Favorite Palm RSS Readers
RSS readers provide a great way to stay up to date with the latest news on your PDA. I’ve rounded up a list of ten RSS readers that will work with Palm PDAs. Check it out here.
In addition, I’d love to hear which RSS reader you love. Tell us about your favorite RSS reader by clicking here.
Charge4All Announces Portable Charging Mat
If you’re looking for a convenient way to charge multiple devices at once, you might want to consider the new Portable Charging Mat from Charge4All. This mat lets you charge up to four devices at once using a single power source.
The Portable Charging Mat comes with four charging ports and five smart charging plugs, including plugs for the iPod/iPhone, Mini USB, Micro USB, Samsung SCH, and LG Chocolate. Additional charging ports are also available in case your device is not compatible with one of the included plugs. With the Portable Charging Mat, you can easily charge your PDA, mp3 player, cell phone, and another device using a single included AC adapter. Charge4All also offers a car adaptor for charging devices on the road.
Accelerometers Becoming More Common
New research from iSuppli Corporation claims that accelerometers are expected to appear in one-third of mobile phones shipped next year. Accelerometers detect and measure motion, enabling features such as the automatic rotating of a screen from landscape to portrait mode when you rotate the device.
Apple’s iPhone and iPod touch have called attention to what accelerometers can do. Based on iSuppli’s research, it appears other manufactures are paying attention to the success Apple has had in using this technology. Although we haven’t heard much about PDAs getting accelerometers, it would certainly be a welcome addition.
What do you think? Would an accelerometer entice you to buy one device over another?
Free Palm Apps
BLORGE recently published a list of what it is calling the Top 40 Best Free Palm Apps. They have some good suggestions on the list as well as a good variety. It appears that the list might be a little out of date, however, since AvantGo is listed. (As you’ll recall, AvantGo is going away: http://palmtops.about.com/b/2009/06/17/avantgo-is-going-away.htm.
Still, the list is worth checking out, particularly if you’re interested in finding some new, free software for your Palm PDA.
New Review: V-MODA Vibe II with Microphone
Since your PDA can play MP3s and other audio files, there’s really no need to carry a separate MP3 player in addition to your PDA. Simply load your favorite tracks onto your PDA or a memory card that’s compatible with your PDA, add a set of headphones, and you’re all set. For best audio quality, you’ll want a good set of headphones, so check out my latest review of V-MODA’s Vibe II with Microphone.
visCrypt Encryption Software Updated
If you’re looking for a way to encrypt single files on your mobile device, SFR Software might have the answer in the form of its newly updated visCrypt software. As the company describes it, “visCrypt is a program for your Pocket PC to encrypt and decrypt any files and documents. You can secure any documents in the internal memory and on memory cards comfortably with visCrypt.”
New features in the latest version include a Favorites view, automatic backup of the configuration file, filtering functions, and much more. SFR Software also revised some old features. The software offers three log-in methods as well as the ability to encrypt files and documents with 256 Bit Twofish algorithm. Check out the visCrypt product page for additional details about this program.
New Review: OtterBox HP iPAQ 210 Extended Battery Defender Case
If you’re looking for a new case for your PDA, OtterBox offers some very durable models that will protect your handheld from life’s accidents. In this review, I take a closer look at the OtterBox HP iPAQ 210 Extended Battery Defender Case. This case offers three layers of protection and also provides easy access to the ports on the PDA. Check out the full review for more information on this case.
New Palm Freeware Helps You Manage Passwords
HANDCASE recently launched a new application for Palm users called HandLogin. This program lets you store and organize logins and passwords for different websites, services, and software on your handheld. Although I would caution you about storing too much sensitive information on your PDA unless you’ve also implemented some means of security (like password protection), it is handy to have all of your passwords recorded and stored in a single location. Since HandLogin is free, you have nothing to lose by trying it. Palm users can check it out at http://www.handycase.com/eng/freeware.htm.
While you’re at the site, be sure to check out HANDCASE’s other freeware offerings for Palm. There are some cool apps on the page, including a puzzle game, calorie counter, reminder application, and much more. All of these apps are available from http://www.handycase.com/eng/freeware.htm.
SPB Announces Geo Game
SPB Software introduced a game called SPB Geo Game that is designed to help players check and improve their knowledge of the world’s capitals and national flags. SPB Geo Game includes world flags, world capitals, a 3D globe, and a finger friendly interface. The game makes for a fun and easy way to expand your horizons.
"Getting to know all the countries in the world with their capitals and flags is something a lot of us always wanted to do, but never had the time,” comments Vassili Philippov, SPB Software COO. "SPB Geo Game grants the opportunity to test ourselves and study the world's diversity in a fun and relaxing manner, within the few spare moments we have," Vassili concludes.
SPB Geo Game features two separate game modes: Capitals and Flags. In both modes, the correct answer and its location are shown on a 3D globe. SPB Geo Game is now available for touchscreen phones running Windows Mobile 5 and later. It’s also available for the Android platform. The game costs $4.95 and is available from http://www.spbsoftware.com/pocketpc-software/geogame.
Adobe Flash Player Coming To Windows Mobile, WebOS
Adobe has announced plans to launch Flash Player 10 for various mobile platforms later this year. Flash is widely used for multimedia content on the Web, but until now it was considered too resource intensive to be used on handheld devices such as PDAs or smartphones.
The latest mobile version of Flash Player 10 will support Windows Mobile, WebOS, Symbian, and Android devices. Many of Adobe’s partners have already received early copies of Flash Player 10. Developers should receive their copy later this year at Adobe's Max conference, which is in October.
Not only will Flash Player 10 enable a richer Internet browsing experience on mobile devices, but it also has the ability to enable the development of web-based applications. This, in turn, could free developers from individual application stores like we have today.
Although this is indeed an exciting announcement, it’s unlikely users will see applications built around the Flash 10 platform before early next year.