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Backflip by Pocketmail
Let me start of by saying that I love this little device! The Backflip by Pocketmail, is a Pocketmail device. Basically, what this means is that you purchase the Backflip device and pay a monthly fee to have an e-mail account and 800 access number. At just under $10 a month the service is affordable and the Backflip itself is only $99.
Pocketmail does support text attachments, however I would like to see more support for other types of attachments, and possibly even a way to install apps and databases. Other than these small inconveniences, I find the Backflip to be quite a handy little device. I have been using it daily, it has performed admirably, and it is doing everything it claims.
Pocketmail is only available in the US
*UPDATE* 2/26/00-Pocketmail is now available in Australia and hopes to be available in the UK and Europe during the first or second quarter of this year!
What I like:
Ease of use
Portability
reasonable price
Good Customer service
What I don't like:
Lack of support for attachments
Lack of cover page support for faxes.
Weak web based support.
4 Out of 5 Rating
Let me start of by saying that I love this little device! The Backflip by Pocketmail, is a Pocketmail device. Basically, what this means is that you purchase the Backflip device and pay a monthly fee to have an e-mail account and 800 access number. At just under $10 a month the service is affordable and the Backflip itself is only $99.
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The Backflip attaches to the serial port of the Palm, similar to the 3 Com modem and extends up the back of the Palm device. A small, adjustable rubber mic is located on the back and is used to send and receive Pocketmail. The Backflip runs on 2 AAA batteries and they last quite a while(I use my Backflip daily and the batteries have lasted a month). |
| As you can see, the Backflip doesn't take up much more space than a Palm with modem attached. The small flip up earpiece on the back is out of the way until needed to send or receive e-mail. The batteries are seated just under the silver door below the Palm. |  |
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The service itself works near flawlessly, and even moderate amounts of background noise do not seem to affect a transmission. I have on occasion had difficulty connecting to the 800 #, but I chalked it up to problems with my cell phone reception, not the service. Pay phones, cell phones, hotel phones, your friends house, anywhere is a great place to send and receive your e-mail and the Backflip makes it easy. One of the places where I do have problems is the Pocketmail web site. It is awfully sparse and lacks a full set of features that many other web-based e-mail sights offer. |
| You can filter e-mail and have mail forwarded from other pop accounts but you cannot check your e-mail from the web site itself. You must configure an e-mail program such as Eudora or other pop e-mail reader to read online. One other annoyance I have is that while sending a fax is simple and intuitive, it costs $0.25 per fax and Pocketmail attaches a self advertisement on top of the sent fax. In my opinion, if I am paying to send it, it should look exactly like I send it with no ad on top. I wouldn't have known this had I not sent a fax to myself. |  |
Pocketmail does support text attachments, however I would like to see more support for other types of attachments, and possibly even a way to install apps and databases. Other than these small inconveniences, I find the Backflip to be quite a handy little device. I have been using it daily, it has performed admirably, and it is doing everything it claims.
Pocketmail is only available in the US
*UPDATE* 2/26/00-Pocketmail is now available in Australia and hopes to be available in the UK and Europe during the first or second quarter of this year!
What I like:
Ease of use
Portability
reasonable price
Good Customer service
What I don't like:
Lack of support for attachments
Lack of cover page support for faxes.
Weak web based support.
4 Out of 5 Rating