Comments on: PalmSource Releases Developer Suite v1.1 & Installer
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RE: Great! Now we just need the Mac OS X version.
RE: Great! Now we just need the Mac OS X version.
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Ben Combee
http://palmos.combee.net - PDA programmer weblog
RE: Great! Now we just need the Mac OS X version.
Uh, what? One of us is confused, and I'm not sure which. Since when does a Windows machine have either a 68k or a ARM-based CPU at its disposal? The CPU emulation ought to be a simple recompile; the GUI front-end, on the other hand, would be considerable effort to port.
RE: Great! Now we just need the Mac OS X version.
Both OS6 and the simulator include a 68k CPU emulator. But the simulator simulates a fictitious x86/ia32 native CPU PalmOS device, rather than ARM-based hardware. This at least matches the endianess of the host CPU (little), which means that OS data structure access doesn't need to be emulated. This can't be done with a Mac/PPC/G5 since it's big-endian.
RE: Great! Now we just need the Mac OS X version.
Nevertheless, at least could we have an ARM Palm OS Emulator ? And how about a Linux version of the Developer suite ? Unless PalmSource believes Cygwin is better than the real thing.
T5 Wifi Drivers Released
Wi-Fi® Card by palmOne™ installer:
You must be installing on either a Tungsten T3, Tungsten T5, or a Zire 72. The Wi-Fi Card does not support other handhelds.
http://www.palmone.com/us/support/downloads/wifi_card.html
RE: T5 Wifi Drivers Released
P1's been busy cranking out the patches and updates lately. At least you can give 'em that!
RE: T5 Wifi Drivers Released
-------------------------------
Editor, http://Pocketfactory.com
Contributing Editor, http://digitalmediathoughts.com
RE: T5 Wifi Drivers Released
I'm sure he's now waiting to pounce on all the bug reports...
RE: T5 Wifi Drivers Released
Totally OT but weren't you nearly done with your T|E user review like a month or two ago? I was looking forward to that one. Are you still planning on submitting that one to Ryan? I actually have some time now for another review or two but there's....simply nothing compelling on the market Tungsten-wise to talk about short of re-flogging the T5 pig.
Lack of devices = lack of development?
I'll buy the first Cobalt device in a heart-beat, and would never go back to PPC... but I'm an atypical consumer...!
Other licensees are still doing cool things apart from palmOne though... I just received a pre-release device from another licensee and it rocks...! Sorry, can't mention any more yet! :)
JLM.
RE: Lack of devices = lack of development?
cobalt will run all OS5 based applications; so, as a developer, only if you need to use the new functionality of cobalt; you wont need even get involved with the new set of API's :) most of the features implemented; some developers have ended up writing themselves over the years..
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Aaron Ardiri
PalmOS Certified Developer
aaron_ardiri@mobilewizardry.com
http://www.mobilewizardry.com/members/aaron_ardiri.php
RE: Lack of devices = lack of development?
It's a long process, but it helps ensure that Palm OS devices take full advantage of their hardware and provide lots of functionality out of the box with a high level of usability.
Aaron is correct; unless you have a specific opportunity around Palm OS Cobalt, it's probably not time to port your applications to the Protein API. However, it is time to verify that your 68K applications work well in the Palm OS Cobalt simulators, and it is time to start thinking about what kinds of architectural changes would be appropriate when moving to the new OS.
--
Ben Combee
http://palmos.combee.net - PDA programmer weblog
RE: Lack of devices = lack of development?
Well, bloody hell. Throw us a bone at least. Can you say if it's a *PDA* or (I have NO interest in this -->) smartphone?
I mean, the T3 is being closed out at Staples... and if there's something better to *wait* for, I'll wait.
RE: Lack of devices = lack of development?
I think at least for the independent/hobbyist developers, the answer to this is yes. At least from personal experience, Palm has been off the radar for at least a couple years now. I've mostly been doing stuff with the Sharp Zaurus lately, because Palm is just so far behind in having a fun device for developers. Now with Sharp gone from the market, I've even more eager to get back to Palm OS.
From someone with a software techinical perspective, Palm OS 5 is a lame duck OS. It is a go between, just like OS 9 was for Mac, and I suppose Windows ME was like for Windows. It's fine for users if it gets the job done for them, but if I'm doing this for my own personal experience and fun, why would I consider consider a device that isn't the latest and greatest. It doesn't help that PalmOne now seems to have a track record of not providing OS updates. If I could buy a T5 today and know that I could get 6.x for it in the future, it would be a lot easier to do.
The hardware is also the other side of the letdown. I mean various Pocket PC companies have devices with both Bluetooth and WiFi built-in for reasonable prices. There isn't one Palm device with this, even for an unreasonable price (and there's no way I'm using external wireless cards again). The other half of the reason I bailed on the Zaurus was because Sharp refused to sell a dual Bluetooth/WiFi built-in Zaurus in the US. I have a very nice iPaq sitting on my desk which I'm not using with all the bells and whistles that I got for free from work. That said, the temptation to start working on it is growing day by day.
On a final note, Palm is so far behind in supporting Java (not that MIDP junk) on the platform it isn't even funny.
At one point in time, there were plenty of hobbyist developers out there, who had fun developing neat apps for the Palm OS because Palm had fun devices, with an easy to use OS, for a good price, with free OS updates, a highly motivated developer community, etc. The thrill is almost gone, and I wish they'd get it back.
RE: Lack of devices = lack of development?
1. I think the new media server (called the 'video server'?) is the bee's knees. I played around with this for a bit and it really seems like the days of only having a (buggy) mmplayer (that you have to pay for) as the only serious video player option for Palm will be over - IF Cobolt sees the light of day. Not to slag mmplayer - they've done a good job making a player that uses standard codecs for an OS (OS5) that really isn't designed for this sort of thing.
2. Multi-tasking. Though some have slagged Cobolt as not 'true' multi-tasking, I don't think they understand the model. Cobolts implementation gets the job done, maintains compatibility, and is a lot more efficient than just leaving 15 programs running at once chewing cpu time and hogging memory (ie: PPC). I want this now: I recently was in the position (in my job as a project manager) of having to explain to management in my company why it was that the Palm version of our app couldn't multi-task (you couldn't leave the app, check yr email , then come back to where u were). I felt embarrassed for the platform (even BlackBerrys can do this!).
3. The drawing / graphics APIs and font system promise to bring things into the modern age. A lot of cool things should be possible with the 2d APIs - but the openGL ES implementation will really have things rocking when it comes. Any word on OpenGL Ben? What version of the OS?
Cobolt - bring it!
RE: Lack of devices = lack of development?
I'd actually settle for an update of MIDP - I just hope they maintain this and fix a couple of issues it has.
RE: Lack of devices = lack of development?
>that MIDP junk) on the platform it isn't even funny.
You're so right on this. And PalmSource should get most of the blame for dropping the java ball.
Anyway MIDP is not that bad: after all it was designed for phones not pda's. If only manufactures would provide the additional libraries for BT and PIM (defined ages ago) it would be much better :-/
Anyway, PDA should get personal java instead, which is much closer to standard desktop java than MIDP.
Unfortunately the PPC platform is more or less in the same mess, as on sun forums periodically somebody asks whether a suitable version exists... There are some options but they not for the small developer.
Right now the only alternative is superwaba: not really great looking but works reasonably well.
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Tired of PPC? Get a TT!
RE: Lack of devices = lack of development?
There are relatively cheap (Personal Java) runtimes you can buy for the Pocket PC platform. IBM's WebSphere has a J2ME CDC Personal Profile runtime for Pocket PC as well, but I'm not sure on the pricing. There are both Personal Java and J2ME CDC Personal Profile runtimes on the Zaurus.
Available on other platforms vs. not for Palm is hardly the same mess. If PalmSource was on top of this, they'd pull an Apple and set the standard for integrating Java with their OS and development tools.
At one point, I'd read a post somewhere that it was OS 5 and previous versions that was holding them back from better Java support (for example, J2ME CDC Personal Profile requires a full AWT implementation that would've been difficult under previous OS versions). If that's the case and we're waiting for OS 6, unless there's some serious work going on behind the curtains, it'll be 2006 before we see anything useful.
I just don't get the impression there is that much of a driving force behind Java at PalmOne or PalmSource. How many years have they been working on that PIM Java API?
RE: Lack of devices = lack of development?
> this and fix a couple of issues it has.
I'd guess the current MIDP is tied pretty closely to IBM's Websphere Device Developer Edition. Knowing IBM, I'm sure they'll stick with it for some time for their enterprise customers.
Whether or not those updates get out to the public is another story though. I'd assume PalmOne paid IBM a licensing fee to get the version that's available for the Tungsten devices. What's next probably depends on the licensing arrangement (if it includes a certain level of support) and/or what PalmOne is willing to pay.
RE: Lack of devices = lack of development?
Find out more about the Palm OS in my blog:
http://tamspalm.blogspot.com
RE: Lack of devices = lack of development?
Mike, it's NOT a smartphone, it runs Palm OS, but I wouldn't call it a PDA either... it's a combined device, but with a rather different bent to what we've seen before... expecting a release/announcement early next year (like January!) They've done some neat things from a programmers point of view.
JLM.
RE: Lack of devices = lack of development?
>for the Pocket PC platform.
Actually I would love to see one. Because on the resources I found, there are many listed but most of them have prohibitive costs unless you're in the embedded systems business.
The only exceptions I saw are IBM J9 (only MIDP however), Sun reference implementation (not maintained anymore) and JVLite2 (but only with Netfront and unclear whether it's just for applets)
So not a huge difference from the PalmOs camp.
------------------------
Tired of PPC? Get a TT!
RE: Lack of devices = lack of development?
WebSphere Everyplace Micro Environment Personal Profile 1.0 for Windows Mobile 2003 for $5.99:
http://www.handango.com/PlatformProductDetail.jsp?productId=140997
It's J2MC Connected Device Configuration (CDC 1.0_01) with Foundation Profile and Personal Profile.
Here's a good website with some info:
http://www.berka.name/stan/jvm-ppc/java_for_pda.html
RE: Lack of devices = lack of development?
RE: Lack of devices = lack of development?
http://www.jcp.org/en/jsr/detail?id=75
http://www.palmos.com/dev/tech/java/
So, in theory someone could implement it. I thought IBM was considering this for their MIDP for Palm OS, but maybe I'm wrong. I'd have to imagine some phone makers would want to support this as well.
RE: Lack of devices = lack of development?
Oh geez. Is it at least POCKETABLE? I mean, I don't want something the size of a frigging -- oh, I don't know at this point. As long as it'll fit in my shirt pocket. Oh, and as long as I don't have to bloody **subscribe to a service** to buy it at a reasonable price.
RE: Lack of devices = lack of development?
RE: Lack of devices = lack of development?
RE: Lack of devices = lack of development?
Eric
RE: Lack of devices = lack of development?
Of course you would. Especially since PalmOS is essentially your only source of revenue.
However, you have to understand that the Palm OS deployment model is a bit different from that of other OS vendors. Since we support a diversity of hardware, there can be a bit of lag between when we finish a release of the OS and provide it to our licensees and when they complete their customizations for their particular hardware platforms.
I'm disappointed to hear you parrotting the standard PalmSource company response, Ben. Cobalt is toast right now because:
1) It was late. VERY late.
2) It doesn't offer features compelling enough to force licencees to gamble on testing the water with a brand new (likely buggy) OS.
3) Major licencees have already invested a lot of time hacking PalmOS 5 into being able to do what they want an OS to do. Why change to a new OS if PalmOS 5 already works fine? Why on earth would Tapwave switch to Cobalt? Or Garmin? Or Palm, for that matter. And is the telephony part of Cobalt even finalized yet?
4) It has no "killer apps".
5) Now that Sony's gone there is no longer any incentive to "push the envelope".
Our licensees also have tended to bundle a number of third-party applications, and those take time to customize for the new devices and OS releases as well. Now, with an emphasis on smartphones, you also have the lagtime of operator certification.
Blaming 3rd party apps? Now that's an exceptionally WEAK excuse. Not even ONE PalmOS 6 device is available. One year after the OS was released. Even the best spin doctors can't make that one disappear. Please.
It's a long process, but it helps ensure that Palm OS devices take full advantage of their hardware and provide lots of functionality out of the box with a high level of usability.
If quality control is so important, why are we seeing so many incompatibilities + bugs coming from Palm these days? Let me guess: "PalmSource and Pa1mone are two separate companies."
Aaron is correct; unless you have a specific opportunity around Palm OS Cobalt, it's probably not time to port your applications to the Protein API.
--
Ben Combee
http://palmos.combee.net - PDA programmer weblog
In other words, no one is going to be developing for Cobalt any time soon.
Delayed OS -> no hardware -> no apps -> no consumer interest -> no sales -> negative feedback loop.
******************************************************************
Sony CLIE UX100: 128 MB real RAM, OLED screen. All the PDA anyone really ever wanted.
Ben Combee: please don't let 'em turn you
******************************************************************
Sony CLIE UX100: 128 MB real RAM, OLED screen. All the PDA anyone really ever wanted.
RE: Lack of devices = lack of development?
RE: Lack of devices = lack of development?
RE: Lack of devices = lack of development?
Great post. Very true.
Is PalmSource Installer a Palm OS App, or PC App
So it sounds like "PalmSource Installer" is an application that runs on your Palm OS Powered device, not on your PC. Is this correct???
Furthermore, does it run under Palm OS 5?
RE: Is PalmSource Installer a Palm OS App, or PC App
You can try out the installer yourself - we have a sample page.
From a PC: (note - the demo page is IE only for now)
http://www.palmsource.com/installer/demo
From your wireless handheld:
http://www.palmsource.com/installer/demo/ota
I'd love to get feedback on what you think.
RE: Is PalmSource Installer a Palm OS App, or PC App
1) Put the filesize next to the filename?
2) Chosen at least one SMALL app? Geez, I've got less than 500K on my TE right now and it's thinking I can install a 1.2MB file? Ha!
RE: Is PalmSource Installer a Palm OS App, or PC App
And I just launched Palm Desktop and brought up Quick Install and the file isn't listed *there*, either.
OK, found it in: C:\Program Files\Palm\Add-on\Installed Packages
-- deleted it. Can't have my TE RAM maxed out. You would NOT want me to suffer a hard reset, now would you?
RE: Is PalmSource Installer a Palm OS App, or PC App
I HotSynced and it HSed *only* to this Installer. If I hadn't looked at the log on the TE, I wouldn't have known that *nothing else* HSed! Once I saw that, I did a *second* HS to sync my data.
Did this also install something on the TE? CleanUp's Sandbox popped up with Installer listed...
RE: Is PalmSource Installer a Palm OS App, or PC App
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Ben Combee
http://palmos.combee.net - PDA programmer weblog
RE: Is PalmSource Installer a Palm OS App, or PC App
RE: Is PalmSource Installer a Palm OS App, or PC App
In general, though, I do not like seeing new file formats being added (like .psi) unless it is absolutely necessary. Otherwise you have to add support for this new file format to all the OS platforms out there, not just PCs, and make sure it is not already being used.
For Mac OS X and Mac OS 9 users, I'd like to see, at a minimum, a Mac application that can uncompress the .psi file, just in case no other download format is provided. I am sure the other platforms would appreciate the same for their platform as well.
I also read the PalmSource Installer FAQ located at:
http://www.palmos.com/dev/tools/installer/faq.html
The following caught my eye:
> "Q: Can I use PalmSource Installer to install media or MP3 files to a card?"
> "A: Yes. These types of files are possible to install using the desktop conduit. Define the files to be installed to the card and they will be placed in the standard directory. Media or MP3 files are not supported for over the air (OTA) install."
I am glad media or MP3 files are supported, but I would also like to see OTA support added. Otherwise how are non-PC users supposed to be able to get them if only the .psi file is provided?
Furthermore, when you are on the go (away from the PC), it is nice to be able to access everything you want to using only your Palm. This is consistent with PalmSource's "at any time and in any place" Mission, which is stated at:
http://www.palmsource.com/about/
> "Our Mission"
>
> "PalmSource's mission is to improve the lives of people and organizations by putting them in command of their information, communication, and entertainment at any time and in any place."
RE: Is PalmSource Installer a Palm OS App, or PC App
www.palminfocenter.com/comment_view.asp?ID=7164#97673
> "There is already a sneaky way for Mac users to get into .PSI files that we designed in from the beginning. The file format is actually compatible with .zip, so on a Mac you can just trick the Mac into thinking the .PSI file is a .ZIP and you can open up the file and get at the raw PRC's. You will miss out on the whizzy auto-install features, but it will be pretty much no different than todays download of ZIP files experience."
> "Mac users - try this out - and let me know how it works for you. I would love to get feedback on how to write this up as a clear "Mac Tutorial" so that users can make this work until we have something better. "
Thank you for not creating a new file compression format!
I would still like the option of installing media and MP3 files contained in the .psi file using the OTA install. Thanks.
Top Ten Predicted Complaints about the First OS6 Device
9) Lack of standard encryption.
8) Poor Mac OS X support.
7) WiFi range is to short.
6) The screen is not some, just announced, LCD techology.
5) Too expensive.
4) No dual Bluetooth or WiFi -- if it is there, someone will complain that you can't use both at the same time.
3) Poor USB-On-The-Go support.
2) The placement of the IR port.
and the most complained about feature I predict.
1) The notepad entry size limit is still to small!
RE: Top Ten Predicted Complaints about the First OS6 Device
Don't forget the lack of a user-replacable battery and no switchable G1 & G2!
RE: Top Ten Predicted Complaints about the First OS6 Device
How about "OVER ONE YEAR LATER SO WHERE THE F*** IS IT?"???
"Death can come swiftly to a market leader. By the time you have lost the positive-feedback cycle it's often too late to change what you've been doing, and all of the elements of a negative spiral come into play." - Bill Gates, "The Road Ahead", Chapter 3
RE: Top Ten Predicted Complaints about the First OS6 Device
Are you confused or just drunk again? What Notepad are you talking about?! Do you mean Memos?! It's fekkin 32K! I'm satisfied (although 64K *would* be nice). It's the BLOODY CLIPBOARD that needs to be enlarged for parity with Memos!
I see people are already beginning to horn in on my annual Predictions. (Quick: Can you predict if I will do one this year?)
RE: Top Ten Predicted Complaints about the First OS6 Device
* I will further get under your skin.
* Too much free Skyy Vodka and too many Palm critics a boring PalmSource party will make.
* You will keep this up to further stroke your ego.
LOL!
... someone needs a wedgie!
RE: Top Ten Predicted Complaints about the First OS6 Device
I must apologize for asking if you were drunk. *I* must have been! Memos are 32K only as far as *palmOne* is concerned. I have no idea what they did to them -- if anything -- in Cobalt. They could well still be 4K, dammit. Just as they are on the Zodiac (which now has WiFi drivers that can use the LESS EXPENSIVE SANDISK WIFI SD! -- once again, p1 is shamed!).
Journalism or cut-and-pastism?
"1.0" is mentioned more frequently: 2-to-1.
RE: Journalism or cut-and-pastism?
--
Ben Combee
http://palmos.combee.net - PDA programmer weblog
Latest Comments
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Great! Now we just need the Mac OS X version.