Cool Tools archive

Belkin produces snap-on keypad for Dell Axim PDAs
Belkin this week launched its SnapNType Mini Keyboard for Dell Axim PDA models X30 and X3i, which lets users have keypad input for things like writing e-mails and entering data. The SnapNType is now available in North America for $39, Belkin says. The keypad snaps into place at the bottom... December 22, 2004

SimpleTech offers tiny memory cards
SimpleTech this week announced its miniSD and RS-MMC Flash memory cards, aimed to address the mobile phone and handheld device storage market. The new cards are available in capacities ranging from 128M-bytes to 512M-bytes. The miniSD and RS-MMC media have the same features as a standard-sized memory card, but just... December 17, 2004

Palm launches Wi-Fi card
Ever since the technology has been available to put Wi-Fi wireless LAN technology onto a Secure Digital (SD) card, we've been waiting for this announcement. PalmOne announced this week that it has launched a Wi-Fi card, providing 802.11b connectivity for some of its handhelds. The new card ($129 estimated street... August 18, 2004

T-Mobile launches new Sidekick
T-Mobile and Danger Inc. will launch its new Sidekick II device at a star-studded party tonight. The general public will be able to buy the Sidekick II later this fall, the company said. The new device is about 25 percent smaller than the previous Sidekick, and new features include an... August 04, 2004

HP launches tri-mode iPAQ
Check out this week's print column on Cool Tools, which highlights a slew of new iPAQs that HP is coming out with, including a PDA that includes Bluetooth, 802.11b wireless LAN connectivity and a wide-area wireless connection (GSM/GPRS) via T-Mobile. Now nobody can say that you aren't connected when using... July 27, 2004

Linksys plans 802.11g CF card
Linksys has posted a page on its Web site saying that a Compact Flash card with 802.11g wireless LAN connectivity will be coming soon. The Wireless-G CompactFlash Card will work with Pocket PCs that have a Compact Flash Type II slot to provide wireless connections at the 802.11g level (up... June 22, 2004

Dell launches new Axim PDAs
Dell this week announced three new Axim PDAs, with some featuring dual wireless capabilities, and all with the latest Intel processors and the Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition software from Microsoft. The Axim X30 comes in three flavors -- $199 for the non-wireless version; $249 for the system with Bluetooth... May 19, 2004

Palm, Microsoft in dead heat?
Analyst firm Gartner reported today that PalmSource (the software biz) and Microsoft were in a virtual tie for the top ranking in the worldwide PDA operating systems market for Q1 2004. After years of leading the pack, PalmSource saw its market share lead whither away as Microsoft and others develop... April 30, 2004

PalmOne launches new Zire handhelds
PalmOne today unveiled details of its two newest Zire handhelds, the Zire 72 and Zire 31. The $299 Zire 72 (click for picture) is an update of its Zire 71 model, and includes features such as a 1.2 megapixel digital camera, video capture with audio, MP3 player, integrated Bluetooth, a... April 28, 2004

New Sharp Zaurus offers 802.11b
Sharp this week launched a new version of its Zaurus Linux-based handheld PDA. The new SL-6000 features a full VGA screen, has rugged features to protect itself from drops, and supports IBM's WebSphere, and Java-based applications. The new PDA also has built-in 802.11b wireless LAN connectivity, protected flash memory, a... April 01, 2004

Add style to your PDA cradle
PalmOne today was expected to launch a new Mini Cradle, a pedestal-style cradle that works with any Palm device that has a Universal Connector (Tungsten C, T series, W, Zire 71, i705, m500 series and m130). The Mini Cradle costs about $50, and is now available at retailers and online... December 08, 2003

Take better photos with your PDA
Veo today launched a 1.3 megapixel camera attached to a Secure Digital I/O card that lets Pocket PC devices snap digital photos. The newest Photo Traveler 130S, which costs $99.99, can store JPEG photos on the device, or print 3- by 5-inch photos directly from the Pocket PC. Earlier versions... November 03, 2003

Classic video games on new devices
The only real reason I’m writing about this is because of the cool image of Pac-Man that came with the news release. That said, however, there’s some news regarding old favorite video games. First off, Nintendo of America and Namco Hometek recently announced that customers who buy a copy of... October 15, 2003

New PDAs from Dell
Dell today launched three new Axim PDAs, including a version that includes integrated Wi-Fi (802.11b). The Axim X3 series comes in two configurations for the X3 model ($229 for the 300MHz and 32M-byte version; $329 for the 400MHz and 64M-byte version), and the X3i (pictured, left), which is like the...

New handhelds from Palm, Sony
We've been swamped with boxes for our holiday gift guide (coming Nov. 24 to a magazine near you), so the Dose has been inactive for a while. However, check out this week's print column, which offers up some details on new handhelds from Palm and Sony.... October 07, 2003

Dilbert daily on your PDA
DataViz this week announced two new Dose-A-Day daily calendars for Pocket PC and Palm OS users. The Dose-A-Day Dilbert and Dose-A-Day Golf by Gary McCord will be available in mid-September for $19.95. The calendars provide 365 days of cartoons, tips or other jokes (depending on the calendar purchased) from the... August 28, 2003

Protect your PDA from viruses
Symantec this week launched software that aims to protect Palm and Pocket PC devices from viruses, worms and other malicious code. The Symantec AntiVirus for Handhelds product includes different consumer and enterprise versions, and will provide both real-time and on-demand scanning of files. The software will also include LiveUpdate Wireless,...

Palm gets a new name
The gang over at Palm has a new name for its new company following the acquisition of Handspring -- palmOne. The new Web site debuted today, so if you’re really excited about this kind of stuff, head on over there. Check out one opinion on the name change from our... August 18, 2003

Sony launches CLIE car cradle
Sony this week announced the PEGA-CC5, a car cradle accessory for the CLIE handheld PDA (compatible with PEG-NX80V, NX73V and TG50 models) that adds Global Positioning System and audio output features. The cradle will be available at the end of this month for about $300, Sony said. The PEGA-CC5 has... August 06, 2003

Palm launches Tungsten T2
Palm has updated its Tungsten PDA by adding more multimedia features, things that are included on its entry-level Zire 71 PDA, such as an integrated MP3 player and video player software. The Tungsten T2 adds more memory (32M bytes of SDRAM, with 29.5M bytes available to the user), a TFT... July 23, 2003

Get a BlackBerry for $299
T-Mobile USA and Research In Motion (RIM) this week announced nationwide availability of the BlackBerry 6210 handheld. The device operates on the GSM/GPRS network operated by T-Mobile, and costs $299.99 from the wireless carrier (plus service fees). Click here for more details on the device. The 6210 is also being... June 20, 2003

T-Mobile colorizes Sidekick device
The new color version of the T-Mobile Sidekick e-mail device is now available, T-Mobile said today. The Sidekick is based on Danger Inc.’s hiptop device, which includes wireless e-mail and Web surfing capabilities. The color version of the sidekick costs $299.99 and will be sold at CompUSA or by calling... June 06, 2003

BlackBerry goes color
Research in Motion (RIM) this week launched two new BlackBerry handheld devices that include a color screen and tri-band wireless features. Unfortunately for U.S. BlackBerry fans, the new devices were launched in Germany and Austria, from T-Mobile International. The Java-based BlackBerry 7230 and 6230 devices support worldwide international roaming on... June 03, 2003

Rugged Pocket PC works with Sprint
Sprint announced today that the Intermec 760 Color device can now access Sprint's nationwide wireless PCS network. The rugged mobile device integrates up to three wireless connectivity options, including Bluetooth, wireless LAN (802.11b) and now CDMA 1x via Sprint's network, the company said. The device includes an integrated Area Imager... May 28, 2003

Sonic on your Palm
Sega.com and Palm today announced the availability of Sega games for ARM processor-based Palm handhelds (Tungsten T at the moment). The games will be available for download from a jointly branded Web site, and next month a PalmPak card (SD card) will be available with the games on the card.... April 16, 2003

One device, three networks
Intermec announced today that its Intermec 760 Color, a rugged Pocket PC device, would support either GPRS or CDMA 1xRTT connectivity. Intemec says its 700 series of rugged mobile computers is the first ones that can integrate up to three different wireless connectivity options, including 802.11b, GPRS or CDMA (wide-area),... April 11, 2003

Getting closer to true note-taking on a PDA
Pen&Internet this week announced availability of its riteMail 2.0 for Windows and Pocket PC here at the show. The software lets Pocket PC users take notes with their natural handwriting, and then e-mail their notes to any e-mail address. I saw a demo of the new software, and was pretty... March 19, 2003

Samsung launches Palm OS 5 smart phone
Today in Germany at the CeBit show, Samsung announced a new smart phone that uses the Palm OS 5 operating system and runs on the GSM/GPRS network. The SGH-i500 is a tri-band GPRS phone that includes a 330,000-pixel CMOS camera, a 65,000-color TFT display, and includes software for Multimedia Messaging... March 13, 2003

Sony's touts new CLIE PDA
Sony announced this week a new CLIE PDA that includes a high-resolution display and integrated digital music player with an under-$300 price tag. The PEG-SJ33 handheld is expected by the end of this month -- Sony is already taking pre-orders at its CLIE Web site. The SJ33 includes a 66MHz... February 18, 2003

BlackBerry 6510 available through Nextel
Nextel Partners Inc. and Research in Motion today announced availability of the BlackBerry 6510 Wireless Handheld device to Nextel's midsize market customers. The 6510 is the first BlackBerry device to feature Nextel's Direct Connect feature, a digital "walkie-talkie." Other features include a cell phone, organizer and "always on" access to... February 03, 2003