ZDNet UK


Skip to Main Content

ZDNet.co.uk - Winner of Best Business Website 2007
  1. Home
  2. News
  3. Blogs
  4. Reviews
  5. Prices
  6. Resources
  7. Community
  8. My ZDNet

 

ZDNet UK RSS Feeds


IT Jobs

Desktop platforms Toolkit in association with http://ad.doubleclick.net/clk;205413468;14699245;m?http://adfarm.mediaplex.com/ad/ck/2397-58840-22058-14

Palm updates its core software

Sandra Vogel

Published: 01 Oct 2003

  • Email
  • Trackback
  • Clip Link
  • Print friendly
  • Post Comment

The enhanced OS incorporates what Palm calls a Status Bar, an always-present toolbar which provides one-tap access to key features. These include in-application menus, the Application Launcher screen and extras like Bluetooth. The device in the Palm stable currently taking advantage of this feature is the new high-resolution-screened Tungsten T3, which has a software-driven Graffiti area. The Status Bar is present even when the Graffiti area is not, and can be used to invoke one of the Tungsten T3’s standout features -- flipping the screen into landscape format.


The new Tungsten T3 features the Status Bar, which provides easy access to key features.

Changes to Palm OS’s core PIM functionality that affect the Date Book, Contacts, Notes and Memo applications include:

-- a new agenda view that looks very much like Microsoft’s Today screen, and summarises future appointments, tasks and unread messages;

-- support for colour-coding of Calendar entries;

-- improvements to the Calendar that allow users to beam multiple appointments with a single command, schedule events that run over midnight and view the location of appointments;

-- new contact fields that allow for multiple contact addresses, more phone numbers and email addresses per contact, instant messaging ID information, Web site addresses and birthday information;

-- the ability to set up repeating tasks and alarms so that both appointments and regular activities are catered for;

-- an expansion of the 4KB size limit on both memos and notes, with both now lifted to 32KB.

The updated OS appears on the Tungsten T3 and the Tungsten E, both of which were announced on 1 October. Palm has stated that it does not plan to offer a ROM upgrade for older devices in its stable.

In addition, an agreement with IBM has led to Palm making the Java Virtual Machine available for free download. This should open the door to a new army of developers -- some 3 million people according to Palm -- and vastly increase the range of software available to Palm owners. The Java Virtual Machine will run on OS 4.1 and OS 5.x devices, although it will work best with faster processors.

Related articles

Palm’s new Tungstens: a first look

Preview Palm has announced two new Tungsten handhelds, along with a range of enhancements to its operating system and a number of new accessories. [01 Oct 2003]

1 Talkback


  • Email
  • Trackback
  • Clip Link
  • Print friendly Print with Kyocera

Did you find this article useful?
39 out of 83 people found this useful


Full Talkback thread

0 comments


New Products

Acrobat 9 Pro Extended: a first look

Acrobat 9 Pro Extended: a first look

Adobe's Acrobat 9 document-creation software is adding dynamic features such as animation integration, dynamic maps, 256-bit encryption and improved forms.

What we know about Windows 7

What we know about Windows 7

Microsoft is remaining tight-lipped about the next version of Windows, due in late 2009 or early 2010: ZDNet.com's Redmond-watcher Mary Jo Foley summarises what we do know.

SQL Server 2008: a first look

SQL Server 2008: a first look

Microsoft has made some big promises for SQL Server 2008, a major update of its enterprise database product. Here's an outline of the key new features.

Internet Explorer 8 beta: a first look

Internet Explorer 8 beta: a first look

Can the latest version of Internet Explorer arrest its declining market share? We examine the first beta of IE8.

View all Previews

Featured Talkback

So if you upgrade to XP SP3 you can't uninstall Internet Explorer, I'm quite sure I'm having a Deja-vu feeling about MS preventing people from uninstalling Internet Explorer in other Windows products.

By: TheKLF99

Read full story:
Upgraders to XP SP3 warned over IE downgrades

Desktop Management Benchmarking

Test Your Desktop Management Systems

How good are your company's desktop management solutions? How do they compare with those of your peers?

Take two minutes to complete our new Desktop Management and Energy Consumption benchmark, and find out what issues your business needs to focus on.