08:52 PM by pruss in Archive | Handhelds and Smartphones

I've just released the 1.20 version of myKbd, an input area skin manager and rapid keyboard system for the T3, T5, TX and LifeDrive using IBM's optimized ATOMIK layout. New features: Fullscreen touchscreen calibration, QWERTY keyboard, macros can launch preference panels, and added <reset> code to macros.

https://www.zlthemes.com/Programs.php

http://www.palmgear.com/index.cfm?xyz=119441

myKbd registration code for mySkin users
http://www.palmgear.com/index.cfm?xyz=119442

Keyboard Layout Generator:
http://www.palmgear.com/index.cfm?xyz=119395

07:20 PM by Bob Russell in Archive | Handhelds and Smartphones

Pennovate Notes is a great Palm program that lets you use your PalmOS device as a notepad, and it manages the screen very cleverly. You get to see where you are on the full page of paper, and can navigate around naturally. Even change pen types with some quick taps, so you don't lose your train of thought.

I used it the other day to take notes on an article I was reviewing, so I could make some comments. I needed to keep track of my thoughts, and Pennovate Notes was a great way to do it paperless.

The Palm hardware will need to improve a little bit before it's as natural as using pen and paper, but hey, this is as good as it gets. And it works great. If you are looking for a premium quality paper notebook-like solution for PalmOS, be sure to give it a try.

Via Palm Addicts and Mitchell at Pennovate.

02:31 PM by Bob Russell in Archive | Handhelds and Smartphones

As always, there's some good stuff going on over at Palm Addicts. Here's a sampling:

* A new Samsung SPH-B5200 Gaming phone

* Rumors of a new Sony PSP2 with 4gig and camera

* An inexpensive 1&1 Pocket Web device

And just for fun, why not add your thoughts to the PA Forum thread where we are discussing whether or not pda fans are primarily men or women. Surprisingly there are a lot of responses there from the women, so maybe this geek thing is a lot more female-oriented than we think!

01:19 PM by Alexander Turcic in E-Book General | News

According to Wall Street Journal, Google plans to let consumers buy the full text of books online from U.S. and U.K. publishers who participate in its Book Search program. The crux of the story: Although you purchase the right to view the books online through your browser, you will not be able to copy the viewed page nor to download them on your computer.

Obviously dedicated e-book readers and those who are not constantly connected through some broadband Internet connection will be left out. It also remains to be seen for how long you'll have access to the online material. Will it be subscription-based? Will you have to renew your "license" to view previously purchased content from time to time? How will Google control who has the right to view the content and who doesn't? Will they introduce some new draconian DRM that binds their reader to your personal computer?

01:03 PM by Alexander Turcic in Archive | Handhelds and Smartphones

Albert from CanalPDA send us the news that Research In Motion and Google have released a first beta version of Google Talk for BlackBerry. The tiny download of 200kb allows BlackBerry users (with a Gmail account) to communicate on Google Talk and any Jabber-based network, even simultaneously while using other Blackberry apps.

If you need an invitation to Gmail, simply post to this thread or use this link to provide Google with your mobile phone number.

09:26 AM by Bob Russell in E-Book General | News

We pick out and present here some of the best and most interesting news to come around recently regarding e-books, digital libararies and related topics. And packaged it up for you to browse for your pleasure. Enjoy!

* Compaq founder pushes for academic library online
Personally, I believe online digital libraries are inevitable. We'll see lots more news like this in the future.

* Publishers call for library digitisation boycott at Book Fair
Okay, I admit it - there are a few obstacles between us and the future.

* E-book machines with roll-out displays not shipping until 2007
That's okay. By now we are used to display technology delays and disappointments.

* The Secret Lives of Fonts
Pay attention to what fonts you use. This student found that it affected his grades!

* Biblioroll ereader
Seems to be some fancy device to simulate library shelves full of books in a tactile way.

* Ever wonder how movies are played?
I found this fascinating. Plus I like to be a geek and predict the second cue flash at movies without letting anyone know it's easy because they come in pairs to indicate reel switches.

* PalmAddicts: Free Text-to-Speech Software
It's not the most natural or accurate, but it's still pretty neat that your Palm can read to you!

* Who Gave Google Permission to be the Judge and Jury of Mobile Content?
This news story never really picked up much steam, but mark my words... I predict this will be a HUGE issue in just a few years!

* A reading list for aspiring knowledge workers.
We just love those reading lists!

* The Jinke Hanlin E Ink machines: A hands-on review and speculation on a Librie connection
Seems this connection has now been confirmed, and they are even going to test market a model in China.
We are going from famine to feast with respect to e-ink devices!

* FeedYes.com gives rss feeds to sites without feeds
Once you get hooked on RSS readers, most sites without an RSS feed aren't worth the effort. Here's an alternative to ignoring the sites altogether.

* Larry Lessig on the PDEA
About "orphaned works" that have copyright owners who can't be reached. Surely there should be some fair use allowed in such cases, or else the content might as well be locked in jail.

* Poynter Online - E-Media Tidbits
Jazz musician says most of the best commercial music will be free in two years. How's that for optimism?!

* New Technologies and Public Libraries
Technology is no longer putting libraries out of business. It's actually a compelling reason for increasing library support.

* Electronics to roll and stretch
It's not just flexible displays anymore. Now the whole device is flexible. More cool technology that we can't buy!

* Dangers of Digitization
Turns out that people are dying from digitization efforts. No.. I'm kidding, of course! Actually, the problem is that you may not get all the text, kind of like when the finale of Battlestar Galactica went past the Tivo time window and viewers missed the end. But you can't blame technology too much. We humans do stupid stuff like this all the time all by ourselves.

* Librarian and Information Science News
This article wouldn't load for me. And I can't even remember what the link was for. But that's no reason for you to miss out on this mystery story, so here's the link if you are adventurous!

* Book distributor sued for 'errors' in dictionary
Obviously, there's not much you can do these days without risking a lawsuit.

* Click, download, publish
Self-publishing needs POD (Publish On Demand) to succeed.

* Librarians choose Mockingbird over Bible
UK librarians were asked what book every adult should read. And somehow these experts have decided that 'To Kill a Mockingbird' is a much more significant work of literature than the Bible. Wow. And you'll never believe what came in third!

* Free Nebula Awards Nominees eBooks
Fictionwise added some more free award-winning scifi books for our enjoyment. And to boost their sales, of course. But we're not complaining, and I hope the sales get a big boost. Free stuff is good!

08:06 AM by Alexander Turcic in Miscellaneous | Lounge

I am still somewhat confused about what On 10 is all about. Everyone says it's going to be big. So far, the only details I was able to dig out was from their official statement:

10 is a place for people who want to use technology to change the world. Every weekday at 10:00 am (PST) we'll update this site with a new video that highlights people, their passions and often the technology they are using. At the end of each week we compile these videos into a full length show with some extra surprises for you.

It certainly has some nifty Ajax tricks that make every Web developer drool. Scobleizer has some more details.

07:37 AM by CommanderROR in More E-Book Readers | iRex

For those of you who have spent the last few days in an isolation chamber, the iRex iLiad e-book reader is supposed to come out very soon and British epaper.org.uk apparently got their hands already on a preview unit. Alas, you need to e-mail them (info at afaics dot net) if you want to receive a copy of the preview. We'll let you know once we get it!

Related: Sony Reader vs. iRex Iliad e-book reader, iRex iLiad reader too slow for "live" websites, iRex Iliad will be available for around 400 Euro