WHAT'S HOT: Handspring's Palm-based Treo 270 is a balanced combination of a PDA and a GSM and GPRS-ready wireless phone. (GPRS, General Packet Radio Service, is designed to work with GSM and has an average throughput of 56 kbps or slower, though the technology runs at up to 115 kbps.) Basically a color version of its pioneering Treo 180 sibling, the 270 uses Handspring's version of Palm OS 3.5 and sports a bright passive-matrix screen of 4000-plus colors--yet at 0.8 inches thick and 5.4 ounces, it is about the same size as its monochrome predecessor. (Note: Handspring will not make a color version of the Graffiti-based Treo 180g, because of the popularity of the keyboard-equipped model.)

As mobile phones go, the Treo 270 is bulky and wide, but its flip-up cover with a clear plastic window cradles against your face comfortably. And if you prefer, you can attach its included earpiece/microphone and then hold the device in your hand. Handspring says the rechargeable lithium ion battery supports up to 3 hours of talk time with 150 hours of standby. The Treo 270 sells for $499 plus the cost of a service plan available from a couple of providers.

WHAT'S NOT: Though the Treo allows you to dial phone numbers on its BlackBerry-esque thumb keyboard--which sports backlighting when the cover is flipped open--the passive-matrix screen on my preproduction unit became unreadable in bright sunlight. Also, the Treo 270 has no expansion capabilities while most other PDAs do.

WHAT ELSE: The Treo 270 comes with an application for sending and retrieving POP3 e-mail. Alternatively, you can pay an annual fee for the recently introduced Treo Mail service, which automatically relays POP3 or Outlook Exchange e-mail at periodic intervals (or on demand). To use Treo Mail with Outlook Exchange, you must install a desktop application and keep your computer on. Exchange mail service is $100 a year; POP3 is $50 a year.

A wheel on the left side of the Treo 270 permits one-handed dialing, with practice.

UPSHOT: Well-designed PDA/phone hybrid sports a nice color screen, though it tends to be unreadable in some settings.

SUMMARY

Handspring Treo 270 GSM 900 MHz/1900 MHz, 5.4 ounces, 4.2 by 2.8 by 0.8 inches; up to 3 hours talk time, six days standby (times are vendor specified); available through Cingular Wireless and T-Mobile. $499 888/565-9393 www.handspring.com