The Palm IIIc is here!

The IIIc is backordered on Palm's own webstore! Every retailer I've called is also on backorder or expects them in in a week!

i wonder if we, the Palm V, would be able to upgrade to color??? jkl

I just found a retailer in the Chicago area with multiple locations who has the Palm IIIc in stock. They are going to hold one for me and I'm picking it up on my way home from work. Price is $449. They said they had 8 in stock and got them on Friday. I can hardly wait to get my hands on it. I have a meeting from 4:00-7:30, Should I cancel it and go home early? :)

If you'd like the location drop me an e-mail at lgreenberg@kraft.com

Larry

Looks like HackMaster is fully INCOMPATIBLE with the color OS3.5. I can't get any hacks to work!

All right, I picked up my Palm IIIc yesterday from Franklin Covey in Chicago. Cost was $449. Right off the bat I should point out a very important thing. Franklin Covey sells “Franklin Covey Edition” versions of all their Palms. The IIIc is no exception. What does this mean? The Franklin Covey edition IIIc comes with Covey’s own PIM. Is does not come with the Palm Desktop. The Palm desktop which is shipped with the IIIc to other retailers also includes five add ons. Color applications made specifically for the IIIc. These include, backgammon, Avantgo, a power calculator, photo viewer and giraffe. I was able however, to easily download and install all of these applications on to my Palm via the Palm web site. So no problem there for me, but if you want the Palm Desktop right away as well as the other apps, and don’t want to download, don’t buy from Franklin Covey, wait for another retailer.

I’ll say this, the screen is amazing. Right out of the box my brightness was set at about 25% as well, I haven’t had to move it yet. It’s as clear as can be. The colors are bright and vivid. Moving the brightness control up does make the screen almost blinding :) The add on applications which I previously mentioned really show off the Palm’s colors. The power calculator is truly a site to be seen. And the photo viewer show a sailboat which is incredible. When the unit is off the screen is almost pitch black. When the unit is on, it’s like having a color backlighted screen 24/7. I had an E-100 (I know I did jump ship for CE, but came back to Palm) and I feel the screen is much clearer. The E-100 was great with the backlight on, only ok with it off (IMHO.) With the IIIc the screen looks like the E-100 with it’s backlight on. Only time will tell how this effects the battery. All the icons are now in color. However, any third party software I installed shows icons in black and white. One thing I have noticed so far as well. Most third party applications I have installed appear in B&W with small amounts of color thrown in, like in the tittle bar. Datebk3 however, appears in color. Must be because it pulls from the included datebook application.

There is a slight delay when the unit is powered on, as the screen refreshes. It’s not long enough to be bothersome though. I plan to use the IIIc without recharging it for the first week so I can gauge battery life. I’ll post that information when I get it.

Size wise I’m slightly disappointed. But I’m a Palm Vx user so that’s probably why. I was previously a Palm V user so I’m really used to the sleek V series. The IIIc matches the size of the Palm VII. It seems to me a bit longer or taller the Palm III and IIIx. The left side of the screen boarder is slightly larger than the right side, I have no idea why this is, it just seems strange but I’m sure Palm had a reason for it. I put the IIIc in my shirt pocket this morning and have almost started to forget it is even there. So if you’re already an III series user, the switch will not be a problem for you. If you are a V series user, it’ll take some adjusting.

The scroll buttons are separated like the older Palm Pilot, and the application buttons are slightly recessed. I like the unit’s almost black color. The unit comes with one stylus, it is the same one which ships with the III except it’s kind of silver and black instead of silver and gray. It has a flip cover just like the III as well. I tried most of the III series cases Franklin had in stock and most of them worked with the IIIc. So were tighter fits then others but I did notice Palm has three cases specifically for the IIIc on their web site.

Some programs I could not get to work with the new OS are Mah Jongg (my favorite game), :) Hackmaster works so far with Middle Caps Hack and Keyboard Hack. Quiet Sync Hack caused a fatal reset error. I’ve already installed, Documents to Go, Quo Vadis, Datebk3, Cryptinfo. Covert-It, Gulliver, Zagats, Big Clock, Launch ‘Em2, Mobile DB (with four databases), Pool, Pocket Chess, Tiger, Avantgo, Backgammon, Power Calculator, Photo Viewer, Hackmaster (Middle Caps and Keyboard) and they all work fine.

There is no cover on the serial port on the back of the unit, as there is with the III. Not sure why Palm chose to leave this out. You’ll just have to be mindful of dust and debris getting back there. The cradle is very similar to that of the III, that cheap lightweight plastic, except it is black. Also there is a separate power cord, which plugs directly into the serial cable, just like the five series. The charge light is directly atop the unit, and stays red until the unit is charged then turn off.

All in all, although it’s only been 12 hours, I think the IIIc is pretty cool. I’m not yet sure if I’m willing to trade the sleek form factor of my Vx and my OmniSky modem for the color screen of the IIIc, but it sure is tempting. I have been wanting a back up Palm to store all my key business data. I have been having some crash issues while beta testing the Omnisky modem, and it’ll certainly qualify as that. The screen in two words is Simply Awesome!”

Does anyone have any scoop about the release of a color Vx? Dying to know!

I live in central Ohio and have been unable to find the color palm anywhere. You'd think that in a million plus population city there'd be some chain with a color palm, but so far nothing. I haven't had any more luck looking online. If anybody out there knows where I can get one, please post it!

Look on the bright side. I live near and work in London (yes, the English one). A cultural hotspot to be sure, seething with nigh five million people - but a technological wasteland. Away missions to the US to buy IIIc units are _definately_ in my trusty IIIx's datebook...

Mark