In this review, I look at a few of the most popular ways to get e-mail in your pocket. The PalmPilot is the most popular PDA, or Personal Digital Assistant. Over a million of the pocket-sized devices have been sold in the last eighteen months, and it has received almost universally glowing reviews. It accepts input from an included stylus as well as from a finger, and can even accept handwriting if it is formed in the simple strokes of the easily-learned 'Graffiti' language. The professional version has 1 MB of user memory and comes with included scheduling, note-taking, address book and expense software.
Much more software is available through third-party developers.
The PalmPilot is designed to seamlessly synchronize with your desktop system using an included 'hotsync' cradle and software. The Professional model comes with software which will work with most major e-mail programs such as Eudora or Microsoft Exchange, allowing you to download your mail into the Pilot and then read it on the road. You can then reply to the mail, and when you next synchronize with your desktop, send the mail through its connection. The software will also delete mail from your desktop if you've deleted it on the Pilot, ensuring there's no duplication. With the modem, this paradigm is extended.