The scoop on the Palm Z22

Oh, yeah, our source also hooked us up with a product sheet for Palm's new Z22 handheld, too (guess Palm is ditching the "Zire" brand name). We already knew this one was going to be on the low end of things, and it's listed as running Palm OS Garnet 5.4 and having 32MB of memory, a 160 x 160 color display, and a 200MHz processor.

[Tobias @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

it told me to be the first. so i am.

[RedStarr @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

I rather be behind you...don't move this won't hurt a bit. lol The thing looks like what I wish Apple would do if they did what I want them to do which I don't if they don't want to do it.

[Rachel @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

If it had just been a Windows Mobile handheld. :-(

I wish someone makes a small PPC with current technology.

I miss the times of the HP 1910

[ben @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

what is wrong with Palm ? Who's this crap for? BAD PALM !!

[James @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

I just hope Tonya in the appointment for a 1100 lunch at the Bistro is his wife! At least the kids won't be around though.

[Chris P @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

If you've only got to drop the kids of, have lunch and pick up dinner I don't think you really need a PDA!

[KultiVator @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

Hmmm... Lunch with Tonya isn't Business and it isn't personal. No, our low-tech 160x160 pixel Palm man is classing this lunch date as 'Unfiled'.

Hope he's carrying a condom.


KultiVator

[KultiVator @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

Kinda looks like what Apple would do if they did what I wanted them to do which is put Palm's ailing *mis*-management out of their misery and inject some innovation into the once great Palmtop pioneer.

An yes - please include the capabilities of a high-end iPod in there too - with those much anticipated Video playback features!

And please retire all those antique 160x160 screens!

[proee @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

Palm is lame. I hope they go out of business quick, but then again, nobody out there makes a decent combo phone except palm. Their business model and business names are a shame. Their latest "technology" is embarrassing as they have yet to really improve upon their old school interface and OS. I wish some other company would come into the scene and shake things up a bit. Unfortunatly it looks as if MicroSlop is going to slowly just eat up market share until we all get stuck sporting bloaded programs and lame user interfaces. But oh, it will sync with office! I think I'm going to go puke now...

[Peter @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

That's so incredibly how seemingly sarcastic that ad is.
1. Drop Kids off
2. Have Lunch with ____
3. Make Dinner

Soccer Mom maybe?

[in the army now @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

Rachel - I share your sentiments
The 19xx line was what any PDA should stive to be - albeit a stronger screen.

[blackf0rk @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

I agree with Nate (#5). Why do they have to make the surrounding peices (around the screen) so large; it makes the whole thing look so...again, 1999. And that goes for the rest of your PDA creators... :P

[Pat Horne @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

#14 ... you're right!!!

I've been saying it since 1999. Here's what the Z22 should be ... (Palm's have on-screen HR)
http://www.churchoflivingfaith.com/images/z33.jpg

... and what the Tungstsen E should have been. At least!
http://www.churchoflivingfaith.com/images/tungstene3.jpg

... but of course the answer is NO. Why would a company want to generate all the buzz and excitement. They would just have to work so much harder to keep the shelves supplied. :-( Ugggh.

[deslock @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

Actually, this isn't all that bad. For less than $100, you get a color screen PDA that's 3.4 ounces (most PDAs are a little too hefty to always carry in my pants pocket).

[Gfunkmagic @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

>>>>what is wrong with Palm ? Who's this crap for? BAD PALM !!


Look you morons, THIS IS A LOW END PDA!!! The Z22 will be priced for ~$99 bucks! For that you get a Garnet besed palm with color screen and decent ram. This will be the FIRST MAJOR pda in the market to offer a color pda for less than an $100 bucks. It is NOT meant for all the uber geeks who visit sites like Engadget. Thus if you're reading this post, this pda in NOT for you. However, all the soccer moms and etc will love it...

[BigTeebo @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

I dunno, I look at these Palms, and they still look like the palms of yesteryear. My dearly departed Handspring visor pro, 3 years old has the same resolution, a paltry 160x160.

Hyping this is like hyping a brand new Yugo, using the same Yugo specs & parts of the old Yugo.

[cpsethgt @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

You can't keep saying that Palm is using 'antique' technology - they're the same ones who recently released the first PDA with a hard drive, something that Windows Mobile PDA's haven't done yet.

Yes, there are screens with higher resolution than 160x160. Yes, 32MB of memory is very low by today's standards. But for 99 bucks, it will be tough to find a better deal. You have to remember that the original Zire, with a monochrome screen, no backlight, and 2MB of memory, was one of the best selling PDA's only two years ago, and it debuted at $99.

There are people who don't want cameras, WiFi, tons of memory or huge screens. Something just to organize your life with. The market for this type of handheld is HUGE. Like 17 said, not many people reading Engadget would be interested in it, but the average soccer mom or school teacher will see it as an easy purchase at 99 bucks, and it will provide all the functionality they need.

Seems to me like this will sell very well. It's not very different from the Zire 31 though.

[Prester John @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

There are some niche uses for a PDA like this, even if you *are* the type of uber-geek who reads Engadget. (grin) I work for a medical lab, and most of the work I do is in biohazard conditions. No WAY I'm taking a PDA worth serious money in there to use. This is perfect for my needs there.

[anon @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

was palm really the first to release a PDA with a HDD?

I thought Sharp's Zaurus C3000 was out before Palm's life drive, or whatever it's called.

[anon @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

was palm really the first to release a PDA with a HDD?

I thought Sharp's Zaurus C3000 was out before Palm's life drive, or whatever it's called.

[Timmay @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

Good luck of finding the Zaurus c3000 for sale in the USA.

This model is nice for low tech ppl. NOT for ppl who read this website. dumb asses

Timmay

[anon @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

there are quite a few importers, like dynamism, icube, conics, etc.

so if something isn't available in USA then it doesn't count? innovations are only innovations if it's done in USA?

[clicclic @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

This device is gonna get hacked so hard OMFG...

Color screen, throw-away price, and no external media slot crying for one? Just you wait engadgeteers!

Hack hack hack hack... LMFAO ROFL RTFM!!!

[John Boy @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

*Yawns* Oh joy another OS 5 Pile of crap.

[Ivailo Djilianov @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

<$100, no SD slot, 32MB RAM... what IS better for a vertical market integration? Didn't really need that color screen, but I guess there are not a lot of grayscale scren supplyers. Great replacement for the 21 and 31!

[acidreflux @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

Seems like the PalmInfoCenter crowd is crashing engadget.


I bought the zire 31 a few months back for my mom for $99. The only major difference of her concern is the NV Memory on the Zire 22, and the SDIO slot on the Zire 31. Both are nice for mommy, but I wouldnt give up the SDIO slot over a NV Memory.

[Justin Bell @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

Would it really have hurt them to include 2 more PIM buttons?

[Steve @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

I am going to buy one of these so I can throw it into a crowd and yell "Scab!" at whoever is desperate enough to pick it up. LOL

[David @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

Hah! Where I work I am not permitted to have a PDA with an expansion slot, camera, or anything wireless (beyond IR which MUST be covered by metal tape at all times). In other words, PDAs low end enough that they are getting hard to find. Z22 will sell just fine to folks working in classified environments.

Apart from the work restrictions I want the longest battery life possible. Anyone know how long the Z22 will last between charges? I worry that the extra RAM and the backlit screen will eat seriously into those 2 weeks. I only had to charge my Zire 21 once every 2-3 weeks! I also want something bullet-proof, because I ain't nice to my stuff.

I dunno what I am gonna need even 32 MB for. All I want is appointments, contacts, note and doodlepad. If I want to run an application, well, that is what a computer is for. Hell, the raw text of my doctoral thesis was only around 1 MB.

Steve, throw that Z22 into a crowd of classified government contract engineers and it will be gone before you can SEE who to yell "Scab" at.

[james @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

Forget the damn color screen!

Look, you dont need color screens and 32mb to type "pick up dinner".

I'd rather see something with a Palm V format (or skinnier) for under $100 in a tough clam-shell case with the newest PalmOS version. Now THAT would sell.

I'm sure the soccer moms this is marketed to arent saying "oooooh, 32megs! That's just what i needed!"

[Chunkbot @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

Listen up geeks! For those of us who interact with real humans and don't always have our face buried in some high tech gizmo this is a good buy. Not everyone needs to play a video game, trade stocks, look at porn and launch a missile all at the same time from their PDA.

[matt @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

To all those people dissing this thing. I will say I am a frequent visitor to this site and also a tech geek. That being said I am very intrested in this new Palm.

I think you have to take into account the features of what exactly this palm is. It is to keep dates calendar and other text based information and that is it.

I am one of the few reamining techy people around who enjoys single use devices. Too many devices these days are multi-use. Yes they may do an ok or even good job and several of the purposes they are multi-tasking, but none of them are great at it. Now I am not saying this is a great handheld, but when I already own an Mp3 player, digital camera,and a mobile phone why on earth would I need a PDA that can surf online, send text messages and play mp3's at a fraction of the efficency all the others can do? Is it worhwhile to really surf the internet on PDA? I dont think so.

A PDA like this is really for two types of people. I think those like me who have devices and want a PDA as a sort of information clipboard as they travel from the home to the office and those who simply want to replace their paper date book with a nice electronic one.

Despite me being the tech guy I am, I have a huge honking paper date book at work. It probably cost $60 for this thing and it is a nitemare to organize. Would I trade it all in for a simple cheap PDA that can keep my dates, phone numbers and notes? Oh yes!!!!

Also, whatever happened to handheld devices being handheld size? I mean seriously with all the huge devices out there like some other PDA's, the PSP, even some phones you can't fit those into your pocket. Last time I check cargo pockets and backpacks were not ok to wear to the office.

What does PDA stand for...Personal Desktop Assistant not media player. 160x160 screen is more then enough for the purposes of what a PDA should be doing and the inclusion of a color screen simply makes the whole process a little easier on the eyes, at least for me.

You also shouldn't have to go out and buy an extra $30 worth of protective gear for your mobile device. It is no longer becomes mobile and is a hassle. For one I applaud the small size and I would hope I can litterally just throw the thing in my shirt without it sticking out and making me slump to the left as I head out the door.

[tom @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

it will cost me 60 dollars just to get a battery to keep my old PDA running

99 dollars and i got a new one that is just what it say it is BASIC

[Barger @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

Reading all the comments on the new Palm, I was suprised at all the emotion for a simple little thing!

I'm a Theatre Performance major at a performing arts school in Arizona, and in that major I deal with ALOT of documents....And I mean ALOT!! I also have quite a few powerpoints that are used during class that the professors draw from. I went and bought some el-cheapo compaq armada 333mhz laptop for the task, and from what I've seen the Z22 would actually do BETTER than that dinosaur of a computer, and is excatly what I think Palm is shooting for. As a student (one of their target markets), let me explain:

As previously mentioned, I don't want a device that tries to be everything to everyman. I have an iPod shuffle that weighs a couple of grams. WHY waste memory on my PDA? If I don't have the pocketspace for somthing as tiny as a pack of gum, I've got a problem! My phone aslo has a camera on it as well...so don't need that on my PDA. I'm also too busy to watch TV in class, so why video? All I'm left with is documents, contacts, and picture storage. Funny, somthing like the Z22 works.

Size: My laptop is tiny at 10" on-screen, but it still weighs as much as two of my books (big ones!) and the battery only lasts for 1 hr and 45 minutes if I'm lucky! It's also cumbersome and hunting for the seat next to the power outlet pisses off the professors and other laptop users. When I need to take notes, I'll just get the $60 keyboard.

Cost: My used laptop (wich didn't work well when I bought it, requiring several hours of reinstallation of files) cost me $200, wich is par for a Pentium II laptop that isn't dead in this part of the country. The Palm Z22 is $99, has an 8 Hour battery, is only 3 oz in comparison to the several POUNDS, is smaller than the smallest paperback AND can hold more documents and PowerPoint demos than you can shake a stick at! The office software to write in MS word is available for free or even for $20 if I want to shell out cash for software from palm (as opposed to the hundreds of dollars for MS Word..wich didn't come on my laptop!) And, even with the keyboard I'm only spending $170 for somthing that has nearly the SAME processing power as the dinosaur I'm carrying.

So there you have it! A word from the market they're catering to: The cheap who need a way to organize things. It might not be techno-chic, but you litterally cannot find a more fitting device for a student who's on a budget but still wants the ease of keeping on track. It's like bemoaning the Volkswagen Beetle because it's cheap and doesn't go as fast as an AMG Mercedes...it's not SUPPOSED to, but it does it's job well, and there will ALWAYS be a market for the ecconomy level.

Besides, when the average working class joe can afford stuff like a PDA, it only prompts more competition, and more advancement. Look at the MP3 player! I remember paying $199 for a 128mb player and was on the cutting edge a while ago. Forward to today, with so many cheap players on the market, I just saw a 256MB player for sale for $39. Cheap pushes popularity, wich pushes technology forward

Now, a WiFi adaptor would be cool, but w/the screen res...I'm dreaming. Oh well.

[David Gurney @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

Why in hell doesn't someone make the smallest Palm possible? All I want is something to contain all this info and sync with my computer so I can take it on the road. Basically, make a PDA the size of a phone, then subtract the phone circuitry to make it even smaller.

I already have a phone. I don't want one the size and shape of a damned sandwich, either. Ever talked into a Blackberry? It's like holding a desktop calculator up to your head. What year is this in which we can't figure out how to make a Palm device as small as a StarTac?

WTF?

[Joe Bagadoughnuts @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

34 & 36:
Thanks! You two have presented the most coherent arguments about this thing. It's *supposed* to be a cheapo handheld - something to entice people from the paper planner stage. It's kind of like training wheels on a bike - except to this category.

Now, it's a bit of a challenge to Palm in that people like me originally started with a paper calendar but wanted better efficiency - so I picked up a $30 Royal organizer. That was *ok* but because I play computer geek at work, I wanted something more. Researching is how I came into the Palm OS and settled into it. What Palm would need to keep in mind is getting those who'd look at the $30 organizer and say, this is why we're better. And really, if I'm not familiar how much better this product is than the said $30 organizer, then why should I pay ~$100? To me it's the same. Therefore, Palm really should try to drive this cost down closer to that mark. Unrealistic perhaps but come on - these things are made in China! How much does it *really* cost?

As for me, I've used Palm for 4 years and I love it. It's a tool that serves my needs very well. I have continuously upgraded and currently have a TC but am looking to switch to a T3. Why? I like the wifi on the TC but don't use it. When I do, the thing never kept the connection live. I've also grown partial to the thumboard. On the other hand, the T3 is smaller, lighter but no thumboard. For me, size and weight matter. But on weekends, or at times when I'm out and around, I don't want to put my T3 in my pocket where it could be damaged. I live by this thing. So I'm actually considering this product as it'd be a great throw-away *and* it's so small,light and simple that it'll fit in my pocket without problem.

And *that's* from a "professional" geek.

[Nate @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

160x160 resolution? Is there some point at which Palm will wake up and realize this is no longer 1999, and they are losing market share left and right?

[Catherine @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

I'm asking for a Z22 for Christmas because it seems to fit the bill. My needs: 1)to be able to easily carry the info from my Microsoft Outlook Calendar and contacts with me + 2) To be able to make and confirm appointments without my computer. I'm assuming I can hot-sync my calendar from laptop to Palm. None of my kids play soccer but they are ages 10 - 15 and very busy. I also am on the boards of about 8 different not-for-profits so need to be able to coordinate meeting times, etc.
The fact that I can enter groc. lists and memos is gravy. Don't even know whether I will do that. Would something else work better and cheaper that the Z22?