Although the technology world focuses largely on the latest features and the flashiest design, there are many consumers who don't need or want all the bells and whistles. With PDAs, this means stripping away the wireless connectivity and multimedia features and going back to the core function of a handheld: organisation.
And this is exactly what the new Palm Z22 does. Targeting first-time handheld users, parents and students, this AU$179 device has no tricks or gimmicks. It organises your most important data -- contacts, appointments and so forth -- and lets you view photographs, but that's about it. It's even more basic than the company's previous entry-level model, the Palm Zire 31. Still, if you're ready to graduate from your day planner to a PDA, the Z22 is a good start.
The Palm Z22 is absolutely adorable. Showing off a sporty white and midnight blue colour scheme, it's probably the smallest and lightest (68.6mm by 15.2mm by 103.1mm; 96.4 grams) PDA we've seen, and it slips easily into your bag or pocket. Yet, we worry about the durability of the plastic casing (think iPod Shuffle) and screen, which tends to hold a lot of fingerprints and smudges. We recommend you invest in a protective case or, at the very least, screen overlays to prevent scratches. Palm offers a two-pack of Flexi cases in baby blue and soft white with four screen protectors.
Speaking of the screen, the Palm Z22's 2.5-inch-diagonal screen displays thousands of colours, but with its low 160x160-pixel resolution, the viewing experience is a little painful. Images and text just aren't as sharp as those of other PDAs, but you can improve the situation a bit by adjusting the contrast and holding the PDA farther away. We also noticed that the touch screen isn't particularly responsive. Oftentimes, we had to tap an icon numerous times in order to call up an app or manoeuvre around the display. Below the screen is the virtual Graffiti input area, as well as shortcuts to the Home Page, Menu, HotSync and Find functions. Additionally, there are two shortcut keys to your Appointments and Contacts, as well as a four-way navigation toggle with a centre Select key. Finishing out the Z22 are a mini-USB port and a stylus holder on the top, as well as a lone Reset button on the back.
The Palm Z22's feature set is bare bones, but you get the staple Calendar, Contacts, Memos and Tasks applications for organising your most important data. Within those programs, you can customise your data even more. For example, you can designate your Personal and Business appointments by colour-coding them, plus you can add photos to your contacts. The Z22 also syncs with Microsoft Outlook for e-mail. With 32MB of memory -- 20MB of it user-accessible -- the PDA can hold about 6,000 addresses, 10 years' worth of appointments, and more. You also get an expense-tracking program, a world clock, a notepad and a calculator. Palm provides a couple of fun extras, including a game called Crazy Daisy and an eBook reader with three complete books: The Duke and I, Never Eat Alone, and Smoke and Mirrors. Unlike with the Zire 31, however, you can't listen to music on the Z22, but you can carry and view photos individually or as slide shows.
The Palm Z22 is powered by a 200MHz processor that delivers smooth operation with no real noticeable lag when switching between programs. Palm says the Z22's rechargeable battery can last up to one week with casual use. We've been using the Z22 for about four days on a single charge, and the battery indicator says we still have about one-quarter of the charge left.
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Gloomy
22/04/2008, 06:12 AM
rating
8/10
A great PDA, perfect for what i need it for, also got limited network when using with my nokia phone.
Pros: Great PDA functions, easy to add aditional stuff.
Cons: Not that great screen, No media what-so-ever apart from photos, no wi-fi/bluetooth
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Paddy
17/01/2008, 03:02 PM
rating
4/10
The unit has heaps of potential but like many units with small screens is almost unusable in bright sunshine
Pros: The chess game is great it behaves like a human
Cons: Photo software does not on my unit I am still trying to get this problem resolved.
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Marge
17/11/2007, 10:41 PM
rating
10/10
I love it! This is very nice gadget! I love it really, because I can write there everything what I want!!!
Pros: http://www.6millionsmiles.com/?p=706
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ChicaWolverina!
05/11/2007, 11:58 AM
rating
2/10
It's too breezy and vapid of a review that doesn't address important issues like whether or not the battery is user replaceable. Like are we only supposed to have the life span of a dog, I wish it did!
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03/12/2005, 12:33 AM
Great for a first time user
I am a rep on the road and decided to throw away the diary and try a PDA. I did not want to spend a lot of money at the start so I tried the z22. Its great for making appointment and have the tasks on the calender helps with things i have to do during the day. The only downside is that its a bit gard to read in the car, however a contrast adjustment may cure that. Otherwise its great and the wife even bought one after seeing mine. Now i know how easy to use they are I'm looking forward to upgrading to an E2 in the future.
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