More Quickies than You can Shake a Stick At

Posted By: Ryan Wednesday, October 23, 2002 10:26:04 AM

Blue Nomad announced the release of WordSmith 2.2. The upgrade is free to all registered users. WordSmith is now Palm OS 5 ready, has a new 'Extend Selection' feature lets you easily select large quantities of text with your stylus and an Enhanced search/replace feature.

Metrowerks' next version of its CodeWarrior™ tools will support application development for Palm OS 5 handhelds that contain processors from Motorola, Intel and Texas Instruments based on ARM® core technology.

CodeWarrior Development Studio for Palm OS Platform, Version 9.0, will enable developers to build Palm OS 5 applications with support for 68K processors and ARM code development. The toolset will include ARMlet support with sample projects, C++ Object Library for Palm OS (POL), command line tools, application wizards, third party Palm OS utilities, and more.

More detailed pictures of the Tungsten T have shown up at this site in Norway.

NS Basic Corporation announced to day the immediate availability of NS Basic/Palm 3.0, a development tool for all Palm OS devices The new version features improved performance, new features and is ready for the Palm OS 5.0 devices about to be shipped by PalmSource's licensees. The new rev also adds support for add in memory cards.

Red Mercury, announced the release of four popular Palm OS applications optimized to support the new Palm operating system, OS 5. All Red Mercury software titles will run on the recently announced Palm OS 5 handhelds, including the new Sony CLIE NX Series.

Updated versions of AcidSolitaire, AcidFreecell, AcidImage and Atom Smash are now available. Current users can upgrade for free. The new releases offer significant performance improvements and support for the new 320x320 and 320x480 high resolution screens.

E-BOOKS
From now through Halloween, buy any Horror eBook at Fictionwise and receive a 30% Micropay Rebate (these rebates are added to your Micropay account, which can be used to buy additional eBooks). Check out their Steven King collection.

Qvadis, makers of the award-winning Express Reader ebook viewer and the Lexica language guides, have picked "The Lucifer Principle" by Howard Bloom as the handheld eBook-of-the-Month for October 2002.

PUGS
The Ann Arbor Palm OS Developers Group (A2PDG) meets tonight, Oct 23rd, at the Washtenaw Community College Business Education 140.

The Philadelphia area PDA User Group (PhilaPUG) will be having its monthly meeting this Thursday, October 24, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM at St. Paul's Church in Ardmore, PA. Among other topics, we'll be discussing the future of Palm under OS5. Special guests will include Chip Kerchner of Ardiri.com game fame to speak on the present and future of gaming, and Ryan Kairer of PIC (If I’ve recovered from my cold) to show off some gadgets he's collected over the years. We'll also be giving away some software. Visit www.philapug.com for directions and details.

Attention Apple Resellers
If there are any Apple resellers or anyone who operates a Mac online or retail shop in the readership, please send me an email. -Ryan

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More pictures on Tungsten

Wenda @ 10/23/2002 10:44:08 AM #
I would like to see the device when it first hits the market. I'm still curios about the sliding Grafitti.

____
Nothing to kill or die for.
RE: More pictures on Tungsten
XScale @ 10/23/2002 10:48:14 AM #
Hmmm, I guess I'll hold judgment until I hold one in my hands next week, but it looks amazingly thick in that one image:

http://www.idedata.no/butikk/produktbilde.asp?ID=1005xs2.jpg

RE: More pictures on Tungsten
jjsoh @ 10/23/2002 11:22:03 AM #
Well, I guess the zoomed-in image of the side profile does make it seem thicker than it actually is. I recall the thickness to be the same as an m5xx with the stock leather cover on, which I have been using since day one. So, for me it won't be an issue.

The sliding bottom, on the other hand, is a different story. If not for that one uncertainty, I think I'd already be sold. :)

Jim

RE: More pictures on Tungsten
Mojo Jojo @ 10/23/2002 11:26:03 AM #
Well I think it looks thinck because of its other dimensions. It probably would look less thick if it were longer. To ease your mind compare the thickness with the size of the headphone jack, or look in this image ( http://www.idedata.no/butikk/produktbilde.asp?ID=1005xs5.jpg )and see it compared to an SD card.

I think its thickness is deciptive.

RE: More pictures on Tungsten
The Phantom @ 10/23/2002 11:40:49 AM #
I'm getting more sold on the Tungsten the more I see. I still have a couple of reservations about that slidey bit - the robustness of it, and how positively it locks into either position. Other than that it looks a pretty good machine for what I want.



The Phantom Strikes again

Anbody buy a Tungsten yet?
Gekko @ 10/23/2002 12:54:18 PM #
I know they're not out until Monday but I remember the m505 and m515 were out a few days early. I remember the m505 was on a WEDNESDAY!

RE: More pictures on Tungsten
Altema @ 10/23/2002 1:10:30 PM #
At least we know where the power button is located, and also that there is a scroll/jog button below the headphone jack. Jog button on the side plus 8 way nav button on the front: hmmm...

I agree that is does look thick, but like other posters have observerd, perspective is skewed by the unit being so short when closed.

RE: More pictures on Tungsten
Lobotome @ 10/23/2002 1:27:08 PM #
Don't you people get bored of complaining about the sliding lid? "It may be fragile", "It will be slow to open", "It makes it thick" ....

What a load of b*llsh*t! Like that Sony folding and twisting contraption was neither gimmicky nor flimsy nor did it add up to a pretty thick device!

RE: More pictures on Tungsten
Spartacus @ 10/23/2002 1:29:51 PM #
Will this be available to buy on Monday or just announced? Anyone know which stores will get it first. With the M505 Office Depot had it before anyone.

RE: More pictures on Tungsten
The Phantom @ 10/23/2002 1:42:55 PM #
>..and also that there is a scroll/jog button below the headphone jack

Actually I was wondering whether that was some kind of release for the sliding area...?

_________________________
The Phantom Strikes again

RE: More pictures on Tungsten
indesman @ 10/23/2002 1:55:13 PM #
I have to say that these "photos" look a lot more like CG renderings than photos to me. The shadows and highlights don't look quite natural and the complete lack of background suggest a computer generated image rather than an actual photograph.
RE: More pictures on Tungsten
jjsoh @ 10/23/2002 2:03:13 PM #
: Don't you people get bored of complaining about the
: sliding lid? "It may be fragile", "It will be slow
: to open", "It makes it thick" ....

I believe people are just concerned, and not necessarily complaining. For all we know, it could be the sturdiest PDA alive. But unfortunately, we have nothing tangibe to verify. So, until this finally hits store shelves, I'm afraid all these 'complaints' will continue. I'm sure the same amount of people voiced the same concerns when the NR clam-shell designs were announced.

: What a load of b*llsh*t! Like that Sony folding and
: twisting contraption was neither gimmicky nor flimsy
: nor did it add up to a pretty thick device!

I think you may be misinterpreting what is really intended by most of the previous posts related to design. Just because I, for example, voiced concern about the sliding design, doesn't mean that I'm completely ruling out purchasing this device for only that reason.

Anyway, I can't wait until the launch date. I'm already drooling. :) Now.. where to get an extra $500. :(

Jim

RE: More pictures on Tungsten
JKingGrim @ 10/23/2002 4:51:18 PM #
>>At least we know where the power button is located,
>>and also that there is a scroll/jog button below the
>>headphone jack.

Is that really a jog dial? Looks like a button to me. But then again, maybe I just need my eyes checked.

>>I have to say that these "photos" look a lot more
>>like CG renderings than photos to me. The shadows
>>and highlights don't look quite natural and the
>>complete lack of background suggest a computer
>>generated image rather than an actual photograph.

The shadows maybe were cg, but so what there's no background. Ever heard of green screen?

Buying aTungsten
TheMoo @ 10/23/2002 7:31:14 PM #
The Best Buy clerk said that sometimes they have the new devices out a day before........lets say SUNDAY...SUNDAY......SUNDAY!!!!

RE: More pictures on Tungsten
useybird @ 10/23/2002 7:39:40 PM #
the sliging grafitti looks more like a sleeve, meaning it goes all around the bottom of the device, unlike the zaurus. the UC is probably connected to the sliding part, looks kind of sturdy, most likely locks in place

-------------
Burning Desire: The want or need for something great.
Burning THE Zire: A fun recreational activity involving setting Palm's new crappy handheld ablaze.
RE: More pictures on Tungsten
Lobotome @ 10/24/2002 3:43:37 AM #
I'm sure that sooner rather than later there will be a replacement sliding cover from Palm that substitutes the current navigation buttons with a thumb board. Does it look like the lid is user-replaceable (able to be popped out without fumbling with tiny screws)?
RE: More pictures on Tungsten
Fly-By-Night @ 10/24/2002 5:00:27 AM #
The great button/'jog dial' debate....

I personally think it looks like a button, and my guess is it is a 'hold' button as seen on Clie devices that can play MP3/ATRAC3. No doubt Palm have decided that a hold button to turn off the display and disable the buttons while playing MP3s is a god idea. Personally I would like to see a jog dial, and can only hope there may be one on the other side.

Stil not sure which new Palm device to buy to replace my ageing Visor DLX (the digitiser has gone now -- almost impossible to use). While the Tungsten looks tempting, I may buy a cheap Sony SJ30 and wait 6 months or so to see what appears.

FBN

RE: More pictures on Tungsten
Altema @ 10/24/2002 11:01:32 AM #
"I personally think it looks like a button"

Yes, it's a button and definitely not a wheel. I guess the question is if it's a simple single contact button, or if it is a compound switch which responds to up and down presses (kind of like a minature version of the up/down scroll buttons, which have one face but use two contacts). The German website did say it was for scrolling, unless they meant it was a release button for "scrolling" the sliding part down!

RE: More pictures on Tungsten
Ricky @ 10/24/2002 3:47:05 PM #
I read somewhere that this button scrolls through the categories in the launcher. Tell me, what other button does this? The Application button. This could address the concerns of people who wondered how they will exit a program while the unit is collapsed. Just my thoughts...

RE: More pictures on Tungsten
JKingGrim @ 10/24/2002 3:53:03 PM #
I heard somewhere that the left and right buttons on the D-pad scrolls catagories.

RE: More pictures on Tungsten
Akira @ 10/25/2002 3:59:10 AM #
I'm afraid that the original Photos at Ide Date as were missing.
Does anyone have mirrored them ??

Case

Midknyte @ 10/23/2002 11:04:56 AM #
Does anyone know if this thing has a plastic or metallic casing?

RE: Case
Foxer @ 10/23/2002 11:12:59 AM #
Yeah, it is metal of course!! Made of Tungsten!

RE: Case
graph @ 10/23/2002 4:25:20 PM #
what will be the cover for the screen? i dont see any rails on the sides for the leatherflip cover.

RE: Case
Nismo96 @ 10/23/2002 4:49:57 PM #
This link to a picture make it look like a clip on cover similar to the one used by Sony on the Clie's might be used. http://www.palminfocenter.com/ss.asp?f=tungsten/pic5.jpg

RE: Case
RoelvdV @ 10/24/2002 5:48:32 AM #
The picture you refer to shows the back of the Tungsten. Maybe I am missing your point about how to attach a cover, but the picture only shows how the sliding part looks on the backside of the unit.

Greetings, Roel.

RE: Case
Nismo96 @ 10/24/2002 12:01:41 PM #
Look at the part that slides down. The black rectangles on the ends look like a place to clip a flip cover on to the unit. I am not sure of this, but it definately looks possible.

RE: Case
Altema @ 10/25/2002 2:03:58 PM #
"Look at the part that slides down. The black rectangles on the ends look like a place to clip a flip cover on to the unit. I am not sure of this, but it definately looks possible."

Yes, it's possible, but that would mean that you would have to remove the cover to use any clip on accessories. Those rectangles are where accessories like sleds and gps units hook. However, I usually remove my cover to use the gps anyway unless I'm in the woods or on top of a building.

One of the Tungsten pic's shows a Dialer

RoelvdV @ 10/23/2002 11:13:02 AM #
One of the Tungsten pic's shows a dialer. I thought the Tungsten-W was the wireless device. Or does this dialer use the build-in Bluetoothcard for dialling a number on a Bluetooth phone?

RE: One of the Tungsten pic's shows a Dialer
Fzara2000 @ 10/23/2002 11:26:15 AM #
Hmm..interesting comment. i guess we'll wait to see what others post.
As for the pics...WOW. It looks nice. But I have to comment on the sliding graffiti. It looks like its open when hotsyncing. Wouldnt that be pretty hard when opening the graffiti box when in the cradle?

"Now thats just PRIME!"
RE: One of the Tungsten pic's shows a Dialer
Fly-By-Night @ 10/23/2002 11:26:24 AM #
I suspect so; probably best when your BT phone is in your pocket and you're using a BT headset -- can't be many instances when you actually need a dialler though when you should be able to dial straing from the Address Book.

Another application seems to be called 'Blue Chat' -- sounds like fun, no wonder Tungstens are priced for the adult market!

FBN

RE: One of the Tungsten pic's shows a Dialer
Altema @ 10/23/2002 1:16:10 PM #
I'm just wondering off the top of my head,.. if your phone has bluetooth, and your Palm has bluetooth, and your Palm has a microphone, and your Palm has a speaker located right where your ear would be if you held it to your face, and you have drivers to let the Palm act as a bluetooth headset for the phone...

Which bluetooth phone to buy
Spartacus @ 10/23/2002 1:31:31 PM #
Does anyone have any recommendations on which bluetooth phone to buy to use with the Tungsten. I prefer a small phone. Any help would be appreciated.

RE: One of the Tungsten pic's shows a Dialer
Inferno42 @ 10/23/2002 1:46:20 PM #
About the 'BlueChat' app that is shown. Wouldn't it make sense that if you when in BT range (10m) of another person to actually 'use' this app then you would certainly be within voice range. Maybe there some other use for this...

Anyone know if this will ship with Palm's new web browser?

RE: One of the Tungsten pic's shows a Dialer
sandbuck @ 10/23/2002 2:06:54 PM #
Glad that those pics feature what looks like a UC cradle.

RE: One of the Tungsten pic's shows a Dialer
Altema @ 10/23/2002 2:35:59 PM #
"then you would certainly be within voice range."

Meetings. I have seen someone with a laptop in a meeting send email to the person at the other end of the table to pass the bagels. Waste of technology (unless they're really GOOD bagels), but it was the only way to communicate silently at the time ;)

RE: One of the Tungsten pic's shows a Dialer
Zuber @ 10/23/2002 2:50:25 PM #
>>>I'm just wondering off the top of my head,.. if your phone has bluetooth, and your Palm has bluetooth, and your Palm has a microphone, and your Palm has a speaker located right where your ear would be if you held it to your face, and you have drivers to let the Palm act as a bluetooth headset for the phone<<<

It should be possible with the right software, but I think you would be better off with a real Bluetooth Headset. They don't weigh much and would leave your hands free to use the Palm for notes etc.
With the OS still not supporting multitasking, not sure if you would be able to use it as a headset in speaker mode and still use the device at the same time.

I picked up a real cheap one today and it actually works better than some of the branded ones. £50 in the UK so probably $40-$50 in the US assuming no tax.

Zuber

RE: One of the Tungsten pic's shows a Dialer
mtt @ 10/23/2002 3:08:46 PM #
This thing looks really cool- I wonder, if it has wireless connection, a speaker, and a microphone, and a dialer, is there any real reason why it couldn't be a phone? Another thing- do you think it would be possible to make some kind of thumb keyboard that would snap on over the graffiti area when the Tungsten was open? It would be a little on the small side, but it could be really useful for email & wireless chat.

MTT
RE: One of the Tungsten pic's shows a Dialer
Scott R @ 10/23/2002 6:42:05 PM #
"About the 'BlueChat' app that is shown. Wouldn't it make sense that if you when in BT range (10m) of another person to actually 'use' this app then you would certainly be within voice range. Maybe there some other use for this..."
I was thinking the same thing when I looked at that app. The only other reasonable use would be if a company set up multiple Bluetooth access points within their building, using Bluetooth instead of 802.11b. Palm, Inc. (or PalmSource - whoever just moved into the new building) I believe did just that. But I don't forsee many other companies following suit. 802.11b is the superior technology for that purpose, IMO. Bluetooth is all about eliminating cables for short distances (which is great).

Scott

RE: Which bluetooth phone to buy
cyberdude @ 10/24/2002 1:58:27 AM #
Definitely sounds like you need the SE T68i.

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