PalmOne Tungsten T3 Handheld

This Palm Tungsten T3 delivers more operating ease and capability than ever before. The breakthrough 320×480 stretch display (With 50% more viewing area)instantly rotates from portrait to landscape for optimum viewing of spreadsheets, Web pages and more. A status bar provides 1-tap access to battery and memory levels, volume, brightness and Bluetooth status. Built-in Bluetooth radio allows you to wirelessly share files with other compatible devices, dial phone numbers, access e-mail, send text messages and connect to the Internet (Bluetooth service sold one at a time). An ultra-fast 400MHz Intel XScale processor, Palm OS 5.2.1, and 64MB of memory provide all the power you wish to have to work in Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents, browse the Web and correspond via Outlook. An expanded digital Grafitti writing area makes taking longer notes and memos conceivable. A voice memo button captures your thoughts in a single touch then automatically transfers the dictations to your computer. A 5-way navigator accesses information with 1 hand for multitasking and mobile use. Updated organization software helps you customize your scheduling, with set reminders for birthdays and events and improved synchronization with Outlook. Dual expansion slots let you add extra memory or content, or take your favorite MP3s, video clips and photos wherever you go; supports MultiMediaCards, SD and SDIO (sold one at a time). Universal connector lets you add peripherals such as a wireless keyboard or battery pack (all sold one at a time). Standard PIM applications include address book, date book, calculator, memo pad, notepad and to-do list. Features vibration, audio or LED display notification. Accepts 3.5mm stereo headphone plug for MP3 and video playback. Kit includes rechargeable battery and USB HotSync cradle for recharging or synchronizing the Palm’s data with a desktop PC. Compatible with Windows 98/NT 4.0/2000/Me/XP and Mac 9.1 or higher/OS X 10.1.2 to 10.2.6. 4-3/10Lx3Wx2/3D.
Kicking the technology advances up another notch, the Palm Tungsten T3 delivers a professional, sleek alternative to bulkier Pocket PCs that’s chock-full of productivity enhancing and information sharing applications. Improvements over the T2 include a full-screen mode when the bottom casing is slid open, a bevy of enhanced display options, compatibility with Java applets, larger internal memory, and an easier to access status bar.

First, just the technical facts:

• Palm OS 5.2.1
• 32-bit, 400 MHz Intel XScale processor
• 64 MB internal RAM, with 52 MB usable for applications and file storage (an improvement over the T2’s 29 MB usable RAM)
• Bluetooth wireless connectivity
• Secure Digital memory card expansion slot
• 4.3 (closed) x 3.0 x 0.66 inches, 5.5 ounces

The T3’s Stretch Display

Overall, the Tungsten T3 isn’t that much smaller than the Zire 71, but it does feel nicely compact in the hand and its larger navigation button is easier to manipulate with just your thumb. On the other hand, the “wow factor” comes into full force when you slide down the bottom of the T3’s case to reveal the full screen mode. And it gets even better. The standard “silkscreened” Graffiti input area (so-called because its icons and borders are printed onto the screen’s glass) is now replaced by a digital version, which can be hidden to reveal an even larger screen. We found this useful when writing long notes in Memos and viewing an expanded daily calendar view. You don’t in reality need the Graffiti writing area to input data into notes or Calendar items. With the Full-Screen Writing preference turned on, you’ll be able to write Graffiti characters anywhere on the screen (you’ll be able to even see an outline traced on the screen as you write). But the crowning display enhancement is the ability to rotate the screen to landscape view, which was especially handy when viewing downloaded movie trailers (the usage of the included Kinoma video player). If you’re left-handed, you’ll be able to change the orientation in landscape view so that the status bar and Graffiti input area are more accessible to your own orientation.

The T3 includes the familiar suite of Palm applications (Calendar, Contacts, Memos, and Tasks) as well as a number of third-party software title (ranging from Acrobat Reader to RealOne Player for listening to digital audio). Calendar has been given an Outlook-friendly makeover, adding an Agenda view that consolidates all of today’s appointments, tasks, and new e-mails. With full-screen mode on, Calendar’s month view now displays smaller calendars for the previous and next months.

Bluetooth wireless functionality is built in, and the Tungsten T3 still includes the BlueBoard and BlueChat for sharing information with other Tungsten users. For Web communication, Palm includes VersaMail and WebBrowser Pro, both of which can be used at the side of a Bluetooth phone. Additionally, VersaMail can access a corporate e-mail account, including Microsoft Exchange and Lotus Domino servers.

Java has also now entered the Palm OS arena, expanding the application development opportunities. The T3 comes with a few sample applets (including a periodic table that would be handy at our local pub’s trivia night), but we’ll have to wait for more development before Java becomes a full Palm OS tool.

Our only complaint, design-wise, is the placement of the Voice Memo button, which as been placed toward the top of the left side of the case, below the on/off button on the top panel. When turning on the device, our left hand’s thumb continually triggered the Voice Memo app when attempting to turn on the T3. Note that you’ll be able to also turn the T3 on by pressing some of the application buttons surrounding the Navigator, or by sliding the bottom case open. Overall, the Tungsten T3 is a Palm powerhouse, blending its traditional information management strength with new multimedia and connectivity functionality (both wired and wireless). It’s about as perfect a personal productivity agent for professional settings as it gets. —Agen G.N. Schmitz

Pros:

• Crisp, bright color screen
• Fast processor, ample internal memory, and expansion slot to boot
• Digital Graffiti input area can be hidden for full screen display
• Screen can be rotated to landscape view
• Access to corporate e-mail and Bluetooth wireless connectivity

Con:

• Voice Memo button gets in the way of turning on and off

Palm’s new breakthrough Stretch Display
Device slides open to reveal a 320×480 display with 50% more viewing area
Ultra-fast 400MHz Intel XScale processor and 64 MB of internal memory
Wirelessly access email, dial phone numbers, send text messages and connect to the Internet
Handheld device; Palm Desktop software, including Documents To Go and Adobe Acrobat for Palm OS