Palm Bluetooth SD Card

Palm has been busy recently, managing to release two new versions of its m-series PDAs - namely, the m515 and m130 (see Product Update, p103 and Reviews, p126) - as well as its new Bluetooth SD Card. Similar to the Blade for Handspring (reviewed left), this allows any Palm PDA with an SD card slot to connect to a Bluetooth phone or access point, opening the door for mobile email and Internet.

Unlike the Springboard solution used by Handspring, which installs the software automatically when the unit is inserted, Palm's SD Card needs all the relevant software installing from CD. Unfortunately, Palm's installation routine left a lot to be desired.

First, when installing Web clipping support, the software didn't provide the option to connect to a modem device via Bluetooth. For a Bluetooth installation CD, this is absurd. Also frustrating was having to choose a specific mobile phone driver, which didn't include our Nokia 6310. There is a default driver available, although phone functions such as SMS wouldn't work without a correct driver. In contrast, the Handspring Blade didn't require a specific driver and worked perfectly with the Nokia 6310.

However, once you get over these issues, things start to look up. We connected to our Red-M 1050AP access point (reviewed opposite) without any problems, and wireless HotSyncing worked smoothly without the random lock-ups that occurred on the Handspring.

On the other hand, setting up a modem connection to the Nokia 6310 proved more problematic. The Bluetooth SD Card and Nokia 6310 refused to pair using the Wizard-style connection software, probably due to the lack of correct phone drivers.

However, it was possible to bypass the Wizard by manually configuring the settings. Once paired, we were able to connect using a standard dial-up ISP, and you can also configure a GPRS connection if your phone supports it.

To provide some benefits to the Internet connection, Palm includes a selection of Web clipping applications for popular sites like ITN, which are far more aesthetic and polished than sites viewed using the Eudora browser supplied with the Blade. That said, we couldn't view these sites via the access point, although connecting using the GSM modem was fine.

Web clipping aside, the greatest benefit of mobile communication is the ability to collect your email on the move. MultiMail SE is the preferred application, which is already supplied in the box with your Palm PDA. This is an easy-to-use application that works well.

In addition to these features, Palm also provides a printer driver for the HP DeskJet 995c Bluetooth printer (see Reviews, issue 88, p148) plus BlueBoard and BlueChat. BlueBoard is an information-sharing application, allowing Bluetooth-enabled Palm users to send hand-drawn messages or diagrams to each other. BlueChat is similar, except that it's text-based, working like an Internet chat room.

The idea is sound enough, in that members of a meeting can collaborate on ideas, although whether this will be used in favour of the old-fashioned verbal method of communication remains to be seen.

The Palm Bluetooth SD Card is an affordable and effective way to turn your Palm PDA into a mobile data device. The Web clipping applications are good and email works smoothly. However, the frustrating usability issues count against it, particularly the fussy phone support and connection problems, and you should bear this in mind before buying.

Author: Gareth Ogden