Third-generation, or 3G, services have been tantalizing the telecommunications industry for several years and are slowly turning into a reality. They're intended to provide cell phones and portable computing devices with much faster and higher-capacity access to the Internet. The company appoints Norm Fjeldheim as CEO of its Wireless Knowledge subsidiary as it gears up to provide third-generation, high-speed network access. Fjeldheim will replace Eric Schultz, who has left the company. Fjeldheim had most recently served as chief information officer at San Diego, Calif.-based Qualcomm.

CNET también está disponible en español, Don't show this again, previous coverageThe nation's second-largest wireless carrier says it lost many more customers in the third quarter than expected, because of the collapse of WorldCom, a reseller of anatomy of a fox iphone case its services.October 22, 2002, The wireless phone industry is experiencing some static as sales of new phones and new subscription rates fail to meet their projections, A new report shows that owners of mobile phones are slow to upgrade, despite a drop in prices, Fancy features seem to be the real carrot on a stick, October 24, 2002..

CNET también está disponible en español. Don't show this again. Visit manufacturer site for details. Palm's latest entry into the handheld race is a budget PDA that's earmarked for the tech neophyte. While other manufacturers are adding more memory, larger screens, and faster processors, the Palm Zire has just 2MB of RAM; a small, monochrome screen with no backlight; and a relatively poky, 16MHz processor. Yes, the attractively designed Zire is about as basic as a Palm gets, but if you're looking for a no-frills personal organizer, it will certainly do the job--as long you're not trying to read the screen in a dimly lit place. Taking a page from Apple's design book, the Zire has a white-plastic design à la the iPod. According to Palm, when it comes to PDA design, white is the new black, and with the new color scheme, the Zire seems fresh--or at least different--from its predecessors. The unit's rounded edges; white bezel; and aqua-colored, gel protective cover make the device look simple and easy to use. At 4.4 by 2.9 by 0.6 inches and 3.8 ounces, the Zire is no smaller than other Palms, though it is lighter.

The differences between the Zire and its Palm siblings extend beyond cosmetics, Palm has removed the To Do and Note keys and has brought the Contacts and Calendar buttons flush against the scroll controls, a layout that allows for easy, one-handed operation, Also gone is the Calculator key in the anatomy of a fox iphone case upper-right corner of the Graffiti area; it has been replaced by a customizable Favorites button that can be reassigned--as can all controls--through the Preferences menu, The real innovation here is Palm's abandonment of the proprietary data connector, You now connect the PDA to your PC or Mac via a simple mini-USB cable and without a cradle, This is a positive step for a couple of reasons: you have one fewer item to lug around, and if you lose the cord, you can easily replace it without having to pay Palm $39..

The same USB connection also recharges the Zire's batteries. However, if you aren't near a computer, you can use the included AC adapter, which plugs into the top of the unit. This Palm's protective cover is irritating; not only does it flop around, it often accidentally activates the Zire when it's in your pocket or your backpack. To say that the Zire, which also goes by the model number m150, is a no-frills PDA would be an understatement--this model is more like a blast from the past. With just 2MB of RAM, a 16MHz DragonBall EZ processor, and a 2.75-inch, monochrome screen, the Zire is practically on a par with a Palm III in the specs department. In fact, Palm's previous low-end PDA, the m105 has a more generous 8MB of RAM, though its screen and processor are the same as those of the Zire.