Software Updated For High Res Screens

Posted By: Ryan on Thursday, October 23, 2003 2:17:19 PM

Discussion: Many popular Palm OS applications have recently been updated to take advantage of the new generation of handhelds with larger displays. PIC takes a look at some of the latest apps and software updates that take advantage of new features found in todays latest handhelds. Feel free to add your own favorites in the comments. updated

Acid Image
AcidImage v. 2.9 is now available from Red Mercury. It includes full support for the Tungsten T3 screen, including portrait and landscape modes, plus full-screen 320x480 picture viewing. Version 2.9 also adds Fit To Screen / Fill Screen modes, and enhanced jog dial support for Sony CLIEs with the ability to switch between picture select and zoom modes with the click of the jog dial. An Armlet update and some tweaks speeds up JPEG loading on most OS 5 handhelds. 2.9 also supports the wide screen capabilities of Sony's UX-50, and the Garmin iQue 3600.

WordSmith
A free upgrade of WordSmith 2.2.15 available. The new version adds 5-way navigoator, T3 widescreen support and some Finetype font tweaks.

Plucker
Plucker is an offline Web and eBook viewer for Palm OS® based handheld devices and PDAs and comes with Unix, Linux tools and conduits, and Windows and Mac OSX conduits that let you decide exactly what part of the web that you want to view on your PDA. Plucker is free, open source software. Plucker now fully supports high-resolution screens, virtual graffiti (on some units), scale-to-fit, zoomed images, HTML tables, screen rotation, and more

Shadow Plan
Shadow Plan 3.0 has been released. As always with Codejedi products, the update is free of charge to all registered customers. The handheld application is fully enhanced to take advantage of the new Palm Tungsten T|T3, Sony UX-50, Garmin iQue and other units (and perhaps the Zodiac, as well as major improvements across the board.

Deluxeware - Navigator
Deluxeware has an interesting new application that takes advantage of high-res screens called Navigator. The apps features maps, and detailed US geography information. There is a review here.

Seahorse Software
Seahorse Software, a provider of addicting card and board games for almost 6 years, has announced an update to Crazy 8's 5.0.

This latest update brings some important improvements, the main feature is the support for devices with Virtual Graffiti areas. This support comes in the form of taking advantage of the extra screen space gained when the Virtual Graffiti area is minimized. Specifically, support has been added for the Tungsten T3, UX/NR/NX Series, Zodiac, and iQue. HandEra 330 support has been present since the device release. Other enhancements to the program include tougher computer opponents and the addition of two new Special Cards: Draw Bomb and Rotate.

J-File
Land-J Technologies has released an update for the JFile PalmOS database application. The new version features support for the new 320x480 resolution displays (both portrait and landscape modes), including the collapsing Graffiti area and the 5-way Navigator.

Oxford Dictionary
One of the oldest English Dictionaries (Oxford ED since 1924) is now available on one of the most trusted and most reliable Palm OS® dictionary viewer platforms: Mobile Systems’ MSDict Viewer. MSDict Viewer is the only Palm OS® dictionary software on the market, which offers word pronunciation, word origin, wildcard filtering, and hyper links features in a high resolution mode. All these features are developed in addition to the standard dictionaries viewer features.

LightNZip
Toysoft, Inc. has released the LightNzip version 2.1. With the major update, LightNzip is now compatible with Winzip desktop application. Files that are zipped with LightNzip can be unzipped on the desktop using Winzip and compatible applications. LightNzip is a PalmOS® system compression and decompression utility with self-extracting feature. LightNzip offers the best compression rate on a PalmOS® OS 5.0 device using Zlib ARMlet LightNzip is rated the best for compression speed and size.

I am sure there are many other apps I have missed, this is only a fraction of the new applications (that were sent in) that take advantage of new features. Please feel free to post your own favorites in the comment board.

On an unrelated note, the site news has been slow this week because I am catching up with my work load after a 2 week vacation (yes, I even updated the site while on holiday), more frequent updates will be forthcoming! -Ryan

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Plucker or Isilo?

palmhiker @ 10/23/2003 3:41:20 PM #

First post!

I am trying out Isilo and it is working pretty well. Having tried Plucker in the past with less than satisfying results, can anyone tell me the advantages of Plucker over Isilo, apart from the $20 cost of Isilo?

Why I prefer Plucker...

orb2069 @ 10/23/2003 3:51:44 PM #

Off the top of my (known poor) memory...

High flexability/granularity in web pulling setup
Better support for my device (He330)
*IX OS support
GPL'd

SD cards and screens on T3

bquin @ 10/23/2003 10:16:27 PM #

since I can't find the previous discussion on teh T3 frying SD cards and the screen quality problem, I thought I would start it up again. Does anyone know the status of these problems? I keep checking the Palm website but nothing is posted there.

Bquin
...laughing at a world too absurd to take seriously...

RE: Plucker or Isilo?

chrisridd @ 10/24/2003 1:21:48 PM #

iSilo has free command-line converters for OS X, Solaris, Linux and FreeBSD. It'll suck from web sites, but if you want lots of control just use something like wget..

RE: Plucker or Isilo?

fireproof @ 10/24/2003 2:35:47 PM #

I've used both -- iSilo and iSiloX along with the desktop and command-line counterparts for OS X and Linux for the last few years, and Plucker (off and on) since version 1.1.

I've switched to Plucker 1.6 now because it does almost everything I want or need -- it has a command-line converter for my server to use, a GUI converter for my desktop, and it can display hi-res formatted documents with images and links. It's also open-source, it's free, and my documents aren't stuck in a format controlled by someone I don't know. The Plucker developers have also addressed a few lingering issues, like documents larger than 32k being broken into chunks -- now they're kept as one large document, without segmentation, and it's made reading much more pleasurable.

While I have nothing against the iSilo developers I'd prefer that the document format was open. And I really like iSilo's command-line converter, its speed, the way it handles images, and the .ixl formatting system -- but I just feel locked in by the closed document format, the prospect of paying for upgrades sometime in the future, and the fact that it doesn't do anything (except automatic bookmark detection), that Plucker can't do.

Besides all that, I can share Plucker and Plucker documents without having to worry!

RE: Plucker or Isilo?

RoofusPennymore @ 10/24/2003 5:33:44 PM #

I tired Plucker once and found it extremly difficult to set up. Maybe thats not the case anymore. I've been really happy with iSiloX. It has only cost $10 for a upgrade, doesn't cost that much really.

RE: Plucker or Isilo?

fireproof @ 10/24/2003 6:40:23 PM #

I agree -- Plucker used to be difficult to set up, but the new Plucker Desktop is as easy as iSiloX.

And $10 isn't much for an upgrade (even after the $15 initial cost) but after two upgrades it could rankle a little. What about the third, or fourth upgrade? If you've got a lot of documents it might start to feel like extortion... :)

Anyway, they're both great tools, and there's lots to like about iSilo -- but it doesn't cost anything to try Plucker if you've already got iSilo, and I'm sure the Plucker team would value your feedback and suggestions.

RE: Plucker or Isilo?

charleski @ 10/31/2003 4:05:44 PM #

I've tried both the latest versions of Plucker I could find and neither worked at full-screen on a T3.

AcidImage and WordSmith

Altema @ 10/23/2003 4:36:47 PM #

... now do Palm hi res+. Looks like they re-coded or enhanced the AcidImage as well, as load speed is *much* faster. WordSmith is my fave ebook reader, but I was toying with PalmReader until WordSmith was updated. Autoscroll with the new real estate is nice.

One that I'm waiting for is LauncherX. It feels kinda weird going between 320x480 apps when your launcher is only 320x320. But, they are working on it. Most of the

Funny how things change: "only 320x320"... LOL. Will we ever be satisfied?

RE: AcidImage and WordSmith

speedracer5 @ 10/23/2003 6:40:48 PM #

Launcher X will do full screen if you use the Beta they released for the Garmin units. You do need the two files (which are from Palm) that several software companies are sending out along with programs.

------------------------------------------------------
You may be a race car driver at heart if you refer to leaving your driveway as "Turn 1"

RE: AcidImage and WordSmith

acaltabiano @ 10/23/2003 7:41:30 PM #

Can someone please tell me if you can read the installed ebooks that come with the palm on wordsmith instead of Palmreader? If so, how? If not, what file types do you have to look for to be able to read ebooks on wordsmith? Thanks

RE: AcidImage and WordSmith

bcombee @ 10/24/2003 3:39:04 AM #

WordSmith will read DOC files, but not Palm Reader files. Only Palm Reader and Palm Reader Pro handle those. DOC files are available from www.memoware.com and www.fictionwise.com, among other sources.

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

RE: AcidImage and WordSmith

Admin @ 10/24/2003 9:57:28 AM #

added them both, don't know how I forgot. For wordsmith T3 support you have to do the windows install at this time, took me awhile to figure that out

RE: AcidImage and WordSmith

Altema @ 10/24/2003 11:20:58 AM #

"WordSmith will read DOC files, but not Palm Reader files."

Yeah, I know. Fortunately all my ebooks (about 30+) so far have been available in doc format. I was recently going to try one ebook that was only available in secure format, but it seemed like they were saying you had to input your credit card number every time you read the thing, so that scared me off. PalmReader is on standby and ready for reload if needed.

RE: AcidImage and WordSmith

Altema @ 10/24/2003 11:26:38 AM #

"Launcher X will do full screen if you use the Beta they released for the Garmin units."

Thanks! I'll check it out.

RE: AcidImage and WordSmith

Altema @ 10/24/2003 11:46:14 AM #

Yep, it works after loading the beta, then re-selecting your active skin. Landscape is still "work in progress", but portrait works fine.

RE: AcidImage and WordSmith

sbabcock @ 10/24/2003 4:05:26 PM #

Speaking of Doc files, does anyone know of a text to doc converter that runs on OS-X? I keep having to run Mac OS-9 inorder to run the old converter.

RE: WordSmith - doc converter

cubelover @ 10/26/2003 10:19:13 PM #

Try Pordible to convert docs in OS X.

StandAlone Software

Beacon @ 10/23/2003 4:54:40 PM #

Stand Alone software has also updated many of it's applicationd for hi res screens. http://www.standalone.com

There are alot more programs....

speedracer5 @ 10/23/2003 6:42:46 PM #

DateBk5, Repligo, Natara Bonzai, Natara DayNotez, Warefare Incorporated, Isilo, Launcher X, Zlauncher, Natara Project@Hand, and PalmInsider

Did I miss any? :)

Speed

------------------------------------------------------
You may be a race car driver at heart if you refer to leaving your driveway as "Turn 1"

RE: There are alot more programs....

NKK @ 10/24/2003 3:57:42 AM #

which version of Datebk5 are you using? cause i've tried v5.1a,s1 and i cant get 320x480 on the T3.

RE: There are alot more programs....

IanJD @ 10/24/2003 6:29:05 AM #

You need the S9 preview here...

http://www.pimlicosoftware.com/datebk5.htm

...which aside from the screen support also addresses some problems with the T3/TE.

RE: There are alot more programs....

NKK @ 10/24/2003 2:08:09 PM #

Thanks, didnt even see that.

there's more

speedracer5 @ 10/23/2003 6:51:04 PM #

Splash Photo and Splash Shopper do 480x320 too. I would imagine their app that stores account information to. I am posting this list for the T3 people, since Sony has had alot of these benefits for a while.

Speed

------------------------------------------------------
You may be a race car driver at heart if you refer to leaving your driveway as "Turn 1"

RE: there's more

Malo @ 10/26/2003 3:57:40 AM #

A fairly extensive list of TT3 Hires+ programs can be found on
http://www.palmonecity.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=163

There is such a list in German on

http://t3.forum330.de/software/hires.php

What apps do VGA?

mikecane @ 10/23/2003 7:05:36 PM #

Oh, sorry. I meant this for the Toshiba 800/805 board.

>snicker<

Seriously, this is the question everyone will be asking when *O*S* S*I*X* arrives next year!

RE: What apps do VGA?

bcombee @ 10/23/2003 7:19:25 PM #

I was thinking about that this morning. All the support is in Palm OS, at least at the API level, for 480x480. You could go to 480x640 and have a VG area that was half the size of current VG areas, or do 480x720 to scale up nicely. It would be a "triple density" mode. Is it needed? Probably not, but it would be nice to see that on a larger form-factor device, esecially a clamshell model.

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

RE: What apps do VGA?

Dolphin666 @ 10/23/2003 9:12:01 PM #

I was just imagining what the battery life would be like for a VGA Palm with current battery technology. I 'd look forward more towards longer battery life than higher and higher resolutions, especially with 320 x 480 available now. I'll start dreaming of VGA if Palm can extend battery life back to V/Vx levels for a hi-res device.

Just my $0.02.

RE: What apps do VGA?

hoplites @ 10/23/2003 11:36:06 PM #

Tungsten T|5, November '04

-400Xscale, can't hack the 800mHz bulverde yet. Sony hasn't given them the code.
-64MB. Hey that's plenty enough, who needs 128MB, let those PPC have the 196MB.
-BT (who needs WiFi)
-VGA. (But will emulate 160 x 160, not to worry)
-900mAh non replaceable battery.
-10 days of use (aka, 20 minutes of normal use when using the screen)
-Slider. (wee, one hand operation)
-SD slot. (what do you mean you want peripheral, it's SDIO, if you wait long enough....well wait some more..)

-$399 (why mess with good price)

PIC announce T|T5 as the best PDA ever made by the world. It will regain POS market share, now standing at 20%. Yeah, T|T5 will finally teach those Pesky PPC. This is what real PDA suppose to look like, who needs triple wireless and 800mHz and 196MB RAM? VGA with 400mHz Xscale is perfect!

ps- I am a moron!

RE: What apps do VGA?

cdamian @ 10/24/2003 5:29:27 AM #

heise has news and a picture of the Zaurus SL-6000

http://heise.de/newsticker/data/dal-24.10.03-000/

- 480x640
- wlan
- bluetooth
- usb host port for keyboard, hd, ...

RE: What apps do VGA?

a3 @ 10/24/2003 7:50:31 AM #

That thing looks so ugly and big that I can almost sue you for posting a link. As a matter of fact with such an ugly screen and form factor I will sue you!

(=D)
______________________________________________________
El ignorante afirma, el sabio duda y reflexiona.

RE: What apps do VGA?

hoplites @ 10/24/2003 8:25:09 AM #

the SLC has 16bit VGA screen! It'll make T3 looks like m505 screen next to it.

RE: What apps do VGA?

The Ugly Truth @ 10/24/2003 9:44:32 AM #

It'll make T3 looks like m505 screen next to it.

What was wrong with the m505 screen? Palm said it had "brilliant" color. Was that a lie?

Sometimes the truth just isn't pretty™

RE: What apps do VGA?

The Ugly Truth @ 10/24/2003 9:46:25 AM #

Tungsten T|5, November '04
-400Xscale, can't hack the 800mHz bulverde yet. Sony hasn't given them the code.
-64MB. Hey that's plenty enough, who needs 128MB, let those PPC have the 196MB.
-BT (who needs WiFi)
-VGA. (But will emulate 160 x 160, not to worry)
-900mAh non replaceable battery.
-10 days of use (aka, 20 minutes of normal use when using the screen)
-Slider. (wee, one hand operation)
-SD slot. (what do you mean you want peripheral, it's SDIO, if you wait long enough....well wait some more..)
-$399 (why mess with good price)

I disagree. The model you described above is the T|T 4 and it will be available in October, 2004. Palm's market share will be at around 40% of stand alone PDAs and 20% of the overall market if you include new smartphones as competition. That's if they fix their bugs and stop tarnishing the Palm name. Palm is starting to look like Cadillac compared to Sony's Lexus. More sophisticated buyers will start moving towards quality instead of the traditional "name" brand.

Palm and Sony should be embarassed by how cheap they are with the RAM on their PDAs. A showcase, premium-priced device like the Treo 600 should have been given at least 64 MB if the OS can handle it. The CLIE UX-50's usable RAM (what, around 1 MB?) is an even bigger joke, especially considering how that PDA is being positioned.

Sometimes the truth just isn't pretty™

RE: What apps do VGA?

hoplites @ 10/24/2003 9:59:52 AM #

so who knows what brilliant means. I certianly think m505 has far brighter screen compared to my digital watch from the 70's.

RE: What apps do VGA?

hoplites @ 10/24/2003 10:10:27 AM #

I disagree. The model you described above is the T|T 4 and it will be available in October, 2004. Palm's market share will be at around 40% of stand alone PDAs and 20% of the overall market if you include new smartphones as competition.
-----------

I thought T4 will be basic PXA 263 with 64MB and HVGA screen and will be out by April/May time frame. Have they delayed that again?

Was just joking about the 20% amrket share. POS probably will stay around 40%, while Palmone holding mid/high 35% by Q3.

Sony seems to be in total implosion mode.

RE: What apps do VGA?

The Ugly Truth @ 10/24/2003 10:43:25 AM #

Oh I don't dare to imply Palm is exagerating and even telling straight out lies or anything.

Good. Mr. Nagel's "friends" won't have to drop by your house to have a little "chat" with your knees tonight.

I thought T4 will be basic PXA 263 with 64MB and HVGA screen and will be out by April/May time frame. Have they delayed that again?

I had heard that the T|T 4 was going to be shelved, but maybe it's back on again. I'm afraid it just won't be that competitive in six months, though.

Was just joking about the 20% amrket share. POS probably will stay around 40%, while Palmone holding mid/high 35% by Q3.

I realize you were joking about the market share. But I was serious about the battery life figures. Strange how no one laughs about PPC battery life these days...

Sony seems to be in total implosion mode.

Don't ever bet against Sony-zilla. The Beast from the East always finds a way to win.

Sometimes the truth just isn't pretty™

RE: What apps do VGA?

Admin @ 10/24/2003 10:49:38 AM #

this thread is off topic, pls continue in the forums:

http://www.palminfocenter.com/forum/

RE: What apps do VGA?

palmhiker @ 10/24/2003 1:56:43 PM #

Hoplites_TROLL writes: "ps- I am a moron!"

Hee Hee Hee poor ska...

RE: What apps do VGA?