PDA Packs Power in Your Pocket

This simple personal organizer proves that even with computers, less is more -- if it's done right.

Peter Wayner

In the world of desktop computers, the buzzword has long been "more"--more graphics, more speed, more RAM. So it's something of a surprise that U.S. Robotics has created such a likable PDA by giving people so much less. About the size of a stack of 3- by 5-inch index cards and weighing less than 6 ounces, the Palm Pilot does a great job keeping track of names, notes, numbers, and schedules. That's it.

More important, the Pilot solves the PDA-to-PC data-sharing problem that has limited the usefulness of other PDAs. It comes with a cradle that connects to your IBM-compatible PC's serial port, plus Windows organizer software that re plicates th e PDA functions. You drop the Pilot into the cradle and press one button to synchronize the two databases.

Other PDAs offer more, but they weigh more, too. Apple's Newton and Sony's MagicLink have a PC Card slot, and Motorola's Envoy sports wireless messaging. The Newton has handwriting recognition, and the MagicLink has Telescript. All have bigger screens than the Pilot's 160 by 160 pixels. But none of them can hide in a shirt pocket, and that's still the most beguiling thing about the handy Palm Pilot.

The Pilot's software is well designed, with a spare and consistent interface. There are four major applications--for keeping a date book, recording notes, maintaining an address file, and keeping track of things to do--and you get to them instantly by pressing one of four tiny buttons on the bottom of the Pilot. Although the applications are simple, we couldn't find any major limitations. The date book starts off labeling each day's time slots from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., a potential problem for night owls, but you can modify this with the preferences menu.

All four applications accept input through the Graffiti pen system or via a tiny on-screen keyboard you tap with the stylus. We think the ability to navigate with a stylus is a big innovation. Some people may still enjoy stroking keys, but the simulation of paper and pencil made operation feel more natural to us.

The processor is a Motorola M68328, a low-power member of the 68K family. Palm claims the battery life of the Pilot's two AAA cells is 8 to 12 weeks.

The Pilot's basic goal is not to bundle your PC in your hand--it's to automate your pocket notebook. There may be more applications in the future, because Metrowerks plans to produce development tools for the system. For now, though, the Pilot is just an automatic black book. There's not much to it, but that's precisely the point.

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Product Information

Palm Pilot Model 1000.......
.........$299 128K RAM, approximately 500 addresses
Palm Pilot Model 5000................$369 512K RAM

U.S. Robotics
Palm Computing Division
Los Altos, CA
Phone:    (800) 881-7256 or (415) 949-9560
Fax:      (415) 949-0147
Internet: 
http://www.usr.com/palm

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Ratings

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Palm Pilot

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When it's not in your pocket or your hand, the Pilot resides in a cradle connected to your PC.

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Peter Wayner is a BYTE consulting editor who lives in Baltimore. You can reach him at pcw@access.digex.net .