The new Palm VII wireless-enabled PDA was unveiled at the Palm Developer Conference on December 2, 1998. This event was followed with intense interest - especially within the "piloteer" community.

Prototype units were available for hands-on demonstrations during the conference. In addition, I was able to use one in the developer's lab for several hours and check out the hardware and software, as well as form a few opinions on this newest member of the Palm family. (The other members of the 1999 Palm family were not shown publicly.)

Initial Impressions:

This is cool! The Net-Pilot (or is that iPalm?) :-)

The size of the unit is only marginally larger than the Palm III, so the "pocket-friendly" nature of the device is retained. Or, in other words, it is still our good old 'pilot'; except now it has an amazing new feature.

There are already a number of existing wireless connectivity options for the Palm and more on the way, but having built-in capabilities on the 'pilot' was an extraordinary experience. The Palm VII includes a 1-watt, 2-way radio that operates at 8 Kbaud on the Mobitex network.

The Internet functionality in the Palm VII requires a new way of thinking about getting information from the Net. Web clipping and iMessaging are efficient ways of getting important info on the go. By efficiency, we are talking 50 bytes per query and a few hundred bytes per response - not thousands (or tens of thousands) or bytes. So, while 8000 baud might sound relatively slow, real-world latency is very good and Queries and iMessages got results in 7-16 seconds on average. (For details on Pilot Query Applications (PQAs) and iMessaging, see Part II of this review.)

As part of the big announcement, there was also this little twist... To support the Palm VII, Palm Computing is now entering the service provider business with the introduction of palm.net - a subscription-based service with two proposed price plans. (See the Palm VII white paper for a good overview of how this will work.) Palm Computing's first business model is suggesting a sub-$800 price point for the hardware and subscription levels of $10 or $25/month depending on usage. [Of course, these plans may be subject to change. Let's hope that subsidized hardware and "all-you-can-eat" packages will be offered.]

If you are looking for a web-browser or full e-mail client, you can use the Palm modem, Qualcomm's pdQ, or one of the existing wireless solutions, such as Minstrel CDPD modem, Net-Cradle PC-Card adapter, Snap-On GSM cell-modem, or the Ericsson 888- or Nokia 8800-series cell phones. (While the pdQ is a distinct Palm/cell phone, and the Minstrel and Net-Cradle don't fit the Palm VII; the other solutions will work with the Palm VII to provide a landline or cellular connection.)

But let's give palm.net a little time to evolve and get some more real world testing. The "simple-is-better" mantra of the pilot may be coming to the Net - the Net you carry in your pocket...

NOTE: Unfortunately, some of the most requested hardware changes (better screen, better speaker, etc.) were not included in this prototype. Also, 2Mb RAM is hard-wired to the main board, so memory upgrades are not an option. We may be pleasantly surprised when the unit finally ships, but if you have concerns over this now, you might be able to influence the final design spec with a note to Palm Computing.

Hardware:

I compared a Palm III and Palm VII - see the front and rear photos above. (III - l., VII - r.)

[Disclaimer: The units at DevCon were prototypes, so the hardware configuration may change prior to introduction.]

The Palm VII retains most of the form factor of the Palm III with the noticable addition of a flip-up flat antenna.

Size and weight: The unit is longer by about 12 mm (1/2 inch) and wider by a couple of millimeters, while depth is unchanged. The device is marginally heavier (maybe 6 oz. (?) instead of 5.7 on the Palm III).

Screen: 160 x 160 backlit touchscreen - exactly the same as on the existing Palm III. (This may be replaced with a new screen being readied for the other Palm models to be introduced in 1999.)

Memory: 2Mb ROM and 2Mb RAM, which is now hard-wired in instead of on a memory board (This means that memory board upgrades are not possible with this unit.)

Power: the unit is powered by two AAA cells and incorporates an additional NiCad cell located in the top of the unit. The NiCad is used to power the RF (radio) circuitry and is charged by the AAAs. Power consumption of the RF will shorten battery life but Palm Computing claims that battery life will still be measured in weeks for most people.

Processor: Motorola Dragonball EZ 16 MHz processor.

InfraRed port: now located towards the front side of the top surface. The range was not tested but I beamed a copy of OmniRemote to the Palm VII and was able to control my IR-equipped camera with it.

Speaker: no apparent piezo speaker but rather a component on the board. Three ~1 mm dia. holes had been drilled through the case in this area. Unfortunately, the speaker was tested with built-in alarms set to 'high' and subjectively, the speaker appears to be no louder than that on the Palm III.

Serial Port: exactly the same as the Palm III. Proprietary 10-pin connector with spring-loaded port cover. Accessories that use the modem-case or HotSync connector form factor will attach to the Palm VII.

Hardware buttons / reset pin / battery door / stylus silo / contrast wheel: same as P3 again. Even down to the "recessed wheel" problem noted on some P3s ;-)

Case: The 'developer's' clear case is as geek-chic on this unit as the clear cases made for the PalmPilots and Palm IIIs. Of course the production units will be a slate-grey plastic.

Flip-lid: love it or hate it, there will be no Palm III-style flip-lid on the Palm VII

Antenna: OK - *this* is new! The antenna nestles into a slot in the right side of the case when down. It pivots at the top, and raising it activates the Palm VII in either the iMessaging app or the Query Launcher screen. The antenna is flat and measures about 100 x 10 x 3 mm (4 x 3/8 x 1/16") with a soft rubbery grey finish.

The antenna is a nice piece of engineering. It feels very smooth and solid. With practice, you might be able to flip the antenna up one-handed, but I was unable to perfect this move. Because the stylus silo is directly behind the antenna area, it is slightly awkward to get the stylus out with the antenna up.

[ top ]

Next: Software and the Internet in your Palm