP3 players and many other digital devices out on the market today and in the foreseeable future.
To input the data, you can either use your handwriting to write just quick notes in the notepad; the graffiti software allows you to write characters in a simple command. But for new Palm users, it can take a while to really master the commands. But the built-in giraffe software allows you to shape up on the graffiti pad writing. Tapping on the dot for the particular data type you would like to use, whether it's letters or numbers, activates the virtual keyboard. There, you can easily use the virtual keyboard for faster note taking. With the optional hardware keyboard or mini-keyboard, you can quickly enter your data without ever using the stylus for entering the data. It's ideal for those who don't really want to bring their laptops for some light office work.
With the To Do List , you can set your priorities and without ever having to forget about what to do in just one day and it's ideal for those one day deadlines.
The Address Book allows you to store your clients or colleagues addresses, phone numbers and even e-mail addresses. With that, it can easily replace the Rolodex, which can really build up over time and it can even be messy and/or disorganized.
The Date Book will allow you to organize the events and you can schedule a baseball game, appointments and even anniversaries. With that, you can really replace your long term agenda without ever taking out a bulky pen and paper agenda. With the LED silent reminder feature, you can set it to silent for a reminder, in case you're in a scenario where silence is essential, such as board meetings.
For the Memo Pad , it gives you the capability to write anything you want to write, such as taking notes. The notepad , even makes taking short term priorities or small notes a pleasure as it allows you to write freestyle.
Other features include the calendar, world time and calculator. The world time really allows you to schedule a call to overseas when appropriate.
With the infrared port on the side of the handheld, you can even beam your contact to a colleague without ever having the colleague write down the information.
Operating System
The Palm i705 features a Palm OS 4.1 for enhanced security and stability for a handheld compared to the 4.0 versions of many new handhelds. The 4.1 also allow the user to access the Internet without any modifications to the OS. With corporate grade security, it allows users to have confidence that anything, which is internally stored, is going to be protected. Since many of the newer Sony Clie handhelds feature the Palm OS 4.1, they have enjoyed a much higher degree of stability and security over the Palm OS 3.5 or 4.0.
Internal Content Storage
For the internal storage however, it only features 8MB of RAM, which isn't really cutting edge for the corporate market. But with the expansion slot on the side of the handheld, it helps by backing up important information and expands storage capacity. But many corporate users will definitely outgrow its internal 8MB and they may not even want to buy an expansion card. As a result, many might complain that they should have a 16MB internal RAM.
For the flash ROM, it has a capacity of 4MB to upgrade or update your handheld's operating system. It also allows newer applications to be stored like the Photoshop for example.
Wireless Antenna
The wireless antenna is the major difference that we can tell that this is an i705 rather than a m500. It features an LED to remind you that you can send messages under a green LED and when the LED flashes red, it means that you have a new message to read. Of course, you can set the alarm as silent, vibrating or on chimes whenever required. It's ideal for meetings and noisy public areas.
Wireless Internet Service
Even though the Palm i705 gives you an integrated wireless modem, the service provider for the wireless Internet, Palm net, isn't really up to what we expect through the whole world of Internet. It's also true that it only covers the metropolitan areas of the United States and that means, you can't use the service, while you're commuting on the Greyhound bus. With plans starting at $20/month, you can use up to 100kb of data to transmit and receive ($0.20 for each extra kilobyte, when it exceeds 100kb). But if you're willing to pay double that fee, you can even expand your capabilities to an unlimited amount of e-mails, news and many more. All of course, you must pay a one-time activation fee for just $10.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the i705 really sets itself into a different market by offering an integrated wireless antenna. At 0.61 inches of thickness and less than 6 oz. in weight, it really beats having the former Palm VII series for a wireless communication system. In fact the Palm VII series antenna is very cumbersome and makes it look like you're carrying a bulky cellular phone. With the attractive metallic silver design, it makes it a more worthwhile contender for the user and it retains its conservative design like the Palm m500 series does. At a price of about $399, it's rather expensive for a new handheld and it has a price gap of $200 with the m500, which I don't think that many general users will really see how the features justify the price. But if you're just one of the general audience for buying a new handheld, by all means look at the Sony Clie, Handspring Visor or Palm handhelds. Definitely I would recommend the i705 for the corporate market, which was Palm's intention to sell the i705.
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
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