Agile Add-ons Enhance Palm Versatility

Simplicity of design and ease of use make Palms and Palm OS-based Handspring Visors today's most popular PDAs. But Palm and Handspring don't include all the product features we'd like. They've left that to enterprising third-party vendors. So I checked out shipping units of three useful Palm accessories: the Northstar Mobile MemorySafe data backup and restore unit, the sensible Belkin USB PDA Adapter, and the why-didn't-Palm-think-of-that Folding Travel Cradle by IBiz Technology.

Though the Palm OS will back up your handheld's data and applications whenever you sync it with your PC, what if your Palm device crashes or you accidentally delete a file when you're not near your PC and you can't perform a restore? In the past, you were toast. But with the $70 MemorySafe for the Palm V--a tiny 8MB flash memory module that plugs into the PDA's HotSync port--you can back up all or just selected files. Northstar Mobile has modules available for other Palm models, too; 2MB versions are $50.

I found MemorySafe a cinch to set up and use. One hitch: If you need to perform a full restore, you must first load the MemorySafe application onto your Palm. The company suggests beaming it from another Palm device, but realistically you will have to transfer it via HotSync from a PC.

Palms have connected to PCs via serial port since the first PalmPilot. But many new laptops come with USB, not serial ports; and while Handspring Visors sync via USB, Palms still do not. Belkin's solution is the $48 USB PDA Adapter. The 1.8-ounce cable is a bit expensive, but its no-hassle PC-to-Palm connection makes it worthwhile. Compatible with virtually all serial-connected Palm OS devices, this adapter includes built-in status LEDs to check on data transfer activity, and it's also somewhat faster.

Both Palm and Handspring design their mobile devices as if they weren't mobile. To wit: Their HotSync cradles do not pack easily. But IBiz Technology's Folding Travel Cradle folds completely flat, and it can be set up in five different positions, like the back of a deck chair. Cradles for Palm devices cost $30; a Handspring model, with a combination USB/serial cable and five color face plates, is $35.

SUMMARY

Folding Travel Cradle PRO: Folds flat for easy packing. CON: None. VALUE: A must-have for travelers. List price: Palm models $30; Handspring model $35 IBiz Technology 800/234-0707 www.ibizcorp.com

SUMMARY

MemorySafe PRO: Protects you against data loss due to PDA crashes. CON: For full restore, you must load the app onto your Palm with a PC. VALUE: Worth it if you sync infrequently and your PDA info is valuable. List price: 8MB $70; 2MB $50 Northstar Mobile 408/845-9200 www.northstarmobile.com

SUMMARY

USB PDA Adapter PRO: Lets you sync your Palm to a USB notebook. CON: A bit expensive. VALUE: Essential for syncing to a notebook that lacks a serial port. List price: $48 Belkin 800/223-5546 www.belkin.com