Notes

These notes cover a variety of issues that frequently affect handheld devices.

Setting up a Wi-Fi Router

This note explains how to set up a wireless router to work with handheld devices. Using WEP instead of WPA makes it much easier to connect handheld devices. Although the details in this note refer to one specific router, hopefully the process will be similar for other routers too.

RIM Blackberry 7290 Review

This review looks at the Blackberry 7290. Once it was widely used for corporate email, but it has been superseded by models in the 8000 and 9000 series. But when decommissioned, they can be still be used as basic smartphones, and they are particularly good at messaging.

Screen whine on Palm handhelds

Screen whine is a problem the affects many Palm devices, producing a high pitched whining noise, whenever the device is switched on. Most people cannot hear it, but for those with sensitive ears, it can be a real problem.

Broken power buttons on a Palm

It is quite common for the power button on a Palm device to stop working. The button connects to a micro switch, which often comes loose. There is a freeware program called PowerBtn, which allows you to use one of the hardware buttons instead. It is a great piece of software, which does the job perfectly.

Upgrading a LifeDrive

The LifeDrive has three problem areas: speed, battery life and mechanical reliability. All three problems are caused by the use of a Microdrive. But the Microdrive has the same form factor as a CF card, and the one in the LifeDrive is easy to replace. When the LifeDrive was introduced, 4GB CF cards were prohibitively expensive, but this is no longer the case.

USB Charging

USB stands for Universal Serial Bus. It is a protocol that allows both power and data to be transmitted between devices, along cables with either 4 or 5-pin connectors. It is the most common was to connect a PC to a peripheral device, and in that respect it is the successor of RS232. As it can transmit power as well as data, it is

HP iPAQ h6340 Review

The HP iPAQ h6340 is a smartphone aimed at the business user. It is on the large side for a phone, and has an external antenna. It comes with a Wi-Fi radio, a detachable keyboard, and no camera. I compare it to my Treo 680.

often used to charge handheld devices.

Getting Online

One of the most common requirements for a handheld device is to be able to connect to the internet. This note looks at various ways in which that can be done, and asks whether it is worth all the hassle.

Other Resources

• Palm Knowledge Base
  Repository of information about Palm handhelds, that goes way back.