This post is a continuation of a series of articles on old hardware. This time we have one of the coolest Palm PDAs on our table - the Palm TX model. It is notable for the fact that at one time it received a WiFi module and an updated screen. However, the device has also lost some of the functions that its predecessor, Palm T5, had. But still, it was a Hi-tech device with a bunch of features.
Let's try to evaluate this gadget in 2020, in particular, evaluate its design, capabilities and try to use basic functions.
Characteristics
- Intel XScale PXA270 processor @ 312 MHz
- 128MB flash ROM, 100MB available to the user. ...
- Wireless interfaces Wi-Fi 802.11b, Bluetooth 1.1 and infrared port.
- MMC / SDIO slot.
- Dimensions 120.9x78.2x15.5, weight 149 grams
Design
In general, the device looks good now. Sits comfortably in your hand, fits in your pocket without problems. What else does a geek need to be completely happy?
The control buttons are located at the bottom of the front panel. They are not pressed by themselves, the stroke of the buttons is tight enough to avoid this trouble. On the right side, if you hold the Palm TX "facing you", is the stylus slot. The latter is also convenient to use, plus it is quite durable, unlike its plastic counterparts.
On the top there is a power button, a headphone output and a slot for an SD memory card. At the bottom there is a port for connecting a charger and connecting the device to a PC. On the back there is a button to reset the device.
Display
It, of course, loses to the screens of modern (and not so) devices, but at one time it was, if not a breakthrough, then close to it. By the way, the Palm TX screen was protected by a film, which was very popular with the customers. The display is quite durable, provided it is more or less careful, it did not fail.
The display was also protected by a special cover that came with the kit. Plus, you could find more reliable means of protection - the current package includes a metal case for Palm TX. It has a special mount to ensure that the device does not fall out, plus slots for memory cards.
There were also several dozen screen films and a lot of documentation, including a CD with drivers and software for PC and Mac.
Battery
Something, but the batteries were able to do before. Despite the age of the device, the battery was not only alive, but also quite efficient. It is enough for a couple of hours of work without turning off the screen.
By the way, an important point: when the PDA fell into our hands, it did not turn on, so we had to unscrew the back cover, unsolder the battery wires from the board and "push" the battery with a smart charger . Follow the link - charging a completely "dead" iPhone battery, but the principle is the same.
After that, charging started, Palm TX came back to life. This is a good thing, since the price of a new battery is around 25 euros. So we can assume that we saved exactly this amount by restoring the "native" battery.
By the way, the device can spend many, many days in standby mode. Somehow the PDA lay for more than a month, losing only about 50% of its charge.
Bluetooth and WiFi
Wireless standards are hopelessly outdated here. Despite the fact that the device successfully finds wireless networks, it is not able to connect to protected ones. In order to connect to the network, I had to take an Android phone, start tethering and disable network protection.
With Bluetooth (the Paml TX has a Bluetooth 1.1 module), the situation was similar. The iPhone failed to connect, but Palm saw a laptop, an Android tablet, and even connected to the latter. There was little sense from this, but still the pairing between devices with a difference in the age of 15 years worked.
the Internet
You can connect to the global network either via a smartphone modem, or via a WiFi access point or Bluetooth of the same smartphone. On the latter, the access point is turned on, after which Palm is connected.
There are several complications here:
- iPhone is not suitable as a hotspot, only an Android device.
- There shouldn't be any WiFi security, Palm just doesn't understand your modern security protocols. It is also better not to set a password.
After connecting to the network, we see this:
Palm does not understand HTTPS connection, so only sites accessible via HTTP work, and even then not all of them. Only Google, the main search engine, image and video search worked for me. Neither Gmail nor the resources of other companies wanted to download, Palm showed this:
As for the image search, everything worked well while it was about displaying an image in the search engine interface.
When trying to load the image itself, Palm failed again.
The bottom line is that only Google search works (I also tried Yandex through ya.ru, it refused to load).
PC connection via cable
Suddenly it turned out to be connected. As it turned out, software is still available for Palm that allows you to synchronize the device with a laptop or PC. We are talking about Palm Desktop 6.2.2 and its drivers .
In order to install the drivers, you need to connect Palm to your computer (we are talking about Windows OS), go to the task manager, find your gadget and specify the folder with the drivers. Surprisingly, everything works.
Hot Sync via Bluetooth didn't work, but okay, the cable is enough.
Navigation
No, this is not a mistake. Palm TX together with TomTom maps and external Bluetooth GPS module could serve as an excellent navigator. All you need to do is load the card to SD, insert it into the device and everything starts working automatically.
This Palm came with its own external Bluetooth-module Palm One (a relative rarity, by the way). But the module was too old to function properly. It turns on, charges, but Bluetooth doesn't work. Apparently, the past years have nevertheless disabled the module. Or maybe something happened to him during the operation by the previous owner, who knows.
The special diode does not flash, plus the module is not detected by any of the devices that are nearby.
On the other hand, this is not Google Maps for you. Even if the module worked, there are still no necessary and, most importantly, actual maps. They do not exist in nature, since TomTom has long stopped producing maps adapted for old gadgets. Perhaps the coordinates would have been determined correctly, but what's the point of them if there are no maps that are less than 20 years old?
Regarding the non-working module - there is little hope that someone from the readers will tell you what the problem with Bluetooth might be. If you manage to restore it, Palm TX and PalmOne will once again become a single whole, as they were many years ago.
Programs
Palm TX came with a set of pre-installed programs, including a calendar, email, browser, SMS manager (when connected to the phone, you could manage messages), cost control, world alarm, contacts, calculator and a couple of other necessary applications, including a multimedia player.
By the way, the file manager successfully recognized a 2 GB SD card. He did not recognize a 4 GB card, although he reported that "the card is not formatted." An error message was shown when trying to format. But with two gigabytes, the device worked fine.
What can you use Palm TX for now?
In general, the handheld is hopelessly outdated both morally and physically. These are disappointing words for lovers of rare technology, of course, but it is so.
Yes, you can use Palm as an alarm clock, clock, calculator, calendar, task manager. Another device can be adapted for a reader. The screen is of sufficient quality, the letters are clearly visible, so if the battery keeps the charge normally, then there are no special problems with that.
But with all that is listed above, any modern budget smartphone can handle. If it's a pity to just put it on the shelf, of course, the task for Palm TX that it can cope with can be found. But this is akin to a "bread trolleybus." You can do something, but why? Palm TX is heading to the museum (have we written about the museum yet? Then don't switch).
Perhaps we are mistaken and Palm is suitable for some interesting purposes? If so, write about it in the comments.
