Palm LifeDrive Mobile Manager - PalmOne introduces the all-new LifeDrive mobile...

PalmOne introduces the all-new LifeDrive mobile manager. With a 3.85 gig user accessible hard drive and built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth support, you can easily carry all the essentials of your busy life and use them as you will. Files and folders from your desktop computer, 300 songs, 2.5 hours of video, vacation photos, and more are right there with you. Quickly drag and drop files from your PC onto your LifeDrive mobile manager. Folder structure remains intact so you can easily locate important information when you need it. Select the files you want to keep in sync, and automatically update them whenever you sync with your computer. Use your device like you would any USB removable drive to easily upload files to any PC or Macintosh. Built-in Wi-Fi 802.11b and Bluetooth v1.1 Access your POP, IMAP and Exchange email accounts via Bluetooth Use Bluetooth to connect to compatible devices nearby-sync with your Bluetooth laptop, wirelessly send a document to a Bluetooth printer or dial a Bluetooth phone. Retrieve documents from your desktop computer with the WiFile software. Use the included web browser, optimized for the mobile surfing experience. Service provider and an ISP, sold separately. Some Wi-Fi hotspots require fee for usage. Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 or VPN may be required. Within wireless service coverage area and requires a connection to the same network that the networked computers are on Support for Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Acrobat More room for MP3 files, photos and video clips Built-in voice recorder Camera companion and camera companion software Expansion possibilities with built-in expansion card slot which supports SD, SDIO and Multimedia Card formats. Optional GPS Road Navigator transforms your LifeDrive device into an in-car navigation tool. Portable wireless keyboard unfolds to full size for work on the go, which is bought separately. Included Addit

Customer Reviews:

Bulky mp3 player and odd portable storage device and a weak PDA
The hype "revolutionary" and "new in its kind" sourrounding lifedrive launch truly put me in the enthusiast mood I would not miss my old Tungsten E, however after some days dealing with frecuent crashes, I missed the reliable OS the others models have.

Palm made a big fault rushing to release a not so fine tuned device in compliance to third applications in the market, even Lifedrive works well with its built-in apps, it's gloomy for a intermediate/advanced user of PDA to deprive the scope of applications to essentials or taking risky bets that the new apps you choose will get along with the new Lifedrive OS.

Getting a lifedrive will make you feel as the owner of a bulky mp3 player, and odd portable storage device and a weak PDA. If you enjoy taking advantage of your PDA as a productivity enhancer and spare time improvement using third applications I would recommend you to replace the lifedrive capabilities you are looking for pointing your choice to a Tungsten TX that has a much faster and reliable OS, an ipod with a cooler look and a digital voice recorder.

--2006-12-17

expensive junk
this device is hugely overpriced with the lack of usable features it offers. The web browsing capabilities are lame, bluethooth functions crash the machine sometimes - and it doesnt play well with third party sofware. Palm killed handhelds basically a long time ago & keeps driving the spike into the coffin with this one.

Handsprings were so much more solid & worked alot better. Huge corporations like Palm ruined the industry unfortunately with their non-existent technical support and lack of updates & cross functionality with phones & computers.

Just wait until something better comes out.
--2006-12-14

Palm has finally created its Edsel...
I have had several Palm products over the past 6 years: the m505 (yikes!), the Zire 71 (LOVED IT!!!!) and the Death/LifeDrive. I didn't even stop using my Zire 71 after purchasing the LifeDrive because it still worked a lot better for most applications; I stopped using it only because I cracked the screen about 8 months ago. My first LifeDrive lasted practically 1 year to the day and the screen gave out on me. Tried everything: digitizing with a screen protector, without one, cleaning the screen, hard resets, soft resets. So, since I didn't purchase the extended warantee from Palm, I was out of luck when it died. I bit the bullet and bought another one JUST THIS HALLOWEEN...and tonight, the screen died again. I kept that baby in an aluminum bubble and it still died! So, tomorrow I'm taking it back to Best Buy and getting a T/X...it seems a lot more to my liking...and the screen and casing looks a bit more hardy than the LifeDrive (which weighs a boatload, BTW). I work in healthcare as an E.R. nurse and I need my Palm for everything...the LifeDrive just doesn't cut it. Palm, cut your losses and stop selling this sucker!!!!
--2006-12-01

Pretty disappointing
This is my third Palm product, after first using the Palm III and the Palm M515 over the past six years. Very disappoinging. It crashes frequently and needs hard resets once or twice a week. This never happened on my ealier Palms nor on my wife's Palm. Some of the features are good, such as a very readable screen. However, the hassle factor of having to reset the hard drive, which takes sevearl minutes to reboot, make it sluggish and unappealing. I would not recommend it to anyone.
--2006-11-26

Not for Everyone
This is a very serious expansion of the PDA concept. Not only is the memory expanded, but there is also a great expansion of functions.

Naturally there must also be an expansion of learning requirements for the user. The LifeDrive is not nearly as easy to use as the Palm Zire.

Ah, but the rewards for mastery of the LifeDrive are immense for a creative person who must travel lite. You will love this little pocket sized wonder. You will just love it - until next year when something better comes along.
--2006-11-25