"Engadget is reporting late today that Matias Duarte is now employed at Palm and is part of the team driving the design and UI of Nova, Palm's next generation operating system. Matias was formerly the Director of Design, at Danger where he was responsible for the user experience and interface design. He also held a similar position at Helio. According to his public LinkedIn profile, Duarte has been working at Palm since September 2007 and his own job description field is teasingly vague at quote "something new... :-)" Palm CEO Ed Colligan has been talking up Nova for a quite some time now. In the last quarterly conference call he enthusiastically remarked the new system software combined with the new "game changing hardware" designed for it, will usher in a "new era for Palm." The latest hints from executive comments point to a end of year developer unveiling of some kind, with products to follow in early 2009. " via palminfocenter.com
"Zeus Quest is a funny adventure game. Your character is Zeus, the boss of Olympus that returned to earth to save the planet. FEATURES: * Play over 50 different places on the Greek islands. * Interact with many funny characters from the Greek Mythology. * Play many mini games. * Day - night conditions and hidden extras. * Translated into 6 languages. * Brilliant high resolution cartoon graphics. * Compatible with most of the platforms and phones. " More photos of this GREAT game here:
"A great proportion of current smartphone shoppers have already set their minds on the iPhone 3G, says RBC Capital Markets. The investment bank says it ran a survey of some 3,600 members of its Technology Adoption Panel in the aftermath of June 9th's 3G announcement, and found that of those planning to get a smartphone in the next 90 says, 56 percent wanted the new iPhone. RBC notes that this contrasts with a study conducted in March, in which only 35 percent were expecting to buy a new iPhone. In the June results, another 25 percent said they expected to buy a 3G "sometime in the future," more than twice the amount of a similar figure from March. Interest in Apple smartphones is also said to be at least twice that for any other company, including rival Research in Motion, whose BlackBerries attracted only 23 percent of the TAP group. The lower shop price of the iPhone was cited as the main reason for interest, favored by 67 percent of the potential buyers. 3G broadband came in second at 63 percent, while 47 percent chose GPS, 35 percent picked enterprise e-mail, and 20 percent wanted third-party software.More broadly significant may be that the number of people wanting to buy any smartphone has jumped by 10.5 percent, a figure which may reflect a larger potential market. The iPhone's TAM (Total Addressable Market) share is expected to shoot from its 2007 amount of 0.3 percent to 1.7 percent in 2009." via electronista.com
"Palm, Inc.reported that total revenue in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2008, ended May 30, was $296.2 million. Smartphone sell-through for the quarter reached a record high, totaling 968,000 units, up 29 percent year over year. "We continue to invest in Palm's future and remain focused on building long-term value," said Ed Colligan, president and chief executive officer for Palm, Inc. "Centro is a tremendous hit, we are gaining market share, and we believe with this momentum, and the launch of new Windows Mobile products, we will turn the corner and return to revenue and margin growth." Net loss applicable to common shareholders for the fourth fiscal quarter was $43.4 million, or $(0.40) per diluted share. Net loss applicable to common shareholders included stock-based compensation of $5.5 million, amortization of intangible assets of $0.9 million, restructuring charges of $1.3 million, impairment of non-current auction rate securities of $6.7 million and accretion of series B convertible preferred stock of $2.4 million. This compares to net income for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2007 of $15.4 million, or $0.15 per diluted share, which included stock-based compensation of $5.4 million and amortization of intangible assets of $1.0 million. " Read more inside..
"As foretold, Google has released a new version of its Google Maps for Mobile application for Palm OS devices today. The most anticipated new feature, the "My Location" service is only compatible with the AT&T and Verizon Cento at this time. The Sprint Centro will be made compatible via a software maintenance release expected sometime later this summer. Palm OS Treo devices are apparently not compatible with the new feature and Palm has no plans to release and update for these devices. Google's blog post states "older Palm models such as the Treos don't have the APIs needed to get the cell tower data, so My Location is not available on these models." Google Maps v2.0.20 also features some additional new features that all devices can take advantage of including hybrid view so you can view satellite imagery with street names layered on top, an improved business and address search, and a route summary that allows you to scroll through step-by-step directions. Google Maps Mobile can be freely downloaded from google.com/gmm. " via palminfocenter.com
"The Final Battle is one of the best games we ever made. It is a new, huge and funny adventure game which reminds us the old classic ones. The plot is happening at the age of the knights. Your character is a guy which wakes up in a prison cell with amnesia. He doesn’t even know who he is! Your task is to escape from the prison and find out the entire story behind your capture. And of course try to stay alive... ---23/Jun/2008 UPDATE (1.1) --- * French language added * Spanish language added * Bugs in plot fixed * Bugs in controls fixed * Text more obvious " Check it here:
"A ways back we said the date for the much anticipated (well, for a few of us at least) Palm Treo 800w was July 22nd.Then newer info popped up suggesting it got bumped to July 13th. Looks like that latter date is turning out to be correct as what looks like to be a scanned inventory sheet for Sprint was posted at HowardForums. The sheet also confirms our scoop that the 800w will sport a button on top of the device to toggle WiFi on/off.The launch also appears to be available a few days earlier Wed, July 9th for business partners (BP) of Sprint which is not that unusual (Edit: klmsu19 in the comments points out "BP" probably stands for BrightPoint, "a global leader in the distribution of wireless devices and the provisioning of customized logistic services to the wireless industry"). Start saving those bucks as full retail price will be $599.99 and we're expecting it to be $249.99 after contract and rebates. " via wmexperts.com
"Users of traditional Palm OS handhelds have had a hard go of things the past few years. Not only have Handspring and Sony folded up shop, Palm itself has switched its entire focus to making smartphones. For a long time it seemed that handheld users were destined to stick it out with their Palm TX or Zire; something that works, but is definitely behind the curve of technology trends.Some users wouldn't stand for such things and moved on to different devices, either Palm OS smartphones or handhelds running another operating system. But then Access came along and released a Palm OS Garnet emulator for Nokia's Internet Tablet devices. Now, those who don't want a smartphone have a device they can run their Palm OS software on." Read more here:
"One of Palm's older smartphones may be getting a new lease on life. If an unconfirmed report is correct, Verizon Wireless and Palm will soon release a Windows Mobile 6 upgrade for the Treo 700wx.An internal Palm document has been leaked that says Verizon Treo 700wx Update 1.24 will soon be released, which will include Windows Mobile 6 Professional. The process for releasing this must have been underway for some time, as this will apparently be the 6.0 version, not the more recent 6.1. Still, this will be a significant enhancement for the 700wx, which debuted in 2006 running Windows Mobile 5.0 Pro. This new version will include a number of improvements to the bundled applications, such as support for documents in the Microsoft Office 2007 formats and the ability to use Voice Command over a Bluetooth headset.The leaked document says this upgrade will be released sometime during the spring or summer of 2008. It will be available free of charge.There has been no word of Sprint offering a similar upgrade for its version of the Treo 700wx." via brighthand.com
"Facebook lovers out there rejoice, there is now a native Facebook application for the PalmOS. The application can be downloaded at http://go.palm.com/facebook or over the air at http://mobile.palm.com/facebook. The Palm Centro has been rather popular with the youth market, even though it didn’t have the killer Facebook app. Palm users probably always wished they were in the same boat with Blackberry users who have a native Facebook app, and iPhone users who have a iPhone-specific version of Facebook, but Palm users can heave a sigh of relief. Some of the cool features of this new app are:
Send and receive Facebook messages, and respond to friend requests.
Capture video using your smartphone and post it to your Facebook profile.
View and post photos, right from your smartphone, or snap and send off new ones.
Receive News Feeds, change your status, and get friends’ status updates on the go.
Browse friends’ profiles, post messages to their wall, and send friend requests or search for old friends through Facebook.
Open your Contacts and dial your friends with just one touch. " via uberphones.com
Verizon Wireless, builder and operator of the nation's most reliable wireless network, and Palm, Inc. (Nasdaq: PALM), today announced that the Palm(R) Centro(TM) smartphone will be available online at http://www.verizonwireless.com and in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores beginning June 13. Dressed in a crisp cobalt blue, the Centro provides customers with the perfect tool to manage the busiest of lifestyles with voice, text messaging, e-mail and the Web. Centro runs on Verizon Wireless' high-speed data network, which gives customers the ability to quickly send and receive e-mail messages and attachments and browse rich Web content. Verizon Wireless customers can also use the Centro as a modem for their laptops when they subscribe to Verizon Wireless' BroadbandAccess Connect service plan. The handset sports a vibrant color touch-screen, full QWERTY keyboard and a lightweight design. Centro's built-in Google Maps(TM) application delivers quick, reliable directions and lets users perform local searches and view moveable/scalable maps, satellite imagery and traffic updates. Customers can also map a contact's address directly from the contact application simply by selecting the "maps" button. Customers using the stylish Centro will get access to VersaMail(R) 4.0 with built-in Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync(R) support for Microsoft Direct Push Technology to deliver e-mail and calendar updates from a home or office PC using Outlook(R) directly to their handsets. Centro users also have the option of using Wireless Sync, Verizon Wireless' proprietary e-mail solution, for quick and easy access to personal or corporate e-mail, contacts, calendar and tasks from their home or office PC. Wireless Sync supports POP3 or IMAP e-mail accounts and it supports Microsoft Exchange, IBM Lotus Notes(R) and IBM Lotus Domino(R). The Palm Centro also includes the following features and capabilities: -- Text, picture and video messaging (text messages are presented to customers in a "chat-style" view so customers can see their entire conversation unfold) -- Superior phone functionality, including one-touch speakerphone and conference calling, the ability to respond to a call with text messaging, and the option to use the touch-screen dial pad -- Smart, fast Web browsing using the award-winning Blazer browser -- 2x digital zoom camera with video capture -- Media player with Pocket Tunes(TM) Deluxe (PlaysForSure-compatible) -- Bluetooth(R) v. 1.2 with support for hands-free car kits and headset profiles -- 64 MB available user storage and microSD(TM) memory card slot with support up to 4 GB -- User-friendly, familiar Palm OS(R) 5.4.9, including one-touch access to key applications -- Small, sleek form factor: 2.1" (l) x 4.2" (w) x 0.7" (d) -- 4.2 ounces with battery -- 320 x 320 pixel color touch-screen and full QWERTY keyboard for easier e-mail, messaging and Web use
"Apple carries just 19.2% of first-quarter U.S. smartphone sales, as BlackBerry and Palm Centro encroach on the 'prosumer' market.Apple Inc.'s iPhone, a new model of which is widely expected this summer, took 19.2% of the U.S. market for smartphones in the first quarter of 2008, according to research firm IDC's vendor survey.That was down from 26.7% of smartphones sold in the fourth quarter of 2007, which included the holiday shopping season, IDC reported.Much of the slack was picked up by Research In Motion Ltd.'s BlackBerry, which took 35.1% of the market in the fourth quarter and 44.5% in the first.IDC analyst Ramon Llamas said the BlackBerry is now strong in the "prosumer" segment, as Research in Motion (RIM) has successfully widened the appeal of the device beyond the professionals who have been its core customer group.Smartphones are designed to be used for Web surfing and e-mail, in addition to voice calls, and usually have alphabetic keyboards or touch screens. They account for a growing share of cell phones sold, as prices descend and carriers complete their fast data networks.IDC did not reveal the total number of smartphones sold in the quarter. Apple said it sold 1.7 million iPhones in the first quarter, including overseas sales.Palm Inc., a pioneer in the category along with RIM, also picked up market share in the first quarter, when it grabbed 13.4% of smartphone sales, up from 7.9% in the fourth quarter, IDC said."Palm also did really well. It posted a sequential gain mainly on the strength of the Centro phone," Llamas said. The Centro, a smaller phone than Palm's Treo models, came out last fall for the Sprint Nextel Corp. network and was launched by AT&T Inc. in February.But Palm's market share is down from 23% in the first quarter a year ago, apparently falling victim to the iPhone, which went on sale late last June. RIM's market share is also down from last year, when it sold 48.7% of U.S. smartphones in the first quarter.No. 4 in market share in the most recent quarter was Samsung Electronics, with 8.6%, up from 5.1% in the fourth quarter, a rise Llamas credited to the availability of the BlackJack on Verizon Wireless.Motorola Corp, which is struggling in the overall cell phone market, performed poorly in smartphones as well, dropping from a 7.5% share in the fourth quarter to 2.6% in the first" via money.cnn.com
"StyleTap Inc. today announced plans to bring to market a version of StyleTap CrossPlatform for the iPhone and the iPod touch, which will instantly allow over 20,000 mobile applications to run on these popular devices. Further information about the product, including how it will be marketed and sold, will be made available in early July 2008.In addition, the company announced that StyleTap personnel will be at the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco, CA from June 9-13, 2008, and will be available to meet with mobile application developers interested in learning more about StyleTap CrossPlatform for the Apple devices. Interested parties should contact StyleTap via email at sales at styletap.com, or through the contact form on the StyleTap website." Read more inside..
"Toyspring has released Bike or Die! 2, the sequel to its popular bicycle simulation game for Palm OS devices. In Bike or Die 2 players pedal a Physics-based bike simulation through cleverly designed obstacle courses consisting of varied terrain such as hills, rocks, snow and caves. The game has a unique gravity and feel to it as you attempt to maneuver through each course without destroying yourself. The new version features much improved graphics with added textures and a more 3D-like levels, background music, customizable bikes and player profiles. Bike or Die 2 for Palm OS is available now for $14.95. A free trial is included." via palminfocenter.com
"Access has released an update to its Palm OS Garnet VM for Nokia Internet Tablets. New features in the Garnet VM Beta 2 (v1.01b) include full screen support, three hot-swappable display modes (portrait full screen, portrait windowed and portrait landscape), improved performance and various compatibility and app specific updates. Notable new apps that are now listed as compatible include: Google Maps, Snappermail, Pocket Tunes, Kinoma Player 4 EX and CorePlayer. The Garnet VM is a "virtual machine" essentially acts as an emulator allowing you to run Palm OS applications on a Nokia N770, N800 and N810 Internet Tablet. it supports over 30,000 native software applications written for the Palm OS, including some of the most popular mobile applications on the market, such as Google Maps, Snappermail, DateBk5 and perennially favorite games like Bejeweled, PacMan and Sudoku. The Garnet VM runs compatible Palm OS applications with a 320 x 480 screen resolution. There are settings to change the default storage size, display configuration and storage heap. Basic version of the Address Book, Calculator, Date Book and Memo Pad are included. Users are able to install any Palm OS application and can configure compatibilty per app (memory, display and device model). The Garnet VM for Nokia Internet Tablets also includes Graffiti 1 character recognition, TCP/IP Networking support, the ability to Network Hotsync and language support for English, French, Italian, German and Spanish. You can check out our earlier article with pictures and video demo of the first version of the Garnet VM released in Nov '07. The Nokia N770, N800 and N810 Internet Tablets are part of the Nokia Nseries range of high performance multimedia computers. The tablets run a customized version of Debian Linux and include built in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi wireless connections and a large high resolution displays at 800 x 480 pixels." via palminfocenter.com
"Opera is whispering about a "silent" upgrade to their popular Opera Mini browser that's specific to Palm and BlackBerry devices only. Version 4.1.11355 is available at http://www.operamini.com and addresses these issues:
BlackBerry devices can use WiFi only. [I'm assuming Opera Mini was using cellular data services and folks didn't want that? ]
BIS might be working on BlackBerry's. The folks at Opera say it works on one of the two service providers they tested with.
Memory is handled better on Palm devices, which should boost image performance.
"The first leaked photo of the Treo 850 was just posted last week, today TamsPPC is saying to have obtain the specification of the device through a friend working at Palm. The Treo 850 is indeed with a codename Skywriter, it looks similar to Palm Centro, but the source says it is a evolution from Treo 750 series. The Treo 850 will be running the windows mobile 6.1 professional. Similar to the upcoming Treo 800w, it will come with built in WiFi and will be using a micro-USB connector for battery charging and desktop sync. It sounds impossible to have a 32MB SDRAM while running the multi-task Windows Mobile OS, just note that these specs might not be the final list.
* Os: Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional * Size: 60 x 113 x 14 mm (W x L x T) * Display: 320 x 320 pixel TFT touch screen * GSM * HSDPA 3.6 Mbps / EDGE * A-GPS, WiFi, Bluetooth * 2 megapixel camera * micro-SD card slot * micro-USB connector * 256 MB NAND-Flash (> 175 MB for user) / 32 MB SDRAM" via slashphone.com
"While the first Palm smartphone with WiFi is finally coming near, Palm has just start to offer Palm Centro to Telstra Pre-Paid customers in Australia beginning May 26. Palm has sold its one-millionth Palm Centro smartphone in 10 countries worldwide, including Hong Kong, Singapore, India, the UK, Germany, Spain, Ireland, France and Italy." via slashphone.com
" Ahh Wednesdays. Is the first half of the week over or is the second half of the week beginning? Optimist or pessimist, here at BGR we’re doing our part to make today as painless as possible. How about we start out with an exclusive dose of some live shots of the Palm Treo 850! Truth be told, this puppy is pretty smooth looking! Details are still coming in but we can tell you it’s sporting a 400 MHz processor and 100 MB of RAM. Hit the jump for a nice comparison pic with the BlackBerry 8800" via boygeniusreport.com
" Here comes the Palm Zeppelin! To be called Treo 800w, it is a windows mobile smartphone for CDMA network. It should available for Sprint network this year and you should also see another Palm device called Palm Skywriter this year (probably for GSM network?) Information on the spes is not available at the moment but it is confirmed that the smartphone use a microUSB connector. The Trep 800w design follows the old traditional Treo series smartphones, it might be the first Palm smartphone that comes with built in WiFi and GPS capability." via slashphone.com
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"Facebook lovers out there rejoice, there is now a native Facebook application for the PalmOS. The application can be downloaded at 
Verizon Wireless, builder and operator of the nation's most reliable wireless network, and Palm, Inc. (Nasdaq: PALM), today announced that the Palm(R) Centro(TM) smartphone will be available online at 
