Acecca Confirms Additional PDA32 Details

aceeca pda32 Via their community forums, Acecca has posted some new details and information about the world's only "new" Palm OS Garnet handheld, the PDA32. First off, the previously unofficial revised pricing information has been confirmed:


PDA32 base price  		        $179.00 
IRDA (high power transmit)         +$10 
Stereo audio capability               +$10
Bluetooth Class 1 (100 meters)   +$10
802.11 b/g Wi-Fi                          +$20

Responding to some user inquiries, Aceeca stated that they have no plans for additional models that are smaller and/or lighter-weight and not ruggedized. Responding to the concerns of many, there WILL be a 64-bit compatible USB driver for the PDA32. No additional info is provided, other than that Access does not have this solution in place at this time but they will keep users updated on their progress.

Finally, there is currently no USB Mass Storage support for the PDA32, since it is not a native function of Palm OS Garnet. However, Aceeca has not ruled out either cooperating with Softick (of CardExort fame) o develop this or writing their own solution though some considerable time and effort would be involved in doing so.

Unfortunately, no date or additional information was given to when PDA32 units will become available with Bluetooth or wi-fi modules installed. Currently, a PDA32 can only be equipped with the IRDA and stereo audio modules, giving them fewer connectivity options than most all other Palm OS5 handhelds.

One of the main factors preventing users of classic Palm OS devices to use their devices with newer operating systems over the past several years has been the refusal of Palm or Access to release an updated USB driver or Palm Desktop package compatible with 64-bit versions of Windows. While the Vista-compliant Palm Desktop from 2008 works fine under Windows 7, users are left to Hotsync over a Bluetooth connection due to the lack of compliant USB drivers. If Aceeca and Access can pull off the substantial task of updating two of the more glaring shortcomings for Garnet devices (lack of 802.11g support and no 64-bit WIndows Hostync), then the PDA32's will likely become a considerably more appealing alternative to legacy Palm Inc. devices.

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business model

Gekko @ 10/7/2010 10:49:55 AM # Q

that's some business model. do they sell buggy whips too?

they'll sell dozens!!!


RE: business model
Lucky Bob @ 10/10/2010 11:44:03 AM # Q
I'm glad this is 2005...right?
(Why do some people say you can kill two birds with one stone when it's hard enough killing one bird with two stones?)
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What we really want...

Tuckermaclain @ 10/7/2010 11:04:31 AM # Q
Is to be able to use it to sync our other Palm PDAs to Win 7. Dmitri or Aaron are our only hopes!
RE: What we really want...
hkklife @ 10/7/2010 12:00:43 PM # Q
Well, I wasn't going to mention it in the "official" article but that was sort of what I was *wink* wink* nudge*nudge* suggesting by that reference within the article.

Heck, I'd pay Access $5 or $10 for a solid, supported Palm Desktop + 64-bit USB driver to keep my TX functional and synchronizing into the future!

Having decided to take the full plunge into Android for my smartphone needs, I am jettisoning all of my Centros and Treos and accessories and will make my last stand for all things Palm OS with my 2 TX's and a couple of older devices I still have around for nostalgia purposes (Vx, VIIx, Pilot Pro, Pilot 1000).
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 X + Palm TX

RE: What we really want...
Gekko @ 10/7/2010 12:44:12 PM # Q

do you realize how silly you will look carrying around a Palm PDA in 2011?

RE: What we really want...
hkklife @ 10/7/2010 1:44:00 PM # Q
I don't carry with me on a daily basis! I just keep it at home for PIM/PIC purposes!

Nothing beats Palm OS for fast, intuitive, one-handed use and PIM. Nothing!

Besides, I could just hold my TX up to my ear and people will think that it's some super-sized Android phone/tablet device!


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 X + Palm TX

RE: What we really want...
Tuckermaclain @ 10/7/2010 2:30:20 PM # Q
Agree 100% with Kris. I run between 2 offices and I don't have a single reference text in either because I just started this practice. I can make do with all the stuff on my TX. I can work faster. Then I have more time off so nobody has to see me with my TX.

I'm really sad when I see the success of the iPad and know that it could have been an all-grown-up TX running Palm OS7 or 8. Too bad they didn't let Apple buy them years ago when they had the chance.

RE: What we really want...
Lucky Bob @ 10/10/2010 10:54:26 AM # Q
Life is too short to care what people think about your PIM device. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
(Why do some people say you can kill two birds with one stone when it's hard enough killing one bird with two stones?)
Reply to this comment

Some questions. . .

HyperScheduler @ 10/7/2010 6:09:31 PM # Q
Interesting article and comments. I have a few questions:

First, I am familar with the reference to Dimitri, but who is "Aaron"?

Second, is the reason that people want a 64-bit driver so that they can sync with the physical cord? Have you experienced actual problems with a Bluetooth-based sync?

Third, carrying around a Palm PDA in 2011 will not make us look silly. It has some cool/ironic overtones, doncha think? ;-)

Fourth, @ hkklife, whenever you get rid of Centro's/Treo's/accessories, please let us know here first so that we can try to buy them from you.

Finally, in what year do you think that the final PalmOS user will stop using PalmOS? 2016?


Thanks very much,

HyperScheduler


RE: Some questions. . .
gmayhak @ 10/7/2010 7:58:50 PM # Q
For your fourth question, If Palm/HP want to re-capture some of the magic and have a chance of success with the new OS they will definitely include full compatibility with Palm OS apps. Otherwise, it's my guess that Palm OS & webOS will be history that you can read about on wikipedia in a couple more years.

Gary

Tech Center Labs
www.talestuff.com
www.iTalentProductions.com

RE: Some questions. . .
Tuckermaclain @ 10/8/2010 10:06:23 AM # Q
HyperScheduler: Aaron Ardiri is a very skilled developer from Sweden (I think) who could easily do this if he wanted too. He is notable for writing Liberty, an old game emulator for Palm OS. He wrote HackMe, which a beauty of a program that allowed you to use 1 registration code for multiple devices. He was also suspected of writing the only virus I'm aware of for Palm OS and sticking it into cracked copies of Liberty floating around. Never proven, just suspected. He has moved on to better paying projects but occasionally pops up here.

As for BT sync--yeah, I've found it to hit and miss--mostly miss.

As for looking like a dork--you decide. I don't really care what some idiot with white ear buds thinks. My TX is an invaluable tool that I use on a daily basis. Just as reliable (but not nearly as exciting) as my secretary.

If Palm would have been managed differently the iPad would have been introduced earlier running Palm OS. Too bad. Jobs obviously knew the Foleo was brilliant.

RE: Some questions. . .
Gekko @ 10/8/2010 10:43:51 AM # Q
>If Palm would have been managed differently the iPad would have been introduced earlier running Palm OS. Too bad. Jobs obviously knew the Foleo was brilliant.

wow that is a big stretch and a big "if" on so many levels.

oh yeah right - the fooleo was the inspiration for the ipad!

you're delusional!

RE: Some questions. . .
Tuckermaclain @ 10/8/2010 4:29:41 PM # Q
Gekko I don't really know what to say about your lack of insight.. Palm was on a roll with the Tungsten series. The Foleo represented a leap to a larger platform. The logical evolution of the Tungsten series would have been an iPad type device. If Jobs thought Palm was full of big ifs and no potential why did Apple offer to buy Palm years ago? Everything Apple touches turns to gold. The last commercial failure they had was about 1982 with the Lisa. Apple is projected to soon be the World's most valuable company. If the Foleo was released as a larger device it would have been a small step to make a touch screen tablet with internet connectivity through CDMA or GSM. That device would have been the first iPad. Palm would have had the advantage of their huge army of developers and things may have turned out differently. Of course it didn't happen--but it could have with different management.
RE: Some questions. . .
Gekko @ 10/8/2010 5:10:47 PM # Q

bosco?

RE: Some questions. . .
gmayhak @ 10/8/2010 7:20:31 PM # Q
I agree Palm could have built on the TX and had the first successful iPad type device but really don't think Apple would have embraced Palm OS. More than likely they would have just removed Palm from the game. They have been perfecting OSX for years and remaining with it for iOS provides developer with the most powerful tools for mobile apps in the industry.
Gekko, you should become a hoarder like me, we have more toys to play with so we can actually tell which are the best.

Grandpa Gary
Tech Center Labs
www.talestuff.com
www.iTalentProductions.com

RE: Some questions. . .
abosco @ 10/9/2010 6:07:22 AM # M Q
The only thing the iPad and Foleo have in common is their size. Everything else is different, from the UI, input method, and connectivity. The Foleo required a Treo. It simply could not be a stand-alone device, and that is where Apple is seeing a lot of success with its iPad - people buying it in leu of a netbook or laptop.

Like I've said before, my parents are freakin' gaga over their iPad. They have discovered how to load photos of their recent vacation and play it on a slideshow. And when I helped them load all of their old CDs on it, well, they were excited, to say the least.

None of this could have been done with the Foleo. And just as importantly, Palm has never been the marketing/hype powerhouse that Apple is in order to properly market an entirely new product segment.

RE: Some questions. . .
abosco @ 10/9/2010 6:09:09 AM # M Q
Let me try that again:

- people buying it in lieu of a netbook or laptop.

RE: Some questions. . .
hkklife @ 10/9/2010 7:52:23 AM # Q
Palm finally hot the perfect (for the time) price/feature balance for the TX. $299 at launch, nice software bundle, plenty of RAM, nice big screen, and, most importantly, 802.11b wi-fi. You can definitely argue that it hit the market a year later than it should have but that's ancient history now.

IMO, Palm was on the right track with that device and could have had a big headstart on the smaller tablet (like Dell Streak) market. Instead of pissing away countless dollars and man hours with the Fooleo, a gradual evolution of the TX would have been a wiser, more conservative approach for a company with limited resources like the pre-HP Palm.

Even with the creakiness of Garnet, Palm could have milked that basic TX design for another 2 years or so, maybe even longer. But they went Treo-crazy and it took the world's biggest biotch-slap from Apple 2 years later to convince the industry that people were sick & tired of SSS (small square screens).

Anyway, for very little R&D $, Palm could've released a followup TX in 2006 with an integrated 2gb flash drive (later on 4GB) to replace the LifeDrive and address the TX's biggest shortcoming. Then they could've done a Palm V or Visor Edge-style sleek & thin restyle in 2007 or so. Finally, as a Garnet swansong, they could've stuck an EVDO radio in there (at the expense of BT or wi-fi) and sold it with an iPad-style no contract, data-only plan for $20/month and been the first "3G tablet", all the while making little tweaks to the UI to make it less reliant on stylus.

Somewhere along the way, rudimentary cloud features (online backup, device auto-updates etc) could have been gradually rolled out to get the Palm faithful accustomed to that "cloud stuff". One of the major complaints people like Gary and myself have lodged at WebOS and the Pre is that it's such a drastic departure in not only UI & look/feel from Garnet but in requiring too many taps, no easy one-handed navigation. A gradual WebOSifying of Garnet rolled out over a several year period would have been wise (look how Microsoft has slowly gotten everyone used to the ribbon toolbar, for example).

By this point that even a refreshed Garnet would have reached the total end of the road (2009-2010ish), capacitive touchscreens + no styli + Android/iOS had set the bar too high, which is precisely where a polished WebOS could have nicely stepped in. But Palm could definitely made things easier on themselves in the lean years from 2006-2008. Then, after CES 2009, a "Pre Touch" would've been a no-brainer and done a lot to remedy the hideous delays in the Pre launch + rollout on other carriers.

Up through, oh, 2009 or so, Garnet's main shortcomings could have been quite easily remedied through software and some of the $ thrown away on the Fooleo debacle:

-No 802.11g support (also better security etc). Aceeca is supposedly/hopefully working on this for the PDA32. No reason it couldn't have been done years ago. Only now are we starting to see 802.11n appearing in smartphones, with many notebooks and netbooks still strangely shipping with just G support.
-Weak web browser. Blazer was never great and it's just mind-boggling that a better native Palm OS browser was never developed. Anyway, I am sure a solid browser could've been developed with the budget reserved for, oh, the Fooleo's formfactor research.
-Graffiti 2. As the Android Graffiti app shows, this has been a non-issue for years and again could have been remedied by Access & Palm.
-No Bluetooth A2DP or USB mass storage. I am sure something could have been worked out with Softick to add some kind of functionality if the desire & demand had been there.
-No 64-bit Windows USB drivers for Hotsync. Entirely the fault of Access and utterly inexcusable.
-No support for >4GB storage volumes. I am sure that Dmitri could have taken care of this, time & interest permitting.
-No support for >128MB RAM. Not a major factor since a non-multitasking, antiquated OS like Garnet isn't a huge resource hog anyway.
-SDHC support. Already in the last three Garnet smartphones, no reason it couldn't have been on the TX as well.

Again, I'm not saying that Garnet would still be a world-class OS right now, but there's certainly no reason that its lifespan couldn't have been extended with a quick facelift + spec update. Some cooperation between Palm & Access + maybe a few bits borrowed from Cobalt.
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 X + Palm TX

RE: Some questions. . .
Gekko @ 10/9/2010 8:08:13 AM # Q

if-if-if-if-if-if-if-if-if-if-if-if-if...............................

how many "ifs" must you say before you realize that the reason a company with so many "ifs" failed is because of all of the "ifs"?

RE: Some questions. . .
gmayhak @ 10/9/2010 8:45:27 AM # Q
That's what he's saying Gekko.
Tech Center Labs
www.talestuff.com
www.iTalentProductions.com
RE: Some questions. . .
Gekko @ 10/9/2010 8:50:24 AM # Q

my post was directed to tucker, grandpa.

RE: Some questions. . .
gmayhak @ 10/9/2010 9:30:42 AM # Q
Same response, kid.
Tech Center Labs
www.talestuff.com
www.iTalentProductions.com
RE: Some questions. . .
Gekko @ 10/9/2010 9:53:20 AM # Q

IMO tucker's supposition really diminishes and insults the incredibly amazing work that Apple has done with the iPhone and iPad. to suggest that Palm was only a couple of different decisions away from the same success as Apple (or even close) is ludicrous. Palm simply did not have the management or engineering talent to properly execute ideas - even if they had any great new original ideas - which they did not.

i've never bought an Apple device in my life - and don't plan to - but i have enormous respect for their vision, talent, execution, and everything that they've accomplished in the last 5-10 years.

RE: Some questions. . .
gmayhak @ 10/9/2010 10:19:19 AM # Q
Maybe not the same success as Apple but being the first with an iPad type device and large developer base could have kept Palm alive.

I was going to offer you a copy of my latest app to help with your comprehension but with your last post I've gained some respect for you, you're smarter than I thought!

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/cubestory-writer/id395717105?mt=8

Gary
Tech Center Labs
www.talestuff.com
www.iTalentProductions.com

RE: Some questions. . .
Gekko @ 10/9/2010 4:19:46 PM # Q
>Maybe not the same success as Apple but being the first with an iPad type device and large developer base could have kept Palm alive.

yes and i could have been a Billionaire IF only i had only thought of Facebook and IF only i had executed it as brilliantly as Zuckerberg and IF and IF and IF. but i didn't so what's the point?

RE: Some questions. . .
gmayhak @ 10/9/2010 6:18:36 PM # Q
The point is that you would have been starting from zero! Palm already had momentum with the Palm OS developer community and a miniature version of a damn good tablet with the TX.

Gary
Tech Center Labs
www.talestuff.com
www.iTalentProductions.com

RE: Some questions. . .
gmayhak @ 10/9/2010 6:24:28 PM # Q
Gekko, I think we all agree that they screwed the pooch. It's just that they were very close and decided to dump everything that made them 'Palm'

Gary
Tech Center Labs
www.talestuff.com
www.iTalentProductions.com

RE: Some questions. . .
gmayhak @ 10/9/2010 6:42:16 PM # Q
ps, John Smith, your profile still shows a Palm Centro as your main PDA :-0

Why is there so much paranoia now days? My name, address, phone number, etc. have been all over the web for 15 years, I speak my mind and the sky hasn't fallen.

Gary

Tech Center Labs
www.talestuff.com
www.iTalentProductions.com

RE: Some questions. . .
Gekko @ 10/10/2010 4:21:15 AM # Q
>The point is that you would have been starting from zero!

sometimes starting from nothing is an advantage, grandpa. it gives you a maniacal focus and no legacy issues to worry about.


RE: Some questions. . .
richf @ 10/10/2010 5:09:46 AM # Q
Sammy is sending traffic this way. Get here early to avoid the rush. Thanks is in order. Found this story this morning while surfing usual sites. This story may create some excitement around here whether you all like it or not.
Would someone get one of these and add to the already published info. I am curious but maybe not two hundred dollars worth of curious.
FYI, This week I burned all the floppies with my Palm library worth hundreds of dollars. I truly have turned the corner, well maybe. Still have my Treo 650 and 700P plus a T3. What to do with them, can't bring myself to burn them.
Here is the link I started to talk about. Check it out...http://tinyurl.com/2a9j3sa

Have a nice day!
Pilot 1000->Pilot 5000->Pilot Pro->IIIe->IIIc->M500->M505->M515->TC->T3->T5->Treo 650P->Treo 700P->Droid>Pre Plus

RE: Some questions. . .
richf @ 10/10/2010 5:16:47 AM # Q
Gary, good question. I noticed several weeks ago that member number was missing. Surely nobody was using my member number to hunt me down. This may seem like a small issue but my life consists of reading this forum and solving universe saving issues during the many unused seconds of my day. Please mention this to the head master the next time you all see him.
Have a nice day!
Pilot 1000->Pilot 5000->Pilot Pro->IIIe->IIIc->M500->M505->M515->TC->T3->T5->Treo 650P->Treo 700P->Droid>Pre Plus
RE: Some questions. . .
Lucky Bob @ 10/10/2010 11:27:22 AM # Q
Hindsight is 20/20. With the current success of Apple's products it's easy to argue what Palm should have done to stay afloat. The point is that at the beginning of the time-frame hkklife mentioned, Palm/Handspring's Treo brand had changed the mobile landscape. Because of that the writing on the wall was for PDA manufacturers to move to smartphones. That's why Palm's traditional PDAs stagnated. By the time Apple created the Touch/iPad markets, it was too late for Palm. As others have mentioned they didn't have the resources or the marketing push to break into the consumer realm as Apple had. They also didn't have resources to attract the business market held by Blackberry. They ended up withering somewhere in the middle.
(Why do some people say you can kill two birds with one stone when it's hard enough killing one bird with two stones?)
RE: Some questions. . .
Gekko @ 10/10/2010 12:11:26 PM # Q
>They ended up withering somewhere in the middle.

the "fat middle"?

http://www.palminfocenter.com/news/7199/businessweek-confirms-nova-os-launch-at-ces/

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microsoft licenses access technology

BaalthazaaR @ 10/11/2010 10:43:26 AM # Q
RE: microsoft licenses access technology
Tuckermaclain @ 10/11/2010 11:31:50 AM # M Q
I read a story on CNET or Engadget about if. Would be ironic if it was Zen-like.
RE: microsoft licenses access technology
Gekko @ 10/11/2010 2:08:00 PM # Q

disgraceful. everyone wants to sue everyone!

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