Getting Started

Probably the biggest difference previous Palm users will find with the LifeDrive is the ability to connect in USB drive mode, which mounts the LifeDrive on your desktop just like a regular hard disk. In this mode, you can copy files to and from the LifeDrive hard drive directly, bypassing the HotSync button. Thanks to USB 2.0, this is a very fast way to carry around documents -- it's like a flash drive, but with the added capability of viewing and editing.

On Windows, you'll also see the LifeDrive Manager application, which is a smart window onto the files on your LifeDrive hard disk (as well as any SD cards in the slot). You can drag and drop files and folders onto it, and automatically update data you want synchronized. You can also drag and drop files onto your LifeDrive in Drive Mode, where the LifeDrive is attached to your computer like a USB flash drive, but this mode does not allow synchronization. Mac users only have Drive Mode.

Making the Wi-Fi Connection

The LifeDrive includes a new driver and software interface for Wi-Fi connections from Devicescape that is a big improvement from previous Wi-Fi Palms. It's still 802.11b (which is all you really need in a handheld), but has support for WPA, and automatically connects and disconnects when needed by a Web-enabled application, conserving power.

Setting up a new Wi-Fi location is easy. Just go to Preferences, choose Wi-Fi and enter the parameters. You'll be connected immediately. We found range to be very good, not quite as far as our laptop, but more than enough for most purposes.