Available to the U.S. market this spring, the m500 series features a Secure Digital (SD) and Multimedia Card expansion slot, about the size of a postage stamp, a new Universal connector for hardware add-on modules, which will become standard in future Palm handhelds, and Internet connectivity.

• Range from 8 MB to 256 MB
• Instant access to applications, content, data storage and backup, images, and video clips
• Compatible with a host of consumer electronic products such as printers, digital camera, and MP3 players

• The HotSync cradle is bundled with the m500 series, which provides easier setup and faster synchronization than earlier models.
• The cradle supports the Universal Connector that will allow developers to create hardware add ons, such as wireless modems, cameras, GPS receivers and MP3 players.

• Palm Mobile Connectivity software enables users to connect to the following:

• Web clipping technology to access Web content
• MyPalm™ mobile portal access to Web-based services
• Palm MultiMail® software providing access to Internet mail
• SMS support for sending and receiving messages

With the offering now of SD and MulitMedia Card technology along with wireless connectivity, Palm has stepped out beyond its roots of providing a means of managing individual tasks. In the words of Michael Moskowitz, general manager of Palm Canada, Inc., " The product [m500 series] has moved way past the icon of techie culture."