PalmOne Releases 4GB PDA [updated] 279
davidconger writes "PalmOne has introduced the first device in their new line of Mobile Manager handheld devices. The LifeDrive includes an embedded 4GB Hitachi Microdrive and additional software for file/folder synchronization. The device includes both WiFi and Bluetooth. Price tag on the device $499. PocketFactory has done a complete review of the LifeDrive." Reader gandell adds a link to Brighthand's review. Update: 05/18 18:08 GMT by T : An anonymous reader corrects this story's original headline, writing "Despite rumors the LifeDrive would run Linux, it runs PalmOS 5 (Garnet). However, the device seems to have a Linux-friendly design, and is likely to run Linux soon, whether supplied by PalmOne's sister company PalmSource, or by Linux hobbyists. PalmSource is likely to offer a Linux OS upgrade for the LifeDrive, once it is ready to support the huge variety of legacy Palm apps under Linux." Update: 05/18 18:44 GMT by T : One more review, this one at MobileTechReview.
Linux (Score:5, Insightful)
I thought you said it ran Linux? (Score:4, Insightful)
Portable wikipedia anyone? (Score:2, Insightful)
mysql + apache
2GB en.wikipedia databse
Hello never being bored on the train again
I just don't get it (Score:5, Insightful)
Then I bought a Powerbook and a T610 and most importantly of all - a pencil and notebook. I use my laptop for real computing and my phone holds and synchronises all of my PIM data so much more efficiently than my old PDA that I simply don't need a PDA, with one exception: taking notes. For that I find the notepad invaluable. The data is difficult to copy as I use a unique encryption system that only I can decipher (my handwriting), the power consumption is incredible, I haven't had to replace the battery once! It's instant on, the stylus can be replaced for pence and are universally availble and best of all you can use it to annotate the notes they give you when you go to meetings without any previous training. The price is good too, I'm not a rich man by any stretch of the imagination, but I can easily afford to have a notepad and pen in a selection of my pockets at all times, and if I want to share my data I can simply give the whole pad to that person! I've also noticed that I can freely mix drawings, and text in the same area and it doesn't constantly tell me how bad my handwriting is.
I'm sure there must be a situations where PDAs using current technology must be useful, I'll even hazard a guess: mobile, local database access for doctors, engineers and stock controllers, but really that's an industrial application for a consumer product.
Re:4gb internal microdrive? (Score:2, Insightful)
As a developer, Windows Mobile is a much easier platform to work with.
The last true PDA user? (Score:3, Insightful)
What do I use my Clie for?
1) Keeping my calendar on me at all times. I do find that I am using it less now that I also have my iPod set up to keep sync'd with iCal. It is nice to be able to add appointments while on the go, though.
2) Keeping the local bus schedules on me at all times. Without a car in a major metropolitan area, the ability to see when the next bus is coming is extremely handy.
3) Being able to read the New York Times and Rueters on the bus on the way to work.
4) Being able to get maps, walking directions, and local restaurants/bars/shops when I go out [vindigo.com].
My friends used to laugh at me when I would stick my Sony in my jacket pocket before we would go out for a night on the town. The first few times I pulled it out and said "ok, there is an all-night eatery with good reviews about six blocks from here. Go three blocks in this direction and then turn left", though, they stopped making fun of it.
In addition to everything listed above, I keep a few photos on it, a couple hundred addresses, and a couple thousand datebook entries. Even with this, I am barely breaking 8 megabytes of the 16 megabytes storage on the device.
Sure, my 12" PowerBook could do most of what I have listed above. When I go out for a night, though, I cannot slip my laptop into my jacket pocket.
All this desire for gigabytes of storage, hundreds of megahertz of performance, and wireless make little sense to me.
This entire idea of convergence, with PDA/game device/cell phone/MP3 player/camera seems to be getting ridiculous. Palm seems to have completely ignored innovation on the low end of their devices.
What ever happened to the idea of a simple device that did its job and did it well?
Re:I dumped my PDA and don't miss it (Score:5, Insightful)
I do all that with my Palm. And you don't need a LifeDrive for it... I do it with my Tungsten T3, which has been around for a long time now.
So I don't get why you say you wouldn't find a Palm useful and then list all those things as reasons why...?
Re:I dumped my PDA and don't miss it (Score:3, Insightful)
My T3 is something like 400MHz and seems wicked fast to me. I can quickly jump from one application to another and there are utilities (which I don't use) available to give you shortcuts to do so even faster. Apps, games, etc remain where I left them and those things that I DO want to multitask do so just fine. Granted it doesn't have built-in wifi but I have the wifi SD card for when I need it. I wouldn't want it integrated with my phone, but the Bluetooth allows it to link with one.
Re:Yawn (Score:3, Insightful)
I'm holding off until I can get one with USB host.
I mean how freaking hard can it be? Am I missing something?
Example; the ipaq advertises as *having* USB. But the word from HP when I pressed them on the issue is that it cannot and will never be a USB host.
I would really appreciate some links, if anyone has any suggestions.
I just want to connect to USB hard drive or flash disk. Other gadgets would be nice.