• Uncategorized

    Mac OS X Editions of SplashMoney, SplashID

    Los Gatos, CA (MobilityNewswire) April 22, 2008 — SplashData, Inc., the leading provider of productivity software for smartphones, today announced Mac OS X versions of its popular SplashMoney personal finance application and SplashID 4 secure password manager. Both applications synchronize with their respective mobile applications. The company also announced a standalone version of SplashMoney for Mac OS X for users that do not have a compatible mobile device.

    With SplashMoney, Mac users now have access to a complete personal financial manager that enables them to securely record transactions, track account balances, generate reports and budgets, and manage finances while on the go. SplashMoney features wireless access to online bank accounts – an ideal feature for laptops and smartphones, a streamlined user interface, charting of financial data, the ability to assign icons to transactions, transaction filtering, and bank account reconciliation.

    SplashMoney supports most account types, including checking, savings, credit card, cash, asset, liability, and money market accounts.

    Mac users of SplashID have been anxiously waiting for the release of SplashID 4, which includes substantial updates such as Web Auto-Fill, a feature that simplifies entering user names and passwords by using a web browser to go directly to a site and then retrieving the username and password directly from SplashID to auto-fill in the record. Other key features in SplashID 4 include improved ways to view and find information, such as the new Panel and Tree views, and an Auto Search feature that retrieves records simply by entering a few letters in the Find box.

    Advanced users of SplashID 4 can use the new Database Sync feature to select multiple databases to synchronize with on the Mac desktop and easily share data with other users, even across a network.

    The security of personal financial data on mobile devices is of chief concern to many, and SplashData has incorporated secure password protection in both SplashMoney and SplashID using 256-bit Blowfish encryption to protect against malicious hacking or other threats.

    The SplashMoney and SplashID versions that include both handheld and desktop applications are available now for $29.95 each at www.splashdata.com. They are also available as part of the SplashWallet Suite, which includes SplashID, SplashPhoto, SplashShopper, and SplashMoney, at a 50% discount. The desktop-only versions of SplashMoney and SplashID, available for both Windows and Mac, are available for $19.95. Full functioning 30-day trial versions are also available for download.

  • sprint

    Palm, Sprint Beta Test Project

    A Foleo Fanatics reader has tipped me off to a beta test opportunity from Palm and Sprint to test a new device/service of some kind. A TreoCentral form member posted the email they received. The email, in part, reads:

    Palm is seeking people to test an innovative new product. This product is focused on seasoned business professionals. People who commute and spend a ton of time working on email and on the phone. This test is for people looking for cutting edge technology and demand constant communication.

    Qualified candidates should work in an enterprise level business and have a lot of experience with varied technologies. These people should invest a significant amount of money in their technology and use it daily.

    Required Qualifications
    Sprint Subscriber
    Bluetooth headphones or car kits
    WiFi Router access

    Optional Qualifications
    Existing Smartphone Users
    Heavy to Medium e-mail users
    Heavy phone users
    Travel for work with their phone

    This appears to be an invitation only beta test. I do not know what the selection criteria is for the test, nor is there a link the Sprint website for signing up to participate in the test.

    What is interesting to me is what could be under development. We know that Palm and Sprint are working on delivering the much rumored Treo 800w to enterprise customers later this year. We also know that Palm is still working on Palm OS II/Nova. We also know that Sprint is working to implement a Wi-Max solution. And lastly, some of these requirments sound very similar to the beta tester requirements from the Foleo private beta test. Now I’m not saying that Palm is secretly working on a Foleo-like device, so it is important to not read too much into that one.

    [Thanks to the anonymous tipster who sent this in.]

  • astraware

    Astraware Releases Platyus

    KEELE, Staffordshire, & DONCASTER, S. Yorkshire UK – April 16th, 2008 – Astraware(R) and Idigicon are excited to announce the release of Platypus – the squishiest shoot-em-up ever – for Palm OS(R) and Windows Mobile(R) smartphones and PDAs.

    Based on the cult classic for PC and Mac, Platypus is a fast, frantic and fun side-scrolling arcade shooter with a difference – the entire game is made from clay! The vast continent-spanning city of Collosatropolis has finally reached the limits of its expansion, and tall buildings cover every available space. The Collosotropolan leaders have decided the simplest solution is to invade the neighbouring country of Mungola. They don’t anticipate much of a struggle – Mungolans are simple, earthy types without much love for industry. In fact, Mungola’s entire defence force consists of a single squadron of fighter planes – the venerable F-27 ‘Platypus’.

    Your mission is to pilot your trusty Platypus and save peaceful Mungola! Fly across the squashy fields and trees, avoid the snowy mountains and protect your planet. Shoot down the enemy ships and marvel as they disappear in a splat! Collect fruit bonuses and a range of power-ups to aid you in your quest!

    Platypus is a fantastic, fun arcade game featuring 4 massive worlds each with several challenging levels. It’s the perfect casual game for arcade gamers and the perfect arcade game for casual gamers!

    Platypus is optimised for play with 5-way or stylus and is available for Palm OS(R) and Windows Mobile(R) smartphones and PDAs, priced $19.95, from the Astraware website: http://www.astraware.com/platypus.

  • dell

    Rumor: Dell Entering the Subnotebook Market

    Brighthand’s Ed Hardy has a new article up on Brighthand.com that suggests Dell will be entering the hot subnotebook market. If the rumor is true, look for Dell-branded offerings before the summer is over. Hardy writes:

    “Citing an unnamed official at Compal Electronics in Taiwan, the Wall Street Journal says Dell is planning to launch a low-cost 8.9-inch mini-notebook, possible as early as June. This device, which reportedly will be produced by Compal, will start at $400.”

    If this rumor turns out to be true, my problem about what subnotebook to get will be moot. Since my company uses Dell hardware, it should be easy to get a unit in for “evaluation.”

    I will have to keep an eye out for this new device.

  • gx-5

    GX-5 Treo Weather Updated

    Earlier this week on the 1SRC.com Palm-Powered podcast I pointed out that Yahoo had changed their weather data format and than some weather application broke. Treo Weather was one such application.

    I received word from T.J. today that Treo Weather 1.1.0.2 was released to address the issue. The Treo Weather version history and download link is available on the GX-5 website.

  • treo

    Treo 755p Is Still A Go for Sprint

    Clarifying an earlier post today, Brighthand’s Editor in Chief, Ed Hardy, has posted an update to the Sprint Treo 755p story.

    It turns out that Sprint delisted the Treo 755p due to supply shortages and not because they are no longer selling the Palm OS Treo. A Sprint representative told Brighthand that:

    “Sprint has not discontinued the Treo 755p from its smartphone portfolio, however, we are currently addressing temporary outage of inventory which is why the handset is not currently featured as part of our online store at www.sprint.com. Sprint plans to continue offering these handsets and investing in new Palm products throughout 2008.”

    Sprint Treo 755p customers, myself included, can breath a sigh of relief.

  • centro,  palm os,  rumors,  treo

    Rumor: A New Palm Smartphone Before Year’s End?

    We know that Palm is working on a new Linux-based operating system, often referred to as “Palm OS II” or “Palm OS Nova.” We also know that Palm is working on new hardware form factors for their Treo smartphone line. It has also become generally accepted that we will have to wait until this time next year before we will be able to get our hands on Palm’s new products running the new operating system until 2009. Or will we?

    While reading an article on AppleInsider about the impact to both Research In Motion and Palm, there is a short statement from an industry analyst that may hint at a new device from Palm, possibly a new Treo, before the end of 2008. Ya, I said before the end of 2008. The following is a quote from the AppleInsider article:

    “Palm’s new Centro smartphone is also characterized as a stopgap measure to tide users over until a real, Linux-based Treo replacement is available near the end of 2008. It sells for as little as $99 but isn’t seen as capable of holding its own against either the iPhone or other rivals for the next few quarters. Most customers are attracted to the Centro for its price rather than its feature set, a situation the Needham researcher says is likely to change once prices drop.”

    This is the second time in as many months that I’ve seen mention of a new Palm product becoming available before the end of the year that is not one of the rumored devices I’ve been following.

    It is important that we not get ahead of ourselves here. Before smartphones can go on sale in the US, the wireless carrier needs to certify each device before they will allow it to be connected to their network. It is also widely expected that Palm will need to deliver new smartphones to the networks up to six months in advance of it going on sale. Could this analyst simply be confused by what will happen by year’s end? Did he really mean that the carriers will get new Palm devices for testing, or did he really mean that new devices running the new OS be on sale by the end of 2008? It is hard to tell, but it would sure be some welcomed news for the Palm OS user community if a new device and operating system became available in time for the holidays. And I’m sure Palm wouldn’t mind a little sales boost in December either.

    Fact or fiction? I’ll leave that for you to decide.

  • humor

    Hamster: Theft Deterrent System

    What happens when Dad, two Jr. Podcasters, and Snow the hamster are left unsupervised in a house full of gadgets while Mommy is out at a baby shower? Click the thumbnail below for the full story.

    Just be glad you don’t have to live in my house. No hamsters, or Treo smartphones were hurt while making this ad poster.

  • centro,  rumors,  treo

    Palm Rumor Round Up

    The first quarter of 2008 has come and gone, so I figured it is time that I review the current status of all of the Palm rumors floating around on the Internet.

    Treo 800w

    I expect this device to show up in July 2008 on the Sprint network if the leaked slide on WMEXperts.com is real. The Treo 800w will replace the Treo 700wx in the carrier’s network. The latest rumors seem to indicate that this new Windows Mobile Treo will ship with Windows Mobile 6.1 and not 6.0 as indicated on the slide. (I should also point out that Sprint never carried the 700w, but rather the 700wx. The slide may not 100% accurate.)

    I’m looking forward to seeing this Treo ship with EVDO Rev A, a built in Wi-Fi radio, and an operating system accessable GPS receiver that can work with third-party GPS applications from Garmin and TomTom.

    Adding to the validity of this information, some websites that posted the slide are being asked to remove the slide and comments in a recent Palm conference call appear to be in alignment with the rumors. I’ll put this rumor at 90% likely to be true.

    Verizon Centro

    Rumors around the Verzion Centro are still a little bit spotty on the actual timing with rumored launch dates confined to the second quarter of 2008. Over the weekend, a leaked rebate form showed up on TreoCentral.com that clearly shows the Centro as being offered with a $70 mail-in rebate. Also clearly visible on the rebate form are the dates 3/30/08 – 6/15/08, the dates the rebate offer runs from and to.

    As far as I am aware, this is the best evidence to date that the Palm Centro is coming to Verizon. EngadgetMobile recently posted that the device was coming to Verizon, but had the release dates later in the year (May-June).

    The Centro is the best thing going for the Palm OS platform this year, so I’m expecting that Palm will continue to rollout the Centro is as many markets on as many carriers as they can. With Palm OS II/Nova still months away, the Centro is the only new device Palm will ship all year running the Palm OS 5.4 (Garnet) platform. I expect the Centro to be the last device from Palm to run Palm OS 5.x; next stop will be Palm OS II/Nova. My best guess will be a late April launch of the Centro on Verizon. I’m not sure what colors the Verzion Centro will be available in, but my guess is it will be the midnight blue version recently rolled out in Mexico.

    I’m putting the validity for a Verizon Centro at 100%.

    “Drucker”
    Back in January, a leaked Vodafone slide showed a device called “Drucker” from Palm arriving in July 2008. I have not read any new information on this rumored device. After reviewing the device stats listed on a slided posted on Gizmodo, the Drucker looks to be the GSM version of the Treo 800w due out on Sprint here in the United States as it is expected to replace the Treo 750 in the Vodaphone smartphone line up. This of course, opens the door to a launch later in the year on AT&T and/or an unlocked version becoming available directly from Palm’s online store.

    At this point, I am going out on limb and saying that this rumor is probably 80% true. The lack of any new details on Drucker could be a sign that things have changed since January.

    “Wanda”
    January also brought us news of another European device, “Wanda”. Based on the information posted in another leaked Vodafone slide over on Engadget, Wanda appears to be a GSM Windows Mobile version of the EVDO Palm OS Centro. (Palm did admit in a recent conference call that the Treo 500v wasn’t selling as well as they had initially hoped.)

    Of the specs on the slide, this device will also be a Windows Mobile 6.1 device (just like the Treo 800w and Drucker are rumored to be) and will include a 2.0MP camera.

    Wanda is suppose to be launched in September of this year, which is still quite a bit away at this point. While I’m sure that Palm will be looking to capture more marketshare in Europe, the Treo 500v may not be the vehicle Palm wanted it to be. Wanda may be just what the doctor ordered. I’ll put this rumor at 60% of being accurate.

    “What Else?”
    The big question on the minds of fans of the Palm OS is whether or not Palm will be able to make good on their promise to release a successor to the Palm OS 5 platform. The current version of Palm OS 5 is functional, however, it is clearly holding Palm back from delivering the innovative products that they were known for in the late 1990s. I believe, as do the managers at Palm, it is essential to complete Palm OS II/Nova no later than the end of 2008.

    To that end, one has to wonder if Palm is under promising and surprise us by over delivering. Many people still remember the disaster the pre-announcment of the m500-series devices had on sales of the Palm Vx and Palm’s bottom line. (We won’t talk about the gold suit.) More recently, Palm took an embarrassing hit after having pre-announced the Palm Foleo and then later failing to deliver the product.

    If Palm has any chance of delivering either a Centro or Treo smartphone, or even a refreshed Palm TX handheld for that matter, before the start of calendar year 2009, I’d expect that those details are on a “need to know” basis only. So what how about it? Do you think that Palm can pull a rabbit out of their hat in December to the wild cheers of the Palm OS user community? I expect any delivery of any device from Palm running Palm OS II/Nova before March of 2009 a long shot at best, I’ll say that there is, at best, a 25% chance of this happening.