Well, summer vacation is over, and the FutureLawyer has spent it working with the final version of the Omnisky wireless modem and the Palm Vx, a perfect marriage of hardware and software, creating a seamless and wireless Internet connection at respectable speed.

The Palm Vx is the sleekest and coolest of the Palm handhelds. It has 8 mb of memory, which is plenty for dozens of Palm Apps and other stuff.

I have been beta testing the Omnisky modem, which the Palm Vx neatly slides into, for about a year. Each new version of the software has made wireless email and web browsing easier and more productive.

Forget about those brain dead WAP (wireless access protocol) cell phones that are becoming as ubiquitous as bunny rabbits in springtime. The small screens, and lack of a credible text entry system make them worthless, in the FutureLawyer's opinion. Why pay $9.95 a month for something that you can't do real work with?

Before I walk you through the Omnisky marvel, however, let's take a closer look at the Vx. It is the sleekest Palm, weighing in at only 4.0 ounces, and the smallest PDA form factor on the market, at 4.7 by 3.2 by 0.4 inch in size. The aluminum case makes it futuristic and cool looking, and more and more are being seen everywhere. The Vx, with 8 mb of memory, can be had for a very reasonable street price of $449.

For some time, the success of the Palm has been tied directly to the software developers who are writing applications for it. For the past year, however, its greatest value to the FutureLawyer, other than the Internet access provided by the Omnisky modem, has been the synchronizing apps written by Alumni Computer Group, Inc. (PcLaw), Gavel and Gown (Amicus), and some pioneering Internet companies like AvantGo.

In a hand held package, I can press a sync button on the Palm Vx cradle at the office, and the entire Amicus and PcLaw databases are transported into the Palm for use at court or while traveling. Alumni's new application, PcLaw TE, allows the entry of time and expense entries on the road, and posting via the sync function back at the office. It is very neat to be able to enter time remotely, by calling up the PcLaw client and matter database on the Palm. Amicus has been synching to the Palm for some time, allowing both attorney and staff to be working with the same calendar, to do , and PIM data at all times.

Now, Omnisky has added wireless Internet functionality to the Palm Vx with the addition of another 4 ounces. POP email, PQA wireless Internet browsing, and access to the AvantGo channels make this an must have application for any traveling lawyer or professional.

PQA is Palm's answer to the channel language pioneered by AvantGo, and allows the creation of HTML code that neatly fits on the Palm screen. Many web sites have created tiny versions of their pages, which are small enough to be efficiently used by wireless handheld users.

PQA (Palm query application) is a way to efficiently view information at sites which provide small versions of themselves. This even permits some small graphics, a feat that is impossible on the new WAP (Wireless Internet Protocol) phones.

The Omnisky modem can be had for $299, (and deals are now available with $150 rebates), and the unlimited Internet service is only $39.95 a month.

The Omnisky's one negative is that is only works in areas of the country with CDPD (Cellular Digital Packet Data ) networks. That means it only works in 60% of the country. Ah, well. It is still far and away the best wireless solution out there, and it fits in your pocket.

I really enjoy pulling it out in an airplane terminal, and accessing email, flight information, weather information, sports and general news, and thousands of other useful nuggets available on the Internet.

Browsing the web on the Palm will never be confused with broad-band access and a 19 inch color computer monitor. But, for a gadget that fits in your coat pocket, it provides access to the world of information on the Internet, at a reasonable price. For the professional on the move, it is an essential tool for the 21st century. Even the most Luddite among us has to admit that such technology will change the way we move around in the world.

I have seen the future, and it is in my pocket.

Richard M. "Rick" Georges is a sole practitioner in St. Petersburg, Florida, and is the immediate past Chair of the Technology Committee of the Florida Bar. He is the author of the column, "Future Lawyer" tm, which is published in Warfield's Tampa Bay Review and many other publications. He is a member of the Florida Courts Technology Commission by appointment of the Florida Supreme Court and the Law Office Management Advisory Service Advisory Committee of the Florida Bar (LOMAS). He has taught law office management, computer-assisted legal research, and micro-litigation skills at the College level. He has presented seminars and training on all aspects of the use of technology in the legal profession, for local, state and national bar associations, and for may public and private entities. He can be reached via email at rgeorges@futurelawyer.com, or at his home page at Futurelawyer.com.

Reprinted with permission from Futurelawyer.com

Missed a feature? Find just the one you are looking for in our back issues collection.

Have an idea for a great Feature? Use our Feature Submission and tell us about it. Who knows, you may see your suggestion on the pdaJD.com home page.