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PalmOne Releases 4GB PDA [updated]

Posted by timothy on from the smallish-biggish dept.

davidconger writes "PalmOne has introduced the first device in their new line of Mobile Manager handheld devices. The LifeDrive includes an embedded 4GB Hitachi Microdrive and additional software for file/folder synchronization. The device includes both WiFi and Bluetooth. Price tag on the device $499. PocketFactory has done a complete review of the LifeDrive." Reader gandell adds a link to Brighthand's review. Update: 05/18 18:08 GMT by T : An anonymous reader corrects this story's original headline, writing "Despite rumors the LifeDrive would run Linux, it runs PalmOS 5 (Garnet). However, the device seems to have a Linux-friendly design, and is likely to run Linux soon, whether supplied by PalmOne's sister company PalmSource, or by Linux hobbyists. PalmSource is likely to offer a Linux OS upgrade for the LifeDrive, once it is ready to support the huge variety of legacy Palm apps under Linux." Update: 05/18 18:44 GMT by T : One more review, this one at MobileTechReview.

2 of 279 comments (clear)

  1. Yawn by KFW · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I'm really disappointed by this. I've been holding off on a new PDA, but I don't think I'll be getting this one.

    The good:

    • Built-in WiFi (with web browser)
    • Nice screen
    • 4 GB drive
    • Nice photo viewing
    • Multimedia features (although I doubt I'll use them)

    The bad:

    • inadequate cache RAM (read the review that was linked to [and is probably now Slashdotted]). There is now a noticeable lag when starting applications. Thrashing the drive will probably impare battery life as well.
    • Still running PalmOS 5. C'mon, where's the innovation? What did they do with BeOS?
    • No camera

    Personally, I'm glad it's not part of a phone. I want a seperate phone and PDA. I carry a thumbdrive in my pocket for toting files, which is very convenient because I don't have to mess with cables if I need to transfer files to another PC. If it's done well, I suppose the ability to carry along, edit, and then synch MS Word, etc., files could be handy. The music features aren't something I'll use. I'll stick with my iPod (which has way more than 4 GB of songs on it). Now an iPod with better PDA features--there's something I'd like to see.

    /K

  2. New Tungsten E2 is cheaper and more interesting by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Not sure why the LifeDrive is getting all the press. Existing PDAs can get multi-GB HD using their SD cards.

    The real news item is the huge number of improvements PalmOne made to their best-selling Tungsten E (top-selling PDA across all OS last year). Although the E2 has a slower cpu than T5, the E2 is reportedly even faster for many common tasks! Some changes from E to E2 include (cut/paste from palmone.com):

    1. about 30% brighter than the Tungsten E display and with 40% better color saturation.

    2. data is safe even when the battery is completely drained--if you recharge it a year later, all your data is still there.

    3. built-in Bluetooth

    4. Much better battery life. About 12 hours of continous MP3 playing according to one review.

    5. compatible with wifi sd card.

    6. Much-improved bundled software: NEW Documents To Go® 7.0 and VersaMail® 2.7.1 email client. The new versamail can finally be used with Google.

    7. Improved processor. The faster Intel 200MHz XScale processor. Not the speediest but reviews indicate that for many common tasks, the E2 easily outperforms the T5 which has a much faster CPU.

    8. Multi-connector port. I don't care about this feature but you might.

    The E2 is about $100 cheaper than last year's average selling price of PDAs in the USA.

    What is missing:

    1. voice recorder. Sometimes, we don't want to pull out the pen and write. As a PDA targeting business users, the lack of voice recording is not good.

    2. extra SD slot. Having only 1 SD slot and no built-in wifi means forcing the user to choose between extra storage and wifi. Not good. Provide at least 2 SD slots unless wifi is built-in.

    3. >=64MB RAM. Since it only has 1 SD slot, it should provide at least 64MB RAM. At least provide a more expensive version of the PDA with this option. Yes, I know 64MB RAM in Palm device is more than 64MB RAM in PocketPC but still...

    On the bright side, I've seen some multi-function SD cards hitting the market. Like wifi + storage combo SD card.