Palm Tungsten T3

One of two new entries in its Tungsten range, the T3 is Palm's latest pocket-size PDA. This time, the company has taken inspiration from Sony's Clie, providing a 320 x 480 pixel screen and offering the Graffiti area as a software-driven option that can be removed to allow maximum use of that screen space.

The Tungsten T3 incorporates the clever slide-down casing we first saw in the original Tungsten T, helping to reduce the overall size of the unit. A welcome addition to this is the ability to flip the screen from portrait into landscape mode. This is particularly useful for reading spreadsheet data and looking at digital images.

To flip the screen, simply tap an icon on the ever-present Status Bar, which also provides access to several other features, including built-in Bluetooth communication, the main application launcher screen, menus within applications and the Graffiti area. It also toggles on and off the onscreen handwriting recognition system and displays the time.

On the software side, Palm has implemented tweaks to the basic Personal Information Manager (PIM) applications, at last supporting appointments that span across midnight, and upping the size limit of memos and notes from the previous 4KB to a rather healthier 32KB. Up to 52MB of the 64MB of Ram is available to the user, with applications such as Real One Player (for digital music) and Versamail (for email) in the Rom.

Until recently, Sony has been a leader of style and innovation as far as Palm operating system licensees are concerned. Now it definitely needs to watch its back. The Tungsten T3 sets a new standard in slimline, light, stylish and functional Palm OS devices.

Contact: Palm 0118 927 8700
www.palmone.com/uk

Specifications:

• Palm OS 5.2.1
• Intel XScale 400MHz
• 64MB Ram
• 16MB Rom
• 3.8in, screen 320 x 480
• SD card slot
• Headphone, universal connector (docking and peripherals)
• 153g
• 76mm x 130mm (100mm closed) x 16mm (w x d x h)
• PC USB cradle
• Palm Desktop software