Quickies: Palm Rumor, Palmtop User, HanDBase, Backdrop GC

Posted By: As Listed Thursday, August 15, 2002 9:17:50 AM

Later this year, PalmSource is expected to split off from Palm Inc. According to rumor, the remaining part of the company, which makes hardware, will not be named "Palm Inc.". PalmSource will own the brand "Palm" and the hardware division will get a new name. It is not yet known what that new name will be. -Ed

Palmtop Publications has published the first issue of Palmtop User, a magazine designed for anyone who uses a Palm, Handspring, Sony, or other handheld computer or communicator. It includes news, in-depth reviews and features, tips and solutions. -PR

HanDBase 3.0 features an External field type that allows other applications to be called from within a HanDBase database. These plug-ins can be called from within HanDBase to provide additional features for users, such as image viewing, voice dictation, GPS entry, enhanced text editor, e-mail/web-browsing, and third-party hardware support. This new feature offers tight integration with the HanDBase databases and the ability to produce a very large number of field types. -PR

Twilight Edge Software has released Backdrop GC 2.05, its wallpaper app for color devices.The new version includes enhancements for the Palm m130 and the Handspring Treo 90 and other improvements.

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Question about HanDBase 3

ardee @ 8/15/2002 9:35:34 AM #
Some users here said 3.0 was buggy. I like the feature list but want to wait until the major bugs are fixed.

Any users of it care to comment?

RE: Question about HanDBase 3
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/15/2002 10:16:26 AM #
I must have missed the bugs. I've been using HandDBase since it rolled out. It does what I really wanted it to, have the databases on the external card, so you can move the app to a card if you need to, saving on internal memory (PowerRun). Moving it to the internal only the app moves and leaves my oversized databases on the card. Then you can move across only those you need. Thusly it is very much quicker. All the new editing features are as they should be, easy to use and understand what you are getting into.
RE: Question about HanDBase 3
fkclo @ 8/15/2002 10:50:16 AM #
I have a smooth ride also. The only thing I need to do in migrating to the new version is to ensure "recalculate if necessary" to get back the values in the calculated fields.

I also noted that the database file size is now quite a bit bigger than the v2.x files, properly due to forms and views data associated with the database. For a Treo user like me, this is not particularly good news since I have over 20 database in RAM, and sucking away over 2MB!

RE: Question about HanDBase 3
arw4f @ 8/15/2002 12:45:50 PM #
I'd say it's buggy. I've been a long time user of HanDBase and I'm having some real issues with the new encryption feature (which is what I was really waiting for in 3.0). Although, outside of encryption, for my purposes it seems fine.

It's now on it's second bug fixing release 3.0c - the only saving grace in all this is that the DDH Software team is so responsive in addressing issues.

RE: Question about HanDBase 3
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/15/2002 1:12:16 PM #
Official name "Pilot"...Trust me.
RE: Question about HanDBase 3
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/1/2002 5:41:51 PM #
I just loaded up new version 3.0e. I like being able to put database on memory card. Moving stuff around and trying to do a handheld over pc sync caused some errors and soft reboot x 2. I'd say it is still a little buggy.

Palm name change

I.M. Anonymous @ 8/15/2002 9:36:23 AM #
I have been told by two people that this was actually reported in the Wall Street Journal some time ago... Anyone who subscribes to the online version should be able to do a search for the link...
Palm Hardware's new name
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/15/2002 9:40:32 AM #
Sony!

JBH

Palm's New Name Will Be.....
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/15/2002 9:44:00 AM #
OSLO!
RE: Palm's New Name Will Be.....
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/15/2002 9:47:40 AM #
FOR SALE!
RE: Palm name change
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/15/2002 10:17:40 AM #
I got the feeling they are abandoning the sinking titanic called Palm and moving all deck chairs into the Palm source life boat. 22 more days until Naz delisting warning, somebody beter start thinking about tying up a helium ballon to those stock paper to lift it up from the ground.
RE: Palm name change
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/15/2002 10:35:03 AM #
Handspring, of course!
RE: Palm name change
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/15/2002 11:23:48 AM #
"Your company logo here!"
RE: Palm name change
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/15/2002 11:39:33 AM #
"complacent"
RE: Palm name change
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/15/2002 12:08:21 PM #
BANKRUPT
RE: Palm name change
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/15/2002 12:20:18 PM #
Bonehead. Why squander *the* most recognizable brand name in the PDA space? Apparently the hardware side of the business isn't where they see the future despite all the hooha about it being the bulk of revenues (maybe it's also more costly than those revenues) if the software side gets to keep the brand.
RE: Palm name change- Wise IMHO
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/15/2002 6:39:25 PM #
The success of "Palm" devices NEVER had as much to do with the specific shape or look of the devices as much as it was due to the simplicity of operation and the finely designed Operating System. SO it makes perfect sense to put that brand "in trust" so it can be applied appropriately by ALL licensees and not obtain disproportionate advantages for the one firm that was first to use the OS.
My guess is we'll see the Palm brand able to be used FAR MORE by folks like Sony and Handspring, and get more awareness of the distinction it offers compared to WinCE-PPC.
RE: Palm name change
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/15/2002 7:03:50 PM #
Roadkill
RE: Palm name change
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/16/2002 9:29:20 AM #
Sony already has brand identity. They're not going to buy into a Palm-branding scheme.
RE: Palm name change
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/19/2002 11:25:01 PM #
Heel!
RE: Palm name change
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/19/2002 11:25:41 PM #
or "kiss our... er ... posterior"!

The trademarked names....

I.M. Anonymous @ 8/15/2002 9:33:06 AM #
Could this be a reason that those names were trademarked, yes? What were they again? Poor Palm, always changin' its name :) From the US Robotics Pilot to whatever its going to be now...
RE: The trademarked names....
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/18/2002 11:15:49 AM #
Thanks to 3Com

Magazines losing Palm-only coverage

kevdo @ 8/15/2002 9:56:44 AM #
First Handheld Computing, now PalmUser, er... PalmTop magazine is now covering PocketPC, Symbian, etc. along with Palm OS coverage.

I've seen this first issue of PalmUser and it sucks. There is about a five page article describing (with all hype and barely any critique) the standard features of PocketPC. It is a glowing review and is essentially a sales pitch.

I find it disturbing that the Palm community cannot support a single magazine devoted to the platform itself.

These two magazines were the best for Palm content. Now, that content is very watered down. I don't know whether I should "hold dear" any bit of PalmOS info I see in these rags or if I should just let my subscription lapse in protest.

-Kevin Crossman

Commercial Business
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/15/2002 10:37:36 AM #
You have to know that these companies are all for commercial purposes, ultimately when the market for Palm-centric is not growing as fast as the sales of the magazines these people have to do something about it else they will be joining the thousands jobless people in the slow global market.

Take for example, I am from an asian company that devoted in the design and manufacturing of Palm handhelds accessories and some mobile solutions too. When Palm handhelds are not selling as well and with more corporate users going for Pocket PCs, what should the company do in order to survive? Bite the bullet and hold onto it? we tried but the economy is not doing that good and worse of all the entire market (Singapore) is so quiet (http://business-times.asia1.com.sg/bizit/story/0,2276,53990,00.html?) that we have to do something about it else we will need to be laid off workers.

But do you think Palm, Singapore will stretch its hand out and said that your company has been with us for years, let me help you since you are a true developer that stands side by side with us? I never receive any calls from them because we do not have anymore freebies for these leeches that will claim to be best of friends when time is good but avoid you when they themselves are struggling.

RE: Magazines losing Palm-only coverage
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/15/2002 10:58:24 AM #
ouch, that got to hurt.
RE: Magazines losing Palm-only coverage
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/15/2002 11:11:54 AM #
I am the original writer "You have to know that these companies are all for commercial purposes, ultimately when the market for Palm-centric"

You bet that it hurts like crazy and have to hand those retrenchment letters to those that been with you for so long, fighting alongside to build the company.

Today, everythings is almost gone.


RE: Magazines losing Palm-only coverage
kevdo @ 8/15/2002 11:44:25 AM #
If you read my comments I said I was disappointed with the Palm community for not supporting a Palm-centric magazine. I clearly understand the magazines are run as a business.

OTOH -- I may be considering dropping the two subs I already have and if others do the same the plan could backfire...

-Kevin Crossman

RE: Magazines losing Palm-only coverage
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/15/2002 7:05:20 PM #
Could it be that as Palm market share continues to decline palm-centric magazine circulation declines? Could it also be that as many palms are feature deficient compared to Pocket PCs that the uber-geeks buying these magazines have already moved on to the PPC? Joe Blow M100 user isn't reading this stuff.
RE: Magazines losing Palm-only coverage
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/15/2002 9:41:28 PM #
> Could it be that as Palm market share continues to decline

The Palm marketshare isn't declining. Go back to your PocketPC hole where they actually believe that stuff. You are right though, the average Joe Blow m100 user doesn't want to read this stuff, nor does he need to. That's why he bought a Palm in the first place.

RE: Magazines losing Palm-only coverage
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/16/2002 3:28:52 AM #
Yes, the change to Palmtop User was mainly business-related, there just weren't the numbers needed to keep it going as Palm OS only.

BUT: There are still *63* editorial pages of *direct* Palm OS relevance, which is hugely more than any other publication in the *world*. In case you hadn't spotted, the three 'Steves'(!) are all big Palm OS users and so of course Palm OS will get a LOT of attention.

Yes, the overall amount of Palm OS editorial content has decreased somewhat, compared to PalmUser magazine, but don't you at least find it *slightly* interesting what's going on elsewhere in the handheld world? In these days of increasing commoditisation, the OS a handheld runs is becoming slightly less important, IMHO.

Steve Litchfield
Palmtop User, http://www.palmtop.co.uk/

RE: Magazines losing Palm-only coverage
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/16/2002 5:00:07 AM #
...BUT: There are still *63* editorial pages of *direct* Palm OS relevance...
"relevance" is relative.
Away from that - it doesnt hold water even if you would count the numerous cheap ads selling mostly useless products.
The German Palmtop-Pro Magazine instead has 96 pages of Palm deep-rootet informative Palm only orientated reports and is without any advertisement. Away from that - even for a higher price it gives a far better value. Get a magazine, compare and follow.
my two cents.

RE: Magazines losing Palm-only coverage
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/16/2002 5:20:04 AM #
The problem with PalmTop Users actions is not that they have chosen to mongrelize their content. That is their right. It's their company.

What bothers me is that I am a new subscriber. I subscribed to the magazine because of their promises of so much wonderful Palm coverage. They spoke about 100+ pages of coverage on their webpage. I sent them a great deal of money (granted a lot of it was for shipping to the US). The first issue I received was NOT a Palm OS magazine. It was a mishmash of computing coverage and most of it was simply general common information. If I had wanted this type of content, there are several magazines in the States and UK that I could receive. I chose to spend my money with these people because they had what I wanted - a Palm OS magazine.

Their behavior of not saying a single thing about changing their focus until after teking my money is what bothers me. They could have at least contacted me and given me a choice. Other magazines I have subscribed to have given me choices when they change their focus. Offers of another magazine they publish, extra issues as a form of apology, or cancellation with refund. Unfortunately, PalmTop User was not mature enough to act so responsibly.

If the problem was that they were losing subscribers from their Psion / Symbian magazine, they should have just dumped that magazine. Then they should have just remained true to their lights at PalmUser. (My opinion, I'm not a rich entrepeneur so you know what it's worth)

As other writers have said, they are in this for commercial reasons and profit. Obviously the satisfaction of customers does not figure into this strategy.

I hope they are happy in their pursuit of riches. I will not contribute to this and I will be requesting a refund later this week. So long PalmUser, It was nice while it lasted. Good luck PalmTop, I think you're going to need it.

RE: Magazines losing Palm-only coverage
Steve T @ 8/16/2002 5:31:11 AM #
Hi, I'm one of the Technical Editors of Palmtop User (Palm OS side). Steve Litchfield -- who posted earlier -- is the Sub-Editor.

I just want to say I understand Kevin's issues -- it was one of the major concerns we all had when we discussed changing the format of the magazine.

Some key aspects of my job are to make sure (a) the Palm OS aspects of the magazine continue to be accurate, compelling, good value, and still the most comprehensive coverage available in a magazine, and (b) to make sure that the Pocket PC / Symbian side doesn't make incorrect assumptions about how they might be 'better' than Palm OS.

The Pocket PC intro wasn't meant to be a critique, but it also wasn't meant to be a sales pitch (although the writer is VERY fond of his Pocket PC - go figure). The new magazine has a very large pre-existing readership based in legacy Psion devices and these readers want to understand the basics of the alternative OSes they may consider adopting.

It's been a bit of a tightrope, but I think we've succeeded in sustaining a good level of informative Palm OS content, but the feedback from Palm OS readers is essential to help ensure we're continuing to meet their needs.

Cheers

Steve T

Palmtop User Magazine
www.palmtop.co.uk

RE: Magazines losing Palm-only coverage
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/16/2002 5:35:44 AM #
Give me some credit - of course I ignored the ad pages. I was talking about *editorial text*.

As a Palm OS fan and PDA enthusiast, I think we've got the balance about right. And we've had *hundreds* of emails and letters praising the decision, to balance out the few dozen against, etc.

Steve Litchfield

RE: Magazines losing Palm-only coverage
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/16/2002 7:42:19 AM #
I have read every issue of Palm User and loved the magazine. I just resubscribed after issue 11 and suddenly Palm User doesn't exist anymore. Having said that, this was the first issue of Palmtop User and I doubt they're going to have such a sales pitch on Pocket PC every time, I guess this was just an introduction to those (like me) who have tried to keep away from them all this time.

As for Palmtop, I got a recent issue and was horrified to find it was around half the size of older issues of the mag, so it was obviously going down the dumper. I'm no expert but people who live and breathe Psion are going to stick to them as long as they can, but for those new to the PDA game this mag will no doubt help them to decide on what form factor they want to go for. It's a shame that there is no longer a Palm-dedicated mag out there but if the move to Palmtop User guarantees a future for a magazine that will still feature impartial and informative reviews and news on Palm OS products (something Palm are incapable of) then we're all winners.

And let's not forget the main thing here, it was just issue 1 so they deserve a chance to get some kind of balance going.

RE: Magazines losing Palm-only coverage
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/16/2002 8:18:14 AM #
And, to respond to the comment a few above this, it also goes without saying that anyone who's received the magazine and feels hard done by should contact info@palmtop.co.uk at once. We'd hate to have anybody out there who was regretting their subscription.

Steve Litchfield

RE: Magazines losing Palm-only coverage
Steve T @ 8/19/2002 8:04:57 AM #
> Their behavior of not saying a single
> thing about changing their focus until
> after teking my money is what bothers
> me. They could have at least contacted
> me and given me a choice.

I can see your point, and if we were to do the same thing again I'm not sure we'd do it in exactly the same way. We did (and do) sincerely believe that the new magazine continues to be just as worthwhile to former PalmUser readers -- this was an important point raised at every editorial meeting of the new magazine -- hence the way we proceeded. I hope you'll consider the new magazine on its merits, but if we handled the transition less than perfectly, then I do encourage you to write to the Publishing Editor letting him know.


Steve T

Palmtop User Magazine
www.palmtop.co.uk

Why change names?

rldunn @ 8/15/2002 10:37:13 AM #
I thought the whole point of the software division being called PalmSource was so the hardware division could retain the Palm name. One of the biggest things that Palm handhelds have going for them is their name. For many people, when they go shopping for a PDA, they go to their favorite electronics store and ask to see the Palms. So if they don't exist anymore under that name, they're going to look at all PalmOS units available, and probably would be more likely to buy a non-Palm device. If the new name doesn't have Palm in it, it will be a big mistake.

RE: Why change names?
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/15/2002 10:57:57 AM #
Ever thought that the company name could change but the product they sell might still be called a Palm something?
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