Acer Accufeel G300

Darfon Electronics, distributed by Acer Communication

Price: $40 to $50 Coolness score: 7 Ease of use: 8

This is a lightweight keyboard (roughly the size of a credit card, yet thicker) with raised rubber keys that snaps into a Palm V or IBM Workpad C3 PDA. I still found myself reaching for the stylus and using Palm's Graffiti writing system as often as I used the keyboard, but that may be because I use my PDA mainly for its address book and calendar; an e-mail user might have more use for the keyboard since they would be doing more typing. The software for the keyboard comes on a CD and took less than five minutes to install and configure. - Bob Brown

AKRON Parafone PRF500

AKRON Networks Inc.

Price: $120 Coolness score: 7 Ease of use: 9

This Springboard module turns your Handspring Visor into a 900-MHz cordless phone. The phone software is excellent, integrating into your Palm contacts for rapid dialing, and storing information on all of your outgoing and incoming (if you've got Caller ID) calls in its own database. If you're already using a VisorPhone on the road, all the better, because the software is the same, and the two can share data. The transfmisster/charging stand doubles as a sync cradle for the PDA. The sound was good, but not great. Those at the other end of the line generally heard me just fine, but I heard some static and feedback noise heard on the Parafone itself. - Jeremy Selwyn

Seiko Thumboard

Seiko Instruments Austin Inc.

Price: $40 Coolness score: 9 Ease of use: 8

This tiny keyboard had the office's Palm devotees turning their heads and proclaiming "cool!" It snaps onto your PDA's sync port, covering up the writing area and all of the standard Palm buttons (whose functions are duplicated on the keyboard). If you're Graffitiphobic, it should bring you to retrieve your PDA from the bottom of your junk drawer, and even for Graffiti lovers, it might speed up your writing and have you finally using some of those characters that you never got around learning to scrawl. There's only one flaw, it takes two keystrokes to equal the essential Page Up or Page Down buttons. (Versions available for Handspring, Palm V and Vx, and m505.) - Jeremy Selwyn

Pocket PDA Keyboard

Belkin

Price: $75 Coolness score: 6 Ease of use: 5

A tiny fold-out keyboard that is compatible with many different Palm models (III, V, VII, m100) because of its "PDA-One" adapter. The keys are smaller than the ones on Palm's fold-out keyboard, and getting the adapter to work with my Palm IIIxe was a bit tricky. Still, once it worked, it was nice to have a keyboard to do text input instead of trying Graffiti or the on-screen keyboard.

Xircom Wireless LAN Module for Palm m500 series

Xircom

Price: $300 Coolness score: 6 Ease of use: 5

This snap-on cradle gives you network access to a wireless LAN (802.11b compatible) with your Palm m500 or m505. Setup is simple, though I was disappointed that there wasn't any browsing software installed with this, so you have to go hunting for an appropriate browser. Also, we found some glitches with our wireless router, so check for updated version of the software/firmware if you buy this.

Rhinoskin PDA cover for m500 series

Rhinoskin

Price: $50 Coolness score: 8 Ease of use: 10

A hard aluminum carrying case that is a very sturdy accessory for your new m500 or m505. In addition to this model, Rhinoskin has several other models available. Not much to test, but it's one of the more unique PDA cases we've seen in a while.

Ttools pen/stylus combos

Ttools

Price: $7 to $25 Coolness score: 6 Ease of use: 10

Low-tech, yet still very cool, these pens also have a nub that you can use as a PDA stylus. So instead of switching between your stylus and pens in situation where you need both, you can just use one of these instead. A pretty good stocking stuffer for the PDA fan on your list.

SOLOvision PDA security screens

Ttools

Price: $15 Coolness score: 6.5 Ease of use: 10

Another low-tech cool tool, these screens can help protect the privacy of your PDA data. With the screen on the PDA, you'll only be able to see the screen if you're directly in front of it. If you look at the screen from the side (which snoopers do), all you see is a black screen.

Instant Power Chargers

Electric Fuel

Price: $15 to $20 Coolness score: 8 Ease of use: 8

You're in the middle of a three-week tour of your company's international offices, and you've just discovered your Palm Pilot's charging station doesn't work with 220v outlets. Not to worry, as you've brought along an Electric Fuel Instant Power Charger. Connect the power cell and your Palm Pilot using the included cable, and you'll get a full recharge in less than two hours. You can also continue working while the unit charges. Each pack contains enough juice for three full recharges. Ideal for road warriors. Chargers are also made for cell phones (see picture, charger for Motorola phones), check the Web site for a full list of models. Palm V / Vx versions tested. - Ian Lamont

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