Our smartphones and PDAs hold so much crucial info that the money spent on backup programs are usually worth it. Especially after the first time your data gets wiped out by some freak accident.

So when Palm announced its new Backup service, the web positively buzzed. Here is a free service that lets you backup all your important contacts, appointments, notes, tasks, bookmarks, speed dials, and even your call log wherever you are. That is as long as you're within wireless data coverage, and:

• You use a treo smartphone. Palm PDAs don't have the necessary hardware to connect to cellular networks


• You're an AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon Wireless subscriber


• You can access any of the above service provider's wireless data services

In short, only US Treo users can use the service. Gadgetsonthego.net has a great walkthrough of the program. It shows that it's reliable and easy-to-use. Keep in mind that even if it costs nothing to use the service, you still have to pay for sending and receiving data over your service provider's network. Which is why an unlimited plan is recommended.

Palm Backup is actually a win-win. It provides a genuinely useful service for Treo users, and is yet another incentive for them to get a wireless plan from the telcos.