Palm Releases WebPro Update and Sale

Posted By: Ryan Saturday, October 18, 2003 11:44:40 AM

Palm has released a update to the WebPro browser, that ships with the Tungsten T3. The update makes a number of fixes and speeds up performance. Palm is also now selling a stand alone version of the browser for other handhelds.

Web Pro 3.0.1 is available as a free update for Tungsten T3 users. The update of Web Pro 3.0 is intended for Palm Tungsten T3 users only. This version of the application will NOT work with any other Palm handheld or Palm OS device.

Version 3.0.1 includes several feature enhancements over version 3.0:

Speed of web downloads in proxy and proxyless modes
Faster display rendering when switching between landscape and portrait modes
Downloading files through the browser in proxy mode
Handling of websites that use frames

If you own a Tungsten C, E, T, T2 or Zire 71 device, you can now purchase the latest version of Web Pro from Palm Software Connection for the PC or Mac.

Tungsten T3 Review | Find the lowest price on a T3 ($335)

Palm WebPro on a Tungsten T3

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Installation glitch

McMagnus @ 10/18/2003 3:45:20 PM #

I had a small glitch when installing it.

I first installed it on top of the old installation. Then, it just froze whenever I started it.

Then I deleted the application plus all "related databases" and installed the new version, then it worked.

My bookmarks vanished, otherwise it seems a bit snappier, especially when changing orientation.

Gotta have it!

vesther @ 10/18/2003 4:37:07 PM #

Purchased this application and installed it on my Tungsten C. I liked this Novarra-Based App much better than Web Browser 2.0, though Web 2.0 stays on the TC Rom.....

The reason why Palm charges a rather high fee of $35 is because Novarra Applications are somewhat pirated IMO.

In a Desolate Forest, an enchanted Palm-Powered Handheld is waiting to possess a helpless soul in the wake--The Palm-Powered Handheld's name is EURENZANNIG.

On a side note

vesther @ 10/18/2003 4:40:14 PM #

There were reasons why I didn't even bother placing Web Pro 3.0 on my Palm Tungsten C until now:

* I was suspecting that there were software pirates and I didn't trust them at all. Links that caused someone to "Pirate" the use of Palm Web Pro were on dangerous grounds, so I had to refuse deploying it until Palm made it publicly available.
* Palm paid Novarra a royalty to deploy Novarra's technology only on certain technologies, and IMO Palm only does this on a targeted number of devices. Know that according to Brighthand.com, Palm Web Pro isn't free and if you use it, then it would be against the law and illegal as well.

To comply with the law, I had to wait until Palm made Web Pro 3.0 available for the public before I can enjoy the benefits of it.

In a Desolate Forest, an enchanted Palm-Powered Handheld is waiting to possess a helpless soul in the wake--The Palm-Powered Handheld's name is EURENZANNIG.

RE: Gotta have it!

Tuckermaclain @ 10/18/2003 9:54:26 PM #

If you need to test it before you buy it, it (v3.0)was posted on one of the leading Clie sites. Everybody there raved about it. Nothing bad said at all.

RE: Gotta have it!

Tuckermaclain @ 10/18/2003 9:58:31 PM #

I'd bet that's why Palm released it... Cat's out of the Palm1 bag, and they need to hurry to make some cash from what was a proprietary bit of software. Didn't Sony do something like this a year or two back?

Anybody try 3.0.1 upgrade on Tungsten C?

denno @ 10/19/2003 12:20:48 PM #

The instructions for the 3.0.1. update say it will only work on the new Tungsten, but has anyone tried updating in on a T|C with the WebPro that was available on the Clie forum?

WebPro for T|C

feranick @ 10/18/2003 5:47:11 PM #

Since the Tungsten C still actually costs 100USD more than the T3, PalmOne should provide the WebPro 3.0 for free to T|C users. Considering the huge inprovement of WebPro with respect to the standard Web Browser, T|C deserves this update for free. Or maybe Palm gave up on T|C customers to focus on the T3's....
Nick

P.S. I know you can find the T|C for less than 500USD, Palm still sell them at 500USD

RE: WebPro for T|C

vesther @ 10/18/2003 10:15:54 PM #

I think that Palm's point is that Web Browser Pro 3.0 was originally intended for the Palm Tungsten T3 and its stretch display, and not on the other handhelds. When Palm found out that people at some sort of Clie front "stole" the software by installing illegal versions of the Web Pro, Palm took action and imposed a $35 License Fee to protect their work and to cover the royalty expenses to Novarra, to whom the Web Technology was borrowed from. Keep in mind that Palm Web Pro is not freeware or shareware and if you actually use it on a device other than the Tungsten T3, it's actually against the law. Therefore, Palm had the right to impose a licensing fee for those who want to use it on something other than a Tungsten T3. Tungsten C users were using it on an illegal basis is the reason why IMO Palm released Web Pro 3.0.1 for sale.

The Tungsten C was released on April of 2003 so Palm had no intentions of giving TC owners a break from licensing fees.

It might be possible that there could be a Tungsten C2 sometime in 2004, if all goes well with the OS 6.0 Development.

In a Desolate Forest, an enchanted Palm-Powered Handheld is waiting to possess a helpless soul in the wake--The Palm-Powered Handheld's name is EURENZANNIG.

RE: WebPro for T|C

UZI4U182 @ 10/18/2003 11:31:16 PM #

I'd be interested to know how the "sale" version runs on a Sony device. I've about had it with Netfront on my NX70v and this browser looks quite nice.

UZI4U182@suscom.net | Main PDA: Sony NX70v
http://clieflash.shorturl.com
Free Flash Downloads for your CLIÉ

How much RAM will be used for this update?

asiayeah @ 10/19/2003 2:42:05 AM #

As the WebPro is already in the ROM of the Tungsten T3, if one installs the update, does it install it to the ROM or just to the RAM?

I suppose it's going to use up some more internal storage of the Tungsten T3?

--
With great power comes great responsiblity.

RE: How much RAM will be used for this update?

bcombee @ 10/19/2003 5:47:54 AM #

WebPro is NOT in the ROM of the Tungsten T3. You have to install it from the Palm Desktop CD that comes with the device. Therefore, WebPro 3.0 takes up roughly the same amount of RAM space as 3.0.1.

--
Ben Combee, CodeWarrior for Palm OS technical lead
Programming help at www.palmoswerks.com

RE: How much RAM will be used for this update?

nzjss @ 10/20/2003 2:51:22 AM #

The download file is called v3.0.1 but arrives as V3.0a and the PRC file is WebPro30a.prc

v3.0 Shows as 1448K on my T3 and v3.0a is 1482K

RE: How much RAM will be used for this update?

Burbank @ 10/21/2003 3:34:14 PM #

"The download file is called v3.0.1 but arrives as V3.0a and the PRC file is WebPro30a.prc"

When I choose About Palm Web Pro on my Tungsten|C, it says "3.0.1b". This is the version available at Handango.com.

Downloads and frames - what's new?

Bandini @ 10/20/2003 4:15:23 AM #

I just installed this upgrade on my T3, and I can't see any difference in the way it downloads files in proxy mode, or handles websites that use frames. This worked just fine in 3.0, and it seems to work exactly the same in 3.0.1a. Can anyone tell what's new?

TT2 and small fonts

gemikon @ 10/20/2003 5:36:42 AM #

I have the t2 and web pro 3. My only problem is that I cannot see any small fonts. I mean when I select small fonts I see the same fonts as the medium fonts. How can I have the small fonts installes in t2? Thanks

If I buy it, will updates be free?

Burbank @ 10/20/2003 4:07:03 PM #

I want to buy Web Pro 3 for my Tungsten|C...

Does anyone know Palm's policy on this: If I spend $34.99 for Web Pro (which seems like a LOT for Palm app), will future minor updates (bug fixes) be free?

RE: If I buy it, will updates be free?

spg66 @ 10/21/2003 12:52:30 PM #

I have attempted (for the second time) to post the following review at Handango/PalmOne page for the sale of this product.
------------------------------------------------------

This is the second time I have submitted this review. Apparently Handango/PalmOne don't want adverse commentary about this product posted.

My original comment was in regard to why Palm has not offered a Try and Buy option to this peice of software (as in a 30 day demo requiring an unlock code/key to register). I also mentioned it seemed odd they are offering it as a free upgrade to T|C users despite the T|C costing $100 more than the T|3. Seems like the folks at the Palm Marketing Department don't mind if they alienate a segment of their customer base.

I'm not against paying for software, but $35 before I can try it - I don't think so.
------------------------------------------------------

Let's see if they post it this time

RE: If I buy it, will updates be free?

spg66 @ 10/21/2003 12:55:34 PM #

Correction: It should have read "...free upgrade to T|3.." not "T|C".

URGENT - Serious Bug - do NOT purchase

dnicolaou @ 10/21/2003 11:23:02 AM #

In normal view, on a Tungsten C clean install (hard reset, this software ONLY installed as downloaded from retail purchase) certain form controls fail to actuate. For example, on a page with two forms, the first form has three dropdowns (only a few entries each) and a pair of radio buttons. You can only change the first dropdown. However, in the handheld view, you can change any/all.
Palm refuses to acknowledge the problem, and until they do, I definitely wouldn't buy it.

RE: URGENT - Serious Bug - do NOT purchase

mikecane @ 10/21/2003 11:51:01 AM #

This message is very confusing. Can you clarify?

RE: URGENT - Serious Bug - do NOT purchase

dnicolaou @ 10/21/2003 12:25:15 PM #

You have a clean Tungsten C, just hard reset. You install Web Pro 3.0.1, as purchased from palm. You go to a website that has a form. The form has three dropdowns, a pair of radio buttons, and a submit button. You tap the down arrow on the first dropdown, and it drops down; you make a selection. You tap the down arrow on the second and third dropdowns, and nothing happens. You try to select one of the radio buttons and nothing happens. You push "submit" and nothing happens. You go back to the first dropdown and it still works. You click a link on the page and it works fine.
In other words, the software is responsive, but only the first form control on the page will operate; others don't.
Clearer?

RE: URGENT - Serious Bug - do NOT purchase

Burbank @ 10/21/2003 3:30:48 PM #

Can you provide a link so I can test this?

RE: URGENT - Serious Bug - do NOT purchase

mikecane @ 10/21/2003 7:53:20 PM #

Thanks for clarifying. Yes, please provide a test link!

Does it handle popup windows

Roy @ 10/24/2003 7:03:38 PM #

On my TC, the original browser could not handle popup windows. Kept getting a message that popup windows were not supported. Does anyone know if this is the case with WebPro 3?

Thank you in advance.

Roy