• seidio,  treo

    Seidio 755p OEM Sized Extended Life Battery

    March 11, 2008 /

    I have really come to rely on my Treo to make it through the day. I use my Treo 755p from the time I get up in the morning until the time I go to bed at night. I use my Treo for everything. From email to scheduling my day, from contacts to web browsing, for news and information, and even an occasional game from Astraware.

    The only draw back about my Treo 755p that I don’t like (having come from a Treo 700p) is that I just can’t get a full day’s use out of the 755p. To help feed my mobile computing appetite, I’ve just purchased the OEM-sized extended life battery from Seidio. The Seidio battery provides 2200mAh of battery power to the Treo, which is an additional 600mAh over the stock 1600mAh battery.

    The thing that I like about this particular battery over others is that it is an extended life battery with the same footprint as the stock Palm battery. I really dislike extended life batteries that are double the stock battery size and require you to use a new back plate and that add heft to the device. It is also a nice touch that Seidio also includes a replacement battery cover for the off chance that the replacement battery turns out to be a really tight fit for the stock Treo back plate.

    The 22oomAh OEM sized extended life battery for use with the Palm Treo 755p sells for $60 at the Seidio Online store.

    Read More
  • 1src,  editorial

    Adios, Motricity

    March 7, 2008 /


    I’ve posted this week’s 1SRC editorial; “Adios, Motricity.”

    “After making a mess of one of the best mobile software portals, Motricity retreats to the west coast and dumps consumers for content and service providers.

    Motrcity has decided to leave their direct to consumer businesses behind as they move to the west coast and engage in business with content providers, mobile operators, and businesses willing to contract with the company to deliver mobile “portals, storefronts, managed web and search,…[and] messaging gateway services”. (Read the press release)

    In addition to ruining 2008 for the 250 employees who are getting laid off, Motricity decided that it would be a great idea to ruin the best online Palm software store, PalmGear.com, by rolling it up into the “revamped” PocketGear.com as a going away present. To add insult to injury, Motricity is looking to sell the PocketGear.com unit. I’m left wondering if it was even worth rolling the two sites together at all.

    Looking back in hindsight, it makes perfect sense for Motricity to have consolidated their direct to consumer software online stores, PalmGear and PocketGear. Knowing that they were going to sell off the “non-profitable and non-core businesses”, rolling Palm and PocketGear into a single online store would make it more attractive to any company interested in buying the property. Unfortunately for whoever the new owner is, they will see that their work has been cut out for them. The repackaging of PocketGear.com has hurt the online retailer.

    The roll up effort to migrate PalmGear.com into PockerGear wasn’t executed well. Much of the freeware and shareware applications had disappeared for some weeks. During that transition period, I was really turned off by entire user experience. In addition to not being able to find the software that I was looking for, as a Mac OS X user, I found the new site deign difficult to use. To this day, the drop down menus for device or mobile operating system selection still don’t work with FireFox 2.x. (During the transition, to Morticity’s credit, I never lost access to the software and registration codes I purchased from the PalmGear site.) Several months after the change over, the Palm OS software library is being represented on the site. Alexander Pruss’ FontSmoother is featured on the main page of the site. Great shareware applications like Tyler Faux’s LudusP are also once again available. And the popular freeware Palm OS file manager, FileZ, from NoSleep Software is available along with some 200+ freeware titles. However, are these efforts by Motricity to try and clean up PocketGear a bit too late?”

    Keep reading on 1SRC.com…

    Read More
  • eee pc

    Brighthand: Asus Eee PC 900

    March 5, 2008 /


    Earlier this week, Brighthand’s Ed Hardy published a story on Asus’ announcement of the new Eee PC 900.

    There are a few things that I find appealing about this device. First is the 9-inch (OK, the 8.9-inch ) display. And like the ill-fated Palm Foleo, the Eee PC 900 will run that display at a 1024×600 screen resolution. The current model Eee PCs have a 7-inch display and run at a lower screen resolution.

    Another nice improvement is in the memory category. According to the Brighthand article, the Eee PC 900 will be configurable with up to 1GB of memory and up to 12GB of storage space. The article makes no mention of what type of storage the 12GB will be, however my guess is it will be flash memory, rather than a micro hard drive which have larger storage capacities.

    The bad news, according to the article, is that there was no mention as to when customers in the United States might be able to get their hands on the larger unit or how much it will cost for the privilege of owning one.

    As I mentioned recently on FoleoFanatics and 1SRC, without a new Foleo on horizon, I may have to break down and get a solution from another vendor. The Eee PC is attractive because of the low cost of the existing solutions. However, the HP Compaq 2133 has the name recognition behind it that could take the unit mainstream. From a design standpoint, I like the look of the Compaq better than the Eee PC, but I’m willing to admit that photos on the Internet are no substitute for actually playing with the device to see how it feels.

    I’ll have to keep an eye on the future developments in the sub-notebook segment an vote with my dollars later this year as to which device will get to play second fiddle to my Treo.

    [Via Brighthand.com…]

    Read More
  • astraware

    Astraware and Sandlot Games Introduce Westward

    February 23, 2008 /


    This looks like a cool game. I am going to have to get a copy.

    Astraware(R) and Sandlot Games(R), the world’s premier developer and publisher of casual and family-friendly games, invite you to experience the life of a Frontier settler in the wild, rough and tumble world of Westward(R) for Palm OS(R) and Windows Mobile(R) smartphones and PDAs.

    Based on the highly acclaimed PC game by Sandlot Games, Westward offers many hours of absorbing game play as you guide your townsfolk in making camp, collecting valuable resources, seeing-off dangerous bandits, and building their communities.

    As you progress through Westward, you’ll explore 4 different locations over more than 20 levels as your hopeful citizens set up towns and seek their fortune in the Old Wild West. With over 25 types of building you’ll customize your town and attract new citizens whilst completing a range of side tasks and chasing down the Mad Russian to bring him to justice.

    Westward has been optimized for smartphones and PDAs and can be controlled using 5-way, key controls or stylus. The game is available for Palm OS(R) devices with hi-res screens and for Windows Mobile(R) touchscreen and non-touchscreen phones and PDAs running WM2003, 2003SE, 5 & 6, priced $19.95.

    To download a trial or to purchase, visit http://www.astraware.com/westward.

    Read More
  • apple,  eee pc,  hp

    More Thoughts on the Mobile Companion

    February 23, 2008 /

    I just posted the latest 1SRC Editorial in which I continue the discussion of my quest for a replacement for the Palm Foleo. While we wait for the Foleo II to be developed, I’ve been thinking about the growing number of alternative devices that are on the market or near to release.

    Here is the punch line for those who like to skip to the back of the book first.

    “I think it is clear that if Palm had shipped the Foleo back in September I would have happily plugging away with it. I hope that Palm will go back and redesign the Foleo once Palm OS II/Nova ships early in 2009. That said, I still believe in the idea that the Foleo represents even if I can’t buy one.

    Other vendors have capitalized on the splash that Palm made in May during the All Things D announcement. I’ve read and hear good things about the Asus Eee PC. The Everex CloudBook looks like it will be a full-featured machine. The Apple MacBook Air is full featured and has the sex appeal to sell the device on looks alone, but it is far too pricey for the average user to consider getting one as a second machine. Mac gear heads and professionals will no doubt be buying them. And that leaves the rumored HP Compaq 2133. If the photos that Engadget posted are in fact authentic, the 2133 will be a good-looking machine. We are a little light on the product specs at this point, but if the hardware is going to run Vista, it has to be more powerful than the other Linux/Windows options. (You aren’t running the Arrow interface on hardware done on the cheap.) Would the Compaq 2133 be a value at the Foleo’s retail price of $600? I’d like to see a new Foleo and the Compaq 2133 both shipping in the $400 price range. Now let’s see if Palm and HP can deliver.”

    So there it is. If I end up getting one of these Foleo alternatives (No, I’m not letting go of the Foleo, damn it!), it will likely be the HP Compaq 2133. Depending on the final pricing, I might be able to get a few for the office and legitimize my use of something other than my company issued Dell Latitude D630.

    Read More
  • att,  centro

    Palm Introduces the AT&T Centro

    February 19, 2008 /


    Palm has officially taken the wraps off of the rumored white AT&T Palm Centro consumer-oriented smartphone.

    With the exception of the new GSM cellular radio and AT&T specific software, such as Push To Talk, the new GSM AT&T Centro is expected to be very similar in product specifications as the previously release Centro smartphones from rival wireless carrier Sprint and the recently announced unlocked GSM Centro that will begin selling across Europe shortly.

    “Centro offers customers more choices to stay in touch with friends, family and co-workers by using voice, text messaging, instant messaging, e-mail or the Web. Featuring a color touch-screen and full QWERTY keyboard, Centro is the first Palm OS® product to launch with AT&T services, such as XM Radio Mobile, Push to Talk and MusicID.”

    “The demand for crossover devices is skyrocketing, and the Centro hits a sweet spot for many customers looking for a QWERTY device with a solid suite of messaging and multimedia features,” said Michael Woodward, vice president, Business Mobility Products for AT&T’s wireless unit. “At a great price that can be coupled with a variety of AT&T’s messaging and data options, we are thrilled to offer Centro to our 70.1 million customers.”

    “Centro offers a simple way for customers to stay connected to the people who are important to them while better managing their increasingly hectic lifestyles, all at the price of a traditional mobile phone,” said Brodie Keast, senior vice president of Marketing for Palm, Inc.”

    The AT&T Centro will sell for $99 with a new two-year service agreement. It is expected to sell for $399 without a service agreement. According to today’s press release, there will be an obsidian black edition of the AT&T Centro which is expected to begin shipping in about four weeks. The glacial white Centro goes on sale today at AT&T retail outlets and online at www.att.com and the Palm online store. AT&T’s unlimited data plan has been priced at $30 a month in addition to their standard voice and messaging plans.

    Read the full Palm press release…

    Update:

    The Palm Centro website has been updated to include the AT&T Centro product specifications along side the Sprint Centro specifications.

    Read More
  • eee pc,  foleo

    Should I get the Asus Eee PC?

    February 17, 2008 /

    In the discussion thread for a recent 1SRC Editorial, My Mobile Companion, a few readers asked why I still pine for a Palm Foleo and not just get an Asus Eee PC?

    The long and short of it is that I’m just not convinced about the software. Yes, I know that I can run Windows XP or Vista on it, but I’ll have to purchase a new license, and that will drive up the costs.

    I like the idea of this form factor. But I’m just not sure about the software. My main use for a Treo and a keyboard, or the Foleo, was the ability to use DataViz Documents To Go for notes and document creation and editing. If I had Windows and Office (another license I’ll need to buy, further driving up the cost of a Eee PC) I could do all of the same tasks as a Treo and keyboard or the Foleo.

    I guess it all really comes down to personal choice.

    Read More
  • Uncategorized

    Weathering an Outage?

    February 16, 2008 /

    I’ve noticed over the last day or two that I am no longer to get mobile weather updates on my Treo 755p and Apple iPod touch. Have you?

    On the Treo, I’m using GX-5’s Treo Weather and on the iPod I’m using Apple’s Weather applet. As far as I know, both applications use a connection to Yahoo! for weather updates.

    I’ll post an update when things are working again. Stay tuned.

    UPDATE:
    The Weather applet on my iPod touch is now working. So it is just my Sprint Treo 755p and GX-5’s Treo Weather that is being difficult.

    Read More
  • dataviz

    Documents To Go for Mobile Linux Devices

    February 11, 2008 /

    DataViz has just issued the following press release regarding their mobile Office productivity suite, Documents To Go.

    MILFORD, Conn. and SANTA CLARA, Calif. — February 11, 2008 — MontaVista® Software, Inc., the leader in embedded Linux® commercialization, and DataViz®, Inc., the leading provider of mobile Office compatibility solutions, today announced the availability of Documents To Go® for the MontaVista Mobilinux™ 5.0 mobile operating system. As a result of the integration of the mobile office suite Documents To Go by DataViz with Mobilinux, mobile device users will be able to open and view Microsoft® Office Word, Excel® and PowerPoint® email attachments directly on their Linux-based mobile devices.

    MontaVista will resell Documents To Go to mobile device developers and manufacturers, so the manufacturers and mobile operators can deliver document viewing capabilities to their customers on any device using the Mobilinux 5.0 mobile operating system. MontaVista and DataViz have agreed to collaborate to tailor Documents To Go to include additional features such as its critically acclaimed file editing, creation and more, based upon customer requests.

    “DataViz and MontaVista are currently working with a major hardware manufacturer to enable its mobile customers to work with the types of documents they most commonly use,” said Jim Ready, CTO and founder of MontaVista Software. “Documents To Go expands the power of the device. We expect many more mobile developers to be eager to provide Documents To Go functionality to their device users. It’s like taking your office in your pocket wherever you take a Mobilinux-powered device.”

    “MontaVista is the most widely-used provider of commercialized Linux software to the mobile telecom industry, so we are very pleased to join forces with MontaVista to integrate Documents To Go with MontaVista Linux,” said Dick Fontana, president and CEO of DataViz, Inc. “With MontaVista’s track record in the mobile industry, and Documents To Go’s proven ability to provide access to Microsoft Office documents, tens of millions of mobile consumers should benefit from our new integration.”

    MontaVista Mobilinux 5.0 with Documents To Go integration is available immediately from MontaVista.

    Documents To Go is now currently available on the Palm OS, Windows Mobile, and Symbian mobile operating systems. There was also a version of Documents To Go that was developed for Palm’s Foleo mobile companion (which also ran on a variant version of Linux.) DataViz is also working to bring Documents To Go to the RIM BlackBerry. I have to wonder how long it will be before Documents To Go makes an appearance on Apple’s iPhone and iPod touch. Apple’s software developer’s kit, or SDK, won’t be released until the end of the month at the earliest.

    In my opinion, DataViz is the dominant application for working with Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat files on mobile devices. The addition of MontaVista Mobilinux is a sign that DataViz is recognized as and industry leader for mobile office document access.

    For more details on the new edition of Documents To Go for Mobilinux 5.0, visit the DataViz and MontaVista websites.

    Read More