Kelly's next handheld will be the Palm m505. He'd like to equip it with a Kodak PalmPix digital camera (at http://www.kodak.com/US/en/digital/cameras/palmPix/) in order to take digital photos of the cars he bids on. He'd then email the photos to his clients to show them exactly what they're getting, helping them to sell the vehicles more quickly. An added benefit of taking a digital photo is that it would serve as a visual record of any damage the car has at the time of purchase. This would help hold the shipping company accountable for any damages the vehicle may suffer in transit to the dealership.

Kelly also looks forward to equipping his Palm handheld with a wireless modem. This would allow him not only to email digital photos as soon as they're taken but also to receive instant updates to his valuation software. He could also access the Internet and utilize CarFax.com (at http://www.carfax.com), which provides detailed histories of automobiles.

Because of the fast pace of an auto auction, Kelly describes it as a "highly charged environment." With the portability and infinite versatility of Palm handhelds, more and more auto dealers are finding them to be the perfect tool to help them buy and sell the used cars they need.

Steve Niles is Senior Editor for ZATZ Publishing. He is also an independent filmmaker and freelance writer. For more information, visit http://www.sn-films.com.