Palm m505

Model m505, the newest in the line of Palm Inc., Unique in that it has a color screen and a slot for cards SecureDigital / MultimediaCard - all in a relatively small package (no more than the Palm V). Differences in size are minimal - in hand by turns one and the other one can only observe that the m505 a little thicker. The difference in weight is more noticeable - color screen with backlight make themselves felt.

Screen

The screen of this model has a standard for most Palm-device resolution 160x160. He began to cause controversy even before presentation to the public. People who saw him at the shows, could not converge in opinions. Someone insisted that the screen is muddy and difficult to read, others compared it with the iPaq and claimed that no one has such wonderful displays. It turns out that those were right, and others. Specificity of the used reflector screen is that it looks great, even with the bright sun! A flaming display Palm 3c for the fact that the colors fade in bright light. True, one has only to enter the room, as m505 loses all its advantages: the image darkens, cease to be distinct. To return him to paint, you must turn on the backlight, which is not as powerful as the iPaq - size does not allow. So it is not only significantly reduces battery life, but do not always save the situation. In addition, the contrast is not configurable, and the famous black netting around the pixels, the scourge of low resolution color screens, though was gray, but not disappeared. Fortunately, the summer begins, sunny days will be enough - it's time to buy a m505 and enjoy its beautiful 16-bit screen capable of displaying over 65,000 colors. Photos, which can be viewed using the included software PhotoSuite, look great. And another nice detail - the graffiti area when you turn on lights, too, is highlighted.

SD / MMC slot

Handspring paved the way and now Palm is in her footsteps, adding to their new model slot prospective standard SD / MMC. Despite the fact that many firms engaged in the production of accessories and additional devices for Palm'ov, announced the development of relevant modules, they will appear more soon. This is largely due the fact that the standard SD / MMC not yet fully approved, and specifications may be changed or supplemented. So until that time slot can be used only c memory cards. As an option already available modules on which programs are written large. For example, maps of cities in the U.S. or the game. Another interesting fact: 16 MB SecureDigital-cards, which offers a Palm, a user accessible only 14.6 MB. The remaining space is reserved for the protection of the content from unauthorized copying. When the card is inserted into the Palm, it automatically turns on. In the shell program introduces a new category of the same name, noted a small icon card. It put everything recorded on your program. They do not run directly from the map. Clicking on the icon of the application, it is automatically copied into RAM and run from there. It takes about a second, depending on the size of the program. After exiting the application, it also automatically erased from main memory. The good news is that the PalmOS 4.0 allows programs to work with databases located on maps of SD / MMC. Supplied with the m505 software, including Documents to Go and PhotoSuite, already use this feature. Old programs written for the PalmOS version 3.5. and below, such "skills" do not have their bases must necessarily be copied to main memory.However, the configuration parameters can be set so that the old program, or copied to main memory all of their libraries and databases at once, or load them one by one as needed. This lets you work with programs that are of a size exceeding the amount of free space in RAM. Of course, it's not as convenient as AutoCF, used by Handera. But given the fact that new programs are already able to store their data on maps, the problem is not here. By the way, Palm Desktop fourth version can save files not only on the Palm, but also directly on the SD / MMC-card. And now you can record not only files with PDB and PRC, but also any others. This feature PalmOS 4.0 is used, for example, a camera Kodak PalmPix devices m50x, which allows you to save photos to a memory card in the format of JPG.

Processor

The combination of 33MHz Dragonball VZ processor and the new m505 PalmOS 4.0 creates a large supply of power. The image on the screen is updated quickly switching between applications takes place without annoying delays. Apparently, the new version of the PalmOS has been some action to increase the speed of graphics operations. In general, we can say that performance is enough even for programs that operate on large databases or contain many graphics.

Battery

Requirements for battery m505 grow already from the use of more energy-resolution color display. Features screen forces the user to frequently sit and use the backlight. Despite this, the owners reported that, on one charge can work out a new Palm 5, 6 or even 8 or 9 hours - a very decent figure for a color screen. So if your cradle or a special charger for the day are not very far from you, then you're unlikely to encounter the problem of a completely discharged battery. The more so that charges up to 50% in 15 minutes, and fully charges the battery in an hour.

Calls, and alarm clocks

As well as a "little brother" m500, a new color model may announce the beginning of the meeting or important matter in three ways: using the normal "Tweeters", vibrating alert and flashing signal lights. Vibrating alert is very useful for those who do not want all turned around when the Palm is trying to recall something. A flashing light may be useful to someone, but rather it is just a little, but still a nice bonus. Call type is given for all programs at once. It's not very convenient as I would like to during an important meeting of the Palm quietly humming vibrating alert, recalling something, and next morning you woke with a loud beeping alarm. However, certainly in the near future will be written in the appropriate hack, so that experience in this regard is not necessary. Now, a reminder has built-in Datebook button Snooze (Take a nap), after clicking on which the alarm will not bother you for 5 minutes, and then again begins to ring. Again, unfortunately, a five-minute interval can not be changed.

Case and Stylus

Corpus, in contrast to the m500, is almost entirely metal. Feels that he is strong, solid. Plastic grooves to hold the stylus. Strange, but these grooves are different from the Palm V thickness and depth. Apparently, in accordance with its plan to squeeze out of the users as much money, they want to get to say goodbye with all accessories, bought for the Palm V. Includes stylus, carrying case and a voice recorder, which is inserted there. More unusual is that the left slot is shallower than the rule. In Palm m505 FAQ is explained by the peculiarities of the internal structure: some detail prevented the left slot to make the same long, as a rule. As a result, the pen can be inserted just right, the lid - just to the left. Again discriminated against lefties. In addition, m505 with great reluctance to part with what has been inserted into the groove. Many are literally broken nails trying to pull the stylus out of its socket. Stylus itself is a metal rod with two plastic taped screw [tricks]. Unscrewing the top, you'll see her pin, which is so convenient to press the button to your favorite Reset.

Credle

Credle new, connected to a port USB. Like I said, Palm m505 for everything keeps very tight - and for the stylus, and a cradle (c SD / MMC-card also need to be careful). Some buyers of freshly bought m505 tightly stuck in the cradle, as if glued.In order to get the Palm out, you need to strongly pull him over, while trying not to break anything. Not for the faint of heart - some unfortunate when you try to remove the heard a noise like breaking off contact. Fortunately done without damage, but still just better to check this point in the store because some of the cradle do not have these drawbacks, and the Palm there is a part, and the great beyond. "

Cover

The set comes leather flip cover, which is inserted into the left slot for the stylus - to insert it into the right, you need to use force, but the word is not very well with prices in the $ 400-600. In principle, we can cut the tip of the probe cover, then he will go without problems and in the right slot. Unfortunately, the provided cover is hard, and there are no pockets in which it was convenient to put the memory card. The reason is simple, the site Palm cover with pockets is $ 29 - some customer care.

Universal Connector

Palm Inc, has always adhered to the rules: a new model range - the new connector. The company has not changed him, and this time, representing Palm m500, carrying on board is absolutely not compatible with older models, Universal Connector, and provoked a new wave of indignation. True, it was the promise that this new standard will last at least two years. The same connector is a m505. The truth here is the devices compatible with it, no.

Conclusion

No matter what, m505 as a whole leaves a very pleasant impression. The screen is not perfect, like everything else in this world. Batteries do not work as long as a m500, but fast charging. Device for SD / MMC and Universal Connector is not, but always coming soon. This is the best Palm of all that exist at the time when I put this point. Point. Characteristics of devices Palm m500, Palm m505 Sources, Materials:

Palm Infocenter

Brighthand

HPCru

The authors, translation:

Oleg Kurapov