No this is not a acronym for "Pretty Da?? Accurate", but this stand for personal digital assistant. The most widely known PDA is the Apple "Newton" which recently received fame and press coverage from the National Republican Convention when used by the Christian coalition to record delegate positions on issues.
Pilot is a product of U.S. Robotics and is quite active in this area of system development and certainly has the abilities from their experience with modems. The "Pilot" is quite a machine and will appeal to PC users who have paper or electronic organizers to manage their activities, but desire an easier, more effective way to keep data in sync with their desktop PCs.
The Pilot is a pocket sized organizer designed to connect seamlessly with a Windows or Macintosh PC. This combination of portability and one-touch connectivity provides a practical way to carry personal data anywhere.
Pilot's integrated connectivity system consists of the following components:
- Pocket organizer
The Pilot pocket organizer fits in a shirt pocket and contains a suite of personal information management (PIM) applications. A touch screen and physical buttons provide one-finger data access. The compact Palm Connected Operating
System switches screens and launches applications instantly, yet is efficient enough that two AAA batteries can power the device for several months. The organizer contains a memory module that the user can replace to add memory or upgrade the device. In
addition, users will be able to attach communications add-on products such as modems and pagers as they become available.
- Cradle
The pocket organizer drops into a docking station that is connected to the desk top by a serial cable. Pressing the HotSync button on the cradle automatically backs up and synchronizes data with the desktop. Since the desktop synchronization software runs in the background, the user does not need to manage the process on the desktop and viewer. As a result, synchronizing data requires less user interaction than printing a document.
- Pilot Desktop Software
Pilot includes Windows or Macintosh companion versions of the organizer PIM applications. The desktop software serves as the gateway between Pilot and desktop applications. For example, a mail merge between the Pilot Address Book and Microsoft Word is accomplished with a simple click and drag operation. In addition, the Palm Connected OS architecture allows other desktop software vendors to build links or "conduits," between Pilot and their data formats.
DATA ENTRY OPTIONS
With HotSync, the user can type in events or import addresses on the desktop, and download them to Pilot at the touch of a button. When the desktop is not available, the user can use a stylus for text input, either with Palm's award winning Graffiti power writing technology or an on-screen keyboard.
FEATURES I LIKE AND FEEL ARE IMPORTANT FOR THE USER
Shirt pocket size -- Lets the user carry personal data anywhere
One-touch synchronization -- Makes Pilot a mobile extension of the desktop Fast, compact user interface -- Provides instant data access and long battery life Modular design -- Lets the user upgrade software, memory or add peripherals Value -- Gives the user a complete solution at an affordable price
Third Party Applications And Support: Palm Computing provides tools for creation of handheld applications as well as desktop conduits, which are links to existing applications. Palm's Developer Kit, including libraries, sample source code, etc. will be available broadly in the middle to end of 1996.
Handheld applications: Developers can create applications for the handheld device in C using Metrowerks development tools running on a Macintosh.
Conduits: Developers can build data links between existing applications and Pilot ROM applications using standard Windows Tools including Visual C++ and Microsoft MFC.
SPECIFICATIONS
Size: 4 5/8" x 3 1/16" x 5/8" (L x W x H)
Weight: 5.5 oz.
Record capacity (approximate)
Pilot 1000 (the one tested): 500 addresses, 1 year (600) of appointments,
100 To Do items and 50 memos;
Pilot 5000: 2500 addresses, 4 years (2400) of appointments, 500 to do items and 500 memos.
Battery life: 8-12 weeks on 2 AAA batteries
Display: 160 x 160 pixels
Serial connection: RS-232C 9-pin connector and 25-pin adapter
Pilot applications (ROM): Date Book, Address Book, To Do List, Memo Pad,
Calculator, Security, HotSync Pilot Desktop applications: Date Book, Address Book, To Do List, Memo Pad
Import and export formats: CSV, TSV and DBF
Windows compatibility: Windows 95, Windows 3.1x, Windows for Work Group
Macintosh compatibility: Macintosh II or higher or PowerPC; System 7.0 or later
PRICING (Street pricing will be less)
Pilot 1000 $299
Pilot 5000 $369
Pilot Memory Upgrade $149 (makes the Pilot 1000 into a Pilot 5000)
Product contact points:
Call or E-mail these nice folks and mention Tulsa Computer Society
| Ed Colligan | Morgan Littlefield |
| Palm Computing | A&R Partners, for Palm Computing |
| (415) 949-9742 | (415) 363-0982, ext. 23 |
| ecolliga@palm.com | morgan_littlefield@arpartners.com |