• palm os

    Bring on the “New-ness”

    December 11, 2008 /

    My Palm OCD meter has just hit the roof! Reports are coming into Smartphone Fanatics that Palm has sent out invitations to a special press event to be held during the 2009 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this coming January.

    Based on the wording on the emailed invitation, the Palm community is brimming with excitement. The invitation reads, “Come to CES to see all that Palm New-ness you’ve been waiting for.”

    That “New-ness” can only be Palm’s next-generation operating system that I’ve been calling Palm OS II for years now; and that Palm has codenamed Nova. As many Smartphone Fanatics readers have pointed out in the past, Nova translates to “New” in some languages.

    Palm fans have been waiting for the successor to Palm OS 5 literally for years and after all the waiting, it is clear that Colligan & Co. are about to make good on all their promises.

    Thanks to everyone who sent this in.

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  • apple,  iphone,  rumors

    Rumor: 4GB iPhone Headed to Wal-Mart

    December 9, 2008 /

    I just saw this over on Barron’s Tech Trader Daily website.

    “Remember last week’s rumor that Wal-Mart (WMT) is about to start selling Apple (AAPL) iPhones?

    Apparently, it’s true. Both Bloomberg and the San Jose Mercury News quote employees at various Wal-Mart stores saying they expect to start selling the phone before the end of the month, likely between Christmas and New Year’s Day – maybe sooner.

    According to the Merc, Kim Nguyen, manager of the cell phone department at the Milpitas Wal-Mart, said she was told by an AT&T representative that her store would be getting a 4 GB model. She also said the store was supposed to get some iPhones two days before Christmas.”

    Via Tech Trader Daily…

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  • rumors

    Rumor: Is This the Next Palm Device

    December 8, 2008 /

    Two weeks ago, in my 1SRC editorial, “It’s Time for Something ‘Nova’,” I suggested that it might be time for Palm OS fans to get some love by way of unofficial info about Palm OS II/Nova and the hardware that it might run on. While this photo is far from evidence, scuttlebutt around the Internet seems to be that no one knows what this device is. According to Jenn K. Lee of Pocketables.com, the photo had a born on date of June 3.

    With the 2009 Consumer Electronics Show (January) and Mobile World Congress (February) just around the corner, it is anyone guess as to whether this is just one of the many prototype devices that gets built and never makes it to market or a vendor’s next big device.

    What has gotten attentive web heads, myself included, all worked up, is the stylistic design of the device. The jelly looking keys of this device just screams “Palm”. Whether or not this is a Palm prototype device remains to be seen. If we stay focused on the keyboard for just a few minutes. If you zoom in on the keyboard, you can sort of make out the keys. Consider this: how often do keyboard formats differ from model to model? I don’t think this is a RIM BlackBerry, nor is it Motorola, a Samsung, or HTC Touch.

    What do you think this device might be? Is this a new Palm prototype device? Will it run Palm OS II/Nova? Or is this just another pipe dream that has been discarded in the wake of the iPhone and BlackBerry Storm? Let us know in the comments.

    [Via pocketables.com…]
    Thanks to the anonymous tipster who sent this in.

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  • 1src

    1SRC Podcast 202

    December 6, 2008 /

    The latest 1SRC Podcast has gone up for your listening pleasure. On this week’s show, I cover:

    • Yes, I bought a BlackBerry. Let’s get back to the Palm stuff now.
    • Palm reports a very rough Q2FY09 , cuts expenses even more.
    • Make sure you check out what happens when ” Santa Goes Cento “.
    • DataViz Documents To Go 11 Premium gets reviewed.

    Listen to 1SRC Podcast 202 now…

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  • blackberry,  rim

    RIM Updates Mobile BlackBerry Portal

    December 3, 2008 /

    I just read over at BlackBerryCool.com that RIM has relaunched their mobile BlackBerry web portal. The site is only accessible from the BlackBerry’s web browser, unlike Palm’s mobile portal that is accessible from the mobile or the desktop.

    “I’ve just received word that RIM has completed a fairly significant relaunch of mobile.blackberry.com, their all-in-one web portal for BlackBerry users. The new mobile.blackberry.com features a much more user-friendly design, requiring fewer clicks to get where you want to go, as well as faster load times.”

    Screen shots available here…

    [Via BlackBerryCool.com…]

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  • Uncategorized

    Palm Posts “Preliminary” Q2FY09 Results

    December 2, 2008 /

    Earlier today, Palm posted their preliminary second quarter earnings results for fiscal year 2009 (Q2FY09). When the dust settles on Q2, Palm is expecting quarterly revenues along the lines of $190-$195 million. This represents a decline from last quarter’s results of $366.9 million that was reported on September 18, 2008. Palm sites the “reduced demand for maturing smartphone and handheld products” and the “difficult economic environment” as the reasons for the decline.

    “We are seeing unprecedented dynamics in the global markets as economic uncertainty hampers demand for consumer products,” said Ed Colligan, Palm’s president and chief executive officer. “In order to ensure Palm’s long-term success during these uncertain times, we’re taking several steps to significantly reduce our cost structure. These measures will help us navigate this difficult period while launching our next-generation products as planned.”

    Today’s report also details several efforts that Palm has implemented in attempt to keep operating expenses down; including:

    • Reductions to the U.S. work force
    • Consolidation of European operations
    • Collapsing sales, marketing, & administrative support for the AsiaPac region to the US office

    Palm will present their final Q2FY09 numbers during a quarterly earnings results conference call which is scheduled for December 18, 2008 to be held at 1:30pm PT/4:30pm ET. Details for the conference call can be found on Palm’s Investor Relations website.

    Analysis

    As you will recall, Palm is some 18+ months into a corporate transformation that the company hopes will make it a relevant player in the mobile computing space again. To aid in the transformation, Palm has partnered with private equity firm Elevation Partners.

    The current global economic conditions aside, Palm appears to be dealing with issues around delays in the release of their next Windows Mobile-powered smartphone(s), which is rumored to be a CDMA version of the GSM Treo Pro, released earlier this year without a carrier partner, for Sprint and/or Verizon. I have not read any credible rumors that suggest Palm is working to release an AT&T branded edition of the Treo Pro before the end of the year.

    Palm is also still working to complete the development of their next generation operating system, Palm OS II/Nova. According to company executives, Palm is on track to complete the core of Palm OS II/Nova by the end of this year and expects to have devices shipping to customers by the middle of 2009.

    Palm’s stock was down -$0.51 to end the day at $1.88.

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  • dataviz,  treo,  windows mobile

    Upgrading Docs To Go on WM Professional

    December 1, 2008 /

    I finally got around to upgrading DataViz Documents To Go 3.0 Premium on my Palm Treo 750 smartphone. The Documents To Go 3.0032 is a minor upgrade that was released back on September 23, 2008. The update addresses the following issues:

    • Added support for devices with high resolution screens (VGA 480×640)
    • Fixed a bug which caused “Error after creating the .lnk – file : 3” when installing on non-English devices
    • Minor bug fixes

    The complete Document To Go for Windows Mobile Professional version history can be found in the DataViz knowledge base.

    During the upgrade, I did run into some trouble. At about 98% done, the following error message popped up:

    Edition Not Found
    \Windows\gb-nrv-s.dat

    Error setting up the registry. Please reinstall to try and fix the problem.

    DataViz’s solution for the error can also be found in the DataViz knowlege base. I checked that I had enough space on my Treo by going to the Memory control panel and taking a look at the Storage Free value. The upgrade should have worked. To get around this problem, I ended up uninstalling Documents To Go 3.0031 and eReader (which I never really used on my Windows Mobile Treo anyway), soft reset my Palm, and then re-ran the Documents To Go installer. To do this, I used the Windows Mobile Device Center in Windows Vista and pointed to:

    Programs and Services > More… > Add/Remove Programs

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  • blackberry,  rim,  sprint

    On the Trail of BlackBerry OS 4.5

    December 1, 2008 /

    Not wanting to let it go, I’ve continued my search for answers about when Sprint might actually get around to certifying and releasing the BlackBerry Device Software 4.5 for the Sprint BlackBerry Curve 8330.

    During my search, I stumbled across the Sprint discussion forums, BuzzAboutWireless.com. There I found a thread titled, “Update on 4.5 code upgrade“, started by a Sprint forums administrator, SarahKS. In her October 17, 2008 post, the admin writes:

    “Sprint would like to make its customers aware that it is currently in testing with the 4.5 code for a number of our BlackBerry devices. We understand that many of you are anxious to receive this upgrade; please note that it is very important that Sprint has time to adequately test and certify the code to ensure a quality experience for you, our customers. Once this process is complete Sprint will make this upgrade available as soon as possible.

    We understand and appreciate the enthusiasm shown here at Buzz About Wireless and want you to know that we value your feedback and hope you will continue posting and letting us know what is on your mind. Please continue to watch this site about availability of the BlackBerry 4.5 code and other relevant news for Sprint customers.”

    Ok, I get it. Sprint is telling us that they are working on the update, but have not committed to a release date. The admin being only a forums admin, has no specific information except what the software development team reports to her.

    Another Sprint employee chimes in and writes:

    “I just read today on another website that Sprint confirmed the release of OS 4.5 to sometime in November…which would mean we will be the 2nd carrier to release it in the U.S. (following the release at T-Mobile, USA)”

    Checking the calendar on my Curve, it looks like the November date was missed.

    On November 25, 2008, the forums admin posts another OS 4.5 update that reads:

    “First off, yes we are still working to deliver the 4.5 software absolutely as soon as possible. We want to make it absolutely clear that Sprint is not sitting on its laurels here. We are working hard to ensure that the software you get is absolutely tip top and will do what you need (and nothing you don’t!).

    Unfortunately the software is not quite ready. Right now Sprint and RIM are working together to make the necessary modifications to ensure you have the best possible experience. The good news is that we believe we are getting close to final software.”

    The lack of MultiMedia Service (MMS) on Sprint’s BlackBerry devices is another hot topic from the looks of things. While browsing through that thread, I found a post by another Sprint employee dated November 29, 2008. It reads:

    “The PictureMail update for the blackberries should come with the new OS update, that should also coincide with the release of the 8350i within the next few weeks. Interestingly Sprint seems to be skipping the OS 4.5 update alltogether and going straight to OS 4.6

    EDIT: The OS update will be avalable for both the 8330 and the 8130, in addition to shipping with the 8350i.”

    Well, well, well. Ok, so when will the Sprint BlackBerry 8350i for the iDEN network finally arrive? A quick Google search turned up this page over at Engadget Mobile dated November 17, 2008 that suggests that the new BlackBerry will be arriving the the cheers of iDEN users on, oh-ho, December 1, 2008.

    Will Sprint’s BlackBerry customers get some love tomorrow and get a new BlackBerry and some new software updates? I don’t know, but I really hope so.

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  • blackberry,  rim,  verizon

    BlackBerry Bold OS 4.7 Leaked

    November 30, 2008 /

    Blogger Don Nguyen has posted a leaked BlackBerry Storm 4.7 OS upgrade package. On his site, Mr. Nguyen writes:

    “After so many requests and the OK from my source, I am officially leaking the new Blackberry Storm OS.”

    I’m not sure who he has gotten the “OK” from, so if you plan on loading this update on your brand spankin’ new Verizon BlackBerry Storm, you do so at your own risk. The directions for applying the update can be found over on CrackBerry.com forums.

    [Via CrackBerry.com…]

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  • blackberry,  rim,  sprint

    BlackBerry Device Software 4.5 for Sprint 8330

    November 30, 2008 /

    I recently purchased a BlackBerry Curve 8330 for Sprint. One of the must-have software packages for me is DataViz Documents To Go; which was recently released for the BlackBerry platform. But you need Device Software 4.5 or later. My Curve has 4.3.0.127.

    There seems to be some confusion about the 4.5 software. It has been officially released for many of the current BlackBerry devices. My research shows that it has been released for some of the Curves, including the CDMA Curve for Verizon. I just can’t seem to find the official Sprint edition.

    Threads on some discussion forums indicates that any BlackBerry Curve 8330 can be upgraded with the multilingual release. Reading through these threads though, it seems like some of the carrier specific features, like No Force Roaming, aren’t in the generic release. Go figure.

    So I’ll have to do some more poking around to figure out whether or not BlackBerry Device Software 4.5 is officially supported on Sprint’s devices.

    For the bold and the daring, there is a thread on SprintUsers.com that talks about loading over carriers version of 4.5 on your Sprint BlackBerry Curve 8330. With my BlackBerry kung-fu not as good as my Palm OS kung-fu, I’m not sure I’m ready to pull the trigger on an official unofficial upgrade just yet.

    UPDATE 1:

    I found this article on BlackBerryCool.com and they are reporting that OS 4.5 is official on Sprint, yet when I run the “Windows Update”-like upgrade checker at BlackBerry.com I get the message that my device is running the latest software; 4.3. Ugh!

    UPDATE 2:

    After a few hours of poking around on the Internet with Google and on the BlackBerry.com and Sprint.com websites, I have finally come to the conclusion that BlackBerry Device Software 4.5 is not (officially) available for the Sprint BlackBerry Curve 8330.

    While searching for an answer, I stumbled across the BlackBerry Device Software v4.5 Availability page on the BlackBerry.com website. When I entered my device’s PIN number, I received the following message:

    “BlackBerry® Device Software v4.5 is not supported by your wireless service provider.

    You will be redirected in 10 seconds to our Product Update form to receive notification when the software is available.

    If you are not automatically taken to the form, please click here“

    So, it seems that us BlackBerry Curve owners on Sprint who don’t want to roll the dice with one of the unofficial upgrades still have to wait this out. I do hope that Sprint gets around to releasing the upgrade soon.

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