TamsPalm – the Palm OS / web OS Blog

Access Linux Platform, or ALP, can be considered the last bit of the PalmOS which is still alive to at least some extent. To some extent, because Access has difficulties finding hardware partners.

Engadget now caught up with Emblaze Mobile, the makers of the Else – and got the following quote from them:

…. According to CTO Eldad Eilam, the basic functions of the ALP-based phone are finally done and dusted, so now Else will mainly focus on fine-tuning its snazzy visual effects until beta around the end of March.

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A few shots of the box can be had below:
http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/first-else-hands-on-still-alive-and-kicking/

This year, Palm’s CES booth brought us the announcements of the Pre and Pixi Plus. We already saw the specs – but the mechanics also got an overhaul:

As one can see in the shot above, the navigation button is gone. Engadget furthermore claims mechanical improvements as follows:

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The company has also improved the action of the slider mechanism, which is now way, way snappier, and clicks into and out of place with a confidence-stoking solidness. Palm has also changed the keyboard a bit, getting rid of the orange coloring, and revamping the action of the keys, making them far clickier (and maybe a bit more raised). The feel is closer to the Pixi, and that’s a really good thing.
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A bit of further info can be had at the URL above!

Word has hit us via the folks at PhoneArena – they claim to have received a spec sheet showing Verizon’s upcoming versions of the Palm Pre and Pixi.

And – surprise, surprise – my predictions largely turned out right. The Pre got more memory, and the Pixi got WiFi:

Anyone spot any further differences?

A few years ago, successful devices got cloned. Nowadays, some devices get cloned before they ship – which means that the availability of Chinese knockoffs can no longer be considered a benchmark for device success. Nevertheless, some of the boxen are extremely weird.

The folks at SoloMobi currently peddle the critter pictured below – individuals familiar with Nokia’s offerings will likely notice something strange about the battery:

As usual: fingers off unless you want them burned…

The moment when Quake and Doom were ported to Palm OS 5 can easily be considered the most important point in the entire OS5 gaming history.

Pre and Pixi heads can now relive the excitement, as the games have just been made available via PreWare. The two YouTube videos below show them in action:
Doom for Palm Pre / Palm Pixi

Quake for Palm Pre / Palm Pixi