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eReader discount for the weekend

[From eReader] It's time for your eReader discount for the weekend. "Punch in this week's Promo Code ERTH77 to receive a 10% discount off any eligible book that you purchase. Offer good through February 15, 2008 on all books priced more than $3.00. This discount cannot be used with any other special offers. " eReader after the jump.

Creative Algorithms updates - Gage Tech and DateWheel.net

[From Justine at CreativeAlgorithms] Hi Sammy, Just wanted to let the PA readers know of a couple of new things going on with Creative Algorithms. First, we've updated our enterprise application, Gage Tech, which allows for on-the-go Gage R&R measurement system quality validations (especially useful in Six Sigma). The update allows for export of the data via CSV for use on the desktop for spreadsheets, etc. All the deets are here at: http://creativealgorithms.com/gagetech.html Secondly, we're excited to share with everyone one of our new web-applications--Date Wheel for the desktop. It's still in beta and we're continually updating it to add more features. Soon we'll have a format specific for iPhone, and other mobiles but those who want to check it out can play around with it at http://datewheel.net. Have a look around and let us know what you think!

iambic Releases Second Android Application

[From Annie at Iambic] Greetings Sammy! We are proud to announce that Tipper for Android is now available. This helpful application is a great time saver when it comes to paying the restaurant bill. No more dealing with high-level math at the end of an enjoyable meal. Just plug in the amounts and Tipper does the rest for you. Splitting the bill between 2 or more people is a snap too. Tipper for Android joins GoogHelper for Android. More applications are in the works.

Come see our Android “Toys” in Action!

We were so excited about our new “toys” for the Android platform that we decided to make a couple of short videos to show you how it works (besides, that keeps you from having to muck around with the emulator). They are just under 2 minutes each.

Google for Android (1:42) – shows mobile shopping, news search and stock quote look-up.

Tipper for Android (1:29) – shows a tip being calculated for a meal and the bill split between five people. A second example varies the amount, percent tip and number of payers.

Note: YouTube defaults to the stretched (4:3) mode. For these, you want to Toggle the screen adjustment button on the left.
http://www.iambic.com

CallRec Saves Me From Fumbling For Paper

The Treo, whether it be the 650, 750 or whatever other smartphone is such a handy device to have with you that you tend to forget how much it does until you realize it.  I got one of those "jeez, why didn't I think of that" moment recently and it reaffirms why I love and rely on my Treos so much.

CallRec is one of those great apps that I keep talking and talking about because it saves me so much time.  I no longer have to fumble around looking for scraps of paper to jot down a note or number or date.  Everything is recorded on the SD card (I prefer it that way) and I can play it back when I need to refer back to it.

Just the other day, I got a call and was looking for a piece of paper to jot things down, and then realized that I didn't need to, since everything is already recorded.  What a time and paper saver!  Think of how much less paper you've saved!  I love this app and it has saved me a lot of hassles many times.

Check out CallRec and you'll swear you'll never need those post it notes again.  Okay, maybe not.

1src Podcast 167 is available for your listening pleasure

1src Podcast 167 is available for your listening pleasure. "This week I walk you through the Treo 755p 1.07 maintenance update and we cover the latest Centro launch news and rumors." Make the jump.

Election Time

[From JJ] Super Tuesday was huge in the United States. I used my Treo 750's web browser to track the results of the various primaries/caucuses. I wasn't near a television as the results were coming in, so the Treo was a lifesaver. My candidate didn't do so well, but at least I had the opportunity to follow the results. It wouldn't have been possible without my Treo.

Uninstall Manager v3.20

[From Roy from NorthGlide] Hi Sammy, I wanted to let you and Palm Addict readers know that I've just updated Uninstall Manager to v3.20 - There are a few new things in the new version, mainly the new Timeline view which can be really useful to quickly track installed software and anything else saved on the device. All the specifics about the changes are listed under the News page at northglide.com. The upgrade is free to registered users. Thanks Sammy and have a great a day!

" Uninstall Manager saves valuable memory space while keeping your device clean and trouble-free. Make sure that newly installed applications will be completely removed when they are no longer needed. Sandbox, Recording mode, uninstallation rollbacks and so much more - This is what makes UM the best uninstaller around."

New RIM Patents Hint at New Blackberry Form Factors, Advanced Multi-Touch Displays

Look what Gizmodo has unearthed new Blackberry patents. "A couple of new Blackberry patents have been unearthed that may or may not give us some hints as to what to expect in upcoming models. First up is a design for a phone with a screen that angles up, presumable for watching video when the phone is placed on a flat surface. The second patent is for a new LCD touchscreen technology." The Gizmodo has all the deets.

Remember the excellent TradeWinds 2

Remember Astraware's excellent TradeWinds2 this week and it looks like being a great update for all platforms. " Tradewinds 2™ is the sequel to Tradewinds® - a best-selling game of Far East trade and pirate adventures. Tradewinds 2™ offers players a brand new adventure based in the exotic seas of the Caribbean. Building on the trading fun of the first game, Tradewinds 2™ features 20 all new ports to explore, new ships and weapons to buy and upgrade, new goods to trade in, and a brand new feature - tasks to complete for honor and reward. In each port, the Governor may request the help of your captain - from simple shopping tasks to rescuing fair maidens and defeating dangerous pirates. Elicit help at the Inn, and buy charms and amulets from the trader to help your safe passage to the next port. Choose from 5 characters to captain your ship, or even create your own with the character generator, and then set sail for your adventure. Tradewinds 2™ offers two play modes - Story Mode and Free Trade Mode - both offering many hours of game play. With over a hundred different tasks in a range of different character combinations encompassing different ports, Story Mode has excellent replay value. Free Trade Mode offers a different challenge, where players sail the seas to trade amongst ports and build their fortunes."

PDA24/7 have written up an interesting editorial entitled PDA design does an about turn and smartphones may start to get dumb again

PDA24/7 have written up an interesting editorial entitled PDA design does an about turn and smartphones may start to get dumb again. "Take yourself back a few years and look at what PDAs were dominating the market. The Psion range, the early keyboarded Windows CE machines and the Nokia Communicator were important devices of their day and on the whole, they all served wall for data entry on the move and efficient organisation. Then the PDA came along and we were served with the Palm T3, Fujitsu Loox 720 and the never ending iPAQ range. They had no phone capability, but were excellent for watching movies and for viewing large amounts of data at any one time. Here we are in 2008 and we seem to be back at square one." Read in full.

PATV151 - The NetFront WebBrowser 3.5 for Windows Mobile Edition

In this edition of PATV I give a quick demonstration of the new NetFront Browser 3.5 from ACCESS. It's actually very good and takes on many of the features available from the likes of Apple Mobile Safari for the iPhone and Opera Web Browser. You can also download it and test for evaluation purposes by visiting the ACCESS website.

PATV is sponsored by SmartboxDesign.com. Fantastic games for both Palm OS and Windows Mobile.

NetFront Deployment Surpass 500 Million Worldwide

[From Christopher Lewis] ACCESS CO., LTD., a global provider of advanced software technologies to the mobile and beyond-PC markets, today announced that worldwide deployments of its NetFront™ products, notably NetFront™ Browser for mobile handsets and information appliances, surpassed 500 million at the end of January, 2008.

NetFront Browser, an Internet browser offering high performance in environments with constrained memory and CPU resources, such as mobile phones and embedded devices, has a proven record of installation in handsets from mobile operators and major device manufacturers throughout the world. NetFront Browser has also been installed in numerous other Internet devices, including digital TVs, set-top boxes and automobile telematics systems.

ACCESS has recently introduced NetFront™ Browser Widgets, a comprehensive mobile widget framework that builds upon NetFront Browser technology to support the creation and use of dynamic Web applications based on open standard technologies, and that offers end-users rapid access to frequently viewed or personalized web content such as news, weather reports, stock prices and sports scores.

ACCESS has also used the success of NetFront™ Browser DTV Profile One-seg Edition (formerly Wireless Edition), a browser that supports the "One-Seg" (ISDB-T) digital terrestrial broadcasting service in Japan, to develop in collaboration with France’s EXPWAY the NetFront™ Browser DTV Profile DVB-H Edition, a mobile TV solution compliant with the DVB-H standard that is generating growing interest in global markets.

Total deployed products exceeded the 100-million mark in October 2003, at which point the worldwide installation rate for NetFront products began to gain significant momentum. The 200-million mark was reached two years later in September 2005; 300 million deployments 15 months later in November 2006; 400 million nine months later in August 2007; and 500 million, after a mere five months, in January 2008. New deployments averaged 13 million per month between November 2006 and August 2007, since when the average has risen more than 50% to a monthly average of 20 million. The number of device models in which NetFront products have been deployed has reached 1,349, and NetFront technologies are expected to be installed in a variety of new devices in the months to come.

"To date, ACCESS has assisted mobile operators and handset manufacturers to implement new services by developing up-to-date products that anticipate changing markets and trends," said Toru Arakawa, CEO, president and co-founder of ACCESS. "Based on our extensive track record and cutting-edge technologies, ACCESS looks forward to leading the way toward a ‘ubiquitous Internet society’ where myriad Internet devices can be networked to provide a full range of digital lifestyle options." Figures for total NetFront product installations and device models are as follows:

ACCESS Enhances NetFront Browser v3.5 with Increased Functionality and Faster Browsing Concept Version to be Released for Windows Mobile

[From Christopher Lewis] ACCESS CO., LTD., a global provider of advanced software technologies to the mobile and beyond-PC markets, today announced that it is enhancing the functionality and high-speed browsing of NetFront™ Browser v3.5 for rich, intuitive, full Internet browsing and services, with the release of a concept version of NetFront Browser v3.5 for Windows Mobile® 5.0, available as of February 11, 2008.

NetFront Browser v3.5, the latest version of ACCESS' market-leading browser for mobile handsets and information devices, provides advanced, feature-rich mobile browsing experiences thanks to greater ease of use and faster browsing. By offering seamless support for Ajax (Asynchronous JavaScript and XML), NetFront Browser facilitates the creation of highly efficient interactive Web applications. Building on NetFront Browser's tradition of making mobile handsets easier to use, NetFront Browser v3.5 enhances the mobile experience with increasingly popular Web 2.0 services by providing intuitive scrolling and one-button access to frequently used functions.

New Features Adapted for Concept Version of NetFront Browser v3.5 for Windows Mobile Bundling its many new features and improved user interface, the concept version of NetFront Browser v3.5 for Windows Mobile enables users to maximize the functionality of their Windows Mobile devices with stylus pen for a full Internet experience. PageMap, for example, automatically displays entire Web pages to help users understand which part of the page they are scrolling. Swift Navigation provides smooth, intuitive scrolling, and Animated Zoom enables users to quickly and smoothly zoom a selected part of a page. Web pages are easier to read thanks to faster scrolling, zooming and content loading. Column Rendering adapts standard Web pages to fit the screen width of the mobile device, reproducing the page almost exactly as it would appear on a PC screen.

NetFront Browser v3.5 for Windows Mobile will be available for download free of charge from the ACCESS website as of February 11. For more information, visit www.access-company.com/products/netfrontmobile/browser/35_wm_tp.html.

"ACCESS will use feedback from users worldwide to strengthen NetFront Browser v3.5 for even friendlier and more convenient browsing with mobile devices," said Toru Arakawa, CEO, president and co-founder of ACCESS. "As one of the world's leading software companies, ACCESS will continue to provide maximized value for the mobile ecosystem, placing a special focus on innovation, creativity and solutions to deliver the world's most advanced products for the mobile and beyond-PC markets."

The concept version of NetFront Browser v3.5 for Windows Mobile, along with NetFront™ Browser Widget, a comprehensive Web-application framework for mobile widgets, and other advanced features of NetFront Browser, will be demonstrated at the ACCESS booth during the GSMA Mobile World Congress 2008 (formerly 3GSM World Congress), from February 11 to 14 in Barcelona, Spain. The ACCESS booth is located in the Courtyard Area CY06, Fira de Barcelona.

PageMap
Provides a page thumbnail preview to facilitate web page navigation.

Column Rendering
When viewing content in the previous desktop mode, text often exceeded the screen width, requiring repeated use of the scroll bar. This issue has been resolved, and functionality has been dramatically improved.


* Text content (or news) is rendered to fit the width of the screen using a line break function
* Column Rendering renders almost exactly what you would see on a PC while also supporting vertical scrolling

Logotec Engineering Unveils On-Demand Service to Automatically Create Windows Mobile Versions of Customer-Specific Microsoft Dynamics CRM Implementations. Free beta trial available

[From Garth] [SAMMY Press Release in this hour]. Logotec Engineering Group announces today its roadmap of mobile extensions allowing users to access their Microsoft Dynamics CRM information on Windows Mobile devices. The service --- Mobile@Connector for Microsoft Dynamics CRM --- enables fully automatic creation of mobile versions of customer-specific Microsoft Dynamics CRM implementations. A free beta version of the service will be available from February 12, 2008, to May 31, 2008.

The service enables Microsoft Dynamics CRM customers to quickly and easily generate a mobile version of their Microsoft Dynamics CRM implementation --- no matter how extensively it is customized --- and access their information on Windows Mobile devices, either on-line or off-line with synchronization.
http://www.logotecengineering.com/mobile

It seems the iPhone is very much lusted for

It seems the iPhone is very much lusted for according to Red Eye Chicago, the iPhone Blog. "According to ChangeWave Research, people planning on buying a new cell phone in the next 6 months have their eyes firmly planted on the iPhone. ChangeWave surveyed 4,182 mobile phone users, and 17 percent said the iPhone is the one for them." Read in full.

Bapsoft recently released Deluxe Sudoku for Palm OS

[From Eric Mann] Bapsoft recently released updates to Deluxe Sudoku for Palm OS. Deluxe Sudoku brings top-notch graphics and challenging Sudoku puzzles to your Palm! Your goal is to fill the 9x9 grid so that every row, every column, and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 through 9. It sounds simple but it's sure to keep you challenged for hours. Do you have the skill to master the Sudoku puzzle?

Features:
- Over 1 billion unique Sudoku puzzles!
- 5 difficulty levels (easy, medium, expert, genius, insane!)
- Highlighted row and column for easy viewing
- Supports Automatic and Manual pencil marks! New
- Improved Sudoku board generator produces symmetric boards New
- Custom puzzle mode (enter Sudoku puzzles from newspapers!) New
- Powerful Sudoku puzzle solver! New
- Cross-Hatching option for improved visualization
- Color-coded hint mode shows which grid locations are correct
- Detailed Game Statistics! New
- Replay a specific game board by ID number New
- Improved game options and customizations New
- Auto-save feature allows you to return to a puzzle at a later time.

Here is an unusual Palm program, it's called EarMan

[From Eric Mann] Here is an unusual Palm program, it's called EarMan. "One of the most important skills for musicians of any kind is the ability to correctly identify intervals by ear. Ear training is therefore a substantial building block of any kind of music education. Typically practicing this skill happens during class or with a private tutor and takes some time. EarMan is a tool that can enhance proficiency in ear training and can aid greatly in the process of advancing in this difficult subject.

The program offers a way for “spot learning” where specific interval sets can be practiced in specific ranges. This can be used to focus on weaknesses. Every session is graded in once completed. In addition EarMan offers a complete curriculum that trains the user step by step from correctly identifying simple intervals in limited groups to the full range including compound intervals.

EarMan uses RoGame’s sound library and includes a Grand Piano library for playback on devices with Palm OS 5.0 and higher. Intervals a shown in grand staff notation to aid the learning process. Interval sets include complementary intervals. The interface for the application has been designed to be free from distractions so that one can fully concentrate on the sound."
http://www.rogame.com/pages/EarMan.html

Master Kick is in the air! - Master Kick v1.3.2 for Windows Mobile and PalmOS

[From Nemanja Bondzulic] Another great score for Master Kick, on the green grass of its brilliant graphics, roaring cheers of interactive fans and truly amazing foosball experience on your mobile device. Update your pleasure, enlight your sport! We know you wouldn’t expect any less from INDUSTRY Entertainment, that spoils you with games just the way you like it and a bit more. New version of Master Kick is available for download and enjoyment. Master Kick is available in English, German, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Norwegian, Hungarian and Serbian language.
Download your copy at http://masterkick.indus3.org

ABOUT
Master Kick arises in glory of the best arcade version of table soccer seen till now! It's not just a game with stunning graphics of various playfields and players, weather visual effects, or live cheering. Master kick gives you the full atmosphere of soccer match combined with foosball skill. Highly sophisticated AI plus numerous formations selection, playing in a league or quick match will not fail any soccer fan expectations. Great dynamic music and sound powered by MODULA Audio Engine and full screen support enlarge the overall game experience. Master Kick is available for all the Windows Mobile and PalmOS devices. One thing is for certain, Master Kick tried once, will become your favorite addiction!

SUPPORTED PLATFORMS
- PalmOS 5 (Garnet)
- Windows Mobile [Professional/Classic/PocketPC Standard/Smartphone]

TRIAL VERSION
Trial version of Master Kick game is available for download at http://www.indus3.org

How Mobile Tech encourages, entertains and keeps me productive

[From Anthony Colletti ] The Device: Apple iPhone 8GB (hoping to be a 16GB)

The encouragements:
* Devotions: I subscribe to Laridian iPocketBible for on-the-go access to all my bibles, commentaries, notes and highlights. Simply having my iPhone in my pocket has reduced the need to carry a paper bible, study aid, and notes.
* Reflection: With the ability to store and capture photos, I can easily reflect on what matters most, my family, when on the go as well as share instant pictures with my family when I am out of town.
* Missed sermons & lectures: Here is where Podcasts have changed the world. I carry the most recent podcasts of missed sermons or radio programs for listening at my convenience.

The entertainment:

* ITunes: Nuf said.. OK,seriously. With the ability of my iPhone to sync play lists I can carry more tunes than CD's my parachute pants pockets could carry. WOW.. remember those days. Heck, I can even watch the latest Sponge Bob episode or a rented movie.
* Games: Yes, the iPhone can play games.. just check out http://www.iphoneapplicatoinlist.com for a robust listing. No, I'm not affiliated with them but do enjoy their links!

The productivity:

* Phone: Hey. this thing has a phone in it! I can even take calls from clients and co-workers where ever I am.
* Google: Google. The backbone of my life! I can access my documents, bookmarks, contacts, mail, calendar all w/out pesky syncing getting in the way to duplicate, triplicate, or just plan eradicate random calendar and contact entries. I can even use http://www.GrandCentral.com to forward a single google number to my phone and screen callers. Shweeettt
* SMS: Yep... SMS... Nothing like a good old SMS page @ 3am to inform you server xyz is mia again !!!

Well. there it is. Each area of my life being touched by one little device that fits in a shirt pocket. Some days you are the anteater, some days you are the ant..

Treonauts offers you 20% discount off Palm software

If you want some discount off Palm software at the moment then Treonauts may be able offer some help. "Our Treo and Centro Software Bestseller list for February sees Ringo Pro climbing one spot to #2 while Butler and VolumeCare Pro for their part remain in the Top 3. CorePlayer jumps up two positions to #5 along with Phone Technician which jumps to #6. Power Hero makes the sharpest drop from #4 to #8 while the latest version of VoiceDialIt previously at #9 drops out of the Top 10 this month. To help you enjoy using these terrific applications we’ve created a 20% off coupon valid until February 29 – simply enter the coupon code BESTSELLERS in your cart [please note that this coupon is not valid for use in the Treo Accessories Store]." Make the jump to Treonauts.

For those of you with Win Mob Palm smartphones you may want to take a read of the SBSH i-Launcher v3.1 review over at Pocket Now

[From Eric Mann] For those of you with Win Mob Palm smartphones you may want to take a read of the SBSH i-Launcher v3.1 review over at Pocket Now. "When I first saw i-Launcher 3.1 I was struck by how nice it looked! It is a colourful and vibrant looking application that has really good quality graphics. i-Launcher is a program that allows you to launch software, documents, files etc. from a customised set of tabs that sit on your Today screen. This then appealed to me on a different level. A lot of us lead very busy lives, so we need programs to be easy to use and quick to access. Being visually appealing helps this because you are not fighting to get past the graphics and the detail. So when I tried out i-Launcher 3.1, these were the attributes I was looking for. After using it for a while though, the question I found myself asking was, does i-Launcher launch users into a new phase of 'quick and easy,' or does it bury you in eye candy? Read on to find out!"

Sony Vending Machines

Blimey Sony now has vending machines, whilst I think this is pretty cool I wouldn't want my UMPC falling to the bottom of the machine like my daily can of Sprite. "was at Logan Airport in Boston, MA. yesterday and saw one of these Sony Kiosks. It had in it headphones, PSP games, memory sticks, a Sliver Sony Reader PRS-505, and other odds and ends." MobileRead has the deets on this one.

Intel has a dream, it want's to put the internet into your pocket

[From Hans] Intel has a dream, it want's to put the internet into your pocket according to Wired. "his week at the International Solid-State Circuits Conference (ISSCC), Intel revealed more technical details about its new low-power processor, codenamed Silverthorne, which consumes between 0.6 to 2 watts of power (compared with 35 watts from Intel's Core 2 Duo, a popular desktop and laptop CPU). Intel also promises that the processors will "deliver 1-2 GHz of performance in a device that fits in your hand or pocket." When it's released in the second half of the year, Silverthorne will be the smallest processor the company has created in more than 15 years, according to Intel CTO Justin Rattner." The Wired Blog has the deets on this one.

The Gadgeteer reviews the Mvox Duo All-in-One Wearable Smart Communicator

The Gadgeteer has done a review of the Mvox Duo All-in-One Wearable Smart Communicator. "In today’s world, it seems that we are all trying to do three things at once, all while talking on our cell phones. I know that multi-tasking is part of my daily life, even though at times I wish it was not. Juggling multiple tasks at once is fine, except when one of those tasks is potential deadly if you are not paying attention, for example, driving a vehicle." Read in full.

NASA TV

I watched last night with great interest the launch of the space shuttle Atlantis which successfully launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. With that in mind if you wish to keep informed of it's progress then make the jump to NASA TV which personally I think is educational and great for Space buffs like myself. I think it's pretty facinating and its what the media and news channels tne into for launches and landings and tracks the location of the Shuttle at any given time. NASA TV after the jump.

CNET Crave uses a Treo 750 to demonstrate the Windows Mobile software PhotoContacts for WindowsMobile.

[From Eric Mann ] CNET Crave uses a Treo 750 to demonstrate the Windows Mobile software PhotoContacts for WindowsMobile. "Oh sure, anyone can assign a photo face to a contact on their Windows Mobile phone. But how many can also resize images, associate tasks with a contact, and send text messages from their digital black book?

If you guessed "anyone using the application named above," give yourself a gold star. For about twenty bucks, PhotoContacts for WindowsMobile and Pocket PC rolls your contact list into a stylish wrapper with better people skills than your default address book. Could this application be for you? Check out pros and, yes, a few cons, in this First Look video before sampling the application yourself." Read in full.

Will Opera Mobile perform for free?

[From Eric Mann] CNET Blog publishes an editorial asking will Opera Mobile perform for free and it does raise a good question. "Opera should be bracing for impact. Quite possibly for the first time, Opera Software will receive real pressure in the mobile-browser space from Firefox Mobile and Skyfire. Like Opera's cell phone browser, Opera Mini (video), both newcomers are free. However, Opera Mobile, which serves Windows Mobile and Symbian S60 phones, is a commercial product that smartphone users may not want to pay for when handed alternatives gratis. How does Opera plan to keep current customers and attract new ones when consumers face a choice between paying $24 and $0? I asked the Opera folks if they would consider making Opera Mobile free in anticipation of or in response to oncoming competition. "

The Engadget is reporting that there is a new unlock for new iPhones running the latest OS

The Engadget is reporting that there is a new unlock for new iPhones running the latest OS. "Mr. GEOrge HOTz did it again. He just loosed a world of hurt on AT&T with a software unlock for 1.1.3 iPhones. That's right, the software is said to work on any fresh from the Apple store, shrink-wrapped iPhone sporting the latest 1.1.3 firmware and 4.6 bootloader." Read in full.

Newton user in Austria

[From Michael] Hi, I'm an Apple Newton user, not for any weird fetish reason, but simply because it's the most organized pad of paper I've ever used. With the addition of MoreInfo, every major piece of information (note, name, task, event, etc.) can be linked to every other major piece of information. Rather than tagging, you're actually building a semantic network of sorts. With only a few taps, you get at information that otherwise gets lost in the sea of inflowing ideas.

The other thing about the Newton is that the gesture driven interface still hasn't been beat. I don't care about the handwriting as much as some (I learned graffiti just fine, back in the day of also using a Palm), but the ease and sensibility of scratching out, highlight-tap- drag, and "storing" my clipboards on the edge of the screen is just so sensible that I can't believe that others (including the new Apple) haven't done it again.

So, that's how I use my handheld device. I've also got an Alphasmart Dana that's my portable writing solution, and an old Nokia S60 series 1 phone that I use with ReadM to read text files on the go.

Freeware highlight: TeaPot

Teapot

Side by side with great sophisticated (and sometimes quite heavy in terms of memory and CPU requirements) applications, I have on my Palms several small utilities, mostly freeware, which are there simply to make my daily life a bit simpler and more organized (which is admittedly the core idea behind owning a Palm in the first place). One of the ones I would like to heartily recommend is: TeaPot.

TeaPot is a simple freeware timer which can be easily set to sound an alarm within a specified time period ranging from one minute to 99 minutes. My uses for such a timer are plenty – from timing cooking steps such as my pasta or hard boiled eggs, to carefully following the package directions of drain openers chemicals.

Though very small (only 76 KB sized) TeaPot is quite a rich utility offering up to four concurrent timers, the ability to choose the alarm sound, type and volume and even a choice of some quite animations for the display.

Recommended.

Maya

HTC Shift is coming!

Alright, I know some of you guys have been eagerly waiting for this HTC Shift to be delivered to your desk since it's introduced a year ago. Many of us are fallen in love with it's shape and small dimension (190 x 135 x 30 mm ), but with full QWERTY keyboard. UK customers are the lucky one to get their hands first through on-line retailer Expansys on February 19th, price is about US$1720; which is four times the Eee price tag.

It won't be able to make calls though... but you'll have a great time using it as mobile companion or mobile office, with HSDPA & WiFi connectivity. Read the whole story here. For full specification, find out it here.

Why my T|X is my right hand man....er woman?

Palm_tx Although I am a happily married woman, I have often thought that I needed a wife: someone who would take care of my every need throughout the day. Then I realized that I don't need one after all... I have my T|X.

My T|X gently wakes me every morning. After bringing me my email, weather and ABCnews in bed, it intuitively lists my "to-dos" for me. I use it to read my bible and devotional, say my prayers and then it alarms again to remind me to get started on my day.  It keeps track of my food eaten, my daughter's medications, my errands and grocery list and provides me with constant entertainment whenever I meet up with a delay.  In the evening, it shows me the recipes to make for dinner, lets me IM my friends, catch up on my blogging, and for relaxation I can listen to music, practice my origami or read a book.  Then, as the day ends, I close my nice hard case on my T|X, put it under my pillow and await it awakening me again. Now remind me, why do I need a husband???

Oh yeah....to work so I can afford all the coolest newest software.... 

Sprint Treo 755p Software Update

From the official Palm blog:

Sprint Treo 755p smartphone customers - there is a software update that is available for installation to your device. The software update is a tune-up that improves audio, stability, software quality and device usability.

For information and to install to your device, visit the Palm product support page.

My Treo, My Lifevest

[From Ben Duncan, University of Kentucky] Hey Sammy, My Treo 755p is the greatest thing since sliced bread! I use it to wakeup, listen to music, watch movies, all that junk that everyone else does. HOWEVER, why do I like my Treo? Simplicity. I wirelessly sync my e-mail, contacts, calendar… everything! Directly to a server that can also sync to my desktop computer. So no matter where I am, my Treo ALWAYS alerts me when my schedule has changed or an e-mail comes up… it absolutely saves the day… everyday!

School work and games

[From Nick] Hi, I'm Nick Bowser from Streetsboro Ohio, and I use my palm T|X to do my school work. I take my notes using documents to go and am looking for a free html editor to do my advanced webpage homework. I check my e-mail because its just to boring on a regular pc. I use it as my mp3 player with pocket tunes and a 2 GB SD card. and I play games because its a handheld electronic, you have to have some kind of game.

Blogging the motorcycle trip

[From Brandon Payne] I am using my palm treo 680 and my new Elektex bluetooth cloth keyboard to blog my ten day motorcycle ride in Vietnam. Last year my buddy and I did this same ride and I tried to write down what was happening using graffiti on my tiny GSPDA Xplore M98 flip phone. He did a better job with his thumbs on a crackberry. It took some getting used to the cloth keyboard. I want to rename it a keycloth, but I don't know if it will catch on. But after an hour of writing I am typing at an ok speed. If you want to write, grab a pen and paper. But if you want to blog and don't want to bring the laptop I recommend an external keyboard. The frogpad looks like an interesting option. I'd love to see a review of it here. So, I'm enjoying writing about my fun days in North East Vietnam with my Treo 680 and Elektex roll-up cloth keyboard.

My thoughts on how I am using mobile devices

[From Rachel M. Edmonton AB] Hey Sammy, For the past month I have been using my mobile devices (my cell phone and my laptop) for job searching. See, I have recently moved and since I don't know many people, or my way around, I have relied on my laptop and cell phone to get me where I need to go. My laptop has opened many doors for me and my cell phone has made a way for those doors to be opened. So without either, I fear that I would be lost. I have also been using them as a communicating tool to talk with my family and friends back home. moving away from everything familiar has proven to be a challenge, but one that I am willing to over come! I thank you for giving me the opportunity to share with you how I have been using my mobile devices. Have a great day

My trip to Puerto Rico with my iPhone

[From Antonio Rosario, Brooklyn, NY USA, (former Palm fanatic)] Hi there, I just used my iPhone during my vacation to Puerto Rico to navigate the roads there. Our GPS's maps were somewhat dated, despite being a brand new unit I purchased for this trip. When I was getting strange directions with the GPS, I turned to my iPhone and an app called "Locate Me" which triangulates positions using the cell towers. With it I could see where we were (with surprising accuracy) and find the current road we were on and navigate the island successfully.

Mobility Messenger Manhunt

[From brian] Dear Sammy: My name is Brian Fergusson and I live in Málaga, on the south coast of Spain. I have a Palm TX that does wonders for me. I use it to track people and places as well as a portable encyclopedia. I work in this area of the country searching for English speaking people to whom I offer free Bible study classes. I believe that this voluntary work (my wife and I receive a place to live and food and clothing allowances, but no salary) is the most valuable activity that we could presently be involved in. It does wonders for the lives of the people who are willing to accept our offer, especially as many of them are living in a sort of legal limbo, being illegal immigrants, mostly from Sub-Saharan Africa. They hit the beaches near here and basically start running. It is very difficult for them to get into the mainstream of European life with a start like that, and they are prey to all kind of underworld scams. The basic living skills that can be learned from the Bible are invaluable to these people.

The TX helps us keep track of our contacts, and, with the help of a GPS mouse, helps us find them too. We also carry a large, well indexed, Bible encyclopedia on the TX's memory card which is a great help to us - nobody can remember ALL the places in the Bible where it talks about the subject you just happen to need.

How Apple Touched My Heart (and maybe someday, my purse strings)...

[From Jim Jones, Jr] I was (am?) a huge Palm fan. I've used one since my first Vx. Even then I was into being connected. I used my cellphone as a modem and would telnet into my servers and routers while on the road. Over the years I've tried different platforms. I had an HP 200lx, then their first CE device (what a joke), a couple Nokia 9xxx's and a few other misc PDAs. Went back to Palm in the form of a Handspring Prism then later added the GSM module and had the coolest phone on the block. Then the Treo 270, 600, 650... Gave it all up for a regular old cell phone last year and moved up to a Palm TX. WOW! WiFi and all! Surfing, email, remote desktop over a vpn! Connectivity like never before. After I stopped moving around so much I found that I really didn't NEED all that connectivity and my TX became my MP3 player. Enter the Apple iPod Touch... The bug bit me one day to try one of these things out. I received a $200 pre-paid AmEx as a gift and thought that this would be a good way to blow the gift (and a few of my own dollars). So I got that 8gig Touch. As an MP3 player, it is awesome. The surfing was almost as good as a desktop. I was about 4 days into my 14 day return-period when I bought the January software update. Email!!! Mobile email like never before! Now I know why my TX turned into an MP3 player. I just need an RDP client for the Touch and I'll be good to go again. Needless to say, the 14 days are up and my Touch has replaced my TX. It even syncs with my Outlook calendar and contacts, so it is truly a PDA.

Also, having been a PC fanatic all my life, I must say that if their desktops are half as easy to use, I may become a switcher. (man that was hard to say outloud) VMware Fusion with Unity (link to awesome video) will make that an easier transition.

3 Days until the end of the MacBook Pro giveaway

Save 50% on WizCode Products!

[From Eric Mann] Eric sent this link in for those of you with Windows Mobile Palm smartphone devices, " Use coupon code WIZCD50 to save 50% on all WizCode Products! Offer includes: Pocket Mechanic Professional, Pocket Hack Master, PocketPC Mark, Pocket Battery Analyzer, Virtual Explorer, and Pocket Alarm." Make the jump.

Rick Steves' London Guide 2008 for Palm OS

[From Eric Mann] For those of you visiting London then you may find this program to be useful, Rick Steves' London Guide 2008 for Palm OS. "Who but Rick Steves can tell travelers the best way to see the National Portrait Gallery, Westminster Abbey, St. Paul's, and the Theatre Museum? With Rick Steves' London 2007, travelers can experience the best of everything this city has to offer – economically and hassle-free. Completely revised and updated, Rick Steves' London 2007 includes opinionated coverage of both famous and lesser-known sights; friendly places to eat and sleep; suggested day plans; walking tours and trip itineraries; clear instructions for smooth travel anywhere by car, train, or foot; and Rick's newest "back door" discoveries. America's #1 authority on travel to Europe, Rick's time-tested recommendations for safe and enjoyable travel in Europe have been used by millions of Americans in search of their own unique European travel experience. Rick Steves’ opinion about what to do where to go proves very helpful. Almost everything ranging from walking tours to museum guides to shopping to accommodations has been included. " Read in full.

A Day In The Life (of a Palm TX)

[From Tom Stitzer (and wife, Lisa, whom switched after meeting me 3 years ago. 2 good choices on her part!)] HI, I use a Palm TX every day of my life. It starts in the morning when Palmary Clock's alarm wakes me from sleep. Follow that with some email checking with SnapperMail and Resco Neews for the headlines, both of which updated themselves an hour or so before I awoke. In the car, on the way to work, I use Pockettunes rather than my iPod to listen to podcasts. Why? I'm not sure myself, but I like PocketTunes customizability, as far as skins go, and it's ability to shut down after a specified time. Also, I find the Palm much more useful at the gym (more on that later).

Once getting to school, I use Documents To Go to keep track of my students's grades and progress, as well as lesson plans. Later, at the gym, I can again listen to podcasts or some workout songs, while I use Notepad to track my workout exercises (cardio and weights). After that it's back home for hotsync and hot shower. When bedtime rolls around, again Pockettunes plays me some more music, streaming internet radio, or podcasts and then shuts itself off, after 30 minutes, going to sleep as I already have.

The Palm has become such an integrated part of my life. Before the TX I had a Treo 650, prior to that a 600, and then various Sony Clie's, including the NX70, 80, and 73. All were used in varying amounts, but it's taken me till now to find all the programs I use now and develop a good routine. I think mobile devices will continue to grow and be a part of everyday lives. Right now, it's the true geeky who do what I do. Most non-geeks spend a lot of time with their phones, maybe an mp3 player, but in the future, i see a majority of the population becoming like myself. It seems just inevitable to me. With all of the press about the iPhone, people are just starting now to see the capabilities!

I would love to be the winner of the contest. We are trying to save our money to buy a MacBook, but we are very, very, VERY far off! Here's keeping our fingers crossed.

IPOD Touch as PDA

[From famille] I love My IPOD touch and it turned to be my PDA instead of my old Zire 72, But I have to say that I wouldprefer to use an Iphone, As it is not available at this time in belgium, I have to wait... But It is worth the wait because I'm pretty sure that i will the replace my sony P990, my Ipod touch and my zire 72 and leave me with only one machine instead of three :) Iphone rocks :)

Sony Ericsson HBH-608

Sony Ericsson HBH-608 on offer $48.95 (Retail Price: $54.95). "Wireless, ultra-light and comfortable, the Akono Headset HBH-608 is a great Bluetooth headset for people on the move. The unique ergonomic ear hook is so flexible that it fits most ears, and it's sturdy enough to make the headset stay on your ear even when youre in a rush. You can leave your phone in a pocket or bag, and handle all your calls through the easy-to-use buttons on the headset. Or you can use the included lanyard to wear your headset round your neck. With its very slim styling and long battery life, the HBH-608 supports your active life without compromising quality and style."

Luna Marine

Luna Marine new on ereader. "The revelations on Mars—a half–million year–old legacy of the vanished star–traveling Builders—have fed the flames of catastrophic war. A beleaguered United States and its Russian and Japanese allies struggle to hold their own against the indomitable forces of the enemy United Nations. The bloody conflict that has swept over the home planet now rages across the blackness of space—with the U.S. Marine Corps in the vanguard, leading the charge as always."

2nd Chance

2nd Chance from ereader. "When a little girl is shot on the steps of a San Francisco church, Detective Lindsay Boxer knows it’s time to reconvene the Women’s Murder Club. Working with Chronicle reporter Cindy Thomas, assistant D.A. Jill Bernhardt, and medical examiner Claire Washburn, Lindsay tracks a mystifying killer who soon turns his pursuers into his victims. The unorthodox allegiances of the Women’s Murder Club lead them to suspect the unexpected–the killer may be an ex–cop. But nothing could prepare them for the demented logic behind his choice of victims."

mobileCLOCK

mobileCLOCK from Pocketgear. "Multiple alarms / timers / stopwatches. Setpoints are maintained through resets and device time changes. AM/PM or 24-hour display. Local day / date display. Daylight saving time corrections for hundreds of cities/countries. Alternate time zone display. High-resolution graphics are supported. 320x480 displays are supported, portrait or landscape. Background themes (skins), including user-created bitmaps, are supported. Alternate digit font sets are supported. User-assigned event names. 'Stay on in cradle' type power functions for desk clock use Battery information can be displayed on the title bar. Optional Hourly/quarterly chimes."

SplashID

SplashID from Pocketgear. "Never forget a username or password again - ever Secure and backup your passwords, credit card numbers, registration codes, PINs, and more Generate truly random passwords hackers cannot guess Protect yourself from identity theft, keyloggers, and phishing Best selling password manager with over 500,000 users."