The m-learning project is a 3-year, pan-European research and development study which aims to use portable technologies to provide learning experiences relating to literacy and numeracy skill development for young adults aged 16-24 who are outside full-time formal education settings, and to promote the development and achievement of lifelong learning objectives. The use of palmtop, or handheld, computers is rapidly increasing in the developed world. In conjunction with the m-learning project, a literature review was conducted to find information relating to the use of palmtop computers and to assist with the selection of appropriate technologies emerging in the field and the design and development of learning materials. There are several reasons to use palmtop computers for learning, including that they are inexpensive; they offer ubiquitous computing; they develop information literacy; and they promote collaborative and independent learning. In addition, there are issues that make their use problematic, such as a lack of relevant educational content and competing and incompatible operating systems. The following topics should be taken into account in future research and design activities: (1) information literacy; (2) design of both collaborative and independent learning activities; (3) game-playing and learning; (4) use of palmtop computers for activities outside the traditional classroom; (5) reflective logs and blogging; and (6) guidelines for the design of interfaces and the presentation of material on handheld devices. (Contains an appendix describing methods used for finding research studies, a glossary, and 71 references.) (MO)