The Universal Connector is the new standard across all current and future releases from Palm, Inc. The Universal Connector is located on the base of the handheld and is used to connect it to the HotSync cradle for synchronization with a PC. The connector can also be used to hook the handheld up to various useful accessories such as the Palm Portable Keyboard. The Universal Connector bodes well for the future of enterprise installation, as many devices throughout the office will have a standard HotSync connection, for those who are using Palm handhelds.

Wireless connectivity
With a device like the Palm i705, however, it's the wireless connectivity that everyone wants to talk about. Once you open up your brand new Palm i705 and sign up for the required Palm.Net service, you'll be able to take secure wireless email and Internet connectivity with you almost anywhere you go. Keep in mind service is not available in all areas, so check on that before you buy.

You can feel confident sending and automatically receiving your business and personal email with Palm.Net's end-to-end security. The device supports Microsoft Exchange, POP3, IMAP4, and SMTP email. For Internet access, you can use the MyPalm Portal, enter any URL you'd like, or make use of any Web clipping application. You'll notice a change to the built-in hardware buttons at the bottom of the handheld's face. The two buttons on the right-hand side used to automatically open the To Do List and Note Pad applications. Now, however, they will instantly connect you to the MyPalm Portal and MultiMail Deluxe respectively.

You can find more information on MultiMail in the April 2001 issue of PalmPower's Enterprise Edition at http://www.palmpowerenterprise.com/tocs/issue200104.html. You can also read Claire Pieterek's review of MultiMail Pro 3 in the July 1999 issue of PalmPower at http://www.palmpower.com/issues/issue199907/multimail001.html.

Another benefit of wireless connectivity is instant messaging. You can communicate with your family, friends, and colleagues in real-time using handy applications like AOL's Instant Messenger.

Be aware, Palm has already released a Palm i705 update on its support site. The Palm i705 handheld software update will enhance the performance of your radio and battery, and it'is required if you are using AOL's Instant Messaging product. You can find more information at http://www.palm.com/support/i705/update/.

A star is born
Another change that's brand new with the Palm i705 is the My Favorites application button. Located on what is known as the silkscreen area, to the right of the Graffiti input area, is a new application button with a star icon. Formerly the home of the Calculator button, you can now program this space to open whatever application is most important to you. If your favorite application still happens to be the Calculator, you can easily set the star button to open the Calculator, so rest easy. For those more adventurous, you can program the star button to open anything you'd like. The sky's the limit.