your handheld is equipped with an infrared (ir) port that supports the ircomm implementation of the standards for infrared communication established by the infrared data association (irda).

    this means that not only can you beam data to another palm os handheld that's equipped with an ir port, but you can also beam data to a cell phone and any other device that supports the ircomm implementation of the irda standards.

    most importantly, you can use the ir port to perform hotsync operations; you don't need your hotsync cradle/cable. this is especially useful if you travel with an infrared-enabled laptop. you simply enable infrared communication on your laptop and handheld and follow the steps in "performing an ir hotsync operation" later in this section.