OS 5 to Include Java Support, Web Browser, VPN Client

At the TechXNY tradeshow today, PalmSource's CEO David Nagel said that Palm OS 5 will include features important to enterprise customers.

PalmSource and Insignia Solutions are working together to create a standard Java interface to run on the Palm OS platform. It is also working with Access Systems America to develop a new, secure, proxyless browser for OS 5. The new operating system will also include an evaluation version of SoftRemotePDA Virtual Private Network (VPN) client.

Java
Based on the Insignia Mobile Foundation, which provides a highly optimized implementation of the Java2 Micro Edition standard, and integrated with the PDA Profile (JSR-75) set of Java APIs, the Palm OS based Java solution will provide powerful Java capabilities. PalmSource has taken the lead to develop the PDAP specification and drive it through the Java Community Process with the goal of making it the Java standard for handhelds and smartphones.

The PDA Profile is a single, unified set of Java APIs that will let feature-rich handhelds and smartphone deploy Java-based applications. It gives Java developers a standardized, PalmSource-endorsed suite of Java APIs allowing them to develop Java apps for the broad range of Palm OS products.

Java has become an important standard in the enterprise market and in certain wireless markets, such as the mobile phone market. In the wireless market, Java support will let Palm OS products use dozens of mobile operator networks worldwide that have standardized their mobile services offerings on Java.

Web Browser
As was revealed last week, Access Systems America will provide core technology from its NetFront browser for use in the new proxyless Palm OS 5 web browser and will work with PalmSource on future versions. The Palm OS 5 web browser is optimized for resource-constrained mobile products and provides secure transactions via SSL (Secure Socket Layer). It supports numerous Internet standards, including the latest W3C specifications, HTML 4.01 and XHTML 1.0, dynamic HTML, and ECMA Script (JavaScript).

VPN
PalmSource will only give the Palm OS licensees an evaluation version of SafeNet's SoftRemotePDA to decide whether they want to include it in their handhelds. If they choose to do so, they will have to make an arrangement with SafeNet.

VPNs allow users to securely access private corporate networks over the Internet.

About OS 5
PalmSource put the finishing touches on the core of Palm OS 5 and sent it to the licensees earlier this month to include in their next generation of handhelds, expected in the coming months.

At the heart of the new operating system is its support for ARM-based processors. This will allow the Palm OS to run on much faster processors and greatly increase what it can do in the way of multimedia. It also offers greater security and wireless support.

Related Information:

Article Comments

 (57 comments)

The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. PalmInfocenter is not responsible for them in any way.
Please Login or register here to add your comments.

Comments Closed Comments Closed
This article is no longer accepting new comments.

Down View Full Comment Thread

It's the interface, stupid!

I.M. Anonymous @ 6/26/2002 11:21:39 AM #
It's pretty clear to me that no GUI-level improvements will be made here. The Be-buyout won't pay off until they use that good code. Wait for OS 6.
RE: It's the interface, stupid!
I.M. Anonymous @ 6/26/2002 11:24:39 AM #
I'll keep my Palm Vx, which does everything I want it to do, until OS6 comes out.

I'm in no hurry. 2003 or 2004 it doesn't matter.

RE: It's the interface, stupid!
JimBob @ 6/26/2002 11:25:39 AM #
I'm not sure exactly what "improvements" you are looking for in the GUI. 3D icons? Swooshing noises when menus open? Such bells and whistles only distract from what is already a very clean and most of all functional GUI.

Unless you only use your handheld to store phone numbers, you'll be very tempted by OS 5. You are underestimating the speed increase you'll see. Take a look at this. Its a comparison between the speed of OS 4 and 5 drawing a simple graph.
www.watch.impress.co.jp/pc/docs/2002/0614/palm08.htm

For those who like multimedia, OS 5 will be a "must have". Expect audio and video players, 3D games, CAD software, and more all making use of that fast Intel or TI processor.

RE: It's the interface, stupid!
zigzago @ 6/26/2002 11:30:51 AM #
Go ahead, throw your money away on an OS6 device. Everyone knows OS8 will be the real deal.

RE: It's the interface, stupid!
I.M. Anonymous @ 6/26/2002 11:31:34 AM #
You mean nice sleek interfaces like "LauncherX"?

Where are you LauncherX?

RE: It's the interface, stupid!
zigzago @ 6/26/2002 11:38:10 AM #
>>Where are you LauncherX?<<

Isn't he Speed Racer's brother?

It's NOT the interface, stupid!
I.M. Anonymous @ 6/26/2002 11:38:31 AM #
Why do you care so much what the OS looks like? I spend about 1% of my handheld time in the OS. The rest of the time I'm using an app.

PalmSource is adding real functionality to OS 5. That Java announcement is HUGE and the web browser looks like it is going to rock. It's at least as good as the one my laptop has.

RE: It's the interface, stupid!
james_sorenson @ 6/26/2002 11:46:37 AM #
I don't understand this community.

Day 1: "I prefer the PalmOS to the PocketPC because of the elegant interface."

Day 2: "They aren't completely changing the interface? Waaaaaaah!!!"

Huh? I want increased capabilities, not a new interface! That is exactly what PalmOS 5 will give me. Don't fix something that isn't broke. Bring it on!


-------
James Sorenson

RE: It's the interface, stupid!
crustyedgeofinnovation @ 6/26/2002 12:32:04 PM #
i'm going to buy a palm os5 handheld, because I need 802.11, but since the os 5 is flashable, I could just upgrade to os 6 as soon as it comes out.... Am I right in thinking this?

RE: It's the interface, stupid!
Altema @ 6/26/2002 12:42:13 PM #
"Don't fix something that isn't broke. Bring it on!"

I'm with you 100%. Few things are as humorus as watching someone dig around looking for something simple on a PDA: Tap, tap, tap, "it's here somewhere!", tap, tap, tap, "darn!" tap, tap, "AHA! Beam receive on!"

Yeah, right.

RE: It's the interface, stupid!
Altema @ 6/26/2002 12:50:40 PM #
"Am I right in thinking this?"

Yes, as long as a version of OS6 is released for your particular hardware, you can have it reflashed to the newest OS.

For example, if you have a new Sony T6xx ARM device running OS5, you can load the Sony T6xx OS6 upgrade, but you would not be able to load an OS6 upgrade intended for Palm, Handspring, or Handera ARM devices.

As a side note, keep in mind that Sony will void your warranty unless they do the upgrade themselves.

RE: It's the interface, stupid!
I.M. Anonymous @ 6/26/2002 1:55:27 PM #
"i'm going to buy a palm os5 handheld, because I need 802.11"

That keeps baffling me. You don't need OS5 for 802.11b, it's here now in OS3.5 and 4.0. It's just another network connection. Our current apps and OS don't care how you get your connection, only that there is one.

RE: It's the interface, stupid!
I.M. Anonymous @ 6/26/2002 2:35:24 PM #
Why do you want a new interface. I hate windows. I hate its stupid 'smart features' that never work. I hate CE. I hate '10 clicks to get to anything that isn't one of the 5-10 things in the first level of the start menu'. I especially hate 'smart minimize'.

What do want? The straight forward, elegant design of the interface of Palm OS is what drew people to palm (and keeps them there) in the first place. Its great, it no BS, it's to the point. Hi-res icons are a nice addition. The only thing they need to add is background wallpaper for the launcher, and decent integrated file manager for vfs. That's it. redesigning the gui would be a bad move. it is perfect. in fact - its the first straight forward graphical UI in the history of computing - and you want to change that?

RE: It's the interface, stupid!
crustyedgeofinnovation @ 6/26/2002 2:36:57 PM #
I should have clarified, I have an m100, so I want os 5 for the 802.11. I don't think I can put 802.11 on an m100, nor would I want to.

RE: It's the interface, stupid!
I.M. Anonymous @ 6/26/2002 2:37:24 PM #
>>I should have clarified, I have an m100, so I want os 5 for the 802.11. I don't think I can put 802.11 on an m100, nor would I want to.

This has nothing to do with os 5 - i currently use an m500 with xircoms 802.11b sled. I believe any palm device that uses the universal connector (including m125/m130) will work with this. BTW - it great!! I have it set up to connect to my home LAN and work - so %75 percent of the time i have a high-speed connection to the internet. If only that 802.11b-on-an-SD Card concept that was mentioned on PIC last week, would make it to market.....

RE: It's the interface, stupid!
crustyedgeofinnovation @ 6/26/2002 3:14:01 PM #
I try not to post my comments on a regular basis because I don't like getting into conversations, but your last reply just angers me.


"This has nothing to do with os 5 - i currently use an m500 with xircoms 802.11b sled. I believe any palm device that uses the universal connector (including m125/m130) will work with this."

What has nothing to do with os 5? I just said that my descision to get an OS 5 device is because it might have integrated 802.11. That's all I said, don't tell me it has nothing to do with os 5, because for me, my descision to eventually get os 5 is for the 802.11. And I also said that I have an m100. Not an m500 or m125 or m130, but an m100, which does not have a universal conecter or SD ability. Don't post just for the sake of posting, and at least try to read and understand what is being said before you reply.

RE: It's the interface, stupid!
I.M. Anonymous @ 6/26/2002 5:53:49 PM #
look we're going to get the hi-res. We're even getting themes. The real focus is on what OS 5 can do for apps. Java and a real full featured web browser with real security are very important for me
RE: It's the interface, stupid!
drw @ 6/26/2002 10:01:31 PM #
they could make the ui slicker. what about the linux zaurus? that has a neat ui, but who wants to learn linux. And what about that os that nokia and the other europeans are trying to push? epoc or symbian? That nokia sideways opening smartphone has a nice gui that could be copied.

My first interface experience was a teletypewriter in the 70's. DOS 3.1 was a dream come true. Windows v1.0 showed the future, but it was useless. Windows 3.1 was actually usefull, but there weren't enough native apps. OS/2 2.0 was cool, but the deck was stacked against it. Windows 9x->xp has matured the windows interface, and mac os10 has a nice interface.

I only have a half dozen palm apps I use. Would be nice to be able to move from one to the other (via a drop down menu) without having to go to the "home" screen and without having to use hacks. That's about the only improvement I can think of. Once hirez is built into the os, then it's up to the app makers to make cool looking apps.

David in Pflugerville, TX

RE: It's the interface, stupid!
I.M. Anonymous @ 6/27/2002 1:06:41 AM #
>>What has nothing to do with os 5? I just said that my descision to get an OS 5 device is because it might have integrated 802.11. That's all I said, don't tell me it has nothing to do with os 5, because for me, my descision to eventually get os 5 is for the 802.11.

I was trying to be nice and help you out because your stupid question shows you don't know what you are talking about. You said: "i'm going to buy a palm os5 handheld, because I need 802.11"

..which to anybody who understands english, VERY MUCH IMPLIES you thought OS 5 was needed to use 802.11b. When it was pointed out to you that this was not the case(OS 3.5 and OS 4 devices can use 802.11b - its just a matter of an actual hardware company providing the device OR connector - and OS 5 Palms will use universal connectors EXACTLY like the current crop of Palms do), you replied: "I should have clarified, I have an m100, so I want os 5 for the 802.11. I don't think I can put 802.11 on an m100, nor would I want to."

Which further implies that you still think OS 5 is needed for 802.11b. thus yr statement "so I want os 5 for the 802.11b". I then pointed out existing (non-OS 5) options. Why you this bugs you is beyond me. I suggest you have a communications problem, because if what you meant to say was: "I want my first 802.11b Palm to be a OS 5 device" - THEN that's exactly what you should have said. Ungrateful moron.

RE: It's the interface, stupid!
I.M. Anonymous @ 6/27/2002 1:06:41 AM #
..i forgot to finish my thought. If you meant 'integrated' - then don't you think you should have said so the first 2 posts instead of jumping down the throats of people trying to assist you AND THEN letting us know what you actually meant? Clearly, if you didnt mention it the first 2 posts then you must mistakenly believe that integrated 802.11b (as in wireless 802.11b HARDWARE) is somehow integrated into all os 5 devices. Do you know of ANY palm os 5 liscensee who is putting out such a handheld???
It's the egomaniacle misunderstandings, stupid.
I.M. Anonymous @ 7/1/2002 2:04:11 PM #
We're nice, helpful, decent, understanding people, right?
RE: It's the interface, stupid!
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/14/2002 11:22:54 AM #
I think he meant, "I'm hoping that the next round of devices released includes one with integrated 802.11".

Twit.

well, well

I.M. Anonymous @ 6/26/2002 11:35:27 AM #
sounds like there may be some life in the old dog yet...

i-mode like browser

I.M. Anonymous @ 6/26/2002 11:40:50 AM #
NetFront browser is bundled with several i-mode phones in Japan. This can be a hint on what the web surfing approach will be done in OS5
RE: i-mode like browser
I.M. Anonymous @ 6/26/2002 11:44:24 AM #
The way is rich media with pda tailored interfaces. This would require web sites to be formated for pda screens or pda specific services
RE: i-mode like browser
I.M. Anonymous @ 6/26/2002 12:51:51 PM #
I'm an i-mode user. And there were lots of security holes with NetFont. I hope there will not be such a problem with OS5 version of NetFront.
RE: i-mode like browser
I.M. Anonymous @ 6/26/2002 2:48:06 PM #
>>The way is rich media with pda tailored interfaces. This would require web sites to be formated for pda screens or pda specific services

I don't know about NetFront, but I currently use Handspring Blazer browser with my m515, and it does not require "web sites to be formated for pda screens" - it does an excellent job of reformatting them itself. The whole route of requiring web sites to provide half a dozen versions of their site is just getting out of hand. We have Netscape / IE (yep, to be optimized to look right, you have to change and tweak because Netscape interprets tags/javascript differently), frames/noframes, flash/no flash, WAP version (the worst idea for bringing internet to cell phones ever...) and PDA formatted versions. As a person who used to do web development, i hated this. Most sites never offer all options/versions mentioned above - its way too costly. If you trully want unfettered access to the net, then the approach that is needed is to have intelligent formatting on the PDA app. Its not just Blazer either - there is some italian based company (someone help me out here) that makes a very interesting looking browser that also reads standard web pages.

RE: i-mode like browser
I.M. Anonymous @ 6/27/2002 8:58:54 AM #
But blazer is not a proxy-less browser. It connects to a gateway that does the reformating job
RE: i-mode like browser
I.M. Anonymous @ 6/27/2002 11:52:53 AM #
oops. right you are. still better then requiring web sites to require seperate versions of their site though - dont you think?

Me too!

I.M. Anonymous @ 6/26/2002 12:01:02 PM #
PPC has had Java support for years, Palm is just trying to catch up.


Edited by The University of Puerto Rico.

RE: Me too!
I.M. Anonymous @ 6/26/2002 12:05:32 PM #
My Newton had this 7 years ago.
RE: Me too!
abosco @ 6/26/2002 12:15:58 PM #
Palm isn't playing catchup you ignorant troll. Palm could have done that same moves PPC did with their device's capabilites (Java support, multitasking, etc.) but decided that it was not a good idea. Smart move because it looks like it has been proven that it is a serious battery drain, there's a slowdown in speed, it costs more, and the Palms ended up having much higher sales that PPCs (read the article 4 stories back b/c it says Palm os devices have sold over 22 million devices compared to PPC with just 5 million). Now that the hardware recently caught up, (yes the hardware caught up recently on PPCs too) the Palms can now have these features less costly and without nearly as much battery drain. Yes, there will always be some things PPC can do that Palms can't do, although that list is getting shorter, but the fact remains that Palm is not playing catchup but rather spacing out their releases at better times. So stop trying to justify your purchase.

•Bosco

Waiting for ARMed Palm Smartphone

RE: Me too! - Java on Palm
I.M. Anonymous @ 6/26/2002 12:28:27 PM #
Actually, PPCs do not have a Java implementation. It is only third parties that have been providing support, most notably, Insignia. Another example is Esmertec who has a very mature Java solution for Palms (which runs screamingly fast by hte way)

I believe Java for Palm devices was available even before it was available for PPC devices.

Now, Palm will be ahead of PPC in defining a standard VM and a set of APIs - the PDA Profile, chaired by Palm via the Java Community Process in which many industry leaders participate.

I heard a rumor that Metrowerks plans to announce soon a special version of the Codewarrior IDE for Java designed for Palms and other PDAs, which is the same IDE most professional developers on Palm use. I think this will give Palm developers a headstart in Java development


RE: Me too!
sandbuck @ 6/26/2002 12:37:58 PM #
LOL!! PPC-ers boasting about Java support is like the Matrix computer bragging about its Human Resources department. Give me break!

RE: Me too!
I.M. Anonymous @ 6/26/2002 12:54:35 PM #
All of you trolls (both PPC and PalmOS) are losers. This drivel reminds me of the stuff you read on the Macintosh boards. Any affront to the holy dignity of the Guru Jobs and the cult of Mac is attacked most vociferously by fanatical Mac cultists. It's ridiculous.

Come on people. You barely think as it is, but in this case please realize it's only sand (i.e., silicon), plastic, and other sundry hardware. It isn't a religion or an alternative lifestyle (see Apple's SWITCH campaign and its sundry dorks).

I am neutral as technology only serves an end it isn't a religion. Say it over and over again. So, calm down and use the noodle noggin, which I know is asking far too much.

Thanks.

RE: Printer questions?
bcombee @ 6/26/2002 12:56:21 PM #
Actually, Metrowerks already has "CodeWarrior Wireless Studio", a product that targets wireless Java implementations for many phones and devices, including Palm OS. See http://www.metrowerks.com/products/wireless-studio for details.

I'm sure that we will be tracking whatever moved PalmSource does in the Java marketplace and supporting it through our wireless initiatives. That doesn't mean we won't continue supporting 68K and ARM-based application development, however -- we're actively working on toolsets for Palm OS 5 and beyond.

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

RE: Me too!
Altema @ 6/26/2002 1:02:01 PM #
"technology only serves an end it isn't a religion"

Amen.

RE: Me too!
I.M. Anonymous @ 6/26/2002 1:06:30 PM #
> Palm could have done that same moves PPC did with their device's capabilites
> (Java support, multitasking, etc.) but decided that it was not a good idea

Well, not exactly. While the current processor is quite capable of handling a multitasking kernel, Palm could not utilize it as their licensing agreement with the RTOS vendor prohibited them from implimenting multitasking. Yep, the kernel was not written by Palm.

RE: Me too!
sandbuck @ 6/26/2002 3:58:27 PM #
>>I am neutral as technology only serves an end it isn't a religion.
Another "I'm not a troll" troll chimes in.

RE: Me too!
I.M. Anonymous @ 6/26/2002 7:15:34 PM #
great we have the entire University of Puerto Rico against us...hey PocketPC when will you catch up to TinySheet's 3D charts?
Top View Full Comment Thread
Achtung! Only the first 50 comments are displayed within the article.
    Click here for the full story discussion page...

Account

Register Register | Login Log in
user:
pass: