The Palm Mobile Connectivity software includes Palm MultiMail, which provides access to personal Internet mail (POP3, IMAP4), such as Earthlink and AT&T WorldNet. You can find more information on MultiMail elsewhere in this issue of PalmPower's Enterprise Edition. You can also read Claire Pieterek's review of MultiMail Pro 3 in the July 1999 issue of PalmPower at http://www.palmpower.com/issues/issue199907/multimail001.html.

The Palm Mobile Connectivity software also supports SMS (Short Message Service), which lets you send and receive messages and data with a GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication) data-enabled mobile phone.

Besides email and short-messaging, establishing a wireless connection with your Palm device can allow you to access the Internet to receive stock quotes, weather information, and industry specific resources such as ePocrates (a healthcare database at http://www.epocrates.com) and Westlaw Wireless (an online business and legal research tool at http://www.westlaw.com). I reviewed ePocrates in the March 2001 issue of PalmPower's Enterprise Edition at http://www.palmpowerenterprise.com/issues/issue200103/spotlight0301001.html, and I reviewed Westlaw Wireless in the February 2001 issue at http://www.palmpowerenterprise.com/issues/issue200102/westlaw001.html.

Of course, to get wireless access, you're going to need to connect your new m500 series device to a modem. Novatel Wireless, Inc. and Socket Communications, Inc. have you covered.

Modem connections
Novatel Wireless, Inc. (at http://www.novatelwireless.com) announced the development of handheld wireless modems for the Palm m500 series on the very day the devices were unveiled. The Minstrel m500 handheld modem connects to the Palm m500 series handhelds via a "snap-n-go latch." Besides connecting you to the Internet, and email, the Minstrel m500 can also be used to connect you to a corporate LAN (Local Area Network). I'd like to show you what it looks like, but unfortunately Novatel doesn't have any pictures available at the moment. However, it will probably look quite similar to the Minstrel V for Palm V devices pictured in Figure E.

FIGURE E


The Minstrel m500 will probably resemble the Minstrel V. Roll over picture for a larger image.

If you'd rather use your mobile phone for Internet access, Socket Communications, Inc. (at http://www.socketcom.com) announced the Digital Phone Connection, a snap-on attachment that can connect your Palm m500 series handheld to your mobile phone. The module plugs into the Universal Connector of a Palm m500 or m505 handheld and attaches via a cable to a data-enabled mobile phone. You'll have to wait for it, however. It's not expected to be available until the second quarter of 2001.

Bar code scanning
Another useful handheld add-on employed in supermarkets, hospitals, factories, and warehouses is the bar code scanner. Socket Communications, Inc. has also announced the In-Hand Scan Card for the new Palm handhelds. It's a plug-in card that integrates a miniature power-efficient laser scanner engine from Symbol Technologies (at http://www.symbol.com) into your Palm m500 or Palm m505 to add bar code scanning capability. The miniature scan engine is built onto an SD card, allowing it to be plugged right into the SD slot on one of the new Palm devices.