Amazon.com Review

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. However, 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 actually need the Graffiti writing area to input data into notes or Calendar items. With the Full-Screen Writing preference turned on, you can write Graffiti characters anywhere on the screen (you'll 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 (using the included Kinoma video player). If you're left-handed, you can 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 along with 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 can also turn the T3 on by pressing one 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

Features

• Palm’s new breakthrough Stretch Display
• Device slides open to reveal a 320x480 display with 50% more viewing area
• Ultra-fast 400MHz Intel XScale processor and 64MB of internal memory
• Wirelessly access email, dial phone numbers, send text messages and connect to the Internet
• What's in the box: Handheld device; Palm Desktop software, including Documents To Go and Adobe Acrobat for Palm OS; all basic utilities such as Calendar, Contacts, Tasks., etc.

Reviews (69)

Fantastic but a few problems
Overall the Palm Tungsten T3 is a great machine with a bright screen but there are a few issues that you may want to be aware of prior to purchase.

Power supply - if you intend to take the T3 around the world, make sure that you have an international power supply or buy one. The one that came with the box is only 120V. I guess the cradle is fairly bulky so you might want to just get a sync cable with an international power supply.

USB - I had a lot of problems syncing the Palm the first time. After looking around, it turns out that older USB ports are incompatible with the T3. I bought a USB 2.0 PCI card and it works perfectly now. I just wished Palm made it quite clear on their support pages what the problem could be. I spent so much time reloading the software on my PC. Admittedly, my machine is fairly old and probably has a 1.0 or 1.1 USB port.

Kinoma - minor problem, the video player is great and I love the widescreen encoding of movies. The only problem is that if you 'stretch' your T3 while you are playing a movie, it sometimes crashes the whole machine.

Stretch feature - the extendable section is great idea but it seems a little hard to operate. I wish it would extend and contract a little more easily. Just make sure your hand is well away from the extend/contract mechanism while you operate it, your palm could get caught in it sometimes especially on the edges :) The only other disappointment is that not every application allows you to display the document with the whole screen (eg Avantgo).

Aside from the minor issues, it is a responsive machine that runs audio and video very smoothly. The bundled software is great and bluetooth works a treat. Great Value.

T3 sets a new standard
I ungraded from a Palm M500 to the Tungsten T3, which I ordered from Amazon.com, using Super Saver shipping. It arrived six days later; I charged the battery, turned it on, and it has functioned perfectly since. An incompatible third-party application caused a "Fatal Error"; having been disappointed with that application anyway, I deleted it - no loss.

The beautiful stretch display is even better than reviewers had led me to expect. It is a little bright for my old eyes, so I turned it down, and it is not only very easy on the eyes, it will reduce power consumption. The landscape display option is a great asset for my uses, and well worth whatever it might have cost.

Processing speed is all that is promised. I would occasionally wonder whether the M500 was still running in searches, which it always was, but the T3 delivers results instantly, without fail.

I have been using PrintBoy software, and neither my printers nor my laptop have Blue Tooth capability without additional expense. PrintBoy installed perfectly on the T3, providing seamless changeover to the new PDA.

The voice recorder seemed to be an unneeded frill to me, until I used it a few times. It is a definite asset, as I no longer need to carry a recorder.

WiFi is of no use to me, and the added cost might have deterred me from buying the T3.

Battery life could be better, but my work demands a lot of time in my car, and the car charger will take care of this minor detail.

The price seemed high until I experienced the Tungsten T3. The great display, added memory, processing speed, packaged software, and overall feel of a quality product justify the cost.

UPDATE 6-22-04: After two months of daily use, I have not only become accustomed to the T3, but it is now an old friend, which has never let me down. I had not had any problem with the original graffiti, and learning the new graffiti was an unneeded inconvenience for me, but not difficult. No problems have appeared, and I WOULD CERTAINLY BUY A TUNGSTEN T3 AGAIN, WITHOUT HESITATION!

Satisfied User
I've had my T3 for 7 months now and have nothing but praise for this remarkable gadget.
The 75 applications I've fit into the spacious 64m memory and a 256m SD card include: my check register and shopping list database (Splash Wallet), a world clock with 20 alarms (Megaclock), a complete address book/meeting scheduler/to-do list/calendar (Agendus); an outliner (Bonsai), spreadsheet, word processor, PowerPoint editor (Documents to Go) and relational database (HanDBase); a drawing/painting program appropriate to my 10 years training as an artist (HandPainter); a dictionary and thesaurus (To Go), ebook readers; road maps of Colorado and the New York metropolitan area (Mapopolis); listings of 30,000 movies from the Internet Movie Database -- including main cast,director, and synopsis (on TomeRaider); an MP3 player with my favorite 50 songs; a photo album of 30 pictures; a chess game, submarine game, and Space Invaders clone; an icon editor, a file utility, a backup utility, and a flashlight (PalmLight).
For all that, I still have 40% of the memory free.
For all that, I've never had my T3 crash, whine, play games with my eyesight, or go bump in the night. It does however wake me up in the morning to Reville, but I asked it to do that since it's also my alarm clock.
It has replaced most of the contents of my wallet, two notebooks, and a portable cassette player -- all of which I had lugged around with me for 30 years until I bought the T3.
I like to compare my T3 to a 386 desktop computer I used to own -- the T3 does about about as much, about as well; except now it's attached to my belt.
The only thing I don't like about the T3 is that it's not as sturdy as the original Tungsten-T. The T3 feels noticably fragile.
But after 7 months, I can say: I use it daily. I use it for everything. It's never failed me.

Love it. But battery life disappoints.
Love this Palm device. Earlier I had 2 Mb monochome Palm Pilot, so this is a good change to have 52 Mb color one. New grafiti is better. Voice memo feature is good, but need to keep the source of sound away otherwise recording gets bad. Web, VersaMail, MP3, Bluetooth are not very useful to me. It came with RealOne MP3, but that needs an add on card. I didn't find the feature to turn the display very useful. Rarely use it. The battery life disappoints.

Overall, a great device to have.

Do your research before purchasing
I was very happy with the T3 when I bought it. Great screen and resolution, fast processor, bluetooth. But then about 3 months after I got the T3, it started making a high-pitched noise all the time it was turned on. If you work in an office, it's very noticible. On the street or in your car, not so much so. Finally, as I work inside all day, I got fed up with the noise. Since I'm still well within the warranty period, I contacted PalmOne support. Their response is below.

"Tom, I understand that the handheld makes excessive bussing noise from the screen when it is turned on.I would like to explain this phenomenon for you.

Some palmOne handheld devices may emit a high-pitched buzz, especially when plugged into an electrical outlet. The noise does not damage the handheld, and does not mean the handheld is malfunctioning. All electronic components vibrate to some degree when carrying an electric current. That vibration creates sound waves. The TFT displays used by some palmOne handheld devices can amplify those sound waves, resulting in the high pitched buzz you hear.

In most environments the buzz will be drowned out by ambient noise. In particularly quiet environments, or if you bring the handheld to your ear, you may be able to hear it. Because this is normal and expected behavior, palmOne does not provide repairs for products exhibiting the buzz."

Note the part that says, "...palmOne does not provide repairs for products exhibiting the buzz." Anyone with the T3 on their desk in an office setting with normal hearing can hear the shrill all day long.

Just do adequate research before purchasing. This issue and others (including the lack of Palm support) have been documented by many users on numerous Palm message boards.

Good Luck. ... Read more

Features

• A new concept in handhelds: an extremely portable personal entertainment communicator
• 6 oz. with stylus
• Integrated wireless LAN (802.11b) and Bluetooth interface
• Built-in QWERTY-layout wide-pitch keyboard with backlight
• What's in the box: Clie handheld, Charger Cradle, USB HotSync Cable, Retractable Stylus, AC Adapter,Hand Strap, Installation CD-ROM, Instruction manuals

Reviews (26)

Sony Clie PEG-UX50
The search for the perfect palm pilot has always been an issue. Many have features that others don't have, that making it complicated to get the perfect one. Finally, Sony has created a PDA that has every feature that anyone could ever want "The Sony Clie UX50".
This PDA has more bells and whistles than any palm powered handheld that you have seen. With its wireless Internet and its blue tooth, it is easy to connect to every type of compatible device and the cradle for charging would be the only thing needed to be connected physically to it. This PDA has crossed over into being more like a laptop.
The UX50 also has a spaced out keyboard, which makes it easy to type in all the information that needs to be typed. Also the UX50 has a swivel screen, which allows you to change the keyboard into a screen. The pda also allows for the left and right-handed user to be comfortable and also eliminating the High-resolution display not to be covered while you write.
The screen resolution (420x380) is better than any pda out. The screen will let you enjoy little movies with the memory stick pro, which goes up to a gigabyte. Also the screen will be perfect to view your pictures from the camera on the pda or other sources. This pda has hand writing recognition for those who like to write on the screen. Also it has an MP3 player and a voice recorder.
This palm powered device is surely one the greatest inventions in the land of the pda's. It almost goes into the realm of laptops. If you were to buy any palm pilot and didn't mind dishing out 650 dollars then the Sony Clie UX50 is the palm for you.

Many Bells & Whistles in a small pkg, but needs improvments.
I have had an older Sony Clie for a few years. I was thoroughly impressed with that one. It served me well. I then had to replace it, and was solidly leaning toward another Sony product. The features of the UX50 series impressed me very much. But it does have some shortcommings.

Pros:
• Small size. Without a doubt, this is a great unit that fits nicely in my shirt pocket.
• Beautiful screen. It is clear and bright. It is a bit smaller than the older unit, but it is perfectly legible.
• Lots of internal memory. This means I can record a bunch of voice memo's or quick low-res pics from the built in camera w/o using a memory stick.
• Toolbar. There is a little toolbar along the side next to the silk to pull up commonly used features quickly. (like clock, speaker and memory stick media info)
• Built in Keyboard. I love it. It even has a backlight. Not too difficult to use, unlike smaller kbds on other units. The keys are slightly raised.
• Landscape working environment. The "silk" is along the side, and when not being used, the silk can be hidden giving an expanded screen to show text or other items in the silk area. This widescreen mode is a much more efficient use of screen real-estate.
• New handwriting recognition. Decuma is very natural, and has a very good recognition rate. But... see below...
• Rotate/Swivel screen. Use the unit as a micro-laptop, or as a micro-tablet.
• Bluetooth and WiFi. Very easy to setup and use.

Cons:
• This unit only works in landscape mode. I prefer holding the unit in my hand in portrait mode. There doesn't appear to be any setting in software to change this.
• The design favors wireless hotsync, since USB cable is very awkward to plug into side of unit. The cradle should provide the USB connection, and when inserted in the cradle, the USB connection is passed through the cradle (one less wire to insert)
• The battery life is terrible on the UX50 (even compared to the three year old unit I replaced). Perhaps the keyboard light uses up much more energy.
• The memory stick and stylus can come out too easily. I have nearly lost my stylus twice. The end of the memory stick protrudes just a bit too far, and can be easily unlocked.
• New Graffiti is difficult to get used to after a few years of proficiency with the old Graffiti. Some of the strokes are not as easy to use. Perhaps I'll get used to it, but my entry rate is significantly slower.
• Decuma takes up a large amount of screen space when used. There doesn't appear to be any way to shrink it. Also when in wide screen mode, decuma still only uses 2/3 of the screen (the rest of the screen is unusable)
• Decuma should be used in Portrait mode (replacing the Silk). This would free up more screen space, and would still be natural.
• The speaker mute feature should have a timeout, so I can mute for only 1/2 hour or so while in a meeting, but then get my audible alarms afterward.
• Cannot "type" special symbols from the keyboard. I use the bullet symbols all the time, but must enter them using graffiti.

I like the unit. Everybody I show it to is very impressed. The hardware is well designed. If they come out with software that fixes some of my above issues, then I would wholeheartedly recommend this above any thing else presently available.

Nice toy.. definitely not worth the $
Bought a UX50 used off eBay. Have had it for about a month. I would pay 400$ max for a used one. Now that Sony has stopped the entire Clie line, you should find them cheap off the internet.

PROS:
- Nice keyboard
- Love the fact that you can listen to music at the same time performing other functions like browsing, email etc (probably an OS5 feature not restricted to this model only)
- The wireless works like a charm right out of the box.
- Great resolution.

CONS:
- Had to soft boot at least 3-4 times already.
- Most apps require portrait mode which the UX50 does not natively support.
- Battery life - 3hrs max if you use the wireless.
- Need an additional memory stick (128MB - 40$)
- Crappy camera - 0.3MP!!! cmon Sony!
- Native doc support restricted to read only.
- Need the docking station to charge, no direct connection to PDA.

Must have software:
- you can enable the landscape mode for most apps using Code Diver. This is a MUST if you want to use the UX50.

(shareware + 10$. Remember to use the latest beta and not the handango version)
- Also I strongly recommend buying Documents to Go and Contacts to Go (add another 75$ to the tag)

Overall, you can end up spending about 1000$ to make this thing really usable, not worth it. But if you dont mind getting a used one cheap off eBay, this is definitely a nice toy.

A very unsatisfactory product
Having owned several pdas (palm IIIc, m130, tungstenE, & tungstenC), I was really wowed by the design of the PEG-UX50. I saw it first at Tokyo's Akihibara Electronics Town, and was impressed with the sleek design. The unit was functioning but mounted, so I didn't get to hold it. I was most taken with layout and functionality of the keyboard, and the swivel screen. Of course I was determined to buy one.

I waited two months until I was back in the USA and ordered two units from separate vendors. This is my usual custom when buying pdas, as I want to be sure one item isn't experiencing anomalies. I was so excited the day that they arrived. That excitement quickly dissipated.

The battery life is absolutely horrible. I was reading an ebook, and the battery barely lasted for 3 hours. When surfing the web, it lasts for about 90 minutes. The 3-D launcher interface did not appeal to me, so I switched to the classic palm launcher, which made things better. The stylus is too small and too thin to be of any practical use. By the time you get it out and get it extended, you could have tapped what you wanted with your fingernail several times over.

Additionally, the ergonomics are very poor. Maybe it's made for someone with wider hands than mine. It's too wide to sit comfortably in my hand in landscape mode, and there is no portrait mode. After reading my ebook for the three hours that the battery held a charge, my hand was cramped. Also, the buttons are not placed in the most convenient of locations. It's too easy to press the email, internet, or back button while you are just trying to hold the unit. And what's with the jog dial on the left? Probably a wonderful feature if you're left-handed like my little brother. Unfortunately, I'm right-handed.

The vast majority of the palm applications I downloaded did not take advantage of the UX50's wide screen. Who wants a pda window that only covers part of the screen? Certainly not me. In the end, I returned both units. One to Best Buy, where I was not charged the 15% restocking fee, and the other to MPSuperstore.com, where the restocking fee was waived because the IR port was defective.

I tried really hard for two weeks to like the UX50. I left my tungstenC and home and used the UX50 exclusively for that period. The only reason I gave the PEG-UX50 two stars is because the keyboard is excellent. I prefer typing on it than on my tungsten C keyboard. I was prepared to trade in my tungstenC for the PEG-UX50. It's little wonder Sony has withdrawn from the US pda market for a while. Maybe they'll dream up better products while they take this much-needed hiatus.

Cool gadget but uncool price
I've been using a Tungsten E for work and got the the UX-50 for play and was originally hoping to face out the Tungsten E.

They both run Palm OS 5 but I foung the Clie's interface not as user friendly as my Tungsten, it took me almost a week to get used to it and work with it without stopping to look up something in the users manual.

For the size and looks it is a very nice gadget, it's capabilities are close to that of a laptop unfortunately the price tag doesn't justify the purchase. For such a high price it should at least have Documents to Go installed.

The battery life is horrible! I got an extended battery which attaches to the bottom and makes the unit thicker and I'm still not able to use it as much as I use Tungsten during the day without worrying about the battery running out. I need to get a car charger before I can get more use out of it during the day.

The stylus is too thin to hold comfortably and it collapses in mid-use. It also tends to slide out very easily and I've almost lost it that way. Same with the memory stick, it sticks out from the unit just enough for it to come out easily.

The screen is very nice although I would appreciate it if you could occassionaly swtich to portrait mode. The swivel screen is one of my favorite features.

Not a big issue but I would like to be able to delete someapplications like "Clie Demo" that I don't use and are taking up space in the memory and in the icons.

The shortcut buttons are a nice feature but I immediately had to reassign them to features I use more than internet and e-mail. Their location makes it easy to press accidentally.

The built-in camera is better than that found in most cell-phones but not excellent. It comes in handy for quick snapshots but don't expect more from it.

The browser is lame and could use some improvement. It's nice to have a keyboard although it's not good for serious typing.

Bluetooth works great but the infrared interface was difficult to use when working with my cell phone.

This PDA has great potential but Sony has to first make some improvements before it becomes a "must-have". For 3 times the price, I thought this PDA would make my Tungsten E obsolete but I find myself still using it just as much because the Clie hasn't been too reliable to me. So I'll continue using 2 separate PDA's in the meantime. ... Read more

Features

• Adds Bluetooth Class 1 connectivity to your USB-equipped notebook or desktop computer
• Wirelessly connects to local devices such as mobile phones, PDAs, printers, headsets, other computers, mice, keyboards, and more
• Synchronize data between your PC and PDA, and keep your mobile phone's address book up to date
• Use your mobile phone to connect your notebook computer to the Internet, while the phone is still in your pocket
• Compatible with Microsoft 98SE, Me, Windows 2000, and XP

Reviews (13)

So Easy to Install and Use!
Hi,

I bought this device to transfer my cell phone address book to my computer. With this in mind, I heartily recommend the Bluetooth USB adapter. The only negative point of this product is the high price. Read my detailed comments below:

Easy to Install
---------------
The installation was really easy! I just popped in the CD and followed the directions! I have Windows 2K, by the way.

Actually Works
--------------
Better yet was the cool way that the transfer worked w/o any whack errors!

Familiar User Interface
-----------------------
There is a set of "folders" called something like "Bluetooth neighborhood" that shows up in the explorer bar. This shows you the devices connected by Bluetooth to your PC etcetera!

My limited use has already made me so happy, that I am DYING to find out what else I can use Bluetooth for.

Still Costs Too Much
---------------------
The only bad thing is the PRICE. It seems like something like this should cost like 5 bucks. But I guess Linksys has to pay for Research and Development or something. I think the price should drop, though. So if you are on a budget, wait a few months.

Excellent Product!
This is a great little adapter. It works great on both PC's and Mac's with Windows XP and OS X. I love it. Simple to use, no drivers needed for mac's. It has a really good signal, too, enabling me to use my phone 2 floors away from my computer! Its great!

Easy Way To Synchronize Mobile Phone and PC
After researching different websites on an inexpensive way to connect my Sony Ericsson T610 and PC via Bluetooth I ended up choosing this product over others...I made the right choice! While the software involved isn't the most user-friendly, it does the job relatively well. I was able to synchronize my phone contacts and notes from Outlook with my phone which took literally seconds to transfer. Like I mentioned before, the software (especially initial configuration), takes some time especially if this is your first experience with Bluetooth. But once it is setup, it is very easy to keep your phone's information up to date. I definitely recommend this product!

Not much to say about this
Just plugged it into my Mac and off it went. Couldn't be easier! No drivers to install under OS X, just 100% plug and play.

Bluetooth USB device a breeze to use
Was a little hesitant in choosing a device but the Linksys USB bluetooth adapter was a wise choice. Its easy to use, has good range and great customer support ... Read more

Features

• A sleek Pocket PC with the optimal combination of features, performance, and expandability
• Compact Flash and Secure Digital slots for flexibility and convenience in storage and expansion
• Integrated Bluetooth for wireless communication with other Bluetooth devices
• Removable/rechargeable Lithium-lon battery for on the go power
• What's in the box: HP iPAQ Pocket PC, USB Desktop cradle/charger, AC Adapter, Slip case, battery, getting started poster; charger adapter; HP iPAQ Pocket PC Companion CD

Reviews (65)

Im back with GRADES for HP customer support on my 2215
150.00 dollars what it cost me to get my ipaq back in a working manner , indeed with some perks and improvements...read my previous post on the issues that led me to send my machine back..(mositure/condensation on the lcd) BY FAR a hell of a lot cheaper than buying a new one.

lets face it, things break it is inevitable. but dont believe the hype. The HP warranty from what many other people post here across different models of IPAQ can be summed up in 1 sentence.

"the warranty is simply an insurance plan in which repair costs will be lower than getting your item fixed out of its warranty"

as i found out my same issue would have run me $250 & change out of warranty , however my fix was not included in the warranty and mercifully was given a reduced rate because i am in warranty..its a bit of rhetoric nonsense but this is the corporate engine of HP.com...now that we got this KUNG FU style of chess playing here are my grades

warranty coverage .. c+
lets face it we are all out to make money and to shell out as little as possible!! hp is not immune the the capitalist economy we are in. stuff breaks because $--it happens, and why not make a buck or 2 out of your inconsiderateness. Warranty is a joke, to get a repair really free of charge it has to fall on the floor a certain way..or have not appeared abused.. there are plusses & minuses to this ...i was not satisfied with the handling of my unit not covered as part of warranty. I didnt purposely put moisture on the LCD. if i dropped it or scratched it i wouldnt have a beef, however i stand with the poor mark for HP warranty.

HP telephone support : B
they dont get an A because they OUTSOURCE...i am a minority myself I am hispanic so no offense to anyone here. but with this GLOBAL effort alot of the computer comapnies now have chains of tech support in INDIA. and trust me i could not get a straight answer unless I spoke to someone in the US...once speaking to a rep in USA status & details & next steps were clearly given to me in a timely manner. I noticed the outsource reps still seem to be figuring out their screens on dropdown menus as to what to say next to a caller I was on hold alot and this was unacceptable.

Billing Center : D
this is the area you will have to deal with WHEN your item falls out of warranty and customer support will transfer you here, as there is no further discussion on your case, they need money and thats it. I felt in my talk with them i felt like I was talking to a collection agency, to which the rep i spoke to seemed a bit miffed as to me asking
"just what was wrong with my unit, what was the fix?"
i may not be the sharpest knife in the drawer when it comes to repair in scientific terms but anyone can explain SIMPLY what was wrong with a product and what could fix it..if im shelling out my hard earned money..you will humor me and tell me what i wanna hear!!
after all i said to the lady i spoke to

"it isnt so wrong of me to ask what was wrong with my item? Surely you yourself dont go shopping and just stuff items in your shopping bag, you are gonna look at what your taking off the shelf? right? let alone the bill that your spending money on the items on right? or are you just gonna fork out your cash with no questions not caring what its amounted to and what you have bought?"

a cut & dry collections team here made this part of the repair process by far the worst ive had to deal with. Reminds me of a traffic cop giving you a ticket, heartless & un speakable.

shipping Process & return process : a+
this is their strong area!! and made all other suttleties bearable..Wednesday may 26th received box to mail the ipaq back for repair...after having called Tuesday 5/25 to lodge my trouble report.
Box picked up on 5/27 Thursday...and had it not been for the Memorial Day Weekend it may have come back sooner..the PPC was back in my posession on wednesday 6/2..on tuesday 6/1 is when i got everything squared away as to fixes & non warranty & asking me for credit card info..

more plusses.. ther was a ROM upgrade for my IPAQ which they put on it.. 1.10 is the rom for 2200 series it was upgraded to from 1.00...and its on HP's website FYI for download..by placing this rom on your unit it requires HARD reset & such ive done it for some of my colleagues in the office upgrading from PPC 2002 to 2003 on different HP models. They replaced the SHIELD...there were some minor NICKS & cuts from having placed screen shields on my PPC prior, all to which are GONE...they gave me a new shield scratch free.

treat your PPC with love..those are my plusses & minuses with HP
now stop reading and BUY your PPC !!!

Hp Ipaq does it again!
As a Sophomore student in college i had my share of PDA's and after trouble times dealing with my Toshiba and way out-dated Palm Pilot, i finally made the upgrade to the Ipaq 2215. First of all, the rubber grips is a nice addition from the accident waiting to happen Ipaq 39**, it also gives a nice, classy look to the interface. Second, the size is a welcome since in the earlier models they were big & bulky without mentioning the additional CF sleeve added.The memory is nothing speculator (64MB Ram & 32MB ROM), so if you plan on adding 3rd party software, be prepared to cough up extra cash for a SD or CF card.The bluetooth is a nice welcome, but in a campus where wi-fi is connected all over, does little unless i have to use my friend Ecrisson cell phone to connect for web browsing.Ladies & Gentlemen, who doesn's love how Hp once again step over their competition with the SD & CF slot already designed into the 2215.This is nothing new, but the newer models coming out on the Toshiba e405 and other HP ipaqs doesn't include both slots, another reason to shell out the cash for it. The 2215 model is very sleek and rounded perfect for a nice look to those non-pda users who often peek to see what you are doing. I love the 3.5 screen, which project the clearest and brightest screen around in the market. This a very nice PDA except sometimes the screen will freeze and crash you can lose everything, unless you save your files on a SD or CF memory card. Besides that, this is the perfect PDA to buy, until a upgrade is put out in the market.
Oh yeah, do yourself a favor and spend the $70-75 dollars 2-3yr warrant, because believe you are going to need it, if you use your PDA for everyday use like i do.

HP IPAQ 2215
I have had an iPAQ 2215 for just under a year. I did a lot of work, asked a lot of questions before buying. It was in my price range, plus I added a SD card because my camera also uses a SD card. The case the comes with it is nice but replace it with a sturdier one to protect screen and features that fit your lifestyle (mine is a clipon to belt or waist. The only thing that I am thinking of adding is a foldable/protable keyboard for long documents. It's great

All good - Display lacks a little,
I like the features and the small footprint. Everything works great. The one small complaint is with the display... it seems to be less bright than say the 19xx or the 55xx models. I'm not sure if its a power issue since the 21xx series has only a 900 mAh Lithium-lon battery and they needed to take away from the display to conserve the battery.
But overall a nice unit.

Kundera
Spanish:

¿qué es mejor, el peso o la levedad?

Me quedo con ambas, menos de 150gr con todo el peso de la tecnología. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Logitech's diNovo Media Desktop is a dramatically designed Bluetooth keyboard and MediaPad, optical mouse, and Bluetooth hub combination that transforms the user’s work space. The visually striking diNovo keyboard gives first-class comfort, while the separate MediaPad lets users remotely command today’s PC digital-media interface to enjoy their favorite pictures and musical selections. The MediaPad also displays e-mail or instant message notifications, media playback status, and provides smart calculator functionality.

The ensemble includes Logitech’s high-precision MX-900 rechargeable optical mouse. The diNovo also turns the PC into a Bluetooth control center, letting users synchronize data between their Bluetooth PDAs, cell phones, other devices, and their PCs. You've never seen anything like the MediaPad, a Bluetooth remote commander for all your digital media. Use it to remotely view, select, and launch your favorite jukebox tunes, video clips, or digital photos.

The MediaPad also displays e-mail or instant message notifications, and it lets you monitor media playback status, even when you're away from your desk. It's a numeric keypad with a built-in smart calculator. And you can view the time and date on the digital display. To streamline your desktop, a single external device performs two critical functions: it serves as a wireless hub for all your Bluetooth devices and as a fast power charger for the mouse. Communicate instantly using your Bluetooth headset, or easily exchange data between your PC and your Bluetooth PDA, cell phone, and printer. Thanks to the power of Bluetooth, you can do it all without wires.

But what is Bluetooth, anyway?
Bluetooth is a standard wireless technology aimed at allowing users to make effortless, fast connections between various devices, such as mobile devices and computers. The sophisticated mode of transmission ensures protection from interference and increased data security and offers greater wireless range. Your Bluetooth devices by Logitech will work up to 30 feet away from the included Bluetooth wireless hub.

	Keyboard Features Ultraflat, zero-degree tilt design It's the keyboard comfort equivalent of sitting in first class. Bluetooth wireless technology Enjoy a long range, increased security, and protection from interference. Expert Web navigation Programmable one-touch buttons for direct access to any page, file, or program you choose. Enhanced function keys Get instant access to your images, music, documents, and common commands via enhanced function keys. True boot support Use your Bluetooth keyboard to enter safe mode, access your BIOS, or enter your password with no problems.
	MediaPad Features A Bluetooth remote media commander Use it to remotely view, select, and launch your favorite jukebox tunes, video clips, or digital photos. Monitor media playback status, even when you're away from your desk. Communications center Receive e-mail or instant message notifications on the MediaPad's interactive display, even when you're away from your PC. A desktop companion The MediaPad also acts as a numeric keypad with a built-in smart calculator. And you can view the time and date on the digital display, automatically synchronized with your PC's clock.
	Mouse Features MX Optical Engine A new benchmark in optical systems combines high resolution and a high frame rate to achieve superior performance. More efficient Web navigation Cruise Control combines two buttons with a scroll wheel to ease scrolling through long documents or Web sites. And two thumb buttons let you move forward or backward between pages. Quick-switch program selector Navigate back and forth among active programs and documents. Comfortable design Its sleek, contoured shape fits snugly into your right hand for optimal comfort.
	Rapid-Charge Base Station/Bluetooth Wireless Hub Connect Connect up to seven Bluetooth devices at a given time to the Bluetooth wireless hub Communicate freely Create, send, and receive short messages with your Bluetooth keyboard and your Bluetooth cellular phone. Get organized Synchronize your Bluetooth PDA or cell phone with your PC. Share with ease Easily transfer pictures and files between your PC and your Bluetooth mobile devices. Free yourself from cables and clutter Print to a Bluetooth printer and accomplish other computing tasks without wires, and use your mouse or keyboard up to 30 feet away from your PC.

... Read more

Features

• Makes your PC a Bluetooth control center
• Wireless freedom and a powerful way to orchestrate your PC’s digital media capabilities
• Bluetooth wireless hub is built into the mouse's recharging station
• Use it to remotely view, select, and launch your favorite jukebox tunes, video clips, or digital photos.
• Synchronize data between your Bluetooth PDA, cell phones, and other devices, and PCs.

Reviews (16)

Disappointed... Problems after only 1 week of use...
I am actually using diNovo keyboard to type this review, and it is a bit of a struggle due to malfunctioning spacebar. :(

I did a bit of research on diNovo before buying it. Most online magazines (PCMag, CNet, etc.) highly recommend this product, noting its high price as the only drawback.

I got this keyboard/mouse combo a week ago, and I must say it looks and feels great. Separate keyboard and touchpad save you desk space. Mouse runs all day without a need for recharging.

I didn't experience any connection issues. It was only one time that I had to press the "connect" buttons on BlueTooth hub and mouse to have it re-detected because it stopped functioning all of the sudden.

The initial installation was smooth. I downloaded the latest drivers, got everything connected and everything went well from there... until yesterday.

All of the sudden the space bar (probably the most useable key on any keyboard) started losing response. I had to hit it harder to move the cursor and even then, at times, it would not respond. As I type this, I often have to hit the spacebar 4-5 times in order to make a single space between the words.

Another problem surfaced early this morning. The lower "fast scroll" mouse button would sometimes result in a "locked" fast scroll. This could be a software issue, I am not sure.

One thing is for certain, the assembly quality seems to be on the lower side. I reached this conclusion based not only on personal experience, but by reading other customer reviews and comments. Given the high price of this product, I am extremely disappointed, if not angry. This is probably the most expensive keyboard/mouse combo on the market, and one thing Logitech should have made sure is that it is of solid build quality. The product is produced by a Logitech plant in China, by the way.

As far as support goes, here is the story so far...

I made a big mistake by not saving the original packaging, so I am not sure if I'll be able to exchange it at local store.

I called up Logitech support (you can find their contact information at logitech.com), and had a live person on the line after a short wait. I told them about the problem, and the tech. support rep said that I have to exchange it at local store where I bought the product since it's been less than 90 days since the purchase.
I told him that I didn't keep the original box and that the retail store may have problem with that. He said that they will make an exception and handle the exchange themselves if the retailer won't accept the exchange.

I e-mailed the store where I got diNovo, and, at this point, I am waiting for their reply. I will post a follow-up review and tell how this thing plays out and if the replacement keyboard is any better than the original.

Beautiful Set Up!!! Where are the Mac drivers?
As a Mac user, this is the keyboard I expected to see come out of Cupertino. Since Apple has decided to not move to a 'more than one button' set-up (at this point it is just ego) I decided to snag one of these guys from Ebay on the cheap. Instantly, I loved it. Five minutes later I was ticked off to find that it does not work with OS X... well it does it you rig it up but th numerical keyboard does not work AT ALL. It is just a really expensive calculator at this point. What really gets me is how simple it would be for Logitech to write a simple driver so that Mac users, who are notoriou for over spending for great design, could use their product. Talk about a swing and a miss... shame on you Logitech. Same.

If you don't like notebook keyboard, this one either.
A beautiful product, but not so comfortable. The feeling of keystroke is very similar to gerenal notebook keyboard.

The mediapad is not a good idea for non-western language, you will get ???? for all non-western character. And I get my mediapad RMAed twice (a tedious procedure that I won't mention here). The idea of media center is not as useful, because the software is tightly integrated with MS Media Player, so I can not get any benefit from my iTunes.

If you don't use keyboard often, and need some beautiful gadget on your desktop, I would recommend this. Otherwise, find other robust keyboard.

wireless is wonderful
This was really easy to set up because you don't have to figure out what plugs into what, and I love that I can be up to 30 feet away from the computer and it still works because of the Bluetooth. I can even be in the next room, which comes in handy when you work from home like I do.

Beautiful, but functionality is problematic at best.
After having this keyboard for two days I'm returning it because
I'm already frustrated with pressing the connect button on
EVERY device every time I boot up. It is a beautiful, slick
keyboard and the mouse is great. But it's of no use to me if
I have to go through this connection hassle EVERY TIME I BOOT UP. Logitech should not have put this thing on the market without testing it futher, and if this is indicative of bluetooth technology... best of luck to them.

Forget it, back to my wired keyboard and optical mouse. ... Read more

Features

• All you need to put your Bluetooth devices to work for you right now, right at your desktop.
• Bluetooth wireless hub is built into the mouse's recharging station
• True boot support so you can use your keyboard to enter safe mode, access your BIOS, or enter your password
• Combines Logitech's stylish cordless keyboard and rechargeable cordless optical mouse
• Works with both Windows® XP and Windows® 2000 - no service pack required

Reviews (11)

So far, rather thrilled
I purchased this product due to its Bluetooth capabilities. While it takes a bit more setup than your standard keyboard and mouse, it works extremely well. The keyboard and mouse work very well and have a great feel. The keyboard is extremely comfortable. The mouse charger also acts as a Bluetooth hub, which I used to connect my Palm Pilot and hope to use with a Bluetooth enabled phone soon.

The software also provides a few nice extras, such as onscreen volume display. Cap Lock/Num Lock/Scroll Lock onscreen display.

It came down to this product or the Microsoft Bluetooth setup. I chose Logitech both because of my previous success with their products and because the keyboard is a standard layout. The Microsoft version moves the Insert/Delete// block of six keys into a two column formation and doubles the size of the delete key. As a programmer, this frustrated me to no end.

Overall I am very impressed and I am planning on purchasing a duplicate set for my home.

Logitech Cordless Desktop MX for Bluetooth is amazing
The Logitech Cordless MX Duo provided comfort, style, rechargeable mouse and most importantly MX technology. With the new advancement with the MX technology, it was still missing one main component, Bluetooth technology. It makes any component capable of achieving wireless range of thirty feet and nearly perfect communication integrity with the Bluetooth Wireless Hub. Not only does the Logitech Cordless Desktop MX for Bluetooth contain Bluetooth technology, it still retains all previous terrific features from the keyboard and the mouse. ...

Probably the best wireless keyboard+mouse set out there
I bought this set after a long search for a wireless set with a USB keyboard connector for my laptop (thanks to Toshiba for not putting one on my P10). When I opened the box and installed it on my laptop (prior to installing the drivers, which I had to download from Logitech's website) and no problems of detection (both on my Windows XP and Gentoo Linux systems). And everything worked like a dream after installing the software packages. If you take to time to play with the iTouch settings you can create a monster of the keyboard (attaching menus (instead of direct commands) to the hot keys, etc.)

I actually had no intentions of writing a review for this set, I didn't even buy it from Amazon but some of the reviews here gave such a bad impression that I had to. First the bluetooth hub works fine with non-Logitech devices, however if a bluetooth hub or similar device is installed prior to this set, the setup utility limits the hub to the keyboard+mouse set in order not to screw your existing Bluetooth configuration.

Someone made a point about the hotkey icons.
"Shopping Cart" for Shopping

How can you better describe shopping. The same goes for all the other hotkeys. I'm starting to doubt that you are talking about this particular product.

Also the keyboards battery consumption is quite economic, compared to my heavy usage (about 10-15 hours per day)

Why 4 stars? No users manual or software is included with the box. Downloading the software (around a total of 40 MB) can be frustrating for people using Dial-up.

Bluetooth is Worthless
I bought the Logitech bluetooth keyboard and mouse because I wanted to use the Logitech bluetooth headset HS01 and thought the combo might be worth it. I should have listened to the hints buried in other reviews.

First the Logitech bluetooth adapter stinks. With the Logitech Hs01 there is lots of static and the headset constantly drops. The adapter also drops the mouse and keyboard at times, and then forces setup again which takes a couple of minutes! When I pair the headset with a Belkin bluetooth hub it works almost flawlessly, and yes the mouse also works. The keyboard seems to have Logitech only logic so forget it.

That leaves the mouse and keyboard. The feel of the keyboard is very nice which is why I give it 2 stars. The funky special keys I could get used to and eventually use.

The mouse I like the shape and feel of, although it is heavy. Can probably get used to half the functions on it. What I do not like is that it takes a couple of seconds for the mouse to be active after you have been idle. This does not appear to be the case when it is linked to the Belkin bluetooth hub, although I only used it that way for a couple of hours.

But the whole thing is going back. I will probably replace it with the MX duo which is the same mouse and keyboard but with just RF. After all why pay the premium for the bluetooh version when the Logitech implementation of bluetooth seems to be poor.

Keyboard doesn't work
I eagerly awaited my Bluetooth keyboard and mouse, and upon arrival I immediately installed it. That began five frustrating days of troubleshooting. There is no "Manual", you just get this huge picture setup page (like comes with new Dell machines). The troubleshooting contained on this thing does not exist. Since the keyboard would not work, my machine was effectively shutdown. I tried putting my old keyboard and mouse back on, but the machine didn't recognize them either. Spent many hours searching for solutions on the web (on someone else's machine), and have finally found a work around, but it defeats the purpose of installing the system in the first place. The work around allows me to use the keyboard and mouse, but the computer no longer recognizes the Bluetooth hub (even though my keyboard and mouse connect through it).

Logitech's support consisted of "Put it on another machine and see if it works there." That advice came two days into troubleshooting and research. Research found many people with the same problem, so why would I want to "Lock up" another machine? Logitech has yet to respond. Support -5 stars since they are actually hurting my troubleshooting at this point!

Bottom line: Unless you want to take a chance on locking up your machine, wait a few months until Logitech can figure this problem out (may take longer at their current speed of advance)! ... Read more

Features

• A thin, light, and affordable Pocket PC
• Includes mobile versions of Microsoft Office: Pocket Outlook, Word, and Excel
• Integrated Bluetooth for wireless communication with other Bluetooth devices
• Great multimedia features
• What's in the box: iPaQ 1945, USB synchronization cable, AC Adapter, battery, charger adapter, audio adapter, iPAQ Pocket PC companion CD

Reviews (59)

The iPAQ 1945 - A Pocket PC Approaching Perfection
The iPAQ 1945, also sold as the iPAQ 1940, is the first in a line of planned successors to the iPAQ 1910. HP has addressed many of the concerns that 1910 users had, namely that the 1910 was too slow and lacked hardware expansion options. The 1945 is powered by a new 266MHz processor from Samsung which rivals, and sometimes surpasses, the usable speed of many XScale chips from Intel. Other features of the iPAQ 1945 include 64MB of RAM (56MB of which are user accessible), a crisp, bright transflective color screen, onboard Bluetooth wireless, and a Secure Digital slot which can use SD flash memory cards and SDIO peripherals such as 802.11b WLAN cards.

Windows Mobile 2003 for Pocket PC replaced Pocket PC 2002 as the most current Pocket PC OS in June 2003 and comes installed on the 1945. While the version of Windows Mobile 2003 pre-installed on the iPAQ lacks a few minor applications (such as Microsoft Reader), each can be downloaded for free. Because HP left the choice to the end-user, the iPAQ File Store - unused space on the ROM - has over 13MB free for software, files, etc.

As I mentioned before, the Samsung processor keeps the 1945 moving along very well. Having recently used an iPAQ 5450 (400Mhz PXA250 XScale), a Toshiba e755 (400MHz PXA255 XScale) and a Toshiba e355 (300MHz PXA255 XScale), I can say that, from a casual use point-of-view, the iPAQ 1945 surpasses the speed of the iPAQ 5450 and Toshiba e355 and feels basically on level with the Toshiba e755. One of the touted benefits of the Samsung processor is long battery life, and while I didn't get the eight hours that HP suggested I might, I got almost seven hours use out of the 1945 with the backlight on its lowest setting before I had to recharge; a very good result.

There is only one real drawback to the iPAQ 1945, as I see it, and it's relatively minor and completely fixable: the 1945 ships with only a USB Sync cable, not a cradle. While some might actually prefer this, I miss not having a cradle to rest the iPAQ in while it's not in use. The good news here is that there is a cradle available (the same cradle that works with the iPAQ 1910), and you can purchase if you want it.

All-in-all, the iPAQ 1945 is an amazing addition to the Pocket PC family. If you like small, light PDAs with oomph, the 1945 might be right up your alley.

First time PPC user
I bought the HP Ipaq 1945 2 weeks ago and think it's an excellent product. No problem syncronising with Outlook, Word, and Excel, pretty fast. The bluetooth feature is a little bit tricky when setting up, but once you find out how, the bluetooth synchronisations are excellent.
The only drawbacks are: it does not bring a protective case, you have to get your own covers for the lcd screen and the battery lasts about 4 hours in continuos operation.
If you are looking for a simple to use device and use your standard outlook features this device is for you. It's thin and light, simple to carry around and all the info you need is right in your hand.

More drawbacks than advantages
The iPaq 1945, with "Mobile Windows 2003," is an updated version of the landmark 1910 model. The 1910 model was significant in the history of Pocket PCs because it was small and stylish, a first in the PPC world. Unfortunately, the cool factor of the 1910 wore off pretty quickly; I initially loved my 1910 and gave it 5 stars. After two weeks I started getting frequent crashes, and the unit was very slippery and quite uncomfortable to hold, and HP didn't even both to include a case!
The 1945 introduced some new additions, but has one big huge drawback: it uses a Korean-made Sumsung CPU, which implements the ARM architecture at a low speed and also a low cost (to HP, that is). The CPU is reported to generate more heat than Intel offerings, and personally I don't trust a company that makes DVD players that don't last more than 6 months. Anyway, the 1945 is not even that cheap. A faster and better built Zire 71 with more features is cheaper, and since Palm can do videos and music these days, the incentive to get such a half-baked product like the 1945 is pretty small.

Also, even though 64MB of RAM is included, you can still only access about 46MB of it. In my 1910 experience this is actually adequate, unless you want to install Microsoft Reader, Pocket Streets, Money, and other software. PPC software titles tend to be huge (think "bloatware"), so I think going forward if you are buying a PPC, be sure to get at least 64MB of *useable* RAM. Check out Toshiba's e750/e755 offering, which as 96MB of RAM, 32 of which is non-versatile, meaning the content stays on even when the battery completely dies. (The e75x also has wi-fi.)

In terms of additions, the 1945 offers Bluetooth -- but nobody I know uses BT so most of you potential buyers would be paying for something you'll never use (kinda like the mic feature on all the PPCs I've owned...) -- and also SDIO compatibility, something sorely missing in the 1910. A few manufacturers including Toshiba, Sandisk, Lexar, etc. are coming out with SD wi-fi cards (finally), so at least the 1945 can potentially use them. BUT... wi-fi is a battery killer, and the 1945 uses a small-capacity battery. My prediction is on a full charge and at level 2 brightness (out of 5), if you have the wi-fi on, the 1945 won't last for more than 30 minutes. Also note that you cannot use a wi-fi card and SD memory expansion at the same time as the 1945 only has one slot. So a few extra bucks, you'd be much, much better off with a Toshiba e75x model, which has both SD and CompactFlash expansion slots (and built-in 802.11b wi-fi).

While the 1945 is still stylish and kind of "cool," you must keep in mind that its slippery metal surface makes it hard to hold or take out of the case. The application buttons are also stiff. I test-drove a 1945 in a local computer store and was totally unimpressed since none of the complaints I had was addressed at all, including the small and awkward stylus.

Even though I still use my 1910 as my primary PDA, I'm looking to replace it completely (maybe with a Palm, after all these years?), both as a result of disatisfaction with the hardware and some frustrations over the software (no "tap-and-write" calendar appointments, all-too-frequent problems with ActiveSync, constant soft resets, etc, etc.). So my finally thought is, get a Palm if you want something simple and reliable, and if you want a PPC, stay away from this underpowered, ergonomically incorrect 1945 and get a Toshiba e755 instead.

$300 paper weight!
My husband bought this for me for my birthday in January. I am a pharmacy student and it comes in so handy when I work in a pharmacy. I call it my other brain. The other day while I was working at a pharmacy, it fell from the counter to the floor. It hit a rubber matted floor. The LCM (I think that is what it is called)is now broke. It looks as though liquid is oozing from the top corner. Ever store I have taken it to says it is cheaper to replace the whole unit. I called HP they said it will be 199.99 to replace plus shipping a labor. What a joke. I will buying a new one, just not an HP. If one little fall from a counter can cause such damage, it is not worth it. I am very disappointed in this product. Buyer Beware!

Satisfied But Confused
Beautiful little machine. In the first two weeks of use, have had one synchronization glitch -- couldn't delete a web page because of a supposed file-sharing error -- but it was resolved with a soft reset. Biggest concern so far: I have dozens of questions (just one example: what is "automatic gain control"?) that aren't answered either in user's manual or on-board Help files. Guess I'll have to get them answered through a Google search. You'll need to buy a case and one thought on this: Think twice before you buy (or better yet, try it out somewhere) the Rhinoskin aluminum case. It's VERY difficult to use the PDA while it is in this case with the front open. There's simply no way to comfortably and securely get a grip on the case because the front doesn't fold back. I sent mine back and bought Rhinoskin's leather case for IPAQ 1900 Series PDAs(00366; it's hard to find on Amazon because there are few links from the IPAQ PDA pages). This case -- because the front folds back behind the PDA -- solved the problem. I originally bought the aluminum case because my PDA goes in a bike bag, but this case seems to provide protection that is almost as good. ... Read more

Product Description

The iPAQ h4355 Pocket PC features an integrated keyboard and built-in Bluetooth and 802.11b wireless capabilities so you can access the Internet, e-mail and corporate data at home, at work, or on the go - a stylishly productive communications tool for the mobile professional. ... Read more

Features

• Slim, sleek, and affordable
• Dazzling Transflective TFT color with LED backlight display
• Pocket versions of familiar applications like Outlook, Word, and Excel
• Removable/rechargeable batterand integrated keyboard
• Integrated Bluetooth

Features

• Works with PC and Mac
• Seamless wireless Personal Area Network (PAN) connectivity
• Supports seven devices
• Plug and play

Reviews (36)

Does work with Nokia 3650!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I bought this product for use with my Nokia 3650 (AT&T Wireless). Although the installation was somewhat difficult, the device works great.

Download the PC Suite software from Nokia's website and install it. PC Suite will not work until you connect the cell phone to the computer for the first time, so don't bother opening it yet. Install the D-Link software. Ignore the boxes stating that the software is not supported by Windows XP, it does work. Turn on your cell phone and turn on Bluetooth, leaving it within a reasonable distance of your computer. Make sure the Nokia software is told to search ALL BLUETOOTH COM PORTS to connect. This can be accomplished by opening the system tray program "mRouter" and selecting all the boxes. Pair the cell phone and computer using the D-Link software. If you are running a firewall, either turn it off or click yes when programs start asking for internet access. Then, connect the cell phone to the computer using "My Bluetooth Places" (D-Link Software). A box will come up stating that the cell phone is connected on COM Port 0. Click OK. Almost immediately, a box will come up saying "The Bluetooth Serial Port connection failed: The remote device closed the connection." Click OK and completely disregard the error message. Open up the Nokia software and it will work.

I give this product 4 stars only because of the error box that comes up whenever a connection is made. Otherwise, everything works fine. Believe me, I spent quite a while shopping for a Bluetooth adapter, this is the best choice. If you have a Nokia 3650, it is an absolute must-have.

Works great on macs
Works perfectly on my 2 1/2 year old iBook with OS X 10.3. Just plug it in and have iSync search for your telephone. Once it's found it, you're in business from now on. All you have to do to is hit the sync button on Isync and that's it. No probs. My friend that also has a Nokia 3650 and a PC can't get the bluetooth to work for the life of him. Sounds like many other people have this hassle. Well, at least your computer was cheap, huh? Guess you didn't think about what your time is worth. My time is worth more than dinking around with a PC and dealing with crashes. I have work to do.

Installs flawlessly with a Mac and PC.
This product has been with me for years. I have the revision 3 and I believe they are up to revision 5 already. It has worked flawlessly with my old Sony Ericsson T610 phone. And it works even better with my current Nokia 6600 mobile.

I installed the product in my Apple PowerBook G4 and iBook Dual USB and it instantly recognized the product without any drivers. I also believe this is the same product found inside every Bluetooth-equipped Mac because Apple did release a firmware update to their internal Bluetooth and it included these external D-Link DBT-120 units, if a user had one. (The only problem is that if you updated the firmware that Apple provided, you will not be able to use the D-Link on a PC. I haven't updated mine and never ran into sync problems).

I sync my address book and calendar in Jaguar and Panther OS to my mobile phone and iPod without any hitches.

Pros:
1. Small, compact, light
2. No drivers needed for Mac OS Jaguar and Panther and Windows XP OS.

3. Price. This product used to cost a lot. Now it has dropped down to USD40. Which is great, because this very same product that is installed internally in Macs still cost USD45 for the option. Shouldn't an OEM product installed during production be cheaper? Furthermore, if it's installed internally then you cannot transfer it between computers. The external is cheaper and transferrable.

Cons:
1. The only difficulty I can think of is the implementation of the Bluetooth standard across products.

I love gadgets and find myself tinkering with anything technological so I usually don't have problems making one product operate with another.

The problem with Bluetooth is that there is no standard way to activate and access operation between products. Each product has its own graphic user interface to contend with. Bluetooth is being billed to consumers as an easy plug and play product. I'm sure it is - just not right now as manufacturers are still fiddling with how to integrate it with their products. Hence, other consumers will have to read the manual on how to access and use Bluetooth across products. In products that come with no manual, they will have to be used to fiddling the interface. Until then, I can't wait for the time where Bluetooth actually performs the way it is billed.

If it doesn't work the first time, try to understand the logic behind each product's interface. The problem is that if they can't get it to work, they blame D-Link. If you're computer recognizes the product upon install, then there is no problem. If it doesn't and the activity lights don't work, then send it back. Unlike Wireless/Wired Ethernet products, the user interface is not embedded in the Bluetooth unit. This Bluetooth product is only a vessel. The actual operation is dependent on the computer and interface it has been programmed to interact with Bluetooth.

Excellent device
This is a great adapter which is high quality, and relatively low price. I use it with a laptop running windows XP and a Hewlett-Packard iPAQ 2215.

This adapter is very easy to setup and all of the necessary instructions and software come with the adapter. Setup is a farily automated process and the installation wizard and instruction booklet will guide you through the process.

The adapter lets you use a variety of different services such as internet connection sharing, ActiveSynch, file transfer, and others. All of these services can be enabled/disabled at any point after installation and configuring them is for the most part a simple procedure which can be done by following the instruction on the computer.

The adapter has a very good range of twenty to thirty yards, which is about the maximum a PDA can handle, so connecting to the adapter won't be an issue. Several of my friends and I have PDAs, so I got this adapter so we could all use my laptop as a wireless hub to get online. None of use have had any problems and it can handle several devices using it at once.

As an added bonus the adapter comes with a free USB extension cable.

Has not failed me once
This product has not failed me once since the day I bought it. D-link makes quality goods for cheap prices. It is not hard to use, if you have Windows XP it requires no setup, though you might want to install their software anyways, because of its features. I highly recommend this. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

The Tungsten T is Palm's most compact device yet. But don't be fooled by its diminutive size. Inside, the new Texas Instruments OMAP1510 processor (an enhanced ARM-based processor) gives you the performance you need to organize your work and your life. Stay productive when you're on the go with access to your essential Word, Excel, and PowerPoint-compatible files. Built-in Bluetooth technology allows you to access e-mail and connect to the Internet with the use of a Bluetooth-compatible mobile phone. On top of all this, the Tungsten T handheld has a new color screen, a built-in voice recorder, a five-way navigator button for one-hand operation, plus dual expansion for adding functionality so your Tungsten T handheld grows with you.

Display
The Palm Tungsten T features high resolution on its 320 x 320 pixel backlit color display, which can display more than 65,000 colors.

Expansion
The Tungsten uses MultiMediaCard and Secure Digital expansion cards, which instantly add software applications, additional memory, large databases, and more without taking up built-in memory space.

Operating System
The Tungsten is powered by Palm OS 5, which provides higher performance, enhanced multimedia features, support for Bluetooth connectivity, and enterprise-class security.

Extra Software
Along with the standard Palm software, you'll receive a Software Essentials CD-ROM containing Acrobat Reader, ArcSoft PhotoBase Palm Edition, BlueBoard, BlueChat, Copytalk, Dialer, DataViz Documents to Go 5.0 Professional Edition, Handmark, Palm Reader, Palm WAP Browser, Palm Web Browser Pro, Phone Link Updater, powerOne Personal, SMS, and VersaMail 2.0.

Compatibility
The Palm Tungsten T is compatible with PCs running Windows 95, 98, NT 4.0, 2000, Me, and XP, and with Macs running Mac OS 9 or Mac OS X 10.1.2 or later.

In the Box
Palm Tungsten T handheld, stylus, protective cover, USB HotSync cradle, power supply, installation CD-ROM with PDF user's manuals, Software Essentials CD-ROM, and Read this First document. ... Read more

Features

• Reflective TFT color screen with brightness control and support for more than 65,000 colors
• ARM-based Texas Instrument OMAP1510 processor
• Integrated Bluetooth Radio and Antenna
• Secure Digital/MultiMediaCard Expansion Slot
• What's in the box: Palm Tungsten T handheld, stylus, protective cover, USB HotSync cradle, power supply (120 VAC), installation CD with user manuals, Software Essentials CD

Reviews (81)

Great Hardware, Software Doesn't Pass Muster
The Palm Tungsten T is a great piece of hardware, but having switched from the Pocket PC platform, the software doesn't quite pass muster. While the new Palm OS 5 is not great, neither is the Pocket PC. The Palm OS keeps it simple, whereas the Pocket PC suffers from an over zealous interface (all it's missing is a wallpaper with palm trees and a pina colada). The Tungsten T also seems to operates faster than many Pocket PC, even given the more powerful processors that are standard in Pocket PCs. It's worth pointing out here that standard entertainment software for the Pocket PC (and Sony Clie Palm) is noticeably missing in the Tungsten T bundle, such as an MP3 player and video playback (MP3 player is now available for download on the RealNetworks website). Many competing PDAs now include either Bluetooth or WiFi (but not both). It seems like Palm is entrenched in Bluetooth for mobile computing, whereas more Pocket PCs now include WiFi, such as the new HP IPAQ, and the Toshiba e740 and e755. In April 2003, SanDisk is coming out with an innovative combination WiFi/128MB SD card that should solve this deficiency; a combination WiFi/256 MB SD card will also be released (both at reasonable prices). They are said to work with Palm OS 5.

Overall, the Tungsten T is worth the price (especially after the price drop) because the hardware is very well designed and has only one minor software flaw. The hardware's great design beats out the software's many setbacks. If you're not a demanding user, but want a small PDA for a reasonable price, then this is the PDA for you. For advanced users, you'll have to evaluate competing Palm and Pocket PC PDAs on price, features, design and portability.

The points I allocate are given in staples [points]

Hardware "Excellent," Total of +9.5 points
Here's a breakdown of the hardware, by importance:
+ The smallest PDA on the market, elegant and slim [3]
+ Sharp screen, bright colors [2]
+ Great design and slider concept (albeit borrowed from the Sharp Zaurus) [2]
+ Fast processor [2]
+ Bluetooth [2]
+ Recorder microphone is built in. Record your classroom lectures or boardroom meetings [2]
+ One of the lightest PDAs on market [1]
+ Finally, a Palm with a headphone jack. The volume with headphones connected is not very loud and audio quality is average. Headphone jacks come standard on Pocket PC PDAs as well as Sony Clie PDAs. PDAs such as the HP IPaqs are significantly louder and more clear. [1]
+ SD card reader [1]
+ 2 groves on sides are used to dock Palm Tungsten T into leather cases, etc. This innovation eliminates the need to use Velcro or to use bulkier cases that hug your PDA. [1]
+ 5 way navigator is neat, haven't found a use for it yet though. [0.5]
~ Speakers are loud, but not all that clear [neutral]
- Short battery life, clocks about 3 hours [3]
- Only 16 MB of RAM included. You can install most of the bundles programs, but you'll run into space constraints. [2]
- No 802.11b capabilities (WiFi) [1.5]
- Same tired cradle design. It has 2 cables, 1 for USB connection to your computer, 1 for power. This cumbersome layout prevents you from charging your Palm without the cradle. Big disadvantage when you're traveling, etc. [1.5]

Software "Mediocre," Total of -1.5 points
Pros & Cons of OS 5 Software, by importance:
+ All the basics are included, including Documents to Go (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), a few games, web browser, Bluetooth software, Acrobat Reader, Arcsoft Photobase, Voice recording, and Email software [3]
+ Graffiti is fantastic [2]
+ Simple to operate [2]
+ Clean design [1]
~ Unparalleled 3rd party software support for Palm; but Palm OS 5 is not backward compatible with Palm OS 4 software. [neutral]
- No MP3 software bundled with player. The RealOne Palm Tungsten T MP3 media player was released late March, 2003 on RealNetwork's website. Average player without the bells and whistles. No powersaving feature or other extra features. Can't play other file formats [1.5]
- Design flaw: "Home" button is on graffiti area, and you can't assign a button to "home". This means that when the slider is up, you can't change tasks (unless task is assigned to 1 of 4 buttons). For example, you can't switch from a game you're playing to the web browser when slider is up and graffiti area is hidden. [2]
- Web browser is mediocre. You can surf the Web using Bluetooth to connect to a GPRS (2.5 G) phone, but setup for each session takes a few minutes. I tested Yahoo! Mail, ESPN, Cnet and Washington Post. Graphics are crisp, but web pages are not formatted for Palm. For example, while you can reduce the font size, I couldn't find a way to uniformly reduce the graphics on a Web page, or uniformly scale down a page that is wider than the 320x320 pixel screen, and you have to scroll sideways on many pages. You also can't open multiple browser windows to surf the Web (which would have been useful when I was trying to add email address in Yahoo! mail). [2]
- Bundled organizer software has fewer features than Pocket PC (can't assign multiple categories to a contact; can't choose how long to snooze a reminder). [2]
- No bundled video software (MPEG2 or AVI/MPEG 4). [1]
- Email lacks SSL support. I managed to set up my main email account, but couldn't find the Secure Socket Layer options necessary for one of my email accounts. [1]

...

I gave up my Palm V for this one.
Finally, a PDA worthy to replace my old Palm V!

The color screen is so sharp and bright, and the processor is so fast -- I'm delighted. It's noticeably heavier and slightly thicker than my Palm V, but shorter (when closed) and less wide. It took me a couple days to get used to using it with the slider closed.

If you have a Bluetooth phone, this is definitely the Palm you want. Surf the web during boring meetings! I can sync with my Mac over Bluetooth too, so I didn't need a second cradle for my office. I don't care about having mp3's on my Palm, unlike some other reviewers.

I still think that the V has the best design of any Palm ever. But this is certainly beautiful and I love the display and Bluetooth. When the new Ultra-thin keyboard is available, I'll have a complete mobile web and email solution that weighs under a pound (including cell phone).

Good features but serious hardware bug
Background information first: I'm a health care provider, so I use the tungsten for inputting and modifying appointments several times per hour, 40+ hours a week. For me, the ease of inputting and accessing the address book, date book, and to-do's is the make it or break it factor. I upgraded from the Palm IIIC because even though it always served me without any problems, it was getting slow in searching for patients' names after 3 years of appointments built up in my datebook.

Good news second: The display is pretty and easily readable; the form factor is nice and small so I can just keep it in my pants pocket; it plays mp3's very nicely with a free download of the RealPlayer; the voice recorder activates at the press of a hardware button and comes in handy while driving; this PDA can sort through 3+ years of my appointments in no time flat.

Bad news third: Under serious usage, the digitizer becomes erratic and terribly frustrating. Where you place the stylus can be off by as much as several characters, first one way, then another, then back again, with no predictability. Unfortunately, you usually spot the error after writing in the wrong area, or worse, pasting instead of copying. It requires almost continual recalibration. It's clearly a hardware problem since tapping it on the side causes it to happen, but it's random and unpredictable. The result is a much slower inputting of data (and ample swearing).

Perhaps worse is that the support I have gotten from Palm has been very, very frustrating. They have replaced the tungsten with another return a couple different times, and the exact same bug was present in each machine. While the tech people adamantly deny a hardware problem, one of their engineers was upfront with me. He acknowledged the hardware problem, but unfortunately couldn't do anything beyond sending me another or advising me to briskly smack it open and shut several times.

Conclusion: If you don't demand too much of the digitizer, you'll probably be happy. If you get in any trouble and need tech support, you may be very unhappy with the company. Personally, since I like the Palm OS so much, I am about to purchase a Sony Clie.

This is an "OEM" product !
I received a PDA Tungten T that is in a repackaged box, no manuals and software CD. I wrote an e-mail to the seller, they replied to me: "If you read the ad specific to KM Electronics, you will see that our item is sold OEM (meaning without manual, software, CD or box)...., and You are quoting from Amazon's site which is different from ours and different from where you purchased. We are a "sub-store" of Amazon with our own product description. We do not offer the software, etc. However, feel free to return your item according to our policy below.......,
As stated in our Amazon return policy, if you must return a product we charge a $15 restocking fee...."

Updated Review
To anyone I led astray w/my original review - I apologize. When I wrote it I loved the Tungsten T. There are better quality PDAs out now that are comparable in price to Tungsten T.

It still has good qualities: a good screen, good maneuverability and good processing speed.

What it doesn't have is good support. Around month 10, I started having issues with a shift in the keyboard. Type 'k' and you get a 'j'. First it was only w/the right side of the keyboard....then the left. Then it switched: Type 'j' and you'd get a 'k'. Completely screwed up.

The odd thing is - I ended up getting used to typing that way.

Redigitizing helped for short periods of time. Maybe 1/2 a day. But always it would go back to being f***ed up. The Palm site had a patch that worked for about 10 minutes. Reading on-line, this was not just my problem - but fairly wide-spread.

Palm was of NO HELP. I had no 3rd party software loaded onto my Tungsten - so that wasn't the issue. To have Palm "fix" it - I'd have to send it in, which was a difficult option. Try to fix it yourself and you violate the warranty.

I ended up buying a new PDA (which I'll review after a sufficient amount of time in using) and giving my Tungsten way to someone whom was going to attempt troubleshooting. ... Read more

Features

• All you need to put your Bluetooth devices to work for you right now, right at your desktop.
• Tremendous accuracy with the MX™ Optical Engine
• Easily transfer pictures and files between your PC and your Bluetooth mobile devices.
• Synchronize your Bluetooth PDA or cell phone with your PC.
• Bluetooth® wireless hub is also a mouse recharging base to ensure that your mouse is always ready for work (or play).

Reviews (21)

Not what I needed
Just a quick report on my experience with this mouse. I'll start off by mentioning that perhaps I had unrealistically high expectations...
First off I should mention that I already own it's sister mouse, the MX700, which I use with windows XP, using the standard generic drivers - i.e. I didn't install the Logitech drivers. It works great!

I recently got an iBook with built in Bluetooth. It seemed that the MX900 would be perfect - A great mouse, no wires, and also a bluetooth hub which I could plug into the winXP box and use for wireless internet between the two computers (Yes it CAN be done).

Well the MX900 connected to the iBook easily enough. I got the 4th & 5th buttons working with Expose, but the mouse doesn't move right. When plugged into Apple's bluetooth it develops really horrible acceleration, which make it a real pain to use :(

Anyway I though so long as I can get the wireless internet to work then I won't mind so much. After a lot of messing around I got a bluetooth network set up on the winXP desktop machine. After even more messing around I got as close as it seems possible to get to getting Bluetooth networks set up on OS-X. Basically OS-X doesn't really support them I found out :(

So I'm going to return the mouse. Hopefully I can swap it for a normal wifi router - I just won't have a cool mouse to go with it :(

Oh one weird thing I noticed - the build quality of the MX900 (bought in the US) isn't as good as my MX700 (bought in the UK). Bizzare seeing as they look essentially identical. The MX900 just feels cheaper, the buttons rattle etc.

However I should add that if you intend to use the mouse for a normal destop PC then it's still a great purchase, and probably the best mouse you can buy - I think the extra $40 (over the MX700) is worth it for the bluetooth - if you need it.

Great Mouse, poor software
I got this mouse with the Logitech diNovo Media Desktop which came with the bluetooth hub and a keyboard and media pad. The only problem with the mouse is that the software that lets u assign keystrokes to the buttons on the mouse actually disables the middle mouse button (mmb). I use programs that require the mmb and was wondering why this didnt work until i shut down the program SetPoint from my system tray. Doing so will render the quick switch button inactive but i find it faster to switch programs by pointing and clicking then by pressing a button then pointing and clicking. Without the program all other buttons work as normal. I dont need to assign special tasks anyway.

Another point of interest is the battery life. I have the hub which recharges the mouse which is a must because if u dont keep it charging when not in use it will run out. U can check ur batteries by running the SetPoint software and it allows u to check batteries for the mouse as well as the keyboard and media pad if u have diNovo.

All in all, its a great device if you use bluetooth, but if u dont need or use bluetooth you are probably better off with a regular cordless.

A great mouse for Bluetooth
I love this mouse. I use it with my laptop everyday. My Dell laptop has an internal bluetooth receiver thus making this small and easy to use. I have to charge the mouse on the hub once a week, however I really don't mind too much (I keep two extra dbl-A batteries in my laptop case). I do have to make sure to remove the batteries when I'm on the go (or the batteries will drain from detecting movement). This mouse is not suitable for left-handed people. I like the weight it has (not lightweight, but not too heavy). Its range is great (thats bluetooth for you).

One mistake I made once was that I tried to install the Logitech software in my WindowsXP (If you just use the bluetooth software that comes with your laptop, it will find the mouse just fine). The software disabled my internal bluetooth device in the laptop and I had to use the hub in order for the mouse to work (not acceptable - otherwise I would have purchased the mx700). It took me a while to figure out that it wasn't just the Logitech software I needed to uninstall, rather I needed to remove the bluetooth hub software as well (very misleading by Logitech).

I only rated this 4/5 stars due to the short battery life. Still, don't let that deter you if you don't mind working around that (I don't mind - I was well aware of it from reading posts on here).

Great Performing Mouse! But practical?
I use this mouse with my Powerbook with built in bluetooth.

Pros:
- Control- I have used this mouse for first person shooter video games, which requires that a mouse be very accurate and fast, this mouse is both. Supposedly there is a theoretical bottleneck in the refresh rate with bluetooth mice vs. USB mice and Logitech's own RF mouse (mx700), but I did not notice it in my use, so its doubtful that in ordinary, everyday use that anyone can tell the difference between this mouse and other quality corded mice.
- Ease of use- The mouse took less than 10 seconds for bluetooth to recognize the mouse and configure it. The mouse is literally plug and play, without the plug. Of course I am using my built in bluetooth, the mouse also comes with a hub that will require some installation of software that comes with package if you don't have built in bluetooth.
- Comfort- like the other reviews say, this is definitely a right handed mouse and its probably the most comfortable mouse I have owned. Beware if you are left handed though. The mouse is also heavy due to the batteries, but less than an hour later my hand adapted and I use this mouse as naturally as any other mouse.

Cons:
- Battery Life- really battery life is not an issue if you remember to always put your mouse in the cradle when you are not using it. It does become an issue, however, if you plan on using the mouse for extended time periods without charging or if you forget to charge your mouse. Nothing is worse than rushing to finish a document and suddenly have your mouse run out of batteries. Does it defeat the purpose of a cordless mouse if you have to keep a normal mouse close by as a backup? But as I said, if you use this mouse for a few hours at a time and always remember to place back in the hub, you'll be all right.
- Bluetooth hub- For me personally, I wish they would sell this mouse without the Bluetooth hub, because I don't need it. But maybe you don't need it either. What is the use of buying a "cordless mouse" when you need a hub that is connected to a cord anyways? If you are buying this mouse as a way to save room on your desk, keep in mind that you will need to connect the hub to your computer if you don't have bulit in bluetooth. This not only adds a cable going from your computer to the hub, but also adds a cable going to the electric outlet so you can use the hub to charge the mouse. So by buying a 'cordless" mouse, you've actually added an extra cord and a hub that takes up space. The hub is nice, however, if you already have some other bluetooth enable devices such as a phone or PDA that you have not been able to take advantage of because you don't have Bluetooth on your computer.
- Laptop practicality- see above if you don't have bluetooth built in. Its even worse for a laptop to lug around a hub. But if you do have laptop with built in bluetooth and you want to use this mouse for portability purposes there are also some things you must be aware of. First off the mouse does lessen your battery life a bit by way of the bluetooth connection. Secondly there is no OFF button on the mouse (it instead turns off by sensing inactivity), so to be able to travel with it, you must take the batteries out and then put them back in when you take it out of your bag.
- Price- This is by far the most money I've ever spent on a mouse. If you MUST have a cordless mouse and you don't care about bluetooth for your other peripherals, then consider the MX700 for almost half the price. The MX700 also comes with a hub, but it isn't bluetooth (and therefore has less range and much less connectivity options that bluetooth offers). If you can live with the decreased battery life and taking the batteries in and out, this mouse does become worth the price for a travel mouse. It is also great for Powerpoint presentations, hook up the laptop to a projector and you can sit anywhere in the room and still use your mouse to point and control the presentation, unless the room is huge like an auditorium and you are on the other side.

Conclusion- This mouse leaves nothing to be desired as far as performance and comfort go. Ease of installation is another plus to this great product. However, before you purchase this product, ask yourself is this mouse practical for you? Do you really need a bluetooth hub? Is it really worth the price to you for the bluetooth wireless mouse vs the rf wireless mouse or even a corded mouse? If your answer is yes to these questions, then I highly recommend the MX900 mouse to you.

My first Bluetooth Mouse
Having just purchased a new notebook (Sager 8790) with internal bluetooth, I was anxious to test it out and see how it worked. I was initially a bit apprehensive over it, thinking that it might stutter in movement or be slow to react, but the thought of one less cord attached to my notebook compelled me to try.

I chose the MX 500 because I'd heard a bad review from someone regarding the MS Bluetooth Intellimouse. However, I was reluctant to go with the Logitech mouse as I've been using MS Optical Intellimouses (Intellimice?) exclusively since they first came out.

Upon installing the Billionton drivers, it was a snap to have my notebook recognize the MX 500. It works fantastic. I love it. In fact, I'm looking to buy a 2nd Bluetooth mouse now so I can be wireless at work, too. I'm so sold on this that it drives me crazy to use the wired MS Optical mouse at work.

The only downside is that if you're a heavy computer user, you have to be mindful to put the mouse on the charger before going to sleep. Otherwise, you're going to have a dead mouse eventually (voice of experience). I haven't tried to set up the extra buttons above and below the scroll wheel. I can't say whether they work well or not. Convenient for those that need/want the extra options, but I'm happy enough w/ the basics (L, R, scroll, Forward, Backward).

I'm more than impressed with this mouse and wouldn't hesitate to suggest it to anyone. I was leery at first, but am very happy I took the chance because it's fantastic being wireless with such a responsive mouse. ... Read more

Features

• Slim, sleek, and affordable
• Integrated Bluetooth for wireless communication with other Bluetooth devices
• Secure Digital slot for greater storage and expansion
• VPN software provides enhanced security for wireless connection
• Removable/rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery for continuous power

Reviews (37)

Smallest full featured iPAQ yet!
If you've been looking for a thin and compact iPAQ with all the essentials including wi-fi and bluetooth, and you don't need a compactflash slot, then this is it. I was online thru my wifi network at home within seconds, almost configures itself. I have a Netgear 802.11g/b system and have easily gone anywhere inside my home as well as outside, approx 50' with no problem at all. I thought this model was the "ultimate" iPAQ until I tried my son's 4355, exactly the same plus integrated "thumb keyboard", and I was surprised by this because I have large fingers. The 4355 is slightly thicker, .1", and less than 1" longer with the keyboard and it's a better design than a Sony Clie because the keys are both larger and better spaced. However if your bottom line is smaller is better then you can't go wrong with the 4155. The only reason it doesn't rate 5 stars is battery life, if hp had used the same battery as used in the 4355 I would have given it 5! Buy an in car charger, problem solved.

A Pocket PC that finally works
I've tried older Palm products and Pocket PC's in the past but nothing was worth it for me to carry around. But I've finally found something that works. The HP Ipaq 4155 is great. I really needed a PDA/pocket PC but didn't know what to get. I wanted wireless and like the windows interface. I liked the idea pocket word and excel and don't like graffiti. This was a bit pricey but I took a gamble and am happy I did!!!

It has been super easy to use and understand. Syncing is a cinch with Outlook. The software that is included is quite handy and there is a lot of other auto-syncing software that is available for free that gives you daily news, movie reviews, maps etc. It's almost like being online.

I have had no stalls or any problems that I can list. The wireless networking connected to my Linksys router without a single complication. And surfing the web works about as well as I expected. Pages load but you have to scroll around to see everything so I can find what I want but it's not as easy as a realy computer obviously. I have yet to try bluetooth. The screen and interface are great. It includes an extra stylus which is nice. All in all this has been everything I hoped for so far. If you're in the market for a Pocket PC and want features such as bluetooth and wireless networking then don't hesitate to get this one!!!

The LCD cracks by itself!
The LCD cracked while in my pocket with no drop or hit!
Sent the unit to HP and after bouncing around their customer service, I was charged $190 for the repair. Browsing the internet (unsuccessfully trying to find a cheaper repair option) I found several similar complains. It seems like the IPAQ4155 has a serious quality problem that costs 50% of the value of a new unit to fix. I am selling my unit as soon as it comes back from repair and will never by an IPAQ anymore!

The problem isn't the PDA, it's Hewlett-Packard warranty!
I bought a pocket pc ipaq and it was very nice, but just for one year...two months after the warranty ended, the product failed to never work again. I sent it to the service, but after one month! they gave it back to me and told me that it is not possible to repair it, or the cost will be more expensive than buying a new one. So I spoke with Hewlett-Packard, and they assigned my case to a "customer advocate", but that person is a real HP advocate who told me "HP products doesn't fail.."??
So I have a nice US$700 pocket pc that doesn't work. Next time I will find a minimum 3-years warranty.

It's packed with features, but packed with bugs
I've been on the PDA scene for a while now, and bought a Palm IIIe. It was great; reliable, long battery life, and stylish.

I then moved to the iPaq 3870. It was brilliant; the bluetooth let me connect to my phone to get Internet and Email on the move. It was great, again; reliable, long(ish) battery life, and stylish.

Then, I decided to upgrade to the h4150, to take advantage of the built-in wireless and its clear, crisp screen. As I use satellite navigation a lot, I needed a screen I could see in my car at all times.

This, I got, and the navigation works a treat. Also, the wireless is intuitive (compared to PPC 2002's offering), but not perfect. Synchronisation is frought with problems; sometimes I end up synchronising my PDA's contents entirely, even though I've only changed someone's phone number, or adjusted a calendar date.

Sometimes the unit won't synchronise without a reset.

On the note of reliability, this unit seems to require rebooting a lot more often than its predecessor. If bluetooth doesn't work ... reset. If wireless doesn't work ... reset. If synchronising doesn't work ... reset. See a pattern emerging?

If you buy this unit, and you want to keep this unit, you MUST buy a protective case with it. The one that comes with it is alright, but it's not very protective. I've since cracked the screen and the touch-screen is basically useless now, and it'll apparently cost me £70-£100 ($120-$180) to repair, which I'm not too happy about.

The unit is great, but buggy. If you want a feature-packed, thin, stylish PDA, then get this. If you want a reliable PDA with long battery life, look elsewhere. ... Read more

Features

• A powerful and flexible Pocket PC with enhanced security and wireless features
• Integrated Bluetooth for wireless connectivity both in and out of the office
• All the benefits of the Microsoft Pocket PC 2003 Premium operating system
• Biometric fingerprint reader for serious security
• What's in the box: iPAQ Pocket PC, USB Desktop cradle/charger, AC Adapter, holster with belt clip, lithium-ion battery, getting started poster; charger adapter, hp iPAQ Pocket PC Companion CD

Reviews (37)

Pretty nice unit if you're willing to pay.
If price was a factor, this might be a 3-star review. I'm reviewing it assuming price is not an issue and you are willing to pay for the model.

Positives:

* Comes with Pocket PC 2003 (Windows Mobile 2003), which has worked out some of the bugs of PPC2002, so I understand. Seems a pretty stable OS.
* 128 MB is just the best (for now!). This is great if you love to install tons of stuff on the unit.
* With the 48MB of ROM and the OS, there is about 17MB left over for Ipaq file store. Another bonus in space.
* Wifi is nearly perfect. Picks up access points without a hitch. Only minor problem might be that it's "too" excited sometimes and forgets that a certain access point is no longer around, so you have to manually remove it from the list.
* Internet apps pretty good: Pocket IE, Messenger, W Media
* Also easily used 3rd party software to browse my network and play tunes off another computer.
* Syncs over wifi. This is so great!
* Easy syncing with outlook, of course. Syncs IE favorites, too.
* Unit ships with a higher capacity battery than the others (1250 vs. 900 mAh)
* Fingerprint reader is faster than entering a PIN or a password. Also many security possibilities (i.e. fingerprint OR pin, fingerprint AND pin, etc.)
* Voice recorder is handy.

Negatives:

* Price / Value ratio is fairly high. It seems that you could have a comparable unit with the 2215, a wireless card and some extra ram for about $100 cheaper.
* The microphone/headphone jack is not flush with the bottom of the unit, but inset (see angle pic). Some of my headphone jacks sleeves are too fat to push the plug in all the way. This is a big design flaw.
* With all the stuff it's got, it is on the heavier side of the PDA weight spectrum.
* Big processor and battery means it gets very warm!
* It'd be nice if printing over a network was a possibility. Can't seem to be able to do this.
* IE is somewhat boiled down. No easy way to save a picture on a webpage like the desktop version of IE.
* Charging with USB is possible, however the unit seems to wake up and want to sync even though I set syncing to manual. Doesn't go back asleep and won't USB charge while on.

No comment:

* Haven't been able to test bluetooth for lack of other devices carrying this technology.
* Haven't used SD slot yet.
* Haven't used the ipaq expansion pack, but this apparently allows it do do oh so much more! :)

-- Buzz

Always by my side.
EDIT Start -

I would like to comment on reviewers who claim that the technical support is junk along with the device's reliability. May I point out that it is Microsoft's operating system, which is to be expected as no operating system is perfect. The iPAQ's hardware has nothing to do with how many times a reset is needed, since it has not only more ram, but a faster processor than most other pda's currently on the market. As for the technical support, I have had two iPAQ's and always received the same friendly and careless help needed to fix my problems straight away. Here's a recent example of how HP's support works.

1. Problem occurs.
2. Call to HP, they check warranty (lasts a year).
3. They send you an empty box, shipping and parts replacement, 100% free.
4. Ship it out next day.
5. Repair begins and ends in under an hour.
6. You receive an email confirming depature and repair success.
7. You receive the iPAQ back, only having it leave your side for less than 3 days.

If that's not service, then I don't know what is. I believe that many people are rude, arrogant, and are ignorant to their mistakes. I told the support technicians that I had dropped it and they said no problem, and replaced the screen, usb host connector, and battery all free of charge. Hope this helps your buying decision.

EDIT Finish -

In comparison to newer-age pda's including the Toshiba e805, the Asus MyPal, and the new Dell Axim, I hope you will regard my post only within HP and Compaq's products. This particular iPAQ is a giant leap from my Compaq iPAQ 3835, gone are the days of cradle synchronizing and wired connections. With Bluetooth and wi-fi I can synchronize and receiving data virtually anywhere.

A few reasons to avoid buying this:
- it is not a good first pda, as some features require proficient computer knowledge
- it is not worth buying unless you plan on using all features, including the finger print scan, otherwise go with the cheaper 4100 series iPAQs.

A few reasons to avoid buying another:
- is an 'upgradable' iPAQ, which means all previous software, cords/connections, sleeves (jackets), styli, and cases will work with this iPAQ.
- has wi-fi and bluetooth built in, along with 128megs sd ram, and 48 megs rom, gives you extra storage space.
- speedy processor and an sdio slot.

I believe this is the current best option for anyone wanting a powerful handheld machine. With the largest array of expansion abilities and wireless capabilities, it is the smartest choice you can make.

Disappointed
Great while it works. Mine died after 9 months of casual use. I'm not looking forward to dealing with warranty repairs.

This is a great Pocket PC if you can afford it.
I really like this Ipaq. I've had a 3835,3955,2215 and now this. This Ipaq really rocks.The integrated wifi and bluetooth makes surfing the net very easy. Even with the zippy 2215, I had trouble getting wifi due to a very obstinate wifi sd card. There's something to be said for having integrated wifi. Not just that but the 128 mb really makes a difference. I no longer find myself checking the memory setting to see which program needs to go on sd storage. Speed is nice and the color display is beautiful. Battery life could be better and of course it would be nice to have a compact flash but I'm pretty happy with the product.

Great features, HORRIBLE reliability
I am currently waiting for my second ipaq to be repaired, I just sent it in to HP. THe first was DOA, this one died within 6 months of getting it. When it works, and dosent need to be reset it is a great product, but generally I have to reset the device at least once a day and I am curious how often I will have to replace the unit all together. ... Read more

Features

• Microsoft M60-00006 IntelliMouse Explorer for Bluetooth
• Wireless Bluetooth technology with ranges up to 30 feet
• Ergonomic engineering delivers the ultimate in comfort and support IntelliEye optical technology
• Tilt Wheel for scrolling horizontally as well as vertically through documents and Web pages
• IntelliEye optical technology

Features

• Adaptive Trickle Power Management implemented to optimize both the power consumption and the sensitivity to the receiving environment
• Modular design to be used in either CF type I slot via CF adapter or cable connected to the USB port to the Laptop or Tablet computer.
• Upgradeable for existing and future communication protocols such as Bluetooth, 802.11X, GPRS
• SRAM and RTC backup power ? Super Cap (no battery) for reliability and extreme temperatures
• SBAS CapabilityImproves positional accuracy by using freely available satellite-based correction services called SBAS (Satellite Based Augmentation System).

Features

• Uses 2.4GHz ISM frequency band with Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS) standard
• Allows any computer with USB connections to become a Bluetooth enabled computer
• Compliant with USB 1.1 Specification
• Enables computers to connect to Bluetooth printer and Bluetooth enabled mobile devices (PDA and mobile phone)
• Compatible with Windows 98,ME,2000,XP

Reviews (14)

Doubts about this product
I am afraid of bying this product. I am "needing" a bluetooth adapter to connect my Nokia 3650 with my Pentium.

Reading the reviews of other adapters I realize I can't buy any type of this advice. Many people are having trouble trying to connect their mobile phones with computers. I've read only 2 reviews about this Trendware adapter, and even though they rate it good, the computer system used is a MAC OS X (mine is a PC Win200), and the cell phone is a Sony Ericsson.

And more, the price is too good to trust so quick.

It works!
I have 3 Sony Ericsson T610s and 1 Nokia 3650, this thing works for all of them. The Bluetooth technology itself is a little buggy and takes some patience.

The adapter itself is small and seems sturdy. It also comes with a USB extension cable if your case is really large. It has an orange light on it to tell you if it is getting power. I have not tested the range but from about 15ft away, there are no connection issues. I have moved ringtones, movies, mp3s, programs, games, and pictures without any problems (except the software message below with the 3650). I have even used the bluetooth connection with my phone so I could get dial-up internet access on my laptop anywhere.

If you haven't noticed yet, I like this adapter. It works for everything I wanted it to.

I don't believe the other reviewers when they say it doesn't work with their T610 or 3650 because IT DOES WORK. To prove it, I have added a quick how-to below.

Here is a quick tutorial for the others having trouble or can't get it to work:
1) Install Trendware Software (This was pretty painless)
2) Install Nokia PC-Suite for 3650 or FMA(fLoats Mobile Agent) for T610.
3) Go to My bluetooth
4) Find Devices
5) Right click your device then pair device.
6) Find Connect to Serial Port Icon, and double click it.
7) Wait...even if it says disconnected or failed. The Sonys connected right away and I never had that message, my Nokia I had to wait a few seconds after that message, then it connected perfectly.
8) Fire up PC-Suite or FMA and your good to go!

Works as Advertised
Wokrs great with my Nokia phone and version 6.2 of the Nokia PCSync software. Automatically detects my phone, even if it's in the other room, 25 ft. away.

Works GREAT with Mac OS X
I bought this based on another readers review concerning this adaptor with osX and yes, it's perfect! I have no idea why Mac compatibility isn't listed but with OSX you just plug it in and it works. I'm running 10.3.4 as of this writing and absolutely no issues to speak of. And it's 15 bucks less than the adaptor that Apple recommends. Choice is good!....

Good Product!
I had no setup issues whatsoever. I bought it to use with my Motorola V600 mobile phone. I installed the Trendware software and drivers on my desktop which uses Windows XP Home Edition and my laptop which uses Windows 2000 Professional. After an easy setup my computers & phone recognized each other. It couldn't have been simpler. ... Read more

Features

• Works with the Bluetooth option in your Mac to provide a cable-free way to interact with your system at a distance of up to 33 feet
• 128-bit over-the-air encryption
• Features 16-function keys, full numeric keypad, document navigation keys, and an inverted-T
• Note: Requires a Bluetooth enabled Macintosh

Reviews (8)

Bad Buttons
I bought this keyboard for a really dumb reason - to press the right arrow key to skip to the next song when I had iTunes (music playing program for anyone who isn't familar with Macs) open. Needless to say the keyboard has performed wonderfully for this function.

It doesn't eat too many batteries and looks extremely cool as well. The only complaint I have on this keyboard is the feel of the buttons, they're kind of crappy compared to say, the keyboard on the Powerbooks...

Avoid the Mouse
I bought the mouse, followed the instructions, and "found" the device with no problems. However, since the mouse was "discovered" it was promptly lost. The mouse has remained dead. No response. I have re-discovered and reinstalled the firmware many times with no success.

This mouse is dead.

I will take the little white corpse of a mouse back to the retailer and stick with USB. I don't need wireless THIS bad.

Avoid this purchase at all costs.

A disappointment
When I first got this keyboard, I was very pleased. Functionally, I could tell no difference between using this keyboard and a wired one. However, after I used the keyboard for a couple of days, it suddenly stopped connecting to the Mac. I went into the Bluetooth preferences to work with the pairings, and nothing that I did re-established the connection -- every time I tried it, I got an "authentication failed" error.

I followed all installation instructions, including upgrading the Bluetooth firmware before installing the keyboard. I also followed all standard troubleshooting procedures. The keyboard simply stopped working and refused to start again. I would assume that this is an unusual occurrence, based on so many other people being so much more enthusiastic about the keyboard, but for my own part, this keyboard goes back to Amazon, and I'm sticking with USB for the foreseeable future. Based on my experiences with this keyboard, and my similarly dismal experiences with the Apple Wireless Mouse, it does not appear to me that Bluetooth input devices are "ready for prime time".

It works great. I wonder if I really needed it.
First the technical. The bluetooth connection to Mac OS X is unbelievably easy to setup. If you have the keyboard turned on (yes it has a power switch and needs batteries) prior to booting up, the keyboard is immediately ready to use (for passwords). The feel of the keyboard is similar to recent products from Apple.
Now the non-technical. I thought that this would be a fantastic addition to my system, giving me greater flexiblity. Not really. Other than losing the cable and occasionally moving the keyboard to a new area on my desk, it usually sits right where my old keyboard was. It also doesn't feel right sitting on my lap.
Apple scores again with a truly plug and play component. At present, I don't know if the benefit outweights the cost. Maybe I will grow to love it over time.

Best Keyboard I've ever owned
The greatest compliment I can give this keyboard (or any wireless device) is that you won't be able to tell the difference between it and a wired keyboard. No lag, no signal fading in or out, no buttons missing or anything else. The shape and keys are identical to an Apple Pro Keyboard, great news because the tactile feel of the keys is to die for. Setup literally took 60 seconds. I got a signal as far as 30 feet -outside- my apartment, through a closed door and all kinds of walls. Gamers rejoice, there is no lag of any kind.

Draw-backs for this keyboard: You will have to change the batteries every 3-4 months, but at least OS X notifies you in advance when to change them. This keyboard doesn't have USB ports, so you'll have to plug your mouse into the computer or get a wireless mouse.

If you are the average user who leaves his/her keyboard in front of your monitor and don't really mind your keyboard wire among all the other clutter of your desk, then this keyboard might be overkill for you. The wireless capacities are strong, but you can only really use it as far away as you can read your screen. ... Read more

Product Description

IOGEAR’s Bluetooth to USB Adapter allows any computer with USB connections to become a Bluetooth-enabled computer, and communicate with other Bluetooth-enabled computers and devices without cable connections. It complies with Bluetooth 1.2 and USB 1.1 specifications, and provides users with a 723 Kbps data rate at ranges up to 330 feet. It also enables wireless Personal Area Network (PAN) connectivity to Bluetooth enabled devices such as PDAs, printers, cellular phones, computers, etc.

This Bluetooth Class 1 adapter is compatible with both PC and Mac. It is easy to install and use, and very portable. It suits for both home and mobile networking needs.

• Bluetooth specification 1.2 compliant to reduce interference between wireless technologies
• USB specification 1.1 compliant
• Allows any computer with USB connections to become a Bluetooth enabled computer
• Eliminates cables between your computers
• Enables your computer to connect to your Bluetooth printer and Bluetooth enabled mobile devices (such as PDAs and mobile phones) wirelessly
• Enables wireless Personal Area Network (PAN) connectivity
• Class 1 Bluetooth device enables you to connect your hardware up to 100 meter (330 feet) away
• Backward compatible with Bluetooth Class 2 and 3 devices
• Up to 723 Kbps data rate
• Small form factor makes it easy to carry and place
• Easy, fast, and intuitive installation and setup
• Built-in security to assure the privacy of your communicationparing, encryption, authentication
• PC and Mac compatible

Features

• Compatible with Windows 98SE or later; Mac OS X or later
• Bluetooth specification 1.2 compliant to reduce interference between wireless technologies
• Allows any computer with USB connections to become a Bluetooth enabled computer
• Up to 723 Kbps data rate
• Enables wireless Personal Area Network (PAN) connectivity

Reviews (4)

Great Performance, great price
I'm using this adapter to connect to my bluetooth headset using the headset profile. It's working great and it's very cool to walk around the house as I'm holding a voice conversation on MSN Messenger. The new version of bluetooth (1.2) is a definite improvement from the previous 1.1 standard. The 1.2 standard allows for frequency hoping so you can use it along with your wireless internet connection with minimal frequency interference. Before this new adapter, I could barely connect because of the direct interference. I'm very happy with the connection quality now and I rarely have connection issues. I'm using a new Logitech 1.2 compliant bluetooth headset to connect to my PC. The sound quality is great. You can't beat the price.

Excellent Adapter
This bluetooth adapter works like a charm on my Dell PC, with XP, SP1. Set up was simple. What I like most about this adapter is how intuitive it is to use. For instance, all I need to do is right click on any word document or MP3, and I can easily send it to any bluetooth enabled device, whether it's my Palm, SE T610 cellphone or laptop. Bluetooth Version 1.2 was important to me because I have a wifi network set up in my house and I needed as little interference as possible.

I've also been able to surf the web via the Bluetooth modem and hotsync my Zire 72 and T5 via Bluetooth. Very cool.

There's lots of other things I plan to do via Bluetooth, like sending faxes.

Pretty good little adapter!
First of all, contrary to what a previous reviewer has said about "checp laptops reaching 50 degrees C easily" - this is tru, but it does not matter! This is USB adapter, and as such is ouside your laptop, i.e. at room temperature. So, unless the laptop's air exhaust is blowing straight over the USB ports, this is not an issue!

Now, the adapter uses the WIDCOMM BT commans stack, which is apparently one of the better ones out there (certainly seems to be better than Windows XP's default one!). I'm no expert on BT, but a little research on the web seems to confirm this. This stack is quite compatible with Skype, which is the whole reason I bought this adapter and the Logitech MobileFreedom headset in the first place... ;]

Points of note:

1. The headset needs to be connected from the computer, not from the headset side. It uses the audio gateway stack by default to communicate over Skype (configure Skype to use your Bluetooth Audio device rather than the default one - this option is available as of version 1.2 at least, maybe earlier). If you try and use your headset's call pickup button, likelyhood is that it'll connect and then disconnect because there's no phone app to pick up the call (Skype is not BT-compatible by default).

2. There is a Skype third-party add-on (http://www.skypeheadset.co.uk/) that should work with this - have not tried it yet, but the comms stack is supported, so it should be OK.

3. Range: wow! I walked from one end of the office to the other, had continous good, clear connection with this adapter and headset combo. Impressive!

Altogether I'm quite happy with it. Now if only Skype had more built-in support for BT headsets and voice-activated dialing, I'd be truly happy! ;]

Operating temperature
Note, that the operating temperature is only 0-50°C!
(cf. http://www.iogear.com/main.php?loc=product&Item=GBU311)
Cheap Laptops reach this temperature easily. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Since MiniDV has entered the mainstream market, users can now demand extra features in addition to regular digital video performance.The Sony DCR-TRV80 is well equipped with technological additions, such as a 2-megapixel digital camera and wireless Bluetooth networking capabilities. The camcorder also features a 10x optical zoom, 16:9 widescreen mode, a 3.5-inch LCD with touchscreen control, and a color viewfinder.

Step-up Value
Here are two Sony features that adds value to this digital camcorder and differentiate it from other models in the Sony lineup.

2.0 Megapixel Sensor: Of all the world's consumer camcorders, Sony was the first to break the megapixel barrier. Working with high-resolution recording and high-precision Sony custom optics, the benefits are dramatic. You'll see amazing detail on everything you shoot. Every blade of grass. Every strand of hair. The names on the back of player uniforms. And megapixel resolution is also a great benefit in Sony's Digital still camera function (Memory Mode). You'll be able to shoot images at 1600 x 1200 pixels, for prints up to 8 x 10nches.

Digital Still Memory Mode: Capture digital still images directly onto Memory Stick media for easy transfer to e-mail, printing, or sharing with compatible Memory Stick devices. Digital still images can be captured while in Memory Mode, or images from the videotape can be captured onto Memory Stick media. This feature provides the Dual Function of having one camera for video and still images, and provides the user with a whole new world of imaging possibilities.

Image Stabilization
Sony's SteadyShot picture stabilization keeps your images smooth and steady without degrading picture quality. The technology uses motion sensors, which tend to be more accurate than most other systems used in the camcorder market.

Optics
The multicoated Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar lens ensures balanced and clear contrast. The advanced HAD CCD sensor records images accurately in vibrant color and sharp resolution. The TRV80 has a robust 10x optical zoom that fits most purposes, but for extra distance the camera can reach 120x through the digital zoom. A hologram autofocus system and several autoexposure modes allow for automatic operation while achieving ideal images for the situation.

More Features
You can record video in low- to no-light situations with Sony's NightShot system, which uses infrared light to capture images invisible to the human eye. With the function on, subjects up to 10 feet away can be seen in total darkness. You can also use the color slow shutter for color night shots instead of the regular green night-shot hue.

Sony's Stamina power management system and InfoLithium battery give the TRV80 a long operating time. To keep you informed of current battery life, Sony's AccuPower meter displays the number of minutes remaining right in the viewfinder.

You can take digital stills and record small MPEG EX movies using the included 8 MB Memory Stick. This is where the 2-megapixel resolution CCD really shines, creating images that can be printed at sizes of up to 1,600 x 1,200 pixels for prints up to 8 by 10 inches. The intelligent pop-up flash keeps your images well-lit and visible.

The TRV80 features a huge 3.5-inch color LCD and a color viewfinder. The menu is accessed via a touchscreen display on the LCD, reducing the clutter of buttons on the camera. A stylus is also included for ease of use.

The USB streaming feature can turn the TRV80 into a video-conferencing tool or a Webcam, and the standard IEEE 1394 connection can be used for digital video editing on a computer. The TRV80's improved Bluetooth technology enables wireless peer-to-peer data transfers and Internet connectivity with an optional adapter or Bluetooth-enabled cell phone.

MiniDV Format
MiniDV is the preferred format for personal and broadcast-quality video, highly regarded for its high audio and image quality. With up to 540 lines of horizontal resolution and minimum color noise, MiniDV delivers a 20 percent clearer picture than analog camcorder formats. This is all delivered on a cassette that's 1/12th the size of a standard VHS tape. A MiniDV tape offers digital recording time of 2 full hours--20 times the capacity of a CD.

Contents
This package includes the TRV80 camcorder, power adaptor and in-camera charger, InfoLithium rechargeable battery, 8 MB Memory Stick, stylus, wireless remote, AV cable, lens cap, shoulder strap, USB cable, two AA batteries, and USB drivers. ... Read more

Features

• Compact MiniDV digital camcorder with 2-megapixel imaging
• 10x optical, 120x digital, zoom with Super SteadyShot image stabilization
• 3.5-inch touch-panel color SwivelScreen LCD display; includes 8 MB Memory Stick for still image and MPEG1 capture
• Improved Bluetooth wireless networking capabilities
• NightShot O Lux infrared system with color mode for recording in total darkness

Reviews (6)

Wow
What a camera indeed. I just got it three days ago and after reading the manual I see there will be a lot of learning ahead for me. There are so many features this camera has I know I will not use most of them. The video is sharp and the photos are better then expected (acceptable but I will still use my digital camera when needed or preferred). The supplied 8 MB memory stick is only worth a tease, you will have to get at least a 128 MB or greater! Being in the Air Force and stationed in Germany this will be one treat to carry along on up coming trips!

Satisfied User
I am technically competent, but a novice at video photography. Therefore, I spent weeks reviewing a a number of various cameras. I ultimately decided on the TRV 80 because of: the HAD technology, the 3 1/2 touch screen, the digital still, the still pop-up flash, along with the features rich capabilities of this camera. I have used it for about a week and have found it to be very easy to use. The controls are intuitive and the manual has been very easy to navigate. You should also consider the need for various accessoriies. I purchased it with a bundled package which included: tripod, 2 additional batteries, wide and telephoto lenses, case, tapes, cleaning kit, USB card reader, and a four year MAC parts and labor warranty. Add on package was less about two hundred seventy dollars and well worth it. Also spent a long time looking for editing software with good reviews. Settled on PYRO Digital Video, which indluded a 1394 PCI card and software compatable with the Sony camera. They have beginner, intermediate and Pro versions available. So far I am extremely pleased with the camera, and accessory packages. I am able to take great videos now and when I master the advanced features I'm sure the quality of the movies produced will improve. Highly recommend this product and suggest you consider the add on packages, especially the 4 year warranty.

Overpriced; Bad Manual; Horrible Support
Buy another camcorder! This one will be a waste of your time and money. On paper this camcorder is great. However, not only is it overpriced and full of extraneous features. It is also difficult to use, has a poorly written manual and horrible support. I tried the SONY product support line at 888-449-7669 twice, but got little help.

Additionally, writing to the memory stick produces poor quality images, and there is no built in video light. Finally, the PC software that comes with the camera leaves much to be desired.

My excitement about buying this camera and all its accesories has been replaced with utter contempt for SONY. I now understand why the company has been having so many problems.

Would not buy a Sony again
Well it started out good... It was nice having high-quality Mini DV recordings, the wireless connectivity, firewire to my computer, and all the other bells and whistles. BUT... after having this Sony for a couple years, and the warranty is out, I am stuck with a dog! It worked fine until right before the warranty ran out. While it was still under warranty, it went in for repairs due to audio cutting out, and all they did was clean it. After a few weeks, it started happening again. TWICE they were unable to fix it! I gave up and just bought a Canon. If Sony can't even fix their own products, I don't think I want to buy them!

feature rich sony 2 megapixel camcorder
this is a power packed camcorder!
pros:
- other than the sony trv70, this is the only miniDV camcorder that has a 2 megapixel still camera built in.
- miniDV media is widely supported.
- nice big LCD screen: 3.5"!
- great connectivity options: firewire, USB, S-video, bluetooth, headphone, mic input, etc.
- has a built in pop-up flash for taking stills.
- carl zeiss lens.
- steady shot and night shot.
- ability to record mpeg videos directly to memory stick.
- progressive shutter system.
cons:
- this camcorder is bigger than i would like. you can get smaller camcorders like the trv33 or the pc105. granted, those have less features, mainly LCD size (3.5" vs 2.5") and still camera capability (2.0 megapixel vs 1.0 megapixel).
- as with most sony products, you pay a premium, pushing up the price.
- the included 8MB memory stick (for a 2 megapixel still camera!) is sony's idea of a joke. you'll need at least a 64MB memory stick with if you want to take full advantage of the higher resolution pics you'll be taking.
- although bundling the camcorder and still camera together means you only have to carry one piece of equipment, it also means that if one breaks, you have to replace both.
- as an alternate to this bundling strategy, you can get a trv33 or pc105 and get a 3 megapixel still camera for about the same price.
- no built in video light but you can get one less than a hundred bucks.
nice work sony. ... Read more