|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HARDWARE REVIEW
A Bridge to the future
By Claire Pieterek
Have you ever run across a gadget that you didn't know you really needed until you got it and found out how useful it was? For me, one such item is The Bridge by Midwest PCB Designs. The Bridge comes in two models: The Bridge for Palm Pilot and Palm III Connected Organizers, shown in Figure A, and The Bridge for Palm V connected organizers (which looks similar, but fits the Palm V).
FIGURE A
 
Here's the Bridge for PalmPilot and Palm III Connected Organizers. Roll over picture for a larger image.
The Bridge for PalmPilot and Palm III units
The PalmPilot Bridge is shown, in Figure B, connecting a Palm device still in its case to a cradle. The Bridge comes in the same lovely gray as your cradle. Its key value is that it can be used to perform an in-cradle HotSync without removing your Palm device from one of the many cases that have cut-outs on the bottom. The cut-outs are great if you use a Hot Sync Cable, but many encased Palm devices won't normally quite fit on a cradle unless taken out of their cases.
FIGURE B
 
Here's the PalmPilot Professional in a Targus case with The Bridge installed on a Palm III HotSync cradle. Roll over picture for a larger image.
I've used quite a few cases that are easy to put on various Palm devices but are not quite as easy to remove, such as the PilotArmor and Rhinoskin ShockSuit. If you HotSync often (and you should, hint, hint) and don't have a HotSync cable, it gets to be a drag when you have to take your Palm device out of its case each time so it will fit in the cradle. This process reminds me of having to unbundle children shortly after putting on all the gear necessary to survive a cold, snowy winter's day of play. If you've ever had to do that, you'll know what a help the PalmPilot Bridge can be (with your Palm device…you're on your own with the kids).
Another use for the PalmPilot Bridge is to enable classic Palm devices, such as the Pilot and PalmPilot, to fit in Palm III family cradles for syncing. The differences in the classic and Palm III family cradles may be subtle, but they are different enough that an unBridged PalmPilot or PalmPilot Professional will not fit in a Palm III cradle. The Bridge is a much more elegant and easy solution for households and offices with multiple Palm devices. It definitely beats connecting a serial switchbox or installing a card with additional COM ports.
"This one is for all of us who upgraded to the Palm V and still want to use Pilot Modems, GoType keyboards, hot sync cables, and other peripherals that don't yet have compatible connectors."
|
The Bridge for Palm V units
The Palm V Bridge, shown in Figure C, is another clever product. This one is for all of us who upgraded to the Palm V and still want to use Pilot Modems, GoType keyboards, hot sync cables, and other peripherals that don't yet have compatible connectors. [Now that's a brilliant, simple device. - DG] Again, the Palm V Bridge is great is for workplaces or households with multiple Palm devices and not enough available serial ports to connect multiple cradles.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
