Run Palm OS Applications on a Pocket PC

Interesting, I'm curious how PalmSource will take this.

The world will end in 2006. Just as it was predicted in the bible along with the release of Microsoft Longhorn.... :p

[QUOTE]Coming to Other Platforms

StyleTap intends to release versions of this application for other mobile platforms, including the Symbian OS.

"StyleTap Platform is based on the idea that the same application software should run on many different kinds of handhelds, regardless of operating system," said Sokoloff. "This not only benefits handheld users, but also allows developers to target a much larger customer base."[/QUOTE]

I'd like to see a Mac version of StyleTap, since currently there is no Mac version of the Palm OS Simulator, and the Palm OS Emulator for the Mac only supports up to Palm OS 4.

Also, does anyone know if it can run Sony Palm apps?

Can anyone give a list of Palm apps that work well?

Now the disenfranchised can have Grafitti 1 again.

I using a Dell Axim now and the best text entry method is "Block Recognizer" which is basically G1.

There are a ton of niche applications, developed by hobbyists, that are not ported to Pocket PC simply because the guy who wrote the software doesn't use a Pocket PC. 80% of my software is freeware so it's not like I'm going to make a big effort to develop free software for a PDA that I don't use. I'd rather spend time developing new tools for the PDA that I do use.

ePocrates is, by far, the most popular PDA medical tool. The primary tool is available for both platforms, however, there are a host of add-on applications that are only available for Palm OS.

I just downloaded it and it installed fine; and then wouldn't run a SINGLE Palm program. Save your money; isnt' worth the $29.95 IMHO.

All good things...

I now stand corrected. I decided that the potential of this program was too great, so I just called StyleTap, and a tech support guy walked me through a couple issues. Yes, this program does work very well. I have an X50v, and now can run my POS programs on there as well. I wish this program would've come along back when I changed over to PPC, as I ended up buying the PPC version to a lot of my programs that I had on my old palm. Oh well, at least I can advise others who are changing over to PPC about this program.

All good things...

I would have to agree that this could mean some serious trouble for Palm. In addition, while there were no 'killer palm pdas' for me to even think about changing from my Axim before, this program helps me make sure I stay a PPC user. It is also a very compelling reason for many people who like the PPC hardware and features to now change, especially since they can run POS programs.

All good things...

Sarcasm....please note the bucket-loads of sarcasm in the first post,

Palm emulator on PocketPC is equivalent to:
Windows Emulator on Macintosh.

Palm won't be hurting any more than Windows is.

My question is this: is this a hardware emulator with a copy of the PalmOS included? If so, then this app will definitely be shutdown for handing out free, unlicensed copies of the PalmOS.

If it is truly just a reverse engineering from the applications, then it will be a gray area. Those cases are won by those with the most expensive lawyers.

- Jim

-------
James Sorenson

Developers aren't what should worry you, users are. Think of the number of people who stick with Palm OS units, despite the superior hardware of PocketPCs, because Palm is what they're comfortable with. Likewise, as Pat says, one more reason for the salesdrones to point new users to PocketPCs.

Just the other day I was looking for something like this for someone--he's always used Palm, but his m505 is flaking out (digitizer issues) and a new PocketPC would be a lot cheaper for him than a new Palm. This way, he could keep his existing interface while switching up to better hardware.

Emulator yes, slower? Doesn't have to be. For those of you that aren't aware, after the T|T line, most all of your apps are already running in an emulator already. That's what PACE *is*. Now granted not all of it is in PACE (depending on the app) but there should really be no difference in speed, unless of course their code is slower than the native PalmOS code. To be frank, you could probably do the same thing on a Palm running WinCE apps (don't see a huge demand for this though). Still I'd use the WINE in Linux example before the Virtual PC example (which by the way MicroSoft BOUGHT to make sure it was never a real threat.)

If you're in a market with mixed devices, you still code 68k as there is little sense in cutting out most of your market. (Or user base in my case) now, granted with the Zire's now moving to ARM chips as well, this may change. I'm still amazed at how long the Palm III held on. (Back then the question was color or not, ha!) You can bet those 505s and 515s will be around as long. (The T|T however is a piece of **** and they just keep getting cheaper. My Palm III survived many a drop from shirt pocket height, the T|T didn't make the first!)

As someone in a company that develops our own software internally I'm all over this. If we can get out of having to code for WinCE (which is a minority of users) and just give them this and our existing Palm apps... score! Hell I'd even tweak the Palm apps make them run better if needed.

You have that right. Market history has shown that whatever an emulator emulates is being promoted. This is no problem in my hands. While you can run your Palm OS apps on Pocket PCs now, these new users will start to wonder why just get the real thing instead of an emulator.

While the sewing circle ninnies that predominate their opinions on this site will call this a fatal blow for the Palm OS, I view this as just the opposite.

Then there is HotSync / ActiveSynce issues! LOL!

@sford

Did your T3 die or did you actually "upgrade" from that to a z72?

[signature0]the secret to enjoying your job is to have a hobby that's even worse[/signature0]
[signature1]My PDAs: Visor --> Visor Neo (blue) --> Zire 71 --> Tungsten T3[/signature1]

I too had an "almost" dead T3. I LOVED it and have had it since the first T3's hit the market. The battery life is now awful and the dreaded digitizer drift if frustrating as hell. It also now has the habbit of tuning itself off while using it. So...I bought an E2 as a downgrade (I don't like the T5 - way too expensive for what it is and the rumored T|X is too physically big for me). However, E2 build quality is not great and it has a FIND bug that returns the first 8 contacts (after searching other databases fine) and then when you "FIND MORE" it starts searching from the start of the contacts database again and returns the same 8. I have an RMA arriving shortly to send it back and I will use my T3 despite it's problems.

The only quetion now is:
a) Pay $25/$50 for a reconditioned T3 after fighting through PalmOne's awful tech support, or
b) Buy the brick when it comes out (T|X)
c) Buy a compromised T5
d) Jump to the dark side: HP or Dell with WiFi?

:-(

Atari-Portolio > HP95LX > HP100LX > HP300LX > HP320LX > Nino300 > Nino500 > HP620LX > Jornada680 > PalmV > Vx > m505 > T|T > T615C > T|T3 > T|E2 > (back to) T|T3

@[b]sford[/b]

Sorry to hear that :(

no chance of getting a new T3 anywhere? Even a used one on Ebay or do u only accept brand new?

@[b]neilmitchell[/b]
I notice my T3 turns itself off sometimes. At first i thought that's b/c the apps i use (all games so far in where it has hppened), may have been implemented in where button presses don't register as presses, so the system auto-offs. I tried this on my z71 and it turns out that this isn't the case. My T3 seems to be aging as well.

If my T3 were to die... I'd have the following choices in order of preference:

1) get a zod2. They're only $265 at compUplus, so it's a nice deal for all the specs it has

2) find a replacement T3. I'd be very wary of Ebay used models, so i'd likely have to be new which will not likely happen

3) get a PPC. Most likely a x50v. VGA, all that WL crap i won't need but nice to know it's there, PPC now has alot of neat freeware choices, better gaming zone, and a change to try out WM05.

4) use my old z71. I'ts in nice condition, but i've been spoiled by the T3's hi-res+ screen that it's hard for me to go back

5) get another P1 model, but none of them appeal to me. I still don't need wifi+BT, nor the microdrive. I hear it's only gonna be as thick as 1.5 T3s, but that still wouldn't concern me anyways.

*snort* *pop all over keyboard* *grin*

Thats pretty evil of you :)

For the record, Shadow Plan seams to work pretty well under StyleTap..

jeff

The Shadow knows!