Palm Inc., The biggest player in the PDA market in the fall of 2002, finally updated its lineup. Admirers mark still waited for completion in cracked recent series Palm-devices. The first has already appeared on store shelves, has become an inexpensive handheld, Palm Zire. At its price of $ 99 and full functionality of conventional PDA, he can become a really good buy for people unfamiliar with such devices or acquaintances just hearsay, but such an absolute majority, especially in our country. But first things first.
Top view
At first it looks plays a major role in selecting the PDA. Given that the novelty will not be sold in boxes, as precursors, and in the bright blisters, and even in supermarkets, it becomes clear the importance of visual appeal Zire. Inexpensive, clear, attractive, but still ... It must be admitted outside the handheld failed. Zire has a sleek, compact form (much like a Palm m515), a decent color scheme. It is true that the CCP has lost four conventional hardware shortcut for applications and content with just two - the address book and organizer. These same buttons in some applications, serve as "Left" and "Right", respectively. Retain as scroll keys "Up" and "Down."
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It would seem that so special, well, removed the two buttons, so what? Yes, perhaps at the general convenience of calling applications are not affected, but programs that use just six buttons (eg, games) will remain beyond affordable. As for the two key application buttons, then they are partially sunk into a rounded rectangle, and therefore do not use them as comfortably as before. On top of the casing new items are present infrared, as well as connectors for connecting power and USB-cable. Must say that the standard I / O for Palm'ov with a universal connector (Palm Universal Connector) will be incompatible with the new handhelds. That's why he and the new, and budget.
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Comes with a new PDA cover is made of flexible transparent plastic blue. It is worth noting that it significantly exceeds the performance of style protective cover for Palm m10x. However, the shortcomings, it is also available. Feedback from early users, hardware buttons practically not protected against accidental clicks. The very bad cap is fixed in the tilted position. In any case, with both deficiencies can be tolerated.
Internal content ...
... It is clear that not very rich. But at least the "face" new left, but everything else was not so bad and maybe even fixable. Heart Zire is a pretty weak processor Motorola Dragonball EZ 16MHz, palmovodam familiar with the experience of old men still Palm m10x. If with such a processor can still be tolerated, then the 2MB of memory and lack of expansion slots - a real mockery of the user. But recovered - by the user, indifferent to the CCP. Zire is aimed at beginners and is intended to replace the notebook. Although, if its volume is not enough, we think that there are many Kulibin able to add the device 6MB brains (or rather to change the chip with 2MB of on a similar, but with 8MB). However, if it does not take into account, then 2MB (or more precisely 1,8 Mb of personal use of the owner) will be enough. "Think" Zire helps the operating system Palm OS 4.1, which came to replace the outdated Palm OS 3.5.2 in the m10x-series.
Screen
Fit to screen Zire slightly less than its counterpart at the Palm m500 - 2.0 "vs. 2.25". However, he remarkably contrasting what looks like again on the m500. And there would be nothing if not a "but" - a handheld is no backlight. Surprised? It is understandable. The only (!) PDA until now managed by Palm OS operating and without illumination was the first Pilot, released in the last century in the distant year of 1996.So, in the dark Zire is not live. May be released some hack or patch, because the hardware this possibility, certainly, is implemented. If this does not happen, then the handheld will lose a lot of buyers. Who wants to be an organizer, which will not be able to warn the host of an evening meeting?
Area graffiti was virtually unchanged. Only one major innovation - the icon in the form of stars in the usual place of the calculator. This option can be configured to call any frequently used applications. True, by default, it initiates a Hotsync.
Stylus
As for instance, supplied with the Zire, then this accessory is not impressive. For example, the stylus in the SL10, the cheapest model from Sony, an order of magnitude more solid and comfortable, and in the case of the Zire - this is the usual piece of plastic and nothing more.
Life Time
The only thing the new kid succeed - it's battery life. Thus, the built-in battery, no lights, and expansion slots, as well as a weak processor Zire make this long-lived.
Cinhronizatsiya and communications capabilities
As in the case of the SL10, Zire sync via USB-cable without hardware synchronization of the start button, so every time have to call the HotSync manually. You can do this by using "star" in the area of graffiti, which, as we have said, by default, provides a starting synchronization. Communication as possible with Zire handhelds are quite standard for low-end level. The developers did not follow the footsteps of their counterparts from Casio and did not cut kopek IR, but did not follow Sony, some of which were equipped with advanced handhelds with an infrared port.
Filling
Palm Zire comes with a full set of standard for "palmovyh" computer applications. Pressing the "Up", as in the previous budget-Palm m100, a couple of seconds there are date and time. Program, supplied on CD is also completely standard. This includes several games (Giraffe, Hardball, Minehunt and Puzzle), the latest Palm Desktop for Windows and Mac, and Chapura PocketMirror to sync with MS Outlook. As for compatibility, then all is clear - Palm OS 4.1 allows Zire run almost any program. Restriction, however, can serve two hardware buttons instead of four.
Market - a delicate matter
Let's find out looks like new on the background of the previous budget models from Palm Inc., By the way, with a starting price of nearly a half times higher, - Palm m100:
| Model | Palm Zire | Palm m100 |
| Processor | Motorola Dragonball EZ 16MHz | Motorola Dragonball EZ 16MHz |
| Operating System | Palm OS 4.1 | Palm OS 3.5.2 |
| RAM | 2MB | 2MB |
| Screen Resolution | 160x160 | 160x160 |
| Expansion Slots | No | No |
| Food | Lithium-Ion Battery | AAA |
| Dimensions | 112x74x16mm | 118x79x18mm |
| Weight | 109 g | 124 g |
| Communication with your desktop PC | via USB | on COM |
| Price | $ 99 (U.S.) | not done |
As can be seen, Zire outperforms its predecessor in almost every respect. It is worth noting the small size beginner and built-in battery. The latter - a controversial benefit for the budget items because of its high cost. Apparently, changing the AAA-battery compartment on, the developers decided not osnasnaschat new computer 8MB of memory. As a result, Zire is on board only 2 MB. Although it can be assumed that in such a way Palm Inc.left the place for an analogue Palm m105, which, recall, went out after m100. Well, wait - we'll see.
Total
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Palm is developing a new handheld, guided by the motto: "Replace paper organizers, notebooks and sticky notes, reminders! Within this framework, engineers well their task: long battery life, high contrast screen, compatibility with thousands of programs, stylish design and compact size, quick data synchronization with your desktop computer through USB and exchange on the IR port, 2 MB of memory , which in principle will be enough to carry around a handy scheduler, phone numbers of friends, a couple of dictionaries, a dozen small books - what else would you pupils, students or housewives, to go shopping? Yes, and the target audience will easily find the PDA, as on the marketing plan, it will be sold in supermarkets in the bright blister along with cheap cameras and electronic notebooks. In short, the idea of the CPC in the masses! True, rather broad American or European. It is unlikely that the invasion Zire will be organized in Russian supermarkets. Still pricey notebook turns out - $ 99 + shipping (about $ 30-40). Oh, and never reduced the potential buyers can something not like a novelty - namely, the lack of lighting, uncomfortable protective cover and a small (vse-taki!) amount of memory. However, everyone with something to start ... And if the owner of the PDA Zire get used to and make friends with your handheld, another supporter of the idea of PDA may be more. The authors, translation:
Dmitry Ryabinin
