Because OmniSky's Minstrel Modem is a true Modem, and not like the paging service PalmVIIs use, you are really ON the Net. You have an IP Address, and you can use any Palm Application that expects a network connection. Along with my Prism and a Stowaway keyboard, I've used AOL Instant Messenger for Palm to chat with buddies.

The built-in OmniSky applications don't support color, but I've used BlueLark's Must-Have Web Browser "Blazer" very successfully to view color non-PDA-optimized content with much success.

Whenever a Palm Application wants to connect to the next you'll see a screen like the one on the right.  The Visor will first connect to the modem, then the modem will "register" with the Network, THEN it sends your Request. This happens on a "per-session" basis, so if you startup AOL Instant Messenger, the first time it needs something from the net, you'll see a connect screen from the modem, then from that point on you're connected.

Another exciting app is VNC for Palm, which gives you wireless "PC-Anywhere" style connectivity to your Pilot. It also allows scaling of the screen, which worked quite passably with the OmniSky service. Once connected, which often takes a few seconds, the Modem does appear to get around 1.5K a sec for sustained downloads. This isn't usually apparent when browsing, but is when doing a full screen refresh with VNC. VNC for Palm

Since the Minstrel Modem is cellular, it can't be used while on an airplane flight. BUT, if you are an AvantGo user, you can use AvantGo's "Modem Sync" feature along with the Minstrel Modem to update all your AvantGo offline channels. I do this just as the plane is boarding and by the time I'm seated, I've got a Visor full of new content for the long flight. That's wireless, baby!

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