Hands-On: Palm Pixi at New York Fashion Week
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White House CTO Aneesh Chopra Gives Speech, Tries Out Palm Pre
President Obama may have ushered in the era of the BlackBerry at the White House, but plenty of folks who work for him use iPhones on the side. "The White House is officially BlackBerry, though many folks also own iPhones," said Aneesh Chopra, the first-ever Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and Director for Technology in the White House Office of Science and Technology (yes, that's his official title).
Just two weeks into the job, Chopra made a public appearance as the keynote speaker at this week's CEA Line Shows and Digital Downtown conference, a sort of mini-CES held earlier this week (on Thursday) just around the corner from the Empire State Building in New York City. In his speech, Chopra outlined "four pillars," which essentially boiled down to using innovative technology to create jobs, carry-out Obama's initiatives on health care and education, create a national broadband network that's safe and secure, and facilitate a more open government (for more info on that go to www.whitehouse.gov/open).
Biggest Tech 'Cults'
Behold, worshipers at the altar of the keyboard! Since we've all lent our whole-hearted support to one particular operating system or gadget at some point, and since we're committed to promoting peace and understanding between rival tech factions, we pass on to you a canon of tech cults -- complete with a list of their practitioners' strange habits. The list, courtesy of the scribes of Infoworld, reveals the principles and practices of a multitude of technical denominations, and the sources of strife between the pious and the non-believer.
The list of "True Believers" describes seven predominant cults, their belief systems, and the rituals of their hosts of followers. Some of the different faiths, and their flocks, include "The Way of the Palm" and its legion of PDA devotees, and "The Commodorians," who seek to uphold the sanctity of the Commodore personal computer. These blind-faith disciples, even today, continue to program software for their ancient and forgotten relics.
Angelina Jolie Likes the Palm Pre More Than the iPhone?
We wonder how the folks over at Palm reacted after the LA Gossip Examiner reported that Angelina Jolie liked the Palm Pre more than the iPhone. We imagine the entire staff popped champagne and danced around like silent ravers.
Even though almost no one else seems to have been given free-roaming access over the device, Ms. Jolie has allegedly been using the Pre (which is not yet available to the public) on the set of her new movie 'Salt,' and recently got into a discussion about the phone after a male production assistant inquired about it. According to the assistant, Jolie "likes the software better than the iPhone, she likes the thumboard [sic] for texting (although the keys aren't big enough), and thinks the screen is beautiful but can be too easily scratched." That is pretty high praise from one of Hollywood's highest-profile female stars.
The Pre has already seen its fare share of hype, and this organic, unprovoked celebrity endorsement will certainly do nothing to lower expectations. [From: LA Gossip Examiner, Via: Business Insider]
Cell Phones, BlackBerry, Google, iPhone, Mobile Phones
Want a New Smartphone? Wait Two Months.
The Silicon Alley Insider is doling out a bit of advice that we heartily endorse: "Don't buy a smartphone until June."
It's not like there aren't any quality offerings on the market right now. In fact, if you really want a Windows Mobile phone (though we're not sure why you would), there's no need to wait. Go get one now. But be warned that, come June, there will be a whole host of new handsets on the market.
You can expect that the Apple iPhone will see a hardware refresh, along with a 3.0 software update, at the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference in June. Rumored additions to the device have included everything from a physical keyboard to an iMovie iPhone app for editing videos on the handset.
Cell Phones, Mobile Software, Mobile Phones
Palm Ending Development of PalmOS
Cell Phones, CES 2009, Mobile Phones
Palm Pre to Be Sold at Best Buy Exclusively
Cell Phones, Mobile Software, CES 2009, Mobile Phones
Palm Shows New Life With 'Pre' Smartphone
We'll be honest: We weren't expecting much from Palm this year. The company has been struggling of late to establish its identity in a sea of comprehensive handsets from the likes of HTC and, of course, Apple. But, establishing a corporate identity is exactly what the Palm folks have done with the Pre, suddenly going from has-been to hot. The phone isn't exactly revolutionary with its vertical slider layout, which hides a QWERTY keypad, or the functionality provided by its multi-touch screen, but, from the time we spent with it today, we're in love.
The device is incredibly polished and everything from syncing contacts with Gmail to updating your Facebook status is perfectly integrated. The form-factor is simple and intuitive, and everything just feels "right." Check out Engadget's gallery of pictures and hands-on video to get an idea for why we're getting excited. Stay tuned for more information leading up to the device's release on Sprint sometime this year. [From: Engadget]
Gallery: Introducing the Palm Pre
Palm Treo Pro Now Shipping
[Thanks, Matt B.]
Hype Check: AT&T Palm Centro
Hype Check: Palm Centro
What it is: Palm's Centro smartphone is the PDA pioneer's longest leap yet into the world of consumer phones, sporting the functionality of the larger Treo 755p in a smaller candy bar form factor. It has a full QWERTY keyboard, and supports all the features (and third-party applications) Palm users have come to enjoy. A version of the Centro has been out on Sprint, but Palm has turned it into an slower (for data) EDGE device for its AT&T debut.
Why it's different: The phone is considerably smaller, sleeker, and cooler than past Treo devices. There's a huge difference between the feel of the Centro and any other Palm phone: The keys are softer, the body is cleaner, and the interface is even a bit more intuitive. It comes in a rainbow of fruit flavors, and it fits much better in your pocket.
Price: $99 with a two year contract, on the AT&T Web site.
What we like: The Centro is a pretty cool-looking phone -- sorta like what would happen if you cross-bred an Xbox 360 and a Sony Ericsson (in other words, it looks like a business-ready phone that knows how to have fun). Besides being one of the smallest phones on the market with a full QWERTY keyboard, the Centro also has a touchscreen -- not multi-touch, mind you, but still a touchscreen -- which is still a rarity on consumer smartphones (though it should be noted that the touchscreen is better suited for use with the included stylus than with your finger). It's a Palm, meaning it has had most of its quirks ironed out over the years. In addition, Palm has included instant messaging, video, and music applications, as well as easy access (and setup) for your e-mail provider(s) of choice. It's also quite a bargain -- just $99 with a two-year contract.
What we don't like: There's no doubt about it: The keys are too small, and too close together. If you've got modestly-sized fingers, you probably won't find the keyboard be an issue, but for those of us with normal-sized honkers attached to our hands, typing can be pretty tricky. And while the design is nice (especially for a Palm device), it's still pretty thick: Beefier than the BlackJack, iPhone, and Pearl. And while the Palm OS interface is improved over previous Palm devices (particularly the phone part), it's looking increasingly dated. The Web browser, while serviceable, still uses AT&T's EDGE network instead of the faster 3G. There's also a noticeable lag when using the phone: Sometimes you'll wait a full five seconds for it to respond to your input. Annoying.
Does it live up to the hype? If you're riding the AT&T train and want a smartphone that doesn't scream "I wear a suit to work" -- and, for whatever reason, you don't want an iPhone (like, say, its $400 price tag, or perhaps the even more difficult touch-pad typing) -- the Centro may very well be your best choice. It's a more open platform option than Apple's product, which means it has loads of developer- and user-created applications available for download. There's plenty of room for improvement with the Centro, but it's a good step up to the world of mobile e-mail and productivity for anyone who's been using a standard cell phone that only makes phone calls, sends text messages, and takes pictures.
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Cameras, Advice, BlackBerry, iPhone, Switched Video, Style Maven, Gadget Head, Domestic God / Goddess, $100 and Under, Holiday Gift Guide, Reviews
Palm Centro Mixes Business with a Little Pleasure
Cell Phones, Computers, BlackBerry, Green Tech
Daylight Savings Wreaks Havoc On Gadgets, or Does It?
Some predicted the Daylight Savings changes signed into law in 2005 by President Bush would result in a mini-Y2K. And they were right, just as when the the year changed from 1999 to 2000, nothing of much note occurred. There was some anecdotal evidence of issues with BlackBerrys, and one kid went to jail for 12 days due to a computer glitch, but otherwise the clock change went without notice among the gadget owning public.
That said, some owners of older gadgets and cell phones, as well as people who just forgot to manually install updates (and some parking meters in Baltimore), have already experienced an early time change that messed with their schedules.
In case you were caught last time with your electronic pants down, here's a quick run down of how to make sure you're prepared this time around. Sadly, there's no simple fix for your confused biological clock.
- Windows Mobile 5 Smart Phones: Microsoft released the update for Windows Mobile 5 in February that fixes the Daylight Savings issue. If your handset runs WinMo 6 then you're already set.
- BlackBerrys: RIM also released the necessary update for the Blackberry software in February. Simply download and install and you're good to go.
- Palm OS Treos: Palm was a little behind others but still had its fix out in time for March's clock change.
so you should be set.
If you've got a cell phone that's older than four years, you might consider calling the manufacturer to make sure you're set for the time change.
From USA Today
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$99 Palm Centro Hitting Sprint 10/14
The Palm Centro is coming, and it's going to be cheap. Palm today unveiled most of the details on the diminutive Palm device, including the official release of October 14 with Sprint PCS and an official price of $99 . Naturally, that price is after a $100 mail-in rebate and requires a two year commitment with a minimum $25 data plan. The teaser site, Moreyous.com, touts the phone's Bluetooth wireless capabilities, EVDO for high-speed data transfers, compatibility with Word and PDF files, MP3 playback, and the ability to send and receive e-mails, texts, and IMs,
It's being tauted as the world's smallest Palm and. While the overall look and shape of the thing isn't exactly sexy, we do find the red finish to be eye-catching. However, as we mentioned in our earlier coverage, the Centro's small size has lead to a thumb-crampingly small keyboard that may make texting, or even just dialing, somewhat problematic.
From Engadget and Palm.
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Palm Treo 500 Unveiled, World Shrugs
The thicker-than-the-BlackJack Treo 500 sports nothing in the way of innovative features. In fact, the handheld is a huge step backwards for Palm, since Windows Mobile Standard means no touch screen, a first for a Treo. In fact, the only positive thing about the Treo 500 is the inclusion of 3G high-speed wireless data, though the specific flavor of 3G in the 500 is not compatible with US networks. With Samsung and HTC making such solid devices, Palm is going to have to step up its game.
It's sad to say, but it looks like we may be seeing the beginning of the end for Palm. Their supposedly revolutionary device, Foleo, was killed before it saw daylight. Palm had a big unveiling for that device, and most people just scratched their heads, disappointed supporters got vocal, and ultimately Palm killed the device.
And that was just the latest debacle for the suffering company. Its Linux-based successor to the Palm OS has been delayed again and again. After selling the same device with very minor adjustments for about 4 years straight (a decade in tech years), Palm has gone from industry-leader to laughingstock. And judging by the reaction around the Internets so far, the Treo 500 maybe dead on arrival. The 500 appears to be little more than a Dash or BlackJack with a Palm logo on it, and some pretty lackluster styling. Where is the Wi-Fi? The 3G for US users? The high-resolution screen? And most importantly, Palm, where's the touch screen?
Well Palm, it's been nice knowing you. It's been a long, strange trek together. Who knows? Maybe 10 years from now you'll stage an impressive resurgence similar to Apple's in the late '90s, but for now we think it's time to say goodbye.
From Engadget
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Cell Phones, BlackBerry, iPhone, E-Mail Addiction
The New Palm Centro - Can it Redeem the Company?
Unfortunately for the struggling handset maker, the reception so far towards its leaked Palm Centro (previously known as Gandolf) has been less than enthusiastic. The device looks small and slick, which is nice, but the keyboard is apparently so small that it's tough to use. Gearlog got a hands-on and described it as "impossible to type on with two thumbs."
But does anyone even care if this Palm device looks only so-so? Tthe Palm-faithful long ago started to abandon ship, and who can blame them? The long-awaited Linux-based replacement for the aging Palm OS has been delayed repeatedly, the basic designs of the Palm devices have remained for the most part the same over the last few years, and the unveiling of the confounding pseudo-laptop Foleo device certainly isn't winning them any fans.
Our pals over at Engadget posted an open letter to the folks at Palm that hits the nail on the head -- if Palm plans to retake its place at the top of the mobile computing heap, it's going to take a lot more than the Centro.
The device is set to drop in October for Sprint and probably Verizon a few months later. At launch, the price will be a very reasonable $99.
From Engadget
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