Product Description

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

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #5541 in Consumer Electronics
• Brand: Palm
• Model: 1044NA
• Released on: 2005-05-02
• Platform: No Operating System
• Original language: English
• Dimensions: 2.00 pounds
• Memory: 4000MB SDRAM
• Native resolution: 320x480
• Display size: 3.8

Features

• Built-in WiFi and Bluetooth wireless support so you can easily carry all the essentials of your busy life
• 320 x 480 high-resolution, color display with choice of portrait and landscape viewing
• Support for POP, IMAP, and Exchange e-mail accounts helps you stay on top of your e-mail at WiFi hotspots around the world
• Plenty of room for storage with a 4GB hard drive
• Also includes a voice recorder, MP3 player, and photo viewer

From the Manufacturer
Seven pounds lighter than your laptop, the LifeDrive mobile manager has all you need to take your life on the road. Carry all your important files and have them when you need them. With 3.85 GB of usable storage, you can store and access years worth of e-mail, thousands of Word docs, 1200 PowerPoint presentations, 300 songs, 1000 photos, 2.5 hours of video, and more...all with room to spare. And your information is always safe on your LifeDrive mobile manager, even if you're too busy to recharge the battery.

LifeDrive smart file management.
You have better things to do with your time than manage files. With new LifeDrive technology, you can quickly drag and drop thousands of files from your PC onto your LifeDrive mobile manager with the folder structure intact. Select the files you want to keep in sync, and they'll automatically be updated whenever you sync with your computer. Plus, you can use your LifeDrive mobile manager like you would any other USB drive to easily upload files to any PC or Mac.

Built-in WiFi 802.11b and Bluetooth 1.1 wireless.
Stay connected at any of the over 80,000 public WiFi hotspots in popular hotels, cafes and airports around the world. Access your POP, IMAP and Exchange e-mail accounts with the included VersaMail e-mail client. Download your latest calendar appointments from the office. Retrieve documents from your main computer with the WiFile software. Use the included Blazer web browser, optimized for the mobile experience, for surfing. Or, use Bluetooth to connect to compatible devices nearby--sync with a Bluetooth laptop, print wirelessly to a Bluetooth printer or dial a Bluetooth phone.

Support for Word, Excel, PowerPoint and PDF files.
Rehearse your PowerPoint presentation discreetly in an airport. Make last-minute changes to a Word document. Check the numbers in an Excel spreadsheet and update them on the spot. Download and view an Acrobat file. The LifeDrive mobile manager comes with support for native Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files and converted PDF files.

More room for MP3 files, photos and video clips.
Whether you're viewing schematics from business associates, listening to songs, or both, the LifeDrive mobile manager gives you room for virtually everything you might take with you. Plus the software you need is pre-installed. View photos and videos with the PalmOne Media application. And enjoy all the songs in your personal music collection with on-board support for MP3 files in full stereo.

Built-in voice recorder.
Capture that big idea anywhere. Tape important lectures. Take notes hands-free. Or, record a slideshow narration to accompany your photos. It's all possible with this integrated, go-anywhere audio functionality.

Camera companion.
Why take your laptop on vacation? Instead, download the images from your camera's SD memory card onto your LifeDrive mobile manager, and free up your card for more photos. Back at your desk, you can easily upload your photos to your personal web site or photo-printing service.

Expansion possibilities.
This mobile manager gives you plenty of options. The built-in expansion card slot supports SD, SDIO and MultiMediaCard formats. Transform your LifeDrive mobile manager into an in-car navigator with a GPS Integrated Car Cradle. Carry a portable, wireless keyboard that unfolds to full size to conveniently create or edit files on the go. The included Addit software makes it easy to try or buy popular software titles via Bluetooth or WiFi.

High resolution, color rich display.
Sit back and enjoy the view with this 65,000-color, 320 x 480 Transflective TFT display. Flip to portrait or landscape orientation with the touch of a button, and get a better perspective on work, photos, or anything else. The status bar gives you quick access to key functions on screen, like the current time and search.

Multiple security measures.
128-bit encryption keeps your valuable data secure. Password protection safeguards access to your device, while the Private Records function protects specific files when the rest of your device is unlocked. The optional Intrusion Protection function erases all data and returns the device to factory settings after a user-specified number of failed break-ins.

Sleek exterior, racy interior.
Everything is encased in an elegant, brushed silver finish. On the inside, you'll have fast performance for business and multimedia applications, thanks to the 416 MHz Intel XScale processor. The 5-way navigator lets you launch applications, select items, and view details all with one hand. The on/off/hold button keeps your MP3 player on without inadvertently launching other applications.

Stay organized with the basics and more.
And last, but not least, you'll have all the essentials of a good personal assistant with our award-winning PIM applications--Calendar, Contacts, Tasks and Memos. Not to mention the ability to sync with Outlook on a PC or with iCal and Address Book on a Mac.

What's in the Box
LifeDrive mobile manager, protective sleeve, a USB sync cable with PalmOne Multi-connector, an AC power adapter (108 to 132 VAC, 50 to 60 Hz), Desktop Installation and Software Essentials CD with tutorial, getting-started guide (PDF), and user's guide (PDF).

Customer Reviews

Not the Best Nor the Fastest
If you are caught between a TX and a Lifedrive--go with the TX. While the LifeDrive has more room, it is lacking in speed when compared to the TX. The TX is seamless when switching between applications. The LifeDrive will hang and freeze, when switching between applications, for what will seem like an eternity no reset is needed--just patience. Many claim that the system has hard reset many times, wiping out the internal memory, in the time that I've owned it, this has not happened. Ranking order for those wanting a Palm device: LifeDrive is good, E2 is better, TX is best.

One of the worst products ever manufactured...STAY AWAY!
I made the mistake of purchasing this product when it came on the market (and paid approximately $400). I was attracted by the capacity of the drive and the large display. Within weeks of using the device it began to freeze up and crash intermittently resulting in repeated data loss. At times the screen would go blank/"white" for no apparent reason when turned on and would require a system reset. The system reset occasionally would wipe out all of the software I installed on the device requiring me to reinstall everything and re-enter all of the product keys (this required hours of time). After several months of this and MANY hours on the phone with technical support the mini hard-drive completely failed: when the device was turned on it made clicking noises but would not boot (in case you're wondering, the device was handled carefully and had a nice Rhino metal case with foam padding: it was not dropped prior to this event). Technical support from the manufacturer was again useless and after returning the device and receiving a "repaired" version I was faced with the same problems. I was informed that a major "software update" was available ("2.0") which would fix many of the issues: after applying the update stability improved - for a while. However, after two months the hard drive once again failed. This time I was one month outside of the one year warranty (the warranty was not extended despite all of the problems with the device). I was informed that I would need to spend approximately $150 if I wanted to have it repaired. After reviewing my options and thinking about all of the misery I experienced with the device I decided it was not worth the cost of repair. I kept it for a while in the box in my closet, but it made me angry each time I looked at the box: eventually I simply threw the useless item away and purchased a Sony Clie UX-50 (wow, what a difference!). While the UX-50 was discontinued in the US, the hardware is VASTLY superior to that of the LifeDrive (I've had it now for two years without a single problem). It has an earlier version of the Palm OS which is more stable and, although it lacks some of the fancier features of the LifeDrive, I'd never go back. There were rumors that a version of Linux was in development by Palm to replace the unstable/horrible operating system on the LifeDrive - in the end I guess they were just rumors. How corporations like Plam get away with selling junk like the LifeDrive is difficult to understand. My next "PDA" will be an iPhone.

Palm LifeDrive--don't get it
I've been using Palm products since the original Palm Pilot, and I was thrilled with this when I received it. Then it failed. Customer service was consistently superior to Dell's or HP's, but the refurbished replacement they sent me failed. The next refurbished replacement was defective. The refurbished replacement following that was also defective. They finally sent me a new replacement. That one has just failed, but now it's out of warranty. I will not be buying another Palm product again--ever.