Hold It!

For the harried business traveler, a PDA is the happy medium between the small but limited cell phone and the bulky but fully functional laptop. But users have long been frustrated by the shoddy wireless data service and difficult data entry of PDAs. Happily, those days are almost over.

The new Palm i705 ($450) is a wireless wonder featuring always-on text messaging with alerts through Cingular Wireless. Palm will also supply an e-mail redirector with the i705 that works with Microsoft Exchange, making it a perfect fit for companies that want to roll out the device to mobile workers. Palm also promises to beef up all of its handhelds later this year by upgrading the CPU to a more powerful Texas Instruments "ARM-based" processor for its next generation of products.

Of course, you can expect Pocket PC innovations as well. At this year's Consumer Electronics Show, Microsoft showed off its long-delayed Stinger technology in a Pocket PC and cell phone combo called the Smartphone 2002. Taking the best features of PDAs and putting them on a compact phone, Microsoft hopes its platform will be the first to make the most of new 2.5G and 3G networks soon to go global (but now up and running only in Asia). The first of the devices are expected out by this summer.

And while these two handheld platforms duke it out, buyers should prepare for a new entry: Linux. Sharp will be the first vendor to offer a Linux PDA, the upcoming Zaurus SL-5500 ($549).

For something that runs free software, the Zaurus is pretty flashy. Sporting a full flip-down QWERTY keyboard that mirrors the RIM BlackBerry's, the Zaurus mercifully frees you from the Graffiti notation language. It also contains the same CPU as Pocket PC models and already has a number of user-friendly applications on deck—including Microsoft Word and Excel emulators and a PowerPoint viewer, all on top of the usual address/calendar functions and syncing capabilities.

Sounds great, but the competition is stiff. According to the Aberdeen Group, of the 39 million PDAs projected to be shipped in 2005, less than 2 percent will be Linux-based. Palm should maintain its lead throughout the decade, with Pocket PC a strong second. Why the enduring popularity? While Palm units may lack the flash of Linux and Pocket PC devices, they are lighter, cheaper, and much easier to work with. Handheld users may grumble about wanting more features, but when it comes time to buy, they keep returning to the simplicity of Palm.

If you can't wait for the PDA of tomorrow, our favorite handhelds today include the Palm i705 and NEC's MobilePro P300 ($599), the best of the Pocket PC crop. If you're a die-hard Linux fan (or just a sucker for the great new design), give the Zaurus a try, or check out the cheaper G.Mate Yopy YP3000 flip-up Linux PDA ($399).

Additional reporting by Emily-Jane Peters and Ken Terry.

YOUR NEXT POCKET PC Platform What's New Palm The Palm i705 and the Handspring Treo bring Palm well into the wireless space. For color and entertainment features, the Palm-based Sony Clie PEG-N760C is unbeatable. Pocket PC New versions of the Compaq iPaq and HP Jornada will include Microsoft's Smartphone 2002. Audiovox expects to put out a 3G version this year. Linux The Sharp Zaurus SL-5500 takes on the top two handheld platforms. For budget buyers, the low-cost Royal Lin@x PDA is expected by midyear.

Copyright © 2002 Ziff Davis Media Inc. All Rights Reserved. Originally appearing in Ziff Davis Smart Business.