FIGURE A

The Palm m105 adds new features to Palm's low-end model. Click picture for a larger image.

The Palm m105 has other enhancements as well, including connectivity software in the box, allowing customers to use a compatible mobile phone to access the Internet and check email. The Palm m105 also allows you to choose from 14 new, colorful faceplates (available separately). This allows the fashion conscious to give their devices a spark of individual flair, as you can see in Figure B.

FIGURE B

Show off your personal style. Click picture for a larger image.

As exciting as this new device was, we industry watchers were waiting to see what the rumors were telling us was coming right around the corner. Sure enough, on Monday, March 19, 2001, Palm, Inc. unveiled the next generation of its top-selling Palm V design, the new Palm m500 and Palm m505, pictured in Figure C.

FIGURE C

The Palm m500 series takes the Palm V to the next level. Click picture for a larger image.

With these devices, the company succeeded in the difficult task of combining a slim, sleek form factor with expansion slot capability.

In conducting its market research, Palm polled consumers, asking them what they pictured when they thought of the quintessential Palm device. Overwhelmingly, the answer was the Palm V. It was clear this particular form factor had, through marketing and consumer acceptance, worked its way into the public consciousness as being the definitive look for what a handheld device from Palm, Inc. should be.

The challenge, then, was to maintain this executive-class form factor, if you will, while adding the type of expansion capability and screen appearance necessary for Palm to hold on to its position as market leader. All evidence suggests they've done it.

Both devices in the m500 series retain the slim, curved design of the Palm V. However, they have the addition of a postage stamp-sized SD (Secure Digital) and MultiMediaCard expansion slot in the top back panel, as seen in Figure D.

FIGURE D

The m500 series features an SD and MultiMediaCard expansion slot. Click picture for a larger image.

The Palm m505 also features a 16-bit color screen, leading Palm to claim this as the lightest, expandable color-screen handheld ever designed.

In analyzing the various features and benefits of these two new devices, it is evident Palm clearly had the enterprise in mind when designing them. Let's take a look.

SD and MultiMediaCard expansion slot
Having the added flexibility of the SD and MultiMediaCard expansion slot will be a great boon to the enterprise market. Numerous content cards will soon be available, such as the PalmPak Dictionary/Thesaurus Card, which is ideal if you do a lot of writing on your Palm device, whether you're writing email or company documents.