Comments on: The Inside Story of the Death of Palm and webOS

The piece, which includes quotes and commentary from a number of former Palm employees and engineers, primarily focuses on the efforts of building and launching webOS and the ensuing struggle to market.
History has proven that tossing out a familiar platform that prints money for your business and starting anew isn't easy: just ask Apple and Microsoft, whose next-generation desktop operating systems in the 1990s (codenamed "Copland" and "Cairo," respectively) floundered aimlessly for years before being replaced with other initiatives. The politics of a mobile platform are no different. The entire process can quickly devolve into a holy war, it turns out, never mind the risk of alienating your users and third-party developers — the very people by whom any platform is ultimately made or broken.
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Sad story
Palm had such a phenomenal lead in the mobile sector, but they wasted half a decade iterating minor Garnet device upgrades, rather than innovating. I'm far from an Apple fan, but the reason they have done so well is their absolute thirst for innovation and product design, and a penchant for taking the long view.
Peace Out
Alan
Sad Story
I hung on to my Palm Treo (hoping for Palm to come to their senses) until I bought a Windows 7 laptop and could no longer easily sync my phone. I ended up buying an iPod Touch and never looked back and now have an iPhone and an iPad.
RE: Sad Story
2) Technically, it is now possible to do a wired (not just wireless) HotSync on a Windows 7 computer
(Try this link: http://aceeca.com/index.php?option=com_maqmahelpdesk&Itemid=5&id_workgroup=1&task=downloads_category&id=8
3) Notice how Google is learning from HP's mistake, in that Google is NOT pricing their new tablet higher than the iPad. In my view, the burden of proof falls on the non-Apple companies to make a better slate than the iPad, and only THEN should those companies price their slates at or above the iPad level.
Interesting but irrelevant article
Let's not forget the Foleo. It had a nice OS too.
If Palm had put one-half the money and effort they ended up putting into the Foleo OS and WebOS into Cobalt, Palm would've been years ahead of Android and iOS.
Swan Song
Jeff and Donna called 3Com's bluff, started Handspring and reinvented the PDA again. Did the smartphone right and with that success, shot into Jeff's passion, neuroscience, doing Numenta.
IMO, this is when Palm started to waver.
In came the corporate "experts" the social "experts" and everyone else who never worked in a company less than a thousand employees in size. There were detachments, partitions and counter efforts.
IMO Palm OS 6 Cobalt was the best OS that never shipped. Had the hardware / software design wall was not as high, perhaps the OS would not require such then expensive components to hit the right price points as has been posted in many developer and rant groups all over the net.
To me webOS was a day late and a dollar short with no native code and no backwards compatible API for the existing developer community. Again, throwing the decade of app that made the platform great under the bus was another drop that started the Swan Song.
I'm glad to see a book out documenting the fall. I'm sure as more NDAs sunset and other key employees move on, we'll hear more. I'm most looking forward to all of the Palm device concept artwork and prototypes that are still locked up. Oh, I'd love to see the so much rumored "two screen" Palm where you could launch two Palm apps side by side and never happened due to parts cost. Also, why the LifeDrive team was so missing the mark for the market is another narrative of corporate introversion.
Palm, it was a fun run. I'll keep my Cobalt Blue cube right next to the Newton stuff I collected over the years.
Live and learn!
RE: Swan Song
I wonder if we'll ever see the definitive tale of why Cobalt was such a debacle and why OS5 was kept on life support for years past the 2002-2003 timeframe it was intended to be used as an interim solution.
Palm's continued missteps in both hardware and software from 2001-2007 really cost them dearly. Just when they finally got the hardware down pat (T|C & T|T3 in '03), they got distracted with the spin-off and OS5 started to become a laggy, patched-together mess.
The LifeDrive remains the poster child for Palm dysfunction for sure. Such potential there and they totally squandered it. Almost makes you think someone from high up wanted to botch that device so they'd have an excuse to give up on the "non-phone" market as as well as high-end, large-screen devices. And look now, 7 years later, the market is mad for....large-screen media devices (both phones and non-phones).
Pilot 1000->Pilot 5000->PalmPilot Pro->IIIe->Vx->m505->T|T->T|T2->T|C->T|T3->T|T5->Zodiac 2->TX->Verizon Treo 700P->Verizon Treo 755p->Verizon Moto Droid + Verizon Palm Centro-> Verizon Moto Droid X2 + Palm TX
RE: Swan Song
Kris, I've lost your email but there is some stuff going down that I'd like to tell you about...
Gary
gmayhak@aol.com
Tech Center Labs
www.talestuff.com
www.iTalentProductions.com
RE: Swan Song
Pilot 1000->Pilot 5000->PalmPilot Pro->IIIe->Vx->m505->T|T->T|T2->T|C->T|T3->T|T5->Zodiac 2->TX->Verizon Treo 700P->Verizon Treo 755p->Verizon Moto Droid + Verizon Palm Centro-> Verizon Moto Droid X2 + Palm TX
RE: Swan Song
RE: Swan Song
Gary
Tech Center Labs
www.talestuff.com
www.iTalentProductions.com
RE: Swan Song
There have been rumors he is / was in jail or a is very early Palm employee going back to Jeff's GRiD days that has sour grapes. Unmasking this guy makes for a good falling action here.
RE: Swan Song
BTW, TVoR posted here, oh, 6 months or so ago so he still pops in occasionally.
Pilot 1000->Pilot 5000->PalmPilot Pro->IIIe->Vx->m505->T|T->T|T2->T|C->T|T3->T|T5->Zodiac 2->TX->Verizon Treo 700P->Verizon Treo 755p->Verizon Moto Droid + Verizon Palm Centro-> Verizon Moto Droid X2 + Palm TX
RE: Swan Song
I realized it's 5 years since I last logged into PIC forums!!
It is really a sad story.
I still love my T3 very much, even if it is now just a very polished paperweight...
And it is still a pleasure reading at comments from people like you, who really made this website living.
I converted my family to Palm, some years ago: a Treo 650 to my sister (just replaced by iPhone4S) and a Treo 680 to my father (still going very strong!).
After the death of my T3 I was the only non-palm at home! ;-))
Now discovered Android 4.0 onto a Galaxy Tab 7plus: really the Palm successor, even if I miss graffiti a lot!!
Keep up the good work, even if not in Palm-land!
Cheers!
TheFez
RE: Some new Palm News!
Another problem is it's missing the Memos app.
The biggest problem is $49.95! I'll just use my Centro or PV for trips down memory lane.
Gary
Tech Center Labs
www.talestuff.com
www.iTalentProductions.com
RE: Some new Palm News!
My TX still gets use as an audio player with the projector upstairs, but this news actually excited me for a bit. After years of having two devices in my pocket, my TX and a dumb phone, with the dumb phone being the device that was always dead when I needed it because I never tracked it's charge, I moved to an Android phone. First an Optimus One, and now a Nexus device.
It's funny that with all the advancements, certain programs still don't measure up to what I came to love with the PalmOS apps. I finally am able to have a working solution for most of my apps, but the big one was Ultrasoft Money. I still use another dead product, MS Money, and this was the only app that really made it usable for both. With this StyleTap app, I was able to import databases into the Nexus. Pretty cool! I can't figure out a way to export if I track expenses while away, but that's not that bad, as I mostly liked the bill reminder and budget to play with while out and about. I even pulled out my old Palm Tungsten C to sit next to the computer and sync, and then run a script to one step sync to google drive, and import from my phone. Surprisingly easy and efficient!!
On the other hand, $50 for this is cost prohibitive to me. I'll be playing for the trial period, and then let it go...
Thanks to all for their enjoyable debates, even if I walked away pissed at the negativity towards the Palm I thought would succeed...!!! :D
RE: Some new Palm News!
RE: Some new Palm News!
Jellybean for Touch Pad
Out with the old & in with the new :-/
Probably a good thing.
I'm starting to kinda like Android and the new Nexus 7 tablet with Jellybean is a pretty awesome little tablet.
Gary,
http://www.iTalentProductions.com
Tech Center Labs
www.talestuff.com
www.iTalentProductions.com
RE: Jellybean for Touch Pad
It has pretty good interface to Graphics, Bluetooth and other Android bells & whistles. There is even a way to publish apps you've written. It's called Basic!... http://laughton.com/basic/help/De_Re_BASIC%21.htm
Gary
Tech Center Labs
www.talestuff.com
www.iTalentProductions.com
RE: Jellybean for Touch Pad
This is on a Nexus 7...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6eEASjgQFc
Gary
Tech Center Labs
www.talestuff.com
www.iTalentProductions.com
RE: Palm is now GRAM (?)
Searching for a Palm OS app. (help!)
Can somebody please help me? I am looking for Steven Kienle's "Reminders" app., but I need version 2.8 for my Treo 755p.
I tried FreewarePalm.com's version 2.7 and it crashed my phone (my understanding is that version 2.8 is for Palm OS 5 devices like my Treo), and yet I am having NO LUCK AT ALL when I try to download version 2.8 from that website.
I have searched for version 2.8 across the internet, to no avail.
Does anybody have Reminders v2.8 ??? Can somebody please contact me, publicly or privately?
Thank you very much.
Best,
HyperScheduler
RE: Could this mean a new webos device is in the works
Even if Palm would have been at the top of their game HP just can't get it right any more! They recently did a Limited Addition release of one of the best loved calculators HP ever produced, the HP15c.
Instead of the original double injected molded keys they were silkscreened painted in China. In fact it was all made in China and to top that one of the most useful functions PSE (Pause) is buggy. When a company forgets the importance of quality it's time to hang it up.
Gary
www.BattSix.com
Tech Center Labs
www.talestuff.com
www.iTalentProductions.com
RE: Could this mean a new webos device is in the works
Re: Another HP-15C LE bug? --> serious power management bug
Message #45 Posted by robert rozee on 3 Oct 2011, 2:48 p.m.,
in response to message #44 by Mike Morrow
Quote:
This sort of issue is one of many that will deny the 15C-LE status as a bona fide re-issue of the 15C [...]
a nearly 30 year old 15C has a fairly good chance of still being fully functional today. the IC fabrication technology was optimized with extra internal layers to promote long life. the keyboard was engineered with materials far exceeding the design requirements. the plastics chosen and moulding methods used stood the test of time. the original machine was built to the mantra: ONE calculator to last the LIFETIME of the owner.
a 2011 model 12C/15C is built using a processor with a designed materials lifespan of perhaps 10 years, keyboard (including contacts) and plastic parts that are 'just good enough'. the LCD is attached with a printed flex + glue system that is known to fail over time (several years) - though said failure will in 99% of units be safely outside of the 1-year limited warranty. and the PCB assembly uses a lead-free soldering process that is guaranteed to fail before this decade is out.
the technology all round is a compromise that (a) minimizes cost, (b) maximizes shareholder revenue, while (c) producing a product that will just adequately fulfil the expectations of a 21st century consumer that is used to a disposable calculator that will need to be replaced after a few years because of irreparable failure.
not wanting to criticize the modern 12C/15C design team - they have done a great job (ignoring keyboard failures in one batch and power-hungry firmware) to fulfil the modern design specifications - but the modern 12C/15C is as much a collectable 'design classic' as a $1 plastic flower pot painted up to look like a ming dynasty vase.
Tech Center Labs
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www.iTalentProductions.com
RE: Could this mean a new webos device is in the works
Apparently, they really don't make 'em like they used to.
So... where is everyone now?
Gary
BattSix.com
Tech Center Labs
www.talestuff.com
www.iTalentProductions.com
RE: So... where is everyone now?
I carried some combination of Palm OS PDA + a small flip phone from 1996-2006 before going Treo (700p). Finding that the Treo was such a dreadful phone, I went back to dual devices (Treo with a data-only play as PDA/email machine, flip phone for talking & texting). That sufficed until 2009 when I got the original Droid 1 on VZW on launch day. Android, in its initial 2008-2009 Donut/Eclair/Froyo form, left a lot to be desired, so I still made do with the Droid (for talking & texting & web browsing) and a Centro (for email & PIM) for about 6 months until I felt that the Android ecosystem had matured significantly and was gaining traction in the marketplace. I then grudgingly put Palm OS out to pasture other than the occasional game or quick refence lookup on my trusty TX. Other than fooling around with an iPod Touch for a while (primarily for app/game testing), and a brief time with a few firesale TouchPads (ugh) I have been 100% Android ever since. It'd be neat to have an iPad to play around with but I cannot really justify one unless a Mini would roll around for a very good price.
I still think Android has a LOT of shortcomings (horrible fragmentation, too many orphaned devices, a horribly organized Play Store, TOO many resource-hogging manufacturer UI skins, poor power management) but the variety of hardware options, formfactors and openness make it #1 in my book. I still wish that there was a Palm-style mobile OS out there NOT made by someone with a vested interest in cloud computing/search engine results/e-commerce/media sales. I agree with Gary that nothing will ever approach the golden years of Palm OS ('96-'01) but I must admit that from 2009-2010, Android did have a little of that feeling, as the ecosystem was growing by leaps and bounds and the sky seemed to be the limit. Something cool (CyanogenMod etc) was seemingly happening every other day!
For example, Android is rapidly dropping support for external expansion cards and the latest crop of devices have neutered internal storage (really, the flagship Nexus 4 is only available in 8Gb and 16Gb options? This is not 2009!) in a pitiful attempt to push "the cloud" We have battery-sucking LTE on one hand, slow & limited HSPA coverage on the other thand and data tiers and caps all around. For just a few bucks I can get a nice big 64Gb microSDXC card and store all of my media on there and still have room to spare.
Right now I have a Galaxy SIII on VZW along with a Nexus 7 tablet. It's a nice combo but I am still awaiting a Nexus-style tablet with a screen larger than 7" but smaller than 10". I have also traditionally used Motorola handsets due to their superior RF performance, battery life and build quality, but their hardware lineup has totally gone off a cliff in the past year. I'm not exactly thrilled with this Samsung, however, and am itching for a reason to go back to Moto. My absolute dream device now would be a Motorola phablet with a 5" (give or take) 1080p screen, S4 Pro SoC + 2Gb RAM, at least 32Gb of internal storage + microSD slot, and a 3300mAh or larger battery.
Sorry for being long-winded but it was fun to wax nostalgic again on PIC for old times' sake. Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!
Pilot 1000->Pilot 5000->PalmPilot Pro->IIIe->Vx->m505->T|T->T|T2->T|C->T|T3->T|T5->Zodiac 2->TX->Verizon Treo 700P->Verizon Treo 755p->Verizon Moto Droid + Verizon Palm Centro-> Verizon Moto Droid X2 + Palm TX
RE: So... where is everyone now?
I started with a Palm m515 in late 2002. Personally, I preferred to wait until a Palm device had a nice color screen (as opposed to the now-nostalgic look of the green and black). I used this wonderful device until the Treo 650 (circa 2005-2007), then the Treo 755p (circa 2007-2009).
I am a DateBk6 fanatic, and the only reason I switched to an iPhone is because the hardware of my Treo 755p was falling apart.
I have been using an iPhone 3GS for 3 years now, though the calendar-to-Google-Calendar system is so childlike and basic compared to Palm and DateBk6. It is nearly impossible to search one's own calendar!
Believe it or not, I am actually making a transition BACK to Palm OS! My goal is to resume Palm-ing for all of my calendaring, but continue using an iPhone for everything else.
No joke: I sincerely, truly want to be the LAST PERSON ON EARTH who is still actively using Palm OS.
May I respectfully ask your opinion-- how many people right now are using Palm OS? 100,000 people? 1,000 people?
Also, when it comes to the magical ease-of-use and intuitive nature of Palm OS, I believe that iOS (as opposed to Android) is the true heir to Palm OS.
RE: So... where is everyone now?
holy shit Grandpa Gary left Apple for Android? i'm shocked!
i'm using a launch day Sprint Samsung Galaxy Nexus that replaced a launch day Sprint HTC EVO 4G that replaced a Sprint Palm Centro. i love pure Android.
Check out my apps!
ASTRO File Manager
Chrome to Phone
CNN
CNNMoney
Documents To Go
Documents To Go Full Version Key
Dropbox
Fancy Widgets
Fancy Widgets Unlocker
Google Finance
FlightTrack
Goggles
HistoryEraser
HP ePrint Home&Biz
Jorte
Lookout
MightyText
MyBackup Pro
NBC Local News
Nova Launcher
Nova Launcher Prime
OfficeSuite Pro 6 + (PDF & HD)
OnTheFly
Pandora
Parcels
Quick Calendar
Bloomberg Radio+
ShareMyApps
Shazam
Talkatone
Translate
TuneIn Radio Pro
WiFi@Home
Zagat
RE: So... where is everyone now?
I went completely into Android, and have purchased replacement apps for everything I had on my Palm (even iSilo and "DateBk" are available!). So far only one device, the Huawei U8220, but the next device will be purchased in December or January. I got into the geekier side of things, and created some some fairly popular modified roms for the phone. (Still "twrock" over at MoDaCo: http://www.modaco.com/forum/413-t-mobile-pulse-pulsemodacocom/) My next phone will be at least at least a 1.2ghz dual-core, 4.3" screen, probably something inexpensive out of China. Having the skills to modify my own roms has come in really handy when it comes to choosing a phone. :-)
I never could see myself getting locked into Apple's walled garden, so that was never an option in my mind. No regrets there.
But to this day, I still wish the idiots hadn't killed Palm. It was so sweet when it was good....
And of course, I can't resist taking another jab at all those obnoxious Apple fanbois who hung out here, mocked us, and told us that Apple could never lose in the mobile space. Yeah, really? :-)
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/11/20/open_and_shut/
RE: So... where is everyone now?
Well, you'll have to outlast me then! I still am using three devices, the TX, T3, and I have come to really enjoy the Lifedrive that I carry with me most of the time. By the way I picked up the Lifedrive for around $40 on Amazon and wasn't expecting to like it as much as the other two but I ended up enjoying it more.
The last known classic PDA user.
RE: So... where is everyone now?
1) None of those three devices comes with a hard keyboard such as a Treo 755p or a Centro. Are you entering data through Graffiti? A regular-size keyboard that you bring with you all of the time? The on-screen keyboard of those devices?
2) Please tell us why you happen to like the Life Drive over the Palm TX.
3) Do you use your Palm devices to calendar/schedule your life? Do you use DateBk6?
4) Do you use all three devices contemporaneously by, say, switching in and out the same SD card? Do you treat your computer as a "mothership" that HotSyncs to and from *each* of the three devices? How do you get info. from one Palm OS device to the other Palm OS device?
RE: So... where is everyone now?
Sadism-- Imposing my Palm OS dreams on my wife by discussing it so much. She is sick of it.
Masochism-- Trying to get HotSync to work on a consistent basis (a struggle ever since I adopted Palm OS in late 2002). . .
Here is the ultimate masochism. . . I paid the $15 to CompanionLink to sync 10 years of digital calendaring from Google Calendar to Palm Desktop. After getting all of it into Palm Desktop, my HotSyncing decided to no longer work: the act of HotSyncing syncs everything into my Palm device EXCEPT for the Calendar (and Contacts)!
I do not understand computers well enough to know how to fix this particular problem (do you???).
I am now manually reinserting the 10 years of digital calendar into my Palm device ONE ENTRY AT A TIME. In other words, I physically/visually look at my Google Calendar calendar on a PC's browser, and then I manually insert/enter a calendar entry into my Palm device. I think that this will take me multiple years just to catch up to the present; I originally planned on inserting 1 week of my past digital calendar during each present-day day, but I have found that I only have time to insert 1 or 2 days of my past digital calendar during each day. Under my original plan, it would take me 2 years. Now I see that this will take a lot longer than that.
But the masochism gets worse. After I tediously enter an event into my Palm device, I then change/clean-up the Google Calendar entry, too, so that even the soon-no-longer-to-be-used Google Calendar will match the Palm OS calendar.
As you can imagine, this is really slogging and tedious; imagine the quantity and complexity of a digital calendar maintained for 10 years by someone with my internet handle.
RE: So... where is everyone now?
maybe use CompanionLink and try this -
Google Calendar--->MS Outlook--->Palm Desktop
but why you would want to shoehorn your data from a modern, supported system like Google Calendar to an archaic and unsupported system like Palm Desktop is beyond me. and your creepy obsession to manually and tediously re-enter every past calendar event from the last 10 years in front of your wife reminds me of this movie scene -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIqq9GusbSQ
RE: So... where is everyone now?
I still store my passwords in IDGuard. I again can just copy the database from device to device. I really never hotsync, just copy a file to the SD card and transfer to the computer. Other programs I still use quite often are Handy Shopper, iSilo, eReader, NinerPad, 2sky, and when I'm bored Bejeweled 2, Cubis, Cubix, and Noah's Ark (Which I can't believe they haven't made into a game for the iPhone yet). Palm's were always more then a PDA to me though. They were a hobby. I probably have owned every Palm made since the III as well as different Handspring and Sony models. I still have PDAToolBox and can make my own little program if I so desire. I have a personalized program that I made to keep track of bills that need to be paid for the month. Best thing though is I can buy a device that once was $200-400 for $40 and really not worry about taking it out with me.
The last known classic PDA user.
RE: So... where is everyone now?
You can still get an Altec Lansing inMotion charger/dock/amplifier for a great price on ebay.
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313&_nkw=inmotion+palm&_sacat=0&_from=R40
Gary
www.BattSix.com
Tech Center Labs
www.talestuff.com
www.iTalentProductions.com
RE: So... where is everyone now?
For those who were wondering what I was talking with Kris about a few weeks ago, Motorola was being sued buy Immersion for including basic haptics in their smartphones. Well, IMMR ended up getting Motorola to pay royalties for their past & present use of basic haptics although we had it as public knowledge for Palm devices with TaleVibes 2 years before IMMR was granted a patent, go figure :-/
Gary
www.BattSix.com
Tech Center Labs
www.talestuff.com
www.iTalentProductions.com
RE: So... where is everyone now?
I do have one serious problem. When I'm out, people have this strange desire to play on their phone. Look dude, I'm sorry the attractive women aren't enough to keep you from checking your Facebook for the third time this evening, but we can do that together without having to pay for $8 beers.
Maybe I'm just getting older.
RE: So... where is everyone now?
It's kinda sad.
As for the thread subject... what I'm using now? I've made the switch to Windows Phone. I'm a sucker for an underdog, and Microsoft are doing the most interesting stuff with mobile UI nowadays. I bought a Veer off eBay for next-to-nothing just for shits and gigs, and then wound up having to use it as a backup phone when my LG Optimus 7 died two weeks later. Rocking a Lumia 920 now in eye-searing acid yellow, which is offensive and awesome at the same time.
I've also got an iPad! My carrier gave it to me for long-time loyalty, if you can believe that (so long as I promised to stick with them for another 12 months). I actually quite like it just for the newspaper apps.
Still miss Palm. HP could have done something great with them if they'd had the guts. Oh well.
Tim
Sometime PIC blogger
Treo 270 -> Treo 650 -> Treo 680 -> Centro -> Pre -> LG Optimus 7 -> Veer -> Nokia Lumia 920
I apologise for any and all emoticons in my posts. You may shoot them on sight.
RE: So... where is everyone now?
my current dilemma is - what do i replace my Windows 7 laptop with? Windows 8 is a complete and utter disaster. it's a confusing, non-intuitive mess. i'm not an "Apple Mac" type of guy but Microsoft is almost pushing me there.
RE: So... where is everyone now?
Perhaps you should get a MacBook Air and then run Windows 7 in a virtual environment. . .
-HyperScheduler
RE: So... where is everyone now?
i've come across a couple of kludge apps that appear to make Windows 8 bearable -
Start8
http://www.stardock.com/products/start8/
Classic Shell
http://classicshell.sourceforge.net/
RE: So... where is everyone now?
Tech Center Labs
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www.iTalentProductions.com
RE: So... where is everyone now?
Apple makes very nice high quality products no doubt. but i don't want to pay $1,000+ for a laptop - something that i consider "disposable technology". $500 is my limit and i can get a very nice Windows machine for that price or a lot less. i can get an 11.6" Acer Aspire Laptop for about $300 that will serve my needs nicely. i'm just doing Email, Web, and Excel/Word. i also don't want to learn a whole new OS and be one of those Starbucks-drinking, sandal-wearing, Democrat-voting "Apple guys".
RE: So... where is everyone now?
I'd recommend something IvyBridge-based, as it has awesome performance and solid battery life. Or look for a good discount on an Ultrabook--some of them are now apearing in the $600 neighborhood. Or just get a regular laptop and pop in a full 2.5" SSD (not a hybrid or SSD + HDD combo) in it and you'll realize huge performance improvements.
Acer is likely the best value proposition but Samsung and Sony always have nice stuff, even in the $500 range. Check out Sam's/Costco/Wal-Mart! Also BB has some nice exclusive models that you don't see elsewhere and they occasionally have some very good deals.
Win 7 is "good enough for anyone" right now.
Pilot 1000->Pilot 5000->PalmPilot Pro->IIIe->Vx->m505->T|T->T|T2->T|C->T|T3->T|T5->Zodiac 2->TX->Verizon Treo 700P->Verizon Treo 755p->Verizon Moto Droid + Verizon Palm Centro-> Verizon Moto Droid X2 + Palm TX
RE: So... where is everyone now?
I tried webOS (Veers, Pre3, TP) but gave up after HP bailed. The Pre3 is a fine device and the original Pre should have been of this quality but webOS is dead and gone despite the efforts of some hanger-ons to make it an open platform. Scale is everything now.
I stay in touch with what's happening in the tech sector mostly on Engadget now and don't see anything to challenge Apple and Google dominance. If I could dream, I would like a Pre3 form factor running iOS or maybe Meego. The Nokia N9 looked great but Nokia hitched its wagon to MSFT (big mistake IMO).
RE: So... where is everyone now?
Still using the VZW GalNexus that I got when released last year. Runs the show and is pushing the laptop out almost completely. Love it in most ways, especially JB OS. Lusting over the GalNote II w stylus tho.
Also was given an iPad2 last Christmas from a biz relationship. My kids took it over and I hardly use it. Nice device.
Like lizard boy, I'm in a quandry needing to trade in my dying Win 7 netbook. Mac, Win8, iPad+KB, Android tab+KB? Got some investigating to do after Christmas.
Everyone have a happy holiday season.
Pat Horne
RE: So... where is everyone now?
3nity, free password storage
BDicty
BalanceLog, nutrition
cbasPad5, still enjoy writing basic program
Escape, game for co-ordination and keeping brain working
Calc
I have three Palms with hundreds of memos that I use infrequently. I still don't have a solution for this yet. Maybe some day.
Amazingly I still use my old HP41cx just to admire the quality and nostalgia.
For daily driver I have an iPhone 4S, which I hate to give up as I have an old grandfathered unlimited data with Verizon. I upgrade and I kiss that goodbye. I keep hoping for this so called open source webos to come alive to use on a modern device and hope I'll still be able to work a phone. In other words I'm not holding my breath. Trying to figure out what to do with all these old Palm devices that keep laying around on my bookcase.
I keep telling myself I'm gonna replace the Palm apps on the iPhone but several have already been converted with replacements but the switch is not completed.
Believe it or not this the first in four days I have used this MacBook.
Most evenings I use WordPress(rich finck pics if interested), Twitter (username richfinck if interested), and probably most used and important Google Drive. Yes I have started using the cloud even as much as I wish my stuff was stored local. Another app for my walking is Dark Sky, weather, very accurate. Stocks is kept handy, as is AccuWeather. I now have Notes loaded heavily as I used Memo in Palm. Use RunKeeper and Inflation Calc probably daily. Two other interesting ones. Lotto Machine and Carat. Last one is power optimization. Right now I am searching for a present, future value app. This would be handy for investments. Sorry to be so long winded, but I do miss the halcyon days of this site. Nothing like a good argument.
Keep posting.
Have a nice day!
HP 41CX->HP 75C->Pilot 1000->Pilot 5000->Pilot Pro->IIIe->IIIc->M500->M505->M515->TC->T3->T5->Treo 650P->Treo 700P->Droid>Pre Plus>Droid>iPhone4S
RE: So... where is everyone now?
I obtained a stash of Palm PDAs and accessories: 6 Palm TXs, 4 Palm T5s plus all the accessories: 2 cradles, 2 hard cases, etc. Corporate surplus. So what to do with them. I could load a bunch with music software and "perform". (See Palm music blog www.palmsounds.net )
Right now I'm running 3 TXs, two monitoring radio-related IRC channels using PTPChat2 and UpIRC apps. Not sure which IRC app is better, PTPChat2 is very stable, UpIRC has nice features including logging to internal or VFS Card but the logging seems to reset the PDA.
The third TX is my daily driver on which I'm using...
Palm PIMs (staying organized - working well)
AgendusMail SSL (trial with my Gmail accounts - will pay if it is super stable)
Gmail.prc (buggy, receives Gmail well but doesn't send)
HandyShopper (haven't run out of bread, milk or dogfood lately)
Manana (tier B task list)
PalmPrint (very useful for label printing)
SnailMailer (advanced data merge capability for PalmPrint)
Weasel Reader (reads DOC format, would prefer a TXT reader)
Anybody know an app which can infrared beam date and time settings to another Palm?
Where do the few remaining Palm PDA users congregate these days? Brighthand? Yahoo Groups?
RE: So... where is everyone now?
First, because I use Palm OS for calendaring and scheduling, I would like to see if you could please explain what in the world this paragraph means:
Right now I'm running 3 TXs, two monitoring radio-related IRC channels using PTPChat2 and UpIRC apps. Not sure which IRC app is better, PTPChat2 is very stable, UpIRC has nice features including logging to internal or VFS Card but the logging seems to reset the PDA.
Second, you raise a good question regarding the remaining users of Palm OS like ourselves. Actually, I have a feeling that THIS website of PalmInfoCenter.com ***is*** the place that you are talking about ("This is the website that you ARE looking for" LOL).
But if you do happen to discover any place else where we are congregating, please let us know.
RE: So... where is everyone now?
I also maintain an old M505 as a backup, and for playing Lode Runner and Zap!2000. Lode Runner does not work on the T3, and Zap is just easier because of the button layout of the M505. Snapper Mail used to be a huge part of my life, but my company eliminated Pop3 support, so it only gets used on occasion for Yahoo mail. Well I'm running out of time and got to go, but I'll be back :)
RE: So... where is everyone now?
Well my cell dealer "contact" subsequently gave me a couple of Treo 650s which I reset and am using as Palm OS cameras. I can IR beam a photo to my TX and then use Agendus Mail SSL to email the photo and some text to my Google "blog" - works as a blog updater. I'm tempted to upgrade to an Ebay Palm Centro to get a better Palm still/video camera.
This week Gmail.prc, Blazer, Calendar and Agendus Mail SSL are getting the most use. I may try installing Opera Mini soon.
Do you know that PalmInfoCenter registrations are turned off? It will be next to impossible for new users to joint the comment fun.
Otherwise, I'm checking www.palmsounds.net and www.palmorama.net , two Palm OS music blogs that are getting regular updates.
RE: So... where is everyone now?
That is excellent that you are using Palm OS for current-day technology uses. Doesn't it feel deliciously like you are mining the past and PROVING that there is indeed STILL value with Palm OS? I applaud you.
I have had good luck lately with eBay for old Palm devices. I recently bought a green Palm Centro for $18 (free shipping), along with a seperate purchase of someone's Treo 650, Treo 755p, and a slew of Palm OS apps on CD's (unfortunately, my netbook lacks a CD player, so I am not quite sure *how* to get those apps onto my Treos. . . especially because I have never installed a Palm OS app from a CD).
Anyway, may I respectfully ask anyone WHY new registrations have been turned off on this website?
RE: So... where is everyone now?
BTW, doesn't this remind you of the touchstone? :
http://www.engadget.com/2013/02/11/nexus-4-wireless-charger-now-on-sale-for-60-at-google-play-stor/
RE: So... where is everyone now?
Heck, the N7 (or maybe a phablet) is what I felt would be a natural progression from the TX/LifeDrive/Zodiac era. Hawkins said in 2007 that the average smartphone screen was too small to do any serious work...but instead of giving us the 3.5" or 4" "Treo TX" that people would have gone nuts over, he gave us the Fooleo. Ugh.
I still say that 7" is a tad small for a tablet with onscreen buttons like the N7 (especially when we start seeing 1080p devices this year). Give me 7.7" to 8.9" (depending on bezel size & screen aspect ratio) as I feel they are the best compromise of size to portability. To date, I think Samsung's Galaxy Tab 7.7 has been the best-feeling small tablet.
Pilot 1000->Pilot 5000->PalmPilot Pro->IIIe->Vx->m505->T|T->T|T2->T|C->T|T3->T|T5->Zodiac 2->TX->Verizon Treo 700P->Verizon Treo 755p->Verizon Moto Droid + Verizon Palm Centro-> Verizon Moto Droid X2 + Palm TX
RE: So... where is everyone now?
Just curious-- what exactly would it take to do such a thing? For example, would a person need, say, $100,000, plus a contact in Asia who would know how to do such a thing? Regardless of how outlandish it would be, please speculate regarding exactly what it would take to physically attach a Treo's keyboard to a Palm TX and get it to work successfully.
Thanks!!
RE: So... where is everyone now?
I'd love to send it to some Palm User Group or something like that, where a few more people than just one will get to fondle it. Can anyone make a recommendation for a group that would be interested?
And just to be clear, no, I won't sell it (I got it for free), and no, I don't want to just send it to an individual who will toss it in a drawer like I have. Send me a PM if you have an idea.
RE: So... where is everyone now?
Its alive
http://www.engadget.com/2013/02/25/lg-acquires-webos-from-hp-smart-tv-future/
RE: So... where is everyone now?
Centro CamCorder file format: different for CDMA vs GSM?
Can any Palm device owners tell me if the GSM Centro saves CamCorder files in a different format, .MOV perhaps? Can anyone test if a TX can successfully receive a CamCorder file beamed from a GSM Centro?
BTW my CDMA Centro cost $27 shipped, an expense I will absorb in the cause of "research".
Still here??
RE: Still here??
Personally, you can read my prior post about my plans for Palm OS in the new year. As an update, I am actually almost done with what I have coined "Back Calendaring" and hence in a few weeks I will be paying for a license to CompanionLink so that I can do a HUGE transfer of my Google Calendar to Palm Desktop, and then from there, I plan to HotSync from the Palm Desktop to a Treo 755p or a Palm Centro.
Believe it or not, my plan is actually to resume using a Treo 755p or a Palm Centro as my full-time/only device when it comes to calendaring and scheduling. So Palm OS lives. . .
Picking up a Pre 3
RE: Picking up a Pre 3
I recently did a trial of returning to my Palm Tungsten C after over a decade. And guess what? After years of trying and failing to organise my life (I keep forgetting/procrastinating to enter the info), I found the Palm TC to be superior! Now I have the system up and running fully. CompanionLink to Palm Desktop and my Android phone (and thus the Google world is updated). Palm syncs via wired (64 bit drivers available or using my 32 bit Windows laptop). I liked it so much, I bought quite a few pieces off ebay recently --- I have two Tungsten C (actually bought one that was "faulty" --- needed the ROM to help with the lower part of screen not working bug) --- and managed to salvage parts to fix another TC. I also got a Palm Tungsten T5 and a T2 now... I have also gotten the ultrathin keyboard (unbelievable quality product... nothing like it now), and a Stowaway... all for bargain basement prices. With DocsToGo 11, I still have the latest Office formats supported. I have Bonsai and DayNotez (sadly Natara website is now down) working and syncing too. With PalmPowerUps app all free, I have UDMH and powerSDHC working. I even have wireless file transfer working using a FlashAir SD card!
I have done a lot of work, other than organising myself using my TC. I have read books, read my bible daily, added lots more contacts and memo (partly thanks to Slap!), did a no-frills presentation for staff, did training handout on Bonsai --- all while waiting for my children to finish their lessons. Great stuff. It just works. I know the Android I have can do them too, but somehow it is just not conducive --- and it's not with lack of trying. I even have Bluetooth keyboards, etc for it, but it just doesn't work.
Just wondering, anyone up for setting up an abandonware site to at least archive the apps for those still using, wanting to use or to experiment with this great platform?
P.S. Am I the only person left on this platform? :P
Anyone else still on Palm...??!?
Hi guys, anyone still here?
I recently did a trial of returning to my Palm Tungsten C after over a decade. And guess what? After years of trying and failing to organise my life (I keep forgetting/procrastinating to enter the info), I found the Palm TC to be superior! Now I have the system up and running fully. CompanionLink to Palm Desktop and my Android phone (and thus the Google world is updated). Palm syncs via wired (64 bit drivers available or using my 32 bit Windows laptop). I liked it so much, I bought quite a few pieces off ebay recently --- I have two Tungsten C (actually bought one that was "faulty" --- needed the ROM to help with the lower part of screen not working bug) --- and managed to salvage parts to fix another TC. I also got a Palm Tungsten T5 and a T2 now... I have also gotten the ultrathin keyboard (unbelievable quality product... nothing like it now), and a Stowaway... all for bargain basement prices. With DocsToGo 11, I still have the latest Office formats supported. I have Bonsai and DayNotez (sadly Natara website is now down) working and syncing too. With PalmPowerUps app all free, I have UDMH and powerSDHC working. I even have wireless file transfer working using a FlashAir SD card!
I have done a lot of work, other than organising myself using my TC. I have read books, read my bible daily, added lots more contacts and memo (partly thanks to Slap!), did a no-frills presentation for staff, did training handout on Bonsai --- all while waiting for my children to finish their lessons. Great stuff. It just works. I know the Android I have can do them too, but somehow it is just not conducive --- and it's not with lack of trying. I even have Bluetooth keyboards, etc for it, but it just doesn't work.
Just wondering, anyone up for setting up an abandonware site to at least archive the apps for those still using, wanting to use or to experiment with this great platform?
P.S. Am I the only person left on this platform? :P
RE: Anyone else still on Palm...??!?
I'm about to get him to organise himself on it. No internet is a plus.
RE: Anyone else still on Palm...??!?
Have a nice day!
HP 41CX->HP 75C->Pilot 1000->Pilot 5000->Pilot Pro->IIIe->IIIc->M500->M505->M515->TC->T3->T5->Treo 650P->Treo 700P->Droid>Pre Plus>Droid>iPhone4S
Latest Comments
- I got one -Tuckermaclain
- RE: Don't we have this already? -Tuckermaclain
- RE: Palm brand will return in 2018, with devices built by TCL -richf
- RE: Palm brand will return in 2018, with devices built by TCL -dmitrygr
- Palm phone on HDblog -palmato
- Palm PVG100 -hgoldner
- RE: Like Deja Vu -PacManFoo
- Like Deja Vu -T_W
Nice wrap up by Chris Z.
Here is my comment on the Verge,
"I remember my first encounter with the Palm IIIxe. I didn't have any older brothers or friends who were into technology. I had only briefly heard about the Palm Pilot. I finally had someone who was wanting to sell theirs and gave it to me to use. I was completely mesmirized. I couldn't believe such a product existed, I loaded ebooks, documents, contacts, pictures, and I begin checking their website almost daily to check for new products.
It is so sad to think about how they had 100% of my mind share as well as many others but due to what seems to be corporate greed, threw it all way for short term profits.
This is why I admire companies like Google, Apple, and Amazon who seem to have it in their DNA to think long term, sacrificing short term profits for the good of the long term."