To its core audience of over-forty, white male technical types, the Palm series of PDAs is the epitome of form following function. They're light, have incredible battery life, and offer a small efficient OS with simple, effective applications. But while Palm PDAs appeal to the techno-savvy and are handsome in a subdued fashion, they're not particularly fun or sexy. Palm Computing feels there is a large audience of folks who might be inclined to buy one of its PDAs if only they were just a tad more exciting.
In an attempt to reach this broader audience, Palm has released the m100. Restyled with swappable color faceplates, new applications, and low $149 price point, it just might do the trick. The m100's basic design is Palm all the way: a 16MHz processor, 2MB of memory, and a 160-by-160 backlit monochrome screen. It comes bundled with a Palm Desktop organizer that synchronizes information with the m100 via a HotSync serial cable, and is powered by two AAA batteries
But physically, the m100 is a radical departure from the angular III and VII models. It has a soft, rounded appearance, roughly similar in outline to the Palm V, but at 0.72 inches thick--chunkier. The additional depth is to accommodate the swappable faceplates and as a result the screen is recessed further below the level of the surrounding case than on other Palms. The sides of the m100 are slightly concave to facilitate a firm grip, and the unit is just a tad shorter than a Palm III.
I was particularly impressed by the m100's new cover; instead of the single-hinged cover found on the Palm III and VII, the m100 has a double-hinged cover that flips back and over the top of the unit, fitting flush against the back. The cover also contains a transparent window about a quarter of the way from the top, and a small hole near the bottom that allows access to the upper scroll button. When the m100 is powered off, pressing the upper scroll button displays the time.
Along with its friendlier shape, the m100 also offers a more colorful experience via the aforementioned snap-on, swappable front faceplates. Unfortunately, while the silver, blue-silver, blue, and light gold shells I attached spruce up the m100's appearance, they also cost a whopping $19.95 each. I found myself wishing for covers to match the faceplates, which might have mitigated my sticker shock. But only the standard slate-colored cover is available, and Palm has no plans for others.
Not every new feature of the m100 is cosmetic; two new applications are included: a clock and a notepad. The clock is a simple affair with a single alarm and a snooze function, and its display is what you see through the m100's clear window when you press the upper scroll button. Alas, it has no daily or weekly alarms. Check out Jens Rupp's freeware Big Clock for these alarm functions if you need them.
Notepad is a particularly nice addition. Unlike the Palm's text-based Memo Pad application, Notepad stores ink (that is, bitmapped images). Using Notepad, you can enter a name or phone number by simply doodling as you would with a pen and paper--far quicker than entering information with the on-screen keyboard or graffiti character-recognition engine. Sadly, Palm won't be offering either the clock or Notepad as a download for users of older Palms.
To make room for the two new apps, or perhaps simply to distinguish it from other models, the m100 forsakes both the e-mail reader and the Expense organizer found in other Palm models. I never liked the e-mail reader since it offers no way to bulk-delete the hundreds of e-mails I receive daily, but the expense application was useful. The m100's intended audience probably won't mind either omission, and there are several third-party solutions available to fill the gap.
The m100 is indeed a sportier Palm whose style and clever--though relatively minor--innovations should win the PDA at least a few new fans. However, I can't help but wonder if Palm wouldn't be better served by refining their other models and software apps.
Jon L. Jacobi is a longtime writer and technical consultant for PC World and the author of the Take Note musical ear-training program.
