Is That Email in Your Pocket?By Martin Sargent & Roger Chang,TechTV.com
What happens when scientists retire from NASA? They go to work for PocketScience and invent PocketMail, another way to receive and respond to email without a computer.
The PocketMail service works with two devices: PocketMail Composer and the BackFlip for the Palm. Both devices weigh less than nine ounces, a fraction of the weight of a notebook computer -- which is the hassle-ridden way people usually access email when traveling.
Both devices are slightly longer and thicker than a checkbook. The PocketMail Composer sports a full Qwerty keyboard and flip-out monochrome LCDs that display eight lines of 40 characters. The LCDs are sort of dim, but the keypads are big enough to type short messages without too much grief.
How it works
On the back of each device is a snap-out acoustic coupler. You receive and send email by holding the acoustic coupler to the receiver of any phone on which you've dialed the toll-free PocketMail number. You press a button and the device begins chirping and squawking like a flock of mechanical birds.
We tested both devices on the pay phone outside our work location, which is one of the noisiest places in San Francisco. The message transfers went off without a hitch.
For the device to receive messages, they must be sent to your dedicated PocketMail email address (such as sasquatch@pocketmail.com). You must set your computer-based email accounts to forward messages to your PocketMail address before hitting the road.
The drawbacks
These addictive little gizmos can't send and receive messages of more than 4,000 characters. You also can't use PocketMail with digital wireless phones that can't switch to analog.
We've heard excellent reports on the PocketMail service itself, but it's difficult to compose lengthy emails on one of these devices. It has a tiny keyboard that leads to errors if you have big fingers.
Practice will make the process less painless, but don't expect to hit your usual touch-typing speed. If you already use email on a Palm, the BackFlip might be the perfect solution. Just clip it on, install the software, and go.
Get a phone card
You'll need to pick up a phone card before you travel internationally with any of these devices. Inside the United States and Canada, you can dial into a 1-800 number to catch your mail. Outside the US, you dial a regular toll number in the 408 area code.
What email can you get?
Like many HTML-based mail systems, you can configure a PocketMail device to copy email from existing accounts, whether they use POP-3, IMAP4, or even AOL.
PocketMail's online user support pages offer help if you need any assistance. If you get a ton of mail, you'll probably want to use the message title preview feature, which downloads only the sender and subject field for each mail. You can then pick and choose which mail to download in its entirety.
Don't tire out your arm
You'll want to consider picking up a Velcro strap for any of the PocketMail devices, if you regularly send or receive more than five or six messages at a time. It takes around 30 seconds for three messages to upload or download. When you've got a lot of messages (or a few very long ones), holding the box to a handset can get tiring.
Remember to pack extra batteries. The models we tested were fairly thrifty, but, hey, you don't want to run out. The PocketMail composer uses 2 AA batteries and the BackFlip uses 2 AAA batteries.
Email That Bleeps
PocketMail is great, but the devices are a little too hefty to tote around in your pocket without some discomfort. The newest BlackBerry models, on the other hand, can ride in the pouches of your trousers without your thigh looking like it's pregnant with an infantile John Candy.
A tiny, tiny computer
The best on-the-go email system is the BlackBerry, a pager that features an alphanumeric keyboard, manufactured by RIM. It comes with an Intel 386 processor with integrated email/organizer software, optimized keyboard, thumb-operated track wheel, and intuitive menu-driven interface.
The BlackBerry is always connected to the wireless network that alerts you when you receive new messages to your BlackBerry email account. The message is then available to read directly from the device.
It also features a personal organizer complete with a calendar, address book, and a memo pad. Additional extras include a cradle to synchronize all the information stored inside with a PC.
The price tag
The current BlackBerry pricing information lists the RIM 857 wireless handheld or RIM 957 wireless handheld with BlackBerry desktop software for $499 or the RIM 950 wireless handheld with BlackBerry desktop software for $399. The service is $6 to $9 a month depending on the plan you select. US/Canada roaming can be added for an additional $24.95 a month.
The downside
The only downside to using the BlackBerry is that it requires you to be within reach of its wireless network to send and receive email. It cannot receive email around the world, but if you sign up for US/Canada roaming you should be OK within North America.
If you have any doubts just check the coverage areas before purchasing.
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