PalmOne VIIx Wireless Handheld

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Product Details

Product Manual [3.34mb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 4.7 x 3.2 x 0.7 inches ; 6.7 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00004WHIL
• Item model number: 3C80501U
• Batteries: 2 AAA batteries required. (included)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (63 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #19,326 in Electronics (See Bestsellers in Electronics)

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  Electronics > Computers & Accessories > PDAs & Handhelds

• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 4, 1999

Product Description

Amazon.com Review
When the Palm VII was first released, it garnered a lot of geek chic, thanks to it being the first handheld to include an integrated wireless modem. With more and more wireless handheld devices and peripherals entering the market (such as the RIM Blackberry and the OmniSky Minstrel modem for the Palm V), is Palm's wireless entry still a viable alternative? Definitely (but with a caveat or two).

The Palm VIIx handheld has had its memory bumped up to 8 MB (from only 2 MB in the original Palm VII), and it includes all the practical features we've come to expect from Palm--the easy-to-learn (and use) Palm OS, a sharp screen with contrast-variable backlighting, and infrared beaming of information.

But it's the wireless connectivity--and the ease and quickness of installation and connection--that really makes the Palm VIIx shine. You'll first need to add the Palm VIIx's two AAA batteries, which are also used to charge the modem's internal, rechargeable ni-cad battery. It takes about 70 minutes to fully charge the device. But that'll give you time to play around with the other Palm apps or practice your Graffiti writing skills.

Once charged, we simply flipped up the radio transceiver antenna (which also turns on the screen) and connected to the Palm.net network in seconds. Then we set up our account and chose a monthly service plan--which reminded us that wireless ease doesn't come cheap. These plans range from $9.99 for 50 KB of information downloaded (and $0.20 per additional KB) to $44.99 for unlimited usage. The Palm.net site estimates that 50 KB equals about 150 downloaded Palm screens of information--which isn't that much if you're doing a bit of online shopping or checking of sports scores.

The other important factor to remember is that you won't be able to view the entire Internet. The Palm VII connects only to certain sites that offer Palm Query Applications (or PQAs), which send Web Clippings instead of HTML. These Web Clippings are specially configured minipages that minimize both display requirements (to fit on the Palm VII's screen) and bandwidth usage. Thus, while we weren't able to view the day's English Premier League scores on Soccernet, we could read headlines at ABC News, get driving directions with MapQuest, and check airline flight status using Travelocity. (The Palm VII comes with 22 Web Clippings, but you can download more from www.palm.net/apps--from Merriam-Webster's online dictionary to a Starbucks locator.)

E-mail was a snap using the included iMessenger app and the Palm.net e-mail address that we set up. This account won't hook up with an existing POP account, but there are several good third-party apps on the market that you can install to grab e-mail from your regular accounts.

Ultimately, the Palm VIIx--and persistent wireless connectivity--isn't for everyone because of its online limitations to proprietary Web Clippings. But with a lot still in its favor--the robust Palm OS organizer environment, hassle-free activation, quick connection to the wireless network, easy e-mailing, and good nationwide coverage (featuring about 260 major metropolitan areas)--the Palm VIIx handheld is still king of the wireless jungle. --Agen Schmitz

Product Description
The new Palm VIIx handheld lets you access the best of the Internet, communicate via e-mail, and stay on top of your information - wirelessly and easily. With 8MB of memory, you can customize the Palm VIIx handheld with your choice of hundreds of web clipping applications and thousands of third-party add-on applications. The Palm.Net wireless communication service in more than 260 U.S. metro areas allows you to trade stocks; get quotes, news items, or sport scores; look up addresses, flight information, or weather forecasts; and send and receive e-mail virtually any-where. Activation is easy and instant, and you can choose from a variety of monthly service plans. With more web clipping applications and more memory, the Palm VIIx handheld gives you the best of the Internet, where and when you want it.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

177 of 180 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars nice unit, but wireless is expensive and slow, August 22, 2000

By	Patrick Tufts (San Francisco, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

If you can afford the...wireless, and realize that this is not going to replace your desktop for web surfing, the Palm VIIx is a good way to stay connected. And it fits in your pocket!

Like the other Palms, the VIIx does what it claims, and never complains.

There are two catches, though.

1) wireless applications are a very limited version of the net. There's no built-in web browser that lets you go to any old web page. So unless you install 3rd party programs, you're limited to the 40 bundled destinations (Amazon, AskJeeves, CBS Marketwatch, Fidelity, ...). Surprisingly, there was no built-in wireless phone book.

2) the wireless connection is slow and expensive. The bandwidth is under 9600 baud, and there's a 2-4 second delay between clicking and getting a response.

If you're an information junkie (stock quotes, news, email, eBay--is this you?) you will easily blow through the limited wireless plans...

On the plus side:

1) I was always able to connect to the wireless net (in buildings, in a car, in a park where cell coverage is spotty)

2) The device always did what I expected.

3 stars. I'd give it 5 if the wireless service was cheaper and faster.

--Pat

94 of 94 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars At last the complete package has arrived, August 10, 2000

By	Mark (The Netherlands) - See all my reviews

The Palm VIIx is the worthy successor to the innovative Palm VII which has been available for some time. The VII was the first incarnation of Palm's wireless handheld. It is a great device but I never bought it because of the 2Mb memory constraints on the old VII. However, that has been mitigated with the new VIIx. This puppy includes a whopping 8Mb of memory. Ample for almost any application or usage.

The VIIx comes pre-loaded with 40 or so wireless content apps. There are currently about 400 apps for the VII. You can get them for free at [Palm]. They range from bookstores like Amazon to acccessing your email on the go, to messaging, to online dictionairies. I would recommend to visit [Palm] to see the variety available and also if your area is covered by the mobile network.

I have a Fidelity trading account so I can use the VIIx to trade or view my portfolio. One of the most popular apps is the Starbucks locator. I wonder if there is a correlation between owning a VII and cafeine consumption. Another great app is MapQuest, and ThinAirMail lets you access any POP3 email account. Both are included standard.

The wireless response time is great. This is because of the way that Palm designed there applications as PQA's. PQA stands for Palm Query Application. They make wireless transmission efficient by ensuring that only pertinent data is sent. The way we view web pages, the whole page is loaded every time we view it, this includes a lot of layout and other data that we're not really interested in. PQA's predefine the layout and transmit only actual data. Eg. the price of a book you request from Amazon. The result is fast and efficient response. There are also several apps which let you browse the web in the traditional way, though I don't know why you'd want to. I don't think that the size of PDA screens makes web-browsing very useful or convenient. But, for those who insist...the Palm can definitely do it.

So far I have had no problems with signal quality. Whether on the street on in buildings. I'm in NY, but as mentioned before, don't buy this puppy until you have checked coverage in your area.

The VII series is a bit larger than the III. To me size is very important, I also own a Vx. But I will make an exception for the the VII, because wireless is just so ... cool and convenient. I could also have picked the Omnisky wireless service. Then I'd have to attach a modem to my Vx and the package together would be more bulky than the VII series so I prefer the convenience of having an all-in-one VIIx.

The device is turned on by flipping the antenna. Easy enough. Installation is a breeze. Takes all of 5 minutes and you are going. I recommend the 'all-you-can-eat' subscription. It costs $45/mth but well worth it, but you can also go for one of the more moderate subscriptions. They start a $10/mth.

Wireless is great. Definitely the way of the future. I love being able to pop up my email on the go, check for a movie with moviefone or just read a book, play a game, or read magazines with AvantGo. After all, let's not forget that other than wireless, Palm makes a great PDA with many other applications.

97 of 98 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply Wireless, August 14, 2000

By A Customer

I received the Palm VIIx a few days ago and I love it. I had a Palm Vx but wanted wireless access to the Internet. The Palm VII's 2 MB just wasn't enough, and Omnisky (for the Palm V) doesn't provide coverage in my area. When I heard about the Palm VIIx, I knew it was time to go wireless. The Palm VIIx has an improved screen and faster processor than the Palm VII. It comes with a leather, slip-on case and the latest Palm OS. The black exterior looks much better than the Palm VII. However, as compared to the PalmVx, the Palm VIIx feels a bit bulky (as would any handheld). I'm also getting used to the scroll button, which is not as sensitive. One of the applications is called "activate" and it takes you through the process of signing up for wireless access. You have to provide name, address and credit card information. After choosing a wireless plan (I choose unlimited for $45/month), you send the information and are ready to go. The web clipping apps or PQAs take just a few seconds to download. There are several good ones for news (ABC, Washington Post), sports (ESPN) and finance (E-trade). But PQAs are still limited and don't allow full Internet browsing. I highly recommend DPWeb, a third party application that allows Internet browsing and ThinAir, which allows you to access up to three POP, IMAP or web-based e-mail accounts. With those applications, and the extra memory,the Palm VIIx is a winner.