.KEYWORD m100
.FLYINGHEAD PRODUCT REVIEW
.TITLE The Palm m100: tougher, sleeker, cheaper
.FEATURE
.SPOTLIGHT FIGALT m100-cover.gif
.SUMMARY Palm has literally changed the face of its handheld product line with the release of the Palm m100. Palm has created a personal organizer that’s easy to use, easy to afford, and most of all, easy on the eyes. Get your first look at the exciting and sexy new Palm m100 in this review by Staff Editor Steve Niles.
.AUTHOR Steve Niles
.BEGIN_SIDEBAR
.H1 Also announced: the Palm VIIx
On August 7, Palm released two new handheld devices, the Palm m100 (reviewed below) and the wireless Palm VIIx, which features 8MB of memory, version 3.5 of the Palm OS, and the same dark slate color shell as the Palm IIIc. The Palm VIIx will be priced at $449 and includes a bunch of new Web clipping applications. Meanwhile, the Palm VII will drop to $399 before it is gradually phased out. Since very little has changed in the new Palm VIIx, we’ve directed our attention solely to the m100 in the article below.
.END_SIDEBAR
Palm, Inc. has adopted a radical change in branding, dubbing its new handheld device, the Palm m100 (and yes, the "M" is lower case). If it sounds more like a sports car than a PDA, the association is doubtless intentional. With a completely new design, the Palm m100’s sleek design is extremely fashion-conscious and nothing like any Palm device you’ve seen before. This ain’t your Daddy’s PalmPilot. Judge for yourself in Figure A.
.FIGPAIR A The Palm m100 introduces a curvier, more fashion-conscious design.
A big complaint Palm had been receiving about its organizers was they’re too expensive. At around $149, the Palm m100 is the company’s attempt to provide a more economical alternative that’s also easier to use. Palm’s devices have hit $149 before, but only when the models were near their end-of-life.
The device uses version 3.5 of the Palm OS and includes old standbys like 2MB of memory, a backlit display, an infrared port, and Address and Date Book applications. However, the m100 has a whole host of new features, both on the inside and on the outside. Let’s take a look at them.
.H1 A matter of size
The most immediately apparent change to the form factor and the aspect that may draw the most criticism is the size. The m100 weighs only 4.4 ounces, measures 8 cm across at its widest point, and stands 11.5 cm tall, making it comparable in weight to the Palm V. However, the Palm m100 measures nearly twice as thick as the Palm V. The screen, meanwhile, is noticeably smaller than the typical Palm handheld, measuring only 5 cm by 5 cm, ignoring the silk screen. This is compared to the Palm V’s 5.75 cm by 5.75 cm screen.
The extra thickness and shrunken screen are accounted for by the fact that the m100 is constructed out of thicker plastic, designed to make the device more rugged and customizable. We’ll look at how you can customize the m100 later.
.H1 The cover and the clock
One of the most interesting aspects of the new device is its unique, double-hinged flip cover. Both opened and closed, the cover adds almost no weight or bulk, and when opened, it flips completely around to lie flat against the back of the device and out of the way. This is reminiscent of the old Newton MessagePad 2000, which also had a notepad-like flipping cover.
When the cover is closed, a small hole in the cover provides access to the device’s top scroll button. Pressing this button when the device is turned off activates the new Clock application. The time and date appear momentarily and can be viewed through a little window built right into the flip cover. You can see how it works in Figure B.
.FIGPAIR B View the date and time through the flip cover’s unique window.
If you hold the scroll button down, it not only makes the time appear but also activates the backlight. The new Clock application is brilliant. I absolutely fell in love with this cool combination of hardware and software, especially since I hate to wear a watch.
We imagine we’ll see other creative uses for the window-and-button combination as determined programmers come up with cool software hacks that take advantage of the new features. If you do something wild and funky with the window-and-button combo, let me know at steve_niles@palmpower.com.
.H1 Note Pad
Another big change is found in the four application buttons. The Date Book, Address Book, and To Do buttons are the same, but the fourth button, typically assigned to the Memo Pad application, now activates a new application called Note Pad.
Note Pad is an extremely handy application that works much like a Post-It Note. Pressing the Note Pad button or tapping the Note Pad icon on the application launcher screen opens a virtual sticky pad on which you can jot down a quick note by writing directly on the screen with your stylus. Your handwriting appears as a graphical display in the Note Pad application, but contrary to pre-release rumors, it does not convert your handwriting to text. Previously, similar applications have been available for download, but this is the first time it’s been a built-in feature. Figure C gives you an example of what it looks like.
.FIG C Jot down a quick note in your own handwriting with Note Pad.
Your note is automatically given a date and time stamp. You can further add a title, if you wish. Note Pad also allows you to set an alarm. At the ordained time, the alarm will sound, and the associated note will pop onto the screen, even if your device is turned off.
Don’t despair; the Memo Pad application still exists. If you miss the old fashioned functionality, you can re-map the fourth application button to open Memo Pad instead. Both Note Pad and Memo Pad HotSync to the Palm desktop, so none of your old memos will be lost if you upgrade.
I’m a big fan of the new Note Pad application as well as the fact that it’s accessible at the touch of a button. I haven’t yet mastered Graffiti, so it was great to be able to whip out my device, hit the Note Pad button, and write down whatever I wanted in my own handwriting. My only complaint is the writing field is somewhat limited.
.H1 Customizable faceplates
There’s one final radical change to the typical Palm device form factor. You now have the option to change the color of your Palm organizer according to your whims, as an array of interchangeable faceplates is available. If you’ve been using one of the incredibly popular Nokia cellular phones with their interchangeable faceplates, you’ll already be familiar with the idea. My boss, David, substituted the original black faceplate that came on his phone with one that looks like the burled wooden dashboard of a sportscar.
Sold separately, the m100 faceplates will at first be available in five creatively named colors: silver, gold, blue mist, green mist, and pacific blue metallic. Some of the faceplates are pictured in Figure D.
.FIG D You can match your Palm m100 to your wardrobe with these customizable faceplates.
We certainly expect to see enterprising third party developers create new faceplates to fit every taste.
To remove a faceplate, you first have to disconnect the flip cover. This is done by grabbing the base firmly and pulling the connecting prongs up and out of the two small slots. The device’s power button is located in the top, center, and the faceplate clips on over it. You have to lift the faceplate’s plastic tab and ease it over the power button. Once the tab is clear of the power button, the faceplate slips off relatively easily.
This process didn’t work as smoothly as I’d like, however. Each time I disconnected the flip cover, I worried the small, plastic tabs, pictured in Figure E, would snap off. They showed no signs of weakening, however.
.FIGPAIR E These small tabs attach the flip cover to the Palm m100.
The tab for the faceplate itself, on the other hand, proved problematic. It tended to catch on the back of the power button, and I was afraid it would pull the button right off. You have to be careful putting the faceplate back on as well. On one occasion I failed to line it up properly, and the device started making a machine-gun tapping sound. It turned out the faceplate had overlapped one of the application buttons, pressing it down and causing it to tap repeatedly.
Overall, though, I’m a big fan of the interchangeable faceplate concept. I’m the kind of person who’s always changing the wallpaper on my desktop, so I can appreciate the ability to add a fresh look once in awhile.
.H1 HotSync cable
In an effort to conserve desk space and increase portability (and, ok, reduce Palm’s cost of goods sold), the cradle has been replaced with a HotSync cable. It works just like the old HotSync cradle, except you have to be content to let your device lay flat, since there’s nothing to help it stand up.
If you miss the cradle, Palm is offering one, sold separately. It’s been redesigned to match the contours of the Palm m100, as you can see in Figure F.
.FIGPAIR F The Palm m100 HotSync cradle is sold separately.
Take note, the Palm m100 won’t work in cradles designed for any other Palm handhelds (and, presumably, this means that other attachments won’t work in the m100’s HotSync slot as well). Also, neither the cradle nor the cable will recharge the Palm m100 since the handheld runs on two AAA batteries, much like the older Palm devices.
.H1 Macintosh compatible
The Palm m100 marks a major improvement in that it supports the Macintosh platform right out of the box. The dual-platform CD-ROM that comes with each device has the Mac software ready to go. To connect your HotSync cable to a Macintosh, however, you need a special adaptor not included in the box (another cost-saving measure). The good news: it’s available for free at http://www.palm.com.
.H1 Tutorial
In the interest of creating a Palm device that’s accessible to beginners, the Palm m100 includes an on-device tutorial. It’s automatically offered as part of the set-up when you initially digitize and set the date and time zone on the device. The application can also be accessed by tapping the Welcome icon on the application launcher screen. Figure G shows one of the tutorial screens.
.FIG G Get to know your Palm m100 using the tutorial application.
.H1 Accessories
Besides the optional HotSync cradle, two other accessories are part of the Palm m100 product line at launch.
.H2 Palm m100 slim leather carrying case
The Palm m100 fits snugly inside the Palm m100 slim leather carrying case. The case also features three credit card slots, an internal pocket, snap closure, and an internal Velcro attachment.
.H2 Palm m100 leather belt clip case
I prefer the Palm m100 leather belt clip case. The device slips inside with relative ease, once you remove the flip cover. When the case’s protective flap is opened, you can use the handheld without having to remove it. This case also includes a credit card slot.
Both cases seem of excellent quality leather. However, we here at PalmPower were disappointed that you couldn’t see the clock or the m100’s unique window when the case covers were closed.
.H1 Conclusion
Given the low price and overall cool factor, the Palm m100 is more than just another pretty face, and stands a good chance of being a very successful device. Others may disagree, but from a stylistic point of view, I think it’s the most well designed product Palm has produced (except, perhaps, for the new Claudia Schiffer Edition Palm Vx that’s due out in September). If the m100 marketed well-and releasing it at back-to-school time is a good start–the Palm m100 could open up a whole new, younger user segment.
.BEGIN_SIDEBAR
.H1 Product availability and resources
As of the writing of this article, no information on the Palm m100 was available on Palm’s Web site. But, we suspect, after the launch on August 7, 2000 (when this article is made available), you’ll be able to get more information on the m100 from http://www.palm.com.
To read Editor-in-Chief David Gewirtz’s editorial on the magic of a $149 price tag in the June 1999 issue of PalmPower, visit http://www.palmpower.com/issues/issue199906/ppeditorial0699001.html.
.H1 Bulk reprints
Bulk reprints of this article (in quantities of 100 or more) are available for a fee from Reprint Services, a ZATZ business partner. Contact them at reprints@zatz.com or by calling 1-800-217-7874.
.END_SIDEBAR
.BIO
.DISCUSS http://powerboards.zatz.com/cgi-bin/webx?13@@.ee6e65b
