What a week! Let’s see Barry Bonds finally broke the home run record. Virgin Airlines America finally took off. Details about the Foleo were finally unveiled (see below). And to top it all off – we now know the identity of the “Fake Steve Jobs.” With a week like that, what do you do for an encore?

Actually? There’s more where that came from. Palm had plenty of news coming out of LinuxWorld that took place this week in San Francisco. Software developers for the Treo (Palm OS and Windows Mobile platforms) continue to pump out new versions (and updates) as noted by TreoCentral’s Jennifer Chappell. And companies are trying to figure out how to tap into the growing smartphone market (a Wall Street Journal story stated that 3.9 million smartphones and mobile PDAs were shipped in North America in the first quarter of this year—that’s a 50 percent increase year-on-year).

So without further ado, Let’s Talk Treo!

Palm News

As mentioned, with LinuxWorld taking place this week, Foleo Fever heated up.

Palm Selects Wind River as its Preferred Linux Platform Provider for the Foleo

Wind River Systems, the global leader in Device Software Optimization (DSO), and Palm announced that Palm has selected Wind River Platform for Consumer Devices, Linux Edition as its open standard Linux platform for future Foleo software releases. Palm selected Wind River Linux for its standard development and deployment environment that will help speed applications to market, while still meeting the requirements for a stable and robust open mobile platform. Along with the platform, Wind River is providing its Wind River Workbench development suite, professional services and customer support to help Palm and its development community attain the efficiencies needed to compete in the ever-changing mobile market.

Palm and Wind River will work to incorporate Wind River's Platform for Consumer Devices, Linux Edition to the Foleo over the coming months.

LogMeIn Adds Remote PC Access Capability to Palm Foleo Mobile Companion

Palm and LogMeIn, Inc., the world's leading provider of remote connectivity, are bringing remote PC access capability to the Foleo. LogMeIn provides secure connections between remote PCs over the web - enabling easy desktop remote control, data backup and file sharing. Adding this application to the Foleo gives users the ability to quickly and securely access files and network resources on their home or work computers.

Note: This LogMeIn press release also appears in the Social Media press release section of the Palm website.

Palm Foleo Developer Activity at LinuxWorld

This entry from the Palm blog includes a video clip of Jeff Hawkins talking about the importance of building an open Linux-based platform around the Foleo as a means for fostering a “very robust” development community.

Note: A full list of the third-party applications available for the Foleo is also posted in this entry.

More Foleo Details Unveiled

According to Ed Hardy at Brighthand, more details about the Foleo were unveiled at the LinuxWorld developer “get together.”

• will be built around a 416 MHz Intel/Marvell PXA27x processor.
• will sport a Marathon 2700G graphics accelerator to increase the speed of its graphical user interface, and to allow it to connect to an external monitor.

He also noted that developers who were willing to attend a seminar about writing applications for the Foleo -- and sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement -- were given a unit, already in its retail packaging.

756 & a 700 or 750 or 680... In another Palm blog entry, some Palm employees were at AT&T Park on Tuesday night to see Barry Bonds hit home run number 756. There are pictures posted and a video, to give you a sort of “you were there” experience.

Taking Over the World

There were no global expansion press releases this week.

There has been buzz this week about an alleged Treo 800p. If any of you are looking for a clip that appeared on YouTube... don’t bother. According to Tam Hanna at TamsPalm-the Palm OS Blog, Palm had the clip removed. Of course, this is just feeding into the speculation.

I’m reminded of that Orson Welles commercial where he says, “We will sell no wine before its time.” Just chill, folks! Palm will clue us in soon enough. – AL

Recent TreoCentral Guides, Reviews & More

Review: EMTAC Navigator V4 PalmOS Bundle - By Harv Laser

Harv took a look at the EMTAC Navigator 4.0, one of a few GPS options available for PalmOS Treo owners:

“For those looking for a reliable and quick GPS solution for your Treo and want the whole USA, pre-loaded, and available without monthly fees, EMTAC Navigator 4.0 is a viable option.”

Read on to see how well it lived up to the claim in their press release – that you could be up and running under five minutes.

Review: Palm Wireless Keyboard with Bluetooth - By Jennifer Chappell

Jennifer tried out Palm’s new full-size, QWERTY Wireless Keyboard with Bluetooth:

“Palm's Wireless Keyboard with Bluetooth is a great little gadget to have. I love the design and the way it looks. It's very easy to set up and to use. It's actually fun to type on it and doesn't feel like a chore. Yes, a Foleo would be nice as you'd have the full keyboard and a big screen combined. But the combination of Palm's keyboard and my Treo works great, and both devices are small and easy to carry.”

Note: This keyboard was also recently reviewed by Antoine Wright at Brighthand and Joe Moran over at PDA Street.

Review: Seidio Multi-Function Battery Charger for Treo - By Jay Gross

No matter which Treo (or Treos) you have (Treo 755p, 750, 700p, 700w|wx, 680, 650), the Seidio Multi-Function Battery and Smartphone Charger is “a neat answer to desktop clutter and Treo spare battery charging, all in one device.” He wrote:

“The Seidio Multi-Function Battery Charger for Treo 755p, 750, 700p, 700w|wx, 680, 650 is a handy way to stay ahead of the spare battery and Treo charging routine. It offers versatility and portability – the two-prong plug folds out of the way for packing – plus plenty of charging and connection options. With some extra cabling and an add-on purchase or two, its versatility improves. The device accommodates one battery, OEM or third-party, normal or extended, plus - if you’re charging from house current - one Treo. The device won’t take the place of a cradle, as it doesn’t HotSync.”

Clue: Treo Software Roundup - By Jennifer Chappell

This week, Jennifer points out more than two dozen programs that are new or have been recently updated, including: alarmToday, AlwaysOn Reader, FolderMirror, FontSmoother, Destaller Pro, mVoice, MissedCall, Missing Sync 4, MobileTracker, Mogoso, phoneAlarm, SBSH MyList and PocketBreeze, Sunnysoft Contacts, SwitchSync Ex, and UltimateSearch.

Talkin’ TreoCast

In this episode, along with the usual news and reviews, the hosts discuss software (and software updates) and “conditionally express" some Treo 750 Windows Mobile 6 impressions. Also, this week, listeners got into the act, as time was spent responding to emails from the TreoCentral community.

Elsewhere in the World of Treo...

Review: Case-Mate Signature Series Holster Combo

Andrew over at Treonauts checked out the Case-Mate Case-Holster Combo (for Treo 680, 750 and 755p) that consists of both a hard leather, form-fitting shell and a convenient leather holster. He noted, “The build quality is excellent and is handcrafted from a premium Italian Pebblestone leather. The fact that Case-Mate offer a Lifetime Warranty is also clearly a sign of commitment to quality.” He wrote:

“I also particularly like the fact that your Treo fits in the holster with the screen facing inwards (most other hard leather form-fit Treo cases have a belt clip at the back thus exposing the screen to bumps and scratches).

nsider both the Case-Mate Signature Case-Holster Combo and Case-Mate Signature Series (without holster) for Treo 680, 750 and 755p to be my top choices in this Treo case category..”

Review: Sound ID SM100 EarModule Bluetooth headset

Another review worth checking out is the one Andrew wrote for a new Bluetooth headset by Sound ID. It is extremely small (roughly the size of a quarter dime coin at the front) and also very light (only 11 grams). But how does it sound? Check out what Andrew had to say.

Review: Smartphone Browser Shootout: Palm, BlackBerry, HTC Vs. iPhone

InformationWeek’s David DeJean has written an article describing how the Palm Treo, BlackBerry Curve, and HTC Wing stack up against the iPhone when it comes to Web-browsing. As a guideline, he utilized three rules that govern how well a smartphone handles Web browsing:

• Rule #1: Does it have a full keyboard?
• Rule #2: The more pixels, the better.
• Rule #3: Browser features matter -- a lot.

He noted “the Palm Treo 755p browser's configuration controls can dramatically improve the displayed results by disabling cascading style sheets.”

“What the Treo, Blackberry and Wing have in common is a reliance on a menu-driven user interface (taken to an extreme in Windows Mobile), hardware that simply isn't up to the task of supporting a fully functional Web browser, and browser software that tries to do something like Web browsing with both its hands tied behind its back. Going forward these deficiencies will be even more obvious as Web services and Web-delivered applications get more sophisticated.”

Note: For a different take on Web browsers for the Treo, check out what Harv Laser wrote (“Reinventing the Wheel - Handheld Web Browsers for the Future”).

Review: The Missing Sync v4.0 beats the pants off of Microsoft’s ActiveSync

The headline to Matthew Miller’s story pretty much says it all. In his Mobile Gadgeteer blog, Miller describes key features of The Missing Sync, Version 4. He was especially enthusiastic about how well it allows Mac users to sync their Windows Mobile devices.

Software Review: Resco Explorer

Alli Flowers at MyTreo.net just posted a review of Resco Explorer, a file management program that is available for Palm OS and Windows Mobile Treos.

“Resco Explorer has replaced numerous small utilities on my Treo. It is one of the most robust and full-featured applications available for Palm OS. Try it for yourself for a week and see. You'll be more than happy to part with $29.95 before the end of the trial period.”

Clinton Fitch, of ClintonFitchDotCom, wrote a review of Spb Traveler – a "one stop shop" that offers “users the ability to plan a flight, a meeting as well as get currency, unit and size conversions while in virtually any country in the world.” He wrote:

“The beauty of Traveler is that you can get all of this information essentially from one screen and only a tap or two away, making it quick to use and with a low learning curve. Combine this with its Over The Air updating abilities for currency conversions, weather and links and you end up with an application that travelers should strongly consider for their next trip. Even if you do not frequently travel, this application could prove to be handy just for the conversion tools alone!”

Spb Traveler is available for $29.95 (US) directly from Spb Software House and other online retailers. Now through August 27, 2007 you can save 15% off of Spb Traveler at the Clinton Fitch (Dot) Com! Software store when you use the coupon code CFTRAVEL at check out.

Clue: Full-Version of YouTube is Possible on a Windows Mobile Treo

Over at WMExperts, our sister site, a forum member (hero zbop) has written instructions for getting the full version of YouTube working on a Windows Mobile Treo or other device, without needing a PhD in Computer Science.

Clue: The Ins and Outs of Unlocked Phones

David Haskin at ComputerWorld has written a piece that contains some helpful advice for buying an unlocked phone or unlocking an already purchased phone. Wireless carriers are notorious for locking the phones they offer so they only work on their own network (that’s why you get such a price break). Haskin notes, “Buying new, unlocked phones or unlocking your existing phone is perfectly legal in the U.S., although it's not as common as it is in other parts of the world, most notably Western Europe.” His article is a worthwhile read if you want to get up to speed on the pros and cons of unlocked phones.

News: Ringo Mobile Now Does Windows (Mobile 6)!

This week, Electric Pocket announced Ringo Mobile, the leading ringtone manager for Pocket PC Phones and Windows Mobile Smartphones, now supports Windows Mobile 6 and includes more options for identifying incoming callers.

According to the press release, Ringo has long been the best selling ringtone manager for Palm's Treo, with features such as playing MP3 tunes as ringtones and assigning ringtones to individual callers or groups of callers. Ringo Mobile is available from the Ringo web site at ringomo.com for $24.95.

News: TimeOut Mobile!

Mobile Commerce, the UK’s most successful developer and facilitator of content search solutions for the UK mobile telecommunications industry, has announced a new service that offers mobile users details from the comprehensive Time Out Online guides in an intuitive, user-friendly, package. Time Out Mobile provides detailed information on the best bars, restaurants, clubbing, gigs, theatre and comedy as well as various events around town, together with national cinema listings. Further information, such as the nearest ATMs, taxi services, maps and reviews, is also available to the user.

Note: I pointed this out because you may see this some time soon in the States if it proves successful in London. TimeOut has guides for New York and Chicago.

Trends: Smartphones & the Games People Play

A story (“Beyond Brickbreaker: As Smart Phones Gain In Popularity, Game Makers Roll Out New Diversions”) appeared in The Wall Street Journal (subscription required) that talked about how the growth of the smartphone market (up 50 percent increase year-on-year) has caused an increase in demand for mobile games. And it isn’t just consumers. Rather, game developers are realizing that "the business consumer wants to play games, too." The story mentions the host of new games that are becoming available for higher-end smart phones such as BlackBerrys and Treos.

Though the article mostly focuses on BlackBerry owners, it mentions “Kim Dushinski, a 41-year-old consultant from Lakewood, Colo., who frequently powers up her Treo's version of solitaire, Bubble Breaker or Cubis while waiting to pick up her daughter at school or while stuck in the doctor's office.”

Go Treo!

Note: Actually, there are quite a few game options available for the Treo (Palm OS and Windows Mobile platforms).

Endnotes & Ponderables:

Be afraid. Be very afraid…

According to a study that came out this week, McDonald's-wrapped food tastes better to kids.

“The study, from August's Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, found that youngsters three to five years old showed a strong preference for food presented in the familiar fast-food packaging. ‘You see a McDonald's label and kids start salivating,’ Diane Levin, a childhood development specialist who campaigns against advertising to kids, told the AP.”

But wait! Let’s turn this on its side. Is it possible to wrap carrot sticks, broccoli and other wholesome snacks in Mickey D packaging and have those same kids salivating? Humm…

One thing I do know is that this theory was proven in a big way with Apple’s drawn out introduction of the iPhone. This smartphone was “wrapped” in the Apple logo and folks were immediately salivating – to the point where more were bought than activated.

We all fall into the branding trap. That’s the reality. And, yes… it starts at a young age. It is what it is.

And, THAT’S a wrap!

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