Rumor: Palm OS 4.1 Coming Nov. 15

Posted By: Ed on Wednesday, October 31, 2001 12:46:07 PM

According to an anonymous source, Palm is going to release an upgrade to Palm OS 4.1 on November 15. This will be a free upgrade for those who already have OS 4.0 but Palm will be charging those who would like to upgrade from OS 3.x. The price is not yet available.

A Palm spokesperson would confirm only that Palm is going to release OS 4.1 before the end of the year and that the upgrade will be free for those with Palm-branded handhelds already running OS 4.0.

Last summer, Palm promised an OS 4.0 upgrade for many current models in November. This included the III, IIIx, IIIxe, IIIc, V, and Vx. Palm said at that time that they will be charging for this upgrade but not how much. While most previous upgrades were free, Palm is charging $20 for the OS 3.5 upgrade.

The only differences between Palm OS 4.0 and 4.1 are bug fixes. There have been no new features added. Palm itself created the OS 4.1 upgrade then gave it to its licensees to distribute. The upgrades Palm will be distributing will work only on Palm-branded handhelds.

Because of the nature of the bugs that needed to be fixed in OS 4.0, this won't be a simple patch. The ROM will need to be re-flashed.

Sony is already shipping the N760C with OS 4.1 and will soon be offering to upgrade the N710C from OS 3.5 to OS 4.1 which will cost $50 and require the handheld to be shipped to Sony where the new OS by a Sony technician. There has been no word on a Sony upgrade from OS 4.0 to 4.1.

It is not yet known if Palm will be handling its upgrade in the same way but in the past its upgrades have been done by the user.

Handspring models do not have flash ROMs so they can't go through major upgrades like a switch to OS 4.0. However, most of the new features in OS 4.0 are already included in Handspring's version of OS 3.5.

While HandEra is working on an upgrade to OS 4.1, they are not yet ready to say when it will be available.

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HandEra upgrade

I.M. Anonymous @ 10/31/2001 12:55:12 PM #

Might HandEra be planning to release an OS 4.1 upgrade later this month, as well? They have already promised 802.11b support, and while one is adding stuff to OS-related programs, it wouldn't be a very long step to install an OS upgrade.

RE: HandEra upgrade

Ed @ 10/31/2001 12:57:57 PM #

All I can say is a few minutes ago I asked my contact at HandEra when it would be out and they weren't willing to talk about it. Basically, I got "No comment."

From a company policy standpoint, this makes sense. Too many companies have gotten into trouble lately by announcing deadlines then missing them.

---
News Editor

RE: HandEra upgrade

jamuka @ 10/31/2001 2:06:29 PM #

is Handera planning to charge for the upgrade?

RE: HandEra upgrade

MacPrince @ 10/31/2001 2:12:37 PM #

>is Handera planning to charge for the upgrade?

Seeing as how they never charged for any of the updates to the TRGPro, my guess would have to be no. I believe they also promised all updates free for the HandEra 330, but I'm not sure on that.

RE: HandEra upgrade

I.M. Anonymous @ 10/31/2001 2:22:16 PM #

Their beta 802.11b drivers work with their latest update of OS 3.5.3, which I think is coming out soon. So, I don't think 4.x is a requirement for their 802.11b support.

RE: HandEra upgrade

I.M. Anonymous @ 10/31/2001 2:29:29 PM #

Handeras latest OS, version 3.5.3 2001-10-29 was released just a few days ago.
It will soon be on the website, but for now it is only available to the subscribers of one of the mail-groups, because it is on those groups that the URLs to all new upgrades are posted.
(http://www.handera.com/os/ens35a29.zip for He330 and http://www.handera.com/os/enn35a29.zip for TRGpro).

Also, there is now a package of IEEE802.11b drivers out. They are beta, but are said too be working rather nicely
(http://www.handera.com/os/80211b_b9.zip) Official support is for the Symbol Wireless CF-Card, but it might also work woth D-Link and Zcomax. It is however not yet supported.

So, there really is no need for OS4.1, or for that matter, 4.0, because most of the functionality is already in the Hendera version of 3.5.3.

RE: HandEra upgrade

I.M. Anonymous @ 10/31/2001 2:37:16 PM #

What mail group is this from whence you got these links? I want to subscribe.

RE: HandEra upgrade

I.M. Anonymous @ 10/31/2001 2:44:56 PM #

They are on YahooGoups (http://goups.yahoo.com/group/(groupname))
TRGPro_Users_Group@yahoogroups.com
T-U-G@yahoogroups.com
HandEraUsersGroup@yahoogroups.com

RE: HandEra upgrade

I.M. Anonymous @ 10/31/2001 3:27:30 PM #

Link for Symbol's Wireless Networker if you're interested:
http://www.symbol.com/products/wireless/wirelessflash.html

Go here for the HandEra/TRGPro users group

I.M. Anonymous @ 10/31/2001 3:32:24 PM #

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TRGPro_Users_Group

Fantastic resource, almost 3000 members. They also have 20 MB of excellent freeware Palm programs in the files section:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TRGPro_Users_Group/files

RE: HandEra upgrade

I.M. Anonymous @ 10/31/2001 4:22:10 PM #

Can't wait to see Handera innovations in 4.1!

OS 4.1

I.M. Anonymous @ 10/31/2001 1:12:08 PM #

The OS 4.1 is not going to be available to the palms that already have 4.0. As an insync online user, I received an email that said that it is only available for the palm III, IIIx, V, Vx, but not the VII series. It also includes the notepad feature and the mobile internet kit. It costs $40.00. The new desktop software 4.0.1 is also included on the cd for pcs and 2.6.3 for macs.

Sources

I.M. Anonymous @ 10/31/2001 1:34:04 PM #

Ed, what kind of sources are you getting your info from?

RE: OS 4.1

Ed @ 10/31/2001 1:38:16 PM #

I learned of the OS 4.0 to OS 4.1 upgrade from my regular press contact at Palm. She volunteered the info on the free upgrade for current OS 4.0 users. The only information I got from the anonymous source was that the upgrade would be out on November 15.

---
News Editor

RE: OS 4.1

I.M. Anonymous @ 10/31/2001 2:23:18 PM #

It's already available on the palm developer pavilion. Including versions for the m500 and m505.

RE: OS 4.1

bcombee @ 10/31/2001 2:24:19 PM #

The likely reason why 4.1 won't be available for the VII and VIIx is ROM space. 3.5 just barely fit into 2MB of flash with the web clipping and radio software. Since 4.0's core is larger, they probably cannot fit 4.0 and the Clipper, INetLib, and radio software in 2MB. There aren't any applications left for them to cut -- they already removed Expense and Network HotSync from the 3.5 ROMs to get that to fit.

RE: OS 4.1

I.M. Anonymous @ 10/31/2001 2:31:45 PM #

Why would an email from Palm have false information? Hello, why would anybody pay $40 for a cd(M500 users), when they already have the same operating system and the mobile internet software? The upgrade is only on cd this time after all of the problems with the previous 3.5 upgrade.

RE: OS 4.1

I.M. Anonymous @ 10/31/2001 2:42:26 PM #

The VIIx does not have upgradable flash ROM. In fact, neither does the M100 or M105.

I have 4.1s on my N710C ;-) and I must tell you that if you are upgrading from 3.x, it is worth the $$. If anything, the speed is worth it.

RE: OS 4.1

I.M. Anonymous @ 10/31/2001 2:49:26 PM #

You're not getting the point buddy. There are absolutely no differences that palm is offering with the new os. The cd comes with the same software that is already on the M500, M505 and the M125. Unless you need that desktop software or the mobile internet software then it is useless.

RE: OS 4.1

I.M. Anonymous @ 10/31/2001 2:55:07 PM #

OS 4.0 is available on the developer pavilion (I have access), but the 4.1 ROM does NOT appear to be there....

Where are you seeing this?

RE: OS 4.1

I.M. Anonymous @ 10/31/2001 2:56:23 PM #

It was emailed to me this morning from palm. It gave all of the details about the upgrade soon. They gave us a discount if we ordered the os 4.1 before the release date on November 15th.

RE: OS 4.1

Edward @ 10/31/2001 3:52:46 PM #

If the new MIK includes WCA4 (i.e the improved colour HTML rendering found in the m505) it will be worth it, unless you already have something like Blazer that is.

Can't find any new MIK details on the Resource Pavillion tho'

RE: OS 4.1

I.M. Anonymous @ 10/31/2001 6:29:53 PM #

Go to the development seeding area - you can get access with a click through agreement.

Click on the ROM Image Files link

click on the Web Clipping ROMs link next to Palm OS4.

Agree to the license agreement and there they are...

RE: OS 4.1

I.M. Anonymous @ 10/31/2001 7:34:02 PM #

> Agree to the license agreement

Notice that the license agreement is very restrictive and only allows you to put it on handhelds for development purposes. If you are lying and just want a copy for your personal use, you are stealing it.

VIIx is flashable

bcombee @ 11/1/2001 12:21:11 AM #

Your information about the VIIx is wrong. The VIIx definately has a flash part, as the Mobitex radio software rewrites one of the flash sectors as part of its initializtion code. In my VIIx, the part is an AMD AM29LV160DB, a 3V 2MB flash part.

However, a standard VIIx (or VII updated to 3.5) is using about 1984K out of 2048K available, not enough space to fit all of the WCA software and Palm OS 4.1.

RE: OS 4.1

I.M. Anonymous @ 12/15/2001 1:04:15 PM #

[quote]
You're not getting the point buddy. There are absolutely no differences that palm is offering with the new os. The cd comes with the same software that is already on the M500, M505 and the M125. Unless you need that desktop software or the mobile internet software then it is useless.
[/quote]

Actually, you're not getting it. Upgrading to 4.1 is FREE for users who already have 4.0. Those units include the m500, m505. You can't flash the m125 because it doesn't have flash ROM.

Palm VIIx users getting snubbed

I.M. Anonymous @ 10/31/2001 3:02:38 PM #

I hear some say the flash rom is too full for OS40. When I first got the Palm VIIx, I read that it was upgradeable. Most PQA's are not be updated. I have had to resort to writing my own PQA's.

4.1 does not USB synch with Mac OS

I.M. Anonymous @ 10/31/2001 3:18:01 PM #

Palm OS 4.1 does not USB synch the Macintosh Palm Desktop 2.6.3 like Palm OS 4.0 does. Will there be a fix for this or does any one know a work-around?

RE: 4.1 does not USB synch with Mac OS

I.M. Anonymous @ 10/31/2001 3:23:01 PM #

Where did this come from?

RE: 4.1 does not USB synch with Mac OS

I.M. Anonymous @ 10/31/2001 4:58:24 PM #

I found this info at:
http://www.palminfocenter.com/view_Story.asp?ID=2457&MODE=FLAT

It says:
> RE: OS4.1 has a Graffiti bug in it
> Posted by: I.M. Anonymous @ 10/19/2001 3:24:10 PM
>
> It also has some kind of USB problem that keeps it
> from playing nice with Macs.

So I decided to test this myself and ran into the same problem under MacOS 9.0.4 with Palm Desktop 2.6.3. I get the following error message when I try to do a USB hotsync:

Software needed for the USB device "Palm Handheld"
is not available. Would you like to look for the
Software on the internet?

Clicking OK returns:

Looking for drivers

Software for this device has not been found.
Please contact the manufacturer of the device
for the latest version of the needed software.

IR hotsyncs work, though, as a work-around.
Did not have this problem with Palm OS 4.0.

RE: 4.1 does not USB synch with Mac OS

I.M. Anonymous @ 11/13/2001 7:58:22 PM #

This is also described in PalmInfocenter's review of the Sony Clie PEG-n760c running PalmOS 4.1:

http://www.palminfocenter.com/view_Story.asp?ID=2376

It says near the bottom:

> Macintosh
> Update: originally said that the N760C
> didn't have problems HotSyncing with a Mac
> as long as the latest version of the Palm
> Desktop was used. I tested this via infrared
> on my PowerBook. Unfortunately, several
> people have written in to point out that
> infrared is the only way that this will work.
> Some USB incompatibility has cropped up with
> Palm OS 4.1 that didn't appear with OS 4.0.

RE: 4.1 does not USB synch with Mac OS

I.M. Anonymous @ 11/13/2001 8:24:54 PM #

If it turns out to be true that the PAlm cannot Sync (for whatever reason - it does not matter) to a Macintosh, then Palm is going the way of the Studebaker.

Boris Michael v. Luhovoy
publishing editor
Palmtop-pro Magazine
www.palmtop.at

RE: 4.1 does not USB synch with Mac OS

Ed @ 11/13/2001 10:13:28 PM #

We know that Sony's version of OS 4.1 won't HotSync over USB with the Macintosh version of the Palm Desktop. However, Sony has never advertised that any of their models work with a Mac. The fact that Sony models running OS 4.0 did was more a result of luck than anything Sony did deliberately. On the other hand, Palm does advertise this so I fully expect Palm's version to work fine.

For example, Sony's version of OS 3.5 won't work with the Palm Desktop on a Mac either. But Handspring's version works fine. I'm just trying to say, don't draw too many conclusions from Sony's version of OS 4.1.

---
News Editor

RE: 4.1 does not USB synch with Mac OS

I.M. Anonymous @ 1/5/2002 9:25:19 AM #

Do you use "The Missing Sync" by Mark/Space? I wanted to know if it is possible to sync a PEG- 770C (European model) with PalmOs 4.1 (German) with Palm Desktop 2.6.3 on a Mac and they replied that there are no problems. I still didn' t buy a Clié...

http://www.markspace.com/missingsync.html

Should I upgrade my Vx?

I.M. Anonymous @ 10/31/2001 3:32:33 PM #

My question is this: Is it worth it to purchase the upgrade so I can move from Palm OS 3.x to 4.x on my Palm Vx?

I have been happily using OS 3.x on my Palm Vx for a while now. There is one upgrade that is currently available for free that I haven't bothered to download and install. I mostly use my palm to check email and use AOL IM (via Omnisky) as well as use it for mapping features and subway guides.

Any help, comments, or insight would be greatly appreciated.

RE: Should I upgrade my Vx?

I.M. Anonymous @ 10/31/2001 3:41:45 PM #

Well there are a few different features that are nice to have if you purchase the cd. You would get the simultaneous use of the onscreen keyboard and the graffiti area. There would be faster hotsyncing and also you would get the notepad feature. With the CD you will get the mobile internet kit which will allow you to hook your palm up to your cell phone and access the internet. The cd also inlcudes that new desktop 4.0.1. So if these features float your boat, then take the initiative.

RE: Should I upgrade my Vx? Yes, it will be faster!

I.M. Anonymous @ 10/31/2001 4:34:59 PM #

4.x is also considerably improved performance-wise over 3.x, especially over 3.5! And no, it's not just that current 4.0 devices are running a faster CPU, I have flashed a Vx already and it screams along compared to a 3.5 Vx.

RE: Should I upgrade my Vx?

I.M. Anonymous @ 10/31/2001 10:36:48 PM #

I concur. I ran benchmark on my Vx after I reflashed it and it was running about 11% faster, IIRC. Does anyone know of a way, however, to flash a Palm device with a USB connection (i.e. m505)? I can do it with a previous upgrade utility, but it requires a serial interface. I currently don't have that capability. Any suggestions?

RE: Should I upgrade my Vx?

I.M. Anonymous @ 11/1/2001 11:02:15 AM #

So .. how can I reflash my Vx with the OS 4 ROM? I understand it can be risky, but if it kills my Vx, this may be the perfect time to buy a new one.

RE: Should I upgrade my Vx?

I.M. Anonymous @ 11/7/2001 12:14:25 AM #

Which ROM image should I use for my IIIxe?
I know that it should be the same as for the Vx because of the EZ processor but there appear to be two files for the Vx:
platform41_Vx_enUS.rom

and

platform41_Vx_full_enUS.rom

What did you install and what is the difference?

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