webOS 1.4.5 Update Approaching

Posted By: Kris Keilhack Thursday, June 17, 2010 10:16:49 AM

webos updates After the hullabaloo over the last major webOS release, February's v1.4, Palm has focused on smaller, less significant bugfix updates for WebOS, such as April's minor 1.4.1 and 1.4.1.1 updates. Now, a webOS 1.4.5 release is imminent for Sprint and Verizon networks. webOS 1.4.5 is reportedly smaller update primarily designed to address reliability issues with PDK 3D games, as well as hopefully making those games playable on the lesser hardware specs of the Pixi. AT&T, the most recent domestic carrier to jump on the WebOS bandwagon, is rumored to be waiting a bit before certifying 1.4.5 for release, likely due to the "newness" of webOS on Big Blue.

Unless you are a Pixi-owning action gamer, this is a relatively minor update--"limited", in Palm's own words-- but one that will hopefully set the stage for the substantial "fall update" mentioned during Palm's developer day. That substantial update promises to be one addressing performance and battery life issue within WebOS, as well as offering APIs for the microphone and camera to make 3rd party voice recording and image capture apps possible.

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Update

vetdoctor @ 6/17/2010 6:50:08 PM #

I updated me Treo to an Evo. Sorry Palm .

RE: Update

Gekko @ 6/18/2010 3:23:35 AM #

vetdoc - fyi - check out the ACTIVE case from Seidio for your EVO! VERY VERY NICE!!

historically i HATE cases and prefer to go naked but with this phone and 4.3" of glass i felt i needed some protection. the ACTIVE case adds a nice tight quality grip with quality materials and not a lot of bulk or thickness or weight. it adds a nice quality protective gel skin to the case that's so much more substantial and higher quality than those cheap skin cases. the silicone is not very sticky tacky so it does not cling to your clothing when inserting/removing from pocket AND debris does not cling to it. it's a very nice fit! HIGHLY RECOMMEND! and it's got a really cool design with a gripping soft rubber exoskeleton. i am not a case guy but i love it as it is more of a layer of protective skin. check it out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHb3tFA3WJ4

http://forum.androidcentral.com/htc-evo-4g/17284-review-seidio-innocase-active-limited-edition.html

http://www.amazon.com/Seidio-Innocase-Active-Case-HTC/dp/B003PJ6QV0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=wireless&qid=1276856418&sr=8-1

RE: Update

Gekko @ 6/18/2010 4:41:16 AM #

vetdoc and other Android converts - check out Jorte!

so far - this is the best Calendar replacement i have found!

http://www.appbrain.com/app/jp.co.johospace.jorte

RE: Update

rpa @ 6/18/2010 9:03:43 AM #

Gekko: thanks for the ongoing updates....I am leaning towards an HTC Wildfire as it is about $350 unlocked in Hong Kong (easier to take the plunge vs $600 for the HTC desire). Available in a few weeks. However, the Access Garnet VM for the Nokia N900 is also an option if one wants a qwerty keyboard. As I have mentioned many times, I need to be able to link calendar activities to a time zone and not just to a time....can this calendar do this?

HP hasn't said much about WebOS other than printer drivers.....maybe they have a killer phone up their sleeves.

RE: Update

e_tellurian @ 6/18/2010 11:40:37 AM #

If such a calendar does not exist you just offered more for people to innovate. Thanks for your feedback.

E-T

RE: Update

rpa @ 6/18/2010 12:11:29 PM #

ET: I keeping hinting and hope some developer will bite.....

RE: Update

e_tellurian @ 6/18/2010 2:00:55 PM #

Thanks for your persistence. It is a win win.

E-T

Meaningless for the Pre

LiveFaith @ 6/20/2010 1:30:12 AM #

Sounds like the update only helps the Pixi. No change for the Pre.

A couple of things I would like for fuure OTA updates:

1. Camera is great and videos are too. But, sometimes (10%) I'll get button lag or a slow startup of cam, when turning off/on w/ power button. Could use a little attention. Love how cam can be left on, placed on touchtone, then picked up and the camera turns on automatically w/out any slide-to-start entry needed. Keeps cam w/ fresh charge and instantly ready to shoot. Been on vacation in the Rockies the last 3 weeks and have shot @ 1,000 pix & 100 vids. Impressed especially after using that VGA crap on my 680/650.

2. Open up mic / earpiece to devs. Just got Visual Voocemail today, but app cannot play .mp3 VMs through earpiece or BT b/c Palm has yet to make APIs available. They say it's coming. 1.5 would be nice.

I'm loving this Pre more every day, but ATTs data in the ''square states'' is a joke. Back to TN/GA cannot come soon enough. Homebrew apps are awesome. I have @ 15-20 and am getting WiFi hotspot working. Going to a 720mhz kernal when I can do a little DD on the options. Most Palm OS software replaced already.

I had a ton of encrypted entries in Keyring and dreaded to xfer them, only to find the dev has a java app to allow easy conversion and import into WebOS. $2 for app and it's done. Sweet.

Getting comfortable with gestures now and finding more and more KB shortcuts hidden by Palm. Nice, but I miss the stylus and apps like Diddlebug. No equal for capacitive devices. Finding more and more hacks in Preware / homebrew ...

Pat Horne

RE: Meaningless for the Pre

jca666us @ 6/20/2010 7:49:57 AM #

Scrap the Pre and get an iphone4 - palm is still circling the drain at this point.

All hp did was prolong the inevitable - hope that 50% off at the App Catalog is going well - lol!

RE: Meaningless for the Pre

mikecane @ 6/20/2010 8:36:19 AM #

Well, asshat, YOU really added to THIS discussion, didn't you? He says he LOVES his Pre and you what? Moron.

RE: Meaningless for the Pre

richf @ 6/20/2010 11:37:57 AM #

LiveFaith, I also miss Diddlebug. I used to take hand written notes and miss it very much. I am also finding my way around webos. I also must say the Pre is like going back to my worn comfortable walking shoes. Just feels right. I realize it is not state of the art, but I am not a heavy media user. The calendar is just about perfect for me. I also notice it is a little slow but I am willing to wait and it is a small trade off. It seems nice for me at this time but there is no guarantee that in 6-9 months I will be itching for something new. I am slowly getting to the point of trying Classic, has anyone tried? Any advice to get over the rough spots? I also like my contacts in alphabetic order by last name. Android didn't do this. Contacts were in first name order and this bugged the hell out of me. I know, old fashioned, but they taught me to file last name ascending order. One last item, I like the shape of the Pre, curves in just the places and small. Just the way I like my women. haha
Have a nice day!
Pilot 1000->Pilot 5000->Pilot Pro->IIIe->IIIc->M500->M505->M515->TC->T3->T5->Treo 650P->Treo 700P->Droid>Pre

RE: Meaningless for the Pre

rpa @ 6/20/2010 11:50:31 AM #

The only Pre available in Hong Kong is the qwertz unit from Germany. I'll hold on to see what HP does with the OS (other than printer drivers).

Keep the WebOS reviews from old Palm users coming....

RE: Meaningless for the Pre

mikecane @ 6/20/2010 3:44:06 PM #

>>>Contacts were in first name order and this bugged the hell out of me. [in Android]

That is ghastly! Especially since some of the people who worked on Android were from Palm/Palmsource!

In terms of media, all 3 are the same: iOS, Android, webOS. None will do AVI, all want MP4/3GP. Ugh. (For Android/webOS, there are OS issues. For iOS, I have no idea if there's also an OS limitation or if Jobs simply won't allow vlc as a paid app.)

RE: Meaningless for the Pre

ewl @ 6/20/2010 6:43:15 PM #

Yes the capacitive screens have some downsides esp in its lack of precision. I miss the ability to scribble some notes but then again resolution on Treo wasn't that good and my notes were barely legible. Typing some notes on Pre is possible with some apps like Notes, Bugme (different from original version) but you have to get used to pre's keyboard which is not easy. Maybe that's a problem with low profile membrane keyboards.
Anyway, back to topic, I think there may be an upside to this update for Pre also since the newest PDK will be "jailed" (according to precentral) so more 3rd party developers can release PDK apps. Before PDK apps were released only by trusted larger developers like gameloft, EA. So potentially more PDK apps will be available once this update goes through. Pixi owners should definitely be happy.

RE: Meaningless for the Pre

LiveFaith @ 6/20/2010 8:58:07 PM #

Rich,

Contacts in LNF order? I understand the strangeness, but the Pre + @ std clock rate is lightening fast at getting to any contact simply by typing forst or last name. I was really worried about losing the categories, but I'm already getting to contacts faster than on Palm OS. I understand the history of doing things a certain way and the Pre is very different for me. But, I'm starting to see the beauty of WebOS and get around fast.

RPA, why not get an ATT Pre on eBay and use it in HK? The + has several advantages. Mine is fast as lightening at almost everything. Already have 10gb on it, 3500 contacts, and about 75 apps etc. It could launch apps a little faster for my taste, so I'm getting ready to overclock.

Battery life seems about the sucky same as my Treo 680, except at night where it's eating through it really fast. I don't know if it's backing up or doing something else in the cloud, but I'm learning.

I have been whining (well documented btw) for Palm to wake up and do an Evo style (large screen tablet) device for about 7 years now. Amazingly, guess what the hottest devices are. If Palm steps up a WebOS tablet device with a big screen, then I'll eBay out for it. Until then I'm happy.
Pat Horne

RE: Meaningless for the Pre

jca666us @ 6/21/2010 4:56:00 AM #

Palm conducted a webinar this past week that addressed application development on the webOS platform. One of the questions that arose regarded Flash 10.1 and its status on the webOS platform. Palm Pre owners will fondly recall the rollout of webOS 1.4 back in February which included support for Flash 10. All that was and is still required to activate Flash on the Pre is a plug-in be supplied by Adobe. When asked about the continuing delay of this plugin, Palm could only provide the less than satisfying answer of "we don't know what the hold-up is." With Android still waiting on Flash and the webOS version of Flash MIA, one really does wonder how wise it is to make big promises that are heavily dependant upon third parties.

RE: Meaningless for the Pre

Gekko @ 6/21/2010 6:35:24 AM #

Android does Flash - at least Flash Lite which is pretty close for me. The Flash sites i go to render just fine.

You guys really need to step out of the dark ages and get an EVO. Throw your Garnets and plastic Pond stones in the pond where they belong. You dont know what youre missing.

RE: Meaningless for the Pre

mikecane @ 6/21/2010 10:37:39 AM #

Blaming Palm for the ineptness of Adobe. Imbecile. It's already been well-documented with video -- NOT slanted ones by/from Adobe -- that Adobe's Flash for Android 2.2 is still craptastic. Adobe will come *crawling* to HP once they release a powerful webOS tablet. By that time, there will be much more HTML5 video out there and Flash will go away -- as it has deserved to since the original iPhone 1.0 release.

Hm, looking up contacts via keyboard is not a workaround I would have thought of, despite the fact I have to do that most of the time on the crappy Tracfone.

RE: Meaningless for the Pre

DarthRepublican @ 6/29/2010 9:49:31 AM #

ewl wrote:
Yes the capacitive screens have some downsides esp in its lack of precision. I miss the ability to scribble some notes but then again resolution on Treo wasn't that good and my notes were barely legible. Typing some notes on Pre is possible with some apps like Notes, Bugme (different from original version) but you have to get used to pre's keyboard which is not easy. Maybe that's a problem with low profile membrane keyboards.

Homebrew Pre and Pixi users might want to look into one of the Reduce Drag Radius patches. They make the touchscreen more responsive and accurate at the expense of forcing you to tap a little harder to get it recognize double taps. I've found it to be a pretty good trade-off - it actually makes the virtual d-pad useful.
Fool/Palm Apologist
Shouting down the PIC Faithful Since 2009
Screw convergence
Palm III->Visor Deluxe->Visor Platinum->Visor Prism->Tungsten E->Palm LifeDrive->Palm TX->Palm Pre
Visor Pro+VisorPhone->Treo 180g->Treo 270->Treo 600->Treo 680->T-Mobile G1->Palm Pre
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