Palm Launches MyPalm Beta Site

Posted By: Kris Keilhack Wednesday, May 9, 2007 12:00:01 AM

Concurrent with today's Treo 755p announcement, Palm has launched the beta version of their new MyPalm portal and Treo owner resource site. The MyPalm program is designed to assist experienced and novice users alike in maximizing the capabilities of their Treo smartphones.

The most surprising (and unexpected) perk in this program is the 24/7 assistance hotline for reigstered users of this new program. Palm claims that this service is completely free. Additionally, this member-exclusive hotline does not appear to be related in any way to the free 90 days of complimentary telephone assistance that Palm has been bundling with recent Treo devices.

my palm beta Palm touts the following benefits from signing up for the program:

Free 24/7 members-only phone assistance

Wireless delivery of software and services

Alerts and updates about the software and accessories you own

Insider tips and "how to's"

A personal MyPalm account and homepage

Exclusive offers and more

Yet another gracious extra courtesey of Palm is a free copy (apparently a special full version for this promotion) of Astraware's award-winning Sudoku game. This free title, assuming Palm is indeed giving away the full version in its entirety, represents a nearly $20 savings from purchasing the game at full retail price. This addictive little game is no stranger to Palm promotional efforts, having appeared as part of the Circuit City-exclusive retail Tungsten E2 Essential Pack last year.

Since the service is still in beta, some quirks and bugs are expected; my initial registration and request for the free Sudoku game has not yet been processed by the system. Since Palm only "pushes" download links for this game via SMS messages sent to users' Treos, users are unable to download the program and install it at their own leisure.

Another component of the program seems to be a new icon featuring prominent Palm branding. This new "Designed for Palm Products" stamp of approval claims, in Palm's own words, to deliver "the best possible software experience". The certified and Palm-approved programs will "...integrate seamelessly with your Treo smartphone's built-in features, including the 5-way nav." So far the a number of pieces of software available for purchae on the MyPalm online store already bear this mark of approval (including the aforementioned Sudoku).

PIC will continue to monitor this surprisingly valuable and user-oriented help portal and report on any content changes or if Palm decides to charge for the service once it concludes the beta-testing period.

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myPalm, but not for my palm

ebrough @ 5/9/2007 10:06:27 AM #

This seems really nice. To bad it is for Treos only. I have a LifeDrive and a TX but can't register. This shows where Palm is headed to the death of the stand alone devices. I don't want a Treo, I like the big screen and wi-fi of the TX. and with a Bluetooth headset, I don't even have to take my phone out of my pocket. Its too bad Palm is leaving another set of users out in the cold.

RE: myPalm, but not for my palm

Rhauer @ 5/9/2007 11:29:27 AM #

I second that?

RE: myPalm, but not for my palm

PadOPaper @ 5/9/2007 12:13:05 PM #

Agreed. Just the other day I was at Sears & Roebuck berating the manager for no longer selling buggy whips. How dare they! He kept trying to explain this process of 'progress' and 'cars', my buggy works just fine thank you very much! Who cares I say, if most people want cars, I want to drive an old buggy and revel in it's lack of a radio and bulky size.

Who needs expensive gadgets, give me a pencil and some post-its. Added benefit, perfect handwriting recognition.

RE: myPalm, but not for my palm

PacManFoo @ 5/9/2007 1:55:32 PM #

Here in the midwest I see lots of horse and buggies yet, mostly Amish but not all. It's nice that the option of the horse and buggy is still available for these people who wish to choose it over an automobile. Hopefully the same consideration can be given to those who want a PDA w/out a phone attached.

I'm not sure why you would assume Sears would carry horse whips. You'd be able to find them at any Tack and Supply store.

PDA's Past and Present:
Palm - IIIxe, Vx, M500, M505, Tungsten T, TX
Handspring - Edge, Platinum, Deluxe
Sony - SJ22
Apple - MP110, MP2000, MP2100

RE: myPalm, but not for my palm

cervezas @ 5/9/2007 10:47:49 PM #

I heard a presentation by Sprint today in which the speaker stated that Sprint would be bringing out three to four (presumably wireless) "PDAs" during Q4 2007. Maybe one is from Palm? Tablet-style data-centric devices are poised for a comeback, I think, only this time they're going to be loaded with modern, multi-tasking operating systems, super hi-resolution screens and desktop-class AJAX-enabled web browsers.

http://www.pikesoft.com/blog/index.php?itemid=175

Oh, and a propos of nothing, Sun just announced a new smartphone OS yesterday, built on Linux, Java telephony technology they acquired from SavaJe, and a Flash-like GUI built on top of a beefy CDC Java ME runtime.

http://www.pikesoft.com/blog/index.php?itemid=174

David Beers
Pikesoft Mobile Computing
www.pikesoft.com/blog

RE: myPalm, but not for my palm

ballistic @ 5/10/2007 6:32:09 AM #

It looks pretty good so far, and I tried out the free Sodoku offer. SMS download link, a new software manager application, and an automated installer. Pretty slick.

MyPalm is definitely a harbinger of things to come from Palm and fits right in with their comments about filling some basic unmet needs. I expect they'll roll out many more features including online PIM integration, wireless syncing with your device, and personal data sharing. Palm wants to make things as easy as possible for novice users to learn about, setup, and add software to their devices to further differentiate themselves from the crowd. Expect different tiers of services that include basic free services for everyone and premium monthly subscription services once it's out of Beta.

RE: myPalm, but not for my palm

sremick @ 5/10/2007 2:16:46 PM #

PadOPaper,

Nice lame attempt at an analogy. A car is a technological improvement over a horse and buggy. When you show me a keyboardless Treo with a 320x480 screen and a 400MHz processor, then we'll talk about Treos actually being an improvement over PDAs like my T3. If anything, the proper analogy would be car-owners being abandoned only to find companies supporting horses and buggies exclusively.

My T3 is technologically-superior to Treos on so many indisputable features that it'd be a huge step-backards... I'd lose numerous critical features and get several redundant ones (I already have a cell phone, thank you) that I don't want in-trade. I am not alone. But Palm chooses to ignore the market that catapulted them to fame.

The only reason PDAs are less-popular is because Palm stopped putting R&D into them, releasing new models or promoting them. They merged a toilet plunger and a toothbrush since both are in the bathroom, and then stopped selling standalone toothbrushes in order to force people to by the hybrid monstrosity just to brush their teeth.

http://www.vtbsd.net/