2008 September » TamsPalm - the Palm OS / web OS Blog

Dmitry Grinberg releases SDHC driver for Palm OS

Sep 192008

sdhcLogo Dmitry Grinberg releases SDHC driver for Palm OS Dmitry Grinberg’s long-announced SDHC driver has just been released!

The program costs 21$ and currently supports the following handhelds:

Tungsten T|C
Tungsten E2
Tungsten T|5
LifeDrive
Palm TX
Zire 31
Zire 72

Support for other machines (notably the T|T3 and the Zodiac) is said to be upcoming soon. A member of the TamsPalm team has tested the product on a LifeDrive and can confirm that it works well – the screenshots below show a LifeDrive duking it out with a 4GB card:
0a Dmitry Grinberg releases SDHC driver for Palm OS

0b Dmitry Grinberg releases SDHC driver for Palm OS

P.S. A free trial can be obtained from Dmitry’s web site. As usual, don’t expect to see this product at any ESD…

Web Site Manager – looking for beta testers

TamsPalm internal 2 Responses »

Sep 192008

Dear Readers,
shortly after the start of the beta test program for TimeDrift, we need even more beta testers!

This time, I am looking for people who actively use their device’s web browser and feel like a better bookmark manager. Unfortunately, Opera Mini is not supported – however, users of native browsers like Web, Blazer, Web Pro or NetFront are more than welcome!

The application currently is in a very rough beta stage, and is developed alone by a newly-hired Tamoggemon engineer called Simon Pfundstein. Please prepare for a rough drive; and don’t complain that you haven’t been warned.

Should you still feel like giving this very promising app a whirl, please contact me ASAP at Tamog AT gmx DOT at!

All the best
Tam Hanna

Resco Explorer 4.10 Beta 2 – the preview

Software News No Responses »

Sep 192008

Jan Slodicka’s Resco Explorer is an absolute must-have for every Palm OS handheld or smartphone. The program is not just a file manager – it can also act as FTP/SMB client, backup tool, zip archiver,… . The latest beta is said to add a few extra features: does it succeed at making the swiss knife of the Palm OS even better?

The first new feature is the addition of tabs. Tabs allow you to keep multiple “views”open at the same time. For example, one tab can view applications, while the other one shows card files:
0a Resco Explorer 4.10 Beta 2 the preview 0b Resco Explorer 4.10 Beta 2 the preview

Power users can benefit greatly from this feature: open the target folder in one tab, and navigate to the target folder in another. Afterwards, files can be moved from one tab to the other:
1a Resco Explorer 4.10 Beta 2 the preview

Another new feature concerns the launcher view – the program can now display up to 42 icons on-screen at the same time:
0a Resco Explorer 4.10 Beta 2 the preview

Finally, an iPhone-like scroll mode has been added. Like the tabs, it must be enabled in the prefs. The mode works decently well(unfortunately, selection is made significantly more difficult while it is enabled):
3a Resco Explorer 4.10 Beta 2 the preview 3b Resco Explorer 4.10 Beta 2 the preview

Customers who currently own v4 of Resco Explorer will receive this upgrade for free. Others can download a free trial of the beta at Resco’s web site!

This preview looked at Resco Explorer 4.10.2 on a Treo 680. Even though the program was still in beta stage, it performed exceptionally well and was very stable!

In the end, adding new features to an already-feature-rich program is very difficult. The boys at Resco’s nevertheless managed it well…even though I personally don’t care much about iPhone-style scrolling, the tab support makes my life a lot easier nevertheless.

AT&T kills Treo 680

Palm News No Responses »

Sep 192008

The recent blow-out sales of the Treo 680 apparently served a hidden cause – the discontinuation of the Treo 680 at AT&T’s.
Unbenannt AT&T kills Treo 680

A usually well-informed Engadget spin-off called The Boy Genius Report got their hands onto an AT&T paper stating that all Treo 680 versions are discontinued (EOL’d) in an immediate fashion.

AT&T intends to replace the Treo 680 with the Centro (which it has in a few different colors): unfortunately, the device can not be considered a replacement for the Treo 680 due to its significantly smaller keys and screen which make typing an incredible pain in the rear (look at our review for further info).

For developers, the consequences are clear: as the Treo 755p and 680 fall off the product lists of carriers, the times get increasingly tougher (even though PalmGear was reinstated). While the Centro definitely sells very well, it’s very unlikely to make developers rich…

ASUS negligence – or – Why I don’t do business with ASUS

Security, Software News 2 Responses »

Sep 182008

The folks at Asus once were a very good hardware manufacturer. Their motherboards enjoyed fame among overclockers, power users and OEM’s alike due to their excellent stability, durability and longevity. Unfortunately, this eventually changed with the delivery and success of the eeePC…one could say that the success went to the head of each and every Asus employee/contractor except for Lars Schweden (who recently left to LG).

The company no longer provides press samples in a manageable fashion, and silently reduced the battery capacity of its eeePC devices without informing customers about it. Now, however, neglicgence/hybris have reached a completely new level!

Purchasers of ASUS laptops have found various “goodies” on the recovery CD’s that shipped with their laptops. We aren’t talking about gimmicks here, but rather about:

* A directory called “Crack” that appears to contain serial numbers for other software packages

* A directory containing a large number of confidential Microsoft documents for PC manufacturers, including associated keys and program files

* Various internal Asus documents and source code for Asus software

….
One of the confidential Asus documents includes a PowerPoint presentation that details “major problems” identified by the company, including application compatibility issues.

It IMHO is very difficult to explain how something as stupid as this can happen. Not only does a huge company use cracks (I hope that somebody publishes a list of the affected applications so that their owners can sue), but they actually are too lazy to check the recovery CD’s before shipping them out to customers.

For me, all of this speaks a clear language: keep your fingers off whatever box the folks at ASUS’s may spit out. Even though their stuff may be dirt cheap, it is likely to bite you in the long run…

via PCpro

Handango releases H1 2008 yardstick report

Economy No Responses »

Sep 182008

Traditionally, Handango’s yardstick report provided loads and loads of tables from which analysts could derive lovely figures for their readers (look at our coverage of 2007 for an example). Unfortunately, the recently-released document doesn’t bear any similarity with the yardsticks of former times: it is a slim, one-page PDF containing very little info. Nevertheless, read on for the most interesting things!

First of all – here’s the traditional table of best-selling devices (this time averaged over all platforms). Handango always supplies two lists – one looks at the devices which have generated the most revenue, while the other one looks at the devices from a pure number-of-sold-apps perspective:
By revenue
1. BlackBerry 8830 World Edition
2. Palm TX
3. BlackBerry Pearl
4. BlackBerry Curve
5. Motorola Q (5.0)
6. Nokia N95 (S60 3rd Edition)
7. BlackBerry 8800
8. AT&T/Cingular 8525 (5.0)
9. Nokia E90 Communicator
10. Palm Treo 700p

By # sold
1. BlackBerry 8830 World Edition
2. BlackBerry Pearl
3. Motorola Q (5.0)
4. BlackBerry Curve
5. Nokia N95 (S60 3rd Edition)
6. Palm TX
7. AT&T/Cingular 8525 (5.0)
8. BlackBerry 8800
9. Palm Treo 700wx
10. Palm Treo 700p

Handango furthermore provided the following information broken up per platform:

RIM (BlackBerry)
The top-ranked content categories for BlackBerry this year were Entertainment, Games and Business & Professional. However, the top 10 individual applications sold for BlackBerry represented numerous categories. BlackBerry had four devices in the top 10 list of smartphones adding content in the first half of this year.

The top 10 best-selling applications for BlackBerry in First Half 2008 were:

1. Ringtone Megaplex (ringtones)
2. Colour Your Trackball (trackball customizer)
3. VoiceControl (voice command)
4. BBSmart Email Viewer (email enhancement)
5. SplashID for BlackBerry (information security)
6. Ringphonic Lite (ringtones)
7. Pimp My Pearl (customization)
8. IM+ (instant messenger consolidator)
9. eOffice (productivity suite)
10. IM+ for Skype (instant messenger consolidator)

Palm OS

Palm OS has not released any new devices in 2008 and therefore, Palm OS devices have fallen out of the top 10 list of smartphones adding content.

The top 10 best-selling applications for Palm OS in First Half 2008 were:
1. SplashID for Palm (information security)
2. VoiceControl (voice command)
3. PocketMirror Standard (personal information management)
4. Agendus Professional Edition (personal information management)
5. Agendus Desktop Edition (Outlook synchronization)
6. Traffic – One City (traffic)
7. SplashID for Desktop (information security)
8. Ringo Pro (ringtones)
9. eWallet for PCs (information security)
10. PocketMirror Standard Upgrade (personal information management)

Windows Mobile Standard (formerly Smartphone)
While the top 10 individual applications span several categories, Windows Mobile Standard users continue to focus on fun in 2008, as Entertainment and Games remain the top two categories for the platform. There are no Windows Mobile Standard devices in the top 10 list of smartphones adding content in the first half of 2008, whereas the Motorola Q and the ATT 8525 both made the top 10 list in the second half of 2007.

The top 10 best-selling applications for Windows Mobile Standard in First Half 2008 were:
1. MobiTV (streaming television)
2. Ringtone Megaplex (ringtones)
3. SBSH Facade (home screen plug in)
4. eWallet Professional Edition (personal information management)
5. Documents To Go Premium Edition (productivity suite)
6. PocketStreamer Deluxe (streaming media)
7. Agenda One (calendar manager)
8. SmartphoneNotes (note manager)
9. Jeyo Mobile Extender for Outlook (text messaging)
10. Photo Contacts Pro (phone features)

Window Mobile Professional (formerly Pocket PC)
Three Windows Mobile Professional devices made the top 10 list of smartphones adding content in the first half of this year – the ATT Tilt, the HTC TyTNI II and the HTC Touch. The Games category leaped to the number one position in the first half of 2008. The Business & Professional category remained in the number two spot, followed by Entertainment.

The top 10 best-selling applications for Windows Mobile Professional in First Half 2008 were:
1. Spb Mobile Shell (today screen plug in)
2. MobiTV (streaming television)
3. Spb Pocket Plus (today screen plug in)
4. Pocket Informant 8 (today screen plug in)
5. Spb Backup (file backup)
6. eWallet (personal information management)
7. Spb Phone Suite (phone features)
8. Ringo Mobile (ringtones)
9. Spb Time (clock)
10. SOTI Pocket Controller-Pro (desktop synchronization)

Symbian
Productivity and Utilities applications remained the top two categories, respectively, in unit sales in the first half of 2008 on the Symbian platform. The top device for Symbian OS continues to be the Nokia N95, which launched in 2007.

The top 10 best-selling Symbian OS applications in First Half 2008 include:
1. Quickoffice Premier (document manager)
2. ProfiMail (email viewer)
3. Handy Weather (weather)
4. Advanced Call Manager (call manager)
5. X-plore (file management)
6. WorldMate Professional (travel assistant)
7. IM+ for Skype (instant messenger consolidator)
8. LCG Jukebox (music player)
9. Advanced Device Locks (security)
10. Ultimate Voice Recorder (voice recorder)

Now that we have the raw data posted, it’s time for a small analysis. The first and most impressive thing is the position of the Palm TX – the device is extremely old and completely outdated hardware-wise; but still managed to get the second place on the revenue chart. Even though this may be claimed on the high prices for Palm OS programs, its high postion in the sales number figure corrects this to some extent.

Looking at S60: the extremely strong sales of Nokia N95 and E90 applications are unsurprising (for me). The N95 has sold like mad – and the people using Communicators have had to replace most of their existing software due to the OS change (which IMHO explains why the box is only in the revenue list…these apps tend to be extremely dear).

As for Windows Mobile – the SPB dominance remains unbroken. 7 of the top-ten PPC applications now come from this Russian house – a monopoly situation I have never ever seen anywhere before.

Gamers will be less than happy, as no games are in the top applications for S60, palm and WM. BlackBerry users seem to be the most playful – Sudoku and a Poker simulator both made it into the top-10 on this platform.

Unfortunately, the growth speed analysis made last year can no longer be done – Handango didn’t itemize the growth figures on a per-platform basis (no idea why)….

What do you think?

P.S. In case anyone wonders why no iPhone programs are listed: the sale of iPhone applications is handled by Apple exclusively (there is no third-party store)…

Google increases accuracy of network-based positioning

Software News No Responses »

Sep 172008

Palm’s Centro contains a very useful feature called My Location. It allows Google Maps to access cell tower data, which can be used to generate a more-or-less accurate position in a fashion similar to a true GPS (the S60 version of Maps supports external GPS systems for quite some time).

The boys at Google’s claim to have improved the accuracy if this feature quite a bit in the last hours. Looking at the picture below, we can see that the “your position” circle is now a lot smaller, as the database is more accurate:
nyChange Google increases accuracy of network based positioning

Rural areas now get better positioning and more accurate “circles”:
slaterChange Google increases accuracy of network based positioning

Zhengrong Ji, a software engineer employed at Google’s, concludes as following:

So how exactly have we made these improvements? Mobile operators typically need a lot more cell towers in populous areas to service all the users. This means each individual tower provides a much smaller coverage footprint. On the other hand, in a very sparsely populated area, towers provide much larger coverage footprints. We’ve developed algorithms to try and figure out what the right circle size should be and are pleased to make this available to you today.

There’s actually nothing you need to do to start enjoying the new improvements to My Location. Any application powered by Google’s geolocation service automatically benefits from today’s launch. Enjoy!

Android – T-Mobile debut on the 23rd

Competition, Software News No Responses »

Sep 172008

I have no idea why Google chose T-Mobile as the debut carrier for its Android platform. Few companies have managed to amass as much incompetence into their workforce as the Austrian branch of T-Mobile has: the carrier essentially lives off its iPhone packages.

Nevertheless, Engadget reports that the US branch of the company will unveil the first-ever Android powered handset on September 23rd in a press event held in new York City.

A “ready-looking” device was demoed at a press event held in London a few hours ago – Google employees showcased Android on an unspecified black device (Video on YouTube) which had the manufacturer logo blanked out with white sticky tape.

Google has proven to be extremely “hectic” when it came to promotion Android – even the rather small Mobile Developer Days conference was graced with a Google booth. Even though the booth was officially “recruiting”, it was full of devotional gimmicks depicting the OS in one form or the other (including a MacBook running the simulator openly all the time):
Android T Mobile debut on the 23rd

In the end, the hardware deployment of Android clearly is a matter of time. But the real issues have not been clarified yet: will the boys with the G in their name allow third-party developers to do real stuff, or will they be restricted to gimmicks in order to keep users using Google’s own (ad-enabled) applications…

What do you think?

Tamoggemon FileFind 4 released

TamsPalm internal 3 Responses »

Sep 162008

Full disclosure: Tamoggemon Software is the mother company of TamsPalm and covers its hosting cost together with our sponsors. Tam Hanna, the head editor of this blog, is financially involved in the development of FileFind!

logogif Tamoggemon FileFind 4 released

This program is one of the core applications I use on my Treo. Finding texts on my memory card now takes seconds rather than hours! – Hubert Reinisch, FileFind user

Tamoggemon Software’s FileFind is the only program that can search for files on the memory card of a Palm OS – powered device. Search criteria can consist of file names, contents, file dates, file sizes and a variety of other attributes.
0a Tamoggemon FileFind 4 released

Dozens of customers have provided us with valuable feedback which paved the way to a better FileFind experience. Call awareness has made searching painless as incoming calls are no longer discarded, while a variety of folder search options allows faster searches if the exact location of a file is known.

Folder search
FileFind can now search for folders that bear a specific name. Furthermore, searches can be restricted to files in the parent folder for blazingly-fast searching.

Call awareness
Ever got called while searching for files? FileFind now checks in the background if a call is pending. Should a call come in while searching, the program will automatically stop the search process and allows you to take your call!

Centro compatibility
FileFind has been tested and works perfectly on all Centros.
CENTRO Tamoggemon FileFind 4 released

Available from MobiHand&PocketGear
In an attempt to give customers more options, a full version of FileFind can now be purchased from both MobiHand and PocketGear. As an act of courtesy to the customer, Tamoggemon Software will charge the same price across all distribution channels independent of the revenue share.

A free 30day trial of FileFind is available from http://www.palmfilefind.com. A full version of the program costs 9.95 and includes free updates for the lifetime of the product.

Give your Treo a completely new outfit!

Hardware Reviews, Modding No Responses »

Sep 152008

The Treo 650 is now four years old – if you use your device every day the default casing may get scratches e.g. at the back. Even if your Treo looks brand new you might be interested in this:
Changing the default silver case to a better looking, more modern black one!
After the transformation your 650 will look like this:

All you need is the Treo 650 replacement housing from Brando, a Torx T5 screwdriver, time, and a few skills for disassembling the device (don’t worry – it isn’t that hard).
The replacement housing consists of several parts like the front/back cover, a new keyboard keypad (US-Layout), a new antenna etc.

At first shutdown the Treo’s phone, remove the battery, the SD card, the stylus and the SIM card.
Disassembling the Treo is easy: unscrew the screws on the back (don’t forget the two screws under the antenna – you have to remove the rubber pieces before)

Then remove the antenna and open the case carefully. Now you should have something like this:

Take the original (back-) case and move evertything to the replacement case (only if it isn’t there already) – that shouldn’t be that difficult.

(left: old case; right: new case)

Next we prepare the front cover:
Disassemble it carefully and remove the screws which press the electric board onto the orignial keys in the original case. Then apply the new keyboard into the new housing. Attention: If you have a non-US-layout you can use your old keypads as well (so did I as I’m having a german keyboard layout)! Make sure that all keys fit well into their holes. In the next step you can apply the board from the old case onto the new one.

(you can see the electric board attached on the right part (the white thingy under the screen))

Now put the device back together. Before you close the case completely check the keyboard and all other buttons again. It might be that some keys moved or can’t be pressed down completely. If everything is correct install the antenna, close the case and fasten the screws.
Insert the SD card, the stylus, and put the battery back in. Don’t forget to exchange your SIM cards – but be careful: the replacement SIM car holder sat very, very firmly in my Treo so that I couldn’t remove it with out opening the device again. So I decided not to exchange my SIM card holder.
After all your Treo should look like this:

Before you are finished you should test if your Treo behaves normal:
Power it up, turn on the phone (to test the antenna) and open a memopad and test the keyboard if all keys are working. To test the speaker and the microphone you can phone somebody or you can record a voicememo and play it over the speaker. And finally don’t forget the camera!
If everything is OK you have got a brand new, very good looking Treo 650!

To mod your Treo you need the Treo 650 replacement housing. It is available at Brando for 42$.

The Brando Treo 650 replacement housing at mobile.brando.com

IMPORTANT Schedule Change: Tam Hanna speaks 11am!

TamsPalm internal No Responses »

Sep 112008

This announcement is very important for all those of you wishing to visit me at the Mobile Developer Days in Berlin! I do speak on the 12th – but there has been a small schedule change:

Instead of speaking around 1300pm, my new schedule is as follows:
Web browser integration into mobile device applications
12th October; 1100 am
This is a short look at how classic application developers can use the web browsers of their devices to gain an edge over the competition. Furthermore, expect a small bit of insight into Android…

Multi-player gaming on a single device
12th October; 1130 am
This second presentation will challenge everything you ever knew about multiplayer gaming from a mathematical standpoint. Palm OS devices had IR for ages, but there are next to no IR games…there must be a reason why these didn’t work out. I (claim to ) know it – visit my talk to find out more.

I look forward to seeing you all there! Slides and videos will be posted here tomorrow!

Information claiming that I speak tonight, 18pm is WRONG. I am not there at this time. The only speeches I hold are outlined in the post above!

Stargate Group / ST security: accreditation horror

Public Relations No Responses »

Sep 092008

The process of separating journalists from groupies is one of the most significant parts of operating a media center. Make it too lax, and you have too many groupies in there. Make it too stringent, and you risk pissing off legitimate journalists who forgot to accredit beforehand and happen to crawl by.

Using press ID cards for separation has worked very well in Europe – unfortunately, the two companies outlined above (working for Viva) have managed to fuxate this basic process.

Yours truly has had a press ID from a reputable journalists club for ages, and wanted to get into a backstage area to make some pics for a cop rag.

Unfortunately, the semi-simians deployed by ST security were too stupid to understand what a press ID card is. It took ten minutes of arguing until a level 2 supervisor came up and managed to rectify the situation…which made me go to another stage to get my shots there instead.

The company that lost out big-time was their employer – instead of getting some positive (and free) PR, StarGate group and ST security managed to piss me off enough to produce this rather lengthy rant.

Cutting a long story short: if you want your event to work well, stay clear from Stargate group and ST security. Feeding an extra groupie or two may cost a few cents…but pissng off a journalist is even worse…

Again: wordpress updated

TamsPalm internal No Responses »

Sep 092008

WordPress has been updated to version 2.6.2.
The update contains bugfixes and closes several serious security issues. As usual, if you encounter any problems feel free to contact us.

Shaker Racer – control an RC car with an S60 phone

Funny Stuff 2 Responses »

Sep 082008

I don’t know what kind of drugs the boys at the FH Hagenberg’s Mobile Computing department use, but I want them too. Today’s top story comes hot off Andreas Jakl’s and Stephan Selinger’s hands – everybody who loves RC cars will be more than delighted to see what they have in store for us.

The pictures above show DI Stephan Selinger handling a stock RC car which was modified with a custom PCB that adds remote-control support via Bluetooth.

Further information can be found at our sister site TamsS60.

Older Entries Newer Entries

TamsPalm – the Palm OS / web OS Blog

Dmitry Grinberg releases SDHC driver for Palm OS

Web Site Manager – looking for beta testers

Resco Explorer 4.10 Beta 2 – the preview

AT&T kills Treo 680

ASUS negligence – or – Why I don’t do business with ASUS

Handango releases H1 2008 yardstick report

Google increases accuracy of network-based positioning

Android – T-Mobile debut on the 23rd

Tamoggemon FileFind 4 released

Give your Treo a completely new outfit!

IMPORTANT Schedule Change: Tam Hanna speaks 11am!

Stargate Group / ST security: accreditation horror

Again: wordpress updated

Shaker Racer – control an RC car with an S60 phone

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