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How the Palm i705 stacks up against the RIM BlackBerry (continued)
When it comes to attachments, the BlackBerry allows for forwarding and very limited viewing using third-party software. With the Palm i705, on the other hand, you can install the DataViz Documents to Go Professional and Adobe Acrobat Reader for Palm OS bonus software. These will allow you to view, edit, and share Word and Excel documents, and view and share PowerPoint presentations and PDF files. You can view many other extension types, too, via other Palm partner solutions such as Adobe, Ansyr, Aportis, BCL Computers, Equinox ActiveNet, and FirePad. And, you can use other attachment-management products, including those that work with Microsoft Office, using an additional purchase product, Quickoffice, from Cutting Edge Software.
If you enjoy Instant Messaging, the Palm i705 also has AOL Instant Messenger bundled with it. Instant Messaging is available on the BlackBerry through AOL. In fact, the little AOL messaging device you can buy from AOL is a variant of the BlackBerry.
The BlackBerry only has a few third-party enterprise applications available. The Palm i705 can access enterprise applications via wireline and soon via wireless access from such companies as SAP, Oracle, Siebel, Remedy, Computer Associates, Sybase, Lotus, PeopleSoft, Peregrine, and SalesLogix.
With the Palm i705, you can access the Internet via a Web browser, Web clippings, AvantGo, or OracleMobile. Web access with the BlackBerry is through OracleMobile, MobileClips, GoAmerica's Go.Web, and PocketGenie from WolfeTech.
Breaking it down
That's a lot of information to absorb, so as promised, here's a breakdown of how the Palm i705 compares to the RIM BlackBerry 957.
Table A shows the product specifications comparison chart.
| Spec |
Palm i705 |
RIM BlackBerry 957 |
| Operating system |
Open, standard |
Proprietary |
| Connectivity |
Integrated wireless and wireline |
Integrated wireless only |
| Microprocessor |
33 MHz Motorola Dragonball VZ |
32-bit Intel 386 |
| End-to-end encryption |
DESX |
3DES |
| Security |
Device password |
Device password |
| Notification |
Tone, Vibrate, Dual color LED On-screen |
Tone, Vibrate, LED On-screen |
| Expansion |
Flexible, dual plug & play expansion slot supports SDIO and SD & MMC cards for additional memory, applications, images, video clips, backup capability, and more. |
Limited |
| Ports |
IrDA (infrared), USB-certified Universal Connector |
Serial only |
| Flash memory |
8MB |
5MB |
| Optional memory/storage |
Yes, 128MB SD/MMC cards are available now. 256MB, 512MB, and eventually 1GB cards are expected later this year. |
None |
| Battery type |
Internal rechargeable Lithium-Polymer |
Internal rechargeable Lithium Ion |
| Battery life |
Approx. 1 week |
Approx. 1 week |
| Size (inches LxWxD) |
4.65 x 3.06 x 0.61 |
4.6 x 3.1 x 0.70 |
| Weight (inc. battery) |
5.9 ounces |
5.3 ounces |
| User interface |
Icons and text menus |
Icons and text menus |
| Data input |
Thumb-operated Palm Mini-Keyboard, Enhanced on-screen tap keyboard, Graffiti writing, Jot, Palm Portable Keyboard, Infrared port (beaming) |
Device keyboard only |
| Desktop software |
Supports Windows & Mac (thru desktop sync) |
Supports Windows only |
| Out-of-the-box applications |
Palm OS PIM functionality, including:Calendar, Address book, Task list, Memo pad, Calculator, Expense reporting, Clock |
Basic organizer software |
| Bundled software |
DataViz Documents to Go Professional Edition, Adobe Acrobat Reader for Palm OS, AOL Instant Messenger, MGI PhotoSuite Mobile Edition, and Palm Reader |
None |
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