PALMADDICT IS GIVING AWAY A TREO PRO AND A TUNGSTEN T|X BUT THE CONTEST COULD END AT ANY TIME

OK, we are not having a throwaway this time, we are going to have a contest. One lucky PalmAddict reader will win a TreoPro, the fantastic new smartphone from Palm. Obviously they are not available yet but as soon as they are, I will personally fund a TreoPro to one lucky winner. The TreoPro is open to US readers only, I will also give away as a prize for those outside of the US, a new Tungsten TX, so there will be two winners for this contest.

It's a total random drawing and you just send me a user thought or mobile opinion maybe something on how you use your mobile device or something on the same lines but importantly make it positive. A couple of quick guidelines. Questions to readers or opinions wanted from readers go in the forum [they are not entered]; no self site or software promotions or you will not be entered and nothing you have sent before or used elsewhere. No personal plea's as to why you want the TreoPro or what you will do with it as they are trashed immediately we want to hear your mobile thoughts and how your using your mobile device. Importantly give your user thought a title, or again you will not be entered. If your writing about a program then you must include the link so others can enjoy the program.

Open to readers and writers [writers post as normal and I'll post on the front page when you need to send me your post counts]. As mentioned previously I appreciate the people who add kind words to me in their email, a small percentage just send their thought without even saying hi or how are you, they take it for granted that they are entered into the hat, so your thoughts with add on messages are always welcome and certainly entered. Please put TREOPRO in your subject line if your entering for the TreoPro or TX if you want me to enter you in the Tungsten TX draw, IMPORTANTLY give your user thought [or we will not enter you] a title, and then email - sammymcloughlin@gmail.com

The throwaway can end at any time, so you need to get your user thoughts and opinions into me sooner rather than later and have fun.

Microsoft planning to buy RIM?

[From Hans] Hans just through this one at me. "Is Microsoft looking to buy RIM? According to the latest buzz on Wall Street, the answer is possibly, but only if RIMs shares hit the $40 mark. With RIMs shares hovering around the $60 mark, Microsoft is rumored to be looking for RIM to tumble further before taking action. " BGR for the deets on this gossip.

10% off all Hardware and 20% off all Software at Proporta

So PalmAddict readers can get some lovely jubbly 10% discount off all things Proporta at the moment. Remember we offer a very good discount with Proporta where you can get 10% off all Hardware and 20% off all Software at Proporta. Use code PALMSM at checkout. [Visit the Palm Addict / Proporta Store]

SprintPCSMail discontinued

[From Emil Lesner] Sammy, Did anyone hear that Sprint PCS is decommissioning their e-mail service?

"PCS Mail to be discontinued on the 31st December 2008. We know email service is important to you and we're here to help you make the transition to a new provider. To get up and running, follow the instructions below to create a new account and migrate your emails and address book to your new email service."

[SAMMY I think we have covered this in the past but worth a reminder]

From now until Wednesday, October 15, 2008, Take 25% Off Your Purchase of Propel for Palm OS Professional

[From Iambic] Just received this on email so if anyone can take advantage then go for it. "Dear sammy, Ever wished your phone's built-in application launcher provided more versatility so you can get to the items you want faster? Whether it's launching an application, a favorite mp3, utility, game or bookmark, we not only have the perfect ehancement for your Palm handheld or smartphone, but an exclusive special discount that will help jumpstart your new efficient mobile lifestyle.

From now until Wednesday, October 15, 2008, Take 25% Off Your Purchase of Propel for Palm OS Professional.

Propel is the ultimate launcher for your Palm OS powered PDA or smartphone. With snappy and straightforward application launching, finding your contacts and keeping in touch is a breeze. " Make the jump to the purchase page or the more deets page.

THROWAWAY: HP 2133 Mini-Note UMPC - ENDS SUNDAY MIDNIGHT US PT

I drew a close to the Blackbook MacBook a little while ago. AW's need to write if they wish to be entered and let me know your post count for the last 72 hours. So now onto the throwaway which ends at Midnight Sunday US PT so you have 72 hours or so to get your user thoughts into me on this one. It's, as always a random throwaway and as I promised last week, here is the second HP 2133 Mini-Note UMPC that we are throwing away, running Windows Vista with a 8.9-inch screen and wifi all built in.

So how do you get your hands on the little beauty. It's a random throwaway and you have to give me a user thought on how your using your mobile device. It has to be a new thought, nothing you have sent before. No self promotions, no questions. As always I appreciate people who also throw in a quick personal hi. AW's please let me know your post count Monday. Please put WEEKENDER in the subject line and importantly give it a title, no title no entry into the throwaway and email me by midnight Sunday US PT at the latest - sammymcloughlin@gmail.com

PalmAddict Reader Awards 2008

Remember the PalmAddict Reader Awards 2008 are well underway and you only have less than three months or so to vote before we open up the awards for 2009. Results to date and how to vote here.

Halloween for Palm OS

[From Eric Mann] I just found this within my inbox from Eric and its just in time for Halloween - Halloween for Palm OS. " Do you miss Halloween mystery and dream of riding a broom? Everything is possible with new Halloween for Palm OS! Just let yourself believe in magic... Halloween Winter Ride for Palm OS is the newest amusing easy-to-play arcade game with perfect graphic! A funny Witch has to be in time at the Halloween party. But her way is not so easy! The Halloween night is terribly frost, horribly dark and full of danger. You can help the witch to control the broom to avoid the smash with the dropping icicles, enchanted spruces, black cat in the Dracula castle and other devilries." Works with most Palm devices including, of course, the Centro.

Accessories for the Blackberry Bold

[From Thomas at USBFever] Those of you with Blackberry Bold devices you may be pleased to note that Thomas at USBFever sent word about a couple of cool accesories including

USB Cradle for Blackberry BOLD 9000
http://www.usbfever.com/index_eproduct_view.php?products_id=829

Leather Case for Blackberry Bold 9000 (Hang Type)
http://www.usbfever.com/index_eproduct_view.php?products_id=839

This weeks PalmAddict Game of the Weekend is Astraware's Sudoku

This weeks PalmAddict Game of the Weekend is Astraware's Sudoku. It's been a favourite in the office and I know so many of you get pleasure out of this game, soon to appear on the touchscreens of iPod Touches and iPhones. "Sudoku is a logical puzzle game featuring a 9x9 grid. Within the grid are 9 boxes each featuring 9 cells. The object is to fill in the numbers 1-9 in each row, column and box, but they must only appear in each one once.

Suitable for all players from beginners through to experts and six levels of difficulty, Astraware Sudoku is packed with features.

There are several ways to get puzzles: from the pre-built puzzle packs available at www.sudokuoftheday.com; by using the integrated Puzzle Builder which creates literally billions of puzzles; or download any of the Puzzles of the Day* over the air and then compare your times with other players worldwide. Players can also play puzzles from newspapers or books they've entered and get Astraware Sudoku's expert help and assistance to solve them.

Astraware Sudoku offers a range of different options to help players solve puzzles including manual or automatic pencilmarks in a choice of styles; a smart hints system; and the brand new hold and highlight system which can display an overlay for a specific number or pencilmark helping players to see where to look and what to look for. In touchscreen devices there's the added bonus of the notepad overlay, allowing players to make their own pencilmarks and notes on screen too.

Following requests from existing users, Astraware Sudoku version 1.40 now includes an extensive Puzzle Manager which allows players to select a specific puzzle to play, or delete puzzles they've already completed.

The game also offers a choice of control methods where players can move around and enter numbers using the 5-way, number keys, stylus and touchscreen, keyboard shortcuts, or any combination of these, so you can play it the way you want to."

Listen again to this weeks Palm Addict Official Podcast

If you missed this weeks Palm Addict Official Podcast from Tyler then here is the listen again link.

Andrew at Treonauts has done a review of Spb Mobile Shell

Andrew at Treonauts has done a review of Spb Mobile Shell. "I particularly love how the Today screen allows you not only to quickly view important information such as your Messages and Appointments but also provides fast on-screen One-Click access to other equally useful applications such as Google Search and Messenger as well as a new Comm Manager (screenshot below right) found on the Treo Pro that allows you to quickly control your Phone, Bluetooth, WiFi, Microsoft Direct Push and Data Connection."

Heli Rescue

Have you seen Heli Rescue? It looks like being a good freeware program. "Your friends have all been imprisoned inside 3 enemy bases. Each one of these bases holds 4 of your comrades. You must hit these bases with your rockets to let them escape. If you make a direct hit on a base, The men will run out. You must then pick them up by landing near to them. Don't stay on the ground for too long or a tank will find you. When you have picked up some men fly them back to your helicopter pad, Where they will be safe."

The Gizmodo talks mobile operating systems

[From Hans] The Gizmodo talks about various mobile operating systems including of course the trust worthy Palm OS. "Why You'll Use It Though dated, the Palm OS makes a great starter smartphone, hence the success of the cheaper-than-dirt Centro. The learning curve is shallow and it provides most of the smartphone features you expect, even if it does look like it's still trapped in 1996." Read in full.

Alarms looks like being a useful program plus there is discount on it right now.

Alarms looks like being a useful program plus there is discount on it right now. "Alarms is powerful alarm clock program. Flexible preferences of repeating allows you never miss any important event! Support of MIDI and WAW/MP3 files allows you use any music to your taste for alarm sound." Retails for $7.95, on special offer until the month's end.

Newly released is Mobiscope: Video from webcams on mobile for Palm OS

Interesting is Mobiscope: Video from webcams on mobile for Palm OS. "Complete video surveillance at a reasonable price! No need to purchase any expensive equipment. All you need is a webcam or network camera on your computer to record everything that goes on when you are away. Mobiscope can monitor the area for motion and transfer the recording to your Palm smartphone. Keep an eye on your children even when away from home. See your loved one at any time when separated by distance or observe your work place and employees in the office during trips. " Retails for $25 and more deets here.

There has been a lot of Blackberry news this week and the guys at Crackberry take a hands on video of the BlackBerry Curve 8900

[From Hans] There has been a lot of Blackberry news this week and the guys at Crackberry take a hands on video of the BlackBerry Curve 8900.

eReader are offering a 50% rewards credit off every single title

eReader have just sent the following through to PalmAddict Towers. eReader are offering a 50% rewards credit off every single title and it runs through to October 12th. eReader for the deets.

eXpansys - Friday Deals: Selected deals between 11am and 4pm, 10th October 2008*

[From Zoe Colver] Friday Deals: Selected deals between 11am and 4pm, 10th October 2008*

NEW Nokia N96 Symbian-powered Smartphone Normally £499.99 Now only £469.99 inc VAT Save £30 & get £120 eXpansys Vouchers
Packed with features like a 5 mega-pixel camera, DVD video capture and 16GB memory, it is a step-above the successful N95 range. If you order your N96 from the link below on Friday between 11am and 4pm, eXpansys will give you £30 off the recommended retail price, and £120 worth of eXpansys vouchers to spend over the next year!
http://www.expansys.com/d.aspx?i=174661&partner=palmaddict

Glofiish X800 Windows Mobile 6 Pocket PC Normally £269.99 Now only £199.99 inc VAT Save £70
http://www.expansys.com/d.aspx?i=174665&partner=palmaddict

Kodak EasyShare C713 Digital Camera Bundle plus Printer Dock, 8-inch Photo Frame, 2GB SD Card Normally £219.99 Now £169.99 inc VAT Save £50
http://www.expansys.com/d.aspx?i=174679&partner=palmaddict

Ubinetics PC Card Normally £4.99, Now £2.99 inc VAT Save £2
http://www.expansys.com/d.aspx?i=174669&partner=palmaddict

*These deals are available on Friday the 10th of October 2008 between 11am and 4pm UK time by following the links above only while stocks last. Normal pricing will apply outside of these hours. Deals available while stocks last. Voucher codes do not apply with these deals. Limited to 2 units per customer. Follow the links above for full details of every deal. Terms and Conditions apply, E&OE.

I'm about to converge

[From Judy (Waterford, Michigan, USA)] After years of using a Palm handheld - several models - I'm ready to buy a convergent device. I love my TX and I love my small flip phone but I'm tired of carrying two devices. I will probably get a Palm Centro because I use a Mac. Thanks to Palm Addicts I've learned a lot about Palm Centros and I love reading other PA reader's comments and opinions because it helped me make the decision.

An illustrated guide to smartphone OSes by Gizmodo

Those "voracious" gadget news guys at Gizmodo, have pulled together a very good illustrated guide to smartphone OSes. The smartphone OSes covered are 5 of today most popular mobile platform available in the market they are: Android, BlackBerry OS, iPhone OS X, Windows Mobile, Palm Garnet & Symbian. Giz has explain them all with pros & cons for each platforms complete with their screenshots, no nerdy nor too many techie words used in the guide; so it's pretty much a joy to read even for smartphone newbies.

[blogged with my Treo 750v]

Soft keyboards

Lately I have been on a bit of a quest to find a soft keyboard that I like. Let me tell you, it hasn't gone too well.

The pda I am currently using does not have a keyboard and I am thoroughly tired of using a stylus to tap tap on the screen. I do have a folding keyboard but it isn't always convenient to use.

There have been quite a few software keyboards I have tried over the years but most just don't work well enough.

After playing around with them I would have to say that SPB's Full Screen Keyboard is probably the best. It isn't just about the size of the keys (althought that does help) but the error correction seems to be about the best. It picks the closest letter to where you tapped and even if that wasn't quite right it will generally get corrected after the word is finished by correcting it to the most likely word. It's not always perfect, but it's about the best choice.

I was really hoping that PCM's keyboard would work out but for the life of me I can't figure out their error correction. I am having words replaced that I don't want replaced. It does try to correct spelling but uses some strange rules that just don't seem to work. The interface is pretty good, with a keyboard that works in both portrait and lanscape.

The others (and I won't name them) just were not cutting it. Most did not have any kind of error correction, which with soft keyboards just does NOT work. The other problem was too small buttons or layout that otherwise made it useless.

Maybe it is my age or something, but I REALLY prefer a keyboard over soft keyboard. I just have to find a PDA that has one and isn't going to mean skipping the rent to buy it (apparently that isn't a good idea).

Well, until that happens I will probably just keep on trying new soft keyboards anyway. If you have a great one be sure to email a post about it to Sammy to let the rest of us know about it.

Archibald's Adventures to be released for iPhone, iPod Touch, and Pocket PC

Hi Sammy and fellow PalmAddicts readers and writers, long time no post :-) How is everybody? I have been busy these days in the office, although there were holidays last week in my country. Well, I am back to post about an upcoming game from Rake in Grass, the creator of Undercroft, of which I posted a short review in the past (see here). After releasing an excellent 2D top-down shooter Larva Mortus, which is only available for Mac and Windows (and runs well with Wine under Linux), they come back to develop on mobile device platform a game titled Archibald's Adventures.

They have already released the Mac and Windows versions (again the game runs beautifully with Wine under Linux, thanks to SDL and OpenGL technology), and they are now busy developing the version for iPhone, iPod Touch, and Pocket PC. Check out the developer's blog here.

Archibald's Adventures is a puzzle platform game. Quoted from the website:

• Go through 114 levels in this mind blowing action puzzle platform game
• Experience innovative gameplay with many unique features of the hero: transportation of objects, riding on walls and ceilings, flying with a jet armchair and more
• Use your wit and fast reaction to avoid nasty dangers of the mad scientist's mansion
• Use the professor's device pod to climb the walls or his artificial intelligence matter to solve riddles
• Encounter lots of weird and funny lifeforms running loose in the levels!
• The game can be controlled with a mouse, keyboard, gamepad or joystick.

It is rather difficult for me to precisely describe the game, you just have to experience it. Just download the demo and play it. If you are a fan of puzzle games, you will like it. I enjoy the demo much, and can't wait for the Pocket PC version. iPhone and iPod Touch users should look forward to this game, too :-)

MidpSSH custom build for Blackberry devices

[From Nels C., Berkeley CA] Hi Sammy, As I'm sure many people already know, ssh is a great tool to use on smartphones. For blackberry users the best, free option was MidpSSH. Luckily, someone posted a modified build just recently that adds some new features. This was already my ssh client of choice before the changes, so this just makes it even better.

Here are the release notes:
BIS-B support (depends on carrier on which ports you might be able to work, IE on mine they block port 22, but I just changed my sshd port of linux box to a higher port,). When configuring the host, just add :PORT (so it would be IP.OF.SERVER:PORT
WIFI support
Application is signed in order to gain access to some RIM protected APIs
Here is the original forum post:
http://www.blackberryforums.com/aftermarket-software/152316-custom-build-midpssh-blackberries.html
You can get the app OTA here:
http://www.deltatech.com.mx/midpssh/beta2/midpssh-bb-ota.jad

Polarized Display

[From Darcy Boese, in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada] Hi Sammy! I was laying in bed last night, playing Bejeweled on my iPhone, when I wondered what time it was. Since Bejeweled is a full-screen game, the ever-present clock at the top of the screen wasn't present, so I had to use my wristwatch instead. But the room being dark, I couldn't see. Well, of course there would be enough light from my iPhone's display, right?

But when I lit up my watch's LCD screen with the phone, the watch's readout was all BLACK! "Huh?" I think. I blink a few times, and then realize aha! my iPhone's screen must be putting out polarized light! I rotate the phone about 90 degrees, and now my watch shows the time brightly and clearly.

I later checked with my Palm TX, but my watch was fully readable regardless of how I oriented the display. I just thought I'd share my "Huh?" moment with your readers, in case they want to play with their phones in the dark too. ;-)

Using my LifeDrive to save the environment Part II

[From Mark] Sammy: You perform a true service to the Palm users of the world. Not just in what you personally do, but also through those that you inspire (reference today's earlier post of new blog Palm-Stuff). Keep it up!

I previously described how I use my Palm to make sure I don't ever sleep through my commuter train stop (again). But I failed to tell the rest of the story. When I got off the train at a strange train stop its address (Tough to do when you've been napping peacefully!), I used my cell phone's data connection and my LifeDrive's built-in web browser to access Google Maps so I could explain to my wife where I was (neither of us had ever been to this particular train station). The screen on my cell phone is far too small for these middle-aged eyes to read a map on it, even with glasses.

It was a good thing I did, too: her GPS would have taken her to a desolate location some 10 miles from the station! Final score: Palm 1, Garmin 0! And this using only the capabilities resident in my LifeDrive and unsophisticated cell phone.

Palm helps me keep In touch with friends

[From Bradley L. Los Angeles, CA, USA] First off, hey Sammy, how is everything? As always keep up the great work. I love this site. Now, I started to use the facebook program on my 755p and I love it to death. It allows me to keep up with my friends and family on the go. Also when ever I have some down time in between meetings or in a waiting room, I just jump on and make new friends. I just with it had the ability to use the programs that facebook has on the web.

My portable weather channel

[From Husam Mourtada] Hi Sammy, today I was in my car trying to know the weather forecast but I missed the morning radio news, again my treo saved me and using my Agendus day view and clicking on the weather line , it retrieved the whole week weather forecast. Yet another use of my Treo that makes me feel I am using every single feature (I feel bad for my laptop that is getting ignored more and more!!)

My Trusty Tungsten E

[From Pam Mangum] Wasted time trying to make my last PDA work the way I needed it to, the way my Palm always did :)

Just want to say how much I like the Palm OS. My honey has given me 3 Windows-based PDAs and I'm always disappointed with the way they work and end up being glorified address books.

I LOVE the Palm Desktop Hotsync. So much simpler than working with ActiveSync! Now that we've gone beyond Outlook to Outlook Exchange and Mail, as well as WindowsVista platforms, syncing FRIED my contact list. So, back to my trusty Tungsten E.

Straightforward, clean, reliable. Let's hear it for Palm!

My Treo changed color

[From Brian Vernon] Has anyone else replaced something that they hold dear to themselves with a near duplicate? You know, buying a college sweatshirt to replace the faded one you had in college, or finding a similar fish to replace the one that jumped out of the bowl? It provides the functionality that the first one did, but still there is a minor difference between the two that stops you from loving it as much as the original. I recently had to retire my original burgundy 755p that I had special ordered not a month after they came out. It was my first smart phone, and we had shared many a good time, but some of the buttons wouldn't work anymore and there was a slight scratch in the screen. Because I pay for the insurance, the nice man at the Sprint store gladly replaced my worn out 755p with a brand new one. He activated it, beamed over my contacts and calendar, and handed it over to me. It was brand new. No scratches. The keys all worked fine. The only difference was the dark blue color. I thanked the man and headed out with my phone.

When I got to the parking lot, I called my fiancé to see if she needed me to pick up anything. When I hung up, I realized that my phone no longer matched my new burgundy colored Camry I had purchased earlier this year. I never thought that I may have purchased a car based on the color of my phone, but I remember picking the burgundy over the dark blue finish. This past week, it finally got cold enough to wear sweaters. When I went to the back of my closet, I found two burgundy sweaters that I had purchased last winter. Could my love for my first smart phone be altering my favorite color? I even realized that my background screen was a picture of Will Farrell as Ron Burgundy saying, "I'm kind of a big deal."

I guess I'll have to slowly adjust to my new colored Treo. Maybe buy a blue sapphire ring or start wearing blue jeans more. They don't have any burgundy skins for the Treo, do they?

My Treo Is My Buddy

[From Chia] I've got a Treo 755p and I love it. It was my first smartphone ever so for a while I was downloading anything cool that caught my eye. As time went by however I've come to use my Treo in much more practical ways (rather than as a cluttered machine that I would use each app every now and then...if ever).

USB Modem has been one of my favorite apps. For 7 months I didn't even have cable or internet because I could get pretty good speeds using my Treo as a modem.

I use NFL Mobile to check out what's going on in the NFL (I'm a Steelers junkie).

Google is used to do research when I'm out and about, looking up pics, addresses for restaurants, etc. I also use it to check out my fantasy football stats.

I use my contacts list quite a bit to look up friends and acquaintances.

My camera is used for fun snapshots, however I'm not so thrilled with the camera's picture quality.

D'oh! How could I forget? I text people left and right. Thank goodness I have an unlimited text plan. Oh geeze this could get ugly.

And that's how I mainly use my 755p. I don't use email too much or the calendar. I love my Treo but damn if they aren't dropping the ball and falling behind with the iPhone and now an Android-based phone. *sigh*

Keep It 2.0

Keep It 2.0This is a new program."Keep It is a personal user id and password management application for Handhelds and Smartphones. Keep It is designed to help you manage with simplicity all your system user names and passwords in one unique centralized data repository."

NFL Schedule 2008-2009 2.208

NFL Schedule 2008-2009 2.208MThis is a brand new program."Track your favorite NFL team throughout their 2008-2009 Season. This is a must for any NFL Football Fan. * View the Season Schedule * Enter Scores and track game stats (Wins, Loses, etc) * Add the entire season or any game to the Datebook database at the click of a button. Demo: The demo only displays the first 5 games. To see the entire schedule you must purchase the software and enter the key code included with the purchase. The following teams are available: * Arizona Cardinals * Atlanta Falcons * Baltimore Ravens * Buffalo Bills * Carolina Panthers"

MetrO 5.7.1

MetrO 5.7.1This is an updated program take a look."Metro helps you find your way in the public transport systems (subway, bus, trams, ...) in 400 cities around the world. FREE, FAST & ACCURATE. Simply enter your start and end stops, hit the "Go" button and the program finds the fastest route. Many more features to discover: * Operating time awareness * Interface with address book * Directions to major tourist attractions (in selected cities) * Take only the cities you need on your Palm * Install the cities on an expansion card * Easy station search * Complete line & station lists: 748 stops in London, 952 in New York, 1835 in Tokyo, 872 in Paris"