"PDA247
is my morning cup of coffee news. Like the great rush of caffeine my
news junkie habit is not satisfied until I’ve read their latest
postings. I especially enjoy their reviews and opinions. In my judgment
PDA247 founder Shaun McGill and the team absolutely love mobile
technology and it shows in their commentaries." Todd Sherman Owner- Smart Box Design
Is it just me, or is it time to take Palm out to the back and put her down?
Oh for the love of God. Why can't this company innovate? It's the same damn product they made five years ago.(drops his Palm IIIc and a rose in the wastebin)
I've heard an ultra-secret rumor, that Palm is coming out with two new models better than the Zeppelin. They're code-named Hindenburg and Titanic. They will really explode on to the scene. They'll break up the competition. ... Oh, what's the use?
How many eBooks have you purchased? On the last count, I totalled 112 in my eReader bookshelf which is quite surprising. At least my smartphone makes me read more than I ever did in the past.
From Eric- Recently, I was upgraded to a business plan and a Blackberry Curve (8310) and here are a few thoughts comparing the features of these two systems and the software support for them…
Stability
The Blackberry is a reasonably stable device and comparable to the T3. Admittedly, the boot up time for the BB is slow (up to 30 seconds) while the Palm is still a snap.
Usability
The BB doesn’t have a touch screen (though this is a matter of time). It does have a trackball which makes it very easy to use. At least I don’t have to lose my stylus again, but the touch screen of the Palm and other devices I really miss (I even like the touch screen of the Nintendo DS!)
On the plus side, all BB can handle 4GB micro-SDHC and possibly larger. The TT was crippled to under 1GB and the newer models can barely push past the 2GB barrier. When will Palm ever learn? Do they have an allergy to FAT32?
Built in software
The BB can do a bit more than Palm in that it’s net connectivity is better than the Treo (I had compared the BB with a Treo side by side). The default software on the BB is average at best and the availability of replacement apps is poor compared to the rich selection that Palm has got.
Software availability
The Palm has still a heap of software (free and shareware) that has shown an incredible amount of innovation and enhancements – even by todays standards. The BB software selection is pretty bare and the apps are mediocre at best and many don’t even a trial period (ie. Shareware), so it’s either buy it and see whether it sucks or look for nothing else.
It seems like any BB stuff is shareware or a full download after paying $$ (even the “flashlight function” is shareware!) and the number of developers are few and far between.
As for entertainment, the media player software for BB is reduced to 3-4 vendors and the features are pretty retarded (ie. Feature poor).
Games software is pretty much Sudoku and texas hold’em card game with a smattering of something else (especially on Handango and Palmgear). I ended up on gamemobile.co.uk to download mobile games for the BB which were slicker and better made than what you could get on Handango and Palmgear (apart from Magmic Games).
I really miss some Palm classic games from Redshift (Legacy and Quest), Bejewelled, Vexed and so on. Simple, neat and easy to play.
Software – Calendar/Datebook replacements
This is reduced down to 2-3 apps whilst the Palm has … oh goodness me …up to 10 to choose from (and iambic and datebk aren’t even available on the BB)
Software – ebook readers
Even ebook readers is reduced down to two choices – Mobipocket and Isilo.
Having used Mobipocket on the Palm and hating every second of it, I tried it on the BB … and still hated it. The interface is clunky and the app footprint is large.
I reverted to Isilo and to my pleasant surprise, it could read all the Palm PDB database files. So I don’t have to download everything again in BB format!!
Room for innovation
Palm software developers – the opportunity for BB apps is huge. Not quite sure about the market space though.
Applications to enhance software are many – something as simple as a decent file explorer like Resco Explorer that can view images, compress files and have a browser like structure to edit settings would be a great app. The BB default settings app is convoluted and difficult to use.
Summary
Perhaps I am getting older and moving from the hack and tune the jebus out of my device and using it more as an integrated communications device for phone, email, net and reading books and playing a few games. That is what the BB appeals to me whilst the Treo is the poor cousin to the new technology – which perhaps is why there are so many third party apps to cover up it’s short comings in the default software.
The BB hasn’t got everything right (if it did – it would be called “iPhone”,,,) – but it does get it right on being a communications device with a few extra goodies added in. Given a choice of BB or Treo, I would go for BB now … and this is coming from a Palm OS user since 1995 from the old IIIc days.
Can you help Richard? I have recently bought one of these and it has become the bane of my life. I cannot get the internet, picture messaging or Google maps to work. My Sim card provider, Virgin, do not support the phone as they don’t sell it. Any idea on what settings to input? I can make calls and send/receive texts OK.
From Alison at Astraware- "I hope you're well. I'm very excited to be able to send you a new game preview!
GTS World Racing is the sequel to the highly acclaimed GTS Racing Challenge and features 64 track layouts across 16 worldwide locations; 4 difficulty levels from Easy to Extreme; 3 high octane cars to choose from; and 4 play modes - Single Race, Challenge Cup, Grand Tour, and Championship.
GTS World Racing is scheduled for release on Wednesday 21st May 2008." It will be available for Palm OS, Windows Mobile Standard and Windows Mobile Professional.
Create new Sims then customize and explore their world. Take control of their lives as you satisfy their wants, buy objects, unlock rooms, build relationships with other Sims, and much more.
You can even develop skills and set them off on a career path. Push your Sims to extremes and fulfill their dreams as you shape their future. Everything you love about The Sims 2 is now on your device."
Photo Post, Sudoku, Puzzle, MeetingPoint, Microwave Oven Leak Detector and Pharos are some of the free (for personal use) full feature applications that are included as demo of the new mobile environment called MEDIUM compatible with Symbian OS, Palm OS, Pocket PC, Windows Mobile, Windows 2000/XP/Vista.
MEDIUM is the only solution for actual developer´s nightmare of having one team of programmers specialized on each platform OS, managing many different projects on each OS according mobiles brand and model, many Software Development Kits and a lot of money invested on devices for testing. MEDIUM application development is 90% faster and with better results that traditional programming on a traditional SDK. No need of specialized personal for each platform. Learning curve simplified from months, to just a few days. And same source code works on all platforms without a modification of a single line of code. Best of all, it will be compatible with the newest devices that will run MEDIUM. For more info on MEDIUM check http://www.hitecnia.com/web/hitecnia-en.php?s=34
About FREE applications available to download from MEDIUM:
Each application has a manual in PDF that includes te license to use available in
Photo Post (Symbian Series 60 V 6 to 8.x, Windows Mobile, Pocket PC)
It is a new way to take pictures on the go, and share them instantly with your familiy, group of friends or not share and keep them private. Take the picture, fill the options, enter a text and upload it instantly to your account. No MMS is required, no subscriptions fees applies. Once in your account you can see it, share it, or send it to your email.
MeetingPoint (Symbian Series 60 V 6 to 8.x, Windows Mobile, Pocket PC)
It is a mobile social oriented application. Meet people using Bluetooth as proximity radio and exchange. If both profiles matches with the search scope, an alarm indicates proximity and personal messages and optional phone numbers are exchanged in both phones. It is ideal to meet people and have fun with your friends.
Sudoku (Symbian Series 60 V 6 to 8.x, Windows Mobile, Pocket PC, Palm OS, Windows 2000/XP/Vista)
Sudoku is a logic-based number placement puzzle. The objective is to fill a 9×9 grid so that each column, each row, and each of the nine 3×3 boxes (also called blocks or regions) contains the digits from 1 to 9 only one time each. The puzzle setter provides a partially completed grid.
The objective of this popular and adictive game is to complete the grid.
Puzzle (Symbian Series 60 V 6 to 8.x, Windows Mobile, Pocket PC, Palm OS, Windows 2000/XP/Vista)
Choose a picture, scramble it, one square free. Try to solve it. It seems easy, but it can take some time. As well as Sudoku it is very adictive.
Microwave Oven Leak Detector (Symbian Series 60 V 6 to 8.x) One of the great doubts but is to know if the isolation of microwaves coming from our oven that we use daily, is working correctly and keeping us safe. Until now specialized tools in technical services were used to test microwave leaks.
However, through this application you will be able to know in a fast and simple way if there is a leak in your Microwave oven.
Pharos: (Symbian Series 60 V 6 to 8.x, Windows Mobile, Pocket PC)
Pharos is a platform, one of the most powerful tools designed by HiTecnia, which allows to use mobile phones as intelligent mobile terminals in order to receive tourist, cultural and commercial information.
Pharos allows the exchange of information between the administrators of the commercial, tourist and cultural places and mobile phone users.
Thin, Lightweight and strong. With transparent plastic protection. Removable 360 degrees belt clip included. Anodized aircraft-grade aluminum prevents from scratches. Neoprene inner lining for extra protection and shock absorber. Easy access to all buttons and features. High tensil strength aluminum. Cutouts give easy access to all handheld features. Easy to install.
Proporta release accessories for three top Smartphones
It’s an exciting time next week for Proporta who are releasing new products for three of the latest Smartphones to hit the market: the Samsung SGH-i780, E-TEN Glofiish M810 and the i-mate 9502. Wow, what a week :o)
For a bit of background on these devices the Samsung i780 is a 3G Smartphone, which comes with easy to use business features and high performance technology.
The E-TEN M810 is targeted to chatters and bloggers - the sort who want to stay online at all times. It has a QWERTY keyboard for quick text input and runs on Windows Mobile 6 Professional. It features GPS, WiFi and 3G HSDPA data for that all important high-speed internet.
The Ultimate 9502 is a no-compromises messaging device with a high-resolution touch screen display. It also includes wireless connectivity and even has integrated GPS for mapping, navigation, and a plethora of location-based services.
Proporta have designed their highly acclaimed Alu-Leather Case and Advanced Screen Protectors for all three of these devices to provide you with essential and well-deserved protection for whichever one you’re lucky enough to own.
The Alu-Leather Case, like many of Proporta’s cases, is hand crafted to meet the exact specifications of your device and features their trademark ‘Screen Saver System’ using a sheet of rigid, lightweight aircraft grade aluminium to protect your device against crushing and impact shocks.
Such a convenient little product, there’s no reason to ever have to remove your device from the case as all the necessary cut outs are provided to give access to all ports and controls.
A Proporta Advanced Screen Protector is also a must-have if you want the precious screen of your device to stay in pristine condition. Proporta have been able to improve the thickness of the high-clarity plastic that they’re manufactured from, without impairing screen brightness or quality.
How to: use eAAC+ to put FAR more music on your smartphone
How to: use eAAC+ to put FAR more music on your smartphone from AAS is sort of Symbian related, but could be used by most smartphone owners- "The world is full of mp3 players and many people own and carry them around next to their mobile phone. You can find anything from 1GB microsized music dice to slimwaisted 160GB iPod-classics. When only parts of my music collection fits on my phone, I find I wanted to play that one number that is missing... But do I really need to lug an 160GB iPod with me for just music? Skip to the How-to to get a quick solution or read the background first for an informed solution."
1:40 on 16/5/2008 by 
How many eBooks have you purchased? On the last count, I totalled 112 in my eReader bookshelf which is quite surprising. At least my smartphone makes me read more than I ever did in the past.
From Eric- Recently, I was upgraded to a business plan and a Blackberry Curve (8310) and here are a few thoughts comparing the features of these two systems and the software support for them… 
Can you help Richard? I have recently bought one of these and it has become the bane of my life. I cannot get the internet, picture messaging or Google maps to work. My Sim card provider, Virgin, do not support the phone as they don’t sell it. Any idea on what settings to input? I can make calls and send/receive texts OK.
From Alison at Astraware- "I hope you're well. I'm very excited to be able to send you a new game preview!
PDair has released a new 
It’s an exciting time next week for 
