Connecting
The name--Cassiopeia EM-500--isn’t particularly sleek. But the $399 device is a kicky, lightweight Pocket PC that could easily replace your MP3 player as well as your old, monochrome personal digital assistant. Powered by a high-speed 64-bit microprocessor, the EM-500 sports 16 megabytes of RAM and a bright 65,536-color display as well as a built-in microphone, speaker and headphone jack.
The EM-500 includes both MP3 and Windows Media Player software, along with the Microsoft Windows CE operating system. Productivity applications include pocket-size versions of Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel and Money. The Pocket Internet Explorer Web browser as well as stripped-down versions of Microsoft’s Streets mapping program and the Reader e-book software also are included.
It had been a few weeks since I’d used a Pocket PC intensively, so my trial of the EM-500 was a welcome refresher on what’s right with the latest hand-held version of Windows CE. The software, combined with the right combination of super-bright display and very good sound, could easily make this a hip multimedia companion.
The Windows CE operating system is easy to master because most people are familiar with pull-down menus and other desktop Windows options. And those who use Outlook, Word and Excel at work should find the Pocket versions extremely friendly. Tying all this together is brilliant handwriting recognition software Microsoft licensed from the ParaGraph unit of Vadem Ltd. It can read most printing and even some cursive writing. Though not a total replacement for pen and paper, it comes far closer than, for example, the Graffiti system used by Palm and Handspring devices.
Also impressive is the petite size of the unit. The EM-500 is slightly narrower and thinner than its big brother, the Cassiopeia E-125, which retails for $100 more and adds 16 MB of RAM. Though the E-125 is by no means bulky, the EM-500 is a bit more stylish, particularly given the color case options, which include red, blue, yellow, green and a metallic-tinged sky blue.
There are little touches that also impress. The power adapter for the EM-500 is one of the thinnest I’ve seen for a PDA. Plugging it into a wall socket shouldn’t be a problem. There’s a jog wheel on the machine’s left side to make one-handed navigation of menus and files easier, plus three quick-launch buttons on the front.
This is a pocket computer that’s easy to set up, easy to use and easy to like. Accessories for the device center on extra memory and a serial modem. It would be nice to find a full-size external keyboard for this unit at some point, however.
Given the current pricing, the EM-500 is a good introduction to a color PDA. Adding 16 MB of additional memory--$60 at the Casio Web site--would price this on a par with the EM-125, but you still get a stylish, sleek device. It may not look as corporate as some PDAs, but the Cassiopeia EM-500 is a winner for value, ease of use and even fun.
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Mark A. Kellner is editor at large for Government Computer News and hosts “Mark Kellner on Computers” at https://www.adrenalineradio.com from 5 to 6 p.m. Thursdays.
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The Skinny
Cassiopeia EM-500
What it is: Full-function color PDA
Price: $399
Manufacturer: Casio
The good: Loaded with features
The bad: No keyboard peripheral
Bottom line: Sporty and stylish
