The MMCs that the EM-500 uses for memory expansion are thin, postage-stamp-size units that range in storage capacity from 8MB to 64MB. MMCs are similar in price to CompactFlash and SmartMedia memory units -- a 32MB MMC costs roughly AU$260, and are available from Advanced Portable Technologies.
The MMC standard has been around since 1997 but hasn't enjoyed wide acceptance, as have the SmartMedia and CompactFlash standards. The CompactFlash standard occupies the dominant role in handheld device storage, and CompactFlash slots have the additional benefit of accepting other peripherals. Palm Computing has announced plans to produce in the coming year a handheld device featuring support for the new SD (Secure Digital) card standard -- a design based on the MMC standard but featuring security enhancements. One result of these enhancements will be SD card slots that are compatible with MMCs, but most MMC slots will not be able to accept the new SD cards.
According to a Casio spokesman, the EM-500 may or may not be compatible with the SD cards -- the compatibility status will not be confirmed until the SD specification is complete later this year. The EM-500 ships with a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cradle, 16MB internal memory and has an excellent 65,563 colour Active Matrix TFT screen. USB support will speed synchronisations over the slower serial connection of previous Casio handhelds. Interestingly, however, Casio has provided for USB support while maintaining compatibility for peripheral devices across the E-115 and EM-500 product lines.
The EM-500 is powered by a lithium-ion rechargeable battery, which is easy to remove and replace -- in the Jornada 545 the batteries are inaccessible. EM-500 users will appreciate the ability to swap in a new battery because the EM-500 yields 7 hours between charges.
The EM-500 ships with the same software as the E-115, including Activesync 3.1 for synchronisation, as well as Microsoft's Pocket Word and Excel. The EM-500 is available in blue.
Casio Cassiopeia EM-500
Distributor: Shriro
Ph: 02 9370 9100; Fax: 02 9417 6455
Price: AU$1,199.
Rating: 4 Star
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