PalmAddicts

The Answer to iPhone Notes is now here!

MegaPhone allows iPhone Note Editing on Your Macintosh Computer!  This is one of the pieces missing with the iphone sync to our computers.  Finally an application that makes the Notes software on your iPhone about 100% more useful. MegaPhone, which was iPhoneDrive, lets you view and edit your iPhone-created notes directly on your Mac. You can even switch fonts from the default Marker Felt to another of the built-in iPhone fonts (Helvetica, Arial) on a note by note basis. What this means to you is that shopping lists, to-do lists, and other text-heavy apps can move easily to and from your iPhone.  Too bad apple did not do this first!  You can get this software from Ecamm MegaPhone.

Maybe the next firmware update from APPLE will do the same?

How i used my treo today

Today I used my treo to wake me up and check the weather. Then to tether to my laptop to give me internet access while I waited for an appointment. It reminded me 30 minutes before my appointment so I knew when to pack up and head out. I sent an email to confirm we were still on for our meeting and it was confirmed. So today my business side revolved around my treo. Imagine if we were back in the day. I would need a day planner a phone boot and a library for internet access. My I love my treo

Early...yah a little too early

It’s early. Like 6am early and I forgot our meeting was at 7am so I have an hour to burn. Today I'm meeting with a real estate agent who owns her own company. She’s having problems with her phone like memory and issues with the lock box so I told her I would help. You see real estate agents they use these systems called lock boxes. In these lock boxes are keys and the only way to open them is through infrared. This is where her treo comes in handy. She simply goes to the house she is interested in showing, points the infrared at the lock box and viola it opens giving her access to the key. They system also allows her to see who has shown the house and updates the listings and MLS through a supra key. My treo helped me with a scratch my back and ill scratch your back situation. You see I will be helping her reactivate her “complex phone” while she introduces me to the board and allows me to set up flyers. This way anyone who is new to the real estate business will need one of these devices and needs help setting it up…that’s where I come in. For a small fee of course .

Review of Opera Mini v4 Mobile Web Browser over at The-Gadgeteer

Read this review of Opera Mini v4 Mobile Web Browser over at The-Gadgeteer. "Supported by any cell phone with Java, Opera Mini is extremely compatible, and very capable of turning an ordinary phone into one with the same web browsing facilities that one might only associate with a smartphone. The use of a Java interface slows start-up to a certain extent, but after getting used to this twenty or thirty second wait for the web, it really isn’t a problem." Read in full.

Sprint gearing up to offer $60 / month unlimited calling plan?

Sprint is offering planning to introduce a $60 a month unlimited calling plan. "After yesterday's barrage of unlimited calling plans left us all terribly underwhelmed, it seems as if Sprint is hoping to emerge as the knight in shining armor by undercutting the oh-so-popular $99 price point. According to unspecified "analysts," the carrier is gearing up to "offer flat-rate calling plans at up to a 40-percent discount to its rivals," meaning that yappers could talk 'til their batteries died (and then some) for around $60 a month." The Engadget has the deets on this one.

MobileTechReview - Palm Centro GSM for AT&T Review

[From Tong Zhang] Hi Sammual, Just a quick note to let you know we posted a review of the new GSM AT&T Palm Centro here: http://www.mobiletechreview.com/phones/Palm-Centro-ATT-GSM.htm if you're interested in sharing it with your readers. "The Centro isn't a revolutionary, cutting edge device. But in its own way, it's starting a quiet revolution: this is the first touch screen PDA or smartphone to sell for only $99 at introduction. And it covers all the basics well: good phone quality, web browsing, messaging and email (including push email) along with MP3 playback support (once you get a hold of a stereo headset). the usual Palm ease of use, strong PIM apps to keep you organized and a QWERTY keyboard that's sure to please former feature phone users who are tired of T9. And we're happy to see Documents To Go 10 included with support for reading, editing and creating Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents. Power users will want to look at the Palm OS and Windows Mobile Treos or other competing power user smartphones, but for those who don't need everything but the kitchen sink, the Centro is worth a look."

hp 2133 Vs. Palm Foleo

[From Mike Cane] hp 2133 Vs. Palm Foleo is new from Mike Cane and thanks to Mike for the heads up. "I’ve decided to do my bit by comparing top views of the Palm Foleo and the hp 2133. Note that I had to do this just with Photo Toolkit and MS Paint, so the dimensions are not precise. PhotoShop wizards, feel free to grab that, line up the side edges of their screens, and give it back to me via email. I’ll give you a credit and, if needed, a link too." Read in full.

USB Modem now supports the Palm Centro

[From Mark Redmond] USB Modem now supports the Palm Centro. "USB Modem allows you to use Treo 600, Treo 650, Treo 680, Treo 700p, Treo 755p and Centro smartphones as a USB modem for connecting a desktop or notebook computer to Internet. To surf the Internet from your PC you will need only a USB cable and a Treo with GPRS/EDGE service or CDMA 1x/EvDO data plan. However, for more reliable work with Sprint or Verizon carriers you may need to purchase their tethering plan." Make the jump.

TreoCentral reviews PalmRevolt

TreoCentral reviews PalmRevolt. "Sometimes when reading Palm forums or news I’ll run across a recurring complaint about the platform’s aging interface. It is, after all, fundamentally unchanged since 1996, notwithstanding upgrades to resolution and color. Customization is limited to selecting from a few basic fonts and a couple of dozen color themes, none of which comprise a radical makeover. If stuck with the basic look of the Palm UI, I’d probably join the chorus, but I have to remind myself that these complaints usually come from users who aren’t using the skin engine that I’ve been using for the last two years: PalmRevolt." Read in full at TC.

Another outage affecting Blackberry users

[From Leon] It looks like RIM is experiencing another outage today "BlackBerry users love BlackBerrys because you build some of the most stable devices the market has seen. Don’t tarnish your image because you can’t figure out how to keep your service up and running on the back end." RIMarkable for the up to date deets.

The Mobile Gadgeteer video review of the AT&T Centro

Another video review and this time it's Matt's video of the AT&T Centro over at the Mobile Gadgeteer website. Matt always does great reviews and if you have never checked into The Mobile Gadgeteer then make the jump. "The AT&T Palm Centro runs Palm OS 5.4.9 from ACCESS with an Intel PXA270 312MHz processor, 64MB RAM, 320×320 high resolution touch screen display, Bluetooth 1.2 radio, 1.3 megapixel camera, microSD expansion card slot, and 1150 mAh battery. I actually like the white color and green highlights (for the number keys and Fn button) since it isn’t a stark, bright white, but a pearl white color. The Centro has a nice compact form factor that feels good in your hand and I find the keyboard quite easy to use. The application buttons allow you to quickly jump to your favorite applications and you can customize three of the buttons to your liking. You can also select what application to launch with a press and hold of the Push To Talk button on the side." Read in full.

SEVEN Email Solution Brings Messaging to Dynamic AT&T Smart Devices – Including Palm Centro

[From Hans] SEVEN, a global market leader in push email software, announced that its mobile e-mail solution is now available on more than 20 smart devices in AT&T’s extensive device portfolio including the recently launched Palm Centro. AT&T Xpress Mail, powered by SEVEN, provides one-click access directly from the home screen to personal and business email making it easier than ever before for consumers and business users to be connected on their AT&T branded smart devices.

The Palm Centro featuring AT&T Xpress Mail, powered by SEVEN, provides a plethora of messaging options, contact and calendar management for the mobile-savvy user. AT&T subscribers can benefit from the multimedia services offered on the first compact Palm OS smartphone offered by AT&T along with touch screen, full QWERTY keyboard, 1.3 megapixel camera, and USB and Bluetooth connectivity.

“AT&T’s impressive device portfolio and push email services give customers more choices than ever,” said Ross Bott, CEO of SEVEN. “AT&T offers smart devices with a wide range of mobile platforms, features and functionality so customers always have a mobile phone that meets their needs – and with SEVEN’s versatile solution customers have a mobile email solution available that is compatible with their phone. Combining these smart devices with the SEVEN powered push email service and an unlimited data plan simplifies mobile email for the customer while making it easy to stay connected anywhere, anytime.”

Unparalleled selection of smart devices

The unparalleled selection of smart devices from AT&T caters to meet the individual needs of its subscribers. Users can select a device with their preferred size, operating system and graphical user interface, as well as their applications and features. This makes it easy to setup via download, which is key for adoption, as most users are afraid that setup will be difficult and timely. Users will also benefit from having Xpress Mail conveniently available from the home screen of the device, providing easy access to email from popular email providers such as AOL, Gmail, Hotmail, and Yahoo! as well as Microsoft Outlook and Lotus Notes, as well, among others.

“AT&T’s SEVEN-powered Xpress Mail solution provides AT&T customers with a dynamic personal email service that exudes simplicity – from set-up to use,” said Bryan Smoltz, director for AT&T’s wireless unit. “This ease of use, functionality and adaptability to a variety of device platforms provided by SEVEN’s solution has made it a popular choice among our customers and a valued component in AT&T industry-leading email portfolio.”

Some devices available for XpressMail download include the recently launched Palm Centro, AT&T Tilt, Pantech Duo, Moto Q Global and the Samsung BlackJack II. Thanks to AT&T’s industry-leading international wireless coverage, customers can not only access AT&T Xpress Mail on their smart devices in the U.S. but in more than 140 countries abroad.

With AT&T Xpress Mail, powered by SEVEN, AT&T’s smart device lineup provide users real-time access to their email, calendar and contacts. All actions entered on the mobile or the PC are instantly mirrored on the devices so subscribers only manage one inbox and one calendar. Xpress Mail is conveniently included as a free feature in data plans, making it the most affordable option for accessing personal and business email on the go.

For pricing and specifications about AT&T’s Smart Devices visit: www.ATT.com. For more information on SEVEN and its offerings, visit www.seven.com.

The GearDiary reviews the AT&T Palm Centro

The GearDiary reviews the AT&T Palm Centro. "Last fall, the Palm Centro was launched upon the U.S. on the Sprint network. Judie did a review of it and covered everything from the unboxing to her impressions of the device. Rather than repeat covering the basics of this device, I’m going to recommend that you take a look at her review here and here for a basic overview of using the Centro. Today, I plan to talk about the Centro on AT&T’s GSM network, AT&T highlights and additions to the Centro, and my impressions of the device and service." The GearDiary can be read in full after the jump.

TeksFiles

OK, TeksFiles looks like being an excellent free Palm utility for you guys to take advantage of. " TeksFiles enables a Palm to receive all type of file beamed to it and saved on the card. The applications purpose in life is simple...To allow any type of file to be beamed to the PDA from another device via irda/bluetooth and stored on the Palm, either in main memory or on a memory card. So that they can then be beamed somewhere else. The typical use is to copy small files from a desktop system eg .bat files zip files , etc. The Palm can then be used as a wireless file storage. TeksFiles also allow files (including non PalmOS files) to be copied to a temporary storage area on the Palm then copied back to a different card. This can help when needing to organise files on a card (such as swapping MP3 files etc." TeksFiles is free and available from the freewarepalm website.

Following the Shuttle Atlantis landing on my Treo

I had to be out of the office most of this morning, but I still wanted to follow the shuttle landing, which is always big news around here. I was able to get a live video stream from NASATV on my Treo 680. The 680 doesn't have 3G speed, so it wasn't the best video, but I was able to at least keep up with the progress. Of course, there was no doubt when the shuttle passed over because you can hear the sonic booms anywhere. It's quite easy to access the live feed. There is a direct link from our local newspaper website which will bring up the stream in Kinoma. Welcome Home Atlantis. Bravo Zulu.

flytunes application for ipod touch & iphone

[From Kim Hermanson] FlyTunes is a new kind of music service that is designed for the Apple iPhone and iPod Touch. There’s no “jailbreak” needed to use FlyTunes – It works with all iPhones. FlyTunes offers you a music experience that's better than satellite radio, with access to high quality music channels that you can enjoy on your iPhone any time, anywhere you go, without limitations, and without fees. This week we increased the number of available channels to 90. You can also visit our website at www.flytunes.fm for more information.

Video demonstration of FlyTunes below:

Engadget Mobile gets hands on dirty with the AT&T Centro

[From Eric Mann] The boys at Engadget Mobile take the unwraps off the Palm Centro and get hands on dirty with the device. "Well, you knew it was bound to happen sooner or later. We've gotten our mitts on Palm's latest entry to the AT&T lineup -- a white, gray, and neon-green unicorn known as the Centro. We can't say we're surprised about anything that happened when we opened it up and turned it on, as this model is pretty much identical to the Sprint version we manhandled a few months ago (save for that pesky difference in networks). Of course, the proof is in the Garnet-flavored pudding, and we're not seeing any big differences there, except that this model is sporting the Treo 680 phone tabbed phone interface." Read in full.

The iPhone Blog / Red Eye Chicago says that Apple has filed patent for ... for .... iPhone COPY/PASTE!

The iPhone Blog / Red Eye Chicago says that Apple has filed patent for ... for .... iPhone COPY/PASTE! "In one example of FIG. 18, using a touch screen, if a user is performing copy and paste, the user can place their finger(s) from one hand over the first window and select an object to be copied. Thereafter, the user can perform a copy gesture over the first window. The user can also places fingers from a second hand over the second window and select a location for pasting. Thereafter, the user can perform a paste gesture over the second window. " Personally it is about time, I feel that is one of the shortcomings of the iPhone. Read in full.

DiddleBug a great free notetaking application for Palm OS

I am going to mention one of my favourite programs and it's Diddlebug and it's free, it's a great notetaking Palm OS program that I have used for years. " DiddleBug is an application for the Palm family of handheld computers. It is similar to a yellow-sticky note in that it allows you to scribble information onto your Palm device using digital ink. You can set alarms for each note from a pop-up list, and DiddleBug will not let you forget your reminder. In addition, DiddleBug has IntelliBoogerTM extensions that allow you to transfer information from within DiddleBug to other applications, such as the built-in ToDo and DateBook apps. DiddleBug is based on the Diddle sketching engine, and has similar functionality to BugMe!, which explains the DiddleBug name. Users of Diddle will find the interface familiar, with the same menu shortcuts and the same hideable titlebar. DiddleBug is free to use and licensed under the GNU General Public License. " Download Diddlebug and do remember that it is free.

Subscribe to my Twitter feed

Twitter is a fantastic idea, it allows you to keep track of your friends and also at the same time you can tell the world what you are up to and at the same time you can try the excellent Twitter program for Palm which I have mentioned previously TreoTwit.

In the meantime you can keep on top of all my Twitter whereabouts, what I am up to etc etc should you wish to by making the jump to twitter.com/sjmcloughlin. I do updated numerous times a day so if you wish to keep on top then feel free to subscribe.

New found niche

Thanks to all those that helped. Att sprint and especially palm. I just wanted to say thank you for giving me free training. I have worked for several of these companies except palm and I have become the guru of devices in my store. Any technical question goes to me or one other person in my store. I feel good knowing that I know more that 80% of the people in my store. This has helped me open my eyes to see that there is a niche here. A new market has developed for me in assisting customers with their new smart phone. Your average rep in the store can only do so much, activate cancel set up voce mail and maybe show you how to send a txt or picture. This in my opinion isn’t satisfactory. It’s when the customer has to choose between imap and pop. Exchange or express mail where I come in. my target customer has to depend on their phone and wants to use their device like they do their computer. All contacts email calendar and everything in between is crucial to them. Knowing this I decided to help these crazy workaholics for a small fee. One on one time with an expert at their house, office, gym, it doesn’t matter. (thanks apple for the genius idea). I have come to realize that people need help with technology and handfuls are willing to pay for the one on one help. Just think of the last time you purchased your first vcr or hdtv. Wouldn’t it be cool if someone came to help you with the vcr settings or the remote configurations? Since establishing my credibility I have helped layers, real estate agents, and doctors excel with their smart phone devices while making a little side money. So thanks to all those for helping me find my true calling. I’m pretty much a mobile device assistant on call 24 7 much like the old times with doctors. Hmm Dr treo sounds promising.

Life or Death

[From Max Herron] This is not about any leading edge technology or ultra-cool gadgets. I’m old enough to have lived when there were no electronic devices, all phones were land wired and music came from a radio or record player. My Mother in Law was in the emergency room last Friday night. She has suffered with heart related problems for over 15 years. At one point, we almost lost her. We called the Pastor, family and some close friends with our cell phone. Now I know that is not exciting, but thinking back to the old days, made me appreciate how technology has improved our lives. We would have used pay phones to contact everyone and carried numbers around in a little black book. It is also the technology that save my Mother in Law’s life. The monitoring equipment, the alarms, the defibrillator she now has…the list can go on and on. So that is how technology made a difference in my life.

DATEWHEEL

I am sure many of you have heard of a great program called Trip Boss 3.0 which works on Palm OS 3.0 and higher, from a company called Creative Algorithms LLC CREATIVE ALGORITHMS a Chicago Illinois developer of web-based application for desktops, laptops ad mobile devices and of native Palm OS shareware and freeware applications for smartphones and PDAs.

But have you heard of Date Wheel?

It is a simple program that cost $14.95, comes with a 30 day free trial, and Calculates the time between two dates in months, weeks, days, and business days.  Save tasks for future reference.

From a Business perspective Date Wheel is the electronic version of the plastic wheel-shaped calendar used by businesses to calculate lead times.  It can also be used to calculate the time between two dates or to calculate the Julian date for any day of the year. Some of the major business items I use it for are Planning Construction Projects, Estimating time on Long lead Materials, Time Management, and tracking my wife’s doctor’s appointments

From a personal perspective Date Wheel is a fun tool to calculate time frames between today and special events like, holidays, vacations, birthdays, and anniversaries.

The tool is simple to use, supports 5 way navigation, you can even manipulate the onscreen controls with your fingers (that’s right Palm has had a touch screen for years) and it comes with a number of great tips that cover program usage and it works wonderful on my Palm TX.

Give it a try I think it will be a great addition to your Palm software inventory. You really can not beat a 30 day free trial.

Have a wonderful day!

Is it just me or...

[From Adrian (Geneva)] ...were CES and Barcelona just a big let down? Is there just too much hype and anticipation? I watched with a certain amount of interest, waiting to be surprised by something new, something novel, and more importantly, AVAILABLE NOW. And yes, it was a let down. Apart from Apple's January software update for USD 25 which was instantly available, not much more than a lot of prototypes etc. I'm really not too interested in what is 'slated' for release in the second half of 2008 (add another few months before it's in our stores) - it's only February for heaven's sake!!!

After CES I thought well the big news is waiting for Barcelona! Wrong! Sony Ericsson with their 'don't touch it now' device, Microsoft and their non-announcement of Mobile 6.1. Even SPB Software House (as of today 20 February) still showing on their website that SPB Mobile Shell 2.0 will be presented at Barcelona - well I don't think so! I certainly didn't see a single announcement and they're still selling last June's version on the site.

And as for the blogs. I'm seriously thinking of boycotting my RSS Feeds next time 'round. Why did every tech blog seem to be repeating each other and quite often repeating exactly the same text? Instant blogging is one thing, but when it's all just a rehash of someone else's blog it loses it's point....

OK, I'll stop there! Glad to get that off my chest!

eReader discount for this week

[From eReader] Punch in this week's Promo Code ERFB19 to receive a 10% discount off any eligible book that you purchase. Offer good through February 26, 2008 on all books priced more than $3.00. This discount cannot be used with any other special offers. eReader after the jump.

Take a look at this excellent Palm game from bapsoft entitled Deluxe Solitaire

[From Eric Mann] Take a look at this excellent Palm game from bapsoft entitled Deluxe Solitaire retailing at $12.95. "Deluxe Solitaire brings solitaire to the Palm of your hand. Enjoy beautiful graphics, colorful card designs and background textures, plus true drag-and-drop card movement! If you're ready for hours of addictive solitaire fun, you've got to try Deluxe Solitaire!!

Features:
- Superb graphics and animation
- Choose from several different card designs
- True drag-and-drop card movement!
- Automatic card-flip and ace movement
- 1 or 3 card deal
- Left-handed view option
- Select a game by number
- Detailed game statistics
- Auto-save feature allows you to return to a game at a later time."

There is a new beta of TealScan available for you to download

[From Eric Mann] There is a new beta of TealScan available for you to download which adds the option to select other browsers for update download. This is a new program to help diagnose and maintain the health of your handheld data and operating system. It integrates the functionality of many system utilities as well as offer new powerful tools to keep your device and data stable and safe.

Socoban 3.2 which has been updated

[From Eric Mann] Eric dropped me a quick note regarding this program over at Megasof, Socoban 3.2 which has been updated. Megasoft has added 5-way navigator support and fixes the bug, which prevented from exiting the program by pressing "Home" button on some devices. The objective of this game is to put every object into the marked place. You can not pull the object, you can only push one of them every time.

The latest 1src Podcast is available for your listening pleasure.

The latest 1src Podcast is available for your listening pleasure. "GSM Centros! Poor BlackBerry users! And a rant about Linux and productivity! Check out this week's 1SRC podcast!" 1src after the jump.

New PocketMac® GoBetween™ Adds Lotus Notes Syncing to Mobile

[From Tim Goggin PocketMac] San Diego, CA--February 18, 2008-- Information Appliance Associates announces the release of PocketMac® GoBetween™ for Lotus Notes, the first automated solution to sync users' Lotus Notes data to iCal and the Mac OS X Address Book, allowing Lotus Notes users to have their data fully supported and synched with their mobile devices.

"Now Lotus Notes users can sync all their data to any of the almost 200 devices that Apple supports with sync services," Terence Goggin, CTO of Information Appliance Associates said.

Prior to PocketMac GoBetween for Lotus Notes, users who wanted to keep their Mac data in-sync with their Lotus Notes data had to do a lot of manual data entry. In testing for over 1 year, PocketMac GoBetween users with a sync-services-supported device will no longer have to manually enter their Lotus Notes data into their mobile devices.

Goggin continued, "Many Mac users run iSync to sync with their mobile devices, but they're essentially shut out of using Lotus Notes and having it sync properly with their devices. That's why we created PocketMac GoBetween for Lotus Notes."

As a result of having their Lotus Notes data in Address Book & iCal, PocketMac GoBetween for Lotus Notes users will enjoy the ability to use sync services to sync that data with the following supported devices that would otherwise not be able to have Lotus Notes data:
(*) Apple's iPhone
(*) Certain Sony Ericsson Phones
(*) Certain Nokia Devices
(*) Certain Motorola Devices
(*) Certain Siemens Devices
(*) All iPods/iPod Minis/iPod Shuffles
(*) Palm PDAs/Phones
(*) Certain Handspring PDAs

"We're really excited to open this connectivity up to Mac users who use Lotus Notes. These customers can now enjoy the full syncing capabilities of their devices for the first time, and will now have the freedom to update important contact and calendar information right on their devices while they are out in the field," Goggin added.

PocketMac GoBetween for Lotus Notes requires Lotus Notes 7 or higher, and Mac OS X 10.4 or better.

The retail price of PocketMac GoBetween for Lotus Notes is $24.95.

More information about this new offer can be found at http://www.pocketmac.net/ln.html.

I am ending the MacBook Air Giveaway this week so you need to get your user thoughts if you wish to be entered

I am going to end my MacBook Air Giveaway this week so if you want a chance at getting your hands on it then you need to get me your user thoughts into me as soon as possible. As usual the guidelines are pretty much the same as usual and you can find them in the post at the top of the page or here.

My heart stopped

So today I get back from lunch only to realize my treo is gone!! My heart stops. First there’s guilt. I blame myself for leaving it around. I blame myself for being careless. Then comes blame. I blame everyone in the store for taking my phone and asking who took it. Suddenly my manager pulls me into the office to show me how he took my treo as I carelessly walk away from my treo. I feel sad and excited at the same time. Excited to have my treo back and sad to have that happen to me. So from now on when I charge my treo I charge it on my hip. Call me the new umbilical cord kid!

PalmAddict Reader Awards 2008

OK, it is time to open up the PalmAddict Reader Award 2008 and this year we are going to do things a little different. Tp prevent any cheating and to ensure that all software developers and website owners are included, you call the shots on who gets nominated. These are the categories.

> Best Palm device of the Year
> Best Gadget of the Year
> Worst Gadget of the Year
> Best Palm OS software
> Best Windows Mobile software
> Best Travel program for Palm OS
> Best Travel program for Windows Mobile
> Best multimedia program for Palm OS
> Best multimedia program for Windows Mobile
> Best Palm Website / Blog
> Best Mobile Technology website
> Best Mobile Technology Podcast
> Best Palm Smartphone / Treo / Centro news source
> How many mobile devices do you have
> Do you use your mobile device for work or pleasure

HOW TO VOTE: Copy and past the above questions in a email and only answer the ones you want are applicable. It's not compulsory to answer each question. Click here to email your nominations and remember to copy and paste the above categories your going to nominate for

QUICK RULES

No need to give me explanations just one word answers is fine.

No self nominating whether your a developer or a website owner.

Don't nominate anything more than once.

I'll round up the best selections and post them periodically so we can see how they are getting on and we will announce the final results at the end of 2008.

Click here to email your nominations and remember to copy and paste the above categories your going to nominate for

PalmOS: the freest of them all

&uot [From Ezio from London] At least until Android, OpenModo or the Access Linux Platform prove marketworthy, I'm happily staying with my Treo 680 and PalmOS. A major reason is the freedom it gives me when it comes to GSM operator choice, applications to run, syncing with many desktops/laptops at the same time and no dependency on imposed technologies for email. All in all, this freedom is essential to me and I make use of it every day.

Vendor lock-in seem to happen at various levels with other platforms. In some cases, the phone is locked to a specific operator. It's a basic type of locking that many users accept in exchange for paying less for their mobile device, at least without considering the monthly cost. Fair enough, getting something for something else. I would hate however, to invalidate my device's warranty only to be able to use it with an Italian SIM card when I go to Italy, in order to avoid paying outrageous roaming fees. I prefer to pay a bit more and get an unlocked, guaranteed device that I can use according to my needs.

And what about a brilliant mobile device that cannot act as a modem for a laptop? Rather innerving, especially if I can only browse at 3G speed on the tiny screen of a smarphone and not on my laptop, while I am on the train. No need to apply dubious hacks with a Treo 680, although limited to GPRS speeds, it can always act as my modem when a smartphone just doesn't cut it for my work.

In some other cases, the distributions of applications is strictly controlled. A smartphone limited to run the applications decided by the vendor may become a rather dumb object, if the applications are not complete enough. Luckily, most vendors (for example Symbian and Apple) seem to have realised that such a controlling attitude can only lead to customer unhappiness and proliferation of "hacks" for various devices. Since its inception, Palm OS has been alway open to third party application development. These applications can be commercial, shareware or free, sometimes in terms of price, sometimes in terms of freedom. This huge application base has proven so helpful to me throughout the years, not only to use my device productively at work and never miss a meeting but also to entertain and inform me during my free time.

When it comes to synchronising a mobile device to one or more PCs, another type of lock-in can affect users' freedom. It either happens because a vendor only provides synchronisation software for specific platforms, or because the mobile device is limited to synchronising with only one device. Windows Mobile or Blackberry devices for example offer no synchronisation software for Linus or Mac OS, there are third party solutions available at a cost in some cases. Apple iPhones will only synchronise with one computer, making it impossible to sync a mobile device with a personal and a work machine. Even in this case, Palm OS has always been happy to talk to may operating systems (including Linux since the beginning) and with many computers at the same time, also allowing network hotsync operations as well as local. It is so useful that many times I use my Treo to populate a freshly installed PC with my contacts, which may have just been synced with my PowerBook at home in order to bring both my Treo and my PC up to date.

Finally, some technologies are brilliant, for example push email, but force users to depend on specific technologies, or servers. As much as push email and offline operations are important, it is far more crucial for me to use email programs that work with any server out there, and that allow me to work with both my private and personal email and information. Palm has been quick to advertise their platform as more reliable that the technology used by Blackberries, highlighting how risky it can be to totally rely on a provider for your email access.

All in all, I see the above elements of freedom crucial for a truly complete mobile device, and I don't see myself switching away from my Treo soon.

Palm Pilot to Insulin Pump

[From James McEwen [St. Catharines, Ontario/Canada]] I've been a type 1 Diabetic for almost 25 years, and have taken about 26 thousand injections of insulin. It's pretty important to me to get the right dosage, so I don't have to take another shot because I didn't get enough. I was also having really bad problems with my sugar levels (we're talking dangerously high.) Enter: My Palm Pilot! Using a simple DB program I created a mobile app. to track and calculate the right dosage and record the results, based on what I've eaten and what my sugar level is. Good calculations and records can be really tricky on the go, but with my Palm Pilot, it was a snap! I was able to provide my Dr. with enough detailed info to find a solution to my problem. Now, I'm using an Insulin Pump to automatically inject my insulin, talk about mobile and techie!

Multitasking with your IM

[From .Rui de Castro] I've been using Verichat for about a year now until last month when it stopped working, I guess that, or the Verichat server is down or Microsoft stopped supporting other mobile platforms that don't use hacks (I heard that on Nokias you have a 30 day trial). So then I read about Gizmo Project (http://www.gizmoproject.com/). Tried it in the past but didn't get it to work with Msn, but now with thier new version I've got it to work. Very clean interface and 5-nav support. Some wierd quarks with nicknames, you have to make Gizmo use the users nickname per user or it shows users login with a gizmo internal email... strange but it works. It works in the background like it should, not very heavy but I suggest locking it in Resco locker, I think it makes it more stable. After a while I was thinking, a feature I loved in Verichat and it was the reason I stuck with it over other IMs, was when you got a message, you didn't have to go to Verichat, you would get a window with the message and be able to make a quick answer or go to the app. This was great because this way I could chat and lookup links in Blazer and answer to the message, also see want someone was messaging me and not leave the browser or any other app. I could multitask and chat at the same time, not having to switch through apps. Havin't seen this feature in any IMs on the Palm OS that I have tried out in the past. Gizmo doesn't have this feature, yes you get a Palm notification of a new message and the actual message but you have to switch to the app or hit the notification to open up Gizmo to start chating, leaving anything you were doing. Then I remembered, why not accessoriz Gizmo (make a DA of Gizmo)... and it worked. I used Accessorizer on it and the I add it to may Zlauncher quick menu. Now when I'm in a another app I can chat and go back to what I was doing. Maybe this well work with other IMs, give it a try.

Treo = Love

My name is Kelly Crawford from Little Elm, Texas (just north of Dallas) and if I were to suddenly lose my Treo my life would end. Okay that might be a bit dramatic but - not by much.

I run a small home based music promotions company and am in constant contact with bands, DJs, and managers via my Treo. Email and instant messenger are a must for me, especially since several of the groups I work with are in Europe and we have to deal with time differences. In addition to email and IM I can stream a radio station I DJ for from my smartphone when I'm out and about, have all my contacts close at hand, can do quick voice memos (and sometimes record interviews), and pretty much handle the majority of my business from it. Oh and then there's the memory card that I have packed with music to play to anyone who might be interested in a band I'm telling them about. Needless to say it gets used constantly.

Transferring Palm Voice Memo Files

[From Prof TJ Marinello, Netherlands] One of the great headaches for any who make "must have" recordings using Palm Voice Memo on a Treo 680 is the lack of a regular way to transfer the files to a PC. Palm never provided a proper conduit for these recordings to sync with your desktop. Further, the Voice Memo recordings only can be recorded to the internal memory of the Treo 680. Most users have given up on Palm and purchased a third-party software such as CallRec. CallRec is an excellent choice for voice recordings and will record direct to an SD card unlike Palm Voice Memo. But what about the poor souls who have valuable information trapped on their Treo? A Google search even linked a plea for a solution from a PhD student with 40 hours of recordings trapped on his Treo. I found myself in a similar situation with a few valuable recordings that needed to be transferred for easy use. The answer is in hand! I finally was able to make my valuable recordings accessible on my desktop. A posting by a user named "bigalex" on the Brighthand forum last Fall provided a way. His 6-step instructions are below. I've added some useful related instructions and ideas once the files are transferred.
These instructions are related to Versamail:
1. Attach the voice memo file to e-mail.
2. Save the e-mail as "draft" and close it (don't send it)
3. Open again the mail msg
4. Tap on the yellow paper icon and choose save to card
5. You will get a confirmation box saying that the file was saved
6. Go to [SD card]Palm\Programs folder and you will find the file. Your file is the one with the "amr" extension.

Several notices are in order for this method.
1. You will need to have Versamail setup. A real account is not needed. Just satisfy the software with some type of settings.
2. Files longer than a 50-minute recording seem to be too large to attach. Another reader on the Brighthand blog mentioned some method of Bluetooth in combination with the Versamail instructions, but the details were not given.

Once the files are transferred to your SD card, transfer those files to your PC via a card reader of some sort. Although the files have been transferred to your PC, how do you play them? At least two methods exist.
1. Play them directly using RealPlayer 11. The .amr files already should have been associated during the installation. If not, associate this file type.
2. Download a free AMR to WAV program called MIKSOFT Mobile AMR Converter. Convert and then play on your favorite WAV player.

I hope this helps those who have been looking for an answer to this challenge.

There is something in the air, and it’s not a macbook…

[From Brad Green (Chapel Hill, NC USA)] Its wireless access! I have two mobile devices, my iTouch and my Samsung D807. I live on a wireless campus, so for at least my college years, I don’t need cell coverage to get online with my mobile device. My iTouch is jailbroken, so I have a couple games, including minesweeper and solitaire to help pass the time when im bored, and of course I use it to listen to music and browse the internet. I’ll give a thought too. In the not too distant future, wimax will be the wireless standard for all mobile devices, making the inclusion of a cell modem in your mobile device an afterthought.

Plain Vanilla Treo

[From Grey Manila, Philippines] Coming from a TX, I really wanted a PDA with Cellphone capabilities and not a Cellphone with PDA capabilities. -- And a Treo 680 was the answer. I use my Treo 680 everyday just like anyone who has it.
Calendar - to log my appointments.
Contacts - to record all my contacts.
Memos - to record notes of just about anything.
Tasks - to list my next actions and projects.
Voice Memo - to record quick thoughts.
Pics and Video - to view photos taken from my DSLR & built-in Camera and to watch video podcasts.
PTunes - to listen to podcasts.
DocsToGo - to record my expenses and edit a few Word documents

Simplicity is key for me. And I have what I need with my Treo 680.

Should I stay or Should I go

[From David Baxter, Newbury Park, CA] I've been thinking about the iPhone and my Treo 680 a lot lately. It's taken me awhile to get the 680 just the way I like it. I sync it with my Mac using Missing Sync and that software has saved my butt more than a few times when I was doing hard resets and ROM upgrades. It also took me time to find the right case (a rubberized Seidio hardcase) and cradle (Seidio Innodock Jr.) and I just bought Bejeweled 2 after having already been addicted to Bejeweled 1. I use Opera Mini to get a little bit of the iPhone feel while web browsing but every time I go in the Mac store I feel compelled to pick up that darn iPhone and play with its browser. The interface is so elegant and simple and, of course, it would sync flawlessly with my Mac laptop. I think the only thing that is keeping me hanging on is that there is no cut and paste as yet on the iPhone but once the SDK is released and the third party applications begin to flow I may have to make the switch. It would be a bittersweet day for me. I have been a Palm user since the very first Palm Pilot (which I still have) and I never thought I would see the day when I wouldn't want another Palm in my, forgive the pun, palm. I still haven't seen that day but I think it's fast approaching. Unconsolable in Newbury Park, CA

Sony-Ericson T100 ain't the latest-but at least I know what it does

[From Matthew McAllum, New Zealand] Hello I live in Auckland, New Zealand a city of 800,000 people in a country of 4 million. I am trying to do copy editing using a notebook but though, wow, there must be a device that's portable where I could type all this 'on-the-move' on the busses, trains, etcetera of our modern world

So I went to a local auction site and typed-in 'smart phone'
Woah!
Too much information
JAVA
EDGE
Sidekick
O2
PXT

All I want is a decent _keyboard_ on a decent cellphone but there's no clue where to get the information from... Maybe my Sony-Ericson T100 ain't the latest-but at least I know what it does!

The Cost of Internet Anywhere

[From Russell Goy Caloundra – Sunshine Coast – Queensland - Australia] I just read the article saying how iPhone Safari has really stirred up the mobile browser scene, and that is is a really good thing. Mobile Internet Explorer has a lot to be desired. But it seems to me that although browsers have to get better, and will be useful for specific reasons, the internet applications that the iPhone has spawned are going to be of greater significance in the long run. And we see it now with weather, financial apps that run in the background but you are still connected to the internet.

While these are terrific it’s the Networks that will choke or allow these internet apps flourish, how so? I’m in Australia so we don’t have the iPhone yet but from what I can see the GPRS EDGE based networks it uses usually have an unlimited download (probably with fairplay restrictions) plans,and with GPRS EDGE speeds you can see why. But in Oz all carriers have forms of HSDPA 3G, my carrier Telstra with their NextG Network have a have theoretical top speed of 14.4mgps and it’s being upgraded to 21mgps this year.

Despite the increase in network speeds, users will be unable to take advantage of the top speeds straight away due to the lack of compatible devices -- most phones currently offer a downlink ceiling of 7.2Mbps. But still a he jump over GPRS EDGE.

However, at the moment you still pay though the nose for each megabyte, I think I’m paying approx $30AU for 80 meg allowance anything over 80 meg you pay $1 per meg.

I daily use a weather app and a bit of email but I still really have to watch the download amount, they add up really quickly. There are times when I would like to download a moderately sized file, but don’t risk extra download charges.

With rumours of a 3G iPhone coming this year it again test the mettle of Carriers as to how they charge for downloads. Hopefully we will see a substantial drop in rates even an unlimited plan that will see internet apps really take off.

Palm Treo® addiction

[From Andy J. S., Indonesia] When many Palm users have told Sammy/PalmAddict how they're hooked on their Treo up to the condition where their wives usually mad because the husbands keep on attending to Treo instead of them, now I actually noticed myself doing the same pattern too. Although I'm lucky enough I haven't get married yet, so no angry wife for now. But aside the obvious of checking the emails, SMS & RSS feed news everytime even if they didn't rang; I add another reason to check on my Treo 750v more often by installed an instant messaging apps into it couple of weeks ago.

There's a time I couldn't stop using my Treo to chat on-line with friends till 2:17AM in the morning, the things stopped me from going on was tomorrow morning I has to go to work early & my eyes got sore because of too long staring at Treo screen. So I plug-in the power cord and let it refilled Treo's battery that had been drained from all of those instant messaging until morning came, otherwise I'd be confused how to face a day without my addictive Treo. Palm should've put a "danger of addiction" label sign on every Treo boxes... Just for a precaution to people who have never tried a Palm yet ;-)

The Dependence I have on my iPhone

[From Christian Fulton, Tampa, Florida] As being a student that is a vice president of a fraternity and the webmaster of various different student organizations on the campus of the University of South Florida in Tampa, I depend to the fullest extent on my iPhone. I use it to keep in contact with all my clients and to be synchronized with the business world that I am in constant interaction with. I always, and I mean always, use my calendar to keep me updated because whether from the phone itself or from my computer, its just the click of a button and my personal life is up to date. When I am on the bus or just walking between classes, with the ease of taking out my earbuds I am in-tune with my music on my iphone. Being a student I am busy and don’t always have the opportunity to check things like the news or the weather. This isn’t a problem for me because with my iPhone I can just become updated on the news and weather. I absolutely would not be able to function without the capacities of my amazing mobile device, The Apple iPhone.

T/X in Oncology

[From John Thomson, M.D. Salt Lake City] I have had a TX for about two years now and couldn't practice without it. I have a personal database of my last 3545 patinets with their diagnosis, demographics and therapy. I can always refresh knowledge of a patient at a tumor conference from my Palm or easily contact a patient to update them on test results, etc. The time to imput the data is paid back many times. I also have Epocrates on the device which saves me a great deal of time each day in looking up drugs and doses and well as lab value normals and many other pieces of information. I have a full medical text book and oncology text book on the device as well as the usual schedule needs. How does anyone practice medicine without a full featured PDA like the T/X?

Travel with my Treo 680

[From David in Bristol, UK] I've travelled a lot recently and my Treo 680 has been an essential companion. I use the standard PIMs to store my travel itineraries and notes. The World Clock is particularly useful and is my alarm clock. The integrated camera is great for snapping those 'rough and ready' pictures. The Treo comes fully loaded with office application software, courtesy of DataViz's Documents to Go, and I use the spreadsheet to track my expenses. I can also view street maps (using pdf viewer) which I've synced to the device. I'd be (literally!) lost without my Treo 680!

HNHSoft Germany2Go Talking Phrase Book

HNHSoft Germany2Go Talking Phrase Book on offer $24.99. "Turn your PDA into a language teacher and travel translator! Learn German with HNHSoft Germany2Go Talking Phrase Book, designed and optimized specifically for Treo. HNHSoft Germany2Go Talking Phrase Book includes more than 1000 words and phrases that are frequently used when travelling to Germany. Each phrase is translated into German and pronounced by a native, professional speaker, recorded in high fidelity. In a flash, you can choose a phrase in English, then see and hear its translation in German. The phrases are carefully organized in to 10 categories and 50 sub categories to handily suit your needs in different situations you may encounter while abroad."