PalmAddicts

PDAs or Paper?

I think this is a clear case where a Palm is the right answer. The author of PagePacker says:

"I often wander around without a computer, so I needed a nice easy way to print important bits into little books of information that I could carry around in my pocket. Chad Adams figured out a brilliant technique of cutting and folding pieces of paper into little books and called it PocketMod. The technique was brilliant, but the software was a little awkward. So I, knowing a little about Cocoa, hacked together PagePacker."

Now I love it when people find solutions to problems and then offer those solutions to others, especially when those solutions are free.

But this is a little crazy. Here are the instructions to put one of these together (the web page above has images if you want to view them too):

1. [P]ut together eight pages by dragging out standard DIY Planner pages from the catalog r by dragging out any image file or PDF onto the document. The files are scaled and rotated as necessary to make them fit
2. After printing onto 8.5" x 11" paper, you fold the paper lengthwise. The inky parts should be on the outside
3. Then, unfold it. In the other direction, fold it on the three lines like a fan. The inky parts end up inside the fan
4. Open the outer two flaps of the fan, and cut along the dotted line:
5. Fold the first fold again (With the outer flaps open and the inner flap cut, you can now refold the paper lengthwise)
6. Finally, put the front cover in front and the back in back. Voila! A little book!

Now I often wander around without a computer too, but do I want to have to do this six step process every morning? And then copy that information over again if I don’t get all of them done?

I think the Hipster PDA is a cool idea. I often walk around with index cards and a pen because it’s still easier to scribble down a fast note than it is to enter it into any PDA, including the Treo. (I can also use them to write something on the card and then give them away, which I can’t do with the Treo).

But the idea of going through all of that (above) seems like a big waste of time. I’ll take my Palm, hands down :-)

BTW if you haven’t seen this hilarious “ad” for the “Multimedia Hipster Clip” you owe it to yourself to take 2 minutes to watch it:

Taking the Treo 680 apart

[From Eric Mann] Not something I would care to do personally but someone has decided to dissect their Treo 680 for the world to see. More pictures.

PDALive Mini Podcast 002

[From Justin] Hello Sammy, I was wondering if you could post about the newest PDALive Podcast the details are below. Thanks Justin. PDALive Mini Podcast 002 In this episode we talk all about the Apple iPhone. Podcast is available to listen to here

SFR Software Releases 1-2-Remote for WMP and iTunes

Got a WM Treo, caught this on PPCThoughts. "1-2-Remote is a remote control for your Pocket PC to control Windows Media Player or iTunes on your PC or laptop - everywhere at home! No matter you're having a party, taking a bath or just relaxing on your sofa - 1-2-Remote puts the music in your hands. No need to reach your PC!"

MemoCalc

Complicated but yet useful to some people - MemoCalc. " MemoCalc is an expression-based calculator. Data is saved in the Memo database as shown:
My Sqrt
<--vars-->a=1
<--expr-->a^(1/2)

Create a category named 'MemoCalc' in the Memo Pad application to store your MemoCalc memos. Note: This program needs MathLib.prc for all but the four base arithmetic operations."

Palm Canada Brings Microsoft’s Direct Push Technology to Palm OS Based Treo Smartphones

[From Palm PR / Environics Communications] Palm Canada today announced availability of Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync® Update for Palm OS® devices for the Palm® Treo™ 680 and Treo 700p smartphones. Palm OS based Treo smartphones have long been able to use Exchange ActiveSync® to access Microsoft Exchange Server information using Palm’s VersaMail® email client. The new update enhances VersaMail by adding Microsoft’s Direct Push Technology, which gives users connected to an Exchange Server fast, automatic wireless updates of email, calendar and contact information, download at www.palm.com/easdownload.

PA Weekly to hit your inbox tmrw

The PA Weekly, which is our weekly newsletter will be distributed tommorow and as usual to subscribe to this and forthcoming editions then please send an email to us putting NEWSLETTER in the subject line - sammymcloughlin@gmail.com

Charge your Treo & spare battery simultaneously anywhere

MyTreo reports on a useful resource for those with a Treo. "Hot on the heels of the 3200mAh battery for the Treo, Seidio has released the new Multi-Function Battery Charger for the Treo 650, 680, 700(p/w/wx) and 750. This new charger lets you charge your Treo and an extra battery at the same time anywhere. It works with both USB and AC power, can double as an auto-charger with an additional cable, and is small and light enough for travel. It's a fantastic accessory for Treo users on-the-go."

Vivo and Palm Launch First Treo Smartphone with Windows Mobile in Brazil

Palm, Inc. (Nasdaq: PALM) and Vivo today launch the Palm(R) Treo(TM) 700wx smartphone, the first Treo smartphone in Brazil that runs Windows Mobile 5.0 Pocket PC Phone Edition. Now available on Vivo's 3G network, the Treo 700wx combines a great mobile phone(1), comprising the functionality and ease of use for which Treo smartphones are known, with the power and security of Windows Mobile favored by many businesses.

"Palm's objective is to offer customers more options. Now they can choose the operating system that best meets their needs and preferences -- the Palm OS with the Treo 650, or Windows Mobile with the Treo 700wx," says Alexandre Szapiro, country manager for Palm Brazil and South Cone. "Palm's hallmark ease of use on the Windows Mobile platform combined with Vivo's quality data and voice network transforms mobility into a true competitive edge for companies and helps extend Palm's reach in the corporate world." More details at www.palm.com/br

Treo 101: A "Palm OS" guide for new owners, Part 1 / Say Good-Bye to ActiveSync with Microsoft Vista

Treo 101: A "Palm OS" guide for new owners, Part 1
I think Treo 101: A "Palm OS" guide for new owners, Part 1 over at TreoCentral could well prove to be a very useful guide. "This time of year, the ranks of Treo owners traditionally swells, as people get them as gifts, the lucky ones among us, or finally spring the bucks to buy one for themselves. Then the fun begins. Or not. Simple as they are to operate, particularly Palm OS models, Treos can inspire puzzled looks and frustrated digging to find answers. In this series I hope to address some of your questions and ease your transition to Treo. This series is for newbies, freshmen if you will (freshpersons?). It’s impossible to predict what you already know, so forgive me if I cover something you’ve already figured out. We’ll move along slowly, so skip ahead if you get bored. It’ll help us both if you have your shiny new Treo handy - or that grubby used one you got off Ebay. If you need help getting it hooked up to a carrier, consult the carrier of your choice. We’ll assume it’s already working." Read in full at TreoCentral.

Say Good-Bye to ActiveSync with Microsoft Vista
If you have ever used a WM device or have a WM Treo then this article on Brighthand may interest you, Say Good-Bye to ActiveSync with Microsoft Vista. ""Today is the official launch data for Vista, Microsoft's operating system for desktop and laptop computers. Significant changes have been made in the way this new version synchronizes with both handhelds and smartphones. In this new operating system, ActiveSync has been re-named Windows Mobile Device Center and its look and feel have been updated." Read in full via Brighthand.