Deep Discounts on Dell Axims

From Dell Home & Home Office: “For a limited time, purchase select new Dell Axim Handhelds and get instant savings! Take 35% off Axim X51v 624Mhz Handhelds. Or choose an Axim “Deal of the Week,” a specially configured handheld solution, and save up to 40%! Orders must be placed through Dell Home Electronics & Accessories to qualify.”
This means a Dell Axim 51v starting at $324!

This unit won both LAPTOP Magazine and PC Magazine’s Editor’s Choice Awards just a few months ago.

The VGA-Out support is great if you want to do any mini-presentations at a family reunion (there are VGA -> S-Video converters available). I have the previous version, the X50v, and it’s been a solid PDA. It’s very hard to get a Windows Mobile PDA at this price with both VGA resolution (great for the Windows Mobile/Pocket PC genealogy applications and a fast processor.

The specifications:
* Microsoft® Windows MobileTM 5.0 software with Windows Media Player 10 Mobile
* Powered by the Intel® XScaleTM PXA270 Processor at 624MHz
* Brilliant 3.7″ color TFT VGA display with 640×480 resolution
* Integrated Intel® 2700G multimedia accelerator with 16MB video memory
* Integrated 802.11b and BluetoothTM Wireless Technologies
* Packed with 64MB SDRAM and 256MB Flash ROM
* Integrated CompactFlash Type II and Secure Digital / SDIO Now! / MMC card slots provide flexible expansion
* VGA-Out Support with optional VGA Presentation Bundle

Source: Pocket PC Thoughts

Seattle Public Library Expands Wireless Coverage

The Seattle Public Library is expanding it’s wireless networking coverage. Right now seven branches have wireless access available to patrons, but eventually all will have access. Good news for genealogists doing research in that area, that happen to need internet access.

Source: Wi-Fi Networking News

Palm LifeDrive Review

There is a new review of the Palm LifeDrive over at DesignTechnica.com. It was written by Brandon King, and he rates it a 7.5 out of 10. This Palm device could be for you if you happen to need a PDA and a media manager (photos, etc.), however they weren’t happy with battery and hard drive performance (it does have the most capacity out of all of the Palm devices though).

Ultra Lightweight Laptops

MobilityGuru has a rundown of several small Intel-based notebooks, “Ultra Lightweights”, including the Toshiba Libretto U100, with a 7.2 inch display and the Fujitsu LifeBook P1510D with an 8.9 inch display (not only that, it’s a Touchscreen!), as well as few larger notebooks.

We normally focus on PDAs, but some of these laptops these days are under three pounds, and a 7.2 inch screen with an actual keyboard (albeit cramped) could make for a useful platform for a genealogist who’s just not happy with a PDA, but doesn’t want a large laptop.

Source: Small-Laptops.com

FileMaker Mobile 8

FileMaker Mobile 8 is now shipping. If you use FileMaker 8 to store your genealogy information and research notes, this maybe of interest to you. Among the new features – expanded workgroup support. The Starter Solutions has been expanded as well.

$69 Full, $19 Upgrade from previous version, available for Mac or Windows.

Developer’s Description:

FileMaker Mobile 8 is a companion to FileMaker Pro 8 designed specifically for Palm OS and Pocket PC handhelds. FileMaker Mobile 8 lets you easily extend your FileMaker solutions beyond your desktop to mobile individuals and to workgroups by syncing with all the lastest FileMaker products. With its powerful viewing options, easy data entry features, and two-way synchronization, you’ll manage your information with ease and have instant access to details while on the go!

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