Palm TX Handheld PDA review

[jax]

Haven't posted in a while so I thought I'd come back in at the prodding of Motmod. Here's a brief review of the Palm TX handheld with built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Display features include a high-resolution 320 x 480-pixel screen, Intel 312 MHz ARM-based processor, expansion slot for SD, MMC, and SDIO cards, on the insde. The 128 MB of non-volatile flash memory (of which approximately 100 MB is available for files and software) enables safe keeping of files. The Palm TX also features Palm's suite of information management applications, the ability to edit Word- and Excel-compatible files, and synchronization with Microsoft Outlook (Windows only).

Built-in Wi-Fi wireless connectivity (802.11b), enables 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

With built-in wireless Bluetooth connectivity (version 1.1) can synchronize the Palm TX with a Bluetooth-enabled computer from across the room (within a range of 10 meters, or approximately 30 feet). You can also 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.

Software apps include 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

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. With 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.

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.

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.

The Palm TX 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.

Pros: Palm GPS Navigator, Wifi, Bluetooth.
Word, Excel, and PowerPoint editors
Large color screen that rotates from landscape to portrait mode.
MP3 and read eBook support; up to 128MB (100MB actual) Flash Memory

Cons: Some incompatibility with shareware and freeware
Power cord, sync cable, and supplied cover are poor quality
No voice recorder

[Phil]

I think my next phone will be a PDA just cause i want the ease of having an organizer/word functions and the phone on one device.