3Com calls their new look a "New Industrial Design". We just call it more comfortable. Without question, the new device is more comfortable to hold. As shown in Figure B, the bottom of the device is tapered. There's a smooth bevel on the bottom, right side (on the left of the image).

FIGURE B

The bottom of the Palm III is comfortably tapered. Click picture for a larger image.

If you notice on the left side of the image (what would be the bottom, right of the device when handheld), there's a rounded ridge. This is where the pen goes. It also serves as a nice grip point for the fingers of the left hand when holding the Palm III device.

Of course, if you're a left-handed individual, you won't benefit as much from this design. It's not uncomfortable to use (feels just about the same as the earlier PalmPilots), but the taper will be on the wrong side when you hold the device in your right hand and write with your left.

According to the manufacturing label on the back of the device, production has moved off-shore. The label on the Palm III indicates "Made in Malaysia", while the PalmPilot Professional states "Made in USA".

The flip cover
This is the first Palm device with a built-in cover, as shown in Figure C. The cover is plastic, and attaches with two pins to the side of the device. It is easily removable, but we wouldn't advise getting into the habit of constantly taking it on and off the Palm III or the pins might wear down.

FIGURE C

The Palm III has a protective cover. Click picture for a larger image.

The Palm III cover has two natural flip-points. The first flip-point, shown in Figure D, keeps the cover at an angle slightly forward of the device face.

FIGURE D

The cover can stay partially open. Click picture for a larger image.

The second flip-point has the cover at an angle that points down and back from the device, as shown in Figure E.

FIGURE E

You can flip the cover to the back of the device. Click picture for a larger image.

We kind of like the cover. It looks cool. But it sometimes gets in the way, especially if you haven't remembered to remove the stylus before flipping the cover. Remember: remove, then flip. Remove, then flip.

Because the cover is detachable and because the Palm III has two mounting holes, we expect third parties to create custom covers that attach to the Palm III. We would have liked to see a lid that flipped completely around to the back of the device, like with the later MessagePad devices. Third party developers, are you listening?

Recessed contrast knob
The leather case that came with the PalmPilots is not included with the Palm III. That case had an inconsistent reception among PalmPilot users. Some, like your editor, had no problems. Others found it too tight. Still others had problems with the contrast knob. The fit was often so tight that the knob would adjust as it went in and out of the case.

The Palm III avoids that problem in two ways: by trading the case for the cover, and by moving the contrast knob. On the PalmPilots, the knob is on the side of the case and it can easily be spun as a result of insert/extraction friction. As shown in Figure F, the knob is recessed substantially on the Palm III.