By Lee Chee Wee
09/11/2004
URL: http://asia.cnet.com/digitalliving/tips/0,3800004921,39178209,00.htm

Many people buy PDAs only to have them end up as expensive paperweights. Actually, a handheld can be a powerful ally in your daily life when put to good use. One method is by tapping the vast amount of resources on the Internet via Wi-Fi or GPRS connection.

Even if you don't have a connected handheld, you can go the AvantGo route which is an application that lets you read news offline. All you need is a PDA and a desktop Internet connection.

To access the sites, all of which are free, you need to first sign up for a free account. Following that, you can download the client to grab the intended content whenever you synchronize your PDA. This way, you can turn your handheld into a handy information bible. Most Pocket PCs come with AvantGo support out of the box to save you the hassle. If you own a Palm handheld, head over to its homepage to download the client in order to get started.

	1.	The Straits Times   Finding its way to this round-up is the Singapore daily newspaper. Although it's not as comprehensive as the printed version, it gives you an overview of what's happening in and out of the Republic as you commute to work each morning. Plus, you get to read the articles for free.
	2.	Emergency Public Information Center   EPIC, or Emergency Public Information Center is an initiative by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the people responsible for the safety and security of our country. It's a central information dissemination system intended to keep the public up to date on emergencies of nationwide impact. With the recent SARS outbreak and the Nicoll Highway collapse, EPIC is a quick way to find out the major happenings in town.
	3.	Channel NewsAsia   Channel NewsAsia will appeal to those who prefer news with an Asian perspective. Access reports on local and global developments while on the move. Updated throughout the day, you can expect to obtain all the relevant information almost immediately.
	4.	Street Directory   Powered by Virtual Map, Street Directory offers you more services than just looking up your current position. After keying your current location and desired destination, it offers you turn-by-turn directions to your intended place. Apart from Singapore, it supports other cities such as Jakarta, Bangkok, Melbourne, Sydney and Taipei.
	5.	MediaCorp TV Guide   If you're a veteran couch potato like me, you'd probably want to laze around on the sofa with the TV remote within reach. Flipping through pages of the newspaper to find the TV guide is a thing of the past with this MediaCorp Web site. Programs from the major channels including Channel 5, Channel 8, Central and even TV Mobile are featured.

	6.	Cuisine and Wine   Singaporeans are certainly passionate when it comes to food. With the vast selection available, it can be a tough decision to make at times. Making your life easier is Cuisine and Wine's restaurant guide. Neatly sorted into different categories such as European, Italian, and Japanese, you have the option of filtering restaurants by location as well. So is it French escargot or Italian pasta for you tonight?
	7.	The Weather Channel   Don't get caught in the rain without an umbrella. The Weather Channel provides you with up to a week's forecast so you can better plan your outdoor activities.
	8.	The Business Times   The Business Times is probably Southeast Asia's leading business daily. So if you're into corporate, financial and economic news, this is one site you'll want to bookmark.
	9.	TransitLink Electronic Guide   Remembering the bus routes can be mind-blogging, especially if you're in an unfamiliar location. This TransitLink Web site offers you the routes details, operating hours and even the bus frequency. Simply select the service number from the drop-down list and hit submit for the desired information.
	10.	Teletext Classified Ads   If you're a veteran couch potato like me, you'd probably want to laze around on the sofa with the TV remote within reach. Flipping through pages of the newspaper to find the TV guide is a thing of the past with this MediaCorp Web site. Programs from the major channels including Channel 5, Channel 8, Central and even TV Mobile are featured.