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A smartphone is a hybrid device that combines the capabilities of both a phone as well as a data organizer for personal information. It may seem a lucrative device that can be owned, used and flaunted, but in the long run users do come across disadvantages that hamper the functionality of a smartphone. There is a large section of mobile users who prefer to keep a separate phone and a separate personal information organizer like a Palm hand held device. A major reason for this is that there are some disadvantages associated with smartphones that can be done away with by having separate devices rather than banking on a hybrid device for both the functions.
It is likely that if there is a problem with the software that organizes your information, you may not be able to make any calls also. This would render your device useless for either of the functions. Moreover, there are some smartphones that do not come with an inbuilt ‘Qwerty’ keyboard, thereby imposing limitations on the types of characters that can be inputted into the device and not to forget the discomfort of having to deal with an unfamiliar keypad. Therefore, the best option would be to settle for a good quality cell phone and pick up a Palm hand held device to meet all your personal data administration requirements. You can choose from a variety of products currently marketed by Palm. The available models are the Z22, T|X, and Tungsten E2. Each of these models requires the Palm OS Garnet 5.4 for functioning. Palm Z22 If you have a limited budget for investing in a Palm, then the Palm Z22 would be the right choice as it the cheapest model among all the Palm models that are currently available in the market. However, this model can only offer you limited facilities as compared to its contemporaries. The Palm Z22 will suffice if your requirement is to carry out basic personal data management. You will be able to utilize utilities such as a calendar, handling of tasks, address book, calculator and you will also be able to make notes and store memos.
The Z22 uses a rechargeable battery and it is compatible with Microsoft Outlook. This model of the Palm supports an on-screen keyboard that is used for inputting data into the device. You can even use your computer’s keyboard for entering the data into your computer and then synchronize it with your Palm Z22 hand held device to transfer the data into your Palm. This device comes with a USB cable and this cable is used for synchronizing it with the computer. A useful little add-on is a stylus that can be utilized for inputting data into the device by using it to write on the screen of the Palm. The screen recognizes the formation of letters and converts the writing on the screen into text which is inputted into the Palm. The Z22 comes with its own software that includes SplashShopper, Mobile DB list tracker, Palm reader, and the CrazyDaisy game. Tungsten E2 This model of the Palm offers you the best of all the three models. It neither as costly as the higher end model and nor is it as elementary as the lower end model. The color resolution offered by the Tungsten E2 is better than the Z22 but a little lower than that of the T|X. It comes with an inbuilt Bluetooth support that will enable you to synchronize it with a computer without the added hassle of attaching a USB cable as in the case of the Z22. You can even use the Tungsten E2 with a Bluetooth cell phone for surfing the internet or for sending and receiving email messages. You can add additional storage cards to the Tungsten E2 device with the assistance of the expansion slots that are available in this device. You can utilize compatible portable keyboards with the Tungsten E2 for ease in entering data into the device. The facility of entering data by writing on the display screen with a stylus is also available in this model in addition to using the on-screen keyboard for entering data. The Tungsten E2 comes with a stereo headphone jack that can be used to attach a headphone to the device. This model of the Palm comes with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery.
Palm T|X
The Palm T\X is the costliest of all the three models of the Palm hand held devices. It is also the biggest in size and it supports the highest resolution out of all the three models. It supports Wi-Fi along with Bluetooth technology. You can use the Palm T\X in conjunction with other Bluetooth and Wi-Fi devices. All the features that are provided by the Z22 and the Tungsten E2 are provided by the Palm T\X as well but with a higher quality of speed, power, resolution and greater storage space.
The Old Models of the Palm
There are a couple of models that are not manufactured by Palm anymore, but you may still be able to buy them from the market. It may be worthwhile to take a look at these models as they may be able to provide you with the requisite functions within a reasonable cost that suits your wallet. If you are not interested in additional multimedia plug-ins and high resolution, then it may be a better option to go for a low end Palm model or for an older model of the Palm hand held devices.
Variants of the Tungsten E2 in the form of T3, T5 and E are also available in the market. Tungsten E would not be an ideal choice for a new Palm device as it comes at almost the same cost as Tungsten E2 and the Tungsten E2 is better than the Tungsten E in many ways. The Tungsten T5 with 256MB memory boasts of a higher memory capacity than the Tungsten T3 but most of it is useless for you as 160MB is used for the flash drive and 31 MB is required for the operating system. The LifeDrive is another model of the Palm that can be very useful as it supports Bluetooth and Wi-Fi in addition to the capability of carrying digital images, video and audio files. Therefore, if you want to pick an older model of Palm for yourself then you can decide between the Tungsten T3 and the LifeDrive.
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