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QUESTION: I hate to admit it but I can't exist without my Palm PDA. I use it in my professional as well as my personal life. In fact, I can't remember how I got along without one a mere two years ago. So I can relate to how my son feels every time he asks me to get him one. However, I can't justify spending $300-$400 on a Palm just for him. Any suggestions?

ANSWER: You're not alone with your feelings of PDA dependence. Not quite as prolific as the cell phone, it's become one of the more popular portable electronic gizmos to be found in the pockets of mobile adults. Cell phones, pagers and even portable CD players used to cost hundreds. Now you see kids using all of these devices but with models that costing a lot less than their adult counterparts. The market for teenage high tech gadgets is big business and the industry has responded with comparable full featured, inexpensive models sporting youthful designs and jazzy neon colors. So it was only a matter of time before someone designed a PDA for kids.

The Cybiko is a sophisticated hand held device that is a melding of PDA and Game Boy. It sports an easy to read black and white LCD screen, foldable antenna, stylus and a whole lot of buttons. Data is entered via its tiny keyboard using the stylus. On screen icons and menus are accessed by the large cursor movement key. A top row of keys can also be used to launch applications. Like most PDAs, you can attach the Cybiko to a computer to send and receive data. But the Cybiko also uses radio frequency to transmit data to other Cybikos up to 400 feet away. Using the same 900 Megahertz spread spectrum technology found in modern cordless telephones, the signal can pass through walls unlike the infrared found in most PDAs.

The main functionality of the Cybiko is what also makes it unique from other PDAs. It can communicate with to up to 99 other Cybikos and all at the same time. Text messages and graphic images can be quickly sent between the units. One could say that this is the ultimate way to pass notes to each other in class! The Friend Finder is one of Cybiko's coolest features. For example, let's say your son takes his Cybiko to school. Upon entering the grounds, his Cybiko begins to vibrate or audibly sounds an alert that there are other Cybiko owners nearby. Looking at the screen reveals their names and pictures. This polling ability can be set up so that the Cybiko automatically transmits its owner's name and even a picture. Of course, this polling ability can be switched off if owners don't wish to be identified and back on when they do. After the initial alert, Friend Finder can be used to narrow things down. You can seek out Cybiko owners by gender, interests or even by someone new to the area. What a cool way to meet and make new friends.

Sending and receiving email via the Internet is another feature. Currently, email is obtained by connection to a PC however an expansion card containing a cellular modem will allow for wireless Internet access. Other upcoming expansion cards that plug into the back of the Cybiko let you increase memory, add an MP3 player and voice recorder, and a wireless interface that enables you to communicate to your computer without a cable. This last module will let you send and receive email and upload and download data from any of Cybiko's applications such as its name and address book.

Cybiko's other killer application is multiplayer games. You can game with dozens of other players at the same time. Currently there are over 100 games available at the Cybiko web site. According to Cybiko, they are creating new games for the device on a weekly basis. Other applications include a multi language translator, dictionary, appointment scheduler with alarms and a scientific calculator. All of the applications and games on the Cybiko web site are free.

Cybiko comes with rechargeable batteries, sells for $129.99 and is available from Cybiko at www.cybiko.com.

Cybiko, Inc. (877) 5-CYBIKO