Palm i705 PDA

WHAT'S HOT: If fast, easy access to e-mail is your idea of a killer wireless app, Palm has a PDA for you. The sleek $399 Palm I705 lets you manage both personal and corporate e-mail--in some cases, even without your IT department's help. The I705 is aimed squarely at people attracted to RIM's BlackBerry devices; at 4.7 by 3.1 by 0.6 inches and 5.9 ounces, the unit is more compact than its predecessors in the Palm VII series. The I705 comes with 8MB of memory and has a 160-by-160-resolution monochrome screen, and it has a slot for Secure Digital cards or MultiMediaCards. An optional $49 BlackBerry-esque minikeyboard can slide onto the bottom.

The two buttons on the device's bottom right (which bring up a memo pad and a to-do list on other Palm handhelds) offer access to the MyPalm Portal for wireless apps and to the device's e-mail app, MultiMail Deluxe. You can use MultiMail Deluxe with up to eight e-mail accounts (including an account you get with the required Palm.net wireless service). The program supports POP3, IMAP, and even corporate Microsoft Exchange/Outlook accounts. You can also access AOL and AOL Instant Messenger with the device.

The I705 performed well, delivering instant messages and e-mail more snappily than the Palm VII. The lithium ion battery's life was particularly good, not needing a recharge for at least ten days, even when the unit was left on standby all day. Enterprise features will certainly make this unit appealing to IT departments.

WHAT'S NOT: For individuals, the Palm.net service isn't cheap. Individual subscriptions to the service, which uses Cingular's network, cost $10 to activate and $20 per month for up to 100KB of traffic. Unlimited usage is available for $40 per month ($35 a month for a 12-month contract). But it's competitive with RIM's service, and it may appeal to business travelers who want a PDA with robust e-mail and messaging--and who don't need one that doubles as a phone (like Handspring's Treo models).

WHAT ELSE: Later this year businesses will be able to buy Palm's $2499 wireless messenger server, which will allow up to 25 users to access Lotus Notes as well as Microsoft Exchange e-mail via the I705.

UPSHOT: Wireless Palm PDA aimed at individual users sports continuous e-mail updates and Web browsing on a bright monochrome screen.

SUMMARY

Palm I705 Palm OS 4.1, 8MB internal memory, 2.3-by-2.3-inch active screen area, 160-by-160 resolution, Secure Digital card expansion slots, lithium ion battery, 4.9 ounces. One-year parts and labor warranty, toll-free support for 16 hours daily; free tech support for 90 days, fee per call thereafter. $399 www.palm.com