TamsPalm - the Palm OS Blog

For ages, the color screens of various Palm powered devices have had a 2px white border around them. Until Jeff Kirvin mentioned the frame in an early issue of his podcast, nobody cared… . Then, TCPMP offered to remove the white border for some T3’s. This motivated Dmitry Grinberg to release an app to kill the frame…and so on.

Ryan Rix recently discovered that the HackNDev boys have managed a truly amazing feat by actually making the border usable - the screenshot below is not 480×320, but rather 484×324(image provided by #hackndev user Miska):

The maintainer of the T3 port of Linux, kEdAR, sent us the following:

Hi
I look on hackndev irc, that you ’shocket’ about 324×484 OPie.. and you have T3..
You can try latest T3 release with border disable(and 324×484) feature

http://kedar.palmlinux.cz

btw: on T3 is posible only with Sharp LCD… i not have tested me release on Sony LCD ..

bye, kEdAR

I am currently away from my Palm Tungsten T3 as I am currently preparing to travel to Stockholm, but can investigate the matter later if you wish me to. Meanwhile, what about letting us know how you fare?

Palm’s handhelds sometimes have to be sent in to get fixed…having a second handheld is a very helpful thing then, as it allows you to keep working on the go. 1src member Alex Ethridge asked how to configure his desktop in order to make the “swapout” process as painless as possible…and he got quite a few replies.

The whole thread is very interesting - if you own more than one handheld, give it a click:
http://www.1src.com/forums/showthread.php?t=131162

We had the eee, the Negroponte XO, Intel’s classmate PC and as variety of other boxen…and now, a company called Medison has announced plans to ship a full-fledged laptop for just 150$.

Update by Ryan Rix, thanks for telling us!

Ryan just discovered what machine the Medison box is based on. It’s based on a design by Clevo, a company that is specialized n creating barebone laptops for companies like e.g. the austrian Gericom.

The machine is called M540V, a link to the product page is here. Please note how most of the data on the Medison web page was more-less cut and pasted from there.

Here are the specs for the box - they call it Medison Celebrity:

• MEMORY - 64-bit wide DDR data channel, One 200-pin SODIMM socket, supporting DDR 333/400, 256 MB Expandable up to 1GB, based on SODIMM Modules
• STORAGE - One changeable 2.5″ 9.5mm(H) HDD, Supporting Master mode IDE ATA-33/66/100/133 (Ultra DMA), One changeable 12.7mm(H) CD/DVD Combo
• VIDEO CONTROLLER - VIA PN800 integration, Shared Memory Architecture up to 64MB, 128 bit 3D graphic engine, Support analog monitor pixel resolution up to 1920×1400, Support two displays dual view
• KEYBOARD - A4 size keyboard, Built-in Touchpad with scrolling function

• SOUND SYSTEM - AC’97 2.2 Compliant Interface, 3D stereo enhanced sound system, Sound-Blaster PROTM Compatible, S/PDIF Digital output (5.1 CH), 1x Built-in Microphone, 2x Built-in Speakers
• I/O PORTS - 3x USB 2.0 ports, 1x External CRT monitor output, 1x Headphone jack, 1x Microphone jack, 1x S/PDIF output jack, 1x RJ-45 port for LAN, 1x Line-in jack, 1x DC-In jack
• PCMCIA - 1x Type II PCMCIA socket
• COMMUNICATION - 10/100BASE-TX Fast Ethernet on board, 802.11g MiniPCI Wireless LAN
• POWER - Full Range 65W AC adapter - AC input 100~240V, 47~63Hz, DC output 20V, 3.25A, Removable 6-cell Smart Li-ion battery pack, 4000/4400mAh
• SECURITY - Kensington® Lock

A few people have already reported success in placing pre-orders, however, none of the machines has shipped so far. Thus, it is entirely possible that we are dealing with a scam here…but it could also be the deal of the year for people who don’t need very fast computers!

I’ll just wait and see what happens - what do you think?

P.s. I guess we all know who’s the big looser tonight…I’m looking at a strange grey device called Foleo…

Dear Readers,
I have to apologize for the server outages in the last few days. Out host, brainsware, is currently preparing to transition TamsPalm to a new server - and apparently, they aren’t completely done testing yet!

TamsPalm is not going down or anything; we will stay right where we are…but may just get a little faster soon!

Best regards
Tam Hanna and the TamsPalm Team

A TamsPalm reader recently brought up an interesting point to me:

“As for VersaMail, well I think this unresponsive cancel button is going to put me over the top.”

Why is it that in many applications cancel buttons JUST DON’T WORK? Contrary to popular belief, this is not the fault of the developer. It is actually one of the side effects of event driven programming. Consider the following diagram as that of a typical application. (simplified of course):

In this application a cancel button would be pointless. When a user presses the cancel button an event is placed in a queue. All of the events in the queue before it must be processed before the application realises that the cancel button has been pressed. By then it is too late and the action the user wanted cancel has already been completed.

A complex application like VersaMail adds a bit to this design:

In this application we hit a problem: We are out of the event loop! So what? Well, hitting the cancel button queues an event, but the event queue is not been processed in the send mail loop. So, the loop will not terminate until all of the mails are sent!

How Can I Create a Working Cancel Button?

There are a few ways that I can reason.

1) Process nilEvents

Most developers don’t realize how helpful nilEvents really are. By using nilEvent to handle repitive tasks (such as sending or recieving multiple emails) you can keep your UI active.

The first thing that you have to do is make sure that you are actually getting nilEvent. Most applications use EvtGetEvent(&event, evtWaitForever); but this will keep you from getting nilEvent. You must change the second parameter to a suitable number, say, EvtGetEvent(&event, SysTicksPerSecond()); which is saying if there are no events after one second, send me a nilEvent.

Once this is done, add nilEvent handling to your form’s event handler so that it does one piece of your repetive task, and you are set!

2) Create a background thread
Contrary to popular belief, there is at least one (:-)) public API for multithreading: the sound stream API allows you to create a secondary thread. IMHO, you cannot call any UI functions in the thread, but you CAN place you sendmail routine into this seperate thread and use feature memory for the two threads to communicate.
While creating a background thread may seem a bit hackish, it works well for large tasks.

So, if your application has a large or repitive set of tasks that keeps the cancel button from working, consider implementing one of the above options. It will make for a better user experience in the end.

While I personally consider the Treo 680’s battery life more than adequate, many users were very dissatisfied with the machine(ever had a Nokia N71??? Not??? Be happy!!) - in order to make the device slimmer, something HAD to give.

Anyways, Seidio has now begun to take preorders for its long-promised internal battery with a capacity of 1600mAH(the Treo 755p’s capacity). The PalmInfoCenter claims a price of approx 50$ plus shipping - exactly the price of the 2400mAH battery with the protruding battery door.

For me, updating internal batteries has always been a very uninteresting thing, as I usually carry at least three devices when on the run. An external power source like the Proporta Mobile Device Charger is cheaper and more convenient for me…

Will you get this battery?

Dear Readers,
in case you are wondering what happened to TamsS60, the blog about Series 60 phones…yes, it has been a bit dead recently due to heat and bad health. However, I think that the worst now lays behind me, and that it’s time to kick it for good!

Expect daily updates for TamsS60 from now on.

If you own a Symbian phone(as second device, maybe); there is no reason not to head over to TamsS60…even if you “just want to use it as modem…like I did with the SX1 :)”!

The Bluetooth File Transfer protocol is a very handy thing to have for everyone who has more than one bluetooth-enabled device. It essentially creates a FTP-like server that can be accessed from other handhelds. Palm OS handhelds could act as ’servers’ quite some time…and Softick’s Commander allows your Palm to act as client, too!

Commander’s interface is based around a set of tabs. Each tab can show local files, card files or the contents of a remote device:

When in Bluetooth mode, opening a folder takes a bit of time(a progress dialog like the one below is shown):

Dragging around files(you can select more than one) is innovative but simple. You simply open the path where the files should go to, open the next tab and move them over. The copying process takes some time due to the limited speed of the bluetooth transmitters involved:

Softick Commander shows a progress dialog, transfers can be canceled reliably with the cancel button. When copying folders, the folder structure is preserved. Copying directly from device to device seems to be possible too, altough it is extremely slow.

Softick Commander was tested with a hp rx4240 and a Nokia N71. The HP rx4240’s implementation of Bluetooth File Transfer protocol is excellent - the Palm TX could read from and write to the machine easily:

With the Nokia N71, things look different. Some folders cannot be opened, and the phone sometimes refuses to cooperate. If it works, the TX can write files out…but it cannot read them remotely.

Last but not least, the product also offers basic file manager functionality. However, its capabilities do not significantly exceed those of FileZ…and if anyone really needs a file manager, he probably already knows about Resco Explorer!

This review looked at version 1.02.200 of Softick Commander on a Palm TX. The program needs about 350k of RAM and supports HiRes+ screens!

Overall, Softick Commander will never be a good tool for moving your MP3 collection around-its transfer medium simply is too slow. However, transferring small files up to a few MB in size definitely is possible(albeit slowly)…IF your other device is supported. Luckily, a trial version is available for free - if it works and you transfer small files often, the price of $23.95 is justified as it protects your memory card slots!

Please tell us with which devices Softick Commander works for you!

The austrian technical museum(aka Technisches Museum Wien) is a fun place to visit for everyone who lives close to it and loves to see all kinds of weird/ancient/interesting machinery like a PDP11 and a few small aircraft:

They recently added a bit of gadgetry to the computer room…and guess what I spotted there:

Yes…a Clie NR70. They also had the first communicator, a T68i and Nokia’s first Symbian smartphone(pictures coming to TamsS60 when I finally launch the page for good). BTW - no PocketPC in sight…

w00t

Engadget Mobile recently received images of the Verizon Palm 755p(aka the real 700p update). The images look very similar to both Sprint’s 755p and the Palm Treo 680 - just that the box is blue and seems to miss out on Palm’s 680 phone software(which I didnt like too much).

Anyways, former leaks claim that the 755p will hit Verizon on July. Apparently, this will finally end the game known as 700p Maintenance Releases for most new users.

Prices for the devices aren’t available as of now, but I guess that they will match Sprint’s…

Palm’s Treo 700p patch recently broke Exchange ActiveSync compatibility for all the poor souls stuck with a Treo 700p. This time, apparently, customer’s complains were so strong that Palm couldn’t wait long(thereby increasing 755p sell-through with 700p users) with releasing an update to remedy the situation.

The update can be fetched at the site below if a valid Treo 700p serial is entered:
https://ws.palm.com/mypalm/MyPalmGenericUser/ControllerGeneric.jsp?srcPage=PALM_Bonus_MoreDetail_Form_AppletDetail.jsp&pagePath=&action=PALM_Component_Offer_Applet_Drilldown&rowOffset=0&parentId=&id=1-85Y9&type=Software&relationType=Bestseller&bonus=Bonus&linkFrom=software

This one could be useful for all Agendus users around:

Version 12.01 is a maintenance release which reflects the feedback received through our user community, bringing a number of stability improvements and functionality refinements. The same applies for Agendus Mail 5.33

Please tell us how you fare with the latest updates installed!

It’s the 20th of the month. 20 apps are a lot. 20% off each of them is cool. Enjoy!

Agendus for Palm OS
Super-charge your contacts, appointments and meetings with Agendus 12!

Card Reader
Want to access the files on your Palm’s memory card easily? Card Reader is the solution!

Daily Quote
A quote a day keeps the doctor away!

DialByPhoto
iPhonize your Treo’s call screen - install DialByPhoto!

Mundu IM
Mundu IM - ICQ, MSN,… for your Palm OS box - nothing else to add here.

Resco Explorer
Resco Explorer…what else should I say. The best file manager for Palm OS. Period!

Resco Neeews!
Resco Neeews allows you to read all kinds of newsfeeds on the go - never use Plucker again!

SplashMoney
SplashMoney is a nice app that will help you control your finances with ease! If you want to know more about your cashflow, get this gem by all means!

TreoCameraTimer
Need a self timer for your Treo’s camera? RNS:: is ready to help!

Use the discount code 20TH in the TamsShop at checkout to get 20% off! And better hurry up - the game is over on the 22nd!

Hey! These aren’t 20! Right - visit TamsPPC for the rest!

SplashMoney discount code: Get 20% off this product in the TamsShop with the code SPLASHFORCHEAP

When personal finances are concerned, the belief that big, onetime expenses are the killer is widespread. I personally think that it’s the frequent little things that get ya – but in the end, if you can’t track your cashflow, all discussion is moot! SplashMoney promises to bring your finances under control(and do online banking - ignored here) – but can it cope with the harsh realities of the everyday life of a person like me(many income and outcome streams)?

SplashMoney is centered around accounts. A SplashMoney account can be a credit card, a bank account or a cash stack – it essentially doesn’t matter one bit. Each account can have an unique icon assigned; a list of all accounts is shown in overview mode:

Each one of the accounts contains transactions. A transaction is a move of cash – either into or out of the account. Transactions can be arranged in categories in order to simplify budgeting.

I especially liked the feature to note down unpaid income – handy for all those partners who don’t pay their bills quickly(you know who you are?). However, there is no way to handle transactions from one account to another – this is the number one feature I want to see in SplashMoney 5:


Frequently occurring payments can be processed automatically, too.

Each category can be assigned a “monthly budget”. This way, you can easily keep in check how much you spent on what:

Last but not least, the program can also render charts:

SplashMoney can protect itself with a password. This means that a password is required whenever SplashMoney is opened – while this increases privacy, it also is a major nuisance. A faster authentication method(e.g. tap on image) would have been better…

This review looked at version 4.09 of SplashMoney on a Palm TX. The program was stable in the reviewing period, it needs approx 800k of RAM!

Overall, SplashMoney CAN do what it promises – the emphasis is on CAN. Finance manager programs can only work if you don’t allow to yourself to cut some slack – every centime must be tracked. If you have the discipline necessary for that, SplashMoney will prove to be an invaluable assistant even with its current multi-account quirk – the price of 30$ is a bit high at first, but will pay out eventually!