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palmOne releases LifeDrive PDA with 4GB hard drive
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Gary Thayer, Editor
updated
May 20
- May 18, 2005 -- (MobileVillage) -- As expected, palmOne
(NASDAQ:PLMO) this week announced its LifeDrive "mobile
manager", a PDA that combines business productivity tools
and entertainment applications. (See review links below.)
Aimed
at people with a significant amount of digital information,
the LifeDrive mobile manager features 4GB of hard-drive storage
(3.85GB user available), a 416MHz Intel XScale processor,
a relatively large 320x480 color screen, and built-in Wi-Fi
and Bluetooth wireless technologies. The 320x480 screen can
flip from landscape to portrait at the touch of a button.
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According
to palmOne, the 4GB Hitachi Microdrive is smaller than
a matchbook, weighs less than a AA battery, and transfers
data 30 percent faster than the previous-generation
Microdrive. With 3.85GB of usable storage, LifeDrive
mobile manager users can store and access all of the
following: 1,200 office documents, 6,000 emails, 1,000
photos, 300 songs, 2.5 hours of video; 50 voicemails,
10,000 contacts, and 10,000 appointments.
LifeDrive
offers support for native Word, Excel, PowerPoint and
Adobe Acrobat Reader. palmOne has developed a new "file
management system" for the LifeDrive, made up of
four key applications:
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- Folder
Sync -- automatically updates selected files when syncing;
- File
Transfer -- drag and drop thousands of files from a PC onto
LifeDrive mobile manager;
- Drive
Mode -- behaves like a USB drive to easily transfer files
to any PC or Macintosh; and
- Files
View -- transferred folder structure remains intact, making
it easy to locate important information.
LifeDrive
allows documents to be set to update automatically at each
HotSync operation, and users can receive wireless email with
attachments whenever they are within range of a Wi-Fi connection
or by connecting via a compatible Bluetooth phone. Users can
also remotely retrieve files left behind on the desktop computer.
The LifeDrive's
flash memory promises to keep information intact even if the
device loses its charge. The device also comes with 128-bit
encryption (when activated) to protect data. Password protection
safeguards access to the device, while the Private Records
function protects specific files, even when the rest of the
mobile manager is unlocked. An optional Intrusion Protection
function erases all data and returns the device to factory
settings after a user-specified number of failed break-ins.
For wireless
connectivity, palmOne has set up a deal with T-Mobile, which
is offering a free 30-day trial to wireless hotspots in hotels,
cafes and airports in various countries. The device's built-in
Bluetooth can be used to connect to compatible Bluetooth devices
nearby, allowing for wireless syncing with a Bluetooth laptop,
wireless sending a document to a Bluetooth printer or hands-free
dialing to a Bluetooth phone.
Since
LifeDrive can act as an MP3 player, RealNetworks is offering
a 30-day free trial of its Rhapsody music service, which provides
users with unlimited access to more than 1 million songs on
their PCs. In coming months, subscribers also will be able
to use the Rhapsody To Go service to download and transfer
an unlimited amount of their favorite music to their LifeDrive,
according to the company.
The LifeDriver
also features a built-in voice recorder which can be used
for hands-free notes or personal narrations to accompany photo
slideshows.
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Although
the LifeDrive doesn't have a digital camera, the device's
expansion card slot, which supports SD, SDIO and MultiMediaCard
formats, lets users download images onto the LifeDrive
mobile manager and view photos.
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The LifeDrive
includes a special version of Addit software, which provides
users with on-the-go access to tips and tricks, new articles
and software updates. Users can also choose to purchase other
applications via Addit, such as photo editing software and
streaming media players.
The LifeDrive
mobile manager from palmOne retails for US $499. The device
can be ordered now from the palmOne web site and in select
retail stores in various countries. Volume availability is
expected by early June.
Recent
Related Stories:
LifeDrive
PDA isn't perfect
(Geek)
LifeDrive
live demo in NYC: impressions
(Palm Addicts)
PalmOne
unveils LifeDrive (press release & reader comments)
(Palm Infocenter)
palmOne
releases Tungsten E2 handheld
palmOne
updates Treo 650's voice dialing
(PDA Live)
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