Accessing Web-based information on your smart phone or WiFi-enabled PDA can be a time-consuming pain. Handmark's Pocket Express software and service takes the hassle out of finding telephone numbers, addresses, maps, news, weather, stock quotes, movie times, and even sports scores by streamlining the process--and grabbing just what you want, when you want it.
I auditioned the service using the new version 1.3 software and two WiFi-enabled handhelds: PalmOne's Tungsten C and HP's iPaq h6315 Pocket PC. The service also works with some phones that support wide area network connections provided by cellular carriers. Subscription to the service is $70 per year (paid annually) or $7 per month (pay as you go).
Quick and Easy
After installing the application, setup was simple: I plugged in my telephone area code and my home zip code, created a user name and password, and the service did the rest.
The Pocket Express main page, called PageOne, is a simple list of icons that represent each of the different informational services available. When a wireless connection is present, you can update the information at the click of a button. The phone or PDA stores the newly downloaded information on board, and you can view it anytime--without reconnecting.
I immediately found the service to be a worthwhile value thanks to the unlimited Express 411 directory assistance inquiries I could make. You just type in a person or business name, connect, and the service serves up the phone number and address. You can direct dial, or call up maps, from within the Express 411 service. My regular wireless phone service charges $1.25 for each 411 request I make.
Weather forecasts cover today as well as a week in advance, and include crisp, color radar maps. Reuters News reports are user-configured for top stories, business, world, technology, sports, and other interest areas. Tap on one of the up to 10 headlines to read the whole story. You can also access sports scores and 20-minute delayed stock quotes.
Pocket Express to the Rescue
During my tests, Pocket Express managed to help me salvage a nearly ruined evening out.
When my friend got stuck in traffic and called to say she would not make it in time to the movie theater we'd picked, I told her to hold on while I consulted Pocket Express for the next movie time.
Since the next movie was three hours later, we had time for dinner. I used the service to track down the address of the restaurant that we both wanted to try. I mapped out the address, and relayed the information to my friend.
When we met at the restaurant, my friend suggested we should have bought our movie tickets before eating. I fired up the Pocket Express again, and purchased tickets for our movie using the service's encrypted connection to Hollywood.com.
I didn't run into any hitches or hiccups using Pocket Express and found it useful at home and on the road. And I especially liked the fact that the subscription service doesn't have any advertising.
Street: $70 annual; $7 monthly
Wireless service offers quick news updates, maps and unlimited 411 queries.
Handmark.com
