03:32 AM by Alexander Turcic in Archive | Handhelds and Smartphones

Despite their recent hanky-panky with Windows Mobile, Palm got around to issuing an update for the Palm Treo 650 today. The Updater 1.20 for unlocked GSM devices includes various performance enhancements, such as: improved memory handling, optimized Bluetooth performance, improved voice quality, improved device performance, updated software, and more.

Do not install this software if you didn't purchase your smartphone as an unlocked GSM unit.

03:25 AM by Alexander Turcic in Archive | Handhelds and Smartphones

Gizmodo has a quick write up of a new foldable Bluetooth keyboard that's made out of a special, water repellent touch-sensitive cloth material. The 63-key QWERTY keyboard is powered by two AAA batteries which promise to keep the wireless connection running for around ten hours on average use. On the company website I've found drivers for Symbian and Windows Mobile platforms, but not for Palm OS. Price still unknown.

04:25 PM by Alexander Turcic in E-Book General | Deals and Resources (No...

Just when the SFWA announced the preliminary ballot for the latest prestigious Nebula awards, Fictionwise is offering some of the stories as free PDA downloads. The current freebies include The End of the World as We Know It by Dale Bailey and The Tribes of Bela by Albert E. Cowdrey.

Btw, guys at Fictionwise, these are the 2005 and not 2006 Nebula awards.

Related: Sunrise sdl for awards

[via PalmAddicts]

09:31 AM by Bob Russell in Archive | Handhelds and Smartphones

A very nice 10 question interview with Michael Mace has been posted at PDA247. He was until recently the PalmSouce Chief Competitive Officer and always has some great thoughts on mobile computing.

You'll notice that he's a fan of e-books and the e-ink display is one of the technologies that he most wants to see in the future.

You can read more from Michael at his blog, Mobile Opportunity.

05:29 AM by Alexander Turcic in Archive | Handhelds and Smartphones

That Opera has been working on a dedicated Pocket PC browser isn't exactly a secret being kept under lock and key, but it's breaking news that a 45-day trial beta is now officially available for download. Unlike the version that leaked earlier, this beta includes binaries for Windows Mobile 5.0 as well as 2003. From the press release:

"Ever since we released Opera 8 for Windows Mobile 2003 Smartphone in June 2005, people have been asking for Opera for their Pocket PCs," says Christen Krogh, VP Engineering, Opera Software. "We are very pleased to offer the latest version of Opera Mobile to Pocket PC owners, so they may finally have a proper Web experience on their devices."

"Opera Mobile 8.5 for Pocket PC offers unmatched speed and usability, which is why we included it on our latest Sharp W- ZERO3 flagship device for the advanced Japanese market" says Tadasu Tsuchihashi, Executive director, Willcom INC. "Thanks to Opera Mobile's unique rendering technology the Web surfing experience on Pocket PC devices is now remarkably close to that of a PC."

Related: Opera Mobile 8.5 for WM 5.0 leaked

05:14 AM by Alexander Turcic in Archive | Handhelds and Smartphones

The Windows Mobile 5.0 Developer Resource Kit includes everything you need to start developing for Windows Mobile 2003 and Windows Mobile 5.0 based devices. This hefty download (880Mb) contains a 90-day trial of Visual Studio 2005 Professional Edition, the Windows Mobile 5.0 SDKs, ActiveSync 4.1, .NET Compact Framework 2.0, SQL Server 2005 Mobile Edition, localized emulator images and other useful developer tools.

[via ActiveWin]

04:13 PM by Colin Dunstan in Archive | Handhelds and Smartphones

Until I watched yesterday's episode of 24, it had never occured to me that a Palm Treo can be instrumental in saving the world. Jack Bauer, the self-righteous, revenge-seeking super hero we love so much, is back in the game to get rid of some annoyingly evil terrorists. See the following attached images how the Treo can be used for more than just sending e-mails and doing voice calls. You go, Palm!

02:58 PM by Alexander Turcic in Archive | Handhelds and Smartphones

Although Resco Explorer 2005 has been updated to V5.35, I cannot tell you what has actually changed since the updated description looks exactly like for V5.30. Still, it's the best file manager for Windows Mobile out there and I fully recommend it to anyone who wants to know more about what's going on under the hood of his device. You can currently get Resco Explorer from PocketGear at a 20 percent discount.