The Bond latch is available in a classic Palm version, a Palm III series edition, and a sleek Palm V model. I tested the Palm III-compatible version, which also works with the Palm IIIc, Palm VII, and Symbol SPT1500. It's pictured in Figure A.

FIGURE A

The Bond latch is a sturdy metal fitting with a sliding clip attached to a black nylon cord. Click picture for a larger image.

The Bond latch for the Palm III series is a sturdy metal fitting with a sliding clip attached to a black nylon cord that you wear around your neck. The Bond latch is ideal for field workers, warehouse personnel, and those who don't want to wear a Batman-style utility belt to tote their pager, phone, and other clip-on devices.

Seriously, anyone who needs to have his or her Palm device handy, but who doesn't have an extra hand or pocket available, would be well advised to check out the Bond latch.

The only quarrel I had with The Bond latch is that the round cord supplied with it didn't distribute the weight of my Palm IIIx very well. If I wore a shirt without a collar, the cord tended to dig into my neck over the course of the day. This would be a weightier problem if I had a Palm IIIc or Symbol SPT device. I'd personally prefer a wider, ribbon-like neck loop--similar to one of those ID badge holders given out at trade shows--with a jump ring to attach The Bond latch to the neckpiece.

Combined with a choice of chains, and a set of the trendily-colored flip covers available from PalmMate, you might even consider The Bond latch a fashion accessory.

Product availability and resources For more information on Force Technology's Bond latch, visit http://www.force.com. For more information on Palmmate flip covers, visit http://www.palmmate.site.gl/cover.html. For more information about Palm computers, visit http://www.palm.com. Bulk reprints Bulk reprints of this article (in quantities of 100 or more) are available for a fee from Reprint Services, a ZATZ business partner. Contact them at reprints@zatz.com or by calling 1-800-217-7874.

Claire Pieterek is a long-time Palm handheld user. On a mission to ditch her Franklin Planner, she bought her first--a Pilot 5000--in May, 1996. She currently owns a Japanese-language Sony Clie 650C, a Sony Clie 710C, and a Palm Zire 71, among others. She is most at home in Chicago and Kyoto, and is a student of life, the universe, and Japanese.