• apple,  itunes,  pre,  web os

    Palm Releases webOS 1.1.0 Update

    July 25, 2009 /

    On Thursday afternoon, Palm released the webOS 1.1.0 update for the Pre smartphone. There is a laundry list of fixes and enhancements that are delivered in this update, including a patch that “resolves an issue preventing media sync from working with latest version of iTunes (8.2.1).”

    In addition to correcting the iTunes, um “issue,” Palm has also baked in updates for calendar, camera, clock, contacts, email, messaging, phone, system, web, and YouTube. As with all Palm webOS updates, the package can be downloaded and installed to the Pre, over the air, by using the Updates application. The webOS 1.1.0 update runs just under 90MB and will take a few minutes to download and verify before the update can be installed on your phone.

    I installed this update first thing on Friday morning and I did notice some improvement in cellular coverage while I was at the office. I’m not sure if that just happened to be a coincidence or due to the software update. I’ll have to keep and eye on the phone over the next few days to see for sure.

    I’m also excited to see that Palm has restored the ability to sync the Pre with iTunes. I know that doubleTwist is a great free option for doing the exact same thing as the Media Sync feature with iTunes, however, I’d rather sync my Pre to my Mac without having to install any extra software. This situation is probably temporary as I’m sure Apple will try to counter Palm’s counter move. So I’ll be sure to enjoy it while it lasts. And when Apple does finally pull the plug on Palm’s iTunes sync ambitions for good, I’ll make the jump to doubleTwist.

    To read all the details about Palm webOS 1.1.0, check out the Pre webOS update page.

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  • apple,  itunes,  web os

    Apple Blocks Pre’s Media Sync Feature

    July 16, 2009 /

    Apple, with the release of iTunes 8.2.1 earlier today, has blocked the Media Sync feature in Palm webOS on the Pre from syncing with the popular jukebox software.

    Dieter Bohn writes for PreCentral.net:

    “According to Apple’s surprisingly forthcoming release notes:

    iTunes 8.2.1 provides a number of important bug fixes and addresses an issue with verification of Apple Devices.

    We were wondering if this day would come after the back and forth between Apple and Palm on the issue. It’s as-yet unclear exactly what method Apple is using to block Pre sync, but we suspect is wasn’t easy. …Which means we also suspect it might not be easy for Palm to turn it back on.”

    As a long time Apple fan and customer (I received my first Apple computer, the Apple //e, back in 1984) I’m really put off by this move. Just last night I was purchasing more iTunes Plus music (new tracks and upgrades from previously purchased Fairplay DRM tracks) so that I can put more content on my Pre. I’ll also mention that I’m not clueless to what is going on either: Apple makes little to no money from music sales. The really money made from the iTunes music store is the sale of iPhones and iPods. I get it, really I do. But I’ve purchased three iPods already. I really don’t need a new iPod and I really don’t want an iPhone, because, unlike what Mr. Jobs said at the iPhone announcement, I really do want a physical keyboard on my device. Soft keyboards are terrible in my opinion.

    So now the stand off starts. How long can I hold back on the previous version of iTunes before I’m forced to upgrade to a newer release that prevents my Pre from syncing? I do purchase a lot of TV shows from the iTunes store to watch on my iPod touch, my MacBook, and my Apple TV. I may be forced to upgrade iTunes on my Mac, but I’ll be disabling the Apple Software Update feature on my Windows Vista Ultimate box.

    Pre users, what are you planning on doing? Are you going to hang back with me, or are you going to upgrade and use one of the third-party solutions to sync iTunes to your Pre such as doubleTwist or the Missing Sync for the Pre?

    Click the comments link below and let your voices be heard!

    [Via PreCentral.net…]

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  • apple,  iphone,  splashdata

    SplashData File Magic 2.0 Review

    July 6, 2009 /

    Have you ever felt constrained by the types of data you can sync to your iPhone or iPod touch? Apple’s iPhone 3.0 software can read Microsoft Office files and Adobe Acrobat documents that have been sent as email attachments, but there is no easy way to get commonly used documents on to your device. Wouldn’t it be cool if all it took to sync documents with your iPhone was to simply drag and drop the files into a window? If that seems like something you want, then you need SplashData’s File Magic!

    File Magic is a two-piece solution. File Magic, the desktop application, is a drag-and-drop file transfer tool. The desktop application looks for the File Magic application on your iPhone and then establishes a Wi-Fi link between the two. With File Magic it easy to quickly load documents on your iPhone so you don’t have to waste anymore time emailing documents to yourself. In addition to Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat files that I have already mentioned, File Magic also supports: plain text files (.txt), web pages (.htm, .html), non-DRM music files (.mp3, .aac, .wav), images (.jpg, .gif, .png, .tif) and MPEG-4 videos (.m4v).

    File Magic is easy to learn. After playing with the software for a few minutes I felt that I had a handle on all of the features. To help you get up and running quickly, SplashData has included a Quick Start Guide that is accessible right from the mobile application. If you want to see what File Magic is capable of before you purchase the software, or if you are the inquisitive type and want some additional information, SplashData also has a user’s guide available on their website. For most people, the on device guide will be all they will need to read.

    There are two ways to get documents into your iPhone. The first is to synchronize File Magic running on your iPhone with your computer. The computer and the iPhone or iPod touch must both be on the same Wi-Fi network for this to work. You can also send or receive files directly into or out of your device when the person you want to share your document with is on the same Wi-Fi network and has a copy of File Magic installed. Since SplashData has their own application for managing the files you load on your device, you can send a document from the SplashData data store to anyone else by attaching the document to an email message and sending it to any valid email address.

    File Magic makes the document transfer process so easy, that you have to wonder why Apple didn’t include this feature in their software from the get go.

    There are two things that I did find annoying about the installation and use of File Magic. The ah-hoc networking between the iPhone and desktop application uses a networking service called Bonjour. If you are using a Mac, Bonjour is all ready installed on your computer. PC users, on the other hand, will have to install it. The thing that I didn’t like was that the File Magic installer couldn’t figure out if Bonjour was already installed on my Windows Vista PC. (SplashData does tell you how to manually check to see if Bonjour is already installed.) The other thing that I found annoying was in the photo browser; you can’t use the iPhone OS gestures to flick to the next or previous photos. To move forward and backward in the deck of photos that have been loaded into File Magic you must use the left and right arrow navigation buttons at the top right of the screen. Both of these issues can be addressed as software updates and shouldn’t cause any serious problems in the long run.

    All-in-all, I thought that File Magic is the must have application for those people who like to take their important documents with them. The software is easy to use and the document transfer between the desktop computer and an iPhone or iPod touch worked without any issues during my testing.

    File Magic will work with any iPhone or iPod touch that has iPhone OS 2.1 or later installed. The desktop application works with Mac OS X 10.4.11 and later, Windows Vista, and Windows XP. You can purchase File Magic for iPhone and iPod touch for $4.99 from the Apple iTunes App Store. For more information, or to download the free desktop application, please visit the SplashData website.

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  • apple,  dataviz,  iphone,  motionapps,  palm,  pre,  splashdata

    iPhone OS 3.0, webOS 1.0.3 and New Apps

    June 20, 2009 /

    I’m a fan of both Apple and Palm. That is why I’m using a MacBook to write this blog and record my 1SRC Pre|Switcher podcasts. My phone of choice is the Palm Pre smart(er)phone.

    This weekend looks like it is going to be a busy one. Just in the last few days, I’ve gotten my hands on new software for both my Apple iPod touch and my Palm Pre.

    On Wednesday, Apple released the iPhone OS 3.0 update for existing iPhone and iPod touch devices. I also received copies of DataViz Documents To Go and SplashData File Magic. I’ll have reviews of iPhone OS 3.0 and both both applications soon.

    Palm Pre customers will also want to download and install the webOS 1.0.3 update to their phones using the Updates application. If you also use MotionApps Classic on your Pre to run all of your old Palm OS applications, you should read the Classic FAQ before performing the upgrade.

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  • apple,  iphone

    SplashTravel Comes to iPhone/iPod touch

    June 19, 2009 /

    SplashData has recently released its popular SplashTravel suite to the App Store, but with all of the travel utilities combined under one icon. Until now, the suite has been available for Palm’s Treo and Centro smartphones.

    SplashTravel for iPhone and iPod touch offers:

    • Trip Organizer for Air, Hotel & Car reservations
    • Flight Tracker with gate, plane, and status info
    • Unit & Currency Converter
    • Tip Calculator
    • World Clock
    • Time Calculator
    • Packing List
    • Expense Report tool
    • lists of country codes, clothing size charts, etc.

    Beyond the existing travel applications included in the suite, SplashData also added the powerful Trip Organizer and Home screen features to bring it all together in a cohesive user interface. I really like the idea of the trip organizer because when I travel for work, I always seem to forget something: black socks, a brown belt, toothpaste. I may have to book a trip to Florida just so I can test SplashTravel out!

    For more details, visit the SplashData website or jump right over to the Apple App Store.

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  • apple,  iphone,  itunes,  pre,  web os

    Palm Responds to iTunes Third-Party Support Note

    June 18, 2009 /

    Yesterday, John Paczkowski of the Wall Street Journal’s All Things Digital blog, reported that Palm has issued their own statement about the Pre’s ability to use the webOS Media Sync feature to sync with Apple’s iTunes jukebox software.

    “Palm’s media sync works with the current version of iTunes,” Palm spokesperson Lynn Fox told me. “If Apple chooses to disable media sync in a future version of iTunes, it will be a direct blow to their users who will be deprived of a seamless synchronization experience. However, people will have options. They can stay with the iTunes version that works to sync their music on their Pre, they can transfer the music via USB, and there are other third-party applications we could consider.”

    I really hope this doesn’t turn into a battle of wills. Once the technology is put out there, the hacker community is going to find ways around whatever road block that Apple tries to throw up to defend the walled garden that is iTunes.

    In my opinion, it is clear that Apple will end up fighting a cold war with Palm or the hacker developer community similar to the one that pits Apple against the hacks that have been jailbreaking iPhones since 2007.

    The long and short of it, if Apple’s iTunes users and iTunes Store customers want to sync media to the Pre smartphone, someone is going to cook up a way to do it. So why not just let Palm’s customers sync up with iTunes.

    Besides, Apple doesn’t think that the Palm Pre is a real threat to iPhones sales. Or do they?

    [Via AllThingsD.com…]

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  • apple,  itunes

    Pre’s iTunes Sync Feature Can Break at Anytime

    June 17, 2009 /

    I think we all saw this coming. I’m surprised, actually, it has taken Apple this long to bring it up.

    AppleInsider.com     is reporting that Apple has posted a new Knowlege Base article (6/16/09) stating that the iPod and iPhone maker doesn’t test for third-party media player compatibility with it’s software and that the new Palm Pre smartphone may no longer be able to sync with iTunes as Apple upgrades the software over time. In article HT3642, Apple states:

    “Apple designs the hardware and software to provide seamless integration of the iPhone and iPod with iTunes, the iTunes Store, and tens of thousands of apps on the App Store. Apple is aware that some third-parties claim that their digital media players are able to sync with Apple software. However, Apple does not provide support for, or test for compatibility with, non-Apple digital media players and, because software changes over time, newer versions of Apple’s iTunes software may no longer provide syncing functionality with non-Apple digital media players.”

    AppleInsider also writes:

    “Whether or not this is likely to happen with the Pre is difficult to tell. The feature works by identifying the smartphone in its hardware ID as an iPod and would require that Apple detect the difference between the Pre and a genuine iPod. Many of Palm’s current engineers — as well as its new CEO Jon Rubinstein — are former Apple employees who have worked on the iPhone or iPod and are familiar with iTunes’ current methods of recognizing plugged-in devices.”

    We will have to wait and see what happens. Apple and Palm have been dancing around each other like boxers in the ring. Will this become a slugfest similar to the games that Apple players with the hackers who jailbreak iPhones; with each side upping the ante? No one really knows for sure, but it has become clear that with Palm having people who have worked on the iPod and iPhone on staff, Palm should be well equiped to counter any unintentional or otherwise, breaks between the Pre and iTunes.

    [Via AppleInsider.com…]

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  • apple,  dataviz,  iphone

    Documents To Go for iPhone/iPod touch Released

    June 15, 2009 /

    I received word from my contact at DataViz that Documents To Go for the iPhone and iPod touch has gone live at the Apple App Store! Documents To Go has been my must have application for many years on my old Palm OS devices and now the award winning office suite is coming to the iPhone and iPod touch.

    There are two editions of Documents To Go for iPhone and iPod touch: Documents To Go and Documents To Go with Exchange Attachments. Both editions provide the following features:

    • Create, edit, and view Microsoft Word documents (including Word 2007 and 2008)
    • View and synchronize Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Adobe Acrobat, Apple iWork ’08 files
    • View web pages and most common graphics files
    • Mac and PC desktop 2-way Wi-Fi synchronization application

    Customers who chose to purchase Documents To Go with Exchange Attachments will have access to the following features:

    • Exchange attachments are downloaded and processed by Documents To Go
    • Exchange attachments can be viewed or modified
    • Reply or forward to an existing email with the supported attachment types
    • Create new email messages and attache files for immediate transmission

    Also included in this edition of Documents To Go is the InTact Technology that ensures that your document’s original formatting remains the same regardless of where it is worked on. Another cool feature is DataViz’s built-in support for cut, copy and paste without the need for iPhone OS 3.0 installed.

    I have also been told that Documents To Go is iPhone OS 3.0 compatible so if you buy Documents To Go before you upgrade to iPhone OS 3.0, you can do so worry free.

    Documents To Go and Documents To Go with Exchange Attachments are both available now from the App Store and are being sold at a special two week introductory rate of $4.99 and $9.99.

    Both versions of Documents To Go require an iPhone or iPod touch with OS 2.2 or later.

    I’ll have more details about both versions of Documents To Go after the official DataViz press release is issued and I’ve had a chance to take Documents To Go out for a test drive.

    For more details, visit the DataViz website.

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  • apple,  mac os x,  markspace,  pre

    Missing Sync for Palm Pre Beta

    June 12, 2009 /

    Mark/Space has announced that there is a new public beta build for The Missing Sync for Palm Pre available.

    The Palm Pre is now available. For those who are proud owners of this wonderful smart phone, we want to let you know that The Missing Sync for Palm Pre will make your Pre and Mac close companions. We even have a version for the PC on the way.

    For a short while, The Missing Sync for Palm Pre is available as a fully functional Beta version, free to download for a limited time. Give it a try and find out how easy it is to take your stuff with you – from your Mac, onto your Pre.

    Sync Address Book and iCal or Entourage – from your Mac to your Pre, and vice-versa – over Wi-Fi. Sync happens even when Pre is sitting on a Touchstone charger. Plus, transfer music, bookmarks, ringtones, videos and photos fast over the Pre’s USB cable. And, bring documents and files with you – like Word, Excel and PDFs – to view on your Pre too.

    To learn more about The Missing Sync for Palm Pre, or to download the free demo, head over to the Mark/Space website.

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  • apple,  iphone

    Snapshot of iPhone 3G S

    June 10, 2009 /

    Smartphone Fanatics reader Rick C has sent in his first impressions of the new Apple iPhone 3G S after having watched the Apple Worldwide Developer’s Conference keynote address that took place in California this past Monday.

    One advantage of doing late shift support is that you get to listen to play by play of Apple WWDC and watch the live blogging. I am only focusing on the last 20 minutes of the presentation as this is Smartphone Fanatics after all.

    The new iPhone is evolutionary not revolutionary. It has a faster processor, which I assume is why it’s the 3G “S”. It also includes a 3 mega pixel auto focus camera, video capture, a voice control interface, and a compass. All this and allegedly longer better battery life. And the multitasking! Oh wait, still no multitasking. The iPhone 3G S will be available June 19th.

    I have to say there are some impressive hardware features. The pricing is pretty sweet too, $199 for 16GB and $299 for 32GB. The existing 3G is going for $99.00. Not so sweet is that these are contract prices with AT&T. The same AT&T that is not supporting the MMS or tethering features out of the box that were also announced today. I am skeptical of the battery life promises, the 3g talk time is 5 hours and I suspect the numbers are based on all the other features being disabled. The 3G S is the same size as the rest of the iPhone line and while all the phone candy is cool, what is the power price? Having a lot of great features is wonderful till you are stranded in the middle of nowhere with a drained iPhone and no way to swap the battery.

    Two other things you want to look out for, first the stability of the 3.0 software. I say that because two of the demos failed on stage at WWDC during the keynote. I would assume that Apple would have trotted out the most bulletproof apps for the keynote, so I wonder a bit. Second is the cost per user. Not a word was spoken about any pricing discounts with AT&T. When, and if, AT&T decides to support MMS and tethering for the iPhone how much is it going to cost the user over the life of a contract? That $199.00 iPhone can get pretty expensive over the life of a 2 year contract compared to Sprint.

    At this point I would wait and see first how the Palm Pre does in the real world according to Alan, and second how the iPhone fares in real world testing as well.

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