PalmOne i705 Wireless Handheld

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Manufacturer: PalmOne
Price at amazon.com: $189.99
This item is not stocked or has been discontinued.

Product Features:

• Integrated wireless connectivity in a slim package
• Send and receive corporate and personal e-mail and get access to the Web without an external modem
• Stay in touch with AOL Instant Messenger
• 8 MB memory stores thousands of contacts, appointments, to-do items, and notes
• Built-in Secure Digital expansion card slot

Product Description:

Get a complete communication, organization, and productivity package with the Palm i705 handheld. Send and automatically receive your business and personal e-mail with end-to-end security via the wireless connection (Palm.Net service required). Easily view, edit, and create Word- and Excel-compatible files, and view and share PowerPoint files. And keep your busy life in check with Palm's classic, intuitive organization applications. The Palm i705 handheld features a built-in antenna--that doesn't need to be raised--with always-on network support within coverage area. Choose how you will be instantly notified of incoming e-mail messages--even if the handheld is turned off--with Palm's customized instant notification. View Web sites using the MyPalm portal and send and receive instant messages with AOL's Instant Messenger. Get more options than ever with Palm's built-in dual expansion. Back up your data and add additional memory and applications with the Palm expansion card slot, which supports the postage stamp-size MultiMediaCard (MMC) and Secure Digital (SD) expansion cards. Add hardware peripheral, such as a keyboard, GPS device, or cradle, with the Palm universal connector located at the base of the handheld. Synchronize your Palm i705 data with your PC via a fast USB connection. The Palm i705 is compatible with Windows PCs running Windows 98, 2000, Me, and XP and Apple Macintoshes running OS 8.6 to 9.x. It is also compatible with Windows PCs running Windows 95 and NT 4.0, but you will need the optional serial HotSync cradle to connect to the PC. Use the included Palm Desktop software or Microsoft Outlook with the included Chapura connection software. The Palm i705 features 8 MB RAM and 4 MB ROM, a rechargeable lithium-polymer battery (charged via the included USB HotSync cradle), a fast Motorola Dragonball VZ 33 processor, and Palm OS v4.1. It has a 160 x 160 transreflective monochrome LCD with backlight and an infrared (IR) port for beaming data to other Palm OS handheld users. Preloaded applications include Address Book, Date Book, To Do List, Memo Pad, Note Pad, MultiMail Deluxe, AvantGo, Palm Reader, MGI PhotoSuite, and DataViz Documents to Go. Wireless e-mail and Internet access requires a Palm.Net wireless service account, sold separately. Service not available in all areas. See details on coverage areas and pricing. What's in the box Palm i705 handheld USB HotSync cradle with built-in battery charger Getting started manual CD-ROM with Palm Desktop software and bonus software Complete documentation Protective flip cover

Description from Manufacturer:Get a complete communication, organization, and productivity package with the Palm i705 handheld. Send and automatically receive your business and personal e-mail with end-to-end security via the wireless connection (Palm.Net service required). Easily view, edit, and create Word- and Excel-compatible files, and view and share PowerPoint files. And keep your busy life in check with Palm's classic, intuitive organization applications.

The Palm i705 handheld features a built-in antenna--that doesn't need to be raised--with always-on network support within coverage area. Choose how you will be instantly notified of incoming e-mail messages--even if the handheld is turned off--with Palm's customized instant notification. View Web sites using the MyPalm portal and send and receive instant messages with AOL's Instant Messenger.

Get more options than ever with Palm's built-in dual expansion. Back up your data and add additional memory and applications with the Palm expansion card slot, which supports the postage stamp-size MultiMediaCard (MMC) and Secure Digital (SD) expansion cards. Add hardware peripheral, such as a keyboard, GPS device, or cradle, with the Palm universal connector located at the base of the handheld.

Synchronize your Palm i705 data with your PC via a fast USB connection. The Palm i705 is compatible with Windows PCs running Windows 98, 2000, Me, and XP and Apple Macintoshes running OS 8.6 to 9.x. It is also compatible with Windows PCs running Windows 95 and NT 4.0, but you will need the optional serial HotSync cradle to connect to the PC. Use the included Palm Desktop software or Microsoft Outlook with the included Chapura connection software.

The Palm i705 features 8 MB RAM and 4 MB ROM, a rechargeable lithium-polymer battery (charged via the included USB HotSync cradle), a fast Motorola Dragonball VZ 33 processor, and Palm OS v4.1. It has a 160 x 160 transreflective monochrome LCD with backlight and an infrared (IR) port for beaming data to other Palm OS handheld users. Preloaded applications include Address Book, Date Book, To Do List, Memo Pad, Note Pad, MultiMail Deluxe, AvantGo, Palm Reader, MGI PhotoSuite, and DataViz Documents to Go.

Wireless e-mail and Internet access requires a Palm.Net wireless service account, sold separately. Service not available in all areas. See details on coverage areas and pricing.

What's in the box

• Palm i705 handheld
• USB HotSync cradle with built-in battery charger
• Getting started manual
• CD-ROM with Palm Desktop software and bonus software
• Complete documentation
• Protective flip cover

Average Customer Rating:

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Comment: As Good as Wireless Gets....For Now Rating:
As a blackberry user for over a year and a half and a hard-core Palm junkie, I was eager to have a shot at carrying an all-in-one device rather than two devices which don't talk to each other. Plus, for the same price, the Palm.net service offers more (web clipping and web browsing without usage quota) than just always-on email.

I have been very pleased with the device itself in the month plus I've used it. It has the merely adequate grayscale palm display we're all used to by now, but rewards you with phenomenal battery life (20 minutes on the cradle a day keep it charged, even with wireless usage) and an eminently light and pocketable form factor. It is really quite amazing what they fit into such a slim little package, with an SD/MMC slot to boot!

If you haven't used a wireless device like a blackberry, you really don't know what you're missing. Instead of having to take time out of your routine to check your email a dozen times to see if an important message came through, you just go about your business until you either get beeped, buzzed, or flashed (your choice of nothing or any combo of the three). During a heated game of scrabble, just fire up the 705 with the Merriam Webster PQA (a sort of web shortcut to their site which avoids slow graphics/ads....see palm.com for details) and use their dictionary, which is far larger than what will fit on any PDA, to solve the dispute. Wondering what the population of Brazil is? Go to brittanica.com with their PQA and have the answer in 30 seconds. It makes firing a computer up seem like a waste of time.

The main shortcomings of the device center around the screen, but the battery life vs. full-time sidelit screen (like the Clie 760c) debate has been beaten to death. But the bottom line is that until the battery and screen technology progresses further (the organic LEDs, perhaps?), you're not going to have a wireless PDA and a dynamite screen in this kind of form factor. And I really don't think that I could go back to a Clie after getting used to full-time wireless access.

The other issue is that of the network the device uses. While the Mobitex network doesn't set any speed records, it is a) fairly responsive, b) rock-solid reliable (Sept. 11 didn't cause so much of a hiccough in the NYC area network), c) has better coverage than GPRS or 3G will have for quite a while to come. And since Voicestream's throughput-based data fees are not attractive (what's the fun of a wireless toy if you've got to watch the clock?) to the average user, Mobitex wins in my mind.

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Comment: A big leap forward, but you might wait for the next step Rating:
This is an early look at the i705, which I have only used for a short time so far (I have been fortunate to receive a loaner, but haven't purchased one yet). If you need a primer on why a basic Palm is useful, check out reviews of some low-end models (I own and reviewed the Vx). The i705's form factor is good - certainly less bulky than its predecessor VII and just a tad thicker than the sleek V model or m500. It feels fine in my hands. The built in wireless antenna is not obtrusive in the least and frankly, adds some style to what has been a fairly mundane look for most Palm devices. You still subscribe to the Palm.net service on which the ill-fated Palm VII operated. But it runs on the same network (Mobitex) as RIM's Blackberry, so reliability/consistency of access should be as high as that device. So far, access has been fairly quick and readily accessible. You can set the wireless capability to either an "always on" setting or one in which it will only receive/download emails during a desired time period (though you can set a new email alert to run 24/7). It also natively supports AOL Instant Messenger, which is nice - I've IM'd a few times and it works, though it's not as quick as your desktop. Battery life is good, even with the device set to its "always on" mode - others who have had the device longer indicate that it's still good for a week with pretty heavy usage and longer if you turn it off overnight. The expansion slot is long overdue. Many enhanced applications are conveniently preloaded - my personal favorites include AvantGo and DataViz, though the Palm Reader should be increasingly valuable over time. I'm wondering if the 8 meg memory will be enough over time, given the multiple data-heavy applications this device is designed to address. However, I've only filled about 1 meg in my Vx with about 18 months worth of usage. So, 8 megs, plus extra strorage capacity through the expansion slot, would seem to be sufficient. I've tried the keyboard - takes some getting used to, but should be faster than graffiti for instant messaging/email. Pricing of the service is very attractive. It's priced per kilobyte. I'd blow off the low-end plan ($$$.../mo. for 100kb). That's only going to get you maybe 40 text emails. Go with the $$$.../mo unlimited kb plan, prepaid for a year, once you're sure you'll keep it.

The one nagging issue for me with all Palm devices is the rigid interaction with the stylus. It has always been awkward to draw the stylus out of its holster (you have to use your thumbnail) and if you don't click it in all the way when you're done, it's still loose enough that it will fall out. Of course, it has never been comfortable to use either. The Handspring Visor's stylus glides in and out effortlessly and the slightly fatter head makes control of it much easier. Too bad Palm is still making otherwise functional devices with this deficiency.

So, the good news is that with this device, Palm has finally gotten over the hump of just being a scheduler/organizer. I think this device may finally allow Palm to become more standardized in corporations and it will definitely be attractive to high-end consumers. Unfortunately, the power applications for this device are yet to come. You cannot download email attachments yet (that will come in the May/June time frame). It will also not be voice-enabled (GPRS) until the Fall, so the Handspring Treo, despite its bulkiness, is about the best combined solution right now. And Palm seems non-committal on when it will offer a color version, which I think is a near-necessity if you're going to surf the Web or read Excel, PowerPoint and Acrobat attachments. In the end, it's a great improvement over what Palm offers today. But I think it would make sense to wait until some of the features mentioned above become available.

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Comment: Cannot compare to palm Vx w/omnisky service Rating:
I have been using a Palm Vx with omnisky service since july. I bought the palm i705 because of all the reviews and ease of use. I was working with both units side by side for two days. I returned the palm i705 because: The screen is very bad and service not as good as omnisky. The screen is basically the same as the original palmpilot professional which I still own (I also own a palm III and a palm m505). Reading messages on the palm i705 was difficult unless you are in perfect lighting. I can't believe palm would allow that having given us a Palm Vx or the far superior palm m505. The backlighting is non existant unless you are in a darkroom. As far as the service, I found the omnisky service definitely faster time and time again. Whether I was downloading mail or surfing the web. I like the omnisky mail program better than multimail. It not only retrieves the email address headers but also the first part of the actual message which is extremely important because you know when you really haved to retrieve the balance of a long message or not. I know this is just a software issue but palm should ask it's current omnisky or go america users what will make a perfect wireless device. If you don't have any wireless device yet and want to try the palm i705 you will love it because you don't know any better. On the positive side the size is good. it is not too big. Also having just one unit instead of carrying around two units(palm+modem)is nice. I am just going to have to wait for the next model and hope they improve on the screen and mail program.

Posted at November 11, 2003 07:59 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)