Final Version of Palm Desktop for OS X Available

Palm, Inc. has just released the final English version of Palm Desktop 4.0 for Mac. It offers native Mac OS X support, improved handheld-to-desktop synchronization, an OS X Dock menu item, and vCard and vCal support. A beta version of this has been available since the beginning of this year. It is free.

After installing the new Palm Desktop, users will need to upgrade their third-party conduits in order to synchronize with the new desktop software. While some of these are available, many are not. Companies currently working on support for this version include Blue Nomad, DataViz, FileMaker, Handmark, LandWare, MeetingMaker, MGI PhotoSuite, Microsoft Entourage, and SplashData.

It has primarily been designed for Palm's own handhelds but it works with the Handspring Visor and the Sony Clié. Of course, it lacks some of the conduits that ship with Sony's Windows version of the Palm Desktop.

It allows OS X users to simply drag Address Book items or Date Book items to the desktop to create vCard and vCal files.

It works with Mac OS X (version 10.1.2 or higher) or Mac OS 9.x.

International versions, including French, German, Italian, Spanish and Japanese, are still in beta but can be downloaded. Final versions of these are scheduled for availability in the late spring.

Thanks to the numerous people who pointed this out. -Ed

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Conduits

Ed @ 3/25/2002 5:55:51 PM #
I pointed this out in the article but I wanted to make sure people saw this very useful list of the status of conduits for this new Desktop that Visor Central put together earlier this month.

http://www.visorcentral.com/content/Stories/1403-1.htm

---
News Editor

Screenshots????

Foo Fighter @ 3/25/2002 6:05:17 PM #
...please!

At last!

dsm363 @ 3/25/2002 6:15:40 PM #
The installer does something pretty strange and insists on removing all prior versions. I have multiple partitions with old Palm backup folders and it went through each drive and removed the old version. You have no option of just removing it from your main drive and continuing. It then ignored my current user folder on my bootup drive (there's only 1 Palm folder on this drive) and went to a different partition to import some old information. Oh well, at least it's here for OS X now and people can make the final transition.

conduits on OS9?

kezza @ 3/25/2002 6:31:32 PM #
Color me stupid, but will conduits work with this on OS9? I'm not clear if the conduits that currently aren't compatible aren't compatible with running this on OSX, or if they're not compatible with the final release whatsoever.
I'm a little frustrated with the iffiness of the beta, and want to upgrade, but not at the cost of losing the syncability of all my SplashData information.

--------------------------------------
PIC Moderator: Software forum
"Well, if it isn't the leader of the wiener patrol, boning up on his nerd lessons"
RE: conduits on OS9?
Kesh @ 3/25/2002 9:18:56 PM #
If you're referring to using OS9 condiuts with the OSX Palm Desktop, no, it won't work that way. If you're running X, you either have to reboot into OS 9, run the OS 9 Palm Desktop in Classic mode (which doesn't guarantee your conduit will work right), or wait for an OS X version of the conduit.

RE: conduits on OS9?
kezza @ 3/25/2002 9:39:30 PM #
Actually, I was referring to conduits on OS9 that I used with the beta, that I'm still using on OS9.
Anyway, I answered my own question. I installed the release version and everything that synced before still syncs. Even applications that never stated they worked with v4.0, like StockManager.
SplashID and SplashMoney conduits still work, but SplashShopper does not (and never has, so that's no different for me).

--------------------------------------
PIC Moderator: Software forum
"Well, if it isn't the leader of the wiener patrol, boning up on his nerd lessons"
RE: conduits on OS9?
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/26/2002 12:33:58 AM #
I am also having problems with conduits--Most don't seem to work. I am OS 9.2.2 and Desktop 4.0

I'm having problems with OS 9 and 4.0 and CLIE

I.M. Anonymous @ 3/25/2002 7:20:29 PM #
I installed the 4.0 desktop on OS9. It is supposed to work. It does work for my i705, but I am having problems using my CLIE.

Do I still need to use Markspace?

Any luck anybody?

RE: I'm having problems with OS 9 and 4.0 and CLIE
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/25/2002 7:56:18 PM #
I had no success either - N610.

I've heard tales of this working - I'm using OS 9.2 - haven't even bothered trying with OS 10.x.x - IMO, there's no point - if it don't work in 9 (where I do most of my work) I ain't using it....

I've already reverted back to v2.6.3 -

Additionally, why would anyone use the new version if they also make use of applications that haven't updated their conduits?

In other words - this new version completely removes the syncing capabilities of wordsmith, avantgo, and a few other keys apps we rely on to sync-

I know some of these companies have betas out there, but fuggedaboutit -

i'll wait till all my conduits are ready before i'll upgrade.

RE: I'm having problems with OS 9 and 4.0 and CLIE
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/25/2002 9:26:26 PM #
Works great with my Sony Clie T615!

RE: I'm having problems with OS 9 and 4.0 and CLIE
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/25/2002 11:23:09 PM #
My T615 works great. Seems to sync faster on my ibook then my XP desktop.



RE: I'm having problems with OS 9 and 4.0 and CLIE
ssussmann @ 3/26/2002 6:46:40 AM #
Doesn't work with my N610. Tries to reinstall Missing Sync and got a strange message - "Palm Desktop 2.6.3 [or later] needs to be installed". "Or later" certainly is!
At least it isn't just me.

RE: I'm having problems with OS 9 and 4.0 and CLIE
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/26/2002 9:45:30 PM #
Will NOT work with my N760C under either OS 9.22 or OSX 10.13.

Instant Palm Desktop?

bfishman @ 3/25/2002 8:54:52 PM #
Overall, the final version of 4.0 does seem improved over the beta. For instance, the sync starts up faster and the backup conduit only backs up things that have changed since the last back-up (the last beta backed up *everything* every time!).

BUT... I still can't figure out what's up with the Instant Palm Desktop!

The Instant Desktop menu only works in the dock if my application is already running (I've put the application icon in the dock manually so it's always available there). If the app isn't running, the dock icon only offers to "show in finder."

The help with the new desktop app implies that the menu should appear even if the app isn't running.

Anyone get this to work the way it should? It just doesn't make sense to me that it would only be available when the application is already running... I mean, what's the point!

-B

RE: Instant Palm Desktop?
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/25/2002 11:35:30 PM #
You have to go to preferences and enable the background application; which gets added to you login startup items.

RE: Instant Palm Desktop?
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/26/2002 2:20:42 AM #
If you download the "Palm Desktop 4.0 Handbook.pdf" file that is available from the same page as the desktop software, you'll find the following on page 161:

"NOTE In Mac OS X, the Instant Palm Desktop menu is only available when Palm Desktop is currently running or hidden. In Mac OS 9, the Instant Palm Desktop menu is also available when Palm Desktop is not running."

That background app may just be for either synching or for displaying alarms while the main application isn't running.

RE: Instant Palm Desktop?
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/26/2002 11:44:05 AM #
That kind of sucks. Actually, it sucks allot.

RE: Instant Palm Desktop?
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/26/2002 11:57:58 AM #
Actually, it doesn't suck too bad. If I remember all of this correctly, OS X is very good about memory use, and will "page out" the program to virtual memory (hard disk) if it hasn't been used recently. OS X expects you to leave applications open, and just switch to them when you want them. Set the software to Autostartup and don't think about it again.

RE: Instant Palm Desktop?
I.M. Anonymous @ 6/13/2002 2:41:45 AM #
Dude, you're full of s--t. This sucks MAJORLY, especially since the application's Help file SPECIFICALLY contradicts this and indicates that the Instant Palm Desktop menu is a separate application that can run in the Dock independently of the actual Palm Desktop app. This is clearly an outright lie, plain and simple. Don't be taking Palm's side here when they flat-out lie to their customers.

Still broken for NFS users

I.M. Anonymous @ 3/25/2002 9:35:06 PM #
At my office (Apple), we use NFS based home directories and the OSX version of the Palm desktop doesn't validate permissions properly. This means that you can't HotSynch unless you are using a local log-in account.

A number of us reported the problem the day after the beta was released, but Palm didn't fix it.

This is just really sloppy programming.

RE: Still broken for NFS users
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/26/2002 6:54:31 AM #
Could it be any sloppier than Netscape for the Mac?

And my Word X keeps crashing, and crashing, and crashing...

Three cheers for Entourage, though. I don't even think about Palm Desktop anymore.

Doh, Word crashed again.

Waste of time

I.M. Anonymous @ 3/25/2002 10:05:43 PM #
Another fatal mistake for Palm. Making these stupid desktop programs, while they should only be focusing on improving their handhelds for windows.
Stupid, stupid, stupid.

RE: Waste of time
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/25/2002 11:32:53 PM #
RE: "...they should only be focusing on improving their handhelds for windows".

Echhh, what is your problem? Macs and Palm make a great combination!

RE: Waste of time
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/26/2002 12:01:32 AM #
didnT you hear, Microsoft might be forced to stop producing Windoze? [or at least XP..]

RE: Waste of time
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/26/2002 3:16:40 AM #
> they should only be focusing on improving their handhelds for windows.

Ugh ... no. I'm looking forward to improved OS X support so I can dump Windoze and get an OS X Mac. I've been waiting for Microsoft Office on a Unix platform for years so I could dump Microsoft's crappy operating systems, good Palm support on the Mac is the last step.

RE: Waste of time
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/26/2002 4:35:17 AM #
microsoft office IS already ported to OSX...and it works flawlessly :)
Step away from the Dark-Side, the mac-community awaits you with open arms.
[and the new Palm desktop for osX is top-notch too...ahem, so far so good]

RE: Waste of time
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/26/2002 6:58:48 AM #
Sily mistake of your parents to bring you up when they should have focused all their attention to your smarter brothers and sisters. Stupid stupid stupid

RE: Waste of time
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/26/2002 8:44:00 AM #
Just ignore the troll. He was only trying to get your goat.

iPod also becoming iPDA

I.M. Anonymous @ 3/26/2002 1:10:52 AM #
Apple put the Contacts thing right into the iPod now, straight from Palm Desktop you can put your contacts onto your pod. Frankly, they look cooler and better on there anyway. Three cheers for Apple!

RE: iPod also becoming iPDA
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/26/2002 1:06:58 PM #
Yeah, I just did that this morning. Very cool. Drag contacts out of Palm Desktop and they are converted to vCards when saved, which the 1.1 iPod firmware uses for Contacts. This way, if I leave the Palm at home I can still look up phone numbers... nice. Now if only I could work some folder synchronization in there!

FYI, I *really* don't understand why Palm isn't adding sync support for Address Book.app, and especially why there isn't a Mail conduit to connect to Mail.app!!!
That's a no-brainer if I ever saw one...

RE: iPod also becoming iPDA
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/27/2002 1:35:46 PM #
> especially why there isn't a Mail conduit to connect to Mail.app!!!
Maybe it should be Apple's job to write that conduit; or this might be an opportunity for a third-party.

When is Palm going to sort this out?

I.M. Anonymous @ 3/26/2002 3:24:21 AM #
I'm trying to get Desktop final to sync...it worked great first time, but now reports that 'Palm Desktop Background' is busy and quits the Hotsync...

Any ideas?

Palm, pull your ****ing finger out and get this working properly!! :<

I'm fed up with them just doing what they need to get by to support Mac users - and then not even getting that right. I've already wasted time fixing my SUDS issue and now I've got to re-install my machine again to try and get my 505 talking to my Mac.

To say I'm irate would be an understatement!!!!!

J>

RE: When is Palm going to sort this out?
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/26/2002 11:19:18 AM #
Not positive it will help you, but I had to delete the beta of the software. After that, I reinstalled and all was well...

Good luck.

post problems with clie and OS X

I.M. Anonymous @ 3/26/2002 8:29:34 AM #
is there a list or can someone start a list of what clies work with mac os X that includes details of what model they have, and what exactly works and doesnt work, especially since the final version for palm software jjust came out. I have a tibook 667 combo and a clie N710c. I did a self upgrade of the OS to 4.1. I have heard that n760c works with OS X, but why does mine not work? I thought the only difference between the N710c and N760c was the OS(which I have the same OS as the N760c now also).
Syncing: I can sync via IRDA, but if I put files to be installed on the next hotsync, the sync will fail without the files getting installed. So, in essence, the irda isn't fully working for me. With USB, which I really need, I cant sync at all. When I press the hotsync button, nothing happens, except the hard drive makes a spinning sound. if you do a "lsof" from the terminal when pressing the the hotsync button, you can see that the USB cradle has a socket open with the OS , but nothing happens. I guess it isn't recognizing the clie properly or something. Also, I cannot get the memory sticks to mount from my clie for transferring music ans such. Fortunately I also have a sony digital camera and dv camcorder. For now, I just pull my memory stick out from my clie and put it in the camera and then attach it to my laptop, and it will mount as a drive on my desktop. I think that if I can mount the memory stick via my camera, someone or I could probably just mess around inside the OS with the drivers and get this mounting issue working from the clie itself. I am in taiwan now and the bluetooth module in japan just came out a couple of days ago, so I suppose that might be an option for syncing, but I would really like to have a fast USB hotsync. (I have not done a normal hotsync in almost a year). Please post your replies to this thread or email to me at wtzjt308@yahoo.com . I will try to put a page together about all problems/features with clies and mac os x. I don't think there are too many os x clie users though. I am also looking into writing a plugin for itunes that will let you use your clie like the ipod. Thanks.
Jason
btw, to me the final palm desktop doesnt seem to work very well at all for me. It seems like beta software still. What are your thoughts?

RE: post problems with clie and OS X
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/26/2002 12:01:05 PM #
same problem...tibook...sony 710 upgraded to 4.1 no hot sync... any info from mark space? why would the t615 work and not 710w 4.1?

RE: post problems with clie and OS X
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/26/2002 12:01:44 PM #
Consider http://homepage.mac.com/cliemacpage/ ; although the main page is somewhat out of date, the discussion boards seem active.

RE: post problems with clie and OS X
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/26/2002 1:50:50 PM #
The Clie-Mac forums on cliesource.com are also pretty active.

the mail I got from Mark/Space
I.M. Anonymous @ 3/27/2002 7:58:13 AM #
Objet : Rép : about the new SONY CLIEs (NR70/NR70V)

Latest version of Missing Sync is 2.2, which is still
current.
According to the programmer I talk to, however, 2.2.1 is
indeed scheduled to make it out by the end of the week.
(OS9 support) OS X support will be done in version 3.0, due out in late April.

--
Daiv 
Mark/Space Customer Support


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